Court suspends EXO subunit CBX's exclusive contracts with agency over unpaid settlements

A Seoul court has suspended the exclusive contracts between EXO members Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin — collectively known as CBX — and their agency INB100, after the company failed to pay settlement fees owed to the trio. INB100 falls under One Hundred Label, run by Chairman Cha Ga-won, who has faced similar payment disputes with other prominent singers including Lee Seung-gi and Lee Mu-jin. The Seoul Central District Court's Civil Division 50, presided over by Judge Lee Sang-hoon, granted CBX's injunction request Tuesday, suspending the validity of their exclusive contracts with INB100. The suspension will remain in effect until a first-instance ruling is issued in the main lawsuit CBX filed against INB100 — a suit seeking confirmation that the exclusive contracts hold no legal force. Under the ruling, INB100 is barred from signing contracts with broadcasters or other third parties against CBX's wishes, demanding that the three artists fulfill entertainment obligations, or interfering with their independent activities. The court said INB100's failure to pay settlement fees had broken the trust between the parties through the agency's own fault. It warned that a prolonged main trial could severely restrict CBX's entertainment activities, potentially infringing on their constitutional rights to freedom of occupation and freedom of activity. CBX notified INB100 of contract termination between March and April, citing unpaid signing fees and settlement amounts, but the agency did not respond. On Aug. 18, the group filed both the injunction and the main lawsuit. INB100 has yet to submit any written response or take any action in the proceedings. INB100 was established by Baekhyun in June 2023 and was absorbed into Cha's One Hundred Label the following May. A YouTuber with a journalism background recently claimed that Baekhyun had suffered losses totaling 63 billion won ($46.6 million) at the hands of Cha. The YouTuber alleged that the singer had not received 35 billion won in exclusive contract fees, 16 billion won in jeonse deposits and 12 billion won in settlement payments. Cha was indicted in custody last month on fraud charges involving approximately 30 billion won, with his first hearing scheduled for Oct. 13. He is accused of proposing a project to Nomers Co. that would leverage celebrities' intellectual property rights, collecting advance payments after signing a contract, and then failing to carry out the work. Cha has also been notified of contract terminations by Lee Seung-gi, Lee Mu-jin and The Boyz over unpaid settlements. He faces a criminal complaint from Lee Seung-gi in particular after failing to return 10.5 billion won in jeonse deposits last month. Cha, a former real estate developer, entered the entertainment industry in 2023 when he co-founded One Hundred Label with singer MC Mong. The partnership was later clouded by rumors of an affair and overseas gambling. After a falling-out, MC Mong departed in July last year, leaving Cha to run the company alone.

Sept. 16, 2026

Song Ji-eun tears up on TV, says she hopes to 'leave a footprint' in others' lives

Singer appears on CBS program amid husband Park Wi's ongoing controversy Online reaction divided between support and skepticism Singer Song Ji-eun has drawn public attention after breaking down in tears on a television program, as her husband, YouTuber Park Wi, remains in a period of public contrition following controversy over a video he posted of a fall he suffered on a KTX train. According to CBS, Song — known as a devout Christian — co-hosted the CBS TV program "Saereopge Hasoseo," a Christian talk show, alongside composer Joo Young-hoon and comedian Lee Jeong-su in an episode released Tuesday. The episode featured deaconess Jin Seong-ae, who shared the story of losing her 17-year-old son. All three hosts were visibly moved throughout the broadcast, shedding tears at various points. "It must have been so difficult to share something so painful, and I'm grateful you opened up your life for so many people," Song said. "We often call children 'angels,' don't we? It feels like an angel visited this family." She then wept as she added, "I'm so grateful to be able to live with the hope that I, too, can leave a footprint — a fragrance of Jesus — in my family's life and in someone else's life." The clip drew a divided response online. Some viewers left words of encouragement — "Stay strong, Ji-eun" and "We're rooting for you" — while others were more cynical, calling her appearance "fake" and saying it was "uncomfortable to watch." The reaction reflects the lingering fallout from Park Wi's KTX controversy, which has dragged on for more than three weeks. Last month, Park was injured in a fall while getting off a KTX train in his wheelchair. He later posted closed-circuit television footage on his YouTube channel showing a social service worker placing a foot on the ramp and tipping over his wheelchair. The post drew fierce criticism, with many accusing him of using his public platform to carry out a personal act of vigilante justice. At the same time, some public opinion has pushed back against the sustained criticism, arguing that more than three weeks of backlash goes too far — particularly given that Park was in the middle of a grueling rehabilitation program and the fall may have set back his recovery in ways that are difficult to fully assess. Song, a former member of the girl group Secret, married Park in October 2024. The couple had been serving as Seoul Metropolitan Government ambassadors and had appeared on various broadcasts and given public lectures, but following the controversy they stepped down from their ambassador roles and saw their speaking engagements dry up.

