In a significant development in the ongoing fight against online defamation, acclaimed South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun, 38, has taken firm action, formally requesting YouTube to shut down the contentious ‘Garosero Research Institute’ channel, also known as Hoverlab. His legal team confirmed the demand on October 20, 2026, emphasising the channel’s repeated violations of the platform’s policies on harassment and cyberbullying. This action follows an earlier request made on October 3 to remove 30 specific videos deemed defamatory, which reportedly remain accessible.
Kim Soo Hyun Escalates Fight Against Garosero Research Institute (Hoverlab)
Kim Soo-hyun’s representatives are pushing for the complete termination of the Garosero Research Institute (Hoverlab) channel, which has garnered approximately 976,000 subscribers, according to reports as of October 20, 2026. Attorney Go Sang Rok, representing Kim Soo-hyun, stated, “At the beginning of this month, we requested the deletion of 30 videos containing defamatory content about actor Kim Soo-hyun on YouTube and the closure of the channel. This is a measure to stop the repeated harmful acts and secondary damage”.
The actor’s side is arguing that individual video removals are insufficient to curb the continuous spread of harmful and false narratives.
Key Milestones in the Legal Action:
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- October 3, 2026: Initial request made to YouTube for the removal of 30 specific videos related to Kim Soo-hyun.
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- October 20, 2026: Official request filed with YouTube to shut down the entire Garosero Research Institute (Hoverlab) channel.
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- November 4, 2026: A court hearing is scheduled to address an application for a court order compelling the removal of the videos and prohibiting future similar content.
Allegations of Defamation and AI Manipulation
The core of Kim Soo-hyun’s legal complaint stems from allegations made by Garosero Research Institute (Hoverlab) that include false claims about his relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron, particularly suggesting a relationship when she was a minor, and that his side allegedly threatened her, contributing to her death. Furthermore, the channel is accused of employing “AI-manipulated voice recordings and other false evidence” to defame and threaten the actor.
Kim Se Ui, the head of Garosero Research Institute (Hoverlab), was indicted in June 2026 on charges of defamation after prosecutors determined he had disseminated false information with the intent to disparage Kim Soo-hyun. Despite these criminal proceedings, the videos in question reportedly remain publicly accessible on the platform, prompting Kim Soo-hyun’s representatives to seek more drastic measures against the channel itself.
Kim Soo-hyun’s legal team is calling for YouTube to demonstrate greater responsibility in curbing channels that profit from repeated harmful acts, emphasising that legislative amendments supporting account suspension must be translated into practical measures to prevent further damage. The outcome of this dispute could set a significant precedent for how platforms respond to persistent online harassment and defamation targeting public figures.