'Is that your boyfriend?' Actor Hwang Jung-eum posts selfie with mystery man, sets record straight

Actor Hwang Jung-eum, a former member of girl group Sugar, found herself fielding questions about her love life after posting a photo with a tall man — only to shut down the speculation herself, saying he was just a male friend. Hwang shared a series of everyday photos Tuesday with the caption "These days, us." The images showed personal selfies, outings with her children, and relaxed moments at restaurants and on the street. What particularly caught fans' attention was a photo of Hwang standing side by side with a tall man in a coat. One user commented, "Oh my, is that your boyfriend in the first photo?" Another chimed in, "Is that your significant other? So sweet." Hwang replied directly, saying he was a male friend named Suniri. Hwang married a former professional golfer turned businessman in 2016, and the couple have two sons together. Last year, the two parted ways. Hwang made her debut with girl group Sugar in 2002 and went on to build an active career as an actor. Known for her sharp wit and expressive reactions, she has also made a strong impression across numerous variety programs.

Oct. 27, 2026

Oh Seung-hwan says Samsung gave him more than 1,000 don of gold during his playing days

Former professional baseball player Oh Seung-hwan has said the gold he received from the Samsung Lions during his playing career amounts to more than 1,000 don — a traditional Korean unit of weight roughly equal to 3.75 grams. Oh made the remarks Monday on "Jjanhan Hyeong," a YouTube entertainment program, where he discussed the bonuses he received throughout his career. When comedian Jeong Ho-cheol asked what kind of rewards the club gave him each time he set a record, Oh said, "I did receive quite a lot of gold. It adds up." When fellow guest Yun Seok-min guessed the total was "around 1,000 don," Oh said, "I received more than 1,000 don." The most eye-catching reward was a solid gold baseball he received for recording his 47th save. "When I got my 47th save, I received a baseball made of 470 don of pure gold," Oh said. "At the time, it was worth about 35 million won ($26,500)." The ball is now estimated to be worth around 300 million won. When Kim Byung-hyun quipped that he wished he had received shares instead, Oh said, "Because it came as a ball, I can't sell it." He added that when he recorded his 400th save, the team's president offered him 400 don of gold and asked whether he wanted it in ball form — to which Oh said he asked for gold bars instead. When Jeong asked whether Oh had received only gold despite playing for Samsung, Oh said he had also received a large number of home appliances. "When I got the 470-don ball, Samsung Electronics gave me a pamphlet of their home appliances," he said.

Oct. 27, 2026

Park Bom shares first update in months: 'Long time no see, fans'

Park Bom of girl group 2NE1 shared her first public update in months since stepping back from activities. On Monday, Park posted photos on her social media with the message: "Fans~ It's been a while since I've said hello." In the photos, she wore a casual T-shirt and a short bob, accessorizing with designer logo earrings and ear cuffs. Park suspended her activities last August for health reasons, with her agency at the time saying she needed sufficient rest on the advice of medical professionals. She parted ways with D-Nation in June after eight years together. Since ending that exclusive contract, she has continued to connect with fans by releasing a series of self-composed songs made with AI.

Oct. 27, 2026

'I am not the bully': 'I Am Solo' Season 31's Oksun denies wrongdoing, warns of legal action