Sept. 16, 2026

Wendy, fromis_9 agency warns of legal action over safety threats, privacy violations

The agency representing singer Wendy and girl group fromis_9 has warned of possible legal action after incidents involving threats to the artists' safety and violations of their privacy. Agency ASND issued a statement Wednesday through its Instagram account, calling on fans to protect the artists' safety. It cited behavior including excessively approaching artists or their moving vehicles to deliver letters or gifts, stepping onto roadways, and obstructing vehicle movement. On privacy, the agency flagged unauthorized entry into artists' private spaces, interference with personal schedules, the illegal acquisition or sale of artists' personal information, and loitering or trespassing near the company's premises. "There have recently been incidents that threaten the safety of our artists and violate their privacy," ASND said. "Such behavior can endanger not only the artists but also fans and everyone else using those spaces." The agency added that it may pursue legal action under relevant laws against anyone who illegally uses artists' personal information or invades their privacy. It also warned that loitering near the company's premises, where artist-related work takes place, as well as unauthorized entry, could likewise result in legal consequences. ASND said it was "sincerely grateful for the attention and support fans show our artists" and pledged to do its utmost to protect their safety and rights. Wendy is the main vocalist of girl group Red Velvet and is also active as a musical actor. fromis_9 is a five-member girl group that debuted in January 2018.

Sept. 16, 2026

'I'm an SBS comedian' — man goes on drunken rampage at Hongdae bar, skips out on bill

An SBS staff comedian allegedly hurled abuse at a bar owner, smashed a beer glass and went on a drunken rampage at a whisky bar near Hongik University Station in Seoul, according to a report that aired Tuesday on JTBC's "Sageon Banjang," a crime news program. The incident took place after midnight on Sept. 3 at a whisky bar in Mapo-gu, near Hongik University Station. According to the bar owner, who tipped off the program, two male customers — identified only as A and B — were drinking together when a foreign customer seated nearby struck up a conversation with them. After the conversation ended, the foreign customer offered a handshake, saying he was glad to have met them. At that moment, B suddenly demanded to know why the foreigner was touching him. The owner and staff intervened, and the foreign customer left the bar. A then confronted the owner, asking why he had taken the foreigner's side instead of a fellow Korean's. The owner replied that the foreign customer had not meant any harm by the gesture. A responded with a torrent of verbal abuse, shouting phrases such as "Why are you so rude?" and "I'll make sure your place goes under." He also identified himself by name and declared that he was an SBS staff comedian. Growing increasingly agitated, A accused the owner of looking down on him for drinking beer instead of whisky, then hurled a beer glass, shattering it. When a female staff member lightly touched his arm in an attempt to calm him down, A claimed she had assaulted him. He went on to tell police who responded to the scene that the employee had dislocated his shoulder, forcing her to submit a written statement. A and his companion also left without paying. They claimed the owner had cleared away the bottles, making it impossible to tally the bill. Police were unable to persuade them to pay and advised the owner to pursue the matter through civil litigation. The owner filed a complaint against A on charges of obstruction of business and dining and dashing. In response, A's side said the foreign customers had forced their way in despite there being no seats and had elbowed them, and that A had grown angry because the owner behaved rudely. On the unpaid bill, they said the owner had cleared away their glasses and told them to leave, which was why they had not paid.

