DKB's D1 to enlist Oct. 26, agency says he passed military band audition

D1 of the boy group DKB will fulfill his mandatory military service as an active-duty soldier. DKB's agency Brave Entertainment said Wednesday via Instagram that it was sharing an update on D1's enlistment. "D1 applied for the Army military band and recently received final approval from the Military Manpower Administration," the agency said. "He is scheduled to enlist as an active-duty soldier on Oct. 26 to fulfill his military service." The agency added that no official event would be held on the day D1 enters the training center. "Since many service members and their families will be present, we ask fans to refrain from visiting the scene to prevent any safety incidents," it said. It also asked fans for their continued support, saying, "Please give D1 your unwavering love and warm encouragement so that he can faithfully complete his military duties and return in good health." D1 serves as the lead vocalist of DKB. The group's name is short for "Dark Brown Eyes," meaning "boys with brown eyes making their way through Asia." DKB is known as an all-around group capable of handling nearly every aspect of production themselves, including songwriting, composing, choreography, DJing, acrobatics and playing instruments. DKB debuted in the music industry in February 2020. Earlier, in June, Brave Entertainment also announced that DKB's leader, rapper and lead dancer Lee Chan had enlisted. Lee entered a training center on June 23 to fulfill his mandatory military service in the Army as an active-duty soldier.

Sept. 10, 2026

Don Spike, out of prison after drug conviction, teases new ocean-view BBQ restaurant

Composer and broadcaster Don Spike (49, real name Kim Min-su), who served time in prison on drug charges before his release, has resurfaced with an update on his life. On Wednesday, Don Spike posted a photo of a store's exterior overlooking the sea on his SNS, writing, "Almost there. Just a few final touches left." The photo showed the name "BARBACOA," referring to a slow-cooking method for meat, along with the phrase "by donspike," hinting at the opening of a new restaurant. Don Spike built a following as a "meat master" during his entertainment career but halted all activities in 2022 after a drug scandal. He was charged with purchasing about 45 million won ($33,600) worth of drugs nine times, using them 14 times, and giving them to others seven times between late 2021 and 2022. The first trial court sentenced him to three years in prison, suspended for five years, but the appeals court handed down a two-year prison term. Don Spike appealed to the Supreme Court, which upheld the two-year sentence, and he completed his term in March 2025. During the trial, it also emerged that Don Spike had a prior drug conviction. Don Spike was fined 5 million won over smoking marijuana at a studio in Seocho-gu, Seoul, between 2008 and 2009, and was given a two-year suspended sentence, among other penalties, for marijuana use again in 2010. Meanwhile, news of Don Spike's restaurant opening has drawn mixed reactions online, with some commenters writing, "He's a drug offender, so I'm uneasy about the food," while others said, "Isn't it enough that he's quit drugs now?"

Sept. 10, 2026

Actor Kwon Oh-joong receives prime minister's citation, says 'grateful for everything'

Actor Kwon Oh-joong has received a citation from the prime minister. Kwon confirmed the honor on his Instagram account Wednesday, sharing a photo of the citation bearing the name of Prime Minister Han Seong-sook. The photo identified him as Kwon Oh-joong, publicity ambassador for the nonprofit organization Sarang Bat. The citation read, "You are hereby honored for your great contribution to national and social development through the advancement of social welfare." "I am grateful for everything," Kwon wrote. Kwon was recognized for his contribution to spreading a culture of sharing through his public influence. Kwon made his debut in 1994 with the KBS 2TV drama series "Sarangui Insa" ("Greetings of Love"). He then became a familiar face to the public through the SBS sitcom "Sunpoong Clinic" from 1998 to 2000. He went on to become a fixture on variety shows, including MBC's "Gonggam Talk Show Nolleowa" and KBS 2TV's "Naneun Namjada" ("I Am a Man"), showcasing his signature wit.

