god's Park Jun-hyung reveals first-album settlement fell short of W10m

Park Jun-hyung of the group god has revealed that his settlement from the group's debut album came to less than 10 million won ($7,550). Park appeared Tuesday on "The Brian," the YouTube channel of Fly to the Sky's Brian, and shared stories from the group's early days. When the production team asked whether his agency had given the members etiquette training at the time, Park said, "There was no manner education — we were just thugs," adding that his settlement for the first album had not even reached 10 million won. He then turned to Brian and said, "Back then, didn't we promote for about three or four months? We worked so hard." Brian shot back, "Still, you earned more than Fly to the Sky. We got 2 million won back then." When Park said, "But we did pretty well for ourselves," Brian replied, "We did well too. We won a rookie award." Park added, "The third and fourth albums were huge hits — that's when the money started coming in. Before that, we weren't making any." It is not the first time god members have spoken openly about their first-album settlements. The group appeared in December last year on producer Na Young-seok's YouTube channel "Channel Fifteen Nights" and looked back on their debut period. At that time, Park said he thought he had received around 10 million won or 12 million won after the first album's promotions, but Kim Tae-woo corrected him, saying, "To be precise, we each received 13.6 million won." Park said he personally received only 9.8 million won, explaining that he and Yoon Kye-sang had taken their agency head's car out and blown a tire, and the repair cost was deducted from his payment — a story that drew laughter. Park also offered advice to Fly to the Sky, who are preparing for their first full-group comeback in eight years. "I was most worried about them," he said. "I've been doing group activities myself, and we were active around the same time, so I have a lot of concerns." He went on to say, "You're not coming back to compete in the charts, are you? What you're doing now is fan service," urging the duo to let go of any pressure over chart performance. Last month, Brian and Hwanhee announced a full-group comeback, their first since their 10th studio album in 2019 — a gap of about eight years. god, who debuted in 1999, earned the nickname "the nation's group" through beloved hits including "To My Mother," "I Love You and I Remember," "Lie" and "Road."

Oct. 28, 2026

Rapper Swings nominated for best new actor at Blue Dragon Film Awards

Rapper Swings (40), making his foray into acting, has earned a nomination for best new actor at the Blue Dragon Film Awards. The Blue Dragon Film Awards announced its nominees Wednesday across all categories honoring this year's standout films and performances. The selections reflected results from an expert panel vote and a first-round public online vote held from Oct. 13 to Saturday. Director Na Hong-jin's "Hope" led all films with 10 nominations, including best picture, best director, best actor (Jo In-sung), best supporting actor (Eum Moon-suk), best new actress (Jung Ho-yeon), cinematography and lighting, music, art direction, editing and technology. Director Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love" received eight nominations. Sul Kyung-gu and Jeon Do-yeon were nominated for best actor and best actress, respectively, while Jo In-sung and Jo Yeo-jeong received nods for best supporting actor and best supporting actress. However, Lee and production company Fine House Film declined to be considered, removing the film from contention for best picture and best director. Among the more unusual nominations, Swings drew attention for his best new actor nod for his role as "Abraham" in "Tazza: Song of Beelzebub." He covered his body in tattoos for the role and left a striking impression. Swings shared his reaction on social media Wednesday, writing, "Just being nominated is enough to make me feel incredibly humbled," and adding, "It's not that I lack the self-awareness to expect to win." The 47th Blue Dragon Film Awards will be held Nov. 25 at KBS Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, and broadcast live on KBS2.

