Actor Kim Soo-hyun cleared of grooming allegations involving late Kim Sae-ron as police find key evidence was AI-fabricated

Actor Kim Soo-hyun, 38, is set to be cleared of allegations that he groomed the late Kim Sae-ron during her time as a minor, with the case heading toward a no-charge conclusion. According to legal sources, the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors Office returned the case file to Seoul Seongdong Police Station on Thursday without requesting any supplementary investigation. The case involved allegations that Kim violated the Child Welfare Act and filed a false complaint. Seongdong Police Station had already decided on July 29 not to refer the case to prosecutors, concluding there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the charges against Kim. After prosecutors reviewed the file and returned it without ordering a reinvestigation, the police's decision not to refer the case was formally confirmed. The controversy erupted in May last year when the family of the late Kim Sae-ron and Kim Se-eui, head of the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, filed a complaint against Kim Soo-hyun on charges of violating the Child Welfare Act and filing a false report. The family and Kim Se-eui alleged that Kim Soo-hyun had dated the late actress from when she was a minor and subjected her to sexual and emotional abuse, commonly referred to as grooming. Kim Se-eui also filed a counter-complaint against Kim Soo-hyun for defamation after Kim Soo-hyun sued him on the same charge. The investigation found that the key evidence underpinning the allegations had been fabricated. Police concluded that audio recordings of the late actress that Kim Se-eui's side released at a press conference and on broadcasts were forged using generative AI, and that screenshots of KakaoTalk conversations purportedly exchanged with Kim Soo-hyun were maliciously manipulated from chats with another person. Ko Sang-rok, the attorney representing Kim Soo-hyun, said police had conducted a thorough investigation covering the full scope of the allegations, including the period through 12th grade — generally considered the final year of legal minority. "After comprehensively reviewing the submitted materials, statements and the factual circumstances between the two at the time, police determined there were no grounds whatsoever to find a violation of the Child Welfare Act," Ko said. Meanwhile, Kim Se-eui, who faces charges including defamation through the spread of false information, was arrested under a warrant issued in May and indicted in June. Prosecutors charged him with defamation under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, as well as violations of the Stalking Punishment Act and the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, along with attempted coercion and intimidation. His trial schedule is currently being arranged after the defense applied for a citizen participation trial.

Sept. 8, 2026

Seventeen's Dokyeom enlists in army: 'I'll be back safe and sound'

Dokyeom, a member of K-pop group Seventeen, enlisted in the army Tuesday for his mandatory military service. According to his agency, Pledis Entertainment, Dokyeom reported for duty Tuesday as an active-duty soldier, becoming the sixth member of the group to fulfill his military obligation. The agency asked fans not to visit the training center on enlistment day, noting that the induction ceremony is a gathering shared by many soldiers and their families. "We ask for your unwavering love and support so that Dokyeom can faithfully complete his service and return in even better health," the agency said, addressing Carats — the name of Seventeen's fandom. The agency added that while Dokyeom would be unable to participate in Seventeen's scheduled activities during his service, he would continue to reach fans through a variety of content prepared in advance. Before enlisting, Dokyeom posted on SNS, sharing a photo of his freshly cropped chestnut-style haircut along with the message, "I'll be back safe and sound." Meanwhile, Seventeen recently renewed their contracts with Pledis Entertainment for a second time, with all 13 members — S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, The8, Mingyu, Dokyeom, Seungkwan, Vernon and Dino — signing on together. At the time, the members said, "The 13 of us came together with the belief that there is nothing we cannot achieve together, and a shared desire to go even further as a team."