Sept. 10, 2026

Youn Yuh-jung misses out on Emmy win, 'Beef' season 2 nabs 3 awards

Youn Yuh-jung, the first Korean actress to win an Academy Award for best supporting actress, came up short in her bid for an Emmy. According to Star Today on Wednesday, Youn was nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie at the 78th Emmy Awards but did not win. The award went to Linda Cardellini for her role in the HBO Max series "DTF St. Louis." Youn had earned the nomination for playing Chairman Park, a Korean billionaire, in season two of the Netflix series "Beef." Expectations had been high given that Youn became the first Korean actress to win an Oscar, for the 2021 film "Minari." "Beef" season two received 16 nominations across 14 categories at this year's Emmys and has so far won three awards: outstanding sound mixing, outstanding sound editing and outstanding contemporary costumes. "Beef," created and directed by Korean American director Lee Sung-jin, has drawn worldwide attention for both its critical acclaim and popularity since its first season. The 78th Emmy Awards are being held over three days: Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The Saturday and Sunday ceremonies were recorded, while the final ceremony will air live on Monday at 5 p.m. (Pacific time) on NBC.

Sept. 10, 2026

Kim Min-kyung, 45, skips postpartum care center after birth: 'Best decision, 22,000 times over'

Shares update on social media 'Having such a fun recovery at home' Actress Kim Min-kyung, 45, is drawing attention for skipping a postpartum care center despite giving birth for the first time at an advanced age. Her choice comes as a refreshing surprise. Reports have often surfaced of celebrities using luxury postpartum care centers that cost tens of millions of won for a two-week stay. According to entertainment industry sources Thursday, Kim shared a video and photos on her personal social media account along with a caption that read, "My decision not to go to a postpartum care center is the right one, even if I think about it 22,000 times." The video showed her newborn wrapped in a swaddle inside a crib, with just two tiny feet peeking out. "Thank you to everyone who was worried about me, especially my husband's friends," she said, adding, "But I'm having such a fun recovery at home with Ji-o." Kim also posted a selfie, writing, "It's been a while. I washed my hair for the first time in a week." In the photo, Kim lies on a bed in a sleeveless top with light makeup, smiling. Her face, free of any swelling that would suggest she had just given birth, showed off her natural beauty. Kim, a former Miss Korea who rose to fame as an actress, married a non-celebrity in 2024, announced her pregnancy in April and recently gave birth to a son. Meanwhile, postpartum care centers are facilities that support new mothers' recovery and newborn care immediately after childbirth. They are most expensive in Seoul, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "Second-Half 2025 Nationwide Postpartum Care Center Status" report. The average price of premium suites at Seoul's 94 postpartum care centers was 8.1 million won ($6,050) for a two-week stay, the highest in the country. That is up 480,000 won, or 5.9 percent, from 7.62 million won in the first half of the same year. In Gangnam alone, the average fee for premium suites at 17 centers reached 17.32 million won, up 1.32 million won, or 8.2 percent, from the first-half average of 16 million won. Center D in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, had the highest premium suite fee at 50.4 million won, followed by Center M, also in Gangnam-gu, at 29 million won. For standard rooms, Center H in Gangnam-gu topped the list at 17 million won, followed by Center M at 16 million won.

Sept. 10, 2026

Broadcaster Yoo Jae-suk: 'I quit smoking cold turkey 20 years ago'

Broadcaster Yoo Jae-suk has shared that he has not smoked in 20 years. The tvN variety show "You Quiz on the Block," which aired Wednesday, featured hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeon Lee Jun-seo, who has spent nine years working to overcome alcohol addiction. Introducing himself on the show, Lee said, "I'm a surgeon who quit drinking," adding, "Now I volunteer to help patients caught in the grip of alcohol." Recalling how his addiction began, Lee said, "It started back in college. I was in a band, and the spirit of rock is resistance against authority. When you resist, you end up drinking. I think that's what led to my alcohol addiction." Looking back on his time as a fellow, he added, "There were only two of us on staff, and it was so grueling that my drinking got worse." Listening to this, Yoo asked, "When did you decide you had to quit drinking?" Lee replied, "I developed insomnia. Drinking would put me to sleep, but I would always wake up in the early morning. That feeling was unbearable." He said he tried every method imaginable to cut back — not drinking on weekdays, drinking only on weekdays, avoiding soju, drinking only soju. This drew a laugh from Yoo, who said, "That's a lot of methods." Lee then said, "One advanced technique is counting your drinks. You go to a work dinner thinking, 'My goal for Thursday is five drinks,' but once you start drinking, you forget. Counting drinks stresses you out, so you end up drinking more. These techniques are actually really hard to pull off." Asked how to distinguish a casual drinker from someone dependent on alcohol, Lee said, "If you feel miserable without a drink, that means you have a dependency." Yoo agreed, saying, "That seems to apply to more than just drinking. If you can't stand being without something, that's addiction." Yoo then shared his own story of successfully quitting smoking. "I used to smoke, too, but I've been smoke-free for 20 years now," Yoo said. "When I was trying to quit, I tried all sorts of things — 'Let's smoke just five a day,' 'just four a day' — but that never really worked. It's hard." Yoo's account of how he ultimately succeeded drew particular attention. "Instead of trying to cut back gradually, I just decided, 'I'm quitting,' and quit outright," he said. "It might be a bit different with alcohol, but statistically speaking, cutting back little by little isn't easy." Lee compared alcohol to "a harmful lover," explaining that to break free from addiction, it is best to cut the relationship off entirely. "When you feel the urge to drink, instead of only picturing the good feelings alcohol brings, it helps to think all the way through to what comes after drinking — that reduces the craving," he added. Yoo said, "Right after I quit smoking, seeing other people smoke would make me want a cigarette. But at some point, after five or 10 years passed, I stopped thinking about it at all, and now I even hate the smell."