Oct. 28, 2026

Singer Kim Gun-mo signs with Music&New for 35th anniversary comeback

Singer Kim Gun-mo is stepping up his musical activities, teaming up with Music&New to release new songs and albums. Music&New announced Tuesday that it had signed a partnership with Kim and would work with him on future music projects. The two sides plan to collaborate across a range of areas, including new song and album releases, music content production, retail and marketing. Kim is currently conducting a nationwide tour marking his 35th debut anniversary while continuing recording sessions aimed at releasing a new album. Through the partnership with Music&New, he plans to expand his activities beyond performances to include digital releases and albums. He released a new single, "Eodijjeum Gago Isseulkka" ("Where Am I Headed"), in July. The track, which layers his distinctive vocal tone over the original song's lyrical melody, marked the first time he had played acoustic guitar himself since his debut. Its music video has surpassed 1.6 million views as of this month. Kim wrapped up his "25-26 Kim Gun-mo Live Tour 'KIM GUN MO.'" in March, his first time performing before audiences in about six years. Tickets for both the Busan show and the Seoul show at Jamsil Indoor Stadium sold out immediately after going on sale. His current nationwide tour, "Kim Gun-mo. 35TH ANNIVERSARY LIVE TOUR," which kicked off in Daegu on Oct. 10, features him reimagining his songs on guitar rather than piano. After the Daegu show, Kim wrote on his social media account, "Daegu show complete. Thank you to all the audience members who joined me. See you in Jeonju." The tour continues with stops in Jeonju on Saturday, Gwangju on Dec. 5 and Goyang on Dec. 26, with more dates extending into next year. Kim had been largely absent from the public eye after becoming embroiled in a personal controversy in 2019. He was accused of sexual assault but prosecutors cleared him without indictment in November 2021; subsequent appeals and a request for a formal charge review were also dismissed, bringing the legal dispute to a close. During that period, however, he went through a divorce from his wife, who is 13 years his junior.

Oct. 28, 2026

Singer Seo In-young reveals only 5 guests attended ex-husband's side at her first wedding

Singer Seo In-young, a former member of the girl group Jewelry, has revealed that only five guests attended her first wedding on the groom's side. The disclosure came in a video uploaded Tuesday to Salon Drip 2, a talk-variety show on the YouTube channel TEO, titled "The Life of a Cinderella Who Picks Anchovy Innards and Falls Asleep at 9 p.m." In the video, host Jang Do-yeon asked Seo whether she had ever searched her own name online, given how well her YouTube channel was doing. Seo replied that even during a period when she had stepped back from the spotlight, searching her name brought up only insults and references to fortune-tellers — followed by divorce. Seo then shared an anecdote tied to fortune-telling and her divorce. "I'm telling this for the first time — only five guests came from the groom's side at my wedding," she said. "Everyone at the venue apparently knew I was going to get divorced." She added that she bore no ill will toward her ex-husband. "I really hope he's doing well. We can each just live our best lives. I'm so happy right now," she said. Seo also joked about her growing online following. "Young people these days know who I am, which is so strange to me. They know me as a YouTuber. They call me the 'reformed Seo In-young,'" she said with a laugh. Meanwhile, Seo married a businessman in February 2023 but divorced the following November. She is currently preparing to remarry a businessman who is six years her senior.

Oct. 28, 2026

Person who exposed rapper Yang Hong-won's infidelity allegations suddenly announces plan to delete social media account

The person who publicly accused rapper Yang Hong-won of infidelity has suddenly announced plans to delete their social media account. On Wednesday, the individual, identified only as A, posted a brief message on their Instagram story saying, "Deleting my Instagram — please unfollow me." No explanation was given, and the specific reason remains unknown. A had earlier raised the infidelity allegations on Friday, claiming that Yang, "a newlywed who had just gotten married, went to a motel with another woman." According to A, Yang performed in Suwon in mid-September and afterward joined A for drinks, where a woman was invited to sit with the group. A said that A and a companion left first, and that Yang then went to a motel with the woman who had joined them. To support the allegations, A released a series of materials, including messages sent to Yang's wife, Won Hyun-ju, a recorded phone call with Yang, and video footage taken during the Suwon visit. In response, Yang's side acknowledged that he had gone to the motel but flatly denied the infidelity allegations, saying he had simply gone there to sleep off intoxication after the performance and that no inappropriate relationship had occurred with the woman. Yang's agency also said A had demanded money and made threats, and announced it had filed a complaint against A on charges including blackmail, violation of the anti-stalking law, and defamation through false statements. The woman who accompanied Yang to the motel also denied the infidelity allegations and said she would pursue legal action. Yang has been in a relationship with model Won Hyun-ju since 2017 and officially registered their marriage in 2023. The couple welcomed their first daughter in 2024 and held a belated wedding ceremony on Tuesday — two years after their marriage registration.

