The legal battle surrounding actor Kim Soo Hyun has taken another dramatic turn, as YouTuber Kim Se Ui, operator of the controversial Garo Sero Institute YouTube channel, has reportedly been placed in solitary confinement while awaiting trial.

According to multiple Korean media reports, Kim Se Ui is currently being held alone at the Seoul Detention Center after his arrest over allegations that he repeatedly spread false information about Kim Soo Hyun, including claims linking the actor to the death of actress Kim Sae Ron.

The arrest warrant was approved by the Seoul Central District Court last month. Following his arrest, Kim was initially held at a detention facility operated by the Gangnam Police before being transferred to the Seoul Detention Center. Reports published by Kyunghyang Shinmun reveal that he has been housed in a single-occupancy cell since early June.

The decision to isolate Kim Se Ui reportedly stems from concerns over his personal safety.

According to legal sources, his attorney requested additional protection after warning that his client could become the target of retaliation from other inmates. The concerns were fueled by public threats allegedly made by fellow YouTuber Eun Hyun Jang shortly after Kim’s arrest.

Just one day after Kim Se Ui was taken into custody, Eun Hyun Jang reportedly hosted a livestream in which he openly warned the detained YouTuber about possible retaliation inside prison.

During the broadcast, he allegedly suggested that prison officials contact him directly, even claiming he would be willing to provide financial compensation if they would “take care of” the situation on his behalf. Many viewers interpreted the remarks as direct public threats.

The two content creators have been locked in legal disputes for some time. Eun Hyun Jang previously filed a lawsuit against Kim Se Ui after accusing him of falsely linking him to an investment fraud case.

Under South Korea’s correctional system, inmates are typically housed in shared cells. However, authorities may authorize solitary accommodation when there are credible concerns regarding an inmate’s safety or when enhanced security measures are deemed necessary.

Because such decisions are made only after individual assessments by correctional authorities, Kim Se Ui’s placement in solitary confinement suggests prison officials considered the safety concerns raised by his legal team to be legitimate enough to warrant special protection.

The detention comes as Kim Se Ui faces multiple legal battles beyond the Kim Soo Hyun controversy.

He is scheduled to appear in court on August 13 on charges related to the alleged harassment and intimidation of popular mukbang creator Tzuyang, another high-profile case that has attracted widespread public attention in South Korea.

In addition, Kim is expected to appear before the court next month for the first hearing in the defamation lawsuit filed in connection with his allegations against Kim Soo Hyun. That hearing is currently scheduled for July 14.

The case involving Kim Soo Hyun became one of the biggest entertainment controversies of the year after Kim Se Ui repeatedly broadcast allegations claiming the actor was connected to Kim Sae Ron’s death. Kim Soo Hyun has consistently denied the accusations, while his legal representatives have pursued aggressive legal action against those responsible for spreading what they describe as false and defamatory claims.

As multiple court proceedings approach, Kim Se Ui now finds himself not only defending against several criminal and civil cases but also being held under heightened security inside one of South Korea’s largest detention facilities.

With hearings scheduled throughout July and August, the closely watched legal dispute surrounding Kim Soo Hyun and the Garo Sero Institute appears far from over.