Sept. 10, 2026

Lee Dong-gook's daughter drops New York plans 3 days before departure, moves out on her own in Seoul

Lee Jae-si, 19, the daughter of former national team footballer Lee Dong-gook, has drawn attention after abruptly abandoning plans to attend the main campus of a prestigious American university. Lee Dong-gook's wife, Lee Su-jin, shared an update about her daughter on SNS on Wednesday, writing that Jae-si had become an adult and moved out on her own. "I always used to tell her, 'once you become an adult, you move out and live on your own. You get a part-time job and make it on your own strength. Mom and Dad's support only lasts until then,'" Lee Su-jin said. "But when Jae-si actually told me she was really moving out on her own, I suddenly burst into tears." She then revealed the unexpected news that "Jae-si gave up on going to New York three days before she was set to leave." According to Lee Su-jin, Jae-si graduated from the Songdo campus of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), a prestigious fashion school whose main campus is in New York. She entered university two years earlier than her peers, so this year she was set to continue her remaining studies at the New York campus as a junior. At that age, most of her peers are only freshmen. But just three days before her departure, she changed her mind. Jae-si had initially been set on the idea that she needed to graduate quickly since she had already come this far, but Lee Su-jin said she offered her daughter a different option. "I told her, 'Is it really right to spend the next two years just for a diploma? Why don't we instead use that time and money to buy more experiences,'" Lee Su-jin said. "I thought that once it becomes clear what she wants to learn and what kind of study she truly needs, it would not be too late to go back to school then," she added. "I told her that if she studies alongside friends her own age while also having two years of experience gained out in the world beforehand, the Jae-si of that time would be completely different from who she is now. We had a long talk about it, and in the end, Jae-si accepted my thinking." In the end, Jae-si decided to start a new life in Seoul instead of New York. "Now she is really living on her own for the first time," Lee Su-jin said in support of her daughter's independence. "Feeding herself, earning her own money, learning how much it costs to live, and taking responsibility for her own schedule — that is what it means to truly become an adult." "I think the time has come for me to change the kind of love I give her — not the love of doing things for her, but the love of trusting her to do them on her own," she said.

Sept. 10, 2026

Kim Shin-young denies rumors she is skipping 'I Live Alone'

Comedian Kim Shin-young addressed speculation that she is taking a break from MBC's "I Live Alone," saying she has no plans to leave the show. On Thursday, Kim shared an article headline about the rumor on her Instagram account, writing, "That's not true. I'll be there again next week without fail." The speculation arose after the official Instagram account for "I Live Alone" posted a group photo featuring Jun Hyun-moo, Code Kunst, Dawn, Kim Dae-ho, Ryu Hye-young and Kian84, among others, with Kim Shin-young notably absent from the picture. The absence had prompted questions among viewers. However, Kim herself stepped in to put the rumor to rest, clarifying that it was simply a misunderstanding. Meanwhile, Kim is taking a three-month break from "Kim Shin-young's Noon Song of Hope," the MBC Radio FM4U program she has hosted for 14 years. Announcing the hiatus during her Aug. 31 broadcast, Kim said, "I want to take care of things I've put off for the sake of my second act in life," adding, "I will regroup and come back." Kim has hosted "Noon Song of Hope" as a DJ since October 2012. She previously stepped away once in 2013 due to health issues, and this second hiatus is set to run through Nov. 30. While Kim is away, a rotating lineup of special DJs will take over hosting duties on "Noon Song of Hope."

