Hong Sang-soo, Kim Min-hee release first film after birth of child; 'Nowhere to Lay My Eyes' opens next month

"Nowhere to Lay My Eyes," directed by Hong Sang-soo and starring Kim Min-hee, will open in South Korea on Oct. 21, distributor Younghwa Jaejakjeonwonsa announced Friday. The film is Hong's 35th feature. It follows Sanghee (played by Kim), who grew up with her grandparents after her parents' relationship fell apart, as she travels to Jeju Island with her younger brother in search of their mother. The film competed at last month's 79th Locarno Film Festival, where it won the best director award and the best performance award for Kim. It also received the Ecumenical Jury Prize, awarded by a panel of Swiss Protestant and Catholic church representatives to films that convey a message about human life and dignity. The cast also includes Choi Myung-gil, Kwon Hae-hyo, Shin Seok-ho and Park Mi-so. Hong handled the screenplay, cinematography, sound recording, editing and music in addition to directing. Kim is credited as production manager. Hong and Kim have been in a relationship for 11 years. They are said to have met on the set of "Right Now, Wrong Then" in 2015. They drew public attention last year when Kim gave birth to a child outside of marriage. At a post-screening audience talk last month, Kim said the film was the first she had shot after having the baby. "I was realistically busy — juggling childcare — and the baby was on set while we were filming," she said. "I had to breastfeed, make baby food, all of that on set. I would wake up early, rushing around, getting everything ready for the baby before getting ready for the film."

Sept. 11, 2026

Singer MC Mong said to have lent W500m to comedian Lee Jin-ho amid gambling scandal

Singer MC Mong lent 500 million won ($374,000) to comedian Lee Jin-ho, who was sentenced to prison for illegal gambling and other charges, a YouTuber claimed Thursday. The claim was made by Lee Jin-ho — a former journalist who runs the YouTube channel "Yeonye Dwittongyeong Lee Jin-ho" — in a video posted to his channel Thursday. Comedian Lee Jin-ho became addicted to illegal online gambling sites starting in 2020, losing large sums of money in the process. When his financial difficulties grew so severe that he could not pay his income taxes, MC Mong lent him 500 million won, the YouTuber said. MC Mong lent the money to help resolve the comedian's tax problems, not to fund further gambling, the YouTuber said. "The intention was for him to quit gambling, sort out his tax issues and make a comeback," he said. Last year it emerged that comedian Lee Jin-ho had borrowed large sums from fellow entertainers, including BTS member Jimin, comedian Lee Su-geun and singer Young Tak. He reportedly cited reasons such as a sick family member or needing help with tax problems, and the total amount borrowed was said to be around 2.3 billion won. The YouTuber claimed that MC Mong's 500 million won loan was what ultimately brought the comedian's illegal gambling to light. Cha Ga-won, chairman of entertainment agency One Hundred, learned that MC Mong had lent the money to Lee Jin-ho. Cha co-founded One Hundred with MC Mong in 2023 when the two entered the entertainment business together. The pair had been close enough that rumors of an affair circulated, but they are now said to have parted ways. "Chairman Cha actively tipped off multiple media outlets about comedian Lee Jin-ho's illegal gambling from that point on," the YouTuber said, adding that he himself had received a related tip at the time. The YouTuber said he met with comedian Lee Jin-ho in person to verify the tip. Lee did not deny the gambling but pleaded for the story to be held, saying he had already quit and was repaying his debts. Lee argued that if the gambling became public, he would be unable to work in broadcasting and would find it even harder to repay those who had lent him money, asking only for time to pay them back. The YouTuber said he agreed to hold the story. The illegal gambling was ultimately exposed in October 2024 through another outlet's report, after which Lee acknowledged the facts and suspended his broadcasting activities. He collapsed at home with a cerebral hemorrhage in April while under investigation and was hospitalized for some time. Lee was subsequently indicted on charges of gambling more than 870 million won across roughly 660 transactions, as well as drunk driving. A court recently sentenced him to 18 months in prison, suspended for three years, and ordered 120 hours of community service. The ruling was finalized after neither Lee nor prosecutors filed an appeal.

