Actor Chae Si-ra mourns screenwriter Jeong Ha-yeon: 'Another master has left us'

Actor Chae Si-ra, who had been mourning the death of Choi Bool-am, was struck by fresh grief Wednesday upon learning of the passing of screenwriter Jeong Ha-yeon. Chae wrote on her Instagram account that day: "Another master has left us within just a few days. Writer Jeong Ha-yeon of 'The King and the Queen' and 'Queen Insoo' — I had been thinking lately that she must be getting on in years and that I wanted to see her. Then I saw the news, and I was hit by shock and regret." Chae recalled that when the two first met during the production of "The King and the Queen," Jeong told her: "I'm going to write the story of Queen Insoo someday, and from the moment I saw you in 'Miwang,' I decided you would play Queen Insoo." She said that remark had made up her mind, and that 13 years later she met the role of Queen Insoo once more. "How rare it is — and how meaningful — to work with the same writer on the same role twice in a lifetime. I am simply grateful," she added. Chae said she had no photos together with Jeong, but that she had cherished the sight of the writer coming to every weekly script reading without fail. "I was so grateful that she drew such a wonderful character for me," she said. She added: "You worked so hard, writing scripts every week for your entire life. Please rest now — your mind and your heart both. Teacher." According to the Korea Broadcast Writers Association and the family, Jeong died Sunday afternoon. She was 82. Born in Hwanghae Province in 1944, Jeong was a graduate of Yonsei University's Yeonhee Theater and Arts Research Society. She made her literary debut in 1968 when her one-act play "Sanullim" won a spring literary contest. Beginning with "Jang Nok-su," she went on to score a string of hits with large-scale Sageuk dramas — including "Jo Gwang-jo," "The King and the Queen," "Empress Myeongseong," "Sindon" and "Queen Insoo" — earning her the title of "master of the Sageuk drama." She also made a name for herself with melodramas exploring human desire, among them "Desire on Sand," "Sea of Desire" and "Flames of Desire." Her final work as a writer was the 2018 MBC drama series "Hold Me Tight." Jeong received the Dong-A Theater Award special prize and the Baeksang Arts Awards playwriting prize in 1979 for "Maronie-ui Gil." For "The King and the Queen," she won the KBS Drama Awards writing prize in 1999 and the Korea Broadcast Producers Award for writing in 2000.

Nov. 4, 2026

Seo Ye-ji returns to big screen with vampire film after gaslighting controversy

Actor Seo Ye-ji, 36, is returning to the big screen for the first time in six years with the film "Geumwoldo." Bewave Entertainment, Seo's agency, announced Wednesday that she has been cast in the role of "Kim Ji-hu" in the film. "Geumwoldo" draws on actual records of cannibalism documented in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, setting a Korean-style vampire story against the backdrop of a remote island and its insular community. Seo's character, Kim Ji-hu, is expected to drive the narrative as she investigates a series of mysterious incidents on the island. The film will be directed by Baek Dong-hun, who helmed "Le Grand Chef 2: Kimchi Battle." Shooting is set to begin in mid-November, with a theatrical release targeted for 2027. Seo made her debut in 2013 on the tvN sitcom "Gamja Byeol 2013QR3" and went on to establish herself as a lead actor through drama series including "Save Me" and "It's Okay to Not Be Okay." In 2021, however, her public image took a severe hit when she became embroiled in a controversy over allegations that she had gaslighted her then-partner, fellow actor Kim Jung-hyun. Despite the controversy, she went on to film the tvN drama series "Eve" the following year, but public reception was cold. She has had no screen credits in film or television since. Seo made a rare public appearance last year on Coupang Play's "SNL Korea," then took to the stage earlier this year in the play "Praise of Death." In July, she signed an exclusive contract with Bewave Entertainment, signaling a fresh start.

Nov. 4, 2026

Super Junior's Shindong turns heads with slimmed-down look after losing 37 kg

Super Junior member Shindong has drawn attention with his noticeably transformed appearance following a significant weight loss. A preview clip released Tuesday on the YouTube channel TEO's web entertainment show Salon Drip teased upcoming appearances by broadcaster Jang Dong-min and Shindong. Shindong's slimmed-down figure was particularly striking in the footage. Dressed in a brown knit top paired with a white shirt, he sported a cropped hairstyle, a sharper jawline and a more defined facial contour, projecting a distinctly different look. Shindong previously made headlines when he revealed he had lost about 37 kilograms in roughly five months through dieting. He initially tried an obesity medication but stopped after seeing little change, then shifted to improving his lifestyle habits to lose the weight. Meanwhile, the new Netflix entertainment program "Devil's Plan: Dead Again," featuring both Jang and Shindong, premieres Nov. 10.