Oct. 28, 2026

RESCENE teases comeback with rhythm game, challenge video ahead of mini album drop

Girl group RESCENE has released a challenge video for their new song ahead of their upcoming album drop. On Tuesday, RESCENE — comprising members Wonyi, Liv, Minami, May and Zena — launched a promotional website for their fourth mini album "PULSE" through their official social media channels, ahead of the album's Nov. 3 release. The website revealed the identity of a date that had been displayed only as a heart shape on the group's previously released comeback scheduler, sparking curiosity among fans. Designed around the album title "PULSE," the site features a rhythm game that draws a parallel between changes in a song's BPM and a heartbeat. The website features five characters running in time with the music to keep RESCENE's heart beating. Players can choose from all five tracks on the album, including the title track and B-sides, and completing the game unlocks a hidden photo. A challenge video for the title track "With" was also released the same day. The clip showcases a performance highlighting the five members' chemistry and offers a glimpse of the new song's stage, building anticipation ahead of the release. The album features five tracks in total: the title track "With," "Finest Thing," "Inside Out" (Baekwayoran), "MEME" and "Dragon." RESCENE, who have built their concept around connecting music with fragrance, chose musk as the signature scent representing this album. RESCENE will release their fourth mini album "PULSE" across major music streaming platforms at 6 p.m. on Nov. 3 and kick off their full comeback activities.

Oct. 28, 2026

Kim Gura lost big on Ilsan apartment — and singer Hong Seo-beom fared even worse

Broadcaster Kim Gura and singer Hong Seo-beom both made real estate investments in Siksa-dong, Ilsan, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province — and both came away burned. The story emerged Monday in a video titled "Economy Stories Good for Listening in Bed — Kim Gura Economics Lab EP.121 Full Version," uploaded to the YouTube channel "Geurigura." In the video, Kim recalled a time when many celebrities flocked to Siksa-dong, naming himself, Hong, comedian Lee Young-ja and actor Park Won-sook among those who bought there. "Actor Lee Gwang-gi told me, 'Just go in for a bit and sell — you can pocket a premium. The apartment is really great,'" Kim said. "So that's how I ended up buying in. But I ended up paying all the interim installments out of pocket, and I'm still living there." Kim bought an apartment in Siksa-dong in 2011 for 700 million won ($529,000), but said the price has barely risen since he moved in. "If I had bought an apartment in Banpo back then, it would be worth 7 billion won now," he said, noting the widening gap in property price growth between neighborhoods. Kim said Hong's losses were even steeper. "Hong Seo-beom bought a penthouse of nearly 330 square meters at the time. The penthouse had no interior finishings — just the shell. That came to about 1.6 billion won. He put in his own interior work on top of that. Someone like Hong Seo-beom really took a serious hit," Kim said. Kim added that Hong had also taken part in a real estate development project and received a commercial unit in return, but that too ran into multiple disputes with the city of Goyang. "Hong Seo-beom, living in Ilsan, really did suffer considerable financial losses," he said. Hong had received a commercial unit at One Mount, a mixed-use leisure and shopping complex in Ilsan, through a pre-sale arrangement, but sustained significant investment losses due to ongoing disputes with Goyang city authorities and project delays.

Oct. 28, 2026

Actor Ko So-young reveals secret to staying at 48 kg: swap the rice bowl for a tiny dish

Actor Ko So-young has revealed her secret to maintaining a weight of 48 kilograms. On Tuesday, Ko uploaded a video to her YouTube channel titled "First-ever reveal of Ko So-young's squid radish soup recipe — the dish that made Jang Dong-gun decide to marry her." In the video, Ko held up a small bowl of rice and said, "This is how much I eat these days." She added, "The amount isn't much, but it tricks the brain visually." By drastically reducing the size of her bowl, she creates the visual impression of a heaping serving even with a modest amount of food. Ko said she enjoys a leisurely weekend brunch of French toast, salad and dessert, but offsets it by eating lightly at dinner and avoiding snacks — a routine she credited for bringing her weight down to 48 kilograms. Meanwhile, Ko married actor Jang Dong-gun in 2010 and has a son and a daughter. She has recently been connecting with the public through her personal YouTube channel.

