Actor Nam Bo-ra sighs over loan curbs: 'Buying a home is harder these days'

YouTube video of newlywed home-hunting trip draws attention Actor Nam Bo-ra, 36, has drawn attention online after saying, "These days, buying a home has genuinely become harder." She voiced a widely shared frustration among younger generations over tightened mortgage regulations. According to the YouTube channel STUDIO OMG, a video titled "Newlywed Home: Seoul vs. Gyeonggi Province? Nam Bo-ra and Her Sibling's Real Estate Tour ㅣ Bora Unnie Dongsaeng" was posted Tuesday. In it, Nam accompanies a PD who is about to get married on a house-hunting trip for the PD's newlywed home. Throughout the video, Nam thoroughly inspects every corner of each property and calculates the costs involved in a purchase, showing the qualities of a dependable elder sister. Nam first asked how much seed money the PD had set aside. The PD replied, "It's around 60 million to 70 million won ($52,200). Scraping everything together, it comes to 70 million won." The PD added, "If I'm buying, I think I'd have to look at places under 250 million won. Don't first-time buyers get a 70 percent loan?" Nam then asked where the couple worked. The PD said she worked in Noryangjin, while her boyfriend worked near Geumjeong Station on Seoul Subway Line 4, close to Anyang. In response, Nam suggested, "If you give up on Seoul, couldn't you look at somewhere in Gyeonggi Province instead?" The PD, noting that Nam had already found her own newlywed home, asked her, "Wasn't it a headache when you were looking for your place?" Nam let out a deep sigh and said, "Housing is always like that. These days, it is hard to even get a loan. Buying a home has become even harder." The two toured villas, officetels and apartments around Yeomchang-dong in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and the area near Gunpo Station. While inspecting the units, Nam showed her meticulous side, remarking, "Koreans love a three-bay layout the most," and "Are water and electricity billed separately from the maintenance fee?" She also noted, "This one faces south, but the view is of the outdoor unit." She even checked out a money tree, a plant said to bring wealth and good fortune. When the PD expressed interest in a newly built villa, Nam pulled out a calculator to work through the numbers. She calculated the sale price, the available loan amount, acquisition tax, legal fees, brokerage commission and even moving costs. She also offered practical advice, saying, "For your wedding essentials, Karrot (a secondhand trading platform) is the answer." The PD thanked her, saying, "You're like a real adult, unnie. A true grown-up." Viewers who watched the video responded with comments such as, "I wish I had someone like Bo-ra unnie by my side," "Please come house-hunting with me too," and "How do newlywed couples even manage to find a home these days?" Meanwhile, Nam is nicknamed the "K-eldest daughter." She is the second of 13 siblings and the eldest daughter. She married a non-celebrity of the same age in May 2025 and gave birth to a son in June.

Sept. 9, 2026

Novelist So Jae-won fires back after Ko Young-wook threatens lawsuit

Novelist So Jae-won has responded again after Ko Young-wook pushed back and threatened to sue him. In a Wednesday post on Instagram, So wrote, "Someone named Ko Young-wook came to my social media and left this comment," adding, "Early in the morning, someone from my office contacted me and even sent me the related news article. We both laughed helplessly and let out a sigh." "It makes me think a person can really act like that," he said. "I heard from the news that he plans to sue me, so for now, I am posting part of the ruling from a case I recently won again." Along with the post, he shared part of a court ruling related to a damages case. "As you can see, I do not pick fights first," So said. "But when someone picks a fight with me, I fight back relentlessly to the end and win no matter what. And I make sure to hold them legally accountable and receive compensation." He closed the post by writing, "I cannot help laughing at this. Anyone looking at this would think I was the one who committed the crime and was being criticized for it." Earlier, on Monday, So had criticized Ko, writing, "How much longer do we have to watch this shameless man, who committed a sex crime against a minor, run his mouth?" and "He should be living in hiding, yet how can he live the way he does?" In response, Ko rebuffed him on Tuesday, saying So had "written this toward someone he has no relationship with, without even checking the facts," and calling it "a matter worth reviewing legally." Ko also said that after his release, he had fulfilled all his obligations, including three years of probation, wearing an electronic monitoring device and registering his personal information. Ko debuted in 1994 as a member of the group Roora. In 2013, the Supreme Court finalized a sentence of two years and six months in prison for him on charges of sexually assaulting and molesting a minor, along with three years of electronic monitoring and five years of personal information disclosure and notification. He currently updates the public on his activities through social media. So Jae-won has worked on the films "Beastie Boys," "Wish," "Tunnel" and "Toxic," as well as the drama series "Goodbye to Goodbye."