Nov. 4, 2026

Mom works as live-in postpartum caregiver while elite-university daughter, 30, hasn't held a job in 7 years

A 60-year-old mother shared her struggles with a daughter who graduated from a prestigious university but has been unemployed for seven years. The mother appeared on Tuesday's episode of tvN Story's "Lee Ho-sun Counseling Center" alongside her daughter to discuss the situation. "My daughter was so smart — she was always ranked first or second in her class," the mother said. "She studied on her own, so she went to a specialized private high school. Right up until she graduated from university, she never gave me any trouble. I naturally assumed she would do well in the working world." But the daughter fell short of those expectations when she entered the workforce. Just two months into her first job, she quit without a word and has been unemployed for the seven years since. "She said it was killing her, that the workplace just wasn't for her," the mother said. "She's 30 years old and has worked for less than a year total." After leaving the company, the daughter worked for a time at a cafe the mother ran, then briefly taught at an English hagwon. The mother said her daughter never once showed up on time during the cafe days. She also expressed worry about her daughter's future, saying she had wanted her to study for the certified real estate appraiser exam before closing the cafe. "She's always been good at studying, so I assumed she'd pass the first stage easily — but she failed even that," she said. The mother said her husband's health had deteriorated and he had been unable to work since earlier this year, leaving her as the sole breadwinner. She has spent the past year working as a live-in postpartum caregiver. "Basically, you're watching a newborn around the clock," she said of the job. "The mother provides meals, but it's not easy to eat comfortably when you're in someone else's home." She added that after spending a week working at another family's house, she comes home wanting to rest — only to find that neither her husband nor her daughter has done any of the housework. "I'm out there working so hard, and my daughter sleeps in, eats and does nothing," the mother said. "I worry about whether she could even function normally without me." The daughter pushed back, saying she had been doing part-time work to gain experience for a business she is planning to launch — though her mother had taken all of it as simply playing around. Counselor Lee Ho-sun advised the daughter to move out and live independently, and urged her to prepare at least one home-cooked meal a week for her hardworking mother while earning her own keep. Lee also counseled the mother to trust her daughter and give her time, saying, "Expecting too much of someone else ends up eating away at yourself."

Nov. 4, 2026

RESCENE's 'With' tops music charts within 2 hours of release

Girl group RESCENE swept the top spots on major domestic music charts the moment their new album dropped. The group claimed No. 1 positions across the charts with "With," the title track of their fourth mini-album "PULSE," released at 6 p.m. Tuesday. "With" reached No. 1 on Melon's TOP 100 chart at 8 p.m. — just two hours after release — a feat that is extremely rare for a girl group. The album's B-sides also made a strong showing, with "Finest Thing," "Inside Out," "MEME" and "Dragon" all breaking into the top 10. Their viral hit "LOVE ATTACK" also held firm in the upper rankings, with seven of the top 10 spots occupied by RESCENE songs at one point. "With" also claimed No. 1 on Bugs' real-time chart and Genie Music's TOP 200 real-time chart, cementing the group's dominance across all major streaming platforms. The album was conceived by Lee Ju-heon, CEO of The Muse Entertainment, and a director known as The Full Kim, both of whom contributed lyrics to all five tracks to give the members' narratives a consistent thread. The two also handled the composition and arrangement of the title track "With." Meanwhile, RESCENE is set to appear at the 2026 Korea Grand Music Awards (2026 KGMA), held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul, on Saturday, where they will meet fans.