Sept. 16, 2026

Lee Seung-cheol regrets marijuana scandal that ended his mother's 43-year teaching career

Singer Lee Seung-cheol has looked back with regret on the marijuana scandals that forced him off the air decades ago — particularly the toll they took on his mother, who quit teaching after 43 years because of the incidents. He said he often wishes he could go back in a time machine and start over. Lee reflected on his musical life during a documentary special marking his 40th debut anniversary, which aired Tuesday on KBS 2TV's "Documentary Never-Ending Lee Seung-cheol." After rising to fame as a member of rock band Boohwal and then as a solo artist, Lee was penalized twice for marijuana use — in 1989 and 1990 — and was barred from broadcast activities for five years. Recalling that period, Lee expressed deep remorse toward his mother. "I caused her so much heartache," he said. "She gave up her teaching career of 43 years because of me." Lee also described the severe impact the broadcast ban had on his music career. "I was suspended from broadcast activities for about five years and couldn't even get my songs played on the radio," he said. "It took me 10 years of hardship to climb back up." With broadcast appearances cut off, Lee turned to concerts as his way forward. "I decided to turn that difficult period into an opportunity and started a nationwide tour," he said, adding that he produced what he described as the country's first live concert video recording. He poured exceptional effort into concert production, even channeling his acting fee from director Park Chan-wook's debut film "The Moon Is the Sun's Dream" directly into staging shows. "I received a substantial fee, and all of it went straight into concert production costs," Lee said. "There were days I performed twice in a single day, and one year I held concerts on 200 out of 365 days." He added that it was around that time he began earning the nickname "Emperor of Live Performance."

Sept. 16, 2026

Tak Jae-hoon visits Shin Jung-hwan's shop: 'We just don't do broadcasts together'

Broadcaster Tak Jae-hoon paid a visit to Shin Jung-hwan's shop, reuniting on screen for the first time in a while. A video titled "Shin Jung-hwan Tak Jae-hoon's Human Story [Country Koko]" was released Tuesday on the YouTube channel "Human Story." Tak spoke about the pair's relationship, saying, "We just don't do broadcasts and activities together — privately, we've stayed close the whole time." He added that the two are like athletes who are close friends but play for different teams, saying they have consistently kept in touch regardless of their separate broadcast careers. Shin also expressed his appreciation toward Tak, saying, "He's always been the same, so I feel comfortable and happy around him." "He checks in on me from time to time and contacts me often," Shin said. "He genuinely helps me." The two also traded their trademark banter. When the production crew asked whether Shin frequently asks for favors, Shin said he does not — while Tak joked, "He's a nuisance. There's a limit to how much the people around you can help," drawing laughter. Shin expressed his appreciation to Tak for making time to visit the shop despite a busy schedule. Shin and Tak formed the group Country Koko in 1998 and released songs including "Oh! Happy," "Gimme Gimme" and "Oh! Gani." Group activities came to a halt in 2010, however, following a controversy over Shin's overseas gambling trips.

Sept. 16, 2026

Lee Sol-i, wife of comedian Park Sung-kwang, knocks license plate off Porsche in crash — 'power of positivity'

Lee Sol-i, an influencer and wife of comedian Park Sung-kwang, shared an update on a recent vehicle accident. Lee posted several photos on her SNS on Tuesday, describing the day as one that "ran from one end to the other of the emotional spectrum you can feel in a single day." The images showed her black Porsche with its license plate knocked off. "I had my hair tied up nicely when I left, but after the accident it was a complete mess, so I just let it all down," she wrote. "You really can't see even an inch ahead — how could anyone know what life has in store?" The photos drew attention to the circumstances of the crash, with the license plate visibly detached beneath the Porsche emblem. Despite the unexpected accident, Lee said she still found small pleasures in her day — discovering a neighborhood cafe that suited her taste, receiving a bag as a gift from her manager, and soaking up the atmosphere at a charming outdoor market stall. "Instead of being able to drive for now, I'm borrowing the power of positivity — thinking, 'Hasn't this given me a chance to fully enjoy autumn?'" she wrote, adding, "Let's just live by finding happiness in each moment as it comes." Lee married comedian Park Sung-kwang in 2020. She later gained wider public recognition after appearing on the SBS reality program "Dong Sang I Mong 2 — Neo Neun Nae Unmyeong," which follows married couples, where she shared glimpses of her life with Park.

