Zainichi actor Nakamura Yuri dies after battle with colorectal cancer

Nakamura Yuri, a fourth-generation Zainichi Korean actor based in Japan, died Sept. 1 after a prolonged battle with colorectal cancer. She was 44. Alpha Agency of Japan confirmed Tuesday that Nakamura had first been diagnosed with cancer 13 years ago and was later declared cancer-free. She returned to the entertainment industry after her recovery, but the cancer recurred in early last year. Despite undergoing surgery, doctors found the disease had spread, and she continued receiving treatment until recently. Nakamura was born in Osaka in 1982 to a third-generation Zainichi Korean father and a mother from Seoul. She made her debut as an idol singer in 1998 before transitioning to acting. She rose to stardom in 2007 playing the lead role of "Gyeongja" in "Pacchigi! Love & Peace," a film centered on the Zainichi Korean experience. That year, during a visit to the Busan International Film Festival, she told Korean media that she understood the discrimination Gyeongja faces as a Zainichi Korean. She went on to appear in a range of films, including "Kiseki," "Like Father, Like Son" and "The Bride Who Crossed Eight Years," building a broad following. Last year, she appeared alongside Han Hyo-joo in the Netflix drama series "Romantic Anonymous." Nakamura had been set to star in "Dangerous," an NHK drama series scheduled to air in January, but withdrew from the project as her condition worsened.

Sept. 15, 2026

Actor Ahn Jae-hyun bulks up 17 kg, does 1,000 ab reps a day — with Brad Pitt as his goal

Actor Ahn Jae-hyun has shared an update on his daily workout routine, which he has been following seven days a week in preparation for his next project. On Monday, Ahn posted a video titled "Ahn Jae-hyun's latest update — totally hooked on the gym" to his YouTube channel. In the video, Ahn arrived at the gym around 8:40 a.m. and began his session with core work before moving on to the rest of his routine. "I do 1,000 reps a day," he said. When the production crew asked why he does 1,000 reps, Ahn said, "Because I need abs to show. It's a simple principle." Asked how many days a week he works out, he said, "I come every day of the week." He said a typical session starts around 8:40 a.m. and covers weight training plus about an hour of cardio, followed by a shower and a meal, wrapping up around 2:30 p.m. Ahn said his lifestyle has changed since he got serious about working out. A self-described beer lover, he said, "My favorite thing used to be falling asleep watching my favorite channel with a cold beer. Now there's no room for beer. Honestly, I'm just full." He also expressed satisfaction with his changing physique. Catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror mid-workout, Ahn said, "I start to feel a kind of hypnosis — there are moments when I look at myself and think I look good." His target physique is Brad Pitt's body in "Fight Club." His trainer said the goal is "muscles that aren't overdone but look beautifully balanced to anyone who sees them." Ahn added, "I want to look bigger." Ahn had previously said he began bulking up and training in earnest after learning his next project includes a bed scene. His weight had once dropped as low as 60 kilograms, but through a combination of exercise and diet management he has since brought it up to 77 kilograms — a gain of 17 kilograms.

Sept. 15, 2026

Children of comedian couple Park Mi-sun and Lee Bong-won both pursue acting careers

Both children of comedian couple Park Mi-sun and Lee Bong-won are working as actors, it has emerged. A video titled "Lee Bong-won Leaves Rolling Thunder in Ruins" was posted Monday on the YouTube channel Rolling Thunder. In the video, comedian Jo Hye-ryeon mentioned the couple's children, saying, "Since oppa Bong-won and unni Mi-sun are both performers, their daughter and son are both actors too." Jo added that the two had started their acting careers on their own, without trading on their parents' names. "The kids seem to truly love acting," she said. "They hid the fact that their mom and dad are actors and started out as extras." The son even changed his surname when auditioning to conceal his parents' identities. "He came to audition for the play 'I Love You, Mom' and his name was Choi Sang-yeop," Jo said. "So I had no idea at all. He changed his surname so as not to reveal his parents." Even his father, Lee Bong-won, had been unaware of this. "I had never heard that he had changed his name to Choi Sang-yeop," Lee said, visibly surprised. Lee said he felt proud after watching his son perform on stage. "He was completely different up there. I was so proud," Lee said. "At home, even when I told him to try something a certain way, he would just fumble around, and I wondered how he could possibly act." "He graduated from the theater and film department at Incheon National University," Lee added. "Watching him perform on stage, he was clear and confident. I had never seen that side of him before, and I thought he was really good." The children also reportedly turned down their parents' offers to help them break into the entertainment industry.

