Lee Seung-gi on dealing with online hate: 'I just accept it and move on'

Singer Lee Seung-gi has opened up about how he deals with malicious online comments. A video titled "Surprise live performance at a high school classroom (ft. Lee Seung-gi)" was posted Thursday on the ChildFund Korea YouTube channel. That day, Lee visited Sanggye High School — his alma mater — and spent time talking with current students. One student asked him how he had coped with the flood of hateful comments that comes with fame. "It used to hurt, and it still does," Lee said. "When someone says something unkind about you, it naturally weighs on you. That's not something you ever really get used to." He went on to say, "I just accept it and move on. If I actually did something wrong, I reflect on it. But if I didn't, and someone is saying those things for whatever reason, sometimes you just have to let it go." Lee added that dwelling on anger ultimately does more harm to oneself. "If I keep thinking about things that make me angry, it ruins my day," he said. "Everyone goes through something like this in life. I just get more of it because I'm more famous. It's not something that only happens to famous people." He closed with a piece of advice for the students: "I hope you can build up some resilience and face these things with composure." Meanwhile, Lee married actor Lee Da-in, daughter of actor Gyeon Mi-ri, in 2023. The couple have a son and a daughter.

Oct. 8, 2026

Singer Seo In-young reveals she was banned from KBS over 'pubic bone fashion'

Singer Seo In-young has revealed that a daring stage outfit once got her banned from a music broadcast program. The story came to light Thursday on E Channel's entertainment show "Seo In-young's Yuhaengkkondae." When an old photo of Seo appeared on a monitor during the program, she reacted with visible irritation. "What on earth is that? I hate this monitor," she said. "Why did you blow up my old photo like that?" She went on to explain that the photo was taken when she was in her early 20s, at a club event where she had invited reporters to introduce her debut album. When fellow cast member Mimiminu described the outfit as "pubic bone fashion," Seo confirmed the look had consequences. "I got banned from KBS because of that outfit. I couldn't appear on the music broadcast," she said. "They said, 'That outfit won't do.' The outfit itself got banned."

Oct. 8, 2026

'Are you prettier than me?' Ham So-won and ex-husband Jin Hua's odd dynamic persists after divorce

Broadcaster Ham So-won, 50, is now four years into her divorce from Chinese businessman Jin Hua, 31 — yet the two continue to display a peculiar dynamic. Ham posted on her social media Thursday, writing, "My ex-husband still manages to make me angry!" She described a series of messages she received from Jin Hua: "My ex-husband contacted me to say he'd be hard to reach this week. I scoffed. Then he messaged again to say he was in Busan. I scoffed again. Then he messaged to say he was with a woman. I scoffed once more. Turns out he had gone to Busan to see actor Fan Bingbing." Ham also shared screenshots of their messenger exchange, adding, "He still hasn't answered my question about whether she's prettier than me. Now Jin Hua is the one scoffing at me. Just wait until he gets back to Seoul!" The post drew widespread interpretation as a display of jealousy. Online commenters, noting that the exchange reads like a playful lovers' quarrel to anyone unaware the two are divorced, reacted with remarks such as, "Are they really actually divorced?" Ham and Jin Hua married in April 2018 and welcomed a daughter later that year. Their union drew considerable public attention for bridging different nationalities and an age gap of nearly 20 years. After roughly four years of marriage, the couple divorced in 2022, citing personality differences, frequent conflicts and concerns about the stress their daughter might face. Even after the divorce, however, the two continued to live under the same roof for their daughter's sake, before announcing a complete separation in October 2024. From shortly after their wedding through 2021, the couple appeared on TV Chosun's "Anaeui Mat" (Wife's Taste), a program that documented their married life and drew large audiences. The show was eventually canceled after a series of fabrication controversies. The allegations included claims that a lavish villa in China presented on air as belonging to Jin Hua's parents was in fact an Airbnb rental; that a voice heard speaking with his mother-in-law was actually Ham using a stand-in; and that a clothing factory introduced as Jin Hua's was in reality owned by his brother-in-law. After the divorce, Jin Hua posted a photo of himself with a bloodied face in 2024, claiming Ham had struck him. When the post sparked a domestic violence controversy, he reversed course, writing, "I wrote something that caused a misunderstanding. Ham So-won is not a bad person — please do not misunderstand her."

