Highlight's Yang Yo-seob pleads with fans to stop visiting his home

Yang Yo-seob of the group Highlight has made an urgent appeal to fans to stop invading his privacy. Yang posted a story on his Instagram account Wednesday, writing, "Please do not come to where I live. I'm begging you." He added, "My home is featured on 'Yozeumgeotdeul.' Please watch that instead." "Yozeumgeotdeul" refers to a web entertainment series on the YouTube channel Gogossing, titled "Yoseobi's Yozeumgeotdeul." In November 2024, Highlight's agency Around Us warned of legal action against so-called "sasaeng" fans — obsessive followers known for stalking celebrities. At the time, Around Us said that "as acts seriously invading the privacy of Highlight members have been increasing," it felt compelled to address the situation. The agency cited fans making unauthorized visits to locations connected to the members' daily lives, waiting along their running routes to take unauthorized photos, and repeatedly lingering near their residences in attempts to force contact with the artists. The agency went on to say that it urged fans to "refrain from acts that, in a moment of impulse, damage your own reputation and that of the artists, and cause harm to others," adding that "if such behavior continues, the company will take clear legal action regarding the invasion of privacy."

Sept. 17, 2026

Seo In-young reveals Jewelry earned only W1m per event: 'We were too naive'

Singer Seo In-young has revealed how little the girl group Jewelry was paid for performances during their active years. A video titled "Jewelry's first-ever regional event in 25 years — exclusive" was uploaded Wednesday to the YouTube channel "Gaegwacheoonseon Seo In-young." In the video, the Jewelry members took the stage together for the first time in years and reminisced about their days as a group. Seo opened by saying, "No matter what event we performed at, we got 1 million won ($739)." She went on to express her lingering frustration, adding, "We worked so hard. We even went to a Buddhist temple and did the wave in front of monks. But we got 1 million won no matter what event it was?" When member Jo Min-ah said, "We didn't know back then because we were young," Seo said, "Not one person ever asked how much the event fee was." Lee Ji-hyun agreed, saying, "We were just too naive." Park Jeong-ah then brought up an anecdote about Seo that illustrated how fed up she had been with the pay. "She was so furious back then that when we went to the US, In-young asked our manager for his card," Park said. "She said let's just go to a luxury store and buy something, and she bought a bag." Park said she picked out a Saint Laurent bag at the time, while Seo chose a Chanel bag. Lee then said, "Shouldn't you have bought Chanel too?" — to which Seo replied, "Even back then, this one was the good one," drawing laughter.

Sept. 17, 2026

Ko Ji-yong W40m behind on child support, launches legal counterclaim against ex-wife

Ko Ji-yong, 46, a former member of the K-pop group Sechs Kies, has entered a legal dispute with his ex-wife Heo Yang-im, 46, over their 12-year-old son Seung-jae. The conflict appears to have escalated after Heo filed suit over unpaid child support, prompting Ko to mount a legal counterclaim. YouTuber Lee Jin-ho, a former journalist, said Wednesday on his YouTube channel that Ko had failed to pay 40 million won ($29,600) in child support over roughly two years since the divorce — a figure that rises to 50 million won when interest is included. Lee said Ko and Heo divorced in April 2024, but that child support had been paid for only two months — August and September of this year, when the divorce became public. He added that the monthly payment was set at 1.89 million won, which he described as a fairly substantial amount. Heo filed suit on Sept. 5 seeking payment of the overdue child support, and Ko's assets were subsequently frozen as a result. Ko said Wednesday that he had also taken civil and criminal legal action against Heo. On the civil side, he filed for an injunction to prevent interference with his visitation rights and to prohibit the posting of photos and videos of the child. On the criminal side, Ko did not specify the charges, but his warning about a violation of child protection law has raised the possibility that he filed a complaint alleging child abuse. "I could no longer tolerate her refusal to let me see my child, her ignoring my warnings about child protection law violations, and her use of the child to promote her medical clinic," Ko said. Ko said that despite now making regular child support payments, he has been unable to see his son properly — claiming he has met the boy only six times over the past two years. Ko also disclosed that Heo had seized his bank accounts and insurance policies over the unpaid support, and that he had been named in legal proceedings related to the asset freeze and visitation rights. Ko said he had been battling health problems even before the divorce and that financial difficulties stemming from medical treatment had prevented him from paying child support. "After our agreed divorce on April 24, 2024, I was rushed to hospital in early May in critical condition due to liver cirrhosis and shock — I had to prepare myself for the possibility of death," he said. "My illness worsened during our marriage as well, but we reached an amicable agreement. Over the roughly two years that followed, I was hospitalized multiple times and hovered between life and death." "As I was working to recover and return to normal life, I found it impossible to endure the continued refusal to communicate and the stream of lawsuits," Ko said, explaining his decision to pursue legal action. Ko married physician Heo Yang-im in 2013 and the couple had a son, Seung-jae. The family appeared together on the KBS2 program "Superman Returns" in 2017 to wide public affection, but Ko revealed only last July that the couple had divorced two years earlier. Custody of Seung-jae following the divorce is understood to rest with Heo. She has been sharing updates on her personal social media accounts and YouTube channel, while Ko has on several occasions expressed his longing for his son on social media. Ko has worked in real estate finance and eco-friendly energy and advertising before reportedly joining a restaurant business run by an acquaintance. In a YouTube appearance two years ago, he said his health had deteriorated from heavy drinking while working in real estate finance.