Sept. 15, 2026

'Agent Kim Reactivated' actor Won Hyun-jun to marry actor Lee Su-jin

Actor Won Hyun-jun, 46, is set to marry actor Lee Su-jin, 37, who is nine years his junior. Won's agency, Prain TPC, announced Monday that the couple will wed Oct. 4. Won shared the news on social media that day, saying he had committed to spending his life with "my most precious partner." "We will be by each other's side — laughing together in good times and supporting each other through the hard ones," he said. Lee also shared her feelings, saying she had met the most important person in her life and was ready to begin a new chapter as his wife. "I feel both excited and a little nervous, but I am truly grateful and reassured to know there is someone who will share every moment ahead with me," she said. Won made his debut in the 2009 drama series "Iris" and has since appeared in "Itaewon Class," the film "Dark Figure of Crime" and other productions. He most recently drew praise for his portrayal of Kang Guk-cheol — nicknamed "the mole cricket" — in the recently concluded drama series "Agent Kim Reactivated." Lee debuted in the 2019 drama series "The Running Mates: Human Rights" and built her profile through appearances in "Search," "The Call Is Connected" and other series. The two appeared together last year in the Disney+ series "Hyper Knife."

Sept. 15, 2026

Actor Jeon Won-ju hints at pay dispute with former crew, set to relaunch YouTube channel

Actor Jeon Won-ju, 86, is set to resume her YouTube activities with a new production crew. According to industry sources Monday, Jeon is preparing to release new content on her YouTube channel "Jeon Won-ju — Jeon Won-ju-in-gong," targeting a launch just before winter. The new content will be produced by a different crew from the one that previously ran the channel. Launched in September last year, "Jeon Won-ju — Jeon Won-ju-in-gong" currently has around 110,000 subscribers. The channel has offered glimpses into Jeon's daily life and personal investment strategies. The previous production crew announced their sudden departure on Aug. 24, sparking widespread speculation about the reasons behind it. Some suggested Jeon may have been dealing with health issues, but her agency dismissed those claims, saying the contract had ended "for reasons unrelated to her health" and that "the channel is not going away — it will restart around fall after a reorganization." On Friday, Jeon appeared on fellow actor Samija's YouTube channel and addressed the split herself. Rubbing her fingers together in the shape of a coin, she said the previous crew had quit after she asked for a raise in her appearance fee. "I said let's raise this a little," she said, "and they said they'd quit, so I told them to just go ahead. I realized I shouldn't be too hung up on money." The remarks strongly suggested a pay dispute had been behind the parting. Jeon has drawn attention in the past for a level of frugality that some found extreme — episodes such as pocketing garlic from a barbecue restaurant or ordering just one coffee for three people at a cafe became talking points. Some have speculated that a difficult childhood left her with deeply ingrained saving habits, but Jeon in fact inherited considerable wealth from her mother, a businesswoman. The family originally ran a prosperous ginseng farm in Gaeseong but fled south during the Korean War. The upheaval left the family struggling for a time during Jeon's early years, though her mother rebuilt the family's fortunes by trading silk at Dongdaemun Market. The recovery was substantial enough that in 1958 — an era when it was far from easy for women to attend middle or high school — her mother sent Jeon to Sookmyung Women's University. Jeon has said that shortly before her mother's death, she was left a house, commercial properties and luxury watches. Jeon is also regarded as a savvy investor in entertainment circles, having accumulated tens of billions of won through savings, share investments and real estate.

Sept. 15, 2026

Former announcer-turned-actor Choi Song-hyun becomes travel agency CEO

Actor Choi Song-hyun, a former TV announcer, has shared news of her latest venture: running a travel agency. Choi announced Monday on her social media that she had registered as a tourism business operator for both domestic and international travel. In a video she posted, Choi said, "I've become the CEO of a travel agency." "Since the early days of my YouTube channel, so many kind people have told me they wanted to go on a tour with my husband and me," she said. "COVID, a car accident — there were so many situations that held us back every time we dared to dream, so it took a little longer than expected, but we're finally ready to recruit members and set off on tours together." Choi said the process was not without its challenges. "There were moments of total overwhelm — finding an office, preparing all the documents needed to register as a tourism business," she said. "But ultimately I did it on my own, and I'm incredibly proud." Choi took up scuba diving in 2012 and earned a professional scuba instructor certification in 2015. She has since shared diving-related content on her personal YouTube channel, including footage from overseas dive sites and underwater tours. In 2020, she married a scuba diving instructor. Meanwhile, Choi made her debut as a KBS announcer in 2006 with the network's 32nd class of recruits. She left KBS in 2008 to pursue an acting career, appearing in various productions including "Big Issue" and "On the Way to the Airport," before expanding her activities into scuba diving and travel.