Oct. 8, 2026

'What do you know?' — Choi Jun-hee, daughter of late actor Choi Jin-sil, lashes out at online trolls

Choi Jun-hee, an influencer and daughter of the late actor Choi Jin-sil, has fired back at online trolls in no uncertain terms. On Wednesday, Choi posted a video on her social media along with the message: "I'm glad we only live once. Because I never want to go through this chaos again. Everyone, hang in there." The video showed Choi looking into the camera, fidgeting with her nose and forcing a smile. Alongside the video, Choi posted a message laced with strong language, taking direct aim at her detractors. "Why do I live like this, you ask? I was fine, so why am I like this now, you ask? I was like this from the day I was born. What do you know?" Earlier, on Oct. 1, Choi had appealed to her followers through a secondary account, writing that her main account of 230,000 followers had been suspended without explanation. She added, "It's been a really long time since I've spoken up, but I want to die," a remark that drew concern from fans. In response, Choi addressed the comment about wanting to die and shared her thoughts on how her situation was being sensationalized. "First, I need to speak my mind. Everyone has been so worried about me. It would be stranger if I weren't angry. It's not just about work — there are routines, conversations and memories I've built up over a long time, and even if I say I'm fine out loud, inside I'm not fine at all," she said. "I wrote it in the sense of 'Should I just die?' Would someone who actually wants to die be putting on makeup and all that?" With the account suspension already throwing her life into disarray, the added wave of malicious comments appears to have pushed Choi to vent emotions she had long been holding back. Meanwhile, Choi married a non-celebrity 11 years her senior last May. If you're thinking about self-harm or suicide, dial the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 109, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please request a translator for English-language services.

Oct. 8, 2026

Do Kyung-wan claims he looks like chef Son Jong-won — wife Jang Yoon-jung is not amused

Broadcaster Do Kyung-wan left his wife, singer Jang Yoon-jung, flustered after insisting he resembles celebrity chef Son Jong-won. The moment is set to air Thursday on KBS2's variety program "Shin Sang Chulsi Pyeonstorang," in which Do prepares low-sugar dishes for Jang. In a pre-recorded segment, Do readies a spread of low-sugar snacks — including chicken, yukjeon and bibim noodles — with Jang's blood sugar levels in mind. Upon hearing the menu, Jang and the rest of the cast expressed skepticism, saying the dishes "can't possibly be low-sugar." Before getting down to cooking, Do pulled out a mint-colored apron and asked, "How do I look?" When Jang seemed puzzled, he brought up chef Son Jong-won, saying, "You don't know the 'feels-good chef'? People around me say I look just like him." Jang said she understood what he was getting at, then described his eyes as "8:20" — a Korean expression for droopy, downward-slanting eyes. Do fired back by rattling off the names "Lee Jung-jae, Son Jong-won, Do Kyung-wan." Do then attempted Son's signature two-handed chopping technique. Watching him prep the ingredients, the cast said his knife skills were "on par with the feels-good chef." But as Do kept up the impression, Jang finally said she was "king-bada" — a slang term for being thoroughly annoyed — visibly flustered by his antics.

Oct. 8, 2026

Haha reveals why he wears sunglasses on variety shows: 'I can't see'

Broadcaster Haha has opened up about his struggles with presbyopia and hair loss. A video titled "The endless sibling war between bright-eyed (?) Jiwon and grumpy Haha" was uploaded Thursday to the YouTube channel "26hakbeon Jiwoni." During the video, Ha Ji-won asked Haha whether there was a particular reason he had started paying more attention to his health, to which he replied, "Things that used to work started not working anymore." He then confessed the real reason he wears sunglasses while filming variety shows. "It's not about looking cool — I can't see," he said, visibly surprising Ha Ji-won. "When light hits, the glare makes it hard to see," he continued. "I'm revealing this here for the first time. I felt like I couldn't put it off any longer, so I went to an optician, and they told me carefully — it was presbyopia." Haha also pulled out his hair-loss medication, adding that to his list of health concerns, before calling out to Ha Ji-won, "Sis, let's stay healthy" — drawing laughter from those present.

