Don Spike defends 99,000-won restaurant price: 'It's all-you-can-eat barbecue'

Composer and broadcaster Don Spike, who served prison time after being convicted on drug charges, has responded to criticism over the pricing at his newly opened restaurant. Don Spike posted on his social media recently, saying the restaurant "is not a fine-dining establishment" and that while it follows a course-style format, it "is closer to an all-you-can-eat barbecue place." Don Spike opened the restaurant in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, after his release from prison. The eatery offers a single menu centered on steak as the main course, priced at 99,000 won per person, with unlimited access to a salad bar included. The controversy grew after reviews from diners began circulating online. Customers noted that the bread served as an appetizer was burnt and that the salad bar offered only a small selection — salad, caprese and soup. While the steak and pasta drew praise for their taste, reviewers questioned whether the course format justified the price. As the backlash mounted, Don Spike pushed back against the fine-dining comparisons, saying the restaurant is closer to an all-you-can-eat barbecue spot. "Because we serve beef galbi slow-grilled with care over a long time and let guests eat as much as they like, the price is not cheap," he said. He added that the salad bar "is not meant to be elaborate — it is a self-serve setup where guests can comfortably help themselves to vegetables, bread and the like." "We may fall short of the attentive service you would expect at a fine-dining restaurant, but we are doing our best to make sure guests leave in good spirits," he said. Don Spike opened the barbecue-focused restaurant in Gampo-eup, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, in September. The restaurant operates on a reservation-only basis and restricts entry to children under 8 years old, citing safety reasons. Don Spike built his public profile as a composer and variety show personality, earning a wide following before he was indicted on charges of purchasing and using methamphetamine between 2021 and 2022. He was sentenced to two years in prison and released in February 2024 after completing his sentence.

Nov. 3, 2026

Sechs Kies reunion show sparks ticket price controversy; organizer clarifies hotel room costs

The organizer of a year-end dinner show featuring former Sechs Kies members Ko Ji-yong, Jang Su-won and Lee Jae-jin has pushed back against a ticket price controversy, saying the figures circulating online reflect hotel room rates, not performance admission. Mountain Movement Story, the event's organizer, issued the clarification Monday amid a wave of criticism over the show's pricing. According to the organizer, Ko, Jang and Lee will hold "THE TREE in INSPIRE — Jecki's Unfinished Story" on Dec. 15 and 16 at 6 p.m. at Inspire Arena on Yeongjongdo, Incheon. The event is billed as a special celebration ahead of Sechs Kies' 30th debut anniversary next year. The show is structured as a dinner show that includes a resort tour and a meal alongside the performance. Prices were listed at 454,000 won ($339) for a double room, 568,400 won for a business deluxe room and 898,400 won for a suite. The near-900,000 won ceiling drew criticism from some quarters, with detractors calling it an exploitation of fan loyalty. Others questioned the pricing given that leader Eun Ji-won and member Kim Jae-deok are not participating. Ko's involvement has also drawn scrutiny. Ko had previously stayed out of Sechs Kies reunion activities, saying there was no interest in returning to the entertainment industry. Ko is also reported to have struggled financially after a failed business venture and a divorce from Heo Yang-im, with accounts suggesting child support payments have not been made regularly — prompting questions about the motivations behind the appearance. "Evaluating the price of the event is up to the audience and consumers, but hotel room prices and event ticket prices must be clearly distinguished," the organizer said. "We wish to correct the record on the point where room rate examples were mistakenly understood as event ticket prices." The organizer plans to release the official poster on Nov. 13.