Sept. 11, 2026

Baek Jong-won spotted smiling with 'Les Misérables' cast after months off air

A recent photo has offered a glimpse of The Born Korea CEO Baek Jong-won, who has largely stepped back from television appearances. On Thursday, Son Woo-sung, a cast member of ENA's "Baek Jong-won's Les Misérables," posted a photo taken with Baek alongside other participants from the show. The group first connected through the program and have continued to meet since it ended. The four posed side by side, flashing finger-heart signs for the camera. Son wrote alongside the post: "An early Chuseok greeting. Stay healthy, and I love you all." Baek stepped away from broadcasting in May last year after The Born Korea became embroiled in a series of controversies, including allegations of false labeling of ingredient origins and violations of food sanitation laws. Several programs he had filmed in advance — including "Chef of Antarctica" and Culinary Class Wars season 2 — aired in the months that followed. His last television appearance was on tvN's "Baeksajang 3," which aired in March, though he has continued to run his personal YouTube channel.

Sept. 11, 2026

Seo Dong-ju cuts SK hynix loss from -50% to -27% after months of averaging down

Attorney and broadcaster Seo Dong-ju said her losses on SK hynix shares have narrowed significantly. Appearing on her YouTube channel Thursday, Seo said her position had recovered to minus 27 percent. "I came back from minus 50 percent — there is really no other way to put it," she said. Seo explained that she had initially bought in at around the 2.8 million won per share level and had been consistently averaging down by purchasing one or two shares at a time. "When the price dropped to around 1.5 million won ($1,120), I bought again, and now I am sitting at the 2.39 million won level," she said. She added that when the story first made news her average cost was around 2.59 million won per share, and that she had since brought it down to 2.39 million won through consistent averaging down. "I wonder when it will ever get to 2 million won," Seo said. "I have basically started calling it my 'pet hynix.' I am aiming for next year." She also outlined her exit plan, saying she would wait for the position to recover to minus 15 percent by year-end and then to break even next year. "If it gets there and I can walk away with even 10,000 won in profit, I will sell," she said. Seo lamented that a recovery to her target level remained elusive. "Everyone is thinking the same thing I am, so it just does not climb that far. The moment it ticks up a little, the people who bought around that price start selling, and my turn never comes," she said. She also reacted to a comment she had received online. "Someone wrote, 'Why is she acting like this when she got in at 2.8 million won?' — that really hit home. They are absolutely right," she said, adding, "How do they manage to assault you so hard with pure facts?" She went on to say, "For me, it is a very large sum of money — an amount that genuinely hurts. But I am also careful about how I talk about it, because I know there are others out there who have lost far more." Meanwhile, SK hynix shares closed Friday down 40,000 won, or 2.16 percent, at 1.813 million won. The Kospi fell 124.01 points, or 1.76 percent, to close at 6,909.91 on the same day.

Sept. 11, 2026

Actor Ji So-yeon gifts husband Song Jae-hee a Porsche 911: 'Not rich, but took a leap of faith'

Actor Ji So-yeon has shared the story behind her decision to give her husband, Song Jae-hee, a Porsche 911 worth more than 100 million won ($76,000). A video titled "From Infertility to Becoming a Mother of Three" was posted Thursday on the YouTube channel CTS Christian TV. Appearing as a guest, Ji said she had gifted Song the Porsche 911 because of his deep passion for cars. She described how Song could rattle off car models, release dates and histories, and recalled that the couple used to visit motorcycle shops on dates when they were newlyweds. Song had wanted a motorcycle so badly that he once wore a helmet around on his birthday just to get in the spirit, she said. "I wanted to see my husband happy, so I first gave him a motorcycle," Ji said. The gifts eventually led to Song's dream car — the Porsche 911. "It wasn't because I had a lot of money," Ji said, explaining that she had seen Song mention the 911 as his dream car on YouTube and then happened upon a chance to go look at one. A buyer had backed out of a delivery just at the right moment, giving her the chance to take the car without a wait. Ji said all the conditions fell into place and she signed the contract on the spot. "I got the car the following week," she recalled. The lavish gift came with its own pressure. Ji, who runs an advertising agency, said the purchase left her with a daily obligation to work harder. "Every single day after that, I had homework — to work harder to pay for it," she said, adding that her company grew and her scope of work expanded in the time that followed.