Sept. 8, 2026

NewJeans' Haerin makes first public appearance in 18 months, thanks fans

NewJeans member Haerin made her first official public appearance since returning to her agency, Ador. Haerin attended a photo call Monday for the opening of a beauty brand's pop-up store at Lotte Department Store's Avenuel in Jamsil, Songpa-gu, Seoul — her first public engagement in 18 months. She has served as an ambassador for the brand since her debut. Also present at the event were Kim Yeon-a, Nam Joo-hyuk, Red Velvet's Joy, Shin Ye-eun, Kim Jae-won, model Irene and Bae Yoon-young. When fans called her name and cheered at the venue, Haerin flashed a shy smile before posing for photographers. A video posted by a fan captured the moment she recognized a fan in the crowd and said, "Thank you." In the months leading up to the appearance, Haerin had kept a limited schedule, taking part only in photo shoots and agency content without attending any public events. NewJeans declared the termination of their exclusive contracts with Ador in November 2024 and pursued independent activities, triggering a legal dispute. After losing a first-instance ruling last year in a lawsuit seeking confirmation that their contracts remained valid, the members began returning to the agency one by one. Haerin, Hyein and Hanni have since rejoined Ador, while Danielle was excluded from the group. Minji continues to negotiate with the agency over the terms of her return. On the group's fourth debut anniversary in July, NewJeans released a video featuring four members, including Minji.

Sept. 8, 2026

Pungja says she'll keep future husband private: 'Korea will go wild'

Broadcaster Pungja said she would keep her future spouse out of the public eye if she ever gets married. In a video titled "Iryeolchiyeol Eochon Maeul Chonkangsu" — a countryside fishing-village getaway — released Monday on her YouTube channel "Pungja TV," Pungja spoke with her production crew about marriage. She asked two crew members — one married for a year and a half and another for nine years — about the upsides of married life. When one replied that it meant never feeling lonely, always having someone at home and someone to reach out to, and knowing there is someone completely in your corner, Pungja said she found that appealing. She then shared her own views on marriage. "Marriage isn't an obligation in life," she said. "I think marriage is something you do with a person you've come to trust and feel certain about to that degree." "I'll meet someone in the future, and who knows — maybe I'll get married," she said. "I've thought about how much of a stir it would cause across the country." She added that if headlines reading "Pungja gets married" were to appear, countless people would want to know who the person was. "The moment the news breaks, I think the whole country will go wild," she said. Pungja also apologized in advance to her future partner. "I'm someone with a lot of random thoughts, and it's not like I'm getting married right now or even know who it'll be — but I already feel sorry for that person for no reason," she said. She said she would not reveal her spouse publicly even if she did marry, then drew laughs by joking, "What's the point of talking about all this? Here I am, married or not, sitting alone tearing into dried squid." "Still, if something like that does happen, I'd rather be the one to tell my fans first — on my own YouTube channel — before it comes out through reporters or any other outlet," she said. "If there's ever such happy news, I'll make sure to tell you all honestly and directly." She added, however, that she had heard such things tend to leak before you get the chance to announce them yourself. "If there's ever such happy news, I'll tell you all first. But right now, there's nothing at all. It's a lonely night," she said.

Sept. 8, 2026

YouTuber Gwak Tube reveals he put nearly all his money in SK hynix — and is down 14%

Travel content creator Gwak Tube has revealed that he invested nearly all of his money in SK hynix shares and is currently sitting on a loss of 14 percent. SK hynix's share price has fallen about 38 percent from its peak over the past three months. Even while flying in a top-tier first-class cabin, he admitted he could not relax because of his stock worries. A video titled "A review of the world's most expensive first-class flight" was posted to the YouTube channel "Gwak Tube" on Monday. Gwak Tube said he booked Etihad Airways' ultra-luxury "The Residence" cabin on a flight from Japan to Abu Dhabi, explaining that his frequent long-haul travel shoots had given him the opportunity to try a premium airline service he would not normally experience. The ticket cost about 14.9 million won ($11,000), and the flight lasted approximately nine hours. Before departure, Gwak Tube said, "This is the biggest splurge of my life. And yes, it's my own money." When he calculated the price against the flight time, he said "that's 1 million won an hour," visibly feeling the weight of the expense. He then disclosed that he had put "almost all" of his money into SK hynix. "I dumped in basically everything I had," he said, adding that he had kept buying more shares each time the price dipped and that his current return stood at minus 14 percent. Gwak Tube also signaled he was willing to buy even more. Comparing the 15 million won ticket price to buying additional shares, he said, "If it were me, I'd average down. Skip the flight." He added, "Just a little more and we're almost there." Despite booking the luxury cabin, Gwak Tube was shown in the video struggling to actually rest. He gave up on sleeping, convinced that dozing off would mean failing to get his money's worth out of the expensive ticket. "Every time I nod off, that's minus 1 million won," he said, forcing himself to stay awake and spending most of the flight watching movies and playing games. "I don't want to keep talking about money either, but the amount just keeps popping into my head and I can't relax," he said. "The pressure to keep doing something meant I couldn't sleep." SK hynix shares closed at 1.783 million won on Monday. The stock has fallen about 38 percent from its peak over the past three months.