Oct. 8, 2026

Trot singer gets 25 years for abusing, killing 18-year-old daughter

A trot singer in her 40s who abused and killed her 18-year-old daughter was sentenced to 25 years in prison Thursday. The First Criminal Division of the Jinju Branch of Changwon District Court sentenced the woman, identified only as A, to 25 years in prison on charges including murder. A was indicted on charges of assaulting her biological daughter, B, a first-year university student, at a residence in Namhae-gun, South Gyeongsang Province, in September last year, and leaving her to die in a vehicle. On the day of the incident, A transported the unconscious B to a hospital emergency room, but B was already dead on arrival. Medical staff alerted police after noticing that B's body was severely emaciated and showed signs of malnutrition and dehydration, with bruises and serious burn marks across her body. An autopsy determined that B died of complications from injuries sustained across her entire body. Sustained external blows had ruptured muscles and caused subcutaneous hemorrhaging, leading to death by shock. According to police, A had beaten B with wooden planks and poured boiling water over her head, causing burns to 27 percent of her body, while the two worked together in a broadcasting equipment rental business. Two days before B's death, A beat her with a wooden plank and left her in a vehicle for more than 20 hours despite serious injuries. B died inside the vehicle after being abandoned there while suffering from breathing difficulties and other severe symptoms. A denied intent to kill even after being indicted, but the court rejected her claim. "The defendant inflicted bodily harm on the victim and caused burns across her entire body," the court said. "The defendant believed the victim had failed to carry out her assigned tasks or had embarrassed her, but those reasons are far too trivial to justify the brutal treatment inflicted on her own daughter." The court also said A "has not properly acknowledged her wrongdoing and is evading responsibility," adding that "her conduct is particularly egregious given that she committed the same type of offense again despite having previously received a fine for a similar crime." However, the court said it took into account, among other factors, that the crime did not appear to have been meticulously premeditated. A graduated from the medical school of a prominent university in Seoul and has won multiple beauty pageants. She had built a public profile as a trot singer and YouTuber known for volunteer work and acts of goodwill in her local community.

Oct. 8, 2026

Singer Lee Sang-soon returns to radio after health scare, looking thinner but upbeat

Singer Lee Sang-soon, who had briefly stepped away from work due to health issues, shared an update on his condition following his return as a radio DJ. On Wednesday, the official channel of MBC FM4U's "A Perfect Day with Lee Sang-soon" released photos of Lee posing alongside singer Thomas Cook. It marked the first time a photo of Lee's face had been made public since his return. Lee appeared smiling next to Thomas Cook, looking generally healthy — though he was noticeably thinner than before. Lee had been unable to appear on the live broadcast from Aug. 26, after which his agency Antenna said he had suddenly fallen ill, received medical attention and been advised by doctors to rest following a diagnosis of reduced vagus nerve function. The agency added that it would do everything it could to support his recovery. After about a month of recuperation, Lee returned to the DJ booth Monday, reuniting with his listeners. The vagus nerve is a parasympathetic nerve that runs from the brain to major organs including the heart, lungs and stomach, playing a key role in the autonomic nervous system by regulating heart rate and blood pressure. When the vagus nerve malfunctions or reacts excessively, heart rate and blood pressure can drop sharply, temporarily reducing blood flow to the brain. Common triggers include severe physical fatigue, chronic stress, sleep deprivation and prolonged standing. Symptoms can include nausea, cold sweats, a sensation of heat or pallor, blurred or narrowed vision, a feeling of fullness in the ears and a sudden loss of strength throughout the body. Born in 1974, Lee made his name as a musician with the band Rollercoaster. He married singer Lee Hyo-ri in 2013, and the couple later won widespread affection for their low-key Jeju lifestyle on the JTBC show "Hyoriene Minbak." He has hosted "A Perfect Day with Lee Sang-soon" since November 2024 and took home the radio excellence award at last year's MBC Broadcasting Entertainment Awards.