Nov. 4, 2026

'Contract Marriage' cast member Choi Jung-hyun apologizes for filming co-star without consent

Choi Jung-hyun, a cast member on the reality program "Contract Marriage" known by the participant name Yeongsu of the 32nd cohort, has apologized for filming his virtual wife without her consent using a personal camera during their shared newlywed lifestyle. Choi posted an apology on his Instagram story Tuesday, writing, "First, I sincerely apologize to Jeong Min-hyeon (Gukwha)." He said he had acknowledged his wrongdoing and apologized at the time of filming, and again expressed remorse. "Even if my intentions were not malicious, it is inexcusable that I failed to do the obvious — ask for the other person's consent before filming in a shared living space. That is entirely my fault," he said. Choi said the camera had been placed in the shared living room, and that his intention was to capture everyday moments not caught by the production crew's cameras and compile them into a commemorative video to give as a surprise gift after filming ended. "But regardless of my intentions, I failed to fully consider that having one's daily life recorded without their knowledge could itself be uncomfortable and hurtful," he said. He added, "Facing the criticism I have received, I am once again reminded of how shortsighted I was. Going forward, I will make sure to ask for and respect the other person's wishes in any relationship." He again apologized directly to Jeong, and also expressed regret to viewers who felt uncomfortable watching the episode. The incident came to light during the Monday broadcast of "Contract Marriage" on KBS Joy and MBC Every1, when it was revealed that Choi had set up a personal camera without prior consent and filmed for two days. The unauthorized filming drew controversy, as recording someone without their agreement can constitute a violation of portrait rights and privacy. Jeong had initially assumed Choi was touching the production crew's camera and tried to stop him. When the unusual behavior continued, Jeong asked for an explanation, and Choi replied, "This is mine. I filmed a few things because I wanted to keep them for myself." He added, "You're not upset that I filmed without asking first, are you? I just wanted something to remember this by." When Jeong expressed discomfort, Choi responded, "I really did it without thinking — I just wanted to try it. I'll delete it if you want. You're being quite sensitive." Jeong said, "Since it's footage of me, I think you should have told me and gotten my agreement before setting it up," and admitted to having wondered, "Can I really live with someone like this?" Choi ultimately deleted all the footage, and Jeong received the memory chip back. Viewer criticism extended to the production crew and the studio cast as well. Both the cast's casual reaction to what amounted to the installation of an unauthorized recording device and the production team's handling of the incident as a minor mishap drew fire. Meanwhile, "Contract Marriage" is a marriage simulation observational variety show created by PD Nam Gyu-hong, known for "I Am Solo," in which men and women who wish to marry enter into a contract and live together as a virtual couple. Choi and Jeong have appeared as a virtual couple since September.

Nov. 4, 2026

Actor Yoo Yeon-seok reveals he ran a bar in Itaewon for nearly 5 years

Actor Yoo Yeon-seok made a surprise confession that he once ran a bar in Itaewon. Actors Lee Dong-hwi and Yang Se-jong appeared as guests on Tuesday's episode of the SBS variety program "Tteummanyamyeon,." The two guests joined MC Yoo Jae-seok and Yoo Yeon-seok on a visit to Haebangchon in Seoul, where they met with local residents. The four then met a pair of sisters from Turkey who run a cafe in Haebangchon, the first "gap owners" featured on the show. Listening to the sisters' story, Yoo Yeon-seok shared an unexpected revelation about his own experience as a small-business owner. "I ran a bar in Itaewon for nearly five years," he said. Yoo went on to say that four years into a business is exactly when the hard decisions come. "Most leases run five years, so that's when you start wondering whether to renew," he said, drawing on his own experience running the bar. Meanwhile, Yoo made his debut in the 2003 film "Oldboy" and has since appeared in the drama series "Reply 1994," "Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim" and "Hospital Playlist," among others.

Nov. 4, 2026

'Singer from Incheon': Post claiming 10-year wait to expose celebrity school violence spreads online

Amid ongoing school violence allegations against actor Cha Ye-ryeon, a social media post claiming that a user has spent more than a decade waiting to expose a male ballad singer from Incheon for school violence has drawn widespread attention online. On Wednesday, a post titled "I've been watching for over 10 years, waiting to expose a celebrity for school violence" spread across social media and multiple online communities. The author, identified only as A, wrote that classmates had gathered evidence but grown weary as the person in question had yet to achieve fame. "We started collecting material when I was 15, and I'm 29 now," A wrote. The post drew a wave of replies from users claiming similar experiences, including comments purporting to expose a specific singer from Incheon. One user wrote that the singer from Incheon "was a real troublemaker and a thug," adding that the person had parlayed a smooth voice into a spot at an agency known for well-behaved artists and carefully crafted an image. The user also claimed the singer "smoked heavily from middle school but somehow never damaged their voice." Another user who said they had lived in the Incheon area wrote that they knew the school in question and described it as one "where guys who couldn't study went," adding, "I knew who it was the moment I read the comments." A separate comment drew further attention to alleged school violence by another entertainer. "Same situation for me — a few supporting roles in obscure music videos, a couple of bit parts with a single line in films, and they haven't gotten famous enough for me to come forward," the user wrote. The user added that while they personally were not harmed, another student was struck by a chair thrown by the individual, suffered a broken finger and ultimately dropped out of school. Reactions from other users ranged from wry to resigned: "The irony of rooting for them to succeed," "I searched just in case — turns out it is a school in Incheon," "I hope it's not who I think it is," and "What goes around comes around."