Sept. 9, 2026

'Penthouse' star Ko So-young says Instagram handles most of her shopping

Top star Ko So-young, said to live in a penthouse worth around 16.4 billion won ($12.2 million), has revealed her daily habit of joining group-buy deals on social media. According to Star Today, a video titled "Ko So-young's 10-year know-how for handling food, clothing and shelter through Instagram — group-buy hits revealed (Not an ad)" was posted on Ko's YouTube channel on Tuesday. In the video, Ko laid out an array of products she had bought through social media group-buys across a table and said, "This is just the tip of the iceberg." "I spend a lot on Instagram," she said. "I have a bit of an 'I' tendency on the MBTI scale, so I do not like going out much. I end up buying things while sitting at home." When the production crew asked what percentage of a hypothetical 1 million won monthly budget would go toward Instagram purchases, Ko said, "Almost 60 percent." She cited convenience and price as the reasons she favors group-buys on social media. "Influencers introduce the products in detail," Ko said, adding that even for unfamiliar items like olive oil, sellers visit the production site themselves to explain it, and for seasonal ingredients they even share recipes. "The price is also a bit cheaper than the regular price," she added.

Sept. 9, 2026

Actor Ikun says he removed steel pin 6 months after collarbone injury

Ikun, an actor and entrepreneur who debuted as a member of the mixed-gender group UP, said he had the steel pin removed six months after suffering a collarbone injury. Posting a hospital photo on his social media Tuesday, Ikun wrote, "If I say it was an unfair accident, it really was, and I have somehow endured six difficult months." He explained that his collarbone ligament tore after colliding with a young child in China during the Seollal season. "I had emergency surgery in Korea, and after six months of enduring it, I finally had the steel pin removed," he said. "I did not talk about it much, but it was truly uncomfortable and hard," he admitted. He also shared photos of the steel pin removed from his body along with his discharge paperwork. "Everything went well, and thank you for worrying about me," Ikun added. "Now that I am discharged, it is time for self-directed rehabilitation." The post drew attention as an update on his recovery following the surgery. Ikun had earlier shared news of the injury on his social media in February, writing, "Surgery for a torn acromioclavicular ligament — it is truly absurd," and, "My first surgery and hospital stay in my life, and I had to rush back to Korea." Ikun debuted in 1997 as a member of UP's fourth album lineup and has appeared in the sitcom "Hello, Franceska" and the drama series "Spy Myung-wol." He currently runs a cafe project in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Sept. 9, 2026

Jo Kwon reveals Kim Hye-soo's kindness during his parents' cancer battles

A heartwarming story about actor Kim Hye-soo has come to light. Singer Jo Kwon of 2AM recalled a difficult period in his life and expressed his gratitude to Kim. On Tuesday, the YouTube channel "Rolling Thunder" posted a video titled "The heyday of 'Sebakwi.' Did she always send handwritten letters to girl idols?!" In the video, Jo Kwon spoke about his relationship with Kim Hye-soo. "We got to know each other while I was doing the drama series 'God of the Workplace,'" Jo Kwon said. "Ever since then, she has always come to see my musicals. Since I do a lot of show-style musicals, Kim Hye-soo, my sunbae, or senior in the industry, really enjoys them. Whenever she comes, she tells me, 'Honey, you did so well.'" Jo Kwon went on to reveal that Kim helped him through a difficult period when both of his parents were battling cancer. "When I was in the military, my mother had cancer and so did my father. Kim Hye-soo helped me out during that time," Jo Kwon said. "While I was in the military, my mother had melanoma and had to have her toe amputated, and my father had rectal cancer and underwent four surgeries," he added. "Because of that, I could barely work last year. Since I'm an only child, I had to take care of my parents." "She knew how hard things were for me," Jo Kwon said. "She told me, 'I just hope you stay healthy and finish your service without getting sick,' and helped me through a lot of the tough parts." Jo Kwon also recalled facing severe financial hardship during his earlier days as a singer. "The cost the company invested in trainees used to be a debt that the artist had to repay, but that changed after my debut, when the Korea Fair Trade Commission ordered companies to bear the cost themselves," Jo Kwon said. "I had debts, and the settlement came through three to four years after my debut. But everyone assumed I was rich. I did not have room to feel grateful or happy." "After recording a holiday special for 'Sebakwi,' I went home and found my mother washing her hair with cold water because the hot water had been cut off. That's when I decided I needed to work hard and earn money," he said.