Oct. 8, 2026

Comedian couple Son Min-su and Im Ra-ra draw buzz with 45-person camera crew at twins' first birthday party

Comedian couple Son Min-su and Im Ra-ra have drawn mixed reactions online after throwing an elaborate first birthday party for their twins. The two held the celebration Sunday at an upscale banquet hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photos and videos that spread on SNS showed the venue decorated with lavish fresh flowers and ornate arrangements. The couple changed outfits multiple times — alternating between hanbok and Western formal wear — and the festivities extended to an outdoor second segment. Fellow comedians Lee Seong-mi, Lee Hong-ryeol, Jo Hye-ryeon and Kang Jae-jun were among the entertainment industry colleagues who attended to celebrate the twins' first birthday. Jo performed a congratulatory song at the event. According to details released by an event official, the party deployed a total of 45 camera crew members: 28 from the production team of the KBS 2TV variety program "Superman Is Back," in which the couple appears; eight from a YouTube crew; and nine for a commemorative photo album shoot. The official described the scale as "an unprecedented record — one that will never be matched." Images showing multiple cameras positioned around the stage circulated online, prompting a wide range of reactions about the party's scale. Some users questioned whether the setup was excessive. "Isn't 45 camera crew members way too many for a first birthday party?" one wrote, while others said they could not tell who the event was really for and called it "over the top." Others came to the couple's defense. "It's their own money — what's the problem?" some said, adding that parents today tend to put more effort into such milestones since many have only one child, and that having twins made the occasion all the more special. Son and Im explained their decision last month on their YouTube channel. "We originally had no plans to hold a birthday party," they said. "There were so many people we wanted to see while raising the babies, but we felt terrible for not being able to reach out even once while taking care of them." The two married in 2024 after a long relationship and welcomed their twins last year. They share their married life and parenting journey through their YouTube channel "Enjoy Couple."

Oct. 8, 2026

Trot singer Park Seo-jin, who spent W100m on plastic surgery, reacts as sibling's prank reveals his past looks

Trot singer Park Seo-jin, who has admitted to spending 100 million won ($74,700) on plastic surgery, is drawing attention after his pre-surgery appearance resurfaced. In a recently aired episode of the KBS 2TV variety program "Salrimhaneun Namjadeul Season 2," a home-life reality show, Park was shown preparing with his younger sister for the finals of a National Museum of Korea costume contest. The siblings had advanced to the finals with a recreation of "Ssireum," a painting by Joseon-era artist Kim Hong-do. To prepare for their stage, they handcrafted a wrestling dummy together. Park's sister then attached his real name — Park Hyo-bin — to the finished dummy as a prank. When Park objected and told her not to use his name, his sister teased him by saying the dummy's face looked just like his old self. The show then aired an actual photo of Park from the past, leaving viewers to judge for themselves. "Do I really look like this? Can't you find another name?" Park grumbled, but his sister refused to back down. Park previously admitted on a television program that he had undergone plastic surgery. "If you compare the before and after, the difference is clear, and the total I spent comes to more than 100 million won," he said. He listed his eyes, nose, teeth and hair transplant among the procedures, and when asked which parts he had not had done, he said, "My ears and my eyeballs."

Oct. 8, 2026

Yoo Seung-ho, Lim Se-ju confirm past relationship amid dating rumors, say they have already split

Actors Yoo Seung-ho, 33, and Lim Se-ju, 35, confirmed Thursday they were once in a relationship but have since broken up, responding to reports that the two had been dating for six years. Yoo's agency, 333 Entertainment, said the two actors "were in a romantic relationship but have currently separated and are maintaining a good collegial relationship." Earlier Thursday, reports emerged that the pair had been dating for six years after meeting on the 2020 tvN drama series "Memorist." The news of their relationship broke at nearly the same time as word that they had already ended it. Yoo had been largely free of dating rumors throughout his more than two decades in the industry since childhood. In a 2017 interview, he said he had dated a few times over the years, adding, "I think it's better to be upfront than to hide it and lie later." Yoo made his debut in the 2000 MBC drama series "Gasi Gogi" and rose to prominence in the 2002 film "The Way Home." He has since appeared in the drama series "Warrior Baek Dong-soo," "Boksu ga Dorawatda" and "Kkot Pimyeon Dal Saenggakago," as well as the films "The Magician" and "Bong Yi Kim Seon Dal," among others. Lim began her career as a singer under the name Haeora in 2011 before expanding into acting in 2014. She has appeared in the drama series "My Golden Life," "Hana Ppunin Nae Pyeon," "Zombie Detective" and "Mask Girl," among others.