Nov. 3, 2026

'Dazed and overwhelmed': Singer John Park opens up about viral McDonald's rap

On YouTube channel 'John or Park,' he says people keep asking him to rap everywhere he goes — but insists his 'real skills are rock bottom' Singer John Park said he is "dazed" by the reaction to a video of him rapping his McDonald's order, which is approaching 10 million views. A video titled "John Park McDonald's Incident Emergency Meeting (Oct. 29)" was uploaded Monday to the YouTube channel "John or Park." "I had no idea the response would be this good. I'm really dazed — and honestly, it's too much pressure," John Park said in the video. "I have a strong feeling something has gone wrong." "Everywhere I go, people say, 'Loved the rap, do a rap for us.' I had a broadcast recording, and everyone there was talking about the rap," he added. He went on to say he had nothing to show if asked to perform again, revealing that he completed the rap with advice from hip-hop duo Dynamic Duo. "It wasn't any serious training — I practiced for just one day. I recorded myself, listened back, corrected my pronunciation and delivery, and practiced more than 100 times," he said. "My real skills are honestly rock bottom, and that's what scares me," he said. "I'm so grateful everyone received it so warmly, but it really is a lot of pressure." He added that calling him good at hip-hop "isn't quite accurate," and that "someone needs to tear into me properly before this fire goes out." "As a musician, this is genuinely a reality check," John Park said. "The promotional video for my summer single got fewer than 200,000 views. I worked so hard on it," he added, with a note of disappointment. He then seemed to wrestle with the question of whether he should pursue rap or release music with rap elements, before catching himself. "I can't fall for that kind of temptation. That's the fast track to failure," he said. Meanwhile, John Park recently learned to rap from rapper Loco alongside fellow singer Kwak Jin-eon, then drew wide attention by rapping his order at a McDonald's store. McDonald's Korea subsequently produced an official advertisement using his rap and even launched a "John Park Set" menu featuring the items he ordered in the video.

Nov. 3, 2026

Woman who didn't know she was pregnant for 9 months reported herself for child abuse, Oh Eun-young says

A woman in her 20s who had no idea she was pregnant for nine months discovered she was 35 weeks along only after visiting an emergency room — and gave birth shortly after. The sudden new mother later struggled with the shock of parenthood and ultimately reported herself to police for child abuse. The couple appeared Monday on MBC's entertainment program "Oh Eun-young Report — Marriage Hell" as an "SOS couple." The wife, 29, and her husband, 30, have been married four years. She opened the segment with a confession: "The time my child spends alone with me is the most dangerous time in the world." The wife revealed she had been completely unaware of her pregnancy for nine months. She said her irregular menstrual cycle — caused by polycystic ovary syndrome, which left her menstruating only once or twice a year — meant she noticed nothing unusual. She also said she experienced no morning sickness or fetal movement. She had even gained weight and, assuming she needed to diet, took weight-loss medication and shed 12 kilograms. "The belly fat wouldn't go away, and I could feel a hard lump, so I thought I had cancer," she recalled. It was only after suffering severe back pain and feeling something strange while straining in the bathroom that she went to the emergency room and learned the truth. "I told the doctor I thought I had cancer because I could feel a lump in my stomach, and the doctor asked, 'Did you not know you were pregnant?'" she said. "The lump I had been feeling was the baby's head. I was already 35 weeks pregnant. The baby's feet were coming out." The fetus was in a breech position, so she underwent an emergency cesarean section and became a mother just 30 minutes after arriving at the hospital. The sudden birth left her deeply disoriented. "As soon as I came to after the surgery, the first thing I looked for was my dog, and I even suggested putting the baby up for adoption," she admitted. "I was in so much pain that I didn't see the baby until I went to the postpartum care center." A makeup artist who works in film and special effects, she said she had built her sense of self-worth around her career and income. "I had been living with the confidence that I had a job and was earning good money, and then I suddenly became a mother," she said. "I don't think I really felt that the baby was lovable back then." Footage shown on the program depicted the wife losing emotional control when the baby cried, treating the child roughly, and taking medication one after another to manage her anxiety. Psychiatrist Oh Eun-young determined that the wife's behavior constituted child abuse. At the production team's request, the wife reported herself to police.

Nov. 3, 2026

Actor Kim Jeong-nan to leave townhouse: 'Stairs are too hard as I get older'

Actor Kim Jeong-nan, 55, is leaving her multi-story townhouse for a single-level home. Kim shared the news Monday through a video on her YouTube channel. "As I get older, going up and down the stairs is just too hard," she said, adding that she decided to move to a flat home for her health. Kim had previously shown viewers her townhouse, where rooms including a study, a workout space and a bedroom were spread across separate floors. "With its loft and all the nooks and crannies, it was like a giant cat tower for my cats," she said. "But having to go between floors just to find one thing made me realize a house with stairs isn't right for me." Kim said in July that she had listed the property at a very low price. She is expected to move to Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, this month.