Sept. 9, 2026

Team for (G)I-DLE's Miyeon denies promotional intent amid medical ad allegations over endoscopy video

The team behind (G)I-DLE member Miyeon addressed allegations that a YouTube video showing her health checkup and sleep endoscopy violated the Medical Act. On Tuesday, the production team behind the YouTube channel "Jeondosa" said in a statement that the video "was not planned to promote any specific medical institution, but was made to document the process and experience of the cast member undergoing an actual health checkup." "We received no request from the medical institution where the filming took place to advertise, promote or produce this content, and we did not receive any financial compensation or economic support, including production costs, advertising fees or sponsorship fees," the team said. "The costs for the cast member's health checkup and treatment were also paid directly by the production team." "In the process of documenting the health checkup in detail, we confirmed that some scenes in the initially released version did not sufficiently obscure information that could identify the medical institution," the team added. "Going forward, we will be more careful not only in planning and producing content but also in reviewing it before release." Earlier, on Sept. 1, the "Jeondosa" channel released footage showing Miyeon undergoing a health checkup and sleep endoscopy examination. An informant identified as A filed a complaint Monday with the public health center in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, through the government's Sinmungo civil complaint portal. The complaint asked authorities to determine whether the content constitutes medical advertising under the current Medical Act. It reportedly was assigned to the center's health care division. The complaint focused on scenes showing the administration of a sedative and the gastroscopy examination. The originally released video reportedly included a caption reading "administering sleep anesthesia," along with footage of a sedative being administered and an endoscope being inserted through the mouth. During this process, the name of the medical institution in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, its medical staff and its internal facilities were also shown on screen. The complaint also cited signage inside the hospital reading "Health Checkup Center — Specialized Hospital for Gastric and Colon Endoscopy." A reportedly asked authorities to verify whether the institution was actually designated as a specialized hospital and whether the wording had been used appropriately. Article 56 of the current Medical Act bars medical institution founders, heads of medical institutions, and individuals who are not medical personnel from advertising medical services. Even when medical personnel place such advertisements, ads that expose direct treatment procedures, including surgical scenes, are prohibited.

Sept. 9, 2026

Actress Baek Jin-hee denies fiance is wealthy businessman

Actress Baek Jin-hee has directly denied rumors that her fiance is a wealthy businessman. In a video posted to her YouTube channel "Jinny is Back" on Tuesday, Baek said, "The day has come when I have to say this myself. I still can't quite believe it," adding, "I am getting married." Addressing speculation about her fiance's occupation, she said, "He is not involved in business or finance, and he does not have great wealth," describing him as "an ordinary office worker who gets most excited on Friday mornings." Looking back on their relationship, Baek said, "I flew 14 hours to see him, and he flew 14 hours to see me. Not being able to be together in moments we wanted to be together, and not being able to see each other when we missed each other, was not easy." "He is someone who showed me how precious and enjoyable an ordinary day can be," she said. "As those days added up, talking about the future came naturally." On the disclosure of her fiance's personal information, Baek took a cautious stance, saying, "I am fine with it, but I do not want to cause even the slightest harm or hurt to the person who will become part of my family." The same day, Baek also posted a handwritten letter on her Instagram, writing, "You may have first learned the news through articles, but I wanted to share my feelings directly, so I am writing this. I met a good person who taught me how precious an ordinary day together can be, and I have come to want to spend a long time with him." Baek is set to marry at a hotel in Seoul on Jan. 23, 2027. After the wedding, she plans to continue working between South Korea and Canada. Baek debuted in the 2008 independent film "Looking for a Person." She drew attention in 2011 through the MBC sitcom "High Kick! Revenge of the Short Legged" and has since appeared in dramas including "Empress Gi," "My Daughter, Geum Sa-wol," "The Real Has Come!" and "Judge Lee Han-young."