Oct. 8, 2026

'I bought it myself' — Kim Woo-bin surprises fan with out-of-pocket perfume gift

Actor Kim Woo-bin has drawn widespread attention after it emerged that he personally bought a gift for a longtime fan, kept it in his car and handed it to her in person when they finally crossed paths. On Tuesday, a fan identified only as A posted a video on SNS showing the moment she received an unexpected gift from Kim, writing that she wanted to share it because "Woo-bin's heart is so warm and beautiful." The video shows Kim finishing a scheduled appearance and signing autographs for fans before walking to his vehicle to retrieve a bag of gifts. Spotting the fan mid-signing session, Kim told her he had bought something for her and headed to his trunk. He returned with a shopping bag and said, "I wanted to give you this because I'm so grateful — thanks to you, I got to shoot a commercial." The gifts were products from Acqua di Parma, the Italian niche fragrance brand for which Kim currently serves as ambassador. The shopping bag was filled with several carefully wrapped items. "I kept wondering when I'd run into you, so I've just been carrying it around in my car," Kim said. "I felt bad about you being the only one to receive something, so I bought a lot for the others too. And don't get the wrong idea — I bought these myself, they weren't given to me." The gesture carried a special backstory. At a fan signing event last year, fan A had asked Kim to recommend a perfume that would suit her, and he gave her the fragrance he was actually using at the time. The story spread online under the phrase "Kim Woo-bin's perfume," and Kim ultimately caught the attention of the brand, which cast him as its model and had him film a commercial. Kim's affection for fans and his generosity are well known in the entertainment industry. After learning of the death of a fan who had supported him for years, he visited the funeral home in person to comfort the family. He has donated to disaster relief funds following wildfires and floods, and since recovering from nasopharyngeal cancer he has consistently given to vulnerable groups and pediatric cancer patients. On the day of his wedding to actor Shin Min-a, he donated 300 million won ($224,000). Kim is set to return to television in "Gift," a new tvN Saturday–Sunday drama series premiering Dec. 6. The show follows a former professional baseball pitching coach who, after a freak accident leaves him with a special ability, takes over as manager of the nation's worst-ranked high school baseball team.

Oct. 8, 2026

Park Wi's family accused of favoring foster daughter over wife Song Ji-eun in resurfaced video

Amid a controversy over YouTuber Park Wi's decision to release CCTV footage of a fall he suffered on a KTX train, fresh allegations have emerged that his family treated his wife, former Secret member Song Ji-eun, differently from another woman in the household. A video Park Wi posted in September 2024 on his YouTube channel "Wiracle" — titled "First Chuseok at My In-Laws' Home" — has recently resurfaced and drawn renewed attention online. The video showed Song Ji-eun spending the Chuseok holiday at the home of Park Wi's family. Song joined her husband, his family members and actor Yoon So-hee — known as the foster daughter of Park Wi's father — for meals and conversation. Although the content was presented as a warm family gathering, some viewers argued that Park Wi's family showed more attention to Yoon than to Song. One scene that drew particular scrutiny was a meal shared by the family. While everyone else used matching tableware, Song alone appeared to be using a different set. Other moments also raised eyebrows. During a pre-meal prayer, Park Wi named "our beloved So-hee and Ji-eun" — mentioning Yoon before his own wife — and his parents praised Yoon, a KAIST graduate, without offering similar words to Song. Viewers said the footage gave the impression that Song was being left out. Others, however, cautioned that it was difficult to draw conclusions about the family's actual dynamics or whether any discrimination had occurred based on select scenes from a single video. The renewed scrutiny of the old footage came as past videos of Park Wi began circulating again in the wake of the controversy surrounding his release of the KTX fall footage. Earlier, Park Wi posted CCTV footage on his YouTube channel on Aug. 21 showing his wheelchair being caught on the foot of a social service worker as he was getting off a KTX train, causing him to fall. The video drew criticism after it emerged that he had edited out the scene in which the worker on duty at the time apologized to him. Park Wi apologized, saying he "had not considered the position of the worker who had done his best to help me and offered a sincere apology," and announced he would suspend his YouTube activities. Scheduled lectures were subsequently canceled, and he stepped down from his role as a Seoul Metropolitan Government promotional ambassador. Meanwhile, Park Wi and Song Ji-eun married in October 2024. The couple has shared glimpses of their daily lives through YouTube and television appearances.