Sept. 11, 2026

Kwon Eun-bi reveals ideal type, says chiseled looks feel 'overwhelming'

Singer Kwon Eun-bi opened up about her ideal type and views on dating. On Thursday, Kwon appeared on the YouTube channel "Sibicheung" alongside Gwak Beom, Kim Ji-yu, pH1 and Kim Won-hun, where the group discussed her new song and traded questions about romance. When asked about her ideal type, Kwon said, "I think I actually care a lot less about looks than people might expect." When the cast booed in disbelief, she clarified: "The people I've dated have all had a different feel. They were definitely not similar to each other." When Kim Ji-yu pressed her, asking whether there must be some physical attraction even if the people were different, Kwon replied, "Everyone except Won-hun," drawing laughter from the group. Kwon said she does not like an overly intense look, adding that she finds sharply defined, chiseled features "a bit overwhelming." When Kim Won-hun pointed out that Gwak Beom also has strong features, Kwon shot back, "Gwak Beom has short ones, and Won-hun, yours are long, aren't they?" Gwak responded, "She has a way of taking three jabs in a single sentence." Kwon said that when she is interested in someone, she tends to watch their gaze closely. "Inside, I'm thinking, 'Aren't you curious about me?' and I just look at them," she said. On the question of friendship between men and women, she said she believes it is possible, but added, "There is a line, though." Born in 1995, Kwon made her debut as a member of IZ*ONE through Mnet's "Produce 48" in 2018. After the group disbanded, she went solo and released her new single "DEJAVU" on Sept. 3.

Sept. 11, 2026

Son Ye-jin brags about son's looks: 'Hard not to become an actor looking like that'

Actor Son Ye-jin is showing off her 5-year-old son — and the boy's famous father is hard to miss. Son is set to appear on JTBC's cooking variety show "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator," airing Sunday. On the episode, Son shares a glimpse of her life as a mother rather than an actor. She reveals that her son loves role-playing, keeping her busy switching characters and acting out scenarios with him every day. When asked what she would do if her son wanted to become an actor someday, Son quipped, "Looking like that, it would be hard not to." She also revealed that the boy takes after one of his parents — either herself or her husband Hyun Bin — leaving viewers curious about just who he resembles. Son also opens up her refrigerator, showcasing her cooking skills. She introduces dishes she has made regularly since her newlywed days, as well as her husband Hyun Bin's personal favorite. Son shares her own health and beauty recipes along with ingredient recommendations she personally swears by. The chefs on the show are so taken that they pull out their phones on the spot to place a group order, drawing laughs from the studio. Meanwhile, Hyun Bin and Son first worked together on the film "The Negotiation" and the drama series "Crash Landing on You" before becoming a couple. They married in March 2022 and welcomed a son in November of that year.

Sept. 11, 2026

'I feel like I didn't do enough': Actor Kim Young-ok remembers the late Kim Su-mi

Actor Kim Young-ok has spoken about missing her late colleague Kim Su-mi. On Thursday, Kim Young-ok appeared on a YouTube channel alongside Na Moon-hee. After wrapping up filming for singer-actor IU's new music video, the two visited a restaurant in Gwangju. When a banchan dish of stir-fried small hairtail fish arrived at the table, Kim said she had not even known the word "pulchi" before. "But it makes me think of Kim Su-mi," she said. "When she made pulchi and braised chili peppers, it was just so delicious." Kim recalled how Kim Su-mi used to bring side dishes and cook full meals for the cast during filming of the drama series "Jeonwon Ilgi." "We'll all go eventually, but thinking about someone who left before us — I feel a sense of regret, like I didn't do enough for her," she said with a sigh. Kim Young-ok also spoke about her bond with Na Moon-hee. "We met as first-generation MBC recruits, and I think the reason we connected so deeply was that I always held on to you and talked your ear off," she said. "You were like family to me. The fact that you looked up to me as an older sister — even now, thinking back on it, it moves me." Na said Kim Young-ok is the only person who calls her every week without fail. "That's not something anyone can do just because they're told to," she said. Kim replied, "You have no idea how precious it is to have a friend you can open your heart to like this at our age." Kim Su-mi was found unresponsive at her home on Oct. 25, 2024, and was rushed to a hospital, where she died. She was 75. Born in 1949, Kim Su-mi made her debut in 1970 as a third-round open-recruitment talent at MBC. She became a beloved national actor through her role as Iryong's mother in the MBC drama series "Jeonwon Ilgi," which ran for 22 years beginning in 1980.