Sept. 17, 2026

Ko Young-wook responds to Rula bandmate Kim Ji-hyun's 'secret offer' revelation

Ko Young-wook has posted a message targeting Kim Ji-hyun, his former bandmate in the group Rula. On Thursday, Ko shared a YouTube video featuring Kim on his X (formerly Twitter) account, writing, "It is quite sad to watch people who don't know when to stop." The video Ko shared was from the YouTube channel "Daktershin," uploaded Wednesday, in which Kim spoke about her past. She said that at the height of her fame she had received what she described as a "secret offer" — someone from the business world had approached her along the lines of "I'll give you money, let's go on a date." Kim recounted one particular incident: "One day, someone called me and said, 'If you can guess who I am, I'll give you 10 million won ($7,390).'" She said her pride was wounded, adding, "I thought to myself, 'I'm Kim Ji-hyun — who do you think you're talking to?' So I pretended not to know until the very end." She described the caller as "a chairman-level figure whose name everyone would recognize," but declined to elaborate, saying, "He has a family now and is living well, so I'll leave it at that." Ko and Kim were both members of Rula in the 1990s. Ko has recently been posting a series of messages targeting various celebrities. On Sept. 7, he shared and criticized a news article about celebrities who watched a fireworks festival from their homes, and subsequently traded barbs with writer So Jae-won, who had criticized him. 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, three years of electronic monitoring, and five years of public disclosure of personal information on charges of sexually assaulting and forcibly molesting a minor. He served his sentence and was released, but has since been barred from the broadcasting industry.

Sept. 17, 2026

Ko Ji-yong takes legal action against ex-wife Heo Yang-im over access to son

Ko Ji-yong, 46, a former member of the K-pop group Sechs Kies, has taken legal action against his ex-wife Heo Yang-im, 46, over a dispute involving their 12-year-old son. He also disclosed that he had fallen behind on child support payments and that he has been battling a serious illness. Ko's agency, Mountain Movement Story, said Wednesday that Ko had filed an injunction against Heo seeking to prevent interference with his visitation rights and to bar her from posting photos and videos of their child. Ko said he has been paying child support regularly but has been unable to see his son. "I could no longer tolerate her refusal to let me see the child, her disregard for my warnings about violations of child protection law, and her use of the child to promote her medical clinic," he said. Heo is a family medicine specialist. Ko also said he had initiated criminal proceedings against Heo, though he did not specify the charges. Given his references to child protection law violations, the action is believed to involve child abuse charges. Ko acknowledged that he had fallen behind on child support and that Heo had taken legal steps in response. "She demanded child support payments and filed for provisional seizure, freezing my bank accounts and insurance," he said. "After an injunction application and a visitation rights claim were filed on Sept. 5, I could no longer stay silent." Ko said he had sent written notice stating his intention to fulfill his obligations but received no response. "I sent two replies requesting that the unpaid child support be allowed in installments," he added. Ko revealed that he had been dealing with serious health problems even before the divorce. "After our agreed divorce on April 24, 2024, I was rushed to the hospital in critical condition in early May and had to prepare for the possibility of death," he said. "My condition worsened during our marriage as well, though we parted on amicable terms. Over the roughly two years since, I have been hospitalized multiple times and hovered between life and death." His health struggles are widely seen as the underlying reason for the missed payments. "I was trying to recover and return to normal life, but the refusal to communicate and the stream of lawsuits became too much to bear," Ko said, explaining why he decided to pursue legal action. Ko married Heo, a physician, in 2013, and the couple have a son, Seungjae. The family appeared together on the KBS2 program "Superman Is Back" in 2017 to wide affection, but Ko revealed only last July that the couple had divorced two years earlier. Custody of Seungjae following the divorce is understood to have been granted to Heo. She has been sharing updates through her personal social media accounts and YouTube channel, while Ko has expressed his longing for his son on social media on several occasions.

