A police forensic analysis has reportedly found that a controversial 2016 message attributed to actor Kim Soo-hyun was actually sent by another celebrity. The latest revelations come as a YouTuber who raised allegations against the actor has been arrested and Kim makes his first official public appearance in South Korea in months.

According to a report published by Dispatch on October 13, the allegation that Kim exchanged inappropriate messages with the late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was underage was based on a screenshot in which the conversation partner’s name had allegedly been changed.

The development could mark a significant moment in the controversy that has surrounded the actor for more than a year, although questions remain about the broader allegations and the potential impact on his career.

Forensic Analysis Points to Another Sender

The controversy centered on a message allegedly sent by Kim Soo-hyun to Kim Sae-ron in 2016. The message reportedly asked, “When can I hug and sleep with you?”

However, according to Dispatch, police forensic analysis found that the actual sender was another celebrity, identified in the report as Mr. A, rather than Kim Soo-hyun.

The original conversation reportedly showed Kim Sae-ron referring to Mr. A by his real name and mentioning his colleagues. Investigators also reportedly identified differences in spelling and speech patterns between the messages and Kim Soo-hyun’s known communication style.

The report further alleged that Mr. A’s name had been removed from the original screenshot before staff members at the YouTube channel involved in raising the accusations were instructed to replace the conversation partner’s name with “Kim Soo-hyun” in an image marked as “unknown.”

The alleged alteration was reportedly connected to the fact that Kim Sae-ron had saved Kim Soo-hyun’s contact information in October 2017.

These findings challenge a central piece of the allegations concerning the pair’s communications. The claims about the screenshot and the forensic findings were reported by Dispatch.

How the Controversy Unfolded

Kim Soo-hyun came under intense scrutiny on February 16, 2025, following allegations that he had pressured Kim Sae-ron to repay debts after her death. Separate accusations that he had dated the actress while she was a minor further intensified the backlash.

At a tearful press conference, Kim maintained that he would accept criticism for actions he had actually taken but insisted he would not accept responsibility for things he had not done.

“I did what I did. I can accept any criticism for that. But what I did not do, I did not do,” he said.

He also pledged to establish the truth, adding that he would prove his position rather than ask the public to believe him.

Despite his statement, public skepticism continued, and the actor became the target of widespread online criticism.

YouTuber Arrested as Police Decline to Indict Kim

About a year after the controversy erupted, the YouTuber who raised the allegations was arrested, according to the report.

The reported charges include alleged defamation through false information under South Korea’s Information and Communications Network Act, violations of the Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes, alleged offenses under the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes involving recorded material, and threats.

Separately, police reportedly decided not to indict Kim Soo-hyun over alleged violations of the Child Welfare Act, citing insufficient evidence.

The decision represents a significant development in the investigation involving the actor. However, the decision not to indict him on that particular allegation should not be interpreted as a ruling on every claim made during the broader controversy.

Kim Soo-hyun Returns to the Public Eye

Throughout the controversy, Kim has maintained that he is innocent of the allegations he denies and has sought to restore his reputation.

He has gradually resumed professional activities, including filming commercial projects overseas. On September 19, he attended the 2026 The Fact Music Awards at Busan Asiad Main Stadium as a presenter, marking his first official public appearance in South Korea since the controversy began.

With the newly reported forensic findings, the arrest of the YouTuber and the decision not to indict Kim under the Child Welfare Act, attention is now turning to whether the actor can rebuild his public standing and accelerate his return to the entertainment industry.

For Kim, the latest developments could prove pivotal as he attempts to move forward from a controversy that has overshadowed his career for more than a year.

Source: Compiled from various sources