Kim Se-hee, the head of the YouTube channel Gaseyeon Research Institute, was arrested on May 26 in connection with the death of actress Kim Sae-ron and ongoing revelations about actor Kim Soo-hyun's private life.
Kim faces five charges, including defamation through false statements, violations of the stalking law, and unauthorized distribution of recordings. Authorities believe he manipulated key evidence and released AI-generated audio without adequate verification. Investigators have deemed these actions to be of serious nature.
Gaseyeon Research Institute, founded in 2018 by Kim Se-hee, lawyer Kang Yong-seok, and the late Kim Yong-ho, gained significant influence by producing exposé content targeting politicians and celebrities, amassing around 1 million subscribers at its peak.
However, the channel has faced ongoing criticism for repeatedly making unverified claims, invading personal privacy, and launching attacks against specific individuals. Both public figures and ordinary citizens have reported violations of their rights and secondary victimization due to indiscriminate disclosures and so-called 'doxxing'.
The Gaseyeon Research Institute has been at the center of controversy for its strong partisan rhetoric and provocative language regarding political and social issues. The concern is that such content goes beyond mere opinion expression, damaging individuals' lives and spreading false information, mockery, and hate. When a channel with significant influence in cyberspace operates as a tool for 'private sanctions', victims can suffer irreparable harm.
MBC's 'Straight' has investigated the allegations of false and manipulated disclosures related to actor Kim Soo-hyun. The program will also explore the motivations behind Gaseyeon's aggressive revelations and examine potential institutional solutions to control the rising issue of cyber harassment content. The episode airs today at 8:30 PM.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.