Sept. 8, 2026

Lyricist Kim Ina warns fans of impersonation account on X

Lyricist Kim Ina has alerted fans that an impersonation account has been created in her name. Kim posted on her Instagram account Monday that she does not use X, formerly Twitter, but that an account impersonating her had apparently appeared on the platform. "Right now it doesn't have many followers, and it seems AI is scraping random posts from my Instagram and uploading them," she wrote, adding that she wanted to warn people in case the account caused harm later. She urged followers who use X to report the account. "I'm told mass reporting is the most effective approach," she said. "It would be a hassle, but I'd be grateful if those of you who saw this post and use X could report the impersonation account together." Kim also shared a screenshot of the impersonating X account alongside her post. In the comments, she later thanked everyone who helped report the account. Kim works as both a lyricist and broadcaster. She has built a strong presence in the music industry by contributing to songs by artists from major agencies as well as top-tier singers.

Sept. 8, 2026

Lee Sang-soon sends mangoes to radio crew while recovering from vagus nerve condition

Singer and guitarist Lee Sang-soon, husband of singer Lee Hyori, showed his thoughtfulness toward his radio production crew even as he recovers from a vagus nerve dysfunction diagnosis. The production team of MBC FM4U's "A Perfect Day with Lee Sang-soon" shared photos on Instagram on Monday of mangoes sent by Lee. The photos showed several carefully packaged mangoes filling four shopping bags. "Waiting for Sundi to recover and return," the crew wrote, using Lee's nickname, adding that they were sharing photos of the mangoes he had sent for the team. "Please wait along with 'A Perfect Day' until Sundi's condition improves," the post continued. "We are truly grateful for the warm care and concern you show him." Lee vows to return in good health after thorough checkup Lee's agency Antenna announced Sunday on Instagram that Lee had received medical treatment following a sudden decline in his condition, and that he was temporarily stepping away from his radio hosting duties on the advice of doctors who said he needed rest due to vagus nerve dysfunction. The agency said it would fully support Lee so he could focus entirely on his recovery, adding that future schedules would be adjusted flexibly based on his progress. Lee also posted on his own Instagram account, saying doctors told him he could gradually recover with sufficient rest. "I will take this opportunity to spend enough time getting my health back properly," he wrote. "I will also do a thorough check of my overall condition and make sure I fully recover before returning to you in good shape."

Sept. 8, 2026

Actor Sagang shares update after earning master's degree: 'I had tens of thousands of worries too'

Actor Sagang shared an update on her life, posting photos from her graduation ceremony on Instagram. Sagang uploaded photos of herself in a cap and gown to her Instagram account Monday. She earned a master's degree from the Department of Social Welfare and Digital Integrated Care at Sahmyook University's graduate school. "I too had tens of thousands of worries," she wrote. "But when it came down to it, one thing became crystal clear: if you don't start, not even a 1 percent chance will ever appear." "When you start late, the unique experiences only a late starter has accumulated become your weapon," she said. "When the experiences I lived through met academic study, sentences in books that I used to pass over without a second thought began to reach me differently — as if touching my skin." She then urged others not to wait until everything is perfectly in place. "You don't have to wait until fear disappears completely before you can begin," she wrote. "Taking that first step on trembling legs, even while carrying your fear — that is the real start." "I think the next chapter of life opens not with age, but from the moment you start asking yourself new questions again," she went on to say. She added, "Today is a day I want to cheer on with all my heart anyone out there still wrestling with that decision — telling them: keep going, believe in yourself." Followers responded with comments including "Amazing, incredible, so much to learn from you," "Cheering you on always," and "So proud of you." Sagang made her debut in the 1996 KBS drama series "Meonameon Nara" ("A Faraway Land").