Oct. 8, 2026

Joo Jin-woo slammed Yoo Hae-jin over film he hadn't seen, critics say

People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo, one of the most vocal critics of the film "The Assassin(s)," appears to have admitted he has not actually seen it — a revelation that has drawn widespread attention. During the Supreme Court national audit held by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, Joo raised the question of a retrial for former Central Intelligence Agency director Kim Jae-gyu, saying "attempts are being made to rewrite history." He then brought up "The Assassin(s)," arguing that the plural form in the film's Korean title was designed to create a narrative suggesting that former President Park Chung-hee could have been behind the assassination of first lady Yuk Young-soo, and that North Korea may not have been responsible. Committee Chair Seo Young-gyo of the Democratic Party of Korea asked whether Joo had seen the film. Joo replied, "Is it even normal to watch such an immoral film?" — a response widely interpreted as an admission that he had not. Critics say it is irresponsible for Joo to make definitive claims about a film's content without having watched it, especially given that he had gone so far as to mock lead actor Yoo Hae-jin's appearance by saying he had a "North Korean look." Director Heo Jin-ho has said he did not make the film to suggest Park ordered the killing of Yuk, calling such a reading "logically contradictory and implausible." Critics say that makes fact-checking all the more essential before drawing conclusions. The film deals with the 1974 assassination of Yuk Young-soo and centers on the idea that gunman Moon Se-gwang did not act alone — but it stops short of identifying who was behind him. The story follows journalists and police struggling to uncover the truth while the Central Intelligence Agency works to obstruct and silence them. In the process, the film raises the possibility that some form of state power may have been involved. The film never explicitly or implicitly points to former President Park Chung-hee as that power. The ending is deliberately left open, allowing viewers to draw their own conclusions. Many who have seen it say that even after watching, it remains unclear whom the film is actually implicating — making it impossible to characterize the content without having seen it. The controversy was initially sparked by claims that the film depicted Park as the mastermind behind the assassination. Now a counter-argument has emerged: that those very claims distorted what the film actually shows. Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lee Jae-jeong said the film "clearly did not even place the possibility of President Park's involvement within the realm of cinematic imagination," adding that "it was impossible to have that thought while watching the film." Lee said it was politicians who had distorted the movie.

Oct. 8, 2026

Yoo Seung-ho, known for keeping a low profile, reportedly in 6-year relationship with Im Se-ju after 'Memorist' connection

Actors Yoo Seung-ho, 33, and Im Se-ju, 35, have reportedly been in a relationship for six years after meeting on the 2020 tvN drama series "Memorist." According to Edaily on Thursday, the two have kept their relationship quiet, sharing the news only with close acquaintances. Over time, more people within the entertainment industry have become aware of their connection, and the couple has recently been spotted spending time together in public — walking their dog and going on dates. The two first met on "Memorist," which aired in March 2020. Yoo played Dong-baek, a detective with the supernatural ability to read memories, while Im played Lee Seul-bi. They are said to have grown close through their work on the project. At the time, both were signed with the same agency, Story J Company. Yoo left Story J Company in 2022, passed through YG Entertainment, and is currently with 333 Entertainment. Neither Yoo's nor Im's agency has issued an official statement. Yoo has been notably free of dating rumors throughout his more than 20-year career, which began in childhood. In a 2017 interview, he said he had dated a few times, adding, "I think it's better to be upfront than to hide it and lie later." When asked how he managed to keep his private life out of the spotlight, he said, "That's exactly why I'm careful and a little scared. Relationships are really difficult." Yoo made his debut in the 2000 MBC drama series "Gasi Gogi" and rose to prominence with a lead role in the 2002 film "The Way Home." He has since appeared in the drama series "Warrior Baek Dong-soo," "Revenge Is Back" and "When the Camellia Blooms," the films "The Magician" and "Bong Yi Kim Seon-dal," and the stage productions "Angels in America" and "Killing Caesar." Im began her career as a singer in 2011 under the name Haeora before expanding into acting in 2014. Her credits include the films "Salut d'Amour" and "Watching," and the drama series "My Golden Life," "My Only One," "Zombie Detective" and "Bloodhounds."