Sept. 15, 2026

Singer MC Mong hands student a semester's tuition in cash at university festival

Singer MC Mong drew attention after handing a student enough cash to cover a semester's tuition at a university festival performance. MC Mong took the stage at Kyonggi University's festival on Friday, performing a string of hit songs including "Circus" and "Ice Cream." Near the end of the show, MC Mong held an on-stage event. Having noticed one student singing along with particular enthusiasm throughout the performance, he called the student up to the stage. After hearing that the student was working three part-time jobs, MC Mong handed over cash he had prepared in advance — making good on a commitment to cover one semester's tuition on the spot. He urged the student to "make sure you use it for your studies," offering words of encouragement. Earlier, MC Mong had announced on a TikTok livestream that he had been asked to close the Kyonggi University festival. "Since I'm closing the show, I'm planning to perform at least 10 songs," he said. He added that he would personally select one student to receive a full semester's tuition in cash. "I believe good deeds have a way of coming back around," he said, promising the surprise event. During the handover, MC Mong drew further attention by saying, "I don't care — spend it on drinks or clothes if you want. But anyway, it's money I got from your school." Meanwhile, MC Mong, who has been at the center of various controversies, recently released "Young Days," the lead single from his 10th full-length album, and continues his music career.

Sept. 15, 2026

Actor Lee Da-hae reveals she rents Shanghai home worth W5b for W6m a month

Actor Lee Da-hae has revealed she is living in a Shanghai home valued at 5 billion won on a monthly rental basis. Lee appeared on the tvN STORY program "Namgyeoseo Mwohage," a lifestyle talk show that aired Monday. During the broadcast, Lee said her drama series "My Girl" had been widely loved in China. "Because of that, I received a lot of invitations from China. I filmed about three dramas there," she said. She added that before her pregnancy, she spent at least one-third of the year in China. "I have a company and a home there," she said, explaining that she has been active across both South Korea and China. Lee had previously shared a video on her YouTube channel showing her decorating her Shanghai home. "Property prices in China vary by city, and Shanghai is particularly expensive," Lee said. "I haven't been able to buy a place yet." She explained that Shanghai's housing market has residency-based restrictions similar to South Korea's national insurance system. "In China, they call it social insurance — foreigners and even Chinese people who came from other cities can't buy property there. You have to have lived in Shanghai and paid taxes to be eligible. I should be able to buy around next year," she said. Lee also surprised viewers by revealing the scale of her rental arrangement. "I'm currently renting, and the property is worth about 5 billion won ($3.71 million). The monthly rent is around 6 million won," she said. Meanwhile, Lee and singer Seven married in 2023 after an eight-year relationship. The couple is currently expecting their first child. Lee and Seven together own three buildings in Seoul's Gangnam and Mapo areas, with the combined asset value of the properties reportedly reaching 32.5 billion won.

Sept. 15, 2026

Kim Gura reveals identities behind 2024 national athlete assault rumor

Broadcaster Kim Gura has shed light on an old assault rumor involving two sports stars, revealing that the individuals at the center of the story were former national tennis player Lee Hyung-taik and former national taekwondo athlete Lee Dae-hoon. In a video posted Monday to the YouTube channel "Geurigura," Kim said he had little entertainment news to share but brought up the backstory of a rumor from two years ago that Lee Hyung-taik had personally relayed to him. Kim recalled that in the past, entertainers would gather in waiting rooms and freely share gossip — who was dating whom and the like. "But these days, nobody talks about their personal lives in waiting rooms," he said, adding that the current environment makes it far too easy for any story to spread and invite controversy. Kim then turned to the assault rumor involving Lee Hyung-taik and Lee Dae-hoon that caused a stir in 2024, saying the story had circulated like tabloid gossip that the two had gotten into a physical fight. He said Lee Hyung-taik had recently appeared at a recording of MBC's entertainment program "Radio Star" and explained what actually happened. According to Kim, the two had been drinking together when Lee Hyung-taik suggested a bet — placing an apple on his head for Lee Dae-hoon to kick. Lee Dae-hoon swung his leg and accidentally hit him, Kim said. Kim said Lee Hyung-taik's own account was far more mundane: both men had drunk heavily, and while trying to hail a taxi, one of them stumbled and fell — and someone witnessed it. "That got turned into a fight," Kim said, stressing that a simple mishap had been blown out of proportion. In 2024, reports emerged that a taekwondo Olympic medalist identified only as "Person A" and a former national tennis player identified only as "Person B" had been involved in an assault dispute near a parking lot in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, with one of them taken away by ambulance. Neither person was named in the original reports. The episode of MBC's "Radio Star" featuring Lee Hyung-taik is set to air Wednesday.