Oct. 28, 2026

Kwak Tube confesses to blowing car fund on games despite driving BMW

YouTuber Kwak Tube, whose real name is Kwak Jun-bin, has confessed to spending all the money he had set aside for a new car on video games. On Tuesday, Kwak posted a video to his YouTube channel titled "New Car Journey of Kwak Jun-bin, Now a Dad." In the video, Kwak said that after his son Taesan was born, his current vehicle started to feel cramped, prompting him to consider buying a family car. "I have two cars and I've been using the BMW as the family car," he said. "But once I started putting the baby in and loading the stroller, it felt too small. So I've been thinking about buying a new car." He said he had weighed several models, including the Genesis GV70, and went on to say that a Porsche was not for him. "I don't think Porsche is my style. I already have a big appetite for food and games — if I start craving expensive cars too, that would just be weird," he said. He also poked fun at himself over his spending habits. "Some people might say, 'With your income, shouldn't you be driving something nicer?' But I blew all the money on games. I threw away my car fund on games," he said, adding, "I'm sad about it too. I'm a lunatic who blew his car money on games." The self-deprecating remark drew laughs. Meanwhile, Kwak married a non-celebrity woman five years his junior in October last year and welcomed his son Taesan in March this year.

Oct. 28, 2026

Seungri, reported to be expecting a child, already legally married — 'no wedding ceremony planned'

Seungri (36, real name Lee Seung-hyun), a former member of K-pop group BigBang who was recently reported to be expecting a child early next year, has already completed his marriage registration and is legally married, according to reports. Seungri filed a marriage registration with a woman in her 20s who is not a public figure, Ilgan Sports reported Wednesday. His wife is currently pregnant and expected to give birth early next year. Seungri told the outlet he is "not currently considering holding a wedding ceremony." Earlier, on Monday, Gray News reported that Seungri's girlfriend — a woman in her 20s outside the entertainment industry — was pregnant, and that the couple planned to hold a wedding ceremony after the birth. The outlet said it learned of the pregnancy while covering a separate case involving Seungri on charges of aggravated assault. Seungri was reported to have remarked at the time that he had "a family to protect." Seungri was reported to the Seoul Gangnam Police Station on Aug. 25 on charges of aggravated assault, aggravated intimidation and aggravated unlawful confinement. The complainant, a man in his 30s identified only as A, alleged that Seungri and his companions assaulted, threatened and confined him at a restaurant in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, in early August. A's side specifically claimed that Seungri wielded a soju bottle to threaten him. Yoon Jae-bin, an attorney at law firm Surim representing Seungri, said in a statement Friday that his client "did pick up a soju bottle, but never swung or struck anyone with it." Yoon added that Seungri regrets failing to control his emotions and acting inappropriately at the time. "After the complaint was filed, the complainant's side reached out to request a settlement, but Seungri determined he could not close the matter by admitting to acts he did not actually commit," Yoon said. "He has submitted relevant materials to the investigative authorities and decided to establish the facts. We believe it is for the investigators and the court to make the final judgment, and Seungri will continue to cooperate faithfully with the investigation." Seungri debuted with BigBang in 2006 but left the group and the entertainment industry in 2019 after being identified as a central figure in the so-called "Burning Sun Gate" scandal. He was subsequently indicted on nine charges, including arranging prostitution, habitual gambling and embezzlement. The Supreme Court upheld a sentence of one year and six months in prison in May 2022, and he was released in February 2023 after serving his term.