Sept. 9, 2026

Go Young-wook lashes out at author who criticized him over past sex crime

Go Young-wook pushed back against author So Jae-won, who had publicly criticized him. On Wednesday, Go took to X, formerly known as Twitter, targeting So and saying, "This morning, I woke up and saw an article about a person calling himself author So Jae-won making groundless, malicious remarks about me, and I was so dumbfounded I was speechless for a moment." He said So wrote "without checking the facts, targeting someone who has no relation to him at all," adding that "this is a matter worth reviewing legally." Regarding So's reference to his own work, Go said, "Why are you attaching your novel 'Wish' to me?" and "Do you even really know me?" "Wish" is a novel by So inspired by the 2008 Jo Doo-soon case; it was adapted, with So's consent, into the 2013 film "Hope." Go also listed the measures he completed after his release, saying, "I received three years of probation, and I never once violated the rules on wearing an electronic monitoring device or the curfew barring me from going out between midnight and 6 a.m." He added, "For 10 years, I dutifully went to the police station every year to have my photo taken." Regarding So's remark that Go "should be living in hiding, and even that would not be enough," Go countered, "My mother's health has deteriorated to the point where she cannot walk for more than 10 minutes, so I have to go grocery shopping for her. If I hide away as you want, will you go grocery shopping for me instead?" On his own posts, Go explained, "I am just posting my thoughts on X. It may look like I am posting without thinking, but these are things I could not say to people I used to have relationships with, and now I am putting those feelings into words." Earlier, on Monday, So wrote on social media, "How much longer do we have to watch this shameless man Go Young-wook, who committed sex crimes against a minor, running his mouth?" and "What is he so confident and aggrieved about?" Go debuted in 1994 as a member of the group Roo'ra. In 2013, the Supreme Court finalized his sentence of two years and six months in prison, along with three years of electronic monitoring and five years of mandatory disclosure of his personal information, on charges of sexually assaulting and indecently assaulting a minor. He completed his sentence and was released, but remains banned from the entertainment industry.

Sept. 9, 2026

Ballerina Yoon Hye-jin returns to stage after 11 years; daughter, 13, now 178 cm

Ballerina Yoon Hye-jin, 46, has drawn attention after returning to the stage for the first time in more than a decade. Photos revealing her daughter Ji-on's growth spurt are also making headlines. On Monday, Yoon posted several photos on social media capturing scenes from her daily life — including ballet practice, a concert she attended and her now much-taller child. Yoon, who returned to ballet last month for the first time in 11 years, was shown deep in practice, wearing toe shoes as she rehearsed movements for her "main profession." Her long, straight limbs and toned, flexible physique especially drew attention. Yoon broke her long hiatus and returned to the ballet stage on Aug. 8 at "Choi Tae-ji's Ballet Open Rehearsal," held at Gangdong Arts Center in Seoul. It marked her first time performing as a dancer in 11 years, since she appeared in the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company's "Chum-i Malhada" ("Dance Speaks") in 2015. On this stage, Yoon performed "Dove La Luna," choreographed by Jean-Christophe Maillot, artistic director and head of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, alongside the company's principal dancer An Jae-yong. It was Yoon's first performance with Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo in 23 years, since she danced with the company in 2003. Despite her long absence, Yoon reportedly showed no signs of rust, earning applause and cheers from the audience. Meanwhile, the growth of Yoon's daughter, Ji-on, who turned 13 this year, also caught attention. In one of the photos Yoon shared, Ji-on posed on a staircase wearing a white sleeveless top and jeans. Her face was not shown, but her long limbs stood out. Yoon described her daughter's transformed look in the photo, writing, "She is just too long now," and "When I shoot from above, she actually looks like an adult." Yoon had earlier revealed in May that her daughter's height was 178 centimeters. Ji-on won viewers' hearts in 2015 when she appeared with her father, Eom Tae-woong, on the KBS2 variety show "The Return of Superman." Last year, she reportedly enrolled at Sunhwa Arts Middle School as a vocal music major and has been focused on her studies.