Nov. 4, 2026

Song Joong-ki spotted on family outing with wife, two children

Actor Song Joong-ki has been spotted out with his wife and two children. Photos of the family outing have spread across online communities and Weibo in recent days. The images show the Song family walking through an underground pedestrian walkway leading to Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul. Song pushes a stroller carrying his younger daughter while his wife Katy walks alongside him. Their 3-year-old son walks between his parents, pausing to look at murals along the way. As the photos gained attention, eyewitness accounts from people who had encountered the family in person began to surface. One internet user said they had run into the Song family several times, noting that both Song and Katy dressed simply and without fuss. Of Song in particular, the user said he gave off the feeling of "a family-oriented young dad," adding that "he took care of the stroller and the bags himself." Another user said they had often crossed paths with Song during walks, describing him as "approachable and very much a family man." The user added that after a brief exchange, Song came across as far more down-to-earth than expected. There were also accounts of spotting the family at an amusement park. One user said Song "dressed plainly, paid little attention to the people around him, and enjoyed the zoo comfortably with his wife and children." Meanwhile, Song married Katy in 2023. Both children were born in Rome, Italy. Song currently splits his time between Seoul and Tuscany, Italy, his wife's hometown. Song had previously been married to actor Song Hye-kyo in 2017, but the two divorced after one year and eight months.

Nov. 4, 2026

Ko Ji-yong posts 'Shut Up' clip amid fan backlash over Sechs Kies reunion show

Ko Ji-yong, a former member of K-pop group Sechs Kies, has posted a cryptic message on social media as fans of the group issued a statement opposing his return to activities under the Sechs Kies name. On Tuesday, Ko shared a photo on social media with the caption "Please!!" The image shows a person holding a finger to their lips in a "shush" gesture, and Ko set the background music to "Shut Up" by the Black Eyed Peas. Ko offered no explanation for the post, but speculation has emerged that it was a response to a statement the Sechs Kies fandom released Tuesday opposing his rejoining the group. Ko is set to hold a dinner-show style performance titled "The Tree in Inspire — Sechs Kies' Unfinished Story" with fellow former members Jang Su-won and Lee Jae-jin at Inspire Arena in Incheon on Dec. 15 and 16 at 6 p.m. When news of the event broke, the Sechs Kies fandom released a statement Monday strongly opposing Ko's rejoining the group and resuming any activities under its banner. In the statement, fans said Ko "has caused great hurt and disappointment to fans by, among other things, exploiting the brand value of Sechs Kies and the fandom's support for personal gain and commercial promotion without authorization, even after announcing he would step away from group activities to focus on his own career." They added that they "cannot tolerate any attempt to resume activities under the team's name as needed, without showing a sincere commitment following his declaration to respect his own career path and withdraw from group activities," and warned that "a forced return that betrays fans' trust will only damage the group's overall image and divide the fandom." The fandom urged Ko to "immediately cease all commercial and personal activities using the Sechs Kies trademark and the group's name," and demanded that he "stop causing confusion among fans and the public by exploiting the group's reputation." Some have questioned whether Ko can even be considered a current member of Sechs Kies. The group originally debuted as a six-member act, but only four members are now recognized as active, with Ko and Kang Sung-hun having departed. Ko announced his retirement from the entertainment industry after Sechs Kies disbanded in 2000 and focused on private business ventures. Ko did not participate when the group reunited through MBC's "Infinite Challenge — Totoga 2" in 2016, nor in subsequent group activities. In 2018, following another fan statement, Ko's name was removed from the official Sechs Kies profile entirely. Critics have also pointed out that the upcoming performance — which includes Ko but excludes current members Eun Ji-won and Kim Jae-deok — is problematic for proceeding under the Sechs Kies name. Reports that Ko is in financial difficulty — to the point of being unable to pay child support to ex-wife Heo Yang-im — have fueled doubts about the sincerity of the performance's purpose. Some caution against jumping to conclusions, however, noting that Ko's post could have been directed at Heo rather than at the fandom. News that the two divorced two years ago only became public in August. Heo is raising the couple's son, and reports recently emerged that the two are in conflict over the child. Ko said he had filed for an injunction to prevent interference with his visitation rights and to ban the posting of photos and videos of the child, claiming Heo's side had blocked him from properly seeing his son. Heo's side denied interfering with Ko's visitation and alleged that Ko had failed to pay child support since the divorce. Ko is reported to have been unable to make payments due to a failed business venture and deteriorating health.