Oct. 28, 2026

Seungri reportedly expecting child with girlfriend ahead of marriage

Former Big Bang member Seungri is reportedly set to become a father next year. According to Gray News, Seungri and his girlfriend, a woman in her 20s identified only as A, are expecting a baby in January. The child is a boy, and the couple has reportedly secured a home in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where they plan to hold a wedding ceremony after the birth. The outlet said it learned of the pregnancy while reporting on a separate assault case involving Seungri. He was quoted as saying he had "a family to protect." Seungri debuted with Big Bang in 2006 and rose to fame before being expelled from the group and the entertainment industry in 2019 following his involvement in the "Burning Sun" scandal. The Supreme Court handed down a sentence of one year and six months in prison on nine charges, including habitual gambling, prostitution, arranging prostitution, incitement to aggravated assault and embezzlement. He was released in February 2023 after serving his full term. In August, he was sued on charges of aggravated assault and aggravated intimidation after allegedly attacking a man in his 30s, also identified as A, at a restaurant in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Seungri denied the charges, saying the man had approached him while drunk during a meal with acquaintances and demanded to join the table uninvited. "It is true that I picked up a bottle in the process of telling him I would not let him sit with us," he said, "but I only picked it up — I did not swing it or threaten anyone."

Oct. 27, 2026

Actor Sa Mi-ja opens up about 35-year bond with daughter-in-law: 'Kind-hearted, but sometimes so cold'

Actor Sa Mi-ja has shared candid feelings — a mix of affection and occasional frustration — about her eldest daughter-in-law, Yoo Ji-yeon, who joined the family 35 years ago. A video titled "Daughter-in-law's first appearance! The daughter-in-law who hasn't changed in 35 years" was posted to Sa's YouTube channel Friday. Yoo has been Sa's eldest daughter-in-law for 35 years and has lived under the same roof as Sa for the past 13 years. Sa spoke candidly about her mixed feelings toward Yoo, saying, "Some people say my daughter-in-law is so lovely, while others say she speaks too presumptuously." "Her heart couldn't be kinder," Sa said, "but sometimes she can be so cold that I think, 'How can someone be so heartless?'" She added with a laugh, "After 35 years together, whenever I eat something delicious I think of her and want to buy it for her — but when she eats something delicious, she thinks of her own mother." Yoo offered her own perspective in response. "People of my mother-in-law's generation all take her side, while people around me understand mine," she said. "It's just the way I look and speak — those who really know me understand." Behind Sa's blunt remarks lay genuine affection. Sa said Yoo never misses her birthday or any anniversary and personally prepares the food for chuseok, adding, "Those things are what soften my heart." Yoo, for her part, said, "My mother-in-law only talks that way — I know the warmth in her heart. Because we understand each other, we've gotten along without any major problems." Asked which moment she had been most grateful to her mother-in-law for, Yoo replied, "It's not any one moment — I'm always grateful. She has been a solid support for me, both financially and emotionally," visibly pleasing Sa. Meanwhile, Yoo is well known for having cared for both her husband and Sa simultaneously for roughly two years when her husband's battle with cancer and Sa's stroke overlapped. At the time, her husband and mother-in-law were hospitalized on different floors of the same hospital, and Yoo moved back and forth between the two rooms to nurse them both.