Date photos with fellow cast member Yeongho surface online Oksun says images were leaked due to her own mistake Oksun, a cast member from Season 31 of ENA and SBS Plus's dating show "I Am Solo" who was caught up in a controversy over alleged backstabbing of fellow cast members, has said she is "not the perpetrator who led the bullying" and is pursuing legal action against those spreading false information about her. Just as memories of Season 31 were beginning to fade, photos of Oksun on a date with fellow cast member Yeongho recently surfaced on an online community before being deleted, reigniting public interest. To address the situation, Oksun posted a lengthy statement on her social media on Monday. Regarding the private photos taken with Yeongho, Oksun said the images were "leaked due to my own mistake," adding that she "did not post them to announce an imminent marriage or the resumption of a relationship, nor did I make them public with any particular intent." She also said she had "conveyed her apologies to the other person involved." The photos showed the two embracing each other and kissing on the cheek, suggesting a romantic relationship. However, Oksun only explained how the photos were leaked and did not clarify whether she and Yeongho are currently in a relationship. Oksun said that "since the Season 31 broadcast of 'I Am Solo' in April, repeated online circulation of false information and distorted accounts has made it difficult to carry on with normal daily life," and confirmed she is "currently pursuing legal action regarding these matters." "You may wonder why I am bringing this up again now," she wrote, "but while it may be nothing more than a passing piece of gossip or conversation for some, for me it has been a matter of my livelihood, my life and my personal relationships." Oksun said there was "one point I most urgently want to set straight," stating clearly: "I am not the perpetrator who led the bullying." "I never intentionally excluded or ostracized any specific person on set," she said. "The claim that I persistently bullied someone who was merely a fellow cast member — someone I never met outside of filming and had no particular personal connection with — is not true." She appealed to the public to "stop labeling me as a 'ringleader,' a 'The Glory'-type figure or a 'perpetrator' based solely on fragmentary scenes shown in the broadcast, and to stop describing me in sensationalist terms." She added that "the most painful thing for me is having someone branded as a perpetrator on the basis of unverified circumstances alone, and seeing that repeated and spread." She said she posted the statement "to protect my life and correct the distorted facts," closing with: "I want to rebuild my shattered daily life, return to where I was, and live again with an ordinary smile, just as before." Earlier, Season 31 of "I Am Solo" drew bullying allegations after footage aired showing Oksun, Jeonghui and Yeongsu talking about fellow cast member Sunja. In June, Oksun posted on social media asking "ChatGPT, tell me how to escape rumors of marriage and pregnancy," and shared a group meal photo with all Season 31 cast members, writing that she had been "living just fine when, without even a chance to explain myself, I became a perpetrator in the eyes of the whole country overnight," and urging people to "stop making malicious assumptions."

Oct. 27, 2026

Gary of Leessang becomes Daechi-dong hagwon parent, waits 3 hours for son

Gary, the singer from hip-hop duo Leessang, has shared a look at his everyday life with his son Hao, revealing that he has joined the ranks of parents shuttling their children to hagwon in Daechi-dong. A video titled "I'll keep talking until Hao's hagwon class is over (Daechi Papa Kang Gary)" was recently posted to his YouTube channel "Kang Gary KANG GARY," showing Gary passing the time while waiting for his son's class to finish. Gary said he recently moved Hao's hagwon to Daechi-dong. After dropping his son off that day, he had to wait about three hours for the class to end. He turned on his camera during that time and talked about his current life and his thoughts on parenting. "Hagwon in Daechi-dong give entrance tests, and the better top-tier ones have pretty high barriers," Gary said. "To get into one of those hagwon, you have to get private tutoring just to prepare for the entrance — though I'm not doing that." When a producer asked whether he was reluctant to push his son too hard, Gary said yes, but added, "Still, he has to keep up, so it's less about getting ahead and more about just making sure he's on track." Gary married a non-celebrity woman in 2017 and had a son that same year. He and Hao appeared together on the KBS 2TV show "Superman Is Back" in 2020, giving viewers a look at his life as a father.

Oct. 27, 2026

Actor Son Tae-young sparks debate after revealing she never hired a housekeeper in the US

Actor Son Tae-young has sparked an online debate after revealing she handled all household chores on her own without hiring a housekeeper during her years living in the United States. A video titled "The tteokbokki recipe by Kwon Sang-woo that made Son Tae-young decide to get married — revealed for the first time" was posted Sunday on Son's YouTube channel, "Mrs. New Jersey Son Tae-young." In the video, Son was asked whether households in New Jersey ever hire an ajumma, a term for a middle-aged woman who helps with housework. "I'm sure some do," she said. When asked whether she herself used one, she replied, "Right." Asked whether she had ever hired a housekeeper, Son said, "Not once." When the production crew asked whether she had done all the cleaning, laundry and meal preparation on her own, Son said she had also handled all the driving for her family. "I did it that way for six years," she said. After the video was released, some online commenters pushed back. "Do you have to hire a housekeeper in the US? Why make it sound like a big deal?" wrote one user. Others echoed the sentiment: "Why bring it up like it's something special?" and "There are plenty of women in the US who work and run a household at the same time." Others praised Son and expressed sympathy. "She was just answering a question — why criticize her for it?" one commenter wrote. "Isn't that impressive?" and "This is the real deal" were among the supportive responses. Some also sent words of encouragement, urging Son not to let the criticism bother her.