Sept. 10, 2026

'I will not make the same mistake again': Comedian Lee Jin-ho's suspended sentence finalized

The suspended prison sentence handed down to comedian Lee Jin-ho on charges of habitual illegal gambling and drunk driving has been finalized. According to legal officials Thursday, neither Lee nor prosecutors filed an appeal with the court by the Tuesday deadline. Under Korean criminal procedure, a party seeking to contest a first-instance ruling must file an appeal within seven days of the sentencing date. Earlier, the Suwon District Court's Yeoju branch, in a ruling handed down by Judge Ahn Tae-yoon of the first criminal division on Sept. 1, sentenced Lee to one year and six months in prison, suspended for three years. The court also ordered him to complete 120 hours of community service. Lee was indicted on charges of habitually engaging in illegal gambling after transferring more than 870 million won ($649,000) to gambling websites in 664 separate transactions between May 11, 2023, and Oct. 14, 2024. He exchanged the funds for cyber currency, which he used to gamble. A charge of drunk driving was also added, after Lee drove about 70 kilometers on Sept. 24, 2025, with a blood alcohol level of 0.12 percent. At the final hearing on Aug. 14, prosecutors sought a two-year prison sentence for Lee. At the time, Lee said, "I have lived each day in regret since committing this wrongdoing. I will not make the same mistake again."

Sept. 10, 2026

Singer Kim Jin-pyo unknowingly takes dog probiotics for over a month

Singer Kim Jin-pyo expressed bewilderment after discovering that the probiotics he had been taking for more than a month were actually meant for his dog. In a post on his SNS on Tuesday, Kim wrote, "At some point I developed a habit of taking all sorts of things that are supposed to be good for the body the morning after drinking." According to the post, Kim had been taking digestive medicine and vitamins when he had a hangover. One day, he came across a probiotic supplement on a shelf where medicines were kept and began taking it without much thought. "It tasted exactly like the probiotics I used to take," he said, adding that he continued taking the product every morning after drinking. At some point, however, unexplained hives began appearing on various parts of his body. On days he carried a bag all day, hives spread widely across the shoulder where the strap had rested, and his side sometimes turned red. The symptoms were not severely itchy and tended to subside after a few days, so he initially did not pay much attention. As the hives kept recurring sporadically, Kim told his wife about his condition, planning to see a doctor if the symptoms worsened. His wife solved the mystery only when she saw him popping the probiotics into his mouth. Checking the crumpled packaging, his wife urgently asked, "Did you just eat this?" When Kim replied, "Why? Should I spit it out?" she immediately said, "Spit it out now." It turned out the probiotics Kim had been taking were meant for the couple's dog — the packaging even bore the words "for dogs only." Only then did Kim realize that the probiotics he had been taking for more than a month were meant for his pet. "Why did I never once notice the words 'for dogs only'?" he said, adding, "I feel embarrassed," expressing his bewilderment over the situation. Kim said he stopped taking the product afterward, and the hives that had appeared across his body also disappeared. No medical causal link has been confirmed between taking the dog probiotics and the hives Kim developed. However, since pet products can differ from products for humans in purpose, ingredients and dosage standards, caution is advised to check who a product is intended for and how it should be taken before consuming it. Meanwhile, Kim debuted in 1995 as a member of the group Panic and has since worked as a rapper and MC. He later became a race car driver and also served as a director of a racing team. More recently, he took over Korea Pilot, an imported writing instrument company his maternal grandfather had run, and currently serves as its CEO.