Sept. 17, 2026

'Guess who I am and I'll give you W10m': Lula's Kim Ji-hyun reveals mystery call from powerful executive

Kim Ji-hyun, a former member of the K-pop group Lula, has shared a story about receiving an unsolicited call from a high-ranking business figure during the height of her fame. The anecdote came to light Wednesday in a video titled "Even the charismatic Kim Ji-hyun can't do it here," posted to the YouTube channel Daktershin. In the video, Kim said she received inappropriate propositions at the peak of her career. "It was the kind of thing where someone would offer money and ask me out on a date," she said. She went on to describe one particularly baffling incident. "One day, someone called me and said, 'If you can guess who I am, I'll give you 10 million won ($7,390),'" she said. Kim said her pride got the better of her. "I thought to myself, 'I'm Kim Ji-hyun — who do you think you're talking to?' so I played dumb the whole time," she said, adding that she later figured out who the caller was. The acquaintance who had given the man Kim's phone number later revealed the caller's identity and expressed disappointment, saying she should have played along. Kim explained why she had kept up the act. "He was the kind of chairman-level figure whose name everyone would recognize. I had actually met him once at a private gathering with another female celebrity, and it turned out he was dating her at the time," she said. When the other guests pressed her for the caller's identity, Kim kept mum. "He's incredibly famous and quite a bit older — my father's generation," she said. "He's settled down with a family now and doing well, so I'll leave it at that."

Sept. 17, 2026

Singer Lee Seung-cheol becomes grandfather: 'Welcome to the world, my grandchild'

Singer Lee Seung-cheol has shared the news of his grandchild's birth, expressing his joy at becoming a grandfather. On Wednesday, Lee posted on social media: "I became a grandfather on Wednesday," alongside a photo of his newborn grandchild. He went on to say, "Open your eyes and take a look. Welcome to the world, my grandchild Jung Yu-han Grayson." The photo showed a newborn sleeping soundly, swaddled in a blanket and wearing a small hat. Lee personally introduced his grandchild's name, showing the deep affection he holds for the child. Earlier, Lee appeared on tvN's "You Quiz on the Block" in August and announced that he would be welcoming a grandchild this year. Last year, Lee announced the marriage of his eldest daughter — a daughter who became part of his family when he remarried in 2007 and whom he has described as a child "born of the heart." Born in 1966, Lee made his debut in 1986 as a member of the rock band Boohwal before pursuing a solo career, earning wide love with hit songs including "Hiya," "Don't Say Goodbye," "Mallikot" and "Western Sky."

Sept. 16, 2026

Actor Jeon Won-ju's 700,000-won-per-episode fee stirs controversy

Actor Jeon Won-ju, 86, has stoked controversy after revealing that a pay dispute lay behind her decision to replace the production team of her YouTube channel. Some critics say it was unreasonable to demand a fee increase given that the channel was not turning a profit, while others have pushed back, noting that her per-episode pay was only 700,000 won ($517). According to industry sources Wednesday, Jeon ended her contract with the existing production team behind her YouTube channel "Jeon Won-ju — Jeon Won-ju-in-gong" and announced plans to release new content with a new crew. The outgoing team had grown the channel to roughly 110,000 subscribers, prompting widespread speculation about the reasons for the abrupt change. On Friday, Jeon appeared on actor Samija's YouTube channel and hinted at the pay dispute. "I said let's raise this a little — the production team said they would quit, so I said let's just go ahead," she said. "I can't be too focused on money anymore." Lee Jin-ho, a former journalist turned YouTuber, recently weighed in on his own channel. "The channel averaged 400,000 to 500,000 views and did not upload videos frequently," he said. "Given the large crew required for that kind of production, it is hard to make serious money at that view count. Raising the appearance fee under those conditions would inevitably create problems with production costs." Some online commenters have criticized Jeon for what they describe as excessive frugality, citing past episodes of penny-pinching. She had drawn attention after it emerged that she made a substantial fortune investing in stocks — including shares of SK hynix — and gold through her channel. Yet despite her wealth, she also drew ridicule for reportedly pocketing garlic from a barbecue restaurant and ordering a single cup of coffee for three people at a cafe. As the controversy grew, a close associate who has worked alongside Jeon for nearly 20 years told Sports Seoul on Wednesday that her per-episode appearance fee had been around 700,000 won — a "modest" sum she had "endured" despite lending her name to the channel. "It is not true that the YouTube hiatus was due to a money dispute or one-sided conflict," the associate said. "We disagreed on the direction of the content and stopped by mutual agreement." The associate also said that while the "penny-pincher" persona had been played up for views, Jeon's actual spending habits were entirely different. "She pays her staff generously and never skimps on accommodation or meals during location shoots," the associate said. "There are countless events where she accepts no fee at all or just enough for transportation — sometimes she even leaves her fee behind. She quietly brings rice to market vendors and elderly people living alone. She just never talks about it herself." Jeon built much of her wealth through her own efforts, but she also inherited a substantial estate from her mother, a businesswoman. The family originally ran a prosperous ginseng farm in Gaeseong but fled south during the Korean War, leaving them in financial hardship for a period during Jeon's childhood. Her mother rebuilt the family's fortunes by trading silk at Dongdaemun Market, and in 1958 — an era when it was uncommon for women to attend even middle or high school — sent Jeon to Sookmyung Women's University. Jeon has said that shortly before her mother's death, she inherited a house, commercial properties and luxury watches.