Nov. 4, 2026

Seo Yu-ri calls on ex-husband to repay her as he announces new album

Voice actress and broadcaster Seo Yu-ri, 41, has again called on her ex-husband, producer Choi Byung-gil, to pay the asset division settlement from their divorce. Seo posted on her social media Tuesday, writing: "Just pay back my money quickly. Why are you releasing another album?" She then added, "Oh, I guess I'm promoting him again. Seo Yu-ri, the endless giver." Seo and Choi divorced after conflicts over financial matters, among other issues. The two finalized their divorce mediation in June 2024. Under the divorce agreement, Choi was required to pay Seo 323 million won ($241,000) in asset division by December of that year, with a 12 percent annual late fee applied if the deadline was missed. Choi failed to pay by the deadline. In response, Seo posted the agreement on social media in March, writing, "When will I be able to receive it?" Choi had also reportedly used Seo's name when taking out loans. Seo took on about 2 billion won in debt during the divorce process and personally repaid 1.3 billion won of it. Choi later said the payment had been delayed due to a failed project and financial difficulties. When news broke that Choi was releasing new music despite the situation, Seo again expressed strong frustration. Choi works as both a producer and singer-songwriter under the name "ashbun." In August, he released a project album titled "being lazy is sexy." He recently announced on his social media that "a new album is coming out on Nov. 20!" Meanwhile, Seo made her debut as a voice actress in 2008 and has since worked across animation, gaming and entertainment programs. Choi has directed drama series including "East of Eden," "Angry Mom," "Missing Nine" and "Tarot: Seven Stories."

Nov. 4, 2026

Former supermodel Kim Ja-yeon marries ex-Samsung Electronics president Son Young-kwon, 25 years her senior

Former supermodel Kim Ja-yeon, 45, has married Son Young-kwon, 70, a former president of Samsung Electronics who is 25 years her senior. The two first met as alumni of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and became a couple earlier this year. On Sunday, Kim shared wedding photos on her social media along with a message saying she had long assumed she would spend her life alone, only to find her person well into her 40s after a long journey. "My husband and I first met two years ago as sunbae and hoobae at MIT," she wrote. "At first we got to know each other naturally, with mutual respect as seniors and juniors, and we grew closer little by little as we spent more time together." Son had been a sunbae Kim deeply admired, she said. As they spent more time together, they came to understand each other, and she said she opened her heart to his warm character and sincerity. The wedding was held quietly at the Bürgenstock Hotel near Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, with only family in attendance. The venue is also known as the site where actor Audrey Hepburn married actor Mel Ferrer in 1954. Born in 1981, Kim won the SBS Supermodel Contest in 2003. She went on to work in the international fashion industry and currently works as a trend analyst. Son, born in 1956, served as president and chief strategy officer of Samsung Electronics. He currently chairs the Samsung Semiconductor Advisory Board and the board of Harman International.

