This is a good murder mystery drama. I was pulled in from the start and entertained. Simon Yam was magically good in this, carried the whole drama. His partner police officer was a dull character tbh. The 2 last minutes of the drama went for an open ending, which I knew to expect (since they give a spoiler in the drama description above) and it definitely was not a good decision. But apart from those last 2 minutes, I'd recommend this as an intriguing watchable murder investigation drama. 8/10
Korea is facing a surge in suicides among men in their 30s to 50s, driven by worsening economic hardship, social isolation and high-profile celebrity deaths, highlighting urgent calls for stronger national suicide prevention measures.
“For suicide prevention, we must also change the social culture that severely punishes and condemns celebrities for missteps,” said Prof. Hong. “We need to move beyond the existing policy framework and work together with the public to internalize the value of respecting life.”
The death of actor Lee Sun-kyun in December 2023 also affected men in their 30s to 50s.
“Men in their 30s to 50s, who perceived Lee as a relatable, ordinary figure, were greatly shocked by his death,” said Hong Jin-pyo, a professor of psychiatry at Samsung Medical Center.
The Werther effect continued for more than two to three months due to this reason. The gradual collapse of family structures, traditionally emotional buffers, has exacerbated the crisis for these men.
The crisis continues this year. Political turmoil surrounding the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, the Jeju Air disaster and the death of actress Kim Sae-ron have fueled public anger. Following Kim’s death in February, suicide-related emergency reports in Seoul noticeably increased.
--
We see that the lack of empathy that seems to plague the South Korean society and that is clearly on display in this page has no winners. There's no justice to be gained for Kim Saeron by instigating more suicides and making the social deaths of celebrities visible to those who are seeing themselves as having failed.
Here we go again. This is NOT DRAMA NEWS. This is for the gossip cravers and we have already seen that you can't mix a drama discussion site with a gossip site. We need to know NOTHING about actors' private lives.
Isn't it enough that Allkpop, Koreaboo, Kbizoom, and all the reputable newspapers, publish gossip to get clicks. The downside is that actors are hunted like animals for a scent of a juicy scandal. Which is then used to create more clicks and to bring the actor down. In many cases, driven to suicide.
Positive celebrity news is not any better or any more acceptable than negative news. Part of the same machine that grinds money from invasions of privacy.
Everyone has a public life and a private life, even SK actors. Only people with no empathy skills can't make a difference.
See the sheer the monstrosity of the celebrity witch hunts in the Kim Soo Hyun profile page.
"On March 28, 2025, former DIA Somyi’s agency, Modenberry Korea, issued an official statement claiming that legal action will be taken against the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute for spreading the false claim that Somyi and her former CEO Kim Kwang Soo were in a relationship.
" Additionally, the claim made in the video titled “[Shocking Exclusive] DIA Members Fighting Over One Man” posted on the Garo Sero Research Institute YouTube channel on March 2, 2024, stating that Somyi and PocketDol Studio CEO Kim Kwang Soo were in a relationship, is completely false. We will proceed with legal measures against this false claim.
We will take strict legal action without any leniency against all malicious acts and will continue to monitor the situation for further legal responses. Posting, spreading, and engaging in the distribution of malicious content about our artist is a criminal act, and we will continue to collect evidence to file criminal complaints and civil lawsuits for damages."
Earlier lawsuits:
Grok:
Lawsuits Against Garo Sero Research Institute (Prior to 2025) Seo Yea-ji Lawsuit (circa 2021) Filed by: Actress Seo Yea-ji (specific filing date not provided in the context, but inferred from her history with the channel).
Details: Garo Sero Research Institute has a history of targeting prominent figures, including Seo Yea-ji, known for her role in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. The channel implicated her in scandals, leading to legal action. While the exact details of the lawsuit (such as the date and outcome) are not specified in the provided context, the web result from dimsumdaily.hk (published March 16, 2025) confirms that Seo Yea-ji was among the celebrities who took legal action against the channel for its unverified and sensational reporting.
Related Claims: The channel’s allegations against Seo Yea-ji were part of its pattern of targeting high-profile celebrities with unverified claims, which contributed to its controversial reputation.
Han Ye-seul Lawsuit (circa 2021) Filed by: Actress Han Ye-seul.