Oct. 8, 2026

Ko Young-wook stands by account of conversation after targeting Yoo Jae-suk's chuseok beef gift story

Ko Young-wook, a former member of the group Rula, has posted a follow-up statement saying that broadcaster Yoo Jae-suk's former manager was put in an awkward position because of a post Ko made targeting a widely shared story about Yoo's habit of gifting Korean beef during holidays. Ko maintained that what he shared was a faithful account of a conversation he had with the manager. On Wednesday, Ko wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account that the manager "seems to have been unintentionally put in a difficult spot because of me," adding that the exchange had been a brief, casual conversation during a car ride before chuseok, in which the manager laughingly said his one wish was to receive Korean beef from Yoo just once. Ko said the manager also told him that meeting Yoo when he was young had brought him a great deal of help and taught him many things, and that he had always felt grateful. Ko noted that the manager no longer works with Yoo but said he is still the person who has watched over Yoo's career the longest. "What I posted is exactly what was said in our conversation that day," Ko said. Earlier, on Tuesday, Ko had shared a screenshot on X of a news article reporting that Yoo sends Korean beef to roughly 100 people every holiday season. At the time, Ko said an acquaintance who had worked as Yoo's manager for 16 years told him the story while they were out for a meal together — and that the acquaintance said he had never once received Korean beef from Yoo. "I don't want to think that way, but I wonder if he only sends the beef to places where a good story will get out," Ko wrote. The story Ko took issue with had resurfaced on Saturday, when it was mentioned again in a video titled "Eumak Chukje-neun Pinggye-go," a music festival-themed variety segment posted to Yoo's YouTube channel "Tteundteun." This marks the third time this year Ko has publicly taken aim at Yoo. In July, Ko posted a screenshot from the variety show "Nolmyeon Mwohani?" with the caption "There's no end to the greed," and on Sept. 27 he shared a news article about Yoo canceling a recording session, writing, "I guess this is a good chance to get some rest." Ko debuted as a member of Rula in 1994. In 2013, the Supreme Court handed down a final sentence of two years and six months in prison on charges of rape and sexual assault against minors. He was also ordered to have his personal information disclosed for five years and to wear an electronic monitoring anklet for three years.

Oct. 8, 2026

Koo Jun-yup visits late wife Xu Xiyuan's grave, says he won't return to Korea

Korean singer Koo Jun-yup visited the grave of his late wife, Taiwanese actor Xu Xiyuan, and firmly stated he has no plans to return to Korea. According to Taiwan's Yiping News and other outlets, Koo visited Xu's grave at Jinbaoshan in New Taipei City on Wednesday — what would have been her 48th birthday. He began preparing at around 9 a.m. Despite the rain, he set up an umbrella and chairs and decorated the grave with pink flowers, Xu's favorite. After fans who had come to pay their respects left, Koo was seen gazing at photos and videos of himself and Xu together. He wept for some time, unable to hold back his emotions. Around noon, Xu's mother, older sister and younger sister, along with actor Chen Jianzhou, singer Pan Weichi and other family members and close friends, arrived at the grave. They wore pink-toned clothing — a color Xu had loved in life — and brought cake and champagne. The group sat around the grave, sharing stories and shedding tears. About two hours later, the family and friends departed, but Koo stayed behind alone. Dressed in a raincoat, he tidied up the tablet, leftover cake, chairs and umbrella himself before leaving. When asked at the scene to express his feelings for Xu, Koo replied in English: "I just still love her." Asked whether he planned to return to Korea to live or to be with his mother, he answered with a firm, single word: "No." When asked whether Xu appears in his dreams, he said, "Of course." Earlier, Xu's younger sister Xu Xijie had shared photos taken at the grave with family and friends on SNS on Tuesday. "Today is my sister's birthday, so of course I came to celebrate it," she wrote. "I sat beside her, crying and laughing, and talked about our stories and how much we miss her." Xu Xiyuan rose to fame in Korea through the Taiwanese drama series "Meteor Garden," the local adaptation of the Japanese manga "Boys Over Flowers," in which she played the lead role of Shancai. Koo met Xu in Taiwan in 1998, and the two became a couple before parting ways after about a year due to the difficulties of a long-distance relationship. They reunited in 2021 and married the following year. Their marriage, however, was short-lived. Xu died suddenly of acute pneumonia while traveling in Japan in February last year. She was 48.