Sept. 11, 2026

IU spotted incognito on busy Shanghai street, bundled in mask and scarf

A claimed sighting of singer and actor IU on a busy shopping street in Shanghai has spread widely online, drawing attention from fans and social media users alike. On Friday, a video titled "I actually met IU on Nanjing East Road in Shanghai" circulated on social media and online communities, catching the eye of numerous internet users. The footage shows IU walking down Nanjing East Road accompanied by a security guard and other staff members. IU wore a casual, unassuming outfit and kept her face heavily covered, making her difficult to recognize. She was dressed in an oversized gray shirt, denim shorts and sneakers, topped off with a baseball cap, a white mask and a colorful scarf wrapped around her head. She carried a designer bag from luxury brand Hermes over her shoulder. "I thought there was no way it could be IU, but it really was her," the person who posted the video wrote, describing the encounter. "Running into IU by chance on Nanjing East Road while traveling in Shanghai — this felt like something straight out of a movie." "I never imagined something like this would happen in Shanghai," the poster added, expressing surprise. IU reportedly waved to some fans who recognized her at the time and put her hands together in an apologetic gesture to explain that she could not sign autographs. Meanwhile, IU released her new digital single "From This Star" on various music platforms at 6 p.m. Thursday. The single features a double title track — "From This Star" and "Dear My Crazy Soulmate" — with IU having personally written the lyrics for both songs. IU's new release is drawing extra attention as her first music since news broke in July of her breakup with actor Lee Jong-suk.

Sept. 11, 2026

Lee Dong-gun's Jeju cafe, opened with $149,000 loan, left with algae-filled pond after closing

A Jeju cafe that actor Lee Dong-gun opened with a 200 million won ($149,000) loan has shut down after about a year in business, and footage showing its outdoor pond left unmanaged has raised hygiene and environmental concerns. A video titled "Lee Dong-gun failed and left too. Don't even dream of a rough life in Jeju" was recently posted on the YouTube channel Ganghoui Balbadak TV. The video, filmed along Jeju's Aewol cafe street, showed changes in the area alongside Lee's former cafe, Oasis80. The YouTuber explained that Aewol was once a quiet village but has since become a tourist hub as a cafe street and other businesses sprang up, leading to frequent traffic congestion. The YouTuber then visited Oasis80, once known as a popular cafe in Aewol run by Lee. "At first, it was so popular that people lined up before the cafe even opened," the YouTuber said. The cafe's interior, featuring red brick and palm trees, stood out. After the cafe stopped operating, however, its interior facilities appeared to have been left unmanaged, in effect abandoned. In what the filmmaker identified as the cafe's outdoor space, water that had turned green filled the pond. Fallen leaves and various debris floated on the surface. Dust and dried grass had piled up on the steps around the pond, suggesting it had gone unmanaged for a long time. Jars and sculptures once placed there for an exotic atmosphere remained untouched. The filmmaker raised concerns that the stagnant water could attract insects and produce foul odors, potentially harming nearby merchants and residents. Oasis80 was the realization of a cafe Lee had long dreamed of. Through SBS's "My Little Old Boy," he showed everything from consulting with a bank for a roughly 200 million won loan to transforming an old house in Aewol, Jeju, into the cafe. The cafe, which opened in April last year, drew attention from its opening day, with lines forming after word spread that Lee personally brewed the coffee. Beyond its pink exterior and exotic interior featuring palm trees and a pond, the cafe's signature menu item was Turkish-style sand coffee, brewed using hot sand. Broadcaster Lee Sang-min also appeared as a one-day staff member. Starting in June this year, however, the cafe repeatedly went on temporary hiatus, citing interior construction, and in July it announced on its official social media account that it was "taking time to reorganize." Word later spread that a different fashion brand store had moved into the building where the cafe once stood, fueling speculation that Lee had, in effect, wound down his business in Jeju. Meanwhile, Lee currently serves as host of the JTBC entertainment program "Divorce Recovery Camp."