Nov. 4, 2026

Actor Ko So-young says 10-year acting hiatus has her spending more, not less

Actor Ko So-young has confessed that taking a break from acting has actually led her to spend more money, not less. A video titled "The Chinese restaurant without jjajangmyeon that Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young visit once a month" was posted Tuesday on Ko's YouTube channel. In the video, Ko sat down for a meal with the production crew and looked back on her entertainment career, from her debut days through her peak years. Recalling her time on the MBC drama series "Eomma-ui Bada," Ko said her appearance fees came in like a regular paycheck. "It was fun to update my bankbook at the ATM in the MBC cafeteria," she said. She added that she had offered to treat her colleagues to a meal when the money started coming in. "It wasn't a huge amount, but it was the first time I had earned money on my own," she said, and went on to say that she had never taken an allowance from her parents after entering university. Ko then offered a piece of advice drawn from her own experience. "When you're working, you don't have time to spend money, so it piles up. But after 10 years of not working, I found myself spending way too much," she said. "You need to work more so you don't have time to spend." Meanwhile, Ko married actor Jang Dong-gun in 2010 and the couple have a son and a daughter.

Nov. 4, 2026

Current employee defends Heyjini amid labor exploitation allegations

As Kidsworks, the management company behind kids creator Heyjini (real name Kang Hye-jin), denied a former employee's labor exploitation allegations, a current staff member stepped forward to defend the company. On Tuesday, Heyjini shared an official statement from Kidsworks on her social media. A current employee who said they had worked at Kidsworks for several years posted a lengthy comment that drew attention. "They were considerate enough to let me take a month off without using any of my personal leave," the employee wrote. The employee said it was their first job and that they had continued working there for years, adding that staying at a first job for so long was no easy feat. "The reason I have been able to stay here this long is because of the people I work with," they wrote. The employee also said that when work ran late, management would notify staff in advance, and that employees could take a taxi home or adjust their start time the following day. When weekend or evening shoots were scheduled, days off were arranged on Mondays or other weekdays to compensate, they said. "When I came across accounts of people having difficulty taking time off, it felt unfamiliar because it was different from what I had personally experienced," the employee wrote, and went on to say that they could not judge other employees' working conditions based solely on their own experience, as they did not know everyone's situation. Earlier, a former Kidsworks employee had alleged labor exploitation, claiming they had been diagnosed with panic disorder and depression after being overworked. The former employee said they had received an annual salary of 20 million won ($14,900) with no separate overtime pay, and that they had developed panic disorder and depression in the process. They also alleged that even after receiving recognition for an industrial accident, the company proposed paying 4 million won instead of supporting a workers' compensation claim. As the controversy spread, Kidsworks denied the allegations in a statement, saying it had not obstructed any workers' compensation filing, had instead referred the employee to an outside certified labor attorney, helped arrange a direct consultation, and ensured the employee received clear guidance on the application process.

Nov. 4, 2026

Park Jin-young pushes back on cult allegations, calls criticism 'persecution'

Singer and producer Park Jin-young has described as "persecution" the allegations that his religious group, Cheotyeolmaedeur (First Fruits), is a heretical or cult-like organization. Appearing Tuesday on the group's YouTube channel, Park made the remarks during a sermon on self-confidence. "We have now started to be called a heresy or a cult, and the persecution has begun in earnest," he said. "Resolving this is not something we do in our own way — it will be resolved at the right moment, in the right way." He went on to say that the response would not involve arguing doctrine or flooding comment sections with organized replies. "The way to escape persecution over heresy and cult labels is not through our own efforts — it is something God does," he said. That day, Park also opened up about what led him to faith. "For the first time at age 40, something didn't go the way I wanted. Before that, even if I failed, I could just keep trying," he said. "For the first time I hit a truly desperate situation and had no idea what to do. I lost my confidence." Earlier, on Sept. 19, Park uploaded a 1-hour-12-minute video to the same channel titled "What denomination is Park Jin-young's church?" in which he personally explained Cheotyeolmaedeur's doctrine and theological background. He described the group as "surprisingly having clear roots and a proper lineage," saying it drew on Wesleyan Methodism for its understanding of how eternal life is obtained, and on the American fundamentalist independent Baptist tradition associated with Peter Ruckman for its interpretation of whether eternal life, once obtained, can be lost. Aspects that differ from established denominations, he said, represent doctrine the group has developed on its own. He also noted that Cheotyeolmaedeur includes members from a range of backgrounds — Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist and Shinchonji among them — but drew a line against any suggestion of affiliation with a specific organization. "Just because we have members who came from Shinchonji doesn't mean our church is Shinchonji," he said. Meanwhile, the Presbyterian Church of Korea (Tonghap), one of the country's largest Protestant denominations, is conducting a denominational-level study of Park and Cheotyeolmaedeur's teachings. It is expected to report its findings at the regular general assembly in September 2027. No official conclusion has been reached yet. Cheotyeolmaedeur grew out of Park's Bible lectures and study gatherings and has since expanded into a church-like organization. It currently holds services and meetings in eight locations, including Seoul, Busan and Los Angeles. In 2018, when allegations emerged that Park had led gatherings associated with the so-called "salvation sect," Park denied them, saying he had merely rented a venue at his own expense for Bible study. In a 2020 appearance on MBC's "Radio Star," he also said, "I have no denomination. It is still just a Bible study among ourselves."