Nov. 3, 2026

Actor Kim Min caught an anaconda in New Zealand? It was actually giant kelp

Actor Kim Min has revealed the truth behind a story in which he once claimed to have caught an anaconda overseas — it turned out to be not a snake but an enormous piece of kelp. According to Mydaily, Kim appeared Tuesday on KBS 1TV's morning talk show "Achim Madang" alongside Kim Hyeong-muk, Park Seong-ho, Lee Sang-hun, Baek Bong-gi and Lee Jeong-hyeon. Kim said he has been feeling a surge in popularity following a recent appearance on MBC variety show "I Live Alone." Videos from that appearance racked up high view counts and drew wide attention. "Before, people would recognize me from my roles in 'Casino' or 'Killers' Shopping Mall,' but now they know me by my own name," Kim said. The hosts then asked about the anaconda story Kim had shared on MBC's "Radio Star," which had caused a stir at the time. Kim explained that while staying abroad, he had been swimming in the sea at night when he stepped on something slippery. "I jumped into the ocean when the moon was out and stepped on something," he said. "It was slippery, so I grabbed it — I thought it was a snake. I figured if I stayed still I'd get bitten, so I just started spinning it around." Kim then offered a belated correction, drawing laughter from the studio. "It wasn't an anaconda — it was kelp," he said. "I want to clear up the misunderstanding." He added that there are, in fact, no snakes in New Zealand. "If you look it up, there's kelp out there that's much taller than a person," he said.

Nov. 3, 2026

Actor Jo Yeo-jeong, 45 kg, reveals morning swim and toast-and-egg breakfast routine

Actor Jo Yeo-jeong has offered a glimpse into her daily routine for staying in shape. A video featuring Jo discussing her everyday life and self-care tips was recently posted to the YouTube channel "PDC by PDC." Jo said she woke up Tuesday and swam for about 20 minutes. "If I swim too long, the goggle marks show up and I can't film," she said. She added that she rushed home afterward and had a slice of rice toast and an egg for breakfast. Jo said she keeps up the same eating habits even on days when she is not filming, making a point of eating healthily on a regular basis so she does not have to lose weight drastically before a shoot. Because of her small frame, she said even a 1-kilogram change in weight is very noticeable. "Since my frame is so small, 1 kilogram is not just 1 kilogram. People with a small build like mine will understand," she said. She added that her friends tease her about worrying over a single kilogram, but said she has no choice, explaining why she keeps such a consistent watch on her body. Jo is listed in her profile as standing 163 centimeters tall and weighing 45 kilograms.

Nov. 3, 2026

Kim Ji-young's funeral attire for Choi Bool-am draws online debate

The outfit actor Kim Ji-young wore to pay respects to the late Choi Bool-am has sparked a debate online. Kim Ji-young and her husband Nam Sung-jin visited Choi's funeral home at Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on Thursday. Kim played the character "Bokgil" in MBC's long-running drama series "Jeonwon Ilgi," one of Choi's signature works, while Nam played "Yeongnam," the grandson of Choi's character "Chairman Kim." The two met through the show and later married. "He was someone truly precious and dear to us, and it is heartbreaking to know we will never see him again," Kim said in an interview at the funeral home. "I will pray that he rests in peace." Kim turned away in tears after speaking, and Nam gently patted her on the back to comfort her. Some online users, however, found fault with the moment — specifically with what Kim was wearing. Kim had arrived at the funeral home in a black leather jacket, dark gray jeans, white sneakers and a bag with a gold chain strap. Others pushed back, calling the criticism overblown. "What matters is the sincerity of your grief, not what you wear," some wrote, while others noted she was dressed in black and saw nothing wrong with that. Several commenters dismissed the criticism as needlessly petty. Choi Bool-am died Thursday night at around 10:30 p.m. at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, while receiving treatment. He was 87. His funeral was held over five days under the auspices of ChildFund Korea, with the funeral procession and memorial mass taking place Monday. He was laid to rest at Donghwa Gyeongmo Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

Nov. 3, 2026

Actor Lee Gye-in breaks down in tears at late Choi Bool-am's memorial, recalls final phone call