Oct. 27, 2026

Singer Seong Hyeon-woo opens up about near-miss jeonse fraud, past death threat

Seong Hyeon-woo, a singer and former member of the group Limitless, has spoken publicly about a brush with jeonse fraud — a housing scam involving rental deposits — and the psychological toll it took on him. In a video posted to his YouTube channel Monday, Seong looked back on his time renting a jeonse apartment in Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul in 2023. He said he had taken out his first jeonse loan to secure a home in Seoul and initially felt satisfied, but the happiness did not last. After moving in, he faced a string of setbacks — including a lawsuit with his agency over an exclusive contract — and was eventually diagnosed with depression. "While living in that apartment, I even got into three car accidents," Seong said. "I kept wondering, 'Why do all these bad things keep happening to me?' and things just kept getting worse." Determined to move out, Seong notified his landlord six months before the lease expired that he would not be renewing. The landlord, however, told him that no new tenants were willing to move into the area because of the jeonse fraud cases that had become a major social issue at the time, and asked Seong to help find a replacement tenant. Anxious about not getting his deposit back, Seong began searching for a new tenant himself — but the landlord cut off all contact three months before the lease was up. "At first I thought, 'Maybe they're just busy, they'll get back to me,' but two weeks went by with no reply," he said. "I hadn't taken out deposit insurance either, so I was going absolutely crazy." He added that he never imagined he would fall victim to jeonse fraud, but that with the help of his stylist, he managed to track down the landlord's office after searching all over Mokdong. Seong later learned that the landlord had been struggling to secure tenants across multiple properties. After working together with the landlord to find a new renter, they eventually succeeded and he was able to move out, he added. Seong offered words of encouragement to his fans. "After going through all those hardships, my heart grew stronger — nothing can easily break me anymore," he said. "When things are tough, tell yourself, 'Someday I'll find my footing too,' and if you keep living with that positive mindset, things will change." Seong had earlier revealed that in 2021, he received a death threat at a restaurant on Jeju Island after stepping in to stop a man who was verbally abusing a foreign employee. He managed to flee and reported the incident to police. The man was detained about three months later and sentenced to prison on charges of aggravated intimidation. Seong first gained public recognition through his appearance on Mnet's "Produce 101" Season 2 in 2017. After promoting with Limitless, he released his first solo digital single, "Miryeon Eopseo," in 2021.

Oct. 27, 2026

Actor Lee Gye-in reveals he was deceived into a fraudulent marriage 30 years ago

Actor Lee Gye-in has opened up about being the victim of a fraudulent marriage more than 30 years ago. On Friday, Lee appeared on the YouTube channel "Geurigura" and recounted the full story of his failed marriage in 1992. At the time, Lee held a wedding ceremony with a woman and began living together as a married couple. Shortly after the wedding, however, it emerged that his wife had a live-in partner she had been with for more than a decade. She had pursued the marriage with Lee while maintaining that relationship — a deliberate deception. Lee delayed registering the marriage with authorities, trusting his then-wife's word. As a result, he avoided significant financial loss by never completing the legal registration. But the absence of a legal marriage made it difficult to pursue criminal charges — a source of lingering resentment for him. "If I had completed the legal marriage registration, they would have been put in handcuffs," Lee said. "I was deeply relieved to have protected my assets, but the bitterness of not being able to hold them properly accountable has never really gone away." When host Kim Gu-ra suggested that a marriage can fail and that with time one might look back with a rueful smile, Lee pushed back. "A marriage can fail — that's one thing," he said. "But being deceived is an entirely different matter. No matter how many years pass, this is not something I can ever laugh off." Lee remarried in 1997 to a woman 10 years his junior, but that marriage also ended in divorce. Last year, he revealed through a television program that he had married for a third time.

Oct. 27, 2026

Science communicator left starstruck after meeting Byeon Woo-seok in person

Science communicator Gwedo shared a glowing review after seeing actor Byeon Woo-seok in person. Gwedo posted on Instagram Monday about running into Byeon after a Netflix event, describing him as "incredibly handsome and tall." He wrote that Byeon's "fist-sized face was so high up in the sky" that he found himself wondering "whether he's truly a Homo sapiens — or, actually, whether I'm the Neanderthal." Gwedo added that Byeon "kindly lowered his face about a meter so we could take a selfie together" and said he was moved when Byeon told him he liked science. Readers flooded the post with comments including "Please film content together," "Thank you for the photo," and "Cheering you on so hard." In response to requests to collaborate on content, Gwedo replied, "There will be an opportunity someday." Byeon, a former model turned actor, rose to wide public recognition through the tvN drama series "Lovely Runner," among other works. He recently announced he will appear in "Solo Leveling," an upcoming Netflix original K-drama based on the web novel of the same name. Byeon has been confirmed to play the lead role of Sung Jin-woo in the series. Among the comments on Gwedo's post was one reading "Sung Jin-woo-seok, fighting on 'Solo Leveling.'" Gwedo replied, "He really is Sung Jin-woo himself."