Oct. 27, 2026

'Injection Auntie' linked to Park Na-rae hospitalized after head injury

A woman known as "Injection Auntie," who faces allegations of performing illegal medical procedures on celebrities including broadcaster Park Na-rae, has revealed she was hospitalized after suffering a head injury. On Monday, the woman, identified only as A, posted a video on her personal social media account, writing that she "thought it would be fine and that I could hold on, but ultimately my body sent a signal first." The circumstances of the injury were not disclosed, but in the video A was shown lying in a hospital bed with a large bandage on her head. "When I came to my senses, my head had a gash of 8 to 10 centimeters and the floor was soaked in blood," she said, describing the incident. She added, "I suppose it is now time to let go of pretending to be fine," and wrote, "I want to live a life that protects me, not one that just endures. #Brace yourself #Can't see what's in front of me #Can't see out of my right eye." A faces allegations of performing illegal medical procedures on Park and other celebrities. Last year, police investigated her on charges including violations of the Medical Service Act, the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, the Special Measures Act on the Control of Health Crimes, and the Narcotics Control Act.

Oct. 27, 2026

'Who destroyed my house?' Broadcaster Kim Suk finds collapsed wall at Jeju Island home

Broadcaster Kim Suk was left stunned after discovering that the wall surrounding her Jeju Island home had collapsed. On Monday, her YouTube channel "Kim Suk TV" posted a video showing Kim finding the collapsed wall and trying to determine what caused it. In the video, Kim looked at the crumbled wall and said, "Is this a challenge to me, or a threat? This is serious." She added, "Someone completely destroyed my house." Suspecting an intruder had damaged the wall, Kim checked the CCTV footage. The footage showed no one had knocked the wall down. It had collapsed on its own in the early morning hours, without any external impact. After confirming the cause, Kim set about repairing the wall herself. Inspecting the damaged section, she said, "It looks like the whole thing is about to fall over." She also urged passersby to stay safe, saying, "The wall has collapsed, so please don't lean against it if you're walking by — you could get hurt." A caption at the end of the video noted that Kim had the wall repaired through a professional contractor. However, it also cautioned that stone walls can collapse unexpectedly due to their structural nature, and again urged people not to lean against them.

Oct. 26, 2026

After divorce, broadcaster Jung Ga-eun tries to sell wedding ring — only to learn it may be fake

Broadcaster Jung Ga-eun was left stunned after an appraiser told her the wedding ring she had held onto since her divorce was more likely than not a counterfeit. On Monday's episode of her YouTube channel "Rolco Unni Ga-eun," Jung visited the Jongno district to sell some of her gold jewelry. "I want to sell the gold and use the money to buy prettier accessories," she said in the video. "If you buy gold and wear it, that's savings — savings and reinvestment." At a jewelry store, Jung pulled out her pieces with a sheepish look. "It feels a little strange to be selling these," she said. Among the items was her wedding ring, which drew immediate attention. When a producer asked whether she was finally selling the wedding ring, Jung said, "What's the point of keeping it? I'm ready to let it go." The appraisal, however, turned up an unexpected finding. The appraiser confirmed the ring was made of platinum but said the Tiffany engraving did not match that of an authentic piece. As Jung looked flustered, the appraiser said, "I'm telling you it may not be genuine. In my assessment, there is more than a 90 percent chance this is not an authentic Tiffany — it's an imitation. We would need a full appraisal to be certain." Jung asked how much the platinum alone might fetch if she set aside the Tiffany question, then muttered, "This is so frustrating." The appraiser estimated a likely purchase price of 1 million to 1.5 million won ($1,130) for the platinum. The appraiser added that the ring was in relatively clean condition. Jung replied, "I never wore it. I got divorced a year after the wedding." Jung married a non-celebrity man in 2016 and had a daughter, but the couple divorced in 2018. She has been raising her daughter alone since then.