Sept. 8, 2026

Hong Suk-chun warns of impersonator who swapped '1' for 'I' in fake account

Broadcaster Hong Suk-chun exposed an account impersonating him that was luring people to join an investment group, urging caution. On Monday, Hong posted a screenshot of a message sent by the fake account on his Instagram, writing, "This is an impersonator. They cleverly made the ID. Be careful." The impersonator created the fake account by replacing the number "1" in Hong's real ID with the capital letter "I." The two characters look nearly identical in the similar font, making them hard to tell apart visually. The fake account also used the same profile picture as Hong's current account. The impersonating account sent messages to random users, saying, "I am very sorry for the trouble. I have created a completely free study group," and, "We share practical tips and economic and stock information that help grow assets every day, so even beginner investors can easily learn," urging them to join the investment group. It then added, "There is no restriction on joining. If you reply with '1,' I will immediately send you an invitation to join," prompting recipients to respond. Hong also flagged similar impersonation in July, writing at the time, "People have been contacting me asking if it's really me, but I do not have a secondary account." Meanwhile, Hong has continued running restaurants alongside his broadcasting career. Appearing recently on the YouTube channel Pissik University, he said, "I have eight restaurants in Itaewon alone, and if you count all my restaurants nationwide, there are about 14."

Sept. 8, 2026

Jun Hyun-moo: 'Let's explore somewhere else'... embarks on new journey

Broadcaster Jun Hyun-moo is setting off on a new journey. "This Is Hyeonmu Road," a travel reality show premiering Sept. 20, follows Jun Hyun-moo and Lee Joon as they build their travel route on the spot, on foot. The show is billed as a "real legwork road trip." A teaser released ahead of the premiere shows the two stars physically breaking through the language barrier at every turn. "We don't do that. Let's explore somewhere else," Jun says, choosing unfamiliar destinations over well-known travel spots. Even when he cannot communicate, he approaches locals first, saying, "If words don't work, just push through." Known for his sharp way with languages, Jun sets his pride aside once abroad. He strikes up conversations with a foreign family he meets at a restaurant. In a taxi, he makes slurping noises and hand gestures to ask the driver about local restaurants. "I think going to places others don't go is really the fun part," Jun said, describing the appeal of the "legwork road trip." In the second teaser, set to Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again," Jun and Lee are shown mingling with locals in unfamiliar places. A caption reads, "It's not about traveling along a road. Every path we take becomes the journey." The teaser then shows the pair seated across from each other at a local night market. "It's not about seeing something amazing or having some grand experience," Jun said, laying out his travel philosophy for "This Is Hyeonmu Road." "I just throw myself into the environment that's most different from Korea. That's what heals me." Meanwhile, Jun currently appears on several variety programs, including MBC's "I Live Alone" and "Point of Omniscient Interference." Lee Joon also splits his time between acting and variety shows. As the two have long been travel-show regulars together, their new pairing is drawing added attention.

Sept. 8, 2026

Actor Cho Byeong-gyu to enlist after ending 13-year deal with agency

Actor Cho Byeong-gyu plans to wrap up his acting work for the year and enlist in the military. Speaking on the YouTube channel "One Mike" on Sunday, Cho said, "After the play ends, I have a musical, and once that is done, I am putting acting on hold for the year and preparing to enlist." "About two years ago, I applied for the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army. I passed the English test but was not selected in the lottery," he said. "If I had gone then, I might not have been able to do this play, so I think of it in a positive light. Right now, I am thinking about going into the Army instead." Cho said he had recently parted ways with the agency he had been with for about 13 years, calling it "a truly beautiful farewell." "The company was with me through everything — from my debut to the good times and the hard times — so I feel nothing but gratitude," he said, adding, "I never got the chance to properly express that, so I want to use this opportunity to say thank you. We are still in touch." "After being with one company for so long, it was not easy to find a new one to join," he said. "Since I am going into the military anyway, I am also considering figuring it out after I get back." Meanwhile, Cho rose to fame through drama series such as "Hot Stove League" and "The Uncanny Counter," but faced school violence allegations in 2021. Cho's side denied the allegations and filed a lawsuit seeking damages. After losing the first trial in September of last year, he appealed and the legal dispute continues.