Sept. 16, 2026

Actor Ji Soo resurfaces in Philippines amid W880m damages ruling

Actor Ji Soo, 33, who stepped away from the Korean entertainment industry following school violence allegations, has shared an update on his life in the Philippines, where he has been working as an actor. On Monday, Ji Soo posted several photos on his personal social media account with the caption: "On set as Dong Hyun, Off set with family. Lovely September days." Ji Soo has been appearing in "Taskforce Firewall," an action drama series on Philippine broadcaster GMA that began airing in May, playing a villain named Dong Hyun. In posters and character photos shared on his social media, he sported a large facial scar and beard to convey the rough edge of his character. In a recent interview with OSEN, Ji Soo said he had long dreamed of working abroad and moved to the Philippines to study English seriously enough to work without difficulty. "GMA approached me first, which is how I ended up working in the Philippines," he said. "It's been exactly two years since I started working here." He also reflected on his personal setbacks. "I'm someone whose life was once shattered," he said. "When things fall apart and collapse, you reach a kind of liberation. Going through all that made me think I had to work even harder at whatever I do." Ji Soo rose to prominence between 2015 and 2020, taking lead roles in a range of productions including SBS's "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo," JTBC's "Strong Woman Do Bong-soon" and OCN's "Bad Guys: Vile City." In 2021, however, school violence allegations surfaced while he was starring in the KBS drama series "River Where the Moon Rises," forcing him to withdraw from the show and halt his domestic career. At the time, six of the drama's 20 episodes had aired and filming had been completed through episode 18. The production company went on to reshoot the entire series. Canvas N, formerly known as Victory Contents, filed a damages lawsuit against Ji Soo's then-agency Keyeast, and a ruling requiring Keyeast to pay approximately 880 million won ($654,000) plus accrued interest was recently finalized. While Keyeast bears the liability, some observers have raised the possibility that the agency could seek reimbursement from Ji Soo after making the payment.

Sept. 15, 2026

Broadcaster Kim Dong-hyun welcomes fourth child, a son

Mixed martial artist and broadcaster Kim Dong-hyun announced Tuesday that his wife had given birth to their fourth child, a son. Kim shared the news on his Instagram account, writing: "D+0, 3.21 kg. The fourth miracle of our family has arrived. Both mother and baby are healthy." He also expressed gratitude toward his wife. "Mothers are truly great," he wrote. "My wife worked so hard — I'm really grateful and I love you." "Our family is now six," Kim added. "We will live happily and with grateful hearts." He tagged the post with phrases meaning "four siblings," "Dong-hyun's four" and "two sons, two daughters." Kim welcomed his first son in 2019, followed by daughters in 2021 and 2023. His second son was born Tuesday. The post drew a flood of congratulatory comments, including "Congratulations," "Wishing you health and happiness" and "A true patriot."

Sept. 15, 2026

Can Jeon Hyun-moo show 'real travel' after 'I Live Alone' manipulation controversy?

Broadcaster Jeon Hyun-moo is set to embark on what he calls "real travel" in MBN's new variety program "This Is Hyunmoo Road." The show released a preview ahead of its Sept. 20 premiere. The program marks another travel variety collaboration between Jeon and the production team behind MBN's "Jeon Hyunmoo Plan," which spent three years showcasing the appeal of impromptu travel. In the preview, Jeon and Lee Jun visit Da Nang, Vietnam — one of the most popular holiday destinations among Koreans. But Jeon quickly turns the car around upon arriving, put off by the sheer number of Korean tourists in the city. "It doesn't match our standards, so we're done here," he said. "Our standard for travel is finding places Koreans haven't gone to yet." With no fixed destination or set itinerary, Jeon and Lee set off in search of the "real Da Nang." They walked into restaurants frequented only by locals and, when language proved a barrier, resorted to body language to immerse themselves in everyday life in the city. "How real is this? To truly feel Vietnam, we have to throw ourselves into the crowd," Jeon said. The two sought out an unfamiliar beach with no Koreans in sight, took a boat out to sea with locals, and drank beer at an outdoor bar unknown to tourists. "This is what travel is. How do Koreans not know about this place?" Jeon said, reveling in the joy of off-the-beaten-path exploration. Jeon recently found himself at the center of a manipulation controversy after an episode of MBC's "I Live Alone" depicted him taking a spontaneous trip to Kazakhstan. The production team acknowledged that while Jeon did choose the destination on impulse, staff had purchased tickets in advance and the crew had received filming cooperation from the Kazakhstani government, and issued an apology.