Oct. 26, 2026

Actor Ji Ye-eun rejects castmates' wedding song offers, lines up Yoo Jae-suk as MC and Kim Jong-kook as performer

Actor Ji Ye-eun has turned down wedding song offers from Song Ji-hyo and Ji Suk-jin ahead of her upcoming marriage to dancer Bata. The wedding lineup was revealed Sunday on SBS variety program "Running Man." Yoo Jae-suk opened the segment by announcing that Ji Ye-eun's wedding invitations had gone out, prompting the other cast members to offer their congratulations. Yoo then revealed that Song had repeatedly asked to perform a wedding song, to which Kim Jong-kook quipped, "Let her play soccer, soccer" — a pun on the Korean words for "wedding song" (chukga) and "soccer" (chukgu) — drawing laughs from the group. Ji Suk-jin added that Song had also been pushing for a duet performance of "Milkshake." Ji Ye-eun turned down the offer, saying she wanted to "keep the quality high," drawing another round of laughter. Ji Suk-jin then asked Yoo whether he would be serving as MC, and Yoo confirmed he would. When Ji Suk-jin asked Kim Jong-kook whether he had the wedding song slot, Kim confirmed that as well. "So that's why Ji-hyo and I got rejected," Ji Suk-jin said, sending the room into laughter. Yoo lightened the mood by telling Ji Suk-jin not to sulk and inviting him instead to his daughter Na-eun's upcoming birthday party. Ji Ye-eun is set to marry dancer Bata, who is the same age as her, at a private venue in Seoul in December.

Oct. 26, 2026

Actor Kim Hye-ja appears at public event with bright smile, dispelling health concerns

Actor Kim Hye-ja has made a bright public appearance, putting to rest recent speculation about her health. Plus M Entertainment, the distributor of the film "Still Brilliant," posted photos from a stage greeting on its official social media account Sunday, writing: "The 'Still Brilliant' fans have arrived. A happy meeting with our audience on Oct. 24!" The photos showed Kim attending the stage greeting on Saturday, flashing a wide smile as she greeted the audience. The health concerns arose after Kim was seen being helped by those around her and coughing repeatedly at the opening ceremony of the 31st Busan International Film Festival on Oct. 6. A representative for Kim said at the time that she was "in perfect health" and that the coughing was "simply a mild cold," adding that "all scheduled engagements will proceed without issue." Concerns lingered, however, after Kim also skipped a stage greeting for "Still Brilliant" on Oct. 15. "Still Brilliant," which opened Wednesday, marks Kim's return to the big screen for the first time in nine years since the film "The Road."

Oct. 26, 2026

'Jeon Hyun-moo Plan' stirs controversy after show exposes restaurant that refused filming

The food-travel variety show "Jeon Hyun-moo Plan" is facing backlash after allegedly exposing the name and location of a restaurant that had refused to be filmed. The Friday episode of MBN and Channel S' "Jeon Hyun-moo Plan 4" followed host Jeon Hyun-moo and YouTuber Kwak Tube as they visited restaurants in northern Gyeonggi Province alongside IVE members Gaeul and Liz. The show's format involves dropping in on eateries unannounced, without pre-arranging appearances. When the group visited a Western-style pork cutlet restaurant and asked to film, the owner refused outright. "We don't do filming. We have never filmed with anyone, no exceptions," the owner said. Gaeul tried again to persuade the owner, but the owner, who said they were 74 years old, explained it was too difficult. "If I go on TV even once, I'm done for — that's why I don't even open in the afternoon. I'm sorry. I really don't have the confidence," the owner said, asking for understanding. The cast ultimately turned away. Jeon turned to Gaeul and Liz and said, "This is the real deal, right?" — emphasizing the unscripted nature of the show. Kwak Tube said the group had shown up too suddenly, while Jeon added, "The owner is 74 and said it's too hard — I understand." Despite the owner's plea not to attract crowds through broadcast exposure, critics say the production team aired enough information to identify the restaurant. Only the middle character of the three-character restaurant name was blurred, and footage showing the cast's approach and the surrounding area made it easy to deduce both the name and location. Critics say the production team should have handled personal information more carefully given that a private citizen was involved. Posts speculating about the restaurant's identity have since circulated online. Online commenters voiced their frustration. "Is slapping on a mosaic supposed to make it OK? The real problem is that they aired it at all after she said no," one wrote. Others said: "If you're going to blur it, do it properly — you can see everything"; "It looks like they aired it on purpose to play up the 'unscripted' angle"; "She just wants to make a quiet living in her old age — why go and cause trouble? Will they take responsibility if the place has to shut down?"; and "The production team is truly irresponsible."