Sept. 8, 2026

Actor Yoon So-i on running a grilled-fish restaurant: 'I'm ready to act whenever the call comes'

Actor Yoon So-i has revealed that she is running a grilled-fish "baekban" restaurant in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, rather than pursuing acting. Yoon said she has not given up on acting entirely and would return to the screen if the opportunity arose, while also opening up about the practical concerns of raising two children that led her to the restaurant business. Yoon disclosed Monday that she was running the grilled-fish set-meal restaurant, speaking through a YouTube channel run by fellow actor Han Chae-a. Having made the transition from actor to restaurant owner, Yoon said she chose to build her new venture around the food she knows best. "The thing I'm most confident about is baekban — the kind of everyday home-style meal I've eaten a lot of," she said. "I chose a menu based on food I've been familiar with since childhood." Yoon said a wood-fired oven she built herself reaches temperatures of up to 500 degrees Celsius, producing fish grilled at intense heat. Han, after tasting it, said, "It's definitely different from fish grilled at home." Despite running the restaurant, Yoon made clear she has not walked away from acting. When asked about her future in the industry, she spoke candidly about the difficulties actors are experiencing in the current market. "The market has gotten so bad that there are more than a few actresses waiting for their turn," she said. "If the market and conditions improve even a little, I want to go out and take any opportunity that comes." On why she chose to run a restaurant rather than act, Yoon pointed to the practical realities of being a mother of two. "I have children to raise, so I do what I can from where I am — and if someone calls, I'll go right away," she said. Yoon also mentioned that she recently filmed a short-form drama series. "It had been a while, but my body still remembered how to act," she said. "After having children, the fear I used to feel when performing disappeared, and my expressions became bolder." Yoon made her debut in the 2004 film "Arahan," going on to appear in numerous drama series including "Say You Love Me," "Goodbye Solo," "Glass Castle," "Warrior Baek Dong-soo" and "Iris 2." She married musical actor Jo Seong-yun in 2017 and has one daughter.

Sept. 8, 2026

Pregnancy rumors swirl around figure skater Kim Yuna after weight comments

Unfounded pregnancy rumors have surfaced online about retired figure skater Kim Yuna. Kim attended a beauty brand photo call event at Lotte Department Store's Avenuel in Jamsil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, on Monday. After the event, online attention turned to Kim's appearance. Some users commented that her face and arms looked fuller than before, and the speculation quickly escalated — without any basis — into pregnancy rumors. In response, a representative for her husband, Ko Woo-rim of the vocal group Forestella, addressed the claims Tuesday, telling OSEN: "There is nothing we are aware of" regarding a pregnancy. Kim and Ko first met at the "All That Skate Ice Show" in 2018 and began dating. After about three years together, they married in October 2022. Ko completed his mandatory military service and was discharged in May last year, and the couple has recently been sharing glimpses of their daily life together, showing their enduring affection.

Sept. 8, 2026

Singer Soyou recalls stranger slapping her on the bottom at bathhouse

Singer Soyou has shared a bizarre experience in which a complete stranger slapped her on the bottom at a bathhouse. On Monday, Soyou posted a video on her YouTube channel showing herself spending a summer vacation at a jjimjilbang, or Korean sauna, with her production crew. During the outing, a crew member asked Soyou whether anyone had ever recognized her at a jjimjilbang or bathhouse. "People recognize me a lot," she said. When the crew member followed up by asking what she does when someone says, "Isn't that Soyou?", she laughed and replied, "I cover my body with my hands as much as possible." Her manager then brought up a past incident, asking, "Didn't someone — an elderly woman, I think — once slap you on the bottom and walk away?" Soyou confirmed the story. "I was washing up somewhere like a golf club, and someone recognized me and went, 'Oh, it is Soyou,' then suddenly gave me a slap on the bottom and walked off," she said. She added that it had hurt, and re-enacted the flustered expression she had made at the time while looking at the person — drawing laughter from those around her.