Sept. 15, 2026

'Nana Is Solo' Season 9's Oksooni quits foreign ad firm after 6 years

She posted a video captioned 'the best dopamine moment for an office worker' on social media Oksooni, who appeared on Season 9 of the SBS Plus reality dating show "Nana Is Solo" and drew attention for her striking looks and sharp wit, has announced she has left the foreign advertising company where she worked for years. On Monday, she posted a short video on her social media account with the caption "Goodbye, Kim Sa-rang of Euljiro." "Kim Sa-rang of Euljiro" is a nickname — both self-applied and given by others — referring to her resemblance to actor Kim Sa-rang, who works at a foreign ad agency in the Euljiro district of Seoul. In the video, titled "The best dopamine moment for an office worker," Oksooni sits at her desk staring at her computer monitor. She wrote alongside it: "After receiving an offer letter from a new company, I booked a flight first, then asked, 'Would you be available for a meeting?'" Having requested a meeting with her supervisor to break the news, she staged a performance of barely concealing her excitement, writing that she was "deep in sad thoughts." She completed her resignation process in a single day on Tuesday and shared a photo of herself sitting in an airport waiting area, dressed casually and carrying a suitcase and passport. "Resigned Monday — departing Tuesday," she wrote, expressing her excitement. Oksooni had worked at the foreign advertising company for six years before leaving for a new position. On Season 9 of "Nana Is Solo" in 2022, Oksooni became a talking point for her tense love triangle with Gwangsu and Yeongsuk. She later appeared on and co-hosted the spinoff "Nana Is Solo: Love Continues" and currently runs a YouTube channel documenting her daily life.

Sept. 15, 2026

'So warm': Hong Hyun-hee shares Chuseok gift from 'Oh My Baby' crew after season finale

Broadcaster Hong Hyun-hee has shown that her bond with the production crew of Channel A's parenting show "Oh My Baby" remains strong even after the program wrapped its latest season. Hong posted a photo to her Instagram story Tuesday, captioning it "So warm." The photo showed a rice cake gift the show's production crew had sent her. The package included a note reading, "Hong Hyun-hee, we are sincerely grateful for your time with Channel A's Oh My Baby," and wishing her "a warm and comfortable Chuseok holiday with the people who matter most." The note also said the team would "continue to think and work hard so we can share good stories that stay with you for a long time." Hong responded with an emoji of a character wrapped in a blanket and the words "So warm." Meanwhile, Oh My Baby — a program in which veteran parenting experts offer child-rearing advice reflecting current trends — concluded its first season in June after six years on air. The show is expected to return with a new season after a period of reorganization.

Sept. 15, 2026

T.O.P, who left BIGBANG, says he will 'always support' members on world tour

T.O.P, who left BIGBANG, has shared his thoughts on the group's 20th-anniversary world tour. Japan's TV Asahi Channel 1 aired footage Saturday from T.O.P's fan meeting in Japan, titled "Re:Union." The event was held in July at Pia Arena MM in Yokohama, Japan. In an interview that day, T.O.P spoke about his current activities, his solo career and his thoughts on BIGBANG's world tour. Asked about the world tour, T.O.P said he plans to continue as a solo artist going forward. "I can't stand side by side with the members on the same stage, but I will always cheer for and support their activities and music," he said. T.O.P also reflected on his long hiatus, saying he had passed through "a dark period unlike anything I had experienced before," and that the darkness had ultimately helped him grow. He went on to say that making music during that time allowed him to rediscover a sense of being alive, describing how he healed himself through his work. "Every time I did that, it felt like I could breathe again," he added. "That's how I was able to get back on my feet." T.O.P debuted as a member of BIGBANG in 2006. He later suspended his activities after receiving a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, on marijuana charges in 2016. He participated in BIGBANG's digital single "Spring Summer Fall Winter (Still Life)" in April 2022, then officially left the group in 2023. BIGBANG, marking its 20th anniversary this year, is currently on a world tour as a trio consisting of G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung. T.O.P, meanwhile, has been pursuing his own solo 20th-anniversary tour.