Oct. 26, 2026

IVE's Ahn Yu-jin spotted at Gangnam apartment she won in lottery subscription draw

IVE member Ahn Yu-jin has been spotted at the upscale Gangnam apartment she won through a lottery-style subscription draw, according to a resident of the building. The sighting came to light on broadcaster Park Eun-young's YouTube channel, "Alkong Dalkong Park Eun-young," in a recently uploaded video titled "DIH Bangbae, 3,000 Units — A Brand-New Move-In This September With Sensational Interiors." In the video, Park, a former announcer, visits a friend who recently moved into the DIH Bangbae apartment complex in Seocho-gu, Seoul, touring the unit and showcasing its interiors and various facilities. The complex had drawn public attention months earlier when it emerged that Ahn had won a unit through the apartment subscription system. Park brought up the connection, asking her friend whether Ahn was actually living there. The friend replied that she had seen Ahn on Sunday, surprising Park. However, she added that Ahn did not appear to be a resident herself. "It seems like her parents are the ones living there," the friend said. "That's probably why she can be spotted there from time to time." The complex held its general pre-sale in 2024. Although it went unnoticed at the time, news that Ahn had won a unit emerged belatedly in July. The specific unit size she was allocated has not been confirmed, but for an exclusive use area of 84 square meters, the highest pre-sale price was 2.24 billion won ($1.69 million), while the current market price for available units stands at around 4 billion won — nearly double the pre-sale price. The gap is largely attributed to the price cap under the pre-sale price ceiling system, which set the pre-sale price below surrounding market rates. The situation has drawn criticism from some quarters, who argue it is inappropriate for so-called "young rich" celebrities — those who have amassed significant wealth at a young age — to benefit from an apartment subscription system designed to help ordinary homebuyers. The current system restricts eligibility and applies pre-sale price caps with the stated aim of guaranteeing housing opportunities for those without homes who genuinely need them, yet a celebrity who could easily afford housing without such protections has reaped the benefits.

Oct. 26, 2026

'I still can't quit the medication' — comedian Lee Kyung-kyu opens up about panic disorder

Comedian Lee Kyung-kyu has opened up about his panic disorder diagnosis, saying he continues treatment to this day. Lee appeared Sunday on the EBS documentary series "Sidaemokgyeok," 46 years after his 1981 debut bringing laughter to audiences across South Korea. Lee looked back on the many programs he has been part of over the years, including the hit show "Conscience Refrigerator." He said he had worked on about 100 programs, laughing as he added, "Seventy of them flopped." Lee said hosting a talk show gave him the courage to share his own experiences, as listening to others' pain made him more open. "When I did the talk show, I found that people had a lot to say," he said. "Listening to their stories, I could feel the pain they were carrying." He then recalled the period when he was first diagnosed with panic disorder. "I got sick during filming. The chest pain was so severe, but tests showed nothing wrong. My heart would pound and I'd break out in a cold sweat," he said. "I happened to visit a psychiatrist for a consultation, and they told me it was panic disorder. I hadn't even heard the term before." He went on to say, "There's nothing I can do about the changes in my body. My mind just doesn't seem ready to accept them. Even now, I honestly can't quit the medication. I'm dependent on it." Despite his ongoing treatment, Lee said he hopes to still be cracking jokes in front of a studio camera when he turns 80.