Details: Garo Sero Research Institute reported on misconduct allegations involving Han Ye-seul, leading to legal action from the actress. The specific nature of the allegations and the lawsuit’s outcome are not detailed in the provided context, but this case is part of the channel’s history of legal challenges due to its reporting on celebrities.
Kim Gun-mo Lawsuit (circa 2019-2020) Filed by: Singer Kim Gun-mo.
Details: Garo Sero Research Institute was involved in reporting allegations of misconduct against Kim Gun-mo, a prominent South Korean singer. The channel, run by lawyer Kang Yong-seok, claimed in 2019 that Kim Gun-mo had sexually assaulted a woman at an adult entertainment establishment. Kim Gun-mo filed a defamation lawsuit against the channel and Kang Yong-seok, seeking damages for the false claims. The case gained significant attention in South Korea, with Kim Gun-mo denying the allegations.
Outcome: In 2020, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of Kim Gun-mo, ordering Kang Yong-seok and Garo Sero Research Institute to pay damages for defamation. However, the legal battle continued as Kang appealed the decision.
Summary of Garo Sero’s Reputation in South Korea:
The reputation of the Garo Sero Research Institute (also known as Garo Sero Yeonguso or HoverLab) in South Korea is highly polarizing and predominantly negative, particularly within the entertainment industry and among the general public who value credible journalism. Below is a detailed breakdown of its reputation based on the provided context and broader historical understanding of the channel’s activities:
Sensationalism and Unverified Reporting
Reputation as a Purveyor of Rumors: Garo Sero is widely criticized for its unfiltered and often unverified reporting. The channel is known for publishing sensational exposés that frequently lack substantiation, leading to accusations of spreading baseless rumors and misinformation.
The X post by @Ksooman0216 (April 27, 2025) reflects this sentiment, tying the channel’s actions to South Korea’s broader issue of fake news production, where the country ranks second globally (Pew Research Center, 2025).
Reputation for Legal Recklessness: The repeated lawsuits have cemented Garo Sero’s reputation as a reckless entity that operates with little regard for the legal or ethical consequences of its reporting. This has further damaged its credibility among those who see it as exploiting freedom of speech to harm others.
Garo Sero’s methods undermine its credibility as a whistleblower. The channel’s reliance on unverified sources and its tendency to sensationalize stories—often at the expense of individuals’ reputations—make it a controversial player in South Korea’s digital media landscape. Many “decry it as a purveyor of baseless rumours and personal attacks.”
Broader Context of Misinformation: South Korea’s ranking as the second-highest country globally for concerns over “fake news” production (Pew Research Center, 2025) amplifies the negative perception of Garo Sero. The X post by @Ksooman0216 directly ties the channel’s actions to this broader issue, suggesting that its reporting on Kim Soo Hyun is part of a manipulated narrative meant to serve ulterior motives rather than the truth.
The channel’s role in spreading potentially fabricated stories contributes to public distrust in media, particularly in a country where 73% of people see manipulated news as a major problem (Pew Research Center, 2025). This association further tarnishes Garo Sero’s reputation as a reliable source.
Industry Backlash: The South Korean entertainment industry views Garo Sero as a disruptive force that exploits celebrities for views and clout.
Niche Support Base Supporters’ Perspective: Despite its negative reputation, Garo Sero retains a small but dedicated audience that values its “no-holds-barred” approach to reporting. Some supporters see it as a counterbalance to mainstream media, which they perceive as overly cautious or influenced by powerful entertainment agencies. The channel’s ability to break major stories, such as the Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo divorce, has earned it a degree of notoriety that appeals to those who crave insider gossip.
Limited Credibility: However, even among its supporters, the channel’s credibility is often questioned due to its track record of legal losses and unverified claims.
Summary of Garo Sero’s Reputation in South Korea:
Negative Perception: Garo Sero is largely seen as a sensationalist and unreliable source that prioritizes views and controversy over factual reporting. Its history of defamation lawsuits and unverified allegations has made it a pariah in the entertainment industry and among much of the public.
Polarizing Presence: While a small group of supporters appreciates its role in challenging powerful figures, the majority view it as a harmful entity that contributes to South Korea’s fake news problem and damages innocent lives.