Sept. 8, 2026

Ex-footballer Kim Young-gwang praises singer Lim Young-woong: 'You were destined to succeed'

Former footballer Kim Young-gwang has posted a message of support for singer Lim Young-woong. On Tuesday, Kim shared a photo on Instagram of himself with Lim taken at the singer's concert, where Lim posed with a V sign beside him. "This is something I've always felt, Yeong-ung — you were destined to succeed," Kim wrote. "Looking at your sincerity on stage, your humble attitude toward people and your character, I can see exactly why so many people love you." He added, "Success doesn't come from talent alone, but you have the talent, the heart and the respect for others. That's why you've done so well until now, and I believe you can only go further from here." Kim closed his post by writing, "I naturally expect to see you rise even higher, and I'm always cheering you on." Meanwhile, Lim held his 10th-anniversary concert "IM HERO - THE STADIUM 2" at the main stadium of Goyang Sports Complex over three days, from Friday through Sunday.

Sept. 8, 2026

Haha opens up about panic disorder during 'Infinite Challenge,' credits Yoo Jae-suk for recovery

Broadcaster Haha has opened up about his struggle with panic disorder, expressing gratitude toward fellow entertainer Yoo Jae-suk for helping him through it. Haha made the confession Sunday on the KBS 2TV variety program "Sajangnim Gwineun Dangnaegwi" (Boss's Ears Are Donkey Ears), recalling a difficult period during his time on the MBC variety show "Infinite Challenge." When comedian Park Young-jin asked Haha for his secret to succeeding in weekend variety programming, Haha said, "Popularity isn't something I decide. What matters is the audience's reaction." He then revealed the toll the show had taken on him. "We filmed 'Infinite Challenge' every Thursday. From Tuesday evening, my heart would start racing because of the pressure. Looking back now, I think I was having panic attacks," he said. Yang Sang-guk asked how he managed to get through it. "There were so many good people around me," Haha replied. "Jae-suk hyung pushed me like a mother would." He elaborated: "Back then, Jae-suk hyung kept pushing me like a strict mother and came to my house every day. He told me to figure things out for myself, and thanks to that, I was able to pull myself together and start again." Haha said he remains grateful to Yoo for that support. Haha recalled one piece of advice in particular. "At the time I just wanted to do nothing, and he told me, 'If you do nothing, nothing will happen. Do something — then I can either scold you or help you.' From that point on, I snapped out of it and went at it like a madman. He came to my house every single day," he said. Sunday's episode marked Haha's first appearance on "Sajangnim Gwineun Dangnaegwi." He has recently been collaborating with Park Young-jin, Yang Sang-guk and Kim Won-hyo on a project called "Busan Expedition" through his YouTube channel "Haha PD."

Sept. 8, 2026

Rapper Noel shows changed habits after drunk-driving past — calling designated drivers, using breathalyzer

Rapper Noel has shared glimpses of his daily life since a past drunk-driving controversy, showing a noticeably changed approach to drinking and driving. Two videos titled "Good Guys" and "Wonderland" were recently posted to the YouTube channel "Good Guys," featuring Noel and fellow rapper Han Yo-han sharing drinks and candid conversation. What drew particular attention was Noel's behavior after the drinking session, given his past drunk-driving scandal. When the gathering ended, he used a smartphone app to call a designated driver. While waiting for the driver to arrive, Noel said, "I'm now a man who calls a designated driver. My mom would scold me if she knew, but there's no other way — I have to call one." He then added, "A righteous life. Righteous, but fun." When the driver arrived, he got in the car and headed home. In another video, Noel was seen taking precautions against driving with a hangover. As he prepared to go out, he turned on a selfie camera and said, "I have a routine I do before going out these days." Mentioning that he had recently bought a car, he said, "My mom worries about me driving with a hangover," and pulled out a portable breathalyzer. "I blow into this and it shows right away," he said, breathing into the device. The reading on the screen was 0.063. After seeing the result, Noel said, "It's 0.063, so I'll take a taxi," and chose a cab instead of driving himself. Born in 2000, Noel is the son of the late former lawmaker Jang Je-won. He first gained public recognition in 2017 through the Mnet talent show "High School Rapper" and "Show Me the Money 6." In 2019, however, he became embroiled in controversy after causing a drunk-driving accident. The incident drew fierce criticism not only for the drunk driving itself but also after reports emerged that he had called an acquaintance to swap drivers following the crash. He was subsequently sentenced to one year and six months in prison, suspended for two years. In 2021, he was again indicted on charges of drunk driving without a license and assaulting a police officer, and was sentenced to one year in prison, which he served. He was released after completing his sentence in October 2022.