Nov. 3, 2026

Comedian Park Sung-kwang visits late Park Ji-sun's memorial on her birthday

Comedian Park Sung-kwang made a point of visiting the late Park Ji-sun's memorial on her birthday. On Tuesday, Park posted a photo on social media along with a message addressed to the late comedian. "Ji-sun, I came this year to be here on your actual birthday. The weather has been so nice right up until today — they say it gets cold starting tomorrow," Park wrote. "This year, seeing all our classmates doing so well made me think of Ji-sun even more." In the photo, Park is seen at Park Ji-sun's columbarium, marking her birthday. Park added: "You're watching over everything from up there, aren't you? Keep watching over us. And look after your father, too. This year again, I'm listening to the chord music we said we'd write together before I go. Happy birthday, Ji-dol." Earlier, on Monday, fellow KBS 22nd-class comedians Yang Sang-guk, Jo Yun-ho, Kim Ji-ho, Song Jun-geun, Jang Hyo-in and Heo Mi-yeong also visited the columbarium to pay their respects. Park Ji-sun and her mother were found dead at their home in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on Nov. 2, 2020. Park was 36. 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.

Nov. 3, 2026

Broadcaster Ji Ye-eun shares date photo ahead of December wedding

Broadcaster Ji Ye-eun and dancer Bata, who are set to marry next month, have shared a glimpse of their date. According to Ten Asia, Bata posted a photo to an Instagram story early Tuesday with no caption other than a single pink heart emoji. In the photo, Bata is seen wearing a mask and smiling with the eyes. Ji Ye-eun stands alongside, holding a dessert and flashing a bright smile. The couple will marry on Dec. 12. News of their relationship first broke in April. The two grew from friends to a couple through their shared church, and their paths had also crossed professionally — Ji Ye-eun performed at "Waterbomb Seoul 2025" as part of a project group called Chungju Jissi with Ji Seok-jin, for which Bata contributed choreography. Bata leads the dance crew WDBZ. In 2022, the crew finished as runner-up on Mnet's dance survival show "Street Man Fighter," and Bata was the youngest among the leader-ranked cast members at the time. Ji Ye-eun is a graduate of the Korea National University of Arts and made a debut in the 2017 web drama series "How To." Ji rose to wider public recognition through the Coupang Play variety series "Saturday Night Live Korea" and has since become a regular cast member on SBS's variety show "Running Man."

Nov. 3, 2026

Broadcaster Yoon Young-mi sleeps in son's closet in New York studio at W5m rent

Yoon Young-mi, a broadcaster and former announcer, has shared an update showing her sleeping in a closet in her son's small studio apartment in New York. Yoon posted a photo on Instagram on Monday with the caption: "In my son's 5 million won ($3,730) New York studio — about 16 square meters — my bedroom is the closet." The photo showed Yoon lying on a blanket spread across a narrow space lined with hanging clothes. Cramped as the makeshift bedroom was, Yoon found a silver lining. "Lucky I'm short," she wrote, adding, "No train noise, pitch dark and warm." She also struck an upbeat note, saying, "If we're careful with money, we'll manage somehow, and even a tiny studio means I get to see my son's face every day — that's enough." Yoon also recalled that earlier this year, as she was preparing to move to New York and worrying about expenses and accommodation, her husband had told her, "Things will ease up by fall, and God will surely have a good place ready for us." She added with a laugh: "He said, 'Surely God wouldn't make the whole family live in a place the size of a booger?' — looks like God might just be a little busy." Yoon had previously made headlines in May when she appeared on MBN's talk show "Sokpuriso Dongchimi" and revealed she had spent about 2.6 billion won over roughly 13 years supporting her two sons' education in the United States. Both sons went on to attend Columbia University in New York, and Yoon said the cost came to more than 100 million won per person per year, even after factoring in scholarships and part-time income. Yoon has said that because her husband focuses his ministry on volunteer work, she has in effect shouldered the sons' overseas education costs largely on her own.