Legal and Ethical Concerns: The channel’s repeated legal battles and ethical lapses have solidified its reputation as a reckless and untrustworthy outlet in South Korea’s media landscape.
The patient cases are all interesting. I like this so much more than Hospital Playlist S2. I didn't like the music or band scenes in HP, and skipped the flashbacks to uni days. This so far has quite a lot of depth in how the residents grow to understand and monitor the emotions of the patients. I'm surprised that I like this so much. Hope it stays strong until the end.
Koreaboo is merely celebrity gossip. What kind of people typically consume malicious celebrity gossip and scandals?
Copilot: "People who gravitate toward malicious celebrity gossip and scandal often exhibit a mix of psychological and social traits that make sensational narratives especially appealing. These individuals tend to be active consumers of pop culture and media, often engaging with content that provides an immediate, visceral thrill. They might be characterized by a high appetite for drama, a penchant for schadenfreude (taking pleasure in the misfortunes of others), and, at times, a desire to feel morally superior by judging those in the limelight. Such consumers frequently engage in these narratives as a form of social bonding—exchanging “inside” information with peers—and as a way to partake in what feels like a communal updating of who is in or out of favor in an ever-changing cultural hierarchy.
There’s also a psychological element to this consumption. Research and commentary in the field of celebrity studies suggest that those invested in malicious celebrity gossip might be more likely to have underlying feelings of insecurity or envy. They may find comfort in the narrative that even the rich and famous are fallible, which serves as proof that one’s own flaws are universal. For these individuals, the act of consuming such stories isn’t just about idle curiosity—it’s a way to navigate their social identities, sometimes reinforcing a sense of self by positioning themselves in contrast to the scandals of public figures. This often happens in the context of highly mediated environments where the immediacy and exaggeration of gossip on social media or tabloid sources intensify these feelings and reactions." -
The Kim Soo Hyun case goes under the skin, because we are witnessing a turning point as regards media ethics and ethical media use. Either the boundary between private and public is drawn more clearly. Or all celebrities are just one second away from public humiliation. This is where people pick the side.
Not being a fan of anyone is an alien concept to those whose own life is all idol saturated and unlived. Feeding the brains with celebrity gossip would be normally considered as a model of cultural consumption for the lower classes and the semi-illiterati. But if the society around sees idol mania as normal and even praiseworthy, there's no loss of face in engagement with gossip rags. When anonymous not actually seen by anyone, there can no loss of face either.
Focusing on details of scandals means not caring about the industry surrounding the scandals. The industry, either cyberwrecker media or entertainment companies, is not a deflection but the where it all takes place. Celebrity gossip is attractive to those who like to wallow in the mud. People are downgrading and degrading first and foremost themselves. Not the target who is the target without consent and without means to shoot the whole dartboard down.
I've been saying these things whenever MDL has published celebrity gossip, over and over again. Now we're finally seeing the consequences in full. Consume the gossip industry, it's you who are consumed and in fact giving up on yourself and what you could be.
The lawsuit decides about stalking and defamation and violation of privacy, nothing else. The truth will never come out as the other party is conveniently dead and people can make stories endlessly. I don't know about the grooming since people conveniently ignore the mother who was KSR's manager and likely behind the decision to let her play an adult role in a romcom together with an adult male when she was 14.
You do your youth protection, but as a mother, if my child had made 18 suicide attempts I would make sure to get her treatment and never let her out of my sight. And in terms of protection of the youth, it is not as if the SK idol hungry society would prohibit child sexualisation. I like the way they had to cancel the already produced the 10-15 year old girls' idol competition where these kids were wearing sexy clothes, doing sexy dances and wearing lots of makeup. But think about it. Although the cancelling was right we must ask who accepted the concept in the first place and what were the parents thinking. The pushback should have happened earlier. You get to crucify one person in the mess and everything else remains the same.
The court makes a decision about borders around privacy. There's the police investigation of Garosero in the defamation and coercion of Tzuyang. The decision there will likely show us how the court will decide also on KSH case.