Actor Lee Gye-in broke down in tears while paying his final respects to the late actor Choi Bool-am. According to Insight, Lee visited the memorial altar set up for Choi at Asan Medical Center on Saturday. His face was filled with grief as he came to say goodbye to his sunbae of 40 years. At the memorial, Lee wept before he could even speak about losing Choi. "How could I put it all into words?" he said, tears already streaming down his face. "For 40 years, we lived in Yeouido just one block apart," Lee recalled. "We drank together more than anyone. After I moved away from Yeouido, he told me he felt empty." Lee and Choi appeared together as father and son in numerous drama series, including "Susa Banjang" (Chief Inspector), "Yeongung Sidae" (Age of Heroes) and "Jeonwon Ilgi" (Country Diary). "He worked with me on more drama series than anyone else," Lee said, his voice breaking. "You have to say we spent our whole lives together." Lee choked up again as he offered his farewell. "Take care, hyungnim. How could you leave me behind like this?" He grew emotional again as he recalled his last phone call with Choi. "He called me from the hospital and said he wanted to eat spicy fish stew," Lee said. "I prepared it and called the hospital to ask about bringing it in, but they said it wasn't allowed. After that, he stopped answering the phone — and the stew is still sitting in my refrigerator." Choi died Thursday at around 10 p.m. at the age of 87. He had undergone surgery for a herniated disc in March last year and continued rehabilitation, but his health deteriorated sharply in recent weeks.

Nov. 3, 2026

Comedian Lee Young-ja recalls buying her fisherman father a boat after making it big

tvN STORY's 'Nam-gyeoseo Mwohage' Crab restaurant visit stirs memories of late father Comedian Lee Young-ja has drawn attention after revealing that she bought her father, a fisherman, a boat after she became a celebrity. On Monday's episode of tvN STORY's "Nam-gyeoseo Mwohage," a lifestyle talk show, Lee visited a popular blue crab restaurant in Seoul's Guro Digital Complex alongside Park Se-ri and Kim Chang-ok. Taking in the neighborhood, Lee described Guro Digital Complex as a place that "used to be a street for industrial workers but is now a mecca for office workers and a haven for great restaurants." Lee then expressed excitement about the restaurant, saying, "It's a place that's shooting up in popularity. You'd normally have to wait three hours, but the production team pulled a number for us in advance — we're No. 42." While waiting for the food, Park asked whether blue crabs brought back a lot of memories, and Lee opened up about her late father. "My father used to catch blue crabs for me," Lee said. "After I became a celebrity, I bought him a boat. It wasn't that expensive." She went on to say, "My father used that boat to catch blue crabs and conch and send them to me. He even made soy-marinated crab with the blue crabs. It was his little pastime." Lee had also mentioned her father on the same show last spring, during a visit to a webfoot octopus restaurant, saying, "My father had a small fishing boat, then a bigger one — but the bigger one went under." Lee made her debut as a comedian through MBC's third round of special recruits in 1992. She lost her father in 2016 and her mother in 2024. When her mother passed away, Lee quietly held a private family funeral without notifying even those close to her, only making it public afterward.

Nov. 3, 2026

Broadcaster Lee Hye-seong reveals she was a school violence victim

Lee Hye-seong, a 33-year-old former announcer turned broadcaster, has opened up about her experience as a victim of school violence. According to Star Today, a video titled "You Can't Be Loved by Everyone — The Courage to Be Disliked" was posted Friday on Lee's YouTube channel "Lee Hye-seong's 1% Book Club." In the video, Lee introduced the bestselling book "The Courage to Be Disliked" and offered advice to those hurt by bullying within a group. Lee said a community can sometimes become a place that wounds you, and that it is important to remember the group you belong to is not the whole world. While discussing school violence in particular, Lee confessed to having experienced it herself. "If you think school is the only place you belong, being subjected to school violence, bullying or failing to make friends will feel unbearably painful," she said. "I've been through it too." Lee then said that many different communities exist beyond the walls of school. "If you realize that a much larger community will open up before you, just knowing that would give you so much strength," she said. Lee added that she had not had that perspective as a child. "When I was in middle school, I never thought about it that way. There were no adults telling me these things, and I hadn't read books like this," she said. "That's why the situation felt so painful and hard to bear." She closed with a message of encouragement. "You are such a valuable person that you don't need to stay in a worthless group like that," she said. "You deserve to find a group that suits you better and be happy there. Please don't ever make a terrible choice." Lee joined KBS in 2016 as a 43rd-class staff announcer and left in 2020 to work as a freelance broadcaster.

