Kim Soo-Hyun Cleared After Police Find No Evidence in Grooming Allegations
South Korean actor Kim Soo‑Hyun was officially cleared of allegations that he had dated and groomed the late actress Kim Sae‑ron while she was a minor, after police concluded that the evidence presented by the complainants was fabricated. The investigation records were returned to the police on September 3, 2026, marking the end of a 16‑month legal battle that began in May 2025.
The case began when the bereaved family of Kim Sae‑ron, who died in February 2025, filed a complaint accusing Kim Soo‑Hyun of sexual abuse and grooming. The family claimed that the actor had dated Kim Sae‑ron during the winter break of her second year of middle school. A second complaint was filed by Kim Se‑eui, the CEO of the Garo Sero Institute, who released audio recordings and screenshots of KakaoTalk conversations that he said proved the relationship. The audio was presented as a key piece of evidence.
Police investigated the claims from May 2025 through July 2025. The investigation team analyzed the audio file and the KakaoTalk transcripts. According to the police report, the audio was generated by a synthetic voice‑generation system and the text of the KakaoTalk messages was fabricated. The police concluded that the evidence had been manipulated and that there was no basis for the allegations. On July 29, 2025, the police decided not to forward the case to the prosecution for further investigation.
The prosecution returned the investigation records to the police on September 3, 2026, after confirming that no additional evidence had been found. The police’s conclusion of innocence was confirmed without the prosecution requesting a supplementary investigation. The case was therefore closed, and Kim Soo‑Hyun was cleared of all charges.
Kim Se‑eui, who had disseminated the fabricated evidence, was arrested in May 2025 on charges of spreading false information. He was handed over to the court for trial. The court’s findings reinforced the police’s assessment that the evidence was fabricated.
Kim Soo‑Hyun has filed a defamation lawsuit against the bereaved family of Kim Sae‑ron and the Garo Sero Institute, claiming that the allegations damaged his reputation. The lawsuit is pending, but the police’s acquittal removes the legal basis for the original accusations.
The case had significant implications for the Korean entertainment industry. Kim Soo‑Hyun, a multiple award‑winning actor, had been unable to appear in new projects during the investigation period. He is scheduled to return to the public eye in December, when he is set to present at the 2026 Fact Music Awards. The industry has largely viewed the case as a cautionary example of how fabricated evidence can damage careers.
The investigation also highlighted the growing use of artificial intelligence in the creation of fake audio and text. The police’s findings have prompted calls for stricter verification protocols for digital evidence in criminal cases.
In summary, the South Korean police have officially cleared Kim Soo‑Hyun of all allegations related to the alleged grooming of Kim Sae‑ron. The investigation records were returned to the police in September 2026, and no further prosecution is expected. The case is now closed, and the actor’s legal and professional activities can resume.