Sept. 16, 2026

Shin Jung-hwan says he earns nothing despite W100m in monthly restaurant sales

Shin Jung-hwan, 52, a broadcaster and former member of the duo Country Kko Kko, opened up about the gap between his restaurant's sales figures and his actual take-home income, saying he intends to "focus on the present rather than past glories." A video titled "Human Story of Shin Jung-hwan and Tak Jae-hoon [Country Kko Kko]" was posted Tuesday to the YouTube channel "Human Story." The clip showed Shin running a grilled chicken restaurant near Gunja-dong in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, with fellow entertainer Tak Jae-hoon paying a visit. Shin had previously revealed in an April broadcast that the restaurant hit monthly sales of 100 million won ($73,900) within about a month and a half of opening — a figure that drew attention because he said he had done no separate promotion. In the new video, however, Shin pushed back on that impression. "After that broadcast, people seem to think I'm making a ton of money," he said, adding that the reality is quite different. "The money that went into setting up the place — interior work, staff salaries, training costs, ingredients — it's a lot," he said. "And because this is near Gunja Station in Seoul, the monthly rent is not cheap either." "I'm still far from there. Right now I haven't received even 10 won in net payouts," he said. "I'm grateful for the strong sales, but I keep reinvesting everything." In addition to that restaurant, Shin also runs a raw fish restaurant in Bangi-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. The video showed that location packed with customers well into the early morning hours, and his business partner said September sales were on track to reach between 120 million and 130 million won. Shin also gave an update on his broadcasting activities, noting he has been working as an MC on a live streaming channel called "Excel Broadcasting." "Apart from the restaurant, I don't really have other broadcast work," he said. "By chance I got an opportunity to do live broadcasts with some younger people, and I thought, 'There's actually a place that wants me' — so I happily agreed and threw myself into it. The hiatus and the time I spent lying low were both long, and I felt a great deal during that period." "If a new opportunity comes my way, I told myself: 'Even if I fall, see it through to the end,'" he said. "Live streaming has a certain negative image, but I'm working hard to show what a genuine entertainer can bring to it." Reflecting on being in his 50s, Shin said that if he could go back, he would "keep bad people at a distance and keep those who give honest counsel close." "In the past I couldn't tell the difference and trusted people too easily," he said. "I want to embrace those who have spoken kindly or bluntly to me, and show the public a better version of myself." Shin rose to fame in 1998 as part of Country Kko Kko alongside Tak. His career effectively ended after he was indicted in 2010 over an illegal overseas gambling case and sentenced to eight months in prison. The scandal deepened when it emerged he had falsely claimed to have contracted dengue fever in the Philippines in an attempt to cover up the gambling allegations.

Sept. 16, 2026

'A gift while I'm alive': Actor Park Won-sook on why she gave her granddaughter an officetel and a car

Actor Park Won-sook has opened up about the guilt she carries over her only son, who died in an accident, and revealed why she gave her granddaughter a series of generous gifts. Park appeared as a guest on the YouTube channel "Song Seung-hwan's Wonderful Life" on Tuesday. In the video, Park reflected on her son, who died in a traffic accident in 2003. "I became an actor because I loved performing from a young age, and even through all the hardships I told myself this was just life and kept going," she said. "But the moment I lost my son, I didn't know if I was dreaming or awake. I realized that everything I had acted up to that point was fake." She went on to say, "Even now I do one project a year, but I find myself wondering what the point is of pushing so hard. What does it mean to win an award for it? My passion and drive for the work just disappeared." The deepest regret she carries, she said, is that she never gave her son enough while he was alive. "I didn't give him material things because I thought I was educating him. That breaks my heart and I regret it so much, so I've done for my granddaughter what I couldn't do for my son," she said. "Even though she earned a scholarship, I paid her tuition anyway, and I got her an officetel and a nice car." She then smiled and said, "If you give it after you die, it's an inheritance — but if you give it while you're alive, isn't it a gift?" Park lost her only son in a sudden traffic accident in 2003, when he was 35. He was struck by a one-ton truck on a road in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and taken to hospital, but did not survive. After her son's death, her daughter-in-law remarried and Park lost contact with her granddaughter for some time, before the two eventually reunited years later.