Sept. 15, 2026

Actor Jin Tae-hyun runs half marathon a year after thyroid cancer surgery

Actor Jin Tae-hyun has returned to the half marathon a year after thyroid cancer surgery. His wife, actor Park Si-eun, ran alongside him in the 10-kilometer event. Jin shared updates on his social media Sunday, posting about his and Park's participation in a marathon race, according to Sports Donga. "Today I ran my first race of the second half of 2026 — a half marathon as part of my sustained-pace training," he wrote. "My wife ran the 10K." He added that the run was grueling, likely due to his current strength-building regimen, but that he completed the half marathon in 1 hour, 37 minutes and 1 second at a pace of 4 minutes and 35 seconds per kilometer. The race marked his return to the half marathon distance roughly a year after his thyroid cancer surgery. "It felt exciting and wonderful to be back at the half marathon a year after the thyroid surgery," he said, adding that he plans to continue sustained-pace training runs of 35 kilometers or more going forward. On Monday, Jin also posted a video showing his final sprint at the finish line. He explained that a muted portion near the end of the clip contained expletives — "the muted part at the end is me cursing, asking myself why I put myself through this" — and joked, "I'll stop swearing from now on! Think I can manage?" Jin was diagnosed with early-stage thyroid cancer during a routine health checkup last year and underwent surgery. He has since maintained a steady exercise and recovery regimen, culminating in his half marathon comeback at this weekend's race.

Sept. 14, 2026

Former Stella member Minhee shares thoughts on marriage: 'We will cherish and love each other'

Minhee, a former member of girl group Stella, has shared her thoughts on her marriage. On Monday, Minhee wrote on her Instagram that the day had passed in a blur, but that she had been able to celebrate her wedding beautifully thanks to the blessings and love of many people. "I am sincerely grateful to those who made the journey to be there, those who sent their warm wishes from afar, and everyone who celebrated this new beginning with us," she said. She added, "I will not forget each and every heartfelt message you sent, and we will cherish and love each other and live happily together. Thank you so much to everyone who congratulated us." Wedding photos and video she shared alongside the post showed Minhee in a tube-top wedding dress with a long veil, walking down the aisle with her husband and sharing a kiss. Minhee first announced her marriage on Sept. 1, when she posted wedding pictorial photos on Instagram. At the time, she said she had decided to spend her life with "a warm and wonderful person who makes me feel most at ease and laugh the most when we are together." Her husband is not a public figure. Minhee debuted with Stella in 2011. The group rose to prominence with songs including "Marionette," "Twinkle Twinkle" and "Cry" after launching with "Rocket Girl," before disbanding in 2018. Since the group's disbandment, Minhee has kept in touch with fans through social media.

Sept. 14, 2026

'Jeon Hyun-moo Plan 4' production team pushes back against rigging claims

The production team behind MBN variety show "Jeon Hyun-moo Plan" denied claims that restaurants are pre-arranged before filming, saying the cast's visits are never coordinated with owners in advance. "This is a production principle we have consistently upheld from the program's inception to the present," the team said Sunday on the show's official Instagram account, drawing a line against the allegations. The team said misinformation about how the show selects restaurants had been spreading through recent news articles and SNS posts. "Some online reports, based on unverified comments and eyewitness accounts, have portrayed the program as pre-arranging restaurants or staging situations — this is not true," it said. The team also expressed regret that some recent reports had cited online comments and unverified personal speculation as though the show's manipulation had been confirmed, without first checking the facts with the production team. "Jeon Hyun-moo Plan will continue to produce the program in accordance with the production principles it has maintained, and will actively correct the record when necessary against reports that treat unverified claims as fact," it added. "Jeon Hyun-moo Plan" is a variety show following broadcaster Jeon Hyun-moo and YouTuber Kwak Tube — real name Kwak Jun-bin — on spontaneous mukbang travel with no advance planning or pre-arranged venues. The show has been on air since 2024 and is currently in its fourth season. The production team had earlier posted that the program accepts no sponsorship from restaurants and makes no financial demands on businesses in exchange for appearances.