I wish MDL had not scrapped the article about KSR and KSH dating rumour because I was condemning that very article strongly as invasion of privacy. Because I am sure the gossip hungry predators here were screaming at KSR there. I really would like to check. But these justice warriors are not fond of truth but just the idea of themselves as justice warriors. Garosero already identified KSH as a Chinese communist and next he will claim KSH is a North Korean spy and people will just conveniently ignore those parts.
Rumour economy is a huge risk for future k-drama productions. Whilst cyberwreckers continue to cash out - huge profits, no risk - the nation's most valuable export is just one more scandal away from free fall.
How South Korea’s ad‑fuelled rumor economy has morphed into a national economic risk:
"The K‑content boom is South Korea’s soft‑power crown jewel; its collapse would be an own goal of historic scale. Kim Soo‑hyun did not ask to be the test case for platform accountability, but his saga has revealed a simple truth: if a single YouTube clip can halt a ₩20 billion Disney project overnight, the rumor economy is no longer a gossip problem—it is a systemic economic hazard. Pollution laws taught us that businesses must not profit by dumping costs on the commons. The same principle should govern digital bile. Until the platforms and profiteers pay, every Korean hit show, luxury ambassador and budding idol will live in fear of the next unverified screenshot—and the nation’s most valuable export will remain one rumor away from free fall."
South Korea’s YouTube rumor ecosystem is a well‑oiled outrage factory. A mid‑tier “investigative” channel earns roughly ₩6,000 to ₩8,000 per thousand views; videos accusing Kim of grooming the actress have already surpassed four million clicks, generating about ₩30 million (US $22,000) in ad revenue each. None of that money is escrowed in case of defamation. None is clawed back if the claims collapse.
One "exposé” video can earn its creator tens of millions of won in YouTube ad revenue, yet the target must spend more than that just to begin clearing his name.
Just a reminder of problems with aligning with cyberwrecker YouTube channels.
Garosero Research Institute (Hoverlab) is under police investigation also in another case, concerning YouTuber Tzuyang. Hoverlab is accused of repeatedly posting photos and comments about Tzuyang, accusing her of tax evasion and other personal matters, starting from July 30 2024. Garosero is is accused of violating anti-stalking law, for intimidation and coercion.
Releasing content, which may be fabricated, in a piecemeal fashion ensures continued revenue. We can estimate that Garosero and the family have made at least than 20 billion won (more likely doubly that) from the KSH case thus far. The court cases are rendered difficult by the fact that YouTube is not under Korean laws.
Other cyberwrecker YouTubers have asked money from targets first, threatening to disclose private content to the public. If the blackmail doesn't work, the contents are relased.
Garosero's posts about Tzuyang "contain material that is not only sufficient to damage the social reputation and public evaluation of the plaintiff, but also intrudes on private matters that should be legally protected,” the court said. “Uploading such content to a YouTube channel accessible by an unspecified number of people exceeds the scope of legitimate exercise of rights.” The case is currently under supplementary investigation by the Gangnam Police Precinct in Seoul.
"Following YouTuber Tzuyang's recent revelation about her being assaulted and financially exploited by her former boyfriend for four years, a group of YouTubers were suspected to have blackmailed her for money in exchange for keeping quiet about her past.
The revelation shocked and angered viewers over what many are calling the moral bankruptcy of the so-called "cyber wreckers," who make a profit by posting rumors or negative news about celebrities often in a maliciously edited form.
Cyber wreckers have long been controversial for uploading unverified claims about well-known people.
Most cyber wreckers claim that they are working in the interest of the public's right to know the truth. But the self-proclaimed vigilantism by these YouTubers has been prone to criticism and even negative consequences.In one incident a YouTuber wrongly accused a local woman of being a girlfriend of a sex crime convict, leading to a barrage of online attacks against her.
Cyberwreckers openly and maliciously edit videos about celebrities as clickbait to feed their channel.
"A former YouTuber surnamed Park was indicted in May over defamation of several K-pop stars, with the Incheon District Court freezing her assets with plans to seize them if the court decides they have been obtained with profit from her illegal activities. She had been spreading baseless rumors about K-pop stars, such as dating rumors and plastic surgery claims, accumulating 160 million views before her channel was shuttered in June last year.