Sept. 15, 2026

Jo Kwon shares update with dog Beaver two weeks after saying goodbye to ailing pet Gaga

Jo Kwon of boy group 2AM has shared an update with his dog Beaver, weeks after bidding a heartfelt farewell to his other dog, Gaga. Jo posted several photos on his Instagram account Monday, writing that he was "getting by just fine with my best friend." In the photos, Jo wears a cap, a checkered shirt and shorts while spending time with Beaver. Beaver is dressed in a red outfit adorned with white floral patterns. Fans left comments on the post including "Gaga must have gone to a better place" and "Let's be happy and stay healthy." Before that post, Jo had also shared photos that appeared to show him on a walk and a drive, captioned "The smell of autumn, you, your scent." Jo had revealed on Instagram on Sept. 2 that he had said goodbye to Gaga. At the time, he wrote that "Gaga left for the dog stars on Aug. 31, 2026, at 5:26 p.m." "Despite such a long battle with illness in that tiny body, Gaga endured it all without showing any pain and left us like an angel," Jo said. "For 14 years, Gaga waited for me and looked at me — that whole universe was entirely me — and no matter how much I tell myself I did everything I could without regret, I can't help but feel sorry and miss her." "I want to tell my Gaga — the most beautiful, bright-eyed and kind soul who was my number one audience — that I love her," he added. "I wish I had held you more, Gaga. Please watch over Beaver so she doesn't fall into depression." Jo made his debut with 2AM in July 2008 and has been active in the entertainment industry, known for his exceptional vocal ability and natural variety-show charm. He has also established a strong presence as a musical theater actor.

Sept. 15, 2026

Stray Kids' Felix donates W300m on his birthday

Felix of multinational boy group Stray Kids donated 300 million won ($223,000) on Tuesday, his birthday. According to his agency JYP Entertainment, Felix donated 100 million won each to Samsung Medical Center and Seoul National University Children's Hospital. He also donated 50 million won each to Books International, a nonprofit organization, and the Korean Committee for UNICEF. Samsung Medical Center will use the funds to cover treatment costs for pediatric and adolescent cancer patients, while Seoul National University Children's Hospital will direct its share toward supporting children from vulnerable families. Books International will put the donation toward a program that uses picture books as a medium for cultural education and awareness — including the creation and production of native-language picture books — and the Korean Committee for UNICEF will use its share for emergency relief efforts following the Nepal floods. "I hope the days of many children are filled with clear hope instead of worry," Felix said. "I sincerely hope this small but warm gesture becomes a meaningful source of strength for children's precious todays and tomorrows." A birthday tradition of giving Felix has made charitable donations on his birthday in previous years as well. Last year, he donated 100 million won to Samsung Medical Center to support pediatric and adolescent patients receiving treatment there. "Thanks to the unwavering love of my fans, I am deeply moved to be able to share in building a brighter future for children at home and abroad," he said at the time. "I sincerely hope that every child can dream freely." Felix also donated 50 million won to World Vision, a nongovernmental organization, in support of its young carer program for youth who provide care for family members. Han, a fellow group member whose birthday falls one day before Felix's, also marked his birthday this year by donating 100 million won to Angels Haven, a social welfare foundation. Han, like Felix, also gave back on his birthday last year. At the time, he donated to Samsung Medical Center to help cover treatment and caregiving costs for adult patients with serious illnesses, as well as treatment costs for pediatric and adolescent patients.

Sept. 15, 2026

Kim Ho-young ignores Ok Joo-hyun's demands, opens up about cutting ties with acquaintance

Musical actor Kim Ho-young, 43, has shared a story about cutting ties with an acquaintance who made unreasonable requests. Kim hosts Kakao Bank's YouTube channel "Donkitaka." In a recently uploaded video, he said, "It seems like when people are about to get married, they lose all sense of what's reasonable." He said the acquaintance had asked him to perform a congratulatory song at their wedding, and that he had been willing to do so given how close they were. But the requests did not stop there. "They said they wanted a very expensive wedding package — studio shoot, dress and makeup — and asked whether I could get them a celebrity discount," Kim said. "I turned that down, but told them I would still sing at the wedding." Then a filming schedule was suddenly set for the same day as the wedding, leaving Kim unable to perform. He apologized to the acquaintance and offered to send a junior colleague in his place, even agreeing to cover that colleague's performance fee himself. "The acquaintance said they were disappointed, but then came back saying the junior colleague I suggested didn't fit the concept of their wedding and asked if I could get them someone more famous," Kim said. "That's when I ended the relationship." "I had known this person for a long time," he added. "I never thought they would say something like that." Kim's remarks have drawn attention because they came amid his more than two months of silence in response to fellow musical actor Ok Joo-hyun's public demands for an explanation. Ok is a former member of the K-pop group Fin.K.L. In July, Ok used a fan communication platform and media interviews to call on Kim to explain his "Ok Jangpan" remarks, saying she regretted dropping her lawsuit against him despite the significant harm the comments had caused her. The "Ok Jangpan" remarks stem from allegations that Ok had used her influence to have a close acquaintance cast in the 2022 musical "Elisabeth." Ok and the production company denied the claims, but at the time Kim posted on social media — without naming Ok directly — "The old saying was 'Asa Jangpan.' Now it's 'Ok Jangpan,'" a phrase widely interpreted as a dig at Ok. Ok said she had never once received an apology from Kim. "I suffered so much because of the 'Ok Jangpan' image and framing that should never have been attached to me. There was not a single moment when I was OK," she said, adding that Kim, "as the person who caused this uproar, needs to come forward at least once — whether with an excuse or the truth." Kim, however, has not responded to Ok's demands despite consistently staying active in the public eye for more than two months since.