Sept. 16, 2026

T-ara's Hyomin on why she married her husband 10 years her senior: 'Didn't want to let him go'

Hyomin of girl group T-ara has opened up about how she first met her husband and what led her to decide to marry him. A video of actress Ko So-young sitting down with Hyomin for a conversation was posted Tuesday on Ko's YouTube channel. In the video, Ko said she was caught off guard by the news. "Hyomin always seemed like a little kid to me, so I was really surprised when she suddenly said she was getting married," she said, before asking Hyomin about the marriage. Hyomin said she first met her husband at a gathering to celebrate a mutual acquaintance's birthday. He arrived late and happened to sit down in the empty seat next to her. "At the time I figured he was maybe four or five years older than me, but it turned out to be a 10-year gap," she said. "At first, marriage wasn't really on my mind. But as I kept seeing him, that kind of talk started coming up naturally." She also drew laughs when she recalled her thought process at the time. "I was on the phone with a friend saying, 'I think a marriage proposal might be coming — what should I do?' And then I thought, I didn't want someone else to have him, so I said yes." Ko then mentioned that Hyomin had insisted on handling all the wedding preparations herself, to which Hyomin replied, "I had no idea it would be that hard. I was up until the early hours of Tuesday registering valet parking and arranging the seating chart." Hyomin married a finance professional 10 years her senior last April. Her husband, a Seoul National University graduate, is not in the entertainment industry.

Sept. 16, 2026

Jeon Hyun-moo reveals rocky start with Gwak Beom: 'We began on bad terms'

Broadcaster Jeon Hyun-moo has drawn attention after opening up about his complicated history with comedian Gwak Beom. In an episode of MBN and Channel S's "Jeon Hyun-moo Plan 4" airing Friday, Jeon and YouTuber Gwak Tube head to Jeonju with Gwak Beom and Kim Ji-yu to visit local restaurants. Jeon expressed his affection for the city, saying, "Every time I come here, I feel a sense of reverence. It's a quiet, lovely neighborhood." He then introduced Gwak Beom and Kim Ji-yu, noting that both of that day's "dining companions" were from Jeonju. Gwak Beom recommended a fried food restaurant in his old neighborhood. During the meal, when Gwak Tube complimented Gwak Beom's fashion sense, Jeon quipped, "Now that you've lost weight, you look like Jung Woo-sung, don't you?" — drawing laughter from the table. Jeon also asked, "I heard you're both incredibly proud of being from Jeonju?" Gwak Beom responded by sharing tips on the best spots for bibimbap and kongnamul gukbap, Jeonju's soul foods. Jeon then took Gwak Beom and Kim Ji-yu to a restaurant specializing in ox-foot soup with a 60-year tradition. When Gwak Beom tried to order the boiled pork in a small size, Jeon remarked, "Watching your diet, are you?" Gwak Beom, flustered, stumbled over his words and said, "No, no — let's just get the big one." Gwak Tube, watching the exchange, asked, "Are you two fighting?" Jeon then made a surprising confession: "Actually, we started off on bad terms. There's always been a bit of a rivalry between us." Gwak Beom also acknowledged there was "a story behind it all" and brought up an episode from their time on KBS 2TV's "Gag Concert." "That was my only chance back then … " he said.

Sept. 16, 2026

IU's low-key travel look sparks 'disguise' theories — then fans spot the $296 T-shirt

Singer and actor IU, 33, has drawn attention online after being spotted on the streets of China in what fans are calling a surprisingly understated outfit. Photos of IU taken on a street in Shanghai recently circulated on online communities under the title "The world star's travel fashion that everyone mistook for a disguise." She was photographed taking pictures with her phone, dressed in an oversized T-shirt, cropped jeans, a burgundy cap, a face mask, sneakers and a bag. The casual look — a far cry from her glamorous stage appearances — prompted speculation that she had deliberately dressed down to avoid drawing attention. But the outfit turned out to be anything but budget: the T-shirt alone cost around 400,000 won ($296), while her bag was identified as a luxury brand item in the 4 million to 5 million won range. Online commenters weighed in with reactions ranging from admiring to wry. "It's nice to see her looking comfortable and natural," one wrote. Others quipped, "From IU's perspective, she probably just grabbed the cheapest thing in her closet," and "If you were IU, would you really want to dress up and draw a crowd?" IU had originally planned to hold a solo concert and release her sixth full-length album this month, but rescheduled after her patulous Eustachian tube condition worsened. To soften the blow for fans, she released a digital single, "From This Star," on Thursday. She is also set to attend a stage greeting for a film being re-released to mark her 18th debut anniversary on Sunday.