Sept. 8, 2026

'Even the devil will not forgive you': Writer So Jae-won blasts Ko Young-wook

So Jae-won, the author behind the original story for the film "Hope," has publicly criticized Ko Young-wook for repeatedly posting attacks targeting celebrities online. On Monday, So wrote on his Instagram: "How long must we watch Ko Young-wook — a shameless man who committed sex crimes against minors — spout off?" "He is someone who did things to young girls so horrifying I dare not even put them into words," So wrote. "How can such a person boldly criticize anyone?" He then added, "Among all public entertainers active in South Korea today, there is absolutely no one who has committed acts as cruel as yours." So also addressed the victims directly, asking, "Do you feel no shame or guilt toward the victims who live carrying the memory of that terrible fear?" "Do you feel not even a shred of guilt toward the victims and their families — those whose hearts sink and whose hands tremble uncontrollably every time they see your name in the media?" he wrote. He added that while writing "Hope," he met many children and families who had suffered sex crimes. "Even I — neither a victim nor a family member — had to shudder in unbearable anguish and pain watching them," he said. So said Ko "continues to inflict secondary harm on the wounded victims, their families, and the public," and urged him to stop. "The law created by a soft-hearted society was too weak to keep you locked away — but neither the victims nor the world has ever forgiven you, not even once," he wrote. So then quoted a line from his own work: "Every record featuring gods and demons includes stories of those who committed rape. But there is no account of a child being raped. Why? Because it is an act even demons refuse." He continued: "Even the devil will not forgive you. The gates of heaven are closed to you, of course — but even the gates of hell will not open for you." Ko shared a news article about celebrities who posted photos of themselves watching a fireworks festival from their homes, writing, "Living in smog and bragging about what exactly?" Earlier, Ko had also publicly lashed out at Gong Hyo-jin, Park Ha-sun, Lee Min-jung, Seo Jang-hoon, Lee Ji-hye, Lee Chan-won and Lee Sang-min. Ko debuted in 1994 as a member of the group Rula. In 2013, the Supreme Court finalized a sentence of two years and six months in prison, three years of electronic monitoring, and five years of public disclosure of personal information on charges of sexually assaulting and forcibly molesting minors. He has since served his sentence and been released, but remains banned from the broadcasting industry.

Sept. 8, 2026

Actor Yoon Jong-hoon to wed fellow actor Han Eun-seo in November

Actor Yoon Jong-hoon, 42, will marry fellow actor Han Eun-seo, 32, in November. YK Media Plus, Yoon's agency, announced Monday that the couple will wed Nov. 1. The two first worked together on the 2018 SBS drama series "Return" and have been in a relationship for years before deciding to marry. Yoon personally announced the news Monday in a handwritten letter posted to his fan cafe. "A precious person has come into my life, and I intend to walk through the rest of it with her," he wrote. "After years of cherishing and understanding each other, we are ready to take this new step called marriage." He added that he plans to live with greater responsibility "as a husband and as actor Yoon Jong-hoon," saying the occasion fills him with both excitement and a sense of weight. Yoon made his debut in 2013 in the tvN drama series "Monstar" and built his profile through a string of productions including "Reply 1994," "Misaeng," "Return," "My Love Healing" and "The Penthouse" seasons 1 through 3. He currently stars in the KBS 1TV daily drama series "Our Happy Days." Han made her debut in 2008 in the KBS 2TV series "King Sejong the Great" and has since appeared in dramas including "Will It Snow for Christmas?," "High Kick! Revenge of the Short Legged," "Ghost" and "Esquire: Lawyers Who Dream of Being Lawyers."

Sept. 8, 2026