Sept. 8, 2026

'You're also responsible': Jeju YouTuber targeted by hate comments over island's recent crimes

Amid a string of disturbing incidents on Jeju Island, some people have been leaving hate comments targeting a well-known local YouTuber and demanding that he take responsibility — drawing widespread criticism. The YouTuber, known as Mworenghamaen, posted a short video to his account on Aug. 28 under the title "About recent events." In the video, Mworenghamaen showed hate comments left on his channel and said he had received more than 1,000 of them. "It's gotten to the point where news outlets are covering the flood of hate comments directed at me," he said. Among the comments were messages such as "Aren't you partly responsible?", "Everyone who lives on Jeju is in on it together," and "Why haven't you apologized?" He went on to explain the island's traditional identity. "Jeju has long been called 'Sammu-do' — the island of three absences: no beggars, no thieves, and no gates," he said. "There were no beggars because people helped one another, no one went hungry so there were no thieves, and because there were no thieves, there was no need for gates." "I grew up hearing these stories," he added, "and so I have always believed Jeju to be a safe and peaceful island." He said the recent events on Jeju worried him as a resident of the island. "Many people have questions about what has been happening, and I share those questions," he said. "I believe the truth needs to come out fully." He then questioned why the hate comments were being directed at him. "I live on Jeju. My family is here, and the people I love are here," he said. "If things like this keep happening on Jeju, the ones who will be most worried are me and the other people who actually live here." Mworenghamaen said he was not taking anyone's side. "What I want is simply for every question that people — both those on Jeju and those outside — are carrying right now to be answered completely, leaving not a single question mark behind," he said.

Sept. 7, 2026

'Chungju Man' Kim Sun-tae takes real impromptu trip amid controversy over 'I Live Alone' travel segment

As controversy continues over broadcaster Jeon Hyun-moo's "impromptu travel" segment on the MBC variety show "I Live Alone," YouTuber Kim Sun-tae — known as the "Chungju Man" — has drawn attention by posting his own impromptu travel video. Kim uploaded a video titled "Impromptu Travel Promotion" to his YouTube channel on Friday. In the video, Kim filmed his opening at the Chungju city bus terminal and said, "Today I'm going to take an impromptu trip. I'll get on a random city bus and ride it to the last stop." After looking over the buses parked at the terminal, Kim boarded one at 6:16 a.m. He greeted fellow passengers, introduced the scenery outside the window and the places along the route, and eventually arrived at the final stop: Bangdae Village. Upon arriving, he said, "What do I even do here?" before heading toward Jeongam Village, located further inside. "Bangdae is in Sancheok," he explained. "The reason I remember it is that it was one of the villages I was in charge of. Civil servants at township offices each have their own assigned villages. Sancheok-myeon had about 26 villages, and each official was assigned three or four. I think mine were Myeongdol, Bangdae and Jeongam. So I ended up accidentally traveling through my own assigned villages." Kim then spent time taking in the scenery from a pavilion before wrapping up his impromptu trip with a meal. The video drew attention alongside the ongoing controversy over Jeon's impromptu trip to Kazakhstan, which aired recently on "I Live Alone." Earlier, episodes of "I Live Alone" that aired Aug. 14 and Aug. 21 showed Jeon heading to the airport without a predetermined destination, choosing a flight to Almaty, Kazakhstan, and embarking on a 29-hour impromptu trip. After the episodes aired, allegations emerged questioning whether the trip was truly spontaneous, as footage surfaced showing multiple production staff accompanying the shoot abroad and a rental car being used on location. The controversy deepened when it emerged that the official website of the city of Almaty had posted content indicating the filming had received support from local tourism authorities. The fabrication allegations rested on several details: a rental car was obtained just 40 minutes after landing at the airport without the translation and notarization of a Korean driver's license required under local law, and it would have been difficult for a large production crew to secure flights and accommodation on the spot without prior planning. Questions were also raised over whether the production had received support from the Kazakhstani government in exchange for promoting tourism. The production team denied receiving any support from Kazakhstan even after the Almaty tourism authority had publicly stated on its website that it had assisted with the filming. The team later revised its position, saying there had been no financial support but that it had received cooperation from the Almaty city tourism authority for the shoot. As criticism persisted, the production team issued an additional statement saying that Jeon's decision to travel to Kazakhstan was made spontaneously, but that the crew had reviewed various factors in advance, anticipated that he would choose Kazakhstan, pre-booked staff flights and arranged for local filming assistance ahead of time. The additional explanation has done little to quell skepticism, with many still finding it hard to accept the claim that the production team had predicted in advance that Jeon would choose Kazakhstan.