Sept. 16, 2026

Actor Jeon Won-ju's manager speaks out on YouTube suspension rumors

The manager who has worked with actor Jeon Won-ju for 20 years has spoken out over claims that she demanded higher pay from a YouTube production team, prompting the suspension of her channel. Manager A, who has assisted Jeon for two decades, told Sports Seoul on Wednesday that money and one-sided conflict had nothing to do with the channel going dark. "It is not true that the suspension was due to a financial dispute or unilateral conflict," the manager said. "We mutually agreed to stop because our visions for the direction of the show did not align." No new videos had been uploaded to Jeon's YouTube channel "Jeonwonjuingong" since July 7, and the production team announced Aug. 24 that it was shutting down operations without giving a specific reason. A subsequent statement described the end of the arrangement as a simple contract expiration, but speculation soon spread about health problems and a pay dispute. In response, the manager said Jeon's per-episode fee had been around 700,000 won ($517). The manager also said the production team had faced practical difficulties of its own, including trouble securing advertising for the channel. The manager added that Jeon's side had been disappointed by what they saw as the show drifting toward sensationalism centered on her private life and financial matters. Meanwhile, Jeon is set to resume activity through a new YouTube channel starting Sept. 29. The manager said the new channel would show a more natural and personal side of Jeon — spending time with elderly people, singing and traveling.

Sept. 16, 2026

KBS says it cannot remove actor from drama solely because her sibling committed a crime

KBS responds officially to petition on viewer board 'Cannot conduct background checks on cast members' families' Victim's family says perpetrator's sister plays a significant role in evening drama series KBS has drawn a line against demands by the bereaved family of a woman who died in a fall from a Busan officetel, saying it would be unconstitutional to remove an actor from a drama series solely because her sibling committed a crime. The petition was filed on the KBS viewer petition board by the family of a woman in her 20s who died after falling from an officetel in January 2024, following what the family described as relentless stalking. The family called on KBS to take responsible action after learning that the perpetrator's sister was appearing in a KBS evening daily drama series. KBS posted its official response on the viewer petition board Wednesday, saying it "first extends its deepest condolences to the deceased and sincerely offers comfort to the bereaved family, who are living in profound grief and pain after losing a beloved family member." On the question of whether KBS had known in advance that the actor in question was the sister of the perpetrator in the Busan officetel death case, the broadcaster said it "had no way of confirming that in advance." KBS added that while it vets cast members for their own criminal records or history of social misconduct during the casting process, "background checks on cast members' families are not conducted and are not realistically possible." It went on to say that "as stipulated in Article 13, Paragraph 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea — 'No citizen shall suffer any disadvantage on account of an act committed by a relative, as opposed to their own act' — we also do not believe it is possible to take separate action against someone solely on the grounds that they are a family member." KBS issued the official response after the petition met the threshold required for a reply: at least 1,000 signatures within 30 days. The petition, titled "We are the bereaved family of the Busan officetel fall death," was posted on the KBS viewer petition board on Sept. 3 and gathered 1,260 signatures. "Our daughter endured relentless stalking by the perpetrator and ultimately met an unjust death," the petitioner wrote. "Since that day, time has stood still for me. I spend every night in tears, and I struggle through each day weighed down by guilt over the fact that I am still alive." "Yet the world feels so indifferent and cruel," the petitioner continued. "The family of the man who took my daughter from me is still living peacefully. The perpetrator's sister is currently appearing in a significant role in a KBS evening daily drama series — laughing and crying on screen, carrying on without a care as an actor loved by many." "Our daughter died an unjust death, while the perpetrator's sister is thriving as an actor," the petitioner wrote. "How can the world be so unfair?" "Every time I see that actor on screen, I am overwhelmed with guilt as a parent for failing to protect my daughter," the petitioner said. "I feel sorry to my daughter, and it is as if my heart is being torn apart. While the parents who lost their daughter crumble every single day, the reality that life goes on elsewhere as if nothing happened is unbearable." The petitioner urged KBS to "clarify whether you were aware of these facts, and to respond with the responsibility befitting a public broadcaster." The petitioner's daughter, identified only as A, died on the morning of Jan. 7, 2024, after falling from her officetel in Busan's Jigu-gu. The first witness on the scene and the person who called emergency services was her former boyfriend, identified as B, who had been with her until the end. B told investigators that A had fallen from the ninth floor after an argument with him, while the bereaved family raised suspicions of foul play immediately after the incident. According to the prosecution's indictment, B visited A's home between August and October 2023 and threatened her on multiple occasions — smashing a wine glass against his own hand and throwing a chair. He also faced stalking charges after A ended the relationship on Dec. 9 of that year, following which he knocked on her front door and sent her 365 KakaoTalk messages over roughly 17 hours. B was also found to have recorded a video of himself and A having sex. The family discovered the footage while preparing a civil lawsuit against B and said police had stopped investigating after accepting B's claim that the recording was made with A's consent. B had previously been fined 2 million won ($1,480) after threatening another woman that he would distribute a sex tape involving her. Prosecutors had sought a 10-year prison sentence, but the court of first instance handed down three years and six months. On appeal, the sentence was reduced to three years and two months, with an additional requirement to complete 40 hours of a stalking treatment program.