Nov. 3, 2026

'Your 70s are the best — give it your all for 10 more years': Late Choi Bool-am's warm words to Lee Hong-ryeol

Actor and comedian Lee Hong-ryeol has shared memories of the late actor Choi Bool-am. Lee took to his Instagram account recently to pay tribute, writing, "Chairman Choi Bool-am, a great star has set," and recalled a conversation the two had shared not long ago. "As I paid my respects at the funeral, I found myself thinking back to a conversation I had with Chairman Choi Bool-am not long before," Lee wrote. "'Lee, how old are you now?' 'I'm 70.' 'Your 70s are the best. Give it your all for the next 10 years.' Yes, Chairman. I will spend the next 10 years giving my all for the sake of sharing." Lee also recalled that Choi had served as honorary patron when Lee first began donating to ChildFund Korea in 1986. "In 1998, he appointed me as a goodwill ambassador and set me on the path of giving," Lee wrote. Lee added that while Choi had portrayed a warm, devoted father figure on screen, the role he played at ChildFund Korea was on an entirely different level. "For more than 40 years as honorary patron, he showed a ceaseless, genuine and heartfelt commitment to the futures of children in need," Lee wrote. "At ChildFund Korea, he was someone whose very presence lit up the room," Lee wrote. "No one could ever replace him." In a follow-up post, Lee said his 28-year association with ChildFund Korea as a goodwill ambassador had brought him far more than he deserved. "I will take his words — 'Give it your all for the next 10 years' — to heart, and as long as my health allows, I will take good care of myself and throw myself even more into the work of giving," he wrote. Beloved by the public as the nation's father figure, Choi underwent surgery for a herniated disc last March and had difficulty moving afterward. Despite his efforts at rehabilitation, his health deteriorated sharply, and he died Thursday. In recognition of his contributions to the growth of Korean television drama, the government posthumously awarded him the Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit on Friday, the day after his death. For three days, figures from the arts, politics and business came to the funeral hall at Asan Medical Center to pay their respects. A funeral Mass celebrated by Cardinal Yeom Su-jeong at Yeouido Cathedral in Seoul was held Monday, attended by family members, fellow actors, parishioners and members of the public, amid tears. Pop-opera tenor Lim Hyung-joo, who called Choi his "uncle by marriage" and shared a close bond with him, sang "Ave Maria" as a funeral hymn to bid the actor a final farewell.

Nov. 3, 2026

Comedian Song Jun-geun reveals he lost his brother at age 7: 'My mother suffered from depression'

Comedian Song Jun-geun has opened up about losing his older brother in a tragic childhood accident. Song appeared on the KBS 2TV variety program Malja Show, which aired Monday, and spoke about the importance of family. Song said the reason he in particular cherishes his family and pours so much affection into them stems from a tragedy he experienced as a child. "When I was 7, I lost my brother, who was three years older than me," Song said. "Our family had gone on a trip, and my brother and I went to catch cicadas by a stream. He slipped on some moss and fell into the water, and died of cardiac arrest." Song said his brother's death left a wound on the entire family that could never be erased. "My mother carried a deep pain inside her heart," Song said. "She suffered greatly from depression, and watching her go through that made me feel the importance of family all the more and think about them even more." Song went on to say he is "trying to be a friend-like father" to his daughter, adding that he "always carries in his heart the thought of treating family better with love."

Nov. 3, 2026

T.O.P, Nana make public outing at fan-organized birthday cafe, a day after his apology

T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun), a former member of K-pop group Big Bang, and actor Nana were spotted together at a birthday cafe within a month of publicly confirming their relationship. On Monday, the operator of a cafe in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, posted a video on social media showing the couple's visit. The cafe had been specially decorated by fans to celebrate T.O.P's birthday, which falls on Wednesday. The video shows T.O.P walking through the cafe and looking over the decorations and photos fans had prepared. Nana accompanied T.O.P during the visit. The cafe operator tagged both of their social media accounts when sharing the post. The appearance drew considerable online attention, as it marked the couple's first public outing together since they confirmed their relationship last month. T.O.P and Nana acknowledged their relationship on Oct. 2. The two met while filming a music video and began dating in June. After the news broke, Nana told fans she felt a little embarrassed but said she intended to continue the relationship well. Their subsequent public appearances together have offered glimpses of the couple's life since going public. Meanwhile, T.O.P recently issued an apology to fans who have supported him for years. The fan site "Choiseunghyun.com" announced it was shutting down, citing communication issues, and T.O.P took to social media on Sunday to express both gratitude and regret toward his fans. T.O.P acknowledged the fans who had encouraged him to return to music during a difficult period and apologized to the fan site operators and supporters who had been hurt by his actions.