Sept. 9, 2026

Hwang Jung-eum: 'Ad offers came in every time I woke up' during Hi Kick, earned W4b in 6 months

Actor Hwang Jung-eum said that during her time on the MBC sitcom "High Kick Through the Roof," new advertising offers kept coming in every time she woke up. Her bank balance grew from 500 won to 4 billion won ($2.98 million) in just six months. Hwang posted a video titled "The Day I Learned Working Out and Mukbang From Julien Kang" on her YouTube channel "Hwang Jung-eum" on Wednesday. In the video, Hwang met her former co-star Julien Kang to learn how to work out, and remarked on the passage of time, saying, "I used to have amazing stamina. I was 26 back then." Julien Kang asked, "Why did you always look so cheerful even when things were tough, Jung-eum?" Hwang admitted, "Back then I had only 500 won in my bank account, but after 'Hi Kick,' it grew to several billion won." She added, "Honestly, even before I started making money, I loved 'Hi Kick' so much." Julien Kang agreed, saying, "It was so great." Hwang also expressed gratitude, saying, "When I was going through a hard time, Julien and his wife invited me over, so I brought all my kids along. Julien had Wangsik and Kangsik work out with him. I was so thankful. He worried about me so much." Julien Kang said, "I think of Jung-eum as a friend, so I kept asking because I was worried about how she was feeling." Hwang expressed her affection, saying, "We did a drama series together, and we made so many memories on it. The show turned out well, and we got along so well that we have a real camaraderie, like war buddies. We have memories of tackling it together like a battle. Even if we only see each other once every five years or once every ten years, it still feels like we see each other all the time." While eating ramyun for a mukbang segment later, Hwang said, "This reminds me of the old days, filming 'Hi Kick' and then rushing off to shoot a ramyun commercial." Julien Kang added that he too landed many ads thanks to his mukbang scenes in the show. Hwang recalled, "Ad offers genuinely came in every time I woke up. It felt like such a blessing back then, and I was truly grateful. Even now, thinking back on it makes me happy." At the time, Hwang reportedly filmed as many as 15 commercials, and her sales over that six-month span reached the 4-billion-won range.

Sept. 9, 2026

Kang Won-rae, in wheelchair for 26 years, injures toe: 'This has happened 3 or 4 times'

Kang Won-rae, formerly of the duo Clon, injured his toe while riding his wheelchair. In August, Kang posted photos of the injured toe on his Instagram account, writing that he hurt his toe when his wheelchair hit a wall as he was leaving the bathroom after a shower. "I've been in a wheelchair for 26 years now, and this has happened three or four times," Kang said. "I need to be more careful from now on." He added, "Sun-yi asked me, 'Doesn't it hurt?' and I told her, 'No, it doesn't.'" Kang also attached a caption to the photo that read, "Even when I can't walk, I always wear shoes indoors and outdoors." Kang's wife, singer Kim Song, offered encouragement in the comments, writing, "Let's be careful." Other comments included messages such as "Please be careful" and "I hope you feel better soon." Kang worked as a dance singer alongside Koo Jun-yup in Clon, earning widespread popularity with a string of hit songs. In 1996, he won the grand prize at the Seoul Music Awards for "Kkoongtari Shabara." Kang married singer and dancer Kim Song in 2003. In June 2014, the couple welcomed a son.

Sept. 9, 2026

Actor Han Jeong-su vows to stop making political remarks

Actor Han Jeong-su has declared that he will no longer make political remarks going forward. "I will no longer make political remarks," Han wrote on his Instagram account. "Thank you to everyone who has supported me and to everyone who has criticized me." "I will now return to where I belong and live diligently," he added. "Thank you." Han had previously voiced his views on various issues through social media. Han has appeared in numerous productions, including the KBS2 drama series "Maou," "Chuno" and the SBS drama series "Prosecutor Princess." He also gained wider public recognition through the film "Sunflower," among others. Comments on the post included messages such as "Cheer up" and "I hope you find happiness in whatever role or position you're in." Han replied to some of the comments with "Thank you."

Sept. 9, 2026

Comedian Hong Yoon-hwa admits weight regain after losing 40 kg: 'A bit tighter, right?'