Oct. 27, 2026

Singer Song Ga-in warns rowdy drunk at festival: 'Stay still before I tie you to that iron fence'

Singer Song Ga-in is drawing attention for the sharp-witted way she handled a disruptive audience member during a live performance. On Sunday, Song performed at the 11th Gangjinman Dancing Reed Festival in Gangjin, South Jeolla Province. While thanking the crowd for braving poor weather to attend, Song found herself dealing with an unexpected disturbance when a drunk audience member began behaving aggressively and disrupting those seated nearby. Watching the situation unfold from the stage, Song initially tried to defuse it with a smile. "I can tell you're in a good mood, sir, but you can't bother the people around you," she said, then added with a laugh, "Even if you think I'm pretty, calm down a little — I'll be watching you," keeping the atmosphere from turning tense. When the disruptions continued despite her repeated appeals, Song raised her voice. She issued a firm warning — "You're being removed" — then shouted, "Sit down!" But the drunk did not stop. As the disturbances persisted, Song finally let her frustration show. "Stay still. Stay still before I tie you to that iron fence over there," she warned in dialect, then scolded him again: "Shut your mouth and be quiet." Turning to the rest of the audience, Song said, "Wherever you go, there's always one person like this," before adding, "He's just in a good mood, so let it go," drawing a laugh from the crowd and restoring the mood. Song rose to fame after winning the inaugural grand prize on TV Chosun's "Miss Trot" in 2019. She has since remained active across television, concerts and regional festivals.

Oct. 27, 2026

Profiler Kwon Il-yong warns of deepfake YouTube videos using his likeness without consent

Profiler and broadcaster Kwon Il-yong has warned the public about a YouTube channel creating content with unauthorized AI-generated composites of his face. Kwon said Monday on his Instagram account that he had received a tip that fake videos made by superimposing his face using AI technology were circulating on YouTube. "I have absolutely no connection to those videos or that channel, and the content they cover is entirely false and has nothing to do with me," he said. He described the videos as "malicious content designed to deceive people by stealing my likeness," and urged anyone who comes across them not to be misled or harmed. He added that he has filed reports against the channel and its videos for portrait rights infringement and the spread of false content. "I am grateful to everyone who has been concerned and who tipped me off," Kwon said, directing a pointed message at the channel's operator: "Delete the channel immediately." This is not the first time Kwon has raised the alarm. In May, he said videos produced without authorization using his name had been spreading across YouTube and other online video platforms and social media channels, and that he was reviewing options for a strong legal response. At the time, he said impersonating him to offer sensationalist speculative analysis on cases where the truth has not yet been established causes irreparable harm to the victims' bereaved families. "I express deep regret toward those who use others' pain as a tool for profit," he said. He added that the unauthorized use of his likeness and name, along with the spread of false information, constitutes "a clear criminal act and a serious violation of rights," and that he was reviewing all available legal measures to mount a strong response. Kwon has appeared on tvN's "Alsseum Beomjap Season 2," a crime-analysis variety show, and E Channel's "Yongamhan Hyeongsadul" series. He has also made guest appearances on tvN's "Beolgeobeoseun Segyesa," a world history program, and "You Quiz on the Block."

