The family of late actress Kim Sae-ron has filed a defamation complaint against YouTuber Lee Jin-ho, accusing him of spreading false information that contributed to her death.
The legal action was initiated on 17 March 2025 during a press conference at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
Attorney Bu Ji-seok, representing Kim’s family, stated that the actress suffered “severe emotional pressure” due to videos uploaded by Lee Jin-ho on his YouTube channel @Behind_Master.
“The defamation charge is just a legal term. We believe Lee’s actions are closer to murder,” Bu said during the press conference.
What Happened
Kim Sae-ron, who was found dead at her home in eastern Seoul on 16 February 2025 at the age of 24, had been the subject of multiple videos posted by Lee since her DUI incident in 2022.
The family specifically criticized Lee’s portrayal of social media posts containing photos of Kim with actor Kim Soo-hyun. They claim the YouTuber wrongly accused the actress of posing as Kim Soo-hyun’s girlfriend.
“Kim endured deep psychological pain as a result of a series of videos containing false claims that Lee had posted since 2022,” the family stated.
The bereaved family accused Lee of attempting to destroy evidence by making the related videos private after Kim’s death, which they believe further justifies their legal action.
In their statement, the family referenced Article 250, Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Act, which states that a person who commits murder shall be punished by death, life imprisonment, or imprisonment for at least five years.
“In our hearts, we wish to file charges under the crime of murder. However, as defamation does not fall under the methods of murder according to legal precedents, we regretfully hope that the fact that the deceased’s death is causally linked to YouTuber Lee Jin Ho’s dissemination of false information will be fully reflected in the sentencing,” the family’s statement read.
Relationship with Kim Soo-hyun
The case has brought attention to Kim Sae-ron’s relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun.
Last week, YouTube channel Hoverlab claimed, citing a telephone interview with her family, that she had been seeing Kim Soo-hyun for six years, starting when she was 15.
Kim Soo-hyun’s agency initially denied these allegations but later acknowledged that the two were in a romantic relationship for about a year after she became an adult.
During the press conference, Kim Se Eui, head of HoverLab Inc., reiterated the demand for Kim Soo-hyun to issue a sincere public apology.
Future Legal Actions
The family’s legal representative made it clear that this lawsuit is just the beginning of their pursuit of justice.
“This is only the first legal step,” Bu said, adding that more complaints are likely to follow. “We intend to hold those responsible for defamation and the spread of false information fully accountable.”
Kim Se Eui confirmed this stance, stating, “This press conference marks the beginning of the first lawsuit, and we will continue to pursue legal action from this point forward.”
The family plans to file additional complaints against the YouTuber over his other videos.
Here's a summary of the Chocolate Finance saga, simplified so even a non-finance kid can understand:
Read Also:
- Malaysia-Bound Travellers Face 2-Hour Delays at Woodlands Checkpoint as March School Holidays Begin
- Kim Soo-hyun’s Agency Denies Dating Minor Kim Sae-ron, Refutes Financial Pressure Claims Following Actress’s Death
- Man Jumps onto Boon Lay MRT Tracks During Rush Hour to Retrieve Phone as Passengers Activate Emergency Stop
- Two Women Disrupt Shanmugam’s Meet-the-People Session with Confrontational Protests over Gaza
- Luxury Bukit Timah Bungalow Converted to High-Stakes Gambling Den; 12 Northern Chinese Suspects Arrested in Police Raid
- Singapore Airlines and Scoot Ban In-flight Power Bank Usage from April 2025 over Safety Concerns
Advertisements