Oct. 8, 2026

Han Ga-in reveals she told husband she wouldn't marry him two days before the wedding

Actor Han Ga-in has revealed for the first time that she told her husband Yeon Jung-hoon she could not go through with their wedding just two days before the ceremony. On Wednesday, Han appeared on the YouTube channel "With Sean," where she opened up about her marriage after going for a run with host Sean. "I don't think I've ever talked about this anywhere, but two days before the wedding I said, 'I'm not doing it. I can't do this,'" she said. "My husband even came to my filming set." Han explained that Yeon had grown up in the United States, so many of his friends had flown in for the wedding. "I was busy filming, and I saw my husband spending time with his friends and looking all over the place," she said. "I thought, 'If he's like this after we get married, that's going to be a problem.'" "So I said, 'Then I can't get married. I can't do this,'" she added. When host Sean asked whether she had sent all the friends back to the United States, Han laughed and said, "They did attend the wedding." Han also described the couple's different sleep schedules. "My husband is a night owl and I'm completely an early riser, so 2 or 3 a.m. isn't that late for him, but for me it's the dead of night," she said. "I just couldn't understand how anyone could stay up until 2 or 3 in the morning." Han also shared the marriage plans she had imagined as a child. "When I was young, I had absolutely no intention of getting married before I turned 30. I wanted to marry someone much older than me," she said. "I had an absent father figure in my life, so I wanted someone who could hold me warmly and look after me the way a father would — I wanted to marry someone at least eight years older." Han married Yeon, who is two years her senior, in 2005 when she was 24. "We almost never fight. You might not believe it, but I can count the times on one hand," she said. "In 20 years, we've had maybe three or four big arguments." Asked whether she had ever experienced a lull in the relationship, Han said marriage and dating feel different to her. "Rather than a lull, I think marriage just changes in temperature," she said. "After marriage, things become more comfortable — you can lean on each other and know the other person will always be there. That's what makes it different." Han and Yeon are in their 21st year of marriage and have a son and a daughter.

Oct. 8, 2026

Actor Hwang Jung-eum lost 30 kg in 5 months after childbirth: 'I cried through every massage'

Actor Hwang Jung-eum has said she lost about 30 kg in five months after her weight climbed to 80 kg following the birth of her first child. A video titled "The day I started my semi-automatic diet" was posted to Hwang's YouTube channel Wednesday. Hwang said her current weight is 54 kg and that she has set a goal of 51.7 kg. "At 57 kg, I feel too uncomfortable and unhealthy — I'm just not in a good mood," she said, adding that she had returned to managing her weight in order to find a body she felt at ease in. She also spoke about the dramatic weight gain she experienced during her first pregnancy. "My first child was born weighing 4.1 kg. I got up into the 80s," she said. "After giving birth, only about 5 kg came off, and I just fell apart mentally." With a drama comeback on the horizon, she threw herself into an intense weight-loss regimen. "From that point, I think I lost 30 kg in five months like a madwoman," she said, adding that she ultimately brought her weight down to 47.7 kg. The urgency was driven by her return to television. She made her post-birth acting comeback in "The Undateables," an SBS drama series that aired in 2018. "I got massages for two to two and a half hours a day, every day except weekends, for five months," she said. "I cried through every single one." She recalled sobbing and thinking, "What kind of suffering is this — all because I ate too much?" — only to be told by the clinic director, "Be grateful that you have work." "When I heard that, I stopped crying," she said with a laugh. The drama fell short of expectations. "The Undateables" opened to a 5.3 percent viewership rating (Nielsen Korea, nationwide) but hovered in the 2 to 3 percent range throughout its run, ultimately finishing at 2.8 percent. "The Undateables didn't do well. I remember being so heartbroken," Hwang said. "I staked everything on that one project just to lose the weight, but I think you don't need to stake everything on anything. Moderation is probably best in all things."

Oct. 8, 2026