Nov. 3, 2026

Broadcaster Lee Ji-hee opens up about rheumatoid arthritis and financial hardship in her 50s

In an appearance on YouTube channel 'Lee Seong-mi's Mot Ganda,' Lee revealed her struggles with illness and money after her broadcast career dried up Lee Ji-hee, 54, a broadcaster who was a fixture on radio and television in the 2000s, has drawn wide attention after opening up about her battle with rheumatoid arthritis and financial hardship following the end of her broadcast career. A video featuring Lee was uploaded Monday to the YouTube channel "Lee Seong-mi's Mot Ganda" under the title "My broadcasting career just stopped one day out of nowhere." In the video, Lee said she had been in the industry for nearly 30 years, having made her debut in 1997, and that she is no longer doing broadcast work, instead running her own company. She said her broadcast appearances began tapering off gradually about eight or nine years ago and came to a complete stop three or four years ago. "Toward the end, even the home shopping channels closed off, and all I had left was one Christian broadcasting slot," she said. "That was barely enough to scrape by — that was the state of my household finances." Lee said the lean years lasted about seven years. "In the old days I always picked up the tab," she said. "But when friends asked to meet up, I couldn't afford to treat them, so I stopped going out." She said the hardest period came when her child was in the final year of high school, preparing for university entrance exams, at the height of her financial difficulties. "I was barely making it month to month, like walking a tightrope, and my child was in the 12th grade wanting to study — but I couldn't afford tutoring or anything like that," she said. She went on to say that her child matured early and decided to study independently, but at some point began watching her reactions carefully. "My child had put some workbooks in a cart — 300,000 won ($224) worth — and hesitated to check out, waiting to see how I'd react. When my child asked me, 'Is it OK to buy these?' it just broke my heart," she said, her eyes welling up. At the time, Lee was also fighting rheumatoid arthritis. "In the mornings my fingers would be so stiff I wasn't sure I could even fry an egg," she said. "My child would wake up 30 minutes early and cook — spaghetti, fried rice — to relieve stress before heading out. It was the hardest year of my life, but gratitude and hardship existed side by side." On her illness, she said the pain was severe. "I was in so much pain — for about a year it was truly unbearable. I gained 15 kilograms in a month and was shocked when I looked in the mirror. When it first hit, my thumb and index finger swelled to twice their normal size. I couldn't bend my fingers, couldn't brush my teeth, couldn't use chopsticks and had to eat with a fork. The pain was intense for six months," she said, leaving viewers stunned. Lee entered broadcasting after winning the grand prize at MBC's Radio Miss DJ Contest in 1997. She went on to work as a reporter and panelist on MBC programs including "Section TV Entertainment News" and "Good Day," and hosted the KBS Radio program "Lee Ji-hee's Night Owl." She also showed her range as a performer, appearing in the drama series "Beautiful Days" and "Phoenix."

Nov. 3, 2026

Park Se-ri on why she keeps working after retirement: 'Payroll hits every first of the month'

Retired golfer Park Se-ri has opened up about the financial pressures of running a foundation and a company since stepping away from professional golf. On Monday's episode of tvN STORY's "Nam-gyeoseo Mwohage" ("What's Left to Do"), Park joined comedian Lee Young-ja and motivational speaker Kim Chang-ok for a meal and a candid conversation about work and life after retirement, according to Dong-A Ilbo. When Kim said he had spent so much of his life focused on work that he never truly savored anything, Park agreed. "Same here," she said. "I was all work, and by the time I retired, my thinking had changed a lot." Park, who retired at 40, explained her decision. "That was around the time I had planned to retire," she said. "I wanted to do something that would help younger players and give promising athletes a sense of hope — so I run a foundation and a company." Lee then turned to Park with a pointed observation. "The reason Park Se-ri does broadcasting is to pay her employees," Lee said, before asking: "What time of the month is the most suffocating for you?" Park answered without hesitation. "The first week," she said. "Payroll goes out on the first of every month," she added. "And taxes are brutal." Kim laughed. "That's so real," he said.

Nov. 3, 2026