News
Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron Controversy Sparks Over 10 Police Investigations Amid Legal Showdown
<p class="" data-start="99" data-end="389">The dispute between actor Kim Soo Hyun and the late actress Kim Sae Ron has exploded into a full-blown legal and public relations storm. Allegations surrounding a relationship when Kim Sae Ron was underage have stirred up widespread media coverage, police probes, and heated debates online.</p>
<p class="" data-start="391" data-end="754">Multiple investigations are now underway, with authorities confirming at least ten separate cases linked to the controversy. South Korea’s Gangnam Police Station is handling seven of these, while the Seodaemun Police Station manages the remaining three. This has turned into a tangled web involving defamation, stalking claims, and serious child welfare concerns.</p>
<h2 data-start="756" data-end="797">Growing Legal Firestorm on Both Sides</h2>
<p class="" data-start="799" data-end="1138">It’s not just a one-way street. Kim Soo Hyun has gone on the offensive by filing seven complaints, targeting defamation and stalking allegations, especially against the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute (Ga Se Yeon). This channel played a major role in spreading the controversy by releasing audio clips they say support the allegations.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1140" data-end="1432">On the flip side, Kim Sae Ron’s representatives, including her family, have filed three complaints of their own, accusing Kim Soo Hyun and his camp of misconduct. The accusations include a violation of the Child Welfare Act, which is especially serious given the sensitive nature of the case.</p>
<p data-start="1140" data-end="1432"><a href="https://www.theibulletin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Kim-Soo-Hyun-Kim-Sae-Ron-police-investigation-controversy.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-57482" src="https://www.theibulletin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Kim-Soo-Hyun-Kim-Sae-Ron-police-investigation-controversy.jpg" alt="Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly emerging as the defining technological breakthrough of our era. In the coming years, AI is poised to dramatically enhance workforce productivity, enable the widespread deployment of autonomous vehicles, and fundamentally transform our interactions in both the digital and physical worlds.

Numerous industry analysts project that this technological shift will generate trillions of dollars in economic value by 2030. While large tech companies developing the leading AI models often dominate headlines, the economic impact of this revolutionary technology is expected to extend across most, if not all, sectors and industries. Here is a look at three stocks poised to benefit from the era of intelligent machines.

A humanoid robot walking through a data center.
Image source: Getty Images.

An AI infrastructure play
Applied Digital (APLD -0.22%) designs, builds, and operates advanced digital infrastructure tailored for high-performance computing, cloud services, and AI-centric data hosting. With shares down 10% year to date, this $1.5 billion company presents a compelling opportunity for investors looking to tap into the surging infrastructure demand behind the AI boom.

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NASDAQ: APLD
Applied Digital
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(-0.22%) -$0.01
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$6.82
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Market Cap
$2B
Day's Range
$6.34 - $6.83
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$3.01 - $12.48
Volume
51,558,225
Avg Vol
33,223,564
Gross Margin
5.58%
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N/A
The company's momentum is already evident. In its fiscal 2025 third quarter, revenue from cloud services skyrocketed 220% year over year, highlighting the explosive growth of its AI-aligned operations. Moreover, Applied Digital recently secured a $375 million financing deal with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, along with a framework for up to $5 billion in potential funding from Macquarie Asset Management to fast-track expansion.

With a cutting-edge liquid-cooled HPC facility under construction and ongoing negotiations with major U.S. hyperscalers, Applied Digital is emerging as one of the more compelling picks-and-shovels providers in the AI gold rush.

A nuclear renaissance play
Oklo (OKLO 5.36%) stands at the leading edge of America's nuclear revival. While traditional energy companies remain tethered to volatile commodity cycles, Oklo offers a fundamentally different proposition: long-term power contracts that deliver stability and recurring revenue. Investors have taken notice: Shares are up 77% year to date, lifting its market cap to $5.2 billion.

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NYSE: OKLO
Oklo
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(5.36%) $2.02
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$39.74
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$6B
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$34.90 - $39.82
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$5.35 - $59.14
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19,004,431
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13,307,369
Gross Margin
0.00%
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N/A
What sets Oklo apart is its disruptive reactor model. Rather than building massive, decades-long infrastructure projects, the company develops compact, scalable reactors powered by proven sodium fast reactor technology with over 400 reactor-years of operational experience. Its ";build, own, operate"; strategy generates predictable, utility-style income through power purchase agreements rather than one-time sales.

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Most importantly, though, political support for nuclear energy continues to strengthen. Energy Secretary Chris Wright's commitment to ";launch the long-awaited American nuclear renaissance"; signals a favorable policy environment.

Meanwhile, Oklo's eligibility for the Defense Department's Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations program opens potential deployment pathways. With $261 million in cash reserves ensuring a runway to commercialization by late 2027 or early 2028, Oklo stands as a top vehicle to play to the rising demand for energy stemming from AI-centric data centers.

An optical connectivity play
Poet Technologies (POET -0.21%) designs next-generation optical connectivity solutions essential for powering AI systems and hyperscale data centers. Though the stock is down 26% year to date, this $383 million company sits at a crucial commercialization inflection point.

