YouTuber Lee Jin-ho Denies Claims Of Hacking Incident

In a dramatic unfolding of events, YouTuber Lee Jin-ho held a press conference on May 7, 2025, in Seoul's Gangnam district, vehemently refuting claims made by the Garo Sero Institute regarding the late actress Kim Sae-ron. The controversy erupted when Kim Se-eui, the representative of the Garo Sero Institute, alleged that Kim Sae-ron's informant had been attacked by two assailants and released photographs purportedly showing the aftermath of the incident.

During the press conference, Lee Jin-ho asserted that the images released by Kim Se-eui were not authentic, stating, "The photo claiming that the informant was attacked is something you can easily find on the internet." He further accused Kim Se-eui of failing to verify the information before making it public, saying, "Kim Se-eui published these photos without any verification, causing harm to many people." Lee Jin-ho's comments came after Kim Se-eui claimed that the informant had been stabbed nine times in the neck.

Lee Jin-ho went on to reveal that forensic analysis of the images showed they were actually specially designed stock photos published in 2021. He added that another image released by Kim Se-eui dated back to 2008, further casting doubt on the authenticity of the claims. "The allegation that Kim Soo-hyun was involved in this incident has been confirmed as a fraud," he stated, expressing his frustration over the lack of due diligence in the claims made by Garo Sero Institute.

At the same time, Kim Se-eui had presented audio recordings from January 2025, allegedly featuring Kim Sae-ron discussing her relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun, claiming they had been involved since she was in middle school. Kim Se-eui claimed the recordings suggested inappropriate behavior and harassment from Kim Soo-hyun during their relationship.

In response to these allegations, Kim Soo-hyun's representatives initially denied the claims and threatened legal action. However, they later acknowledged a relationship but clarified that it did not occur while Kim Sae-ron was a minor. Kim Soo-hyun is now pursuing a civil lawsuit for defamation against those spreading what he describes as false information.

Meanwhile, Kim Sae-ron, speaking through her legal representatives, expressed feelings of being exploited and manipulated throughout her life, stating, "I feel like I've been used since middle school." She recounted instances of being made to look like a fool and claimed that if circumstances had been different, she would have revealed everything about her relationship with Kim Soo-hyun.

As the situation escalated, Kim Se-eui made further allegations, claiming that after the informant revealed the existence of the recordings, Kim Soo-hyun's team offered a significant sum of money to silence the informant. This claim was met with skepticism from Lee Jin-ho, who labeled the informant as a fraudster and suggested that the entire narrative was fabricated by a con artist operating out of New Jersey.

Lee Jin-ho elaborated on the alleged fraud, stating that the informant had contacted him under the guise of wanting to discuss the situation involving Kim Soo-hyun. He claimed that this individual had a history of deception and had impersonated others in the past. "This person is a scammer who uses voice phishing and other deceptive tactics to extort money," he explained.

In a further twist, Lee Jin-ho claimed that the recordings presented by Kim Se-eui were not genuine but rather created using artificial intelligence technology. He stated, "The voice recordings were put together using AI, and the New Jersey fraudster added his voice to them," indicating that the recordings had been manipulated to mislead the public.

Lee Jin-ho's press conference came shortly after a similar event held by Kim Se-eui, where he had presented the informant's claims and the alleged hacking incident. The rapid succession of these press conferences has left many questioning the motives behind the allegations and the authenticity of the evidence provided.

As the narrative continues to unfold, the legal representatives for both Kim Sae-ron's family and Kim Soo-hyun are preparing for what could be a lengthy and contentious legal battle. Kim Sae-ron's family is demanding an official apology from Kim Soo-hyun regarding the allegations of their six-year relationship, which they insist began when Kim Sae-ron was still a minor.

In a statement, Kim Soo-hyun's team expressed serious concerns over the spread of unverified claims, urging media outlets to confirm facts before publishing potentially damaging information. They stated, "We ask that you verify the facts to prevent any unjust harm that might arise from the spread of false information."

The situation remains fluid, with both sides preparing for potential legal ramifications stemming from the allegations. As the public awaits further developments, the case has sparked widespread discussion about the responsibilities of media figures and the impact of social media on personal reputations.

In the age of digital information, where the line between fact and fiction can often blur, this controversy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of verification and accountability in the realm of public discourse.