Sept. 14, 2026

Park Myung-soo skips Haha's concert, tells him: 'Don't come to mine either'

Broadcaster Park Myung-soo has explained why he missed fellow entertainer Haha's concert. Singers Lee Seok-hoon and Seo Eun-kwang appeared as guests on Monday's episode of KBS Cool FM's "Park Myung-soo's Radio Show." The two are currently performing together in the musical "Gwanghwamun Yeonga." During the broadcast, a listener sent in a message asking Park why he had not attended Haha's concert on Sunday. Yoo Jae-suk had appeared as a surprise guest at Haha's first solo fan concert on Sunday, drawing praise for his loyalty. Park said he attends a hagwon on Sunday evenings and could not miss the class. "Haha, don't come to mine either," he added, drawing laughs. Also during the broadcast, Lee Seok-hoon praised Park's singing, saying he often performs Park's song "Baboegeseo... Baboga." Lee called it "the most well-known song I sing" and said "many people love it." Park replied, "Seok-hoon sings so well. There are two people who perform 'Baboegeseo... Baboga' — Seok-hoon and Haha. But why does Haha turn my song into reggae? He sings it all the time. I can't say anything because I didn't write it."

Sept. 14, 2026

Song Hye-kyo shares close-up photo with Japanese friend: Who is he?

Actor posts affectionate black-and-white photo on social media Actor Song Hye-kyo has drawn attention after posting a cozy photo of herself arm-in-arm with a Japanese man. Song shared a black-and-white photo on her social media account Sunday showing her in an affectionate, close pose with a man, drawing considerable interest from fans. She captioned the image "My beloved friend♥" and tagged the account of Yusuke Saeki. Yusuke Saeki is a well-known Japanese makeup artist. The two are said to have maintained a close friendship across borders for many years. In the photo, Song wears a casual oversized zip-up hoodie and a baseball cap pulled low, leaning her head slightly toward Saeki's shoulder while linking arms with him — a pose so natural it could pass for that of longtime partners. Meanwhile, Song parted ways with UAA, the agency she had been with for about 14 years, in June and moved to AAP, a newly established management company that also represents Go Youn-jung and Noh Yoon-seo, among others. Her upcoming project, the Netflix original series "Tantara," is set for release in the second half of the year. The show is set against the backdrop of South Korea's entertainment industry during the 1960s through 1980s — an era rife with brutality and violence — and follows the rise of those who had nothing but threw themselves wholeheartedly into chasing a dream of success. The cast includes Song along with Gong Yoo, Seolhyun, Cha Seung-won and Lee Ha-nui.

Sept. 14, 2026

Broadcaster Choo Sung-hoon mourns uncle's death: 'Still so young, too soon'

Fighter and broadcaster Choo Sung-hoon shared a heartfelt tribute on social media after the death of his uncle. Choo posted on his Instagram account that "the beloved uncle who cherished and watched over me from the day I was born has gone to heaven." He recalled how his uncle had always been the first to reach out during the family's difficult times, slipping him pocket money without his parents knowing, treating him to meals and taking him on trips to create countless memories together. "He was also the one who stepped forward before anyone else to protest when I lost a judo match to a decision I couldn't understand," Choo wrote. "He was truly someone so precious and so deeply loved by me," he added. "I was too busy to visit often, and I never dreamed we would meet again like this." Choo addressed his uncle directly, writing, "You're still so young — it's too soon, uncle." He said he was sorry he never got the chance to repay the love he had received. "It was supposed to be my turn to help you and give back all the love you gave me, and I'm truly sorry I couldn't." He went on to say he was sincerely grateful for all the love and warmth his uncle had shown him, and expressed hope that his uncle would enjoy golf freely in heaven alongside his late father. "I hope you rest in peace and happiness up there," he wrote. Choo added, "When my own time comes and I arrive there someday, let's make sure we meet again and play a round of golf together. I loved you so much, and I will never forget you for the rest of my life." Meanwhile, Choo has built a following as a model and broadcaster alongside his fighting career. He has appeared on numerous talk shows and reality programs and has performed well on survival shows. He also shares a wide range of content through his YouTube channel, which has about 2.1 million subscribers.

