SBS reporter Kang Kyung Yoon has filed a legal complaint against Kim Se-eui, operator of the controversial YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute, alleging defamation and the dissemination of false information related to audio recordings involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
In a blog post published May 8 (KST), Kang called the May 7 press conference held by Garo Sero "shocking," and denounced the audio recordings presented during the event as "fabricated using deep learning technology."
Kang, who played a key role in exposing the Burning Sun scandal, stated that the individual who supplied the recordings to Garo Sero had approached her in early April.
"He's someone with an unclear identity, who appears to be seeking money," Kang wrote. "I believed everyone else would dismiss him as a con artist, just as I did."
The YouTube channel had claimed that the voice in the recordings belonged to Kim Sae Ron and featured discussions about her personal life, including allegations involving actor Kim Soo Hyun.
Kang's name was also mentioned in the audio.
However, Kang disputed the authenticity of the clips.
"The voice was clearly manipulated using AI to imitate the deceased's voice to suit their agenda," she wrote, emphasizing that people close to Kim had expressed disbelief after hearing the recordings. "Her friends told me she wasn't someone who would speak in such profanities."
The reporter also addressed accusations from Kim Se-eui, who alleged that Kang had visited the informant's home in New Jersey in an attempt to intimidate him.
Kang denied the allegation by releasing her official immigration records and listing her travel history in the U.S. from Jan. 1 to May 5, 2025, which didn't include an entry to the United States.
In her post, Kang expressed concern over the damage to her reputation and urged for accountability.
"I'm worried about protecting my name and putting an end to this nightmarish chaos," she concluded.
The legal move comes as the Garo Sero Research Institute channel has received increased attention, and they have been criticized in the past for sensationalist content.
The rumor is part of a series of reports relating to the rumored romance between Kim Sae Ron and Kim Soo Hyun.