Comedian Hong Yoon-hwa, who revealed nine months ago that she had lost 40 kilograms, has shared an update on some weight she has since regained. Hong appeared as a special guest on the SBS show "Dongsangimong 2 -- You Are My Destiny," which aired Tuesday. When Hong walked into the studio, Kim Sook bluntly asked, "What happened?" Lee Ji-hye also asked, "You had been managing your weight so carefully -- what happened recently?" Hong had drawn attention after revealing she lost 40 kilograms over about nine months, but she appeared to have put on some weight since then. "I have been living a bit happily," Hong said, before showing off a gold bracelet weighing 10 don that her husband, comedian Kim Min-ki, gave her after she succeeded in losing the weight. Pointing to the bracelet, which now fit snugly on her wrist, she got a laugh by admitting first, "It's gotten a bit tighter, right?" Hong also revealed a nickname she picked up because of the bracelet. "Ever since I got the gold bracelet on 'Dongsangimong 2,' people have called me 'Hong Geum-bo,'" she said. "Whenever they see me, they say, 'Yoon-hwa, show us the gold.'" Hong has continued to share updates on her weight and diet even after losing the 40 kilograms. Appearing on the MBN entertainment program "Sokpuli Show Dongchimi" last month, she said, "When I appeared on the show before, I had already lost the 40 kilograms. But as I kept losing weight, something went wrong with my body, and for the first time in my life I experienced a nutritional imbalance." She said she had gained back some weight for the sake of her health. Hong married comedian Kim Min-ki in 2018. The couple continue to share their daily lives through broadcasts and YouTube.

Sept. 9, 2026

Singer Hwasa gifts hanji-covered album to first lady Kim Hye-kyung, Brigitte Macron in Paris

Singer Hwasa met Kim Hye-kyung, wife of President Lee Jae Myung, and Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, in France and presented them with a special gift during Lee's state visit. According to Cheong Wa Dae, Kim and Macron visited the Hotel de la Marine, a national heritage museum in Paris, on Tuesday (local time). They viewed "Hanjimania," a special exhibition centered on hanji, traditional Korean paper. North Gyeongsang Province organized the exhibition to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and France. It features 17 craft pieces created through collaborations between Korean and French artists using traditional hanji materials from Mungyeong and Andong, along with samples of traditional hanji paper itself. The two women toured the exhibition together ahead of its official opening that day. They shared a warm atmosphere as they stepped into a small room-like installation to examine the works on display. Kim personally explained the merits and value of hanji to Macron, saying, "Hanji is made from mulberry tree bark through a unique traditional technique, giving it excellent preservation qualities and durability." She added, "It is a precious cultural heritage that is used in the restoration of cultural artifacts at major institutions abroad, including the Louvre." Kim also expressed hope that hanji would become more widely known around the world ahead of a UNESCO announcement expected in December on its inclusion on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. Hwasa accompanied the two women during the exhibition tour and presented them with an album in a hanji case, which Kim and Macron reportedly received with delight and gratitude. Hwasa also performed a solo set that day at a state dinner hosted by French President Macron. The dinner was organized to strengthen practical economic and cultural cooperation between South Korea and France in commemoration of the 140th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. It was attended by President Lee and his wife along with 17 leading figures from the business and cultural sectors. Meanwhile, the "Hanjimania" special exhibition will officially open at the Hotel de la Marine on Thursday (local time) and run for 18 days. The exhibition has been selected as an official program of Paris Design Week, a globally recognized design festival.

Sept. 9, 2026

Seo In-young admits past 'bad attitude' amid gapjil controversy

Singer Seo In-young has broken her silence on allegations of "first-class" gapjil, or abuse of power, and a past cursing controversy. A teaser for the SBS entertainment show "Whatever You Want, Genie: Secretaries," featuring Seo, was released on the YouTube channel SBS on Wednesday. In the clip, Seo recalled the gapjil allegations that surfaced against her in the past, saying, "People said I engaged in gapjil. They said I insisted on flying first class or not at all." While she did not confirm every detail of the allegations, she candidly admitted to her past attitude, saying, "I admit that I acted pretty badly back then." Seo debuted in 2002 as a member of the girl group Jewelry and won wide popularity for her bold, outspoken persona. However, in 2017, a video of her cursing during an overseas shoot for the JTBC show "With Family Season 2: The Best Love" surfaced. It embroiled her in a conflict with the production team and gapjil allegations. The production team also alleged that Seo made excessive demands, including insisting on first-class flights and top-tier hotels, and she ended up leaving the show in disgrace. Seo later explained on several broadcasts that while cursing was indeed her fault, she did not direct abuse or curse words at the show's writer. In the teaser, Seo said she has "calmed down a lot" compared with before, describing herself as being in the process of "turning over a new leaf." She went on to say, "I think this is part of the process of changing for the better," signaling that she is working to change.