Sept. 11, 2026

'A man was lying face-down under my skirt'... Jun Jin's wife Ryu I-seo reveals hidden-camera scare from her flight attendant days

Singer Jun Jin's wife, Ryu I-seo, revealed a harrowing experience from her days as a flight attendant, when she narrowly avoided being secretly filmed by a male passenger. On Sept. 10, a video titled "Wake-Up Calls Are Mandatory: Former Flight Attendants Ryu I-seo and Sung Hae-eun Reveal the Ultimate Hazing Stories for the First Time" was posted to the YouTube channel "My Love, Ryu I-seo." In the video, Ryu, a former Asiana Airlines flight attendant, and Sung Hae-eun, a former Korean Air flight attendant known from Tving's "Transit Love 2," candidly discussed the harsh realities and rigid organizational culture hidden behind the glamorous image of cabin crew life. Ryu recalled a harrowing experience she had while providing in-flight service. "I was serving and something felt off," Ryu said. "When I looked down, a man was lying face-down, doing something." She was wearing the skirt uniform while serving at the time, and she felt that the male passenger appeared to be filming her legs or up her skirt. Ryu immediately told a superior, "Something is strange. It looks like he is filming." She added that she developed severe trauma and sensitivity around cameras and filming afterward. Soon after, the two went on to reveal the strict hierarchy and so-called "hazing culture" within the flight attendant community. "It was taken for granted that a rookie flight attendant would call a sunbae directly to give them a wake-up call while staying overseas," Ryu said. A junior crew member had to state their department and class year when calling a senior, then confirm, "Have you woken up?" — a duty they were expected to fulfill. Beyond that, juniors had to call senior crew members "unnie," a term used for an older female colleague, regardless of age. The youngest crew member had to hold the elevator button until all seniors had boarded, and crew were sometimes forced to join seniors' meals during overseas layovers, they said. The two also said, "In the past, there were even stories of junior flight attendants washing their seniors' stockings, on top of making wake-up calls." Meanwhile, Ryu married Jun Jin, a member of Shinhwa, in 2020. The couple is currently undergoing fertility treatment to have a child.

Sept. 11, 2026

Jang Hang-jun: 'My wife Kim Eun-hee and I pledged organ donation 20 years ago'

Film director Jang Hang-jun revealed that he and his wife, writer Kim Eun-hee, pledged to donate their organs 20 years ago. On the KBS entertainment program "Happy Together — Glad I'm Not Alone," airing Friday, Jang discloses that he and Kim completed the organ donation pledge together long ago. While discussing organ donation on the show, Jang says, "My wife, writer Kim Eun-hee, and I completed an organ donation pledge 20 years ago," surprising the cast. The couple did not stop at the pledge alone — they also let their families know of their wishes in advance. "I told my family in advance that if I die, I want them to agree to organ donation, and I even asked them to sign on together," Jang says. Hearing this, actor Ahn Eun-jin shares a related experience involving her own father. "I once found out that my dad had made an organ donation pledge without telling the family," she says. "At the time, I felt a bit hurt, thinking, 'Why didn't he discuss it with us first?' But now I think it's such an admirable thing to do." That episode also features a choir made up of bereaved family members of organ donors, transplant recipients and people who have pledged to donate their organs. The choir members perform on stage while sharing how they have comforted and healed one another through their time singing together. Watching the performance, singer Yoon Jong-shin voices his own resolve to pledge organ donation. "I should hurry and sign up for organ donation," he says.