Nov. 3, 2026

Rapper Yang Hong-won deletes wedding photos amid motel controversy as fallout continues

Rapper Yang Hong-won, 27, has deleted all wedding photos and pictures of his wife, model Won Hyeon-ju, from his social media accounts, just two weeks after their wedding ceremony, as questions continue to swirl over an infidelity controversy involving him and another woman at a motel. Yang removed the photos Monday without offering any explanation for the deletions. However, observers have speculated the move is continuing fallout from infidelity allegations that surfaced Oct. 23 — just five days after the couple's Oct. 18 wedding. A person identified only as A claimed on social media to be an acquaintance of Yang's and alleged that Yang had entered a motel with another woman. Yang's agency, AP Alchemy, and the woman involved rebuffed the infidelity allegations, saying the group had been drinking together at A's home when A asked them to leave. With nowhere else to go, Yang and the woman checked into a motel together, the agency said, but denied any romantic conduct took place inside the room. The agency said the woman who accompanied Yang has filed complaints against A on charges of blackmail, violation of the Stalking Punishment Act and defamation through false statements. A later said the allegations were made for financial gain. In a media interview, A walked back the original claims, saying A had seen Yang and the woman enter the motel but did not know whether any infidelity had actually occurred. While the infidelity has not been confirmed, Yang and Won have unfollowed each other on social media, and Yang's deletion of the wedding photos has kept the controversy from dying down. Yang and Won registered their marriage in 2023 and have a daughter born in 2024. The couple had shared glimpses of their parenting life through YouTube and other platforms.

Nov. 3, 2026

Post alleging school violence by actress Cha Ye-ryun restricted under temporary measure

Access to the original post claiming that actress Cha Ye-ryun, 41, committed school violence has been restricted under a temporary measure. The online community where the post was published blocked access to it Monday, announcing it had been placed under a temporary restriction in accordance with Article 44-2 of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection. The provision allows platforms to temporarily block access to a post for up to 30 days when it is difficult to determine whether someone's rights have been infringed or when a dispute between the parties is anticipated. The community's notice did not explain why the measure was taken or who had requested it. The restricted post was published Thursday. Its author claimed that a 1985-born actress who attended a middle school in Seoul — identified only as "School A" — had repeatedly assaulted and bullied them during their middle school years. The author wrote that they "were harassed constantly in classrooms, bathrooms and hallways, and after school were dragged to a nearby building where members of a delinquent group slapped me so hard my eardrum ruptured and my face swelled up." The author added: "Every time I see her being consumed by the public as a healthy image of a good mother and good wife on broadcasts or YouTube, I feel extreme pain." The author did not name the actress directly, but internet users identified Cha based on clues including her age and school. Others claiming to be Cha's former classmates then offered conflicting accounts, sparking a public dispute over the truth of the school violence allegations. As the controversy grew, Cha's agency HB Entertainment denied the claims in the post Friday, calling them "groundless." As the controversy spread, critical comments demanding an explanation and apology flooded not only Cha's own YouTube channel but also the social media account of her husband, actor Joo Sang-wook. The production team behind Cha's YouTube channel disabled some videos and comment sections to guard against what it described as indiscriminate rumors and personal attacks targeting her family.

Nov. 3, 2026

Father of BTS's Jimin announces closure of Busan cafe after 7 years

A well-known Busan cafe run by the father of BTS member Jimin has announced it will close in one year, catching fans off guard. The cafe has been a popular tourist destination for BTS fans for seven years, and the sudden news has drawn widespread disappointment. The cafe announced Monday on its official social media that "as of today, we have 365 days left to spend with you," signaling its planned closure in one year. "We sincerely thank everyone who has visited, cherished and shown us unwavering attention and love," the cafe said. "Every step taken to find us from afar, every warm smile and greeting, and every word of encouragement and heartfelt message has become an immeasurable source of happiness and a precious memory for us." The cafe added that it hoped "the 365 days ahead will not simply be a countdown, but a precious time to build even more happiness and memories together." The cafe originally opened in 2019 under the name Magnate, but a dispute arose over the trademark and business model after Jimin's father took over the lease and began operating it a few months later. The cafe rebranded as ZM-ILLENNIAL in 2024. The venue drew a steady stream of fans thanks to its displays of BTS merchandise and artwork, and the fact that it is run by the family of Jimin, who is from Busan. The sudden closure announcement has reignited online discussion about past disputes surrounding the cafe. A foreign content creator had previously claimed that Jimin's father was under considerable stress due to conflicts with the landlord and issues related to the operation of a nearby store.