Filing for charges against anonymous YouTubers like Park has presented difficulties for local entertainment agencies since the law states that one has to file information about the litigant. The video-sharing channel's operator, Google, is based in California, and acquiring channel hosts' information requires an order from a California court."
But K-pop star Jang Won-young's agency Starship Entertainment was granted the right to request the information from Google and YouTube in a ruling by the US District Court Northern District of California last year.
I find this good. It's nowhere as high quality as Sandstorm or A Life for Life, but still very watchable. The acting is good, especially Simon Yam is awesome. I hope this stays as engaging and good until the end. (am currently at ep 7) It may even offer bigger plot twists (the plot description here seems to contain a bigger spoiler).
12 
1 
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-04-28/national/socialAffairs/A-national-crisis-Suicide-deaths-rising-among-middleaged-Korean-men-amid-economic-woes/2295076
Korea is facing a surge in suicides among men in their 30s to 50s, driven by worsening economic hardship, social isolation and high-profile celebrity deaths, highlighting urgent calls for stronger national suicide prevention measures.
“For suicide prevention, we must also change the social culture that severely punishes and condemns celebrities for missteps,” said Prof. Hong. “We need to move beyond the existing policy framework and work together with the public to internalize the value of respecting life.”
The death of actor Lee Sun-kyun in December 2023 also affected men in their 30s to 50s.
“Men in their 30s to 50s, who perceived Lee as a relatable, ordinary figure, were greatly shocked by his death,” said Hong Jin-pyo, a professor of psychiatry at Samsung Medical Center.
The Werther effect continued for more than two to three months due to this reason. The gradual collapse of family structures, traditionally emotional buffers, has exacerbated the crisis for these men.
The crisis continues this year. Political turmoil surrounding the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, the Jeju Air disaster and the death of actress Kim Sae-ron have fueled public anger. Following Kim’s death in February, suicide-related emergency reports in Seoul noticeably increased.
--
We see that the lack of empathy that seems to plague the South Korean society and that is clearly on display in this page has no winners. There's no justice to be gained for Kim Saeron by instigating more suicides and making the social deaths of celebrities visible to those who are seeing themselves as having failed.
Isn't it enough that Allkpop, Koreaboo, Kbizoom, and all the reputable newspapers, publish gossip to get clicks. The downside is that actors are hunted like animals for a scent of a juicy scandal. Which is then used to create more clicks and to bring the actor down. In many cases, driven to suicide.
Positive celebrity news is not any better or any more acceptable than negative news. Part of the same machine that grinds money from invasions of privacy.
Everyone has a public life and a private life, even SK actors. Only people with no empathy skills can't make a difference.
See the sheer the monstrosity of the celebrity witch hunts in the Kim Soo Hyun profile page.
Pls publish only drama news.
"On March 28, 2025, former DIA Somyi’s agency, Modenberry Korea, issued an official statement claiming that legal action will be taken against the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute for spreading the false claim that Somyi and her former CEO Kim Kwang Soo were in a relationship.
" Additionally, the claim made in the video titled “[Shocking Exclusive] DIA Members Fighting Over One Man” posted on the Garo Sero Research Institute YouTube channel on March 2, 2024, stating that Somyi and PocketDol Studio CEO Kim Kwang Soo were in a relationship, is completely false. We will proceed with legal measures against this false claim.
We will take strict legal action without any leniency against all malicious acts and will continue to monitor the situation for further legal responses. Posting, spreading, and engaging in the distribution of malicious content about our artist is a criminal act, and we will continue to collect evidence to file criminal complaints and civil lawsuits for damages."
Earlier lawsuits:
Grok:
Lawsuits Against Garo Sero Research Institute (Prior to 2025)
Seo Yea-ji Lawsuit (circa 2021)
Filed by: Actress Seo Yea-ji (specific filing date not provided in the context, but inferred from her history with the channel).
Details: Garo Sero Research Institute has a history of targeting prominent figures, including Seo Yea-ji, known for her role in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. The channel implicated her in scandals, leading to legal action. While the exact details of the lawsuit (such as the date and outcome) are not specified in the provided context, the web result from dimsumdaily.hk (published March 16, 2025) confirms that Seo Yea-ji was among the celebrities who took legal action against the channel for its unverified and sensational reporting.