Sept. 11, 2026

'We did our best to make it happen': Ex-Big Bang's T.O.P cancels Jakarta concert a week before showtime

A concert by rapper T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun), formerly of boy group Big Bang, has been canceled just over a week before it was set to take place. Agency Tonz Entertainment said via its official Instagram account on Thursday that the "T.O.P PRE-STUDIO 2026 in JAKARTA" concert, originally scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sept. 19, had been unavoidably canceled due to local circumstances. "The artist and the agency also did their best to hold the scheduled concert, but determined that proceeding as planned would be difficult due to local circumstances, prompting the decision to cancel," the agency said. "We are truly sorry to deliver this sudden news to the fans who have been waiting for the concert, and we ask for your understanding," it added. Meanwhile, T.O.P released his first solo full-length album, "Dajung Gwanjeom" ("Multiple Perspectives"), in April. It marked his first new solo music in 13 years, since "DOOM DADA" in 2013. T.O.P was involved in the album's production overall, working alongside Grammy-winning engineer Ilko, American painter Ed Ruscha, and Chae Kyoung-sun, the art director of the Netflix series "Squid Game." T.O.P debuted with Big Bang in 2006 and gained massive popularity moving between music and acting, but he paused his activities after he was caught smoking marijuana in 2017. He resumed his career by appearing as the rapper Thanos in "Squid Game" Season 2, which was released on Netflix in December 2024.

Sept. 11, 2026

Singer Kim Do-hyang recalls pain of father's serial affairs, meeting '50 stepmothers'

Singer Kim Do-hyang, 81, who has performed for 57 years, revealed a painful family history, saying his family long suffered because of his father's frequent affairs during his childhood. MBN's documentary program "Teukjong Sesang" aired its 756th episode Thursday, depicting the daily life of Kim, who has spent 50 years practicing meditation as a way to find inner peace and now works as a meditation musician. That day, Kim explained why he meditates. "I had a lot of anger because of my family environment when I was young," he said. "After I started meditating a lot, I stopped getting angry." Kim recalled his father, an educator who struck it big running a "hagwon," a private after-school academy. "I hated my father. His job was something like a professor or teacher, and he opened a hagwon and made a fortune," he said. "He made good money, but he never came home." "He introduced about 50 different people to me, saying, 'This is your mother,'" Kim went on to say. "He kept changing women that quickly while leading that kind of life outside the home, and my mother, in her suffering, would cry alone every night." "I slept in the same room as my mother, so how could I sleep while she was crying?" Kim said, his eyes welling up with tears. "That went on for a very long time." He debuted in 1970 with the folk duo Two Koreans and went on to create roughly 4,000 commercial jingles. He also produced hit songs such as "Babocheoreom Sarassgunyo" ("I Lived Like a Fool") and "Byeogodong" ("Parasol Tree"). But even after achieving major success as a singer, the conflict between father and son did not end. Kim revealed that he ultimately cut ties with his father. "I had a hit as a singer. My father, who had plenty of money himself, asked me, 'Will you pay for my wedding?'" That made me cry a lot. After that, I never saw my father again. So when it comes to my mother, I just feel heartbroken." Although he lived estranged from his father for many years afterward, his wife tracked down his father after they married. She discovered that he was suffering from paralysis at the time and persuaded his mother, who had firmly opposed the idea, to let the family live together again. "My wife is an angel to me. She persuaded my mother to agree to live together. She told her, 'You have to live life with love — living with anger isn't really living.' That changed the focus of my life. The direction of my music inevitably changed too," Kim said, expressing his gratitude to his wife. Toward the end of the broadcast, Kim visited his parents' grave and finally broke down in the tears he had been holding back. "My mother passed away in 2002, and my father had passed away much earlier, but we later brought him here," he said. "My wife and I forced them to be buried together." He added that he hoped his parents would reconcile even in the afterlife. "Whether things were good or bad between parents and children, or between husband and wife, seems to mean nothing in the end," he went on to say. "Now that we are apart, I just feel filled with longing. I think the two of them must feel the same way."

Sept. 11, 2026

Broadcaster Park Soo-hong returns to TV via home shopping after flight delay controversy