Nov. 3, 2026

Singer Chae Ri-na reveals both parents diagnosed with dementia

Singer Chae Ri-na, 48, has revealed that both of her parents have been diagnosed with dementia. Chae made the disclosure on Channel A's entertainment program "Star Health Ranking Number One," which aired Wednesday. Her father had already been diagnosed with the condition, and her mother received the same diagnosis a year ago. Chae's mother, who had run a bibimbap restaurant in Jeonju, began showing signs of the illness by repeatedly purchasing groceries she had already bought, and was subsequently confirmed to have dementia through medical testing. The behavior was also on display during the broadcast, with Chae's mother shown buying large quantities of bean sprouts and radishes — drawing a gentle rebuke from Chae. "Last summer you kept buying watermelons and even made punch out of them," Chae said. Chae's mother's symptoms are said to have worsened after the family's pet dog died a year ago. "It was really hard after our Yeongsu left," her mother said on the program. "That memory just won't go away." According to figures released last year by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the number of dementia patients in South Korea is projected to surpass 1 million this year — reaching about 1.01 million — up from 970,000 in 2025. As of 2023, the dementia prevalence rate among people aged 65 and older stood at 9.25 percent, meaning roughly one in 10 older adults has the condition. The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment was 28.42 percent. As the number of dementia patients grows, a survey found that nearly half of family caregivers — 45.8 percent — report feeling burdened by the demands of care.

Nov. 3, 2026

Shin Hyun-joon praises Kim Hye-soo for standing vigil at late Choi Bool-am's funeral: 'So grateful to have such a colleague'

As the late Choi Bool-am was laid to rest, actor Shin Hyun-joon praised Kim Hye-soo — who stood vigil at the funeral home for all three days of the mourning period, calling herself the late actor's daughter — as "someone whose presence gives you real strength." Shin posted a photo of the two of them together on Instagram on Monday, writing that Kim was "a proud colleague and someone whose presence gives you real strength." "Her warmth and care for people run just as deep as her depth as an actor," Shin said of Kim. "She stands firmer than anyone in her own place, and she willingly offers her side to those in pain." Shin added, "Having walked the same path for so long, I cannot express how grateful I am to have a colleague like her — Kim Hye-soo, a fine actor and a fine person." "Kim Hye-soo, an actor beautiful even in heart," Shin wrote, and added, "Stay strong, Hye-soo." The funeral mass for the late actor was held Monday morning at Yeouido Cathedral in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The mass, presided over by Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung, took place amid tears, with the bereaved family, fellow actors, parishioners and members of the public in attendance. Kim could not hold back tears even after the mass ended. Kim embraced Kim Min-ja, the late actor's wife, and wept. Even after composing herself, Kim continued to stroke Kim Min-ja's back and shoulders, holding back grief. Shin also bowed toward the hearse and shed tears. Earlier, a private funeral send-off ceremony was held at the funeral home of Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, ahead of the mass.

Nov. 2, 2026

Talent agency Namu Actors warns of impersonation scam targeting aspiring actors

Namu Actors, the talent agency representing actors Park Eun-bin and Song Kang, has urged the public to be wary of impersonation scams targeting aspiring performers. The agency's rookie development team said Monday on Instagram that while Namu Actors does conduct auditions through academies, claims that enrolling in or completing a specific academy is required to sign with the agency are false. "We wish to make clear that attendance at any particular academy does not guarantee an exclusive contract with our company," the notice read. The team added that all meetings with prospective rookie actors are held at the Namu Actors office. "Apart from auditions conducted at academies, please exercise particular caution if someone claiming to be a company representative proposes an individual meeting at an outside location," it said. The rookie development team also said it is accepting tips related to such incidents. "If you have had a meeting outside our office with someone who introduced themselves as a company representative, or if you have received a suspicious contact of a similar nature, please report it to us — including cases where considerable time has passed," the team said. The agency said it will thoroughly verify the facts based on any reports received and will pursue legal action, including criminal complaints, if impersonation is confirmed. "We ask that everyone remain especially vigilant to prevent harm caused by impersonation. We urge those who encounter suspicious cases to come forward and cooperate," it said. Founded in 2004, Namu Actors marks its 22nd anniversary this year. The agency focuses on actor management and also represents Kang Ki-young, Ku Kyo-hwan, Park Joong-hoon, Yoo Jun-sang and Lee Joon-gi, according to its website.

Nov. 2, 2026