Related Claims: The channel’s allegations against Seo Yea-ji were part of its pattern of targeting high-profile celebrities with unverified claims, which contributed to its controversial reputation.
Han Ye-seul Lawsuit (circa 2021)
Filed by: Actress Han Ye-seul.
Details: Garo Sero Research Institute reported on misconduct allegations involving Han Ye-seul, leading to legal action from the actress. The specific nature of the allegations and the lawsuit’s outcome are not detailed in the provided context, but this case is part of the channel’s history of legal challenges due to its reporting on celebrities.
Kim Gun-mo Lawsuit (circa 2019-2020)
Filed by: Singer Kim Gun-mo.
Details: Garo Sero Research Institute was involved in reporting allegations of misconduct against Kim Gun-mo, a prominent South Korean singer. The channel, run by lawyer Kang Yong-seok, claimed in 2019 that Kim Gun-mo had sexually assaulted a woman at an adult entertainment establishment. Kim Gun-mo filed a defamation lawsuit against the channel and Kang Yong-seok, seeking damages for the false claims. The case gained significant attention in South Korea, with Kim Gun-mo denying the allegations.
Outcome: In 2020, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of Kim Gun-mo, ordering Kang Yong-seok and Garo Sero Research Institute to pay damages for defamation. However, the legal battle continued as Kang appealed the decision.
Summary of Garo Sero’s Reputation in South Korea:
The reputation of the Garo Sero Research Institute (also known as Garo Sero Yeonguso or HoverLab) in South Korea is highly polarizing and predominantly negative, particularly within the entertainment industry and among the general public who value credible journalism. Below is a detailed breakdown of its reputation based on the provided context and broader historical understanding of the channel’s activities:
Sensationalism and Unverified Reporting
Reputation as a Purveyor of Rumors: Garo Sero is widely criticized for its unfiltered and often unverified reporting. The channel is known for publishing sensational exposés that frequently lack substantiation, leading to accusations of spreading baseless rumors and misinformation.
The X post by @Ksooman0216 (April 27, 2025) reflects this sentiment, tying the channel’s actions to South Korea’s broader issue of fake news production, where the country ranks second globally (Pew Research Center, 2025).
Reputation for Legal Recklessness: The repeated lawsuits have cemented Garo Sero’s reputation as a reckless entity that operates with little regard for the legal or ethical consequences of its reporting. This has further damaged its credibility among those who see it as exploiting freedom of speech to harm others.
Garo Sero’s methods undermine its credibility as a whistleblower. The channel’s reliance on unverified sources and its tendency to sensationalize stories—often at the expense of individuals’ reputations—make it a controversial player in South Korea’s digital media landscape. Many “decry it as a purveyor of baseless rumours and personal attacks.”
Broader Context of Misinformation: South Korea’s ranking as the second-highest country globally for concerns over “fake news” production (Pew Research Center, 2025) amplifies the negative perception of Garo Sero. The X post by @Ksooman0216 directly ties the channel’s actions to this broader issue, suggesting that its reporting on Kim Soo Hyun is part of a manipulated narrative meant to serve ulterior motives rather than the truth.
The channel’s role in spreading potentially fabricated stories contributes to public distrust in media, particularly in a country where 73% of people see manipulated news as a major problem (Pew Research Center, 2025). This association further tarnishes Garo Sero’s reputation as a reliable source.
Industry Backlash: The South Korean entertainment industry views Garo Sero as a disruptive force that exploits celebrities for views and clout.
Niche Support Base
Supporters’ Perspective: Despite its negative reputation, Garo Sero retains a small but dedicated audience that values its “no-holds-barred” approach to reporting. Some supporters see it as a counterbalance to mainstream media, which they perceive as overly cautious or influenced by powerful entertainment agencies. The channel’s ability to break major stories, such as the Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo divorce, has earned it a degree of notoriety that appeals to those who crave insider gossip.
Limited Credibility: However, even among its supporters, the channel’s credibility is often questioned due to its track record of legal losses and unverified claims.
Summary of Garo Sero’s Reputation in South Korea:
Negative Perception: Garo Sero is largely seen as a sensationalist and unreliable source that prioritizes views and controversy over factual reporting. Its history of defamation lawsuits and unverified allegations has made it a pariah in the entertainment industry and among much of the public.
