Actor Kim Soo-hyun to testify at defamation trial of YouTube channel head Kim Se-eui

Actor Kim Soo-hyun is set to appear as a witness at the trial of Kim Se-eui, head of the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, who faces charges of defaming Kim.

The Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 26, presided over by Judge Lee Hyeon-gyeong, has summoned Kim Soo-hyun as a witness for the Wednesday hearing in Kim Se-eui's case involving alleged violations of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection and the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes, according to Yonhap.

Because the charges include a violation of the sexual violence punishment law, the witness examination is expected to be held behind closed doors.

Kim Se-eui was indicted in detention in June on charges of spreading false claims through YouTube and other platforms — including allegations that Kim Soo-hyun had dated the late Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor, and that pressure from Kim Soo-hyun's side to repay debts was the direct cause of her death.

Additional charges include spreading an AI-manipulated voice recording of Kim Sae-ron to defame Kim Soo-hyun, and threatening to expose private photographs and personal materials related to Kim Soo-hyun.

Kim Se-eui has denied all charges.

When Kim Se-eui arrived at court in May for a detention review hearing, he told reporters, "The arrest warrant is riddled with obvious falsehoods. It is a shoddy document that cannot even get the basic facts straight. I do not admit to a single charge."

Kim Se-eui asked the court to hold a citizen participation trial, but the request was denied.

Kim Se-eui has applied for bail on grounds including mental illness and is awaiting the court's decision. Bail is a procedure by which a court releases a defendant from detention during trial, typically subject to the payment of a deposit or other conditions.

Kim Soo-hyun made his first public appearance in about a year and five months on Aug. 23 (local time).

Kim appeared on "Mahakarya RCTI 37," a special live broadcast marking the 37th anniversary of RCTI, Indonesia's largest private broadcaster.

Kim expressed his gratitude, saying, "I am truly thankful for being invited to such a meaningful occasion," and performed "Dreaming," the original soundtrack from "Dream High," the 2011 drama series in which he starred.

The live broadcast also captured Indonesian fans welcoming his appearance.

RCTI said, "We can finally sing with Kim Soo-hyun," adding, "We are grateful to Kim Soo-hyun for coming to 'Mahakarya RCTI 37.' It was the best moment."

In September, Kim also appeared as a presenter at the 2026 The Fact Music Awards held at Busan Asiad Main Stadium.

Having resumed activities including overseas commercial shoots, Kim had also been scheduled last month to hold a fan meeting for about 20,000 people at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines, as a model for local fashion brand Bench.