Sept. 9, 2026

Nicolas Cage's $10.5m Malibu home hit by giant sinkhole

California coastal home damaged in Malibu 9-by-9-meter cavity opens amid ground erosion Actor Nicolas Cage, familiar to Korean audiences from films such as "Leaving Las Vegas" and "Face/Off," has seen a massive sinkhole open up in the driveway of his home. According to the Associated Press and other outlets, a large sinkhole formed in the driveway of Cage's residence on the Malibu coast in California on Tuesday (local time). The cavity was estimated at 9 meters by 9 meters. The Los Angeles County Fire Department cited severe coastal erosion as the cause of the collapse. A coastal flood advisory had recently been in effect across the Los Angeles area in the wake of tropical storm Mari. The driveway collapsed just before 6 a.m. that day, and a gas leak during the incident prompted a response from authorities and a gas utility crew. The city of Malibu designated five homes near the collapsed driveway as a hazard zone and barred access to them that day. As the sinkhole continued to grow, the city declared a local state of emergency that evening over public safety concerns and ordered residents of about 24 coastal homes to evacuate. A temporary shelter was set up at nearby Malibu High School. Authorities believe the situation is likely to worsen given forecasts of high tides and rain. The city of Malibu said on its official social media account, "We are preparing for the strong storms, high surf, heavy rain, landslides and coastal erosion that a powerful El Nino event can bring across the Southern California coastline." Cage reportedly bought the home in 2024 for $10.5 million. The modern-style house, measuring roughly 370 square meters, was reportedly vacant and undergoing construction work at the time of the incident. Cage, 62, recently appeared in the Amazon series "Spider-Noir" and is set to play NFL coach and commentator John Madden in a biopic due for release later this year. Cage, who has appeared in more than 100 films including "The Rock," "Face/Off" and "Adaptation," won the Academy Award for best actor at the 68th ceremony in 1996 for director Mike Figgis's "Leaving Las Vegas."

Sept. 9, 2026

Fans criticize 'worst' event management at Sung Si-kyung's outdoor concert

Singer Sung Si-kyung held an outdoor concert over the weekend, but some concertgoers who attended have voiced complaints about how the event was run. Sung performed "2026 Sung Si-kyung with Friends [Well, Today Is]" at the 88 Lawn Plaza in Seoul Olympic Park on Saturday and Sunday. The concert featured a lineup of collaborators including Yang Hee-eun, Lee Jae-hoon, Won Mi-yeon, Kim Jang-hoon, Gummy, Kwon Jin-ah, Kim Kwang-jin and Indonesian star Raisa, who joined Sung on stage. Online communities and SNS were soon filled with attendee reviews complaining about long waits, confusion during entry, cramped viewing space, the operation of the food zone and unclear rules on bringing in outside food. Many said the performance itself was good but that the event management left much to be desired. One attendee who described themselves as a longtime fan of Sung wrote, "The performance itself was good, but the management was the worst." Another attendee wrote, "A single ticket cost 160,000 won ($119), and although the show started at 6 p.m., we stood in line under the blazing sun from 11 a.m. and did not get in until 2 p.m. They searched my bag and confiscated even a single chocolate bar, and a beer cost 8,000 won. Is everyone who went to Sung Si-kyung's concert really OK with this?" Other attendees said the food trucks and other food and beverage facilities were not sufficient for the size of the crowd, leading to long waits and complaints about prices. Some also said that, since it was an outdoor performance, there was no shelter from the sun, forcing them to spread out mats and sit in the blazing heat. Still more attendees posted complaints about the event management, with comments such as, "They even took away the few pieces of candy I was carrying in case my blood sugar dropped," "It was so hot before and after entering that I was drenched in sweat," and "The waiting area was just out in the open sun."