Broadcaster Park Soo-hong, who had gone quiet on social media and YouTube following a controversy over a delayed flight, has returned to television. According to a Star News report Friday, Park recently traveled to Guam with his wife, Kim Da-ye, and their daughter, Jae-i, and appeared on home shopping channel L on Monday to sell products. The home shopping channel said the appearance "was not a regular booking for Park Soo-hong, but a one-time appearance arranged through discussions with a partner company." Earlier, Park's family had boarded a flight to Guam on Aug. 23 when their child began crying. Concerned about disturbing other passengers, the family initially said they would get off the plane before reversing that decision. The back-and-forth, along with the ensuing security procedures, delayed the flight's departure by about an hour, sparking what became known as a controversy over inconsiderate behavior. Park posted an apology on social media at the time, writing, "During the process of the plane's departure, a delay occurred because of our family. This caused great inconvenience by taking away many people's precious time, and it also caused trouble for the airline staff. I bow my head and offer my sincere apology for this." Since the controversy, Park and Kim have halted the active social media and YouTube activity they had previously kept up. Park married Kim Da-ye in 2021, overcoming a 23-year age gap between them. The couple welcomed their daughter, Jae-i, in 2024 through in vitro fertilization.

Sept. 11, 2026

Miss Korea Woo Seo-yoon gives first interview amid plastic surgery allegations, stays silent on controversy; father recalls 'game-winning three-pointer' feeling

Woo Ji-won, a former national team basketball player, and his eldest daughter, Woo Seo-yoon (22), recently crowned 2026 Miss Korea Jin, gave their first interview since her win. They shared their feelings about the crowning, but amid allegations that Woo Seo-yoon underwent plastic surgery, the two offered no direct explanation regarding the controversy. Woo Seo-yoon and Woo Ji-won appeared on SBS's "Morning Wide" on Monday. Woo Ji-won introduced himself, saying, "I am Woo Ji-won, a former national team basketball player, and now also the father of Woo Seo-yoon, the 2026 Miss Korea Jin." Woo Ji-won recalled the moment, saying, "When Seo-yoon's name was called, I felt a thrill and it was so touching. Just like when I made a game-winning three-pointer, I burst out shouting on the spot, and my teammates standing next to me were startled." Woo Seo-yoon said, "Even at the moment my name was called, it did not feel real. To be honest, not just when I was young but even before I started preparing for the Miss Korea pageant, my height was my biggest insecurity, so I often said, 'It's because of Dad that I got this tall.'" In response, Woo Ji-won laughed and said, "When someone asks, I cannot bring up Seo-yoon's height. I have to watch myself." Woo Seo-yoon said, "In practice, while preparing for the Miss Korea pageant, I wore really high heels and realized being tall is actually a big advantage. So I felt bad about it until now, and thank you for passing down your height," expressing her gratitude to her father. Woo Ji-won stands 193 centimeters tall, while his daughter Woo Seo-yoon is 175 centimeters. As Woo Ji-won's eyes welled up at his daughter's words of thanks, the show aired a video of him holding Woo Seo-yoon just after she was born. Woo Ji-won said, "Isn't that the day we first met in this world? It is a day I cannot forget. She has grown up so well," adding, "I have been busy since she became Miss Korea Jin. There were times when her replies took more than a day, and even times when a whole day passed without one." Watching the video, Woo Seo-yoon appeared moved, saying, "This is the first time I'm seeing this." Meanwhile, Woo Seo-yoon, born in 2003, won the top honor of Miss Korea Jin among 26 finalists at the 70th Miss Korea pageant finals held on Aug. 22. However, after the news broke, footage of her appearance on the tvN variety show "Dungji Talchul 3" ("Escape the Nest 3") at age 16 resurfaced, sparking allegations of plastic surgery. Woo Seo-yoon has not issued any statement addressing the allegations.

Sept. 10, 2026

Byeon Woo-seok buys Hannam The Hill unit for W13b, no mortgage attached

Actor Byeon Woo-seok has purchased a unit at the upscale Hannam The Hill complex in Hannam-dong, Seoul, for 13 billion won ($9.72 million). According to The Korea Economic Broadcasting and the Supreme Court's internet registry office Thursday, Byeon bought a 235-square-meter unit at Hannam The Hill in Yongsan-gu in May. He paid the remaining balance and completed the transfer of ownership on Sept. 2. The property's register shows no mortgage was set up on the unit, raising the possibility that Byeon paid the full amount in cash. However, the absence of a mortgage alone cannot confirm whether the purchase was made entirely in cash. Built in 2011 on the site of the former Dankook University campus in Hannam-dong, Hannam The Hill comprises 32 buildings with 600 households. The complex is popular among business figures for its security and living environment. Other residents reportedly include So Ji-sub, Chu Ja-hyun, Lee Yo-won, Lee Young-ja, Lee Seung-chul and Ock Joo-hyun. Born in 1991, Byeon debuted as a model in 2010 and began his acting career with the 2016 tvN drama series "Dear My Friends." He rose to widespread popularity at home and abroad after playing Ryu Sun-jae in tvN's "Lovely Runner" in 2024.