Oct. 27, 2026

'Divorce threat': Comedian Jeong Jong-cheol's move from Ilsan to Gangnam

Comedian Jeong Jong-cheol left Ilsan in Gyeonggi Province for Seoul's Gangnam district at his wife's insistence, he revealed in a recent interview. The story emerged Monday in a full-length episode of "Geurigura," a YouTube channel, titled "Economic Stories Good for Listening in Bed — Kim Gura Economic Research Institute Full Version." Fellow comedian Lee Gye-in recalled on the show that Jeong had once urged him to move into the same apartment complex. "I did a live KBS variety show with Jeong Jong-cheol, who is famous for his Okdongjja character," Lee said. "He told me, 'Sunbae, I got a unit of about 230 square meters at the Siksa-dong Xi apartment — it's incredible. There's an amazing fishing spot right as you enter on the right. You can fish there, so you absolutely have to move in.'" Lee said he had been tempted by the pitch. "I thought, 'I could stop by the fishing spot, head home for a nap, then come back and fish some more — let me think about it,'" he said, laughing at his own enthusiasm. But Jeong, who had been so eager to recruit his colleague, left Ilsan himself after just one year. "Jongcheol makes decisions fast," said Kim Gura, the channel's host. "He stayed exactly a year, then said, 'This isn't it,' sold the place and was out." Lee said Jeong had told him he was taking a loss on the sale. "I asked him, 'Why are you leaving? Just fish and live easy.' He said his wife told him she'd divorce him if they didn't go back to Seoul — that they should at least get something small in Gangnam and move there, and why wait around for prices to go up," Lee said. Kim Gura added that the move to Seocho-gu's Bangbae neighborhood had worked out well for Jeong. "Honestly, I was tempted by what Jeong Jong-cheol said. Now that I think of Okdongjja, I suddenly feel a surge of heat," Lee said, before adding with a laugh, "But he didn't con me." Meanwhile, Jeong made headlines last year when it emerged that he had purchased a building in Jamwon-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, under a corporate name for 4.5 billion won ($3.4 million).

Oct. 27, 2026

RESCENE teases new mini album 'PULSE' with highlight medley ahead of comeback

K-pop girl group RESCENE gave fans a surprise preview of new music ahead of its upcoming comeback. On Monday, RESCENE posted a highlight medley for its fourth mini album, "PULSE," on official social media channels, building anticipation for the release. The roughly two-minute, 17-second clip showcases the five members' visuals alongside snippets from the album's B-sides — "Finest Thing," "Dragon," "Inside Out" and "MEME" — as well as the title track "With." The medley moves through a range of moods, from addictive hooks to soft, emotionally resonant melodies, offering a first glimpse of the album's sonic variety. The album's signature scent concept centers on musk, evoking the shared warmth between performers and audience. Much like the subtle, lingering quality of musk, RESCENE aims to leave a lasting impression on listeners through its own distinct music and sensibility. "PULSE," a word meaning the beating of the heart, is described as an album capturing the moment when a song offered to someone returns as a voice that lifts you back up. RESCENE will release "PULSE" at 6 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Oct. 27, 2026

Travel creator Kwak Tube poses with football legend Ronaldo at Ballon d'Or 70th anniversary — fans joke '100% AI'

Travel creator Kwak Tube (Kwak Jun-bin) attended the Ballon d'Or 70th anniversary ceremony. Kwak shared several photos on his Instagram account Tuesday, writing that he had been invited to the Ballon d'Or 70th anniversary event. In the photos, Kwak appeared in a black suit and bow tie with his hair swept back, striking a proud pose with both hands on his hips. "I'm watching this in person," he wrote, adding, "Life is really fun." Among the photos was a selfie with Ronaldo, widely regarded as a Brazilian football legend. Kwak has long shown a deep passion for football, having previously attended World Cup matches in person. He built a following of 2.16 million subscribers through travel videos shot abroad. In September last year, Kwak announced both his marriage to a non-celebrity partner and a pregnancy, then held his wedding ceremony in October of the same year. He later shared in March that he had become a father. Meanwhile, at the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony held at the London Palladium in the United Kingdom, Harry Kane (33, Bayern Munich) was named the winner of the men's award. The Ballon d'Or, created by French football magazine France Football, is awarded annually to the player judged to have delivered the best performance of the year, as determined by a vote of football journalists selected from each country. The men's award has been presented since 1956, and the women's award since 2018. Kane is the first English player to win the Ballon d'Or since Michael Owen in 2001. Kwak's post drew playful reactions from followers, with comments including "100% AI," "He made it," "Thought it was AI," and "Incredible."

Oct. 27, 2026