Sept. 15, 2026

Witness emerges to confirm actor Kim Bo-sung's legendary '13-vs-1 fight'

A former classmate has come forward to confirm that actor Kim Bo-sung really did fight 13 opponents at once during his school days. On Monday, Kim's YouTube channel uploaded a video titled "Kim Bo-sung's loyalty test: 'Will they really come if I call?' — I reached out to people out of the blue." In the video, Kim conducted what he called a "loyalty test," making unannounced phone calls to acquaintances ranging from entertainment industry colleagues to close childhood friends, telling each only that he missed them to see who would actually show up. Kim called a series of longtime acquaintances and junior colleagues one by one. Yun Hyeong-bin, who was filming a YouTube video in Songdo, Incheon, at the time, said he would come over even at around 1 a.m. Kim talked him out of it, citing an early morning shoot the next day, but expressed his gratitude. As several acquaintances responded to Kim's sudden summons, an old friend also made an appearance. Kim introduced him as a middle and high school friend with whom he used to catch frogs as a child, and the two began swapping stories from their school days. The conversation turned to one of the most famous anecdotes associated with Kim — the "13-vs-1 fight." His friend said Kim "was good at fighting. One-on-one, he was good." When the production crew asked whether the 13-vs-1 story was true, the classmate said, "Yes. I was running after them, but by the time I got there it was already over." Kim grew animated, saying, "Here is the friend who witnessed and can testify to the 13-vs-1 fight." The classmate added, "There was me and one other friend — we were heading up together, but the whole thing was already finished by the time we arrived." Kim quipped, "This cannot be edited out. People have doubted it a lot." Kim had previously appeared on the TV program "TV Is Loaded with Love," among others, where he revealed that he sustained a mild visual impairment after fighting 13 thugs on his own. Meanwhile, Kim has long been beloved by the public for his persona centered on "loyalty," and continues to engage in community service through his loyalty campaign. He recently announced that he had legally changed his name to "Heo Seok Kim Bo-sung," combining his birth name, Heo Seok, with his stage name.

Sept. 15, 2026

Actor Park Ju-mi does Pilates in shorts — looking just as she did 33 years ago

The "graceful goddess" of an airline commercial from 33 years ago is now working out in shorts at a Pilates studio. Actor Park Ju-mi shared a series of photos on social media Monday. In the images, Park is exercising at a Pilates center, dressed in a dark brown sleeveless ribbed T-shirt, short pants and ivory loose socks, her hair pulled back in a ponytail for a light, active look. Shots of her seated on the floor hugging a piece of equipment or stretching her legs out long suggest years of consistent self-care. What makes her current appearance all the more striking is the comparison with her signature image from more than three decades ago. Park served as the exclusive model for Asiana Airlines from 1993 to 2000 — a seven-year run during which her refined looks and flight-attendant uniform became so closely associated that many people mistook her for an actual crew member. Park once recalled on KBS2's "Happy Together 3" that she was frequently mistaken for a flight attendant, adding that passengers would apparently ask for her by name even while on board. In past interviews, when asked about her secret to maintaining her appearance, Park said she does not drink or smoke, avoids going out late at night and is meticulous about cleansing her face. She also said she did not start drinking coffee until she was in her 40s.