Sept. 9, 2026

Election fraud protests force EXO's D.O. to move solo concert to KINTEX

Do Kyung-soo, a member of K-pop group EXO who also works as a singer and actor, has changed the venue for his solo concert. The move comes amid prolonged protests alleging fraud in South Korea's ninth nationwide local elections, held June 3. According to Nocut News, Do had been scheduled to hold "2026-2027 Do Kyung-soo Concert Tour [Day Off]" over three days from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4. The concert was set to take place at the Ticketlink Live Arena inside Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Fan club presale and general ticket sales had already concluded, but with the venue effectively unusable, organizers ultimately announced the show would move elsewhere. Ticketlink, the online ticketing platform, said Tuesday, "Due to unavoidable circumstances near the concert venue, ensuring audience safety and a smooth performance became difficult, forcing us to change the venue. We ask for your understanding, as this decision was made to present the show in a safer and more comfortable environment." The concert, originally set for Ticketlink Live Arena, will now be held in Hall 5 of Exhibition Center 1 at KINTEX in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. The dates remain unchanged, running Oct. 2-4. Because the venue is entirely different, all previous ticket purchases have been voided, requiring fans to cancel and rebook. The ticketing platform explained, "As the seating layout at the new venue differs from the original, all existing reservations will be automatically canceled in full, and rebooking will proceed." Existing bookings were set to be canceled en masse starting at 2 p.m. Tuesday, with refunds issued automatically to the original payment method. Ticketlink also announced a new booking schedule. The first-round domestic presale, domestic presale, fan club verification (domestic and global), second-round presale and general ticket sales each follow separate schedules, with details available through the ticketing platform. The presale is split into two rounds. Fans who had already completed a booking before the announcement are classified as first-round presale buyers. Those who complete fan club verification during the designated period qualify for the second-round presale.

Sept. 9, 2026

YouTuber apologizes after MMA fighter knocks out civilian on livestream, says he did not know it was real

Amid controversy over mixed martial arts fighter Kim Jung-woo's assault on a civilian, identified only as A, that left him unconscious, YouTuber B, who organized the livestream during which the assault took place, apologized, saying, "I did not know he had really passed out." According to Sports Kyunghyang, B said in an interview with Gray News on Tuesday, "A, the person who was assaulted, previously competed in professional kickboxing competitions and was originally a fan of my channel." He then said of the tension staged between Kim and A, "This had been discussed to some extent before the broadcast began, and we decided to stage the situation somewhat to make the broadcast more entertaining." B also said, "Kim and A were originally supposed to spar in the ring, and beforehand we staged a situation where they appeared to get into an argument, intending it as a teaser to show viewers that the two would face off later." B went on to say, "It was never planned to actually knock someone out or hurt them that badly," and said that he and Kim had not agreed beforehand that Kim would injure A to the point of unconsciousness. Regarding the moment when Kim, laughing and joking with other cast members, told the unconscious A to "sleep for a while," B added, "At the time, I did not realize he had actually passed out — I thought A was pretending to be unconscious to make the scene more dramatic." B said that once he realized A had actually passed out, he ended the livestream and called emergency services. However, B admitted that one of the cast members had falsely told the hospital that A "was injured while exercising," explaining that they did so because a case registered as assault or injury might not be covered by private insurance. B then apologized, saying, "This could look to A's parents and family like an attempt to downplay or cover up the incident." He added, "If police need to investigate, I plan to explain everything I know exactly as it happened." Meanwhile, police booked Kim on charges of assault causing injury without detention and are investigating the case. They reportedly also plan to examine whether other cast members present at the scene were involved in the assault. Earlier, Kim appeared on B's livestream on Sunday and assaulted A using techniques including a guillotine choke. Even after A tapped out to signal submission, Kim continued applying the choke until A lost consciousness. As A collapsed, the back of his head struck the ground hard, causing a severe impact. At the time, Kim and the other cast members left A unattended despite his being unconscious. In particular, Kim was seen on the live broadcast slapping the unconscious A's cheek and laughing while saying, "Let him sleep for a bit." As the controversy spread, ZFN, the mixed martial arts organization to which Kim belongs, terminated his contract on Monday, saying it determined he had violated the code-of-conduct clause in his player contract. Kim, a former wrestler, made his professional debut in mixed martial arts last month through ZFN, an organization founded and run by Jung Chan-sung. He reportedly had once been affiliated with a violent organization that was under police surveillance.

Sept. 9, 2026