Actor Kim Soo-hyun has requested the closure of a YouTube channel that spread defamatory content against him, prompting his legal representative to explain the detailed reasons behind the action.
Attorney Go Sang-rok of Kim’s legal team stated, “Earlier this month, we requested the deletion of 30 videos containing defamatory content about actor Kim Soo-hyun and the closure of the channel on YouTube. This is a measure to stop repeated harmful acts and secondary victimization.”
Previously, Kim’s side reportedly demanded the channel’s closure on the 6th. The grounds for the request cited violations of YouTube’s policy on harassment and cyberbullying. Attorney Go stated, “The investigation confirmed charges of defamation and intimidation against Kim using false evidence, such as AI-manipulated voices.”
Additionally, Kim’s side requested the removal of 30 related videos posted on the channel. They emphasized, “Even if one video is deleted, if the same attack continues from the same channel the next day, the damage does not stop. Depending on the repetitiveness and gravity of the harmful acts, the suspension or deletion of the channel itself must be actively considered.”
Attorney Go explained, “The recent revision of the Information and Communications Network Act provides a legal basis for account suspension, termination, and service stoppage, which is practically significant. Now, that basis must lead to measures that actually halt the damage.” He added, “Some voices express concern about the infringement of freedom of expression or a ‘gag order.’ However, looking at the business structure of platforms, we must also pay attention to their incentives to delay or minimize intervention.”
He further noted, “This case goes beyond providing relief for a single actor; it questions how responsibly platforms should respond to channels profiting from repeated harmful acts. Legal revisions alone cannot change reality. A precedent must be established where the newly prepared legal basis is actually applied to stop the damage. In that sense, a concrete precedent is as important as, and sometimes more important than, the legal revision itself.”
Attorney Go appealed, “There must definitely be a precedent showing that effective measures beyond deleting individual videos can be taken against repetitive and serious rights infringements at the channel level. We ask for a lot of interest so that this case can become the catalyst for such a change.”
Meanwhile, Kim suffered a blow to his activities last year in March when allegations arose that he had been dating the late actress Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor. At the time, Kim’s camp acknowledged the relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron but countered that their meetings continued only after she became an adult.
In response, Kim’s side filed a complaint against the bereaved family and others of the late Kim Sae-ron for defamation by spreading false information. In May, the agency stated, “It was revealed that the late actress’s KakaoTalk conversations were forged or altered with a third party unrelated to Kim Soo-hyun, and the late actress’s voice was also confirmed to be fabricated data generated using AI technology.”
Subsequently, the person who initially raised the minor-dating allegations was booked and detained on charges including violations of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (defamation by spreading false information), violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Stalking Crimes, violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Violence Crimes (distribution of camera-utilizing recordings and forced use of recordings), and intimidation.
Having cleared his name after a year, Kim resumed his social media activities starting with an advertising shoot for the Philippine fashion brand ‘Bench’ last July, embarking on his return to the entertainment industry.