Sept. 14, 2026

Singer Chungha to part ways with Jay Park's More Vision after 3 years

Exclusive contract with agency headed by Jay Park set to end Singer Chungha is departing More Vision, the agency headed by fellow singer Jay Park. More Vision announced Monday through its X (formerly Twitter) account that it and Chungha had concluded their three-year partnership following careful deliberation, with the exclusive contract set to expire Sept. 21. "We sincerely thank the fans who have cherished and loved Chungha," the agency said. "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Chungha for her outstanding work, and More Vision will wholeheartedly support her as she embarks on a new path." The agency added that it was again grateful for the love and support fans had shown Chungha throughout their time together, and asked them to continue showing her their support and attention. Chungha made her debut in May 2016 as a member of the group I.O.I, then successfully launched a solo career in June 2017. She has consistently delivered strong results in her music career, releasing a string of hit songs including "Already 12," "Roller Coaster" and "Snapping."

Sept. 14, 2026

Kwon Eun-bi says she's fine after vehicle collision

Singer Kwon Eun-bi has updated fans on her condition following a vehicle collision. On Monday, Kwon posted on the fan community platform Weverse, saying she was uninjured. "Everyone, I'm fine — please don't worry too much," she wrote. "It was a very minor accident. I was just startled for a moment, but I wasn't hurt at all." She added that her schedule this week would proceed as planned. "Thank you for your concern, and let's meet soon in good health," she said. Kwon was involved in a collision while traveling to a schedule on Sunday, prompting her agency to cancel a fan signing event that had been set for that day. Her agency RBW said in a statement that Kwon was resting and having her condition assessed following the accident. "Prioritizing the artist's health and safety, we had no choice but to cancel the fan signing event," it said. RBW added that upcoming schedules would be reviewed and adjusted based on her condition after a thorough health check. Kwon released her digital single "DEJAVU" on Sept. 3 and has been promoting it since.

Sept. 14, 2026

Jung Jun-won speaks out on 'attitude controversy': 'I froze from nerves, want a chance to make it right'

Actor Jung Jun-won has addressed the "attitude controversy" that erupted after his appearance on a variety show. Speaking at a wrap-up interview for the MBC Friday-Saturday drama series "A Bona Fide Killer" held Monday morning at a cafe in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Jung was asked about the backlash he faced during his appearance on the variety show "Hangout with Yoo." He said he found the situation "regrettable." "I was a regular viewer of 'Hangout with Yoo,' but I don't have much experience with improvisational variety shows, so I think I got very nervous," he said. "I appeared to promote a project and had this strong feeling that I had to do well — then I suddenly 'broke down.' My mind went blank and I couldn't do anything. I find that really regrettable." Jung added that he was so tense he can barely remember the day. "My stomach was churning the whole time," he said. "I apologized to my sunbae on set that day, and both Yoo Jae-suk and Gong Hyo-jin told me not to worry." He said he hoped to do better if given another opportunity. "Now that I have the experience, I think I need to make sure I don't repeat the same mistake," he said. "If I get another chance, I'd like to make it up." Jung had appeared on the MBC variety show "Hangout with Yoo" alongside Gong Hyo-jin on Aug. 1, visibly overwhelmed by the unfamiliar variety show environment. The "Hangout with Yoo" team tried to keep the broadcast going by asking Jung to perform situational acting and other tasks, but he struggled to keep up with the flow and was seen closing his eyes at times. After the episode aired, criticism mounted that his attitude had been half-hearted, and fellow guests Gong Hyo-jin and HaHa both stepped forward to defend him. Gong had previously shared in an interview that Jung had been so nervous after filming that he vomited. Meanwhile, "A Bona Fide Killer," based on a webtoon of the same name, follows a working mother with the world's most dangerous job as she struggles to maintain work-life balance. The drama series concluded its run Saturday.