Sept. 15, 2026

Park Wi's 'Sebasi' lecture video made private amid growing controversy

A lecture video featuring YouTuber Park Wi has been made private on the Sebasi channel. The video, titled "How to Live a Miraculous Life," originally aired Oct. 1, 2019, on CBS's "Sebasi" — short for "Sesang-eul Bakkuneun Sigan, 15bun," a talk program meaning "15 Minutes to Change the World" — and has since been set to private. The program invites guest speakers from various fields to deliver short talks for Korean audiences, covering topics such as communication, healing, social recovery and practical lifestyle advice. While Park Wi's video has been removed from public view, a 2024 appearance by his wife Song Ji-eun, a former member of the K-pop group Secret, remains visible. Park Wi attended Song's lecture in the audience and expressed his affection for her at the time. "I was listening and I was completely drawn in," he said. "More than anything, I was so happy that she talked about my story. I'm so proud of her, and once again, she's just so beautiful." Song's lecture video has since been flooded with malicious comments targeting the couple. The controversy began when Park Wi became embroiled in what has been dubbed the "KTX community service worker targeting and private sanctions" dispute. The backlash has since widened, with past videos resurfacing that show him behaving rudely, and school violence allegations also drawing renewed scrutiny. The incident occurred as Park Wi was disembarking from a KTX train, when his wheelchair wheel caught the foot of a community service worker who was trying to hold a ramp in place, causing Park Wi to fall. Despite receiving an apology from the worker on the spot, Park Wi posted CCTV footage of the incident on his YouTube channel "Wiracle" and publicly called out the employee. The move immediately drew criticism from online users, who turned on Park Wi instead. Many argued it was excessive for a channel with 1 million subscribers to publicly release CCTV footage capturing a worker's mistake, especially after the worker had repeatedly apologized. Park Wi apologized, saying he had "acted without thinking," but a large number of disappointed subscribers left the channel, pushing his subscriber count below the 1 million mark. The Wiracle channel currently has about 947,000 subscribers. Following the KTX controversy, a 2022 video Park Wi filmed with visually impaired YouTuber Wonshot Hansol also came under scrutiny. In the video, Park Wi repeatedly made remarks such as "Honestly, can you actually see?" and "I'll admit it's not staged" as he watched Wonshot Hansol navigate his surroundings and skillfully cut meat and peel shrimp. In the wake of the KTX incident, Park Wi stepped down from his role as a Seoul Metropolitan Government honorary ambassador, and a series of scheduled appearances — including a youth lecture and a talk concert — were canceled. Park Wi was diagnosed with full-body paralysis after a fall in 2014 but regained the ability to move his upper body following rehabilitation. He married Song Ji-eun in October 2024.

Sept. 15, 2026

Broadcaster Kim Gu-ra reveals family clan owns 1.32 million square meters of land in Pocheon

Broadcaster Kim Gu-ra has revealed that his family clan owns about 1.32 million square meters of land in the Pocheon area of Gyeonggi Province. Kim made the disclosure Monday on his YouTube channel "Geurigura," in a video titled "Economic Stories Good to Listen to While Lying in Bed — Kim Gu-ra's Economic Research Institute," where he discussed real estate concerns raised by a subscriber alongside a panel of experts. The subscriber had written in about the difficulties of managing and inheriting real estate owned by their parents. Kim cautioned that children who worry too much about such matters in advance risk making themselves miserable, then added a personal aside: "Back when I had no work, I used to think every day about how the clan land just wouldn't sell." When asked where the clan land was located, Kim said, "It's in Pocheon. About 1.32 million square meters." The disclosure visibly surprised those present. The area is roughly half the size of Yeouido, which covers 2.9 square kilometers. "Before I made it big, my mother also used to say, 'We really need to sell some of that land,'" Kim said. "Now that things are going well for me, she doesn't say that anymore." When one of the experts remarked that proceeds from selling clan-owned land would not necessarily go to him personally, Kim pushed back. "Our clan doesn't have that many descendants left, so there's hope," he said, signaling his expectation that he would receive a meaningful share of any future sale of the jointly held property. Kim has said on several broadcast occasions that he is a descendant of the Andong Kim clan, which wielded strong political power during the late Joseon Dynasty through a period of clan-dominated rule. The clan's ancestral home is located along the Yeongpyeongcheon stream in Pocheon.

Sept. 15, 2026