Sept. 16, 2026

'Beef' season 2 wins 3 Emmy Awards but misses best series

"Beef" season 2, the Netflix series directed by Korean American Lee Sung-jin, 45, was nominated for best series at the Emmy Awards — the most prestigious television awards ceremony in the United States — but did not win. The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards were held Monday (local time) at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. "DTF St. Louis" won the outstanding limited or anthology series award. "Beef" season 2 received 16 nominations across 14 categories, including best series and lead acting awards, but was limited to three wins — outstanding sound mixing, outstanding sound editing and outstanding costume design — all collected at the Creative Arts Emmy ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday. Youn Yuh-jung, who played billionaire Korean chairman Park, was nominated for supporting actress at the Creative Arts ceremony but did not win. Season 1 of "Beef" won eight Emmy Awards in 2024, including best series and lead acting honors. The Apple TV+ series "Widows' Bay" drew wide attention by winning 14 awards across categories including best comedy series, directing, writing and lead actor.

Sept. 16, 2026

Hollywood star Amanda Seyfried splits from actor husband after separation

Hollywood actor Amanda Seyfried has officially ended her marriage to her actor husband after nine years together. US entertainment outlet People reported Tuesday (local time) that Seyfried, 40, and Thomas Sadoski, 50, have gone their separate ways following a lengthy separation. In a joint statement, the couple said, "We have been separated for some time and have confirmed that this is the right decision for us and our family. We will forever be in each other's corner, and that is a good thing." They did not disclose the specific reasons for the split or details of any divorce proceedings. However, before news of the breakup broke, Seyfried shared a post on her social media that read, "Fight for the things that bring light into your life, cherish your joy, don't shy away from the good things that come to you," adding an emphatic "Yes yes yes." Seyfried and Sadoski first met while appearing together in the 2015 stage production "The Way We Get By." They later developed a romantic relationship while co-starring in the film "The Last Word." The couple got engaged in 2016 and held a private wedding ceremony in March of the following year. They have two children together. At the time of their marriage, Sadoski publicly expressed his affection for Seyfried, calling her "the person I love and admire most in the world." Seyfried, too, had spoken as recently as earlier this year about how much her husband had sacrificed to support her busy acting career, expressing her gratitude. The news of their split came as a surprise to Hollywood, as the couple had kept their private life largely out of the public eye throughout their marriage. Meanwhile, Seyfried has built a global profile through films including "Mean Girls," "Mamma Mia!," "Chloe," "Les Misérables" and "Mank." She won the Golden Globe for best actress in a drama series for her portrayal of real-life figure Elizabeth Holmes in "The Dropout." Sadoski has appeared in a wide range of projects, including the drama series "The Newsroom" and "Life in Pieces," as well as the film "John Wick."

Sept. 16, 2026

Kim Da-ye returns to home shopping as Park Su-hong's family resumes public activities after flight delay controversy