Sept. 14, 2026

'What did I do wrong?' AOA's Kwon Min-ah rebuffs former acting student's fraud and intimidation claims

Kwon Min-ah, a former member of girl group AOA, has rebuffed online posts accusing her of fraud and intimidation. On Monday, Kwon wrote on her Instagram that people had tipped her off about posts by a person identified only as "A" on the social platform Threads, alleging she had committed fraud and made threats, and that she was waiting to receive the original files. According to Kwon, A had reached out first, expressing a desire to take acting lessons from her and mentioning being a fan. One lesson took place, and A continued to request more sessions afterward. "I have my own schedule, and we kept missing each other — there was no sense of commitment," Kwon said. "I had already paid for the rehearsal room rental, so I just wrote that off and gave a full refund." Kwon said A had repeatedly pushed to resume lessons, claiming there were times she had been unable to receive them because of Kwon, while making no mention of her own no-shows. "I turned that down," Kwon said. "Then she said she would ask her friends whether this kind of thing had happened to them, and that she would come with her whole family to meet me — so I blocked her." "I only ever worked out a schedule based on the times she wanted and tried to accommodate everything," Kwon said. "If appointments keep getting pushed back, I can't put my life on hold for just one person." She added: "What exactly did I do wrong that this amounts to fraud and intimidation? Go ahead and file a complaint. I'll counter with a false accusation charge — and defamation too." Kwon said she had sensed trouble coming given the threatening tone of A's remarks. "Word gets back to me," she said, adding that she had kept full backups of her KakaoTalk messages as a precaution and urged her followers not to worry. Kwon debuted with AOA in 2012 and left the group in 2019 to pursue an acting career.

Sept. 14, 2026

YouTuber Park Wi stirs controversy as old video showing skepticism toward blind creator resurfaces

Amid mounting criticism over a video showing YouTuber Park Wi's fall while getting off a KTX train, an older clip of his interactions with a blind creator is drawing fresh scrutiny and stirring controversy. A video from 2022 featuring Park Wi as a guest on the YouTube channel of blind creator Wonshat Hansol has recently recirculated across online communities and social media. The clip was posted Nov. 8, 2022, on the Wonshat Hansol channel under the title "Is it really possible with paraplegia? I was embarrassed to ask, but I did." The video shows Park Wi and Wonshat Hansol meeting at a campsite. When Wonshat Hansol skillfully pushed Park Wi's wheelchair, Park Wi expressed doubt, saying, "How are you doing this when you can't see? I'm going to test you right here." Park Wi then withheld directions, and Wonshat Hansol promptly headed down the wrong path — at which point Park Wi conceded, "Oh, you really can't see. OK." Even after that, Park Wi continued to question Wonshat Hansol whenever he appeared capable, repeatedly saying, "Be honest. You can see everything, can't you." After the two reached their tent, Wonshat Hansol lit a torch, grilled meat and cut it — prompting Park Wi to say, "I'll really give you credit. I'll admit you're not faking it. I'm suddenly getting angry." Park Wi then challenged Wonshat Hansol to peel a shrimp. When Wonshat Hansol peeled it completely, Park Wi turned to the production crew in apparent disbelief and said, "He actually peeled the shrimp." The old clip has resurfaced in the wake of a separate controversy over Park Wi's public criticism of a social service worker at a KTX station. When it was first posted, the exchanges were largely seen as playful banter between the two. But as criticism of Park Wi has grown in recent weeks, viewers have begun to see the same scenes differently. Many now say Park Wi's repeated questioning of Wonshat Hansol's disability — and his visible shock at watching him peel a shrimp — came across as rude. Online commenters have reacted with remarks such as "Having a visual impairment doesn't mean you can't do anything," "The constant testing attitude is uncomfortable," "This is too rude," "It looks like a bully picking on someone," and "I felt uneasy the whole time I was watching." Meanwhile, Park Wi drew criticism on Aug. 21 for publicly calling out a social service worker assigned to assist passengers. In a video posted to YouTube, Park Wi said he had suffered a fall while getting off a KTX train on Monday and released closed-circuit television footage of the incident. Park Wi said he posted the video to improve the travel environment for people with disabilities and prevent similar accidents. But the backlash has continued, with many pointing out that he had publicly criticized — through his large YouTube platform — a social service worker who had helped him at the scene and even apologized. As the controversy spread, Park Wi deleted the video and issued an apology. Scheduled appearances at Seoul City Hall and the Gangnam Cultural Foundation — including a lecture and a talk concert — were subsequently canceled. His YouTube subscriber count, which had once exceeded 1 million, has since fallen to about 947,000.

Sept. 14, 2026