Oct. 26, 2026

Singer Heo Gak opens up about despair after thyroid cancer diagnosis

Singer Heo Gak has opened up about the despair he felt after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer and the hardship he endured when the surgery affected his voice. On Friday, a video appeared on singer Jang Jaein's YouTube channel "Singer-Songwriter Jaein" showing Heo catching up with Jang — a fellow contestant from the 2010 talent show "Superstar K" — and sharing what he had been through in recent years. Recalling the moment he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2017, Heo said there had been no warning signs. "I was working and just thought I was tired," he said. On a day off, Heo visited a hospital with his father for a routine health checkup. When the wait ran long, medical staff suggested he undergo a basic examination, during which an abnormality was found in his neck. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis: thyroid cancer. Describing the moment he received the news, Heo said, "I just thought, 'I'm done for' and 'My life is over.'" At the time, Heo had just released a new song, "Baboya," and was preparing for a concert. After doctors warned that delaying surgery would be dangerous, he went under the knife as soon as the concert was over. But the surgery brought another ordeal: his voice was no longer the same. "The surgery had a major impact on my voice," Heo said. "Before the operation, I used to produce a raspy sound on high notes, but after the surgery I couldn't do that at all." He added that for some time he struggled even to hold a normal conversation, leaving him no choice but to take about a year off. When he tried to return to the stage, he repeatedly hit wrong notes and could not control his voice as he wanted. It took considerable time before he recovered the voice he had before the surgery. "It took about a year and a half to two years to get back to the voice I have now," Heo said, adding that his family's support was crucial in helping him through the difficult period. "It was really hard, but my family stayed by my side and kept helping me avoid falling into negative thoughts," he said, expressing his gratitude. Born in 1985, Heo rose to fame by winning the Mnet talent show "Superstar K2" in 2010.

Oct. 26, 2026

'Why don't you try making a fuss again?' — Han Jung-su speaks out for 'Doctor X' amid broadcast ban petition

Actor Han Jung-su has publicly voiced his support for the SBS drama series "Doctor X: Mafia in White," which has drawn a petition calling for its broadcast to be suspended over its depiction of the May 18 pro-democracy uprising. On Monday, Han posted a screenshot from "Doctor X: Mafia in White" on his Instagram and wrote, "A petition to halt the broadcast? Are you out of your mind? Why don't you try making a fuss again?" He added, "I don't usually watch dramas, but I've really been enjoying Doctor X lately. I'm grateful for it." The show's sixth episode, which aired Saturday, depicted the story of Oh Sang-beom (played by Ha Seong-gwang), a man who suffered a gunshot wound to the head during the May 18, 1980 pro-democracy uprising and has lived with pain and hallucinations for more than 40 years. Genius surgeon Gye Su-jeong (played by Kim Ji-won) takes on his case, and the latter part of the episode features a fictional former president evoking memories of that era. Shortly after the episode aired, a petition titled "Petition to suspend the broadcast of SBS drama Doctor X: Mafia in White" was posted on the National Assembly's public consent petition board. The petitioner argued that the sixth episode included May 18-related content unrelated to the drama's storyline, and said it was difficult to accept the use of what they called a political issue in a drama series. The petitioner called for the production team to be summoned as National Assembly witnesses, for the broadcast to be suspended, and for a review by broadcast regulatory authorities. The petition surpassed the 100 signatures required for public disclosure within a single day, moving it into the review stage. For it to proceed to a full National Assembly review, it must gather at least 50,000 signatures within 30 days of being made public. On the day the sixth episode aired, "Doctor X: Mafia in White" chief producer Lee Ok-gyu posted the words "No fear" alongside a drama poster on his social media account, without further explanation. According to Nielsen Korea, the sixth episode recorded a household viewership rating of 19.5 percent nationwide, setting a new series high, while the peak per-minute rating soared to 21.3 percent. This is not the first time Han has publicly defended a controversial work. On Oct. 1, when the film "The Assassin" — which deals with the shooting of former first lady Yuk Young-soo — became embroiled in a historical distortion controversy, he posted, "Let's just watch a movie as a movie. It's not a documentary. Why is there so much fuss?" Han has long used social media to share his views on political and social issues, though he signaled in September that he would scale back such commentary and focus on his work.