Kim Da-ye, wife of broadcaster Park Su-hong, has returned to the public eye, appearing on a home shopping channel live broadcast. Kim appeared on a home shopping channel Monday to introduce and sell beauty products. It was her first appearance on an official broadcast since the couple became embroiled in a flight delay controversy. Park had already returned to television a week earlier, appearing on a live broadcast for home shopping network L on Thursday. With both now back on air, the couple has fully resumed their public activities. The family's YouTube channel, which had gone quiet following the controversy, also resumed uploads Monday, posting a video titled "When did they get so close ... ? Here's how Jaei and Dahong have been spending their days lately" on the channel "Park Su-hong Haengbokhae Dahong." It was the first new video in roughly three weeks since Aug. 24. However, the clip featured only their daughter Jaei and the family's pet cat Dahong — Park and Kim did not appear themselves. The controversy began when Park, Kim and their daughter boarded a flight to Guam on Aug. 23. After the child began crying on board, the family informed the crew they wished to disembark to avoid disturbing other passengers. The child then stopped crying, and the family reportedly indicated they wanted to reboard before actually getting off. The back-and-forth triggered baggage handling and security procedures that delayed the flight's departure by about an hour. Once the incident spread online, criticism mounted that the family had caused significant inconvenience to fellow passengers. Some also raised allegations of preferential treatment, questioning how the family was allowed to reboard after initially saying they would leave. As the backlash grew, Park issued an apology on social media. "A departure delay occurred because of our family," he wrote. "We caused great inconvenience by taking up the precious time of many people, and we also caused trouble for airline staff." The couple subsequently went quiet on social media and stopped uploading their weekly Monday YouTube content. Park's return to home shopping, followed by Kim's live broadcast appearance and the resumption of YouTube uploads, marks a gradual comeback to public life. Meanwhile, Park and Kim, who is 23 years his junior, filed their marriage registration in July 2021 and held a wedding ceremony in 2022. The couple welcomed their daughter Jaei in October 2024 through in vitro fertilization.

Sept. 16, 2026

Singer Yoon Min-soo's son Yoon Hu makes music debut with humble self-promotion

Yoon Hu, son of singer Yoon Min-soo, has taken to SNS to promote his debut music release and share his thoughts on it. On Tuesday, Yoon announced the release on his SNS with a characteristically modest message. "I still don't quite know what luck I had to be given the chance to dare cover this song," he wrote. That day, Yoon made his debut as a singer by releasing a remake of "Joheul Tende," a signature song by singer Sung Si-kyung. "Since it's a song I truly love, I agonized over it a great deal and prepared hard, practicing consistently," he said. "Even if there are shortcomings, I would be so grateful if you could listen with a generous ear. Please give it lots of listens." Photos released alongside the announcement showed Yoon in a recording studio, headphones on, focused intently before a microphone — his serious expression hinting at both the excitement and nerves of a first release. Yoon first won widespread public affection in 2013 when he appeared alongside his father on the MBC variety program "Dad! Where Are We Going?" His candid, unaffected charm made him a breakout star, and a scene of him eating jjajang ramyun became a talking point after sales of the product reportedly surged in its wake. More recently, Yoon took a leave of absence from the University of North Carolina to prepare for enlistment in the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army, though he was ultimately not selected. Earlier this year, he appeared on the tvN STORY and E Channel variety program "My Baby's Romance 2," where he ended up as the final couple with Choi Yu-bin, daughter of actor Choi Jae-won, drawing warm support from fans.

Sept. 16, 2026

'Naneun Solo' Season 28 divorcee couple Hyeonsuk and Yeongshik split after over a year of dating

Hyeonsuk and Yeongshik, who met on the divorcee special of the reality dating show "Naneun Solo" (I Am Solo) Season 28, have ended their relationship after more than a year of dating. Speculation about a breakup began circulating recently after the two unfollowed each other on social media and deleted photos and videos they had shared together. On Tuesday, a user asked on Hyeonsuk's social media account, "Hyeonsuk, did you and Yeongshik break up?" Hyeonsuk confirmed the split, writing, "Yes. He was a good person and I was happy." "We decided to return to our own lives before it got any later — before the children grew even more attached," she said, adding, "We sincerely wish each other well going forward." Hyeonsuk and Yeongshik appeared on the divorcee special of "Naneun Solo" Season 28, which aired on ENA and SBS Plus from September to November last year. Hyeonsuk was a florist and single mother raising three children on her own, while Yeongshik was an urban planning engineer who had been raising his high school-age daughter alone for more than a decade. Although they were not paired as a couple during the show, Hyeonsuk initiated a serious relationship after filming ended. They officially announced they were dating through YouTube in March, at which point they said they had been together for about seven months. Despite living far apart — Hyeonsuk in Incheon and Yeongshik in Gwangju, South Jeolla Province — the two frequently spent time together and drew attention when they were seen sitting around a table with all four of their children. Ultimately, however, they have gone their separate ways. Among other Season 28 couples, Yeongja and Yeongcheol announced last month that they had divorced. The two had married in January but split after barely six months together, shocking viewers. In contrast, Oksun and Yeongho married after the show and recently announced that Oksun is pregnant with their second child.

Sept. 16, 2026