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NASDAQ: POET
Poet Technologies
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$4.70
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Market Cap
$367M
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$4.47 - $4.75
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$1.60 - $7.79
Volume
510,064
Avg Vol
974,297
Gross Margin
-1021.84%
Dividend Yield
N/A
At the heart of Poet's value proposition is its patented Optical Interpose platform, which enables the seamless integration of photonic and electronic components on a single chip. The result: optical modules that are smaller, more energy-efficient, and more cost-effective than traditional solutions -- exactly what the AI infrastructure boom demands.

To prepare for scaled deployment, Poet recently transitioned production to a new 10,000-square-foot clean room in Malaysia, positioning the company to meet rising customer demand. It has already shipped final design samples of its 400G and 800G transmit modules to three major tech players and unveiled its cutting-edge Poet Teralight, a 1.6T optical engine, and Poet Blazar, an advanced light source, at the Optical Fiber Communications Conference.

As AI systems increasingly require ultrahigh bandwidth between chips, nodes, and servers, the optical interconnect market is poised for explosive growth. With CEO Suresh Venkatesan signaling a ";meaningful revenue inflection later this year,"; Poet offers investors exposure to the optical backbone of tomorrow's AI infrastructure.

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George Budwell has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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<h2 data-start="1434" data-end="1480">Audio Recordings at the Heart of the Storm</h2>
<p class="" data-start="1482" data-end="1847">A key piece of the puzzle lies in audio recordings that have circulated widely online. These clips were shared by Ga Se Yeon and allegedly provide proof of inappropriate conduct. But Kim Soo Hyun’s legal team strongly denies their authenticity. They claim the audio was doctored using AI technology, arguing it’s fabricated evidence meant to tarnish his reputation.</p>
<ul data-start="1849" data-end="1971">
<li class="" data-start="1849" data-end="1971">
<p class="" data-start="1851" data-end="1971">The defense team filed a counter-lawsuit based on these claims, which adds yet another layer to the growing legal drama.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="1973" data-end="2240">This back-and-forth over evidence highlights how technology, like AI, is complicating truth and trust in legal battles today. It raises questions about how courts and the public can verify such digital “proof” in an era when audio and video can be easily manipulated.</p>
<h2 data-start="2242" data-end="2279">Scrutiny on Legal Counsel Deepens</h2>
<p class="" data-start="2281" data-end="2576">The controversy doesn’t stop with the main parties. Bu Ji Seok, the lawyer representing Kim Sae Ron’s family, has come under fire. He’s now facing an investigation by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. Critics allege he misled his clients and the public with inaccurate legal advice.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2578" data-end="2852">This unexpected twist further muddies the waters and fuels speculation about the entire legal process and how well the bereaved family is being represented. It’s a rare and unusual move to see a family’s own counsel questioned publicly, showing just how high the stakes are.</p>
<h2 data-start="2854" data-end="2906">Police and Public Watch Closely as Case Develops</h2>
<p class="" data-start="2908" data-end="3175">Authorities have emphasized they are taking the situation seriously. Each piece of evidence, from complaints to audio clips and new accusations, is being carefully reviewed. With so many cases linked to the matter, police are under pressure to act swiftly and fairly.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3177" data-end="3228">Here’s a quick look at the investigation breakdown:</p>
<div class="_tableContainer_16hzy_1">
<div class="_tableWrapper_16hzy_14 group flex w-fit flex-col-reverse" tabindex="-1">
<table class="w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)" data-start="3230" data-end="3551">
<thead data-start="3230" data-end="3311">
<tr data-start="3230" data-end="3311">
<th data-start="3230" data-end="3263" data-col-size="sm">Investigation Detail</th>
<th data-start="3263" data-end="3281" data-col-size="sm">Number of Cases</th>
<th data-start="3281" data-end="3311" data-col-size="sm">Responsible Police Station</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody data-start="3392" data-end="3551">
<tr data-start="3392" data-end="3471">
<td data-start="3392" data-end="3424" data-col-size="sm">Defamation and stalking cases</td>
<td data-start="3424" data-end="3442" data-col-size="sm">7</td>
<td data-start="3442" data-end="3471" data-col-size="sm">Gangnam Police Station</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="3472" data-end="3551">
<td data-start="3472" data-end="3504" data-col-size="sm">Child Welfare violations</td>
<td data-col-size="sm" data-start="3504" data-end="3522">3</td>
<td data-col-size="sm" data-start="3522" data-end="3551">Seodaemun Police Station</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div class="sticky end-(--thread-content-margin) h-0 self-end select-none">
<div class="absolute end-0 flex items-end"></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class="" data-start="3553" data-end="3812">The public remains divided, with social media buzzing and opinions split. Some sympathize with Kim Soo Hyun, while others question his actions. Meanwhile, many mourn Kim Sae Ron, who tragically passed away recently, adding emotional weight to the entire saga.</p>
<h2 data-start="3814" data-end="3854">What’s Next in This Unfolding Story?</h2>
<p class="" data-start="3856" data-end="4134">As legal teams clash and evidence mounts, this case serves as a stark reminder of how celebrity controversies can spiral into complex legal battles. The mixture of old-school legal claims and new tech-based evidence like AI-edited recordings shows how the landscape is shifting.</p>
<p class="" data-start="4136" data-end="4421">Will the truth come out? And can justice be served fairly? For now, all eyes are on the investigators as they sift through the noise and drama. One thing’s clear—this story is far from over, and its repercussions will likely echo through Korea’s entertainment scene for months to come.</p>

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