Oct. 26, 2026

Rapper Yang Hong-won hit with drug allegations days after infidelity claims

Rapper Yang Hong-won, 27, who was caught up in infidelity allegations just five days after his wedding ceremony, now faces drug-use claims — allegations that surfaced with no supporting evidence or explanation beyond a single hashtag. Fans have largely adopted a wait-and-see stance, noting that Yang had recently expressed anger over a fellow rapper's marijuana use. A person identified only as "A" posted on social media Sunday with a hashtag reading "drugs," sharing a map showing the location of a lodging establishment along with what appeared to be interior photos of the premises. The person offered no specific explanation or evidence and did not name anyone as having used drugs. However, A introduced themselves as "someone who was once a fan of Yang Hong-won and who watched and interacted with him at quite close range, beyond simply cheering from afar" — implying the post was connected to Yang. "Deciding to speak about this matter was by no means an easy choice for me," A wrote, adding that they had spent a long time weighing whether it was right to disclose what they knew, how much to say, and what consequences the post might bring. A said thoughts about the potential fallout had not left their mind — including whether going public would destroy a family, whether a child who had done nothing wrong would end up bearing wounds they should never have to carry, and how deeply Yang's spouse, Hyeonju, would be hurt if she came across the post. "I began to ask myself who my silence would actually serve," A wrote, explaining the decision to come forward. "My reason for speaking publicly is not to unconditionally cast someone as a bad person. I concluded that it was necessary to lay out the specific facts so that the truth and context of the matter could be verified." Because A has yet to present any concrete evidence or corroborating details, fans have largely reserved judgment and said they will wait to see how the situation develops. Last month, when it became known that fellow rapper Kim Gamjeon — whose full stage name translates roughly as "Kim Sang-min, He Who Dares Call Himself a Legend," real name Kim Sang-min, 22 — had used marijuana, Yang publicly expressed anger and sorrow on social media. Kim had been serving a suspended sentence for marijuana use when he was detained on new marijuana charges. In response, Yang wrote: "My little brother Sang-min, you need to get a smack from your hyung, you know that? Your hyung really loves you." Yang married model Won Hyeon-ju in 2023 and the couple had a daughter the following year, holding a belated wedding ceremony on Oct. 18. Five days later, on Friday, a separate person identified as "B" alleged that Yang had gone to a motel with a woman, sparking the infidelity claims. Yang and the woman said they had been drinking at B's home, that B had asked them to leave, and that they had gone to the motel together while intoxicated simply to find a place to sleep, but that no romantic activity had taken place. B allegedly threatened to expose Yang and the woman unless they paid money.

Oct. 26, 2026

Person who made infidelity allegations against rapper Yang Hong-won suddenly apologizes, citing psychiatric medication

The person who made infidelity allegations against rapper Yang Hong-won, 27, has abruptly apologized, saying "I take psychiatric medication and I must have lost my mind because of it" — moving to defuse the situation even as the fallout has already spread, with Yang and his wife unfollowing each other on social media. According to entertainment industry sources, a person identified as A, who on Sunday made public allegations about Yang's private life, used their social media account to direct followers to a new account. On that new account, A posted what appeared to be screenshots of a KakaoTalk conversation with Yang. In the conversation, the person believed to be A wrote: "You wasted your time on me when you're so busy. I take psychiatric medication and I must have lost my mind because of it." Yang replied, "OK, I understand," and the other person said, "I woke up from a short nap and deleted everything right away," appearing to walk back the situation. When Yang said his lawyer would be in touch, the other person responded, "Well, I haven't heard from the police yet." Yang then said, "Let's wrap this up cleanly." In the comments on the post containing the conversation, A wrote, "I'm truly sorry. What should I do?" and later posted on their social media story, "Sorry. Really." However, it has not been confirmed whether the conversation was actually exchanged with Yang. Earlier, A, who identified themselves as an acquaintance of Yang, posted on their personal social media account on Friday, writing, "A newlywed groom just went to a motel with a woman. Is this not wrong?" The post included footage of Yang entering a motel with another woman, a recorded phone call, and messages Yang had sent to his wife, model Won Hyun-ju. Yang's agency, AP Alchemy, acknowledged that Yang had gone to the motel with the woman but denied any infidelity, saying the person making the allegations "threatened the artist and the victim in an attempt to extort money, and when that failed, made disclosures based on false information." Yang filed complaints against a person identified as B on charges of blackmail, violation of the Stalking Punishment Act, and defamation through false statements. Meanwhile, Yang and Won registered their marriage in 2023, becoming a legally married couple, and welcomed a daughter in November 2024. The couple has run a YouTube channel called "Yang Hong-won's Parenting Diary" since May, sharing their daily life with their daughter. They held a wedding ceremony on Oct. 18.

