Over the past few weeks, the Garo Sero Research Institute has become a hot topic in entertainment circles due to its aggressive tactics in exposing celebrity scandals.
As per KBiZoom, critics have called the organization "cyber-wreckers," claiming that it has turned personal tragedies into a profit-generating enterprise. An ethical question regarding their fund-raising methods has arisen.
Garo Sero, which was founded in 2020, is known for its provocative style of reporting on stories related to celebrities. The institute frequently asserts to be speaking for bereaved families/victims, but its activities have drawn immense outrage from the general public and professionals in the industry alike.
Among the most recent allegations of Garo Sero involved actors Kim SooHyun and the late Kim SaeRon. It has also distributed personal images of the two, some of which have actually sparked heated disputes online.
At the same time, Garo Sero's allegation of a long-term relationship that began at the tender age of 15 provokes everyone to attack the actors, Kim Sae Ron and Kim Soo Hyun, the latter of whom has received multiple hits on social media platforms.
Celebrities Allegedly Targeted by Cyber Wreckers
Apart from Kim Soo Hyun, so-called "cyber wreckers" like Garo Sero have also sensationalized several other celebrities. Jang Won-young from IVE and members of NewJeans have been implicated in reports from the institute.
The impact of cyber wreckers' tactics is evident in the backlash that fellow YouTuber Tzuyang faced after the group also targeted her.
The organization has been accused of raising donations, claiming that they were to help Kim Sae Ron's family. This has led some to accuse the organization of monetizing scandals and continue to question its mission's integrity. To use one insider's metaphor, the organization is like online vultures: "They feed off the suffering of others."
Critics have recently observed a domino effect following Garo Sero's actions in the entertainment industry.
The backlash surrounding Kim Soo Hyun has apparently taken the Internet by storm. Now, it is said to be significantly affecting the actor's career, with the ongoing drama threatening advertising deals and upcoming projects.
His agency, Gold Medalist, has pledged to take legal action against Garo Sero for defamation and spreading false claims, stressing that such actions must be punished.
Critics claim that Garo Sero's sensationalism reflects an unfortunate trend in the media: scrutinizing lives and exploiting people's misery for clicks and views. This allegedly has grave consequences for the mental well-being of targets.
The latest tragic case of actor Lee Sun Kyun, who killed himself after endless online bullying, allegedly shows the potential outcome if cyberbullying goes unchecked.
Despite the number of critics they have gained, Garo Sero still conducts its business without concern for the lives it ruins—those of the targets and their families.
Such tactics also raise ethical questions about media responsibilities when reporting sensitive information.
The controversy surrounding Garo Sero calls for greater accountability, which must come with digital journalism. It also suggests that journalists should approach the personal tragedies of others with more empathy and sensitivity.
Critics argue that these cyber wreckers have a massive effect on celebrities, highlighting the pressing need to reform scandal-fueled media narratives.
In the meantime, as stars like Kim Soo-Hyun try to steer their way out of this tricky minefield, some are asking how far Garo Sero can go to retain its dubious top spot in the celebrity news world.