Polarizing Presence: While a small group of supporters appreciates its role in challenging powerful figures, the majority view it as a harmful entity that contributes to South Korea’s fake news problem and damages innocent lives.
Legal and Ethical Concerns: The channel’s repeated legal battles and ethical lapses have solidified its reputation as a reckless and untrustworthy outlet in South Korea’s media landscape.
Copilot: "People who gravitate toward malicious celebrity gossip and scandal often exhibit a mix of psychological and social traits that make sensational narratives especially appealing. These individuals tend to be active consumers of pop culture and media, often engaging with content that provides an immediate, visceral thrill. They might be characterized by a high appetite for drama, a penchant for schadenfreude (taking pleasure in the misfortunes of others), and, at times, a desire to feel morally superior by judging those in the limelight. Such consumers frequently engage in these narratives as a form of social bonding—exchanging “inside” information with peers—and as a way to partake in what feels like a communal updating of who is in or out of favor in an ever-changing cultural hierarchy.
There’s also a psychological element to this consumption. Research and commentary in the field of celebrity studies suggest that those invested in malicious celebrity gossip might be more likely to have underlying feelings of insecurity or envy. They may find comfort in the narrative that even the rich and famous are fallible, which serves as proof that one’s own flaws are universal. For these individuals, the act of consuming such stories isn’t just about idle curiosity—it’s a way to navigate their social identities, sometimes reinforcing a sense of self by positioning themselves in contrast to the scandals of public figures. This often happens in the context of highly mediated environments where the immediacy and exaggeration of gossip on social media or tabloid sources intensify these feelings and reactions."
-
The Kim Soo Hyun case goes under the skin, because we are witnessing a turning point as regards media ethics and ethical media use. Either the boundary between private and public is drawn more clearly. Or all celebrities are just one second away from public humiliation. This is where people pick the side.
Not being a fan of anyone is an alien concept to those whose own life is all idol saturated and unlived. Feeding the brains with celebrity gossip would be normally considered as a model of cultural consumption for the lower classes and the semi-illiterati. But if the society around sees idol mania as normal and even praiseworthy, there's no loss of face in engagement with gossip rags. When anonymous not actually seen by anyone, there can no loss of face either.
Focusing on details of scandals means not caring about the industry surrounding the scandals. The industry, either cyberwrecker media or entertainment companies, is not a deflection but the where it all takes place. Celebrity gossip is attractive to those who like to wallow in the mud. People are downgrading and degrading first and foremost themselves. Not the target who is the target without consent and without means to shoot the whole dartboard down.
I've been saying these things whenever MDL has published celebrity gossip, over and over again. Now we're finally seeing the consequences in full. Consume the gossip industry, it's you who are consumed and in fact giving up on yourself and what you could be.
You do your youth protection, but as a mother, if my child had made 18 suicide attempts I would make sure to get her treatment and never let her out of my sight. And in terms of protection of the youth, it is not as if the SK idol hungry society would prohibit child sexualisation. I like the way they had to cancel the already produced the 10-15 year old girls' idol competition where these kids were wearing sexy clothes, doing sexy dances and wearing lots of makeup. But think about it. Although the cancelling was right we must ask who accepted the concept in the first place and what were the parents thinking. The pushback should have happened earlier. You get to crucify one person in the mess and everything else remains the same.
The court makes a decision about borders around privacy. There's the police investigation of Garosero in the defamation and coercion of Tzuyang. The decision there will likely show us how the court will decide also on KSH case.
I wish MDL had not scrapped the article about KSR and KSH dating rumour because I was condemning that very article strongly as invasion of privacy. Because I am sure the gossip hungry predators here were screaming at KSR there. I really would like to check. But these justice warriors are not fond of truth but just the idea of themselves as justice warriors. Garosero already identified KSH as a Chinese communist and next he will claim KSH is a North Korean spy and people will just conveniently ignore those parts.