Sept. 10, 2026

Kim Bin-woo, 3 weeks into 'Bali migration,' says mindset has shifted: "Accept it and find solutions"

Actor Kim Bin-woo shared an update on life in Bali, three weeks into living abroad there. In a Wednesday post on Instagram, Kim said, "I have traveled to Bali three times, but starting from this fourth stay, I have to live here as an immigrant, not a tourist. What has changed the most is my mindset." "When traveling, whenever something was inconvenient, I would get annoyed and complain, thinking things were not great or uncomfortable. But now that I face these things in daily life, I have decided that complaining will not change the reality, so instead I should accept that this is just how things are here and look for solutions within that," Kim said. "Back then, I had to find enjoyment within a fixed period called a trip. Now, we are taking Bali as it is, a bit more at ease." Kim went on to say, "In Korea, I lived in a frenzy, telling myself over and over that I could not afford to get sick. Maybe my body finally let its guard down, because a few days after seeing my family, I came down with a cold in tropical Bali and have had it for two weeks now." Kim added, "I am only now slowly getting back to my usual condition, but every weekend without fail we have taken the children to the beach and walked around the neighborhood, and in the meantime the kids have been quickly adjusting to their new school." "Above all, I am not just physically with the children but connecting with them emotionally," Kim said, and went on to say, "My mind is becoming more at ease as well, and we are following through well on the reason we came to Bali." Kim has been sharing glimpses of daily life in Bali. On Aug. 16, Kim wrote on Instagram, "I have arrived safely in Bali," and added, "I will post updates so often you will wonder, 'Did they really leave?' So let's say goodbye to any lingering regrets and do well wherever we are." Kim debuted in 2003 in the MBC drama series "Are You Still Dreaming?"

Sept. 10, 2026

Han Ye-seul denies pregnancy rumors after sharing parenting webtoon

Actor Han Ye-seul found herself at the center of pregnancy speculation after sharing a webtoon about parenting. Han recently posted a webtoon titled "Things You Only See on Your First Day of Parenting" on her social media account. The webtoon reportedly depicts parents caring for a newborn at home after leaving a postpartum care center. After several of her acquaintances liked the post, some online users speculated that Han might be pregnant. In response, a representative for Han told XportsNews, "It's not news about a baby," denying the pregnancy rumor. Meanwhile, Han registered her marriage to Ryu Sung-jae, a former stage actor 10 years her junior, in May 2024, making them legally married. Han has not taken on any acting projects since the 2019 SBS drama series "Big Issue."

Sept. 10, 2026

Don Spike breaks silence after drug sentencing, says he is starting anew

Composer and broadcaster Don Spike, whose real name is Kim Min-su, has revealed that he is preparing to open a restaurant after serving time in prison on charges of habitual drug use. Don Spike said on his Instagram account Thursday that he was "preparing a new start with the help of good people." "It has been a while since I last greeted you," he said. "I reflected on the mistake I made four years ago and took time to look back on the life I have lived." He went on to say it was "a precious time to resolve how I will live the rest of my life so as not to repeat the same mistake." He added, "I will do my best not to disappoint the expectations and support of so many people," and said, "I am grateful." On Wednesday, Don Spike also shared images of a store by the sea in an Instagram Story. The words "BARBACOA by donspike" were written on the exterior wall of the store. Don Spike wrote in English, "Almost there. Just a few final touches left." Don Spike once gained fame in the entertainment industry as a "meat master." However, he stood trial on charges of purchasing methamphetamine nine times and using it 14 times between December 2021 and September of the following year. The first trial found him guilty and sentenced him to three years in prison, suspended for five years. The appellate court overturned that ruling and sentenced him to two years in prison without suspension. In September 2023, the Supreme Court finalized the two-year prison sentence.

Sept. 10, 2026