Controversy: HoverLab’s Alleged Earnings from Kim Soo Hyun Coverage
The K-Pop world is once again buzzing, but not about a comeback or a new chart-topper. Instead, controversy swirls around the YouTube channel HoverLab (also known as Garo Sero Research Institute or Gaseyeon), as renewed scrutiny focuses on the significant alleged earnings it generated from its contentious coverage of beloved actor Kim Soo Hyun. A recent investigative report has thrown a spotlight on the financial strategies behind the channel’s provocative content, leaving many fans shocked and concerned.
On July 14, MBC’s investigative program ‘PD Note’ examined the revenue model behind HoverLab’s provocative content, alleging that the channel generated significant income by covering high-profile controversies. The episode featured Eun Hyun Jang, the operator of the YouTube channel Jangsin, who is currently involved in a legal dispute with HoverLab after the channel accused him of participating in stock manipulation and cryptocurrency fraud.
Startling Allegations: Estimated Donations and Personal Impact
During the program, Eun Hyun Jang revealed his own estimate of the donations HoverLab received while extensively covering allegations involving Kim Soo Hyun and the late actress Kim Sae Ron. According to him, he manually recorded every donation displayed during Gaseyeon’s livestreams and estimated that broadcasts related to Kim Soo Hyun alone generated approximately 118 million KRW (around 79,400 USD) in viewer donations. He further claimed that the channel’s actual earnings were likely much higher after accounting for advertising revenue and additional income generated from subscriber growth.
However, the reported donation total is Eun Hyun Jang’s personal estimate based on publicly visible livestream donations and has not been verified through official financial records.
Eun Hyun Jang also claimed HoverLab’s broadcasts severely damaged both his business and media career. He stated, “Once Hoverlab started attacking me, there was no way to defend myself. I eventually had to leave my television program. The broadcaster told me that if older viewers protested, it would be difficult to continue airing the show.” He went on to describe the emotional toll of the controversy. He explained, “I went to the Han River every day. I even wondered whether writing Kim Se Ui’s name in a suicide note before jumping in would lead to his arrest.” He added, “But after seeing what happened in the late Lee Sun Kyun’s case, I felt that even if I died, no one would be punished.”
Experts Criticize “Cyber Wreckers” Business Model
Experts appearing on ‘PD Note’ criticized Gaseyeon’s content strategy. Research critic Jeon Ji Yoon argued that the channel profits by publicly labeling individuals and encouraging mass online harassment. Jeon explained, “HoverLab earns enormous profits through the process of branding certain people and encouraging collective ridicule. It has effectively presented a successful business model for so-called ‘cyber wreckers.'”
According to financial statements referenced during the broadcast, HoverLab’s reported annual revenue steadily increased from 1.76 billion KRW (approx. 1.18 million USD) in 2019 to 4.35 billion KRW (2.93 million USD) in 2020, 4.5 billion KRW (approx. 3 million USD) in 2021, and 5 billion KRW (approx. 3.4 million USD) in 2022.
Legal Action: Gaseyeon CEO Indicted
On June 23, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office’s Women’s and Children’s Crime Investigation Division 2, led by Chief Prosecutor Park Ji Na, formally indicted Gaseyeon CEO Kim Se Ui while he remained in custody. Prosecutors allege that Kim spread false information through YouTube and other platforms, claiming that Kim Soo Hyun had dated Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor and that pressure from Kim Soo Hyun’s side to repay debt directly contributed to her death.
Kim is also accused of broadcasting private photos of Kim Soo Hyun without consent and attempting to coerce the actor into issuing a public apology by threatening to release additional personal materials. Authorities said they are continuing to investigate both the origin of the alleged false claims and Kim’s conduct during the broadcasts.
How YouTube Livestreams Generate Revenue
YouTube creators earn income through multiple revenue streams beyond traditional advertising. Livestream channels can receive Super Chats, channel memberships, and advertising revenue simultaneously. Programs covering major public controversies often attract large audiences, resulting in increased donations alongside higher advertising earnings.
Super Chats allow viewers to pay to highlight their messages during livestreams. Larger donations keep messages visible longer and are often acknowledged directly by the host, encouraging further participation. In addition to Super Chats, creators may earn money through video advertisements, channel memberships, and long-term monetization from replay views. Because YouTube does not publicly disclose individual creators’ earnings, the precise revenue of any channel cannot be independently verified.
Legal Protections Against False Information & Calls for Reform
Under South Korea’s Information and Communications Network Act, individuals who spread false information online that damages another person’s reputation may face criminal prosecution. The law provides for heavier penalties when defamatory statements are knowingly false rather than factually accurate.
Victims may also pursue civil lawsuits seeking financial compensation. Courts can award damages if false information is found to have harmed a person’s reputation or caused emotional distress. Even when the subject is a celebrity or public figure, legal protections against false claims remain in place. Courts generally consider both the truthfulness of the statements and whether they were made in the public interest.
In recent years, lawmakers and legal experts in South Korea have increasingly raised concerns about so-called “cyber wreckers”—a term used to describe online channels that generate views and donations by rapidly publishing sensational allegations or unverified claims. Critics argue that these channels frequently repeat unverified information or focus heavily on individuals’ private lives, contributing to widespread online harassment. Several celebrities, business executives, and YouTubers have claimed they suffered significant emotional and financial harm after unverified allegations spread online. As a result, discussions continue over strengthening platform accountability and imposing tougher penalties for the deliberate spread of false information.