How South Korea’s ad‑fuelled rumor economy has morphed into a national economic risk:
"The K‑content boom is South Korea’s soft‑power crown jewel; its collapse would be an own goal of historic scale. Kim Soo‑hyun did not ask to be the test case for platform accountability, but his saga has revealed a simple truth: if a single YouTube clip can halt a ₩20 billion Disney project overnight, the rumor economy is no longer a gossip problem—it is a systemic economic hazard. Pollution laws taught us that businesses must not profit by dumping costs on the commons. The same principle should govern digital bile. Until the platforms and profiteers pay, every Korean hit show, luxury ambassador and budding idol will live in fear of the next unverified screenshot—and the nation’s most valuable export will remain one rumor away from free fall."
South Korea’s YouTube rumor ecosystem is a well‑oiled outrage factory. A mid‑tier “investigative” channel earns roughly ₩6,000 to ₩8,000 per thousand views; videos accusing Kim of grooming the actress have already surpassed four million clicks, generating about ₩30 million (US $22,000) in ad revenue each. None of that money is escrowed in case of defamation. None is clawed back if the claims collapse.
One "exposé” video can earn its creator tens of millions of won in YouTube ad revenue, yet the target must spend more than that just to begin clearing his name.
https://dmnews.com/jus-tns-kim-soo%E2%80%91hyuns-lawsuit-shows-koreas-rumor-economy-is-an-economic-liability/
Garosero Research Institute (Hoverlab) is under police investigation also in another case, concerning YouTuber Tzuyang. Hoverlab is accused of repeatedly posting photos and comments about Tzuyang, accusing her of tax evasion and other personal matters, starting from July 30 2024. Garosero is is accused of violating anti-stalking law, for intimidation and coercion.
Releasing content, which may be fabricated, in a piecemeal fashion ensures continued revenue. We can estimate that Garosero and the family have made at least than 20 billion won (more likely doubly that) from the KSH case thus far. The court cases are rendered difficult by the fact that YouTube is not under Korean laws.
Other cyberwrecker YouTubers have asked money from targets first, threatening to disclose private content to the public. If the blackmail doesn't work, the contents are relased.
Garosero's posts about Tzuyang "contain material that is not only sufficient to damage the social reputation and public evaluation of the plaintiff, but also intrudes on private matters that should be legally protected,” the court said. “Uploading such content to a YouTube channel accessible by an unspecified number of people exceeds the scope of legitimate exercise of rights.” The case is currently under supplementary investigation by the Gangnam Police Precinct in Seoul.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-04-17/national/socialAffairs/Court-orders-Hoverlab-to-remove-Tzuyangrelated-video-content/2287878
Extortion of YouTuber Tzuyang highlights 'cyber wrecker' issues in S. Korea. https://www.koreaherald.com/article/3433948
"Following YouTuber Tzuyang's recent revelation about her being assaulted and financially exploited by her former boyfriend for four years, a group of YouTubers were suspected to have blackmailed her for money in exchange for keeping quiet about her past.
The revelation shocked and angered viewers over what many are calling the moral bankruptcy of the so-called "cyber wreckers," who make a profit by posting rumors or negative news about celebrities often in a maliciously edited form.
Cyber wreckers have long been controversial for uploading unverified claims about well-known people.
Most cyber wreckers claim that they are working in the interest of the public's right to know the truth. But the self-proclaimed vigilantism by these YouTubers has been prone to criticism and even negative consequences.In one incident a YouTuber wrongly accused a local woman of being a girlfriend of a sex crime convict, leading to a barrage of online attacks against her.
Cyberwreckers openly and maliciously edit videos about celebrities as clickbait to feed their channel.
"A former YouTuber surnamed Park was indicted in May over defamation of several K-pop stars, with the Incheon District Court freezing her assets with plans to seize them if the court decides they have been obtained with profit from her illegal activities. She had been spreading baseless rumors about K-pop stars, such as dating rumors and plastic surgery claims, accumulating 160 million views before her channel was shuttered in June last year.
Filing for charges against anonymous YouTubers like Park has presented difficulties for local entertainment agencies since the law states that one has to file information about the litigant. The video-sharing channel's operator, Google, is based in California, and acquiring channel hosts' information requires an order from a California court."
But K-pop star Jang Won-young's agency Starship Entertainment was granted the right to request the information from Google and YouTube in a ruling by the US District Court Northern District of California last year.