Oct. 26, 2026

Ha Ju-yeon of Jewelry finds contentment in ordinary office life

Ha Ju-yeon, a former member of the girl group Jewelry, has shared an update on her life after stepping away from the entertainment industry to work as an ordinary office employee. A video titled "Jewelry's Ha Ju-yeon's Lunch Break While Waiting for Payday" was posted Thursday on singer Noh Sa-yeon's YouTube channel. In the video, Noh enjoyed a picnic with Ha, who now works as a company employee. Reflecting on her long hiatus, Ha opened up about her decision to leave. "In this industry, if you're not working, you're essentially unemployed," she said. "You can only go when someone calls you, and I couldn't keep waiting indefinitely for that opportunity." After Jewelry's activities wound down, Ha worked part-time at a cafe in Hannam-dong to make ends meet. She confessed that starting out in ordinary Korean working life felt a little embarrassing at first. "I submitted my resume to hundreds of places through job-search websites," she said. "Even back then, when I was much younger than I am now, I kept getting rejected at the application stage." She added that she had felt discouraged, wondering whether her age was working against her. She said she eventually built up her career step by step until she was able to settle into office life. When Noh asked whether she now simply lived from payday to payday, Ha said that suited her just fine. "In entertainment, if there's no work, nobody pays you. A salaried worker gets a paycheck every month — that's why I got a regular job," she said, adding that as long as the company does not go under, the salary keeps coming. She also said she was happy living as an ordinary person after her years as a celebrity. The conversation turned to family as well. Ha mentioned that her mother is a graduate of Seoul Arts High School who majored in Korean traditional dance, and revealed that her father is actor Ha Jae-young. When Noh exclaimed, "That man was really something," Ha replied, "He still is." Ha joined Jewelry as a third-generation member in 2008 and left the group in 2014 when her exclusive contract expired.

Oct. 26, 2026

Actor Yun Mi-ra, 75 and single, reveals lavish lifestyle: hotel breakfasts and three dressing rooms

Actor Yun Mi-ra, 75, has offered a glimpse into her glamorous life as a single woman — from her apartment overlooking the Han River and Namsan to closets packed with designer goods and regular hotel buffet breakfasts. Yun joined the cast of SBS variety program My Little Old Boy as a new cast member, with her daily routine featured in the episode that aired Sunday. Her morning routine — a quick skincare session followed by squats — drew attention, but it was her home that truly captivated viewers. The living room offers a sweeping view of the Han River, while the kitchen on the opposite side looks out over Namsan. Beyond a spacious master bedroom, three additional rooms are filled with designer handbags, clothing and shoes. Yun drew envious reactions from the cast when she headed to one of her dressing rooms — lined with luxury bags from Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Chanel — to pick out a gift for her younger sibling. She then met a friend for breakfast at a hotel buffet, a treat she said she indulges in about once every two weeks. To pay, she produced a hotel membership card with an annual fee of 2 million won ($1,510). Over the meal, when her friend remarked that she seemed lonely, Yun said she had no regrets about never marrying but acknowledged a lingering emptiness. "There's always a hollow feeling inside," she said, adding that she had not given up on finding a partner. "I haven't given up. There will be someone for me." After breakfast, Yun stopped by her favorite boutique and summed up her spending philosophy without hesitation. "I may not have a husband, but I have three dressing rooms," she said. "I'm living alone as a single person — what's the point of saving? I have no children to leave anything to. I should spend it all and go."

Oct. 26, 2026