Sept. 7, 2026

Actor Jeong Jun-ho, who boasted 5,000 wedding guests and a $295,000 catering bill, reveals 18,000 contacts on his phone

Actor Jeong Jun-ho, widely regarded as the entertainment industry's ultimate networker, has once again put his extraordinary connections on display. Sunday's episode of the SBS variety program My Little Old Boy featured broadcaster Tak Jae-hoon paying a visit to Jeong's home. Jeong enlisted Tak's help and led him to the underground parking garage, where the two faced a towering task: wrapping chuseok gifts to send to Jeong's acquaintances. Potatoes and apples were stacked in enormous piles throughout the garage. The sheer volume made sense once the recipient list came into view — 2,000 people, including conglomerate chairmen, National Assembly lawmakers, local government heads, current and former ministers, and sitting mayors. "I've been doing this for 20 years," Jeong said, adding that he personally delivers gifts to elderly chairmen. Tak, overwhelmed by the scale of the operation, said he doubted they could finish before chuseok. "Having so many connections can make life hard in its own way," he said. Jeong pushed back, sharing his philosophy on relationships. "It's worth it even when it's tough. Money disappears once you spend it, but the people you build relationships with stay with you," he said. He then drew fresh surprise by revealing that his phone holds 18,000 saved contacts. Jeong's vast network has made headlines before. When he married former MBC announcer Lee Ha-jeong in 2011, roughly 5,000 guests attended — so many that the couple held two separate ceremonies, one in Seoul and one in Yesan. The catering bill alone reportedly came to about 400 million won ($295,000). His annual spending on flower arrangements sent to acquaintances for birthdays and other occasions has also been reported to reach around 200 million won. His wife Lee has said she is worn out by her husband's relentless networking and his habit of sending floral arrangements. She has also taken a wry view of the situation: "I'm just glad that, out of all his countless acquaintances, I'm the one he's closest to."

Sept. 7, 2026

Broadcaster Lee Young-ja dismayed as autumn rains devastate her garden

Broadcaster Lee Young-ja, who splits her time between the city and the countryside, was left speechless after autumn rains reduced the garden at her second home to a shambles. A video titled "Lee Young-ja's fresh September table — made by raiding the front yard instead of the supermarket" was posted to her YouTube channel, Lee Young-ja TV, on Sunday. The footage shows Lee surveying her front garden after a recent spell of autumn rain had passed through. Stepping into the garden, she found crops knocked over in every direction and could barely contain her dismay. Confronted with rows of snapped corn stalks, she exclaimed, "Wow, they're all broken. All the corn is broken. This is terrible." She then spotted the mint in a planter — bent and toppled — and sighed, "It's been completely wrecked." What shocked her most was the sight of her prized tomato planters. Unable to withstand the driving rain and wind, they had toppled over one after another. "These tomatoes are my 26-year passion project, and all the planters have fallen over," she said, unable to hide her disappointment. A large shade screen installed in the garden had also collapsed, a testament to just how fierce the autumn rains had been. Lee ultimately rolled up her sleeves and set the garden right herself — propping up fallen seedlings one by one and re-erecting the shade screen with her own hands. She also had a message for viewers: "I hope none of you suffered any rain damage. Let's wrap up summer well." With the garden back in order, Lee returned a few days later to harvest vegetables she had grown herself — peppers, zucchini and cucumbers — and got to work putting together her "September table." She combined the homegrown produce with octopus and pollock roe to make fried rice, and the crew who tasted the finished dish marveled, "You can really taste how fresh all the ingredients are." Lee began her "three days city, four days country" lifestyle in 2024 following the death of her mother. The arrangement means spending three days a week in the city and four in the countryside. On days without scheduled work, she tends her garden and enjoys rural life. Explaining why she chose the four-days-in-the-country arrangement, she has said she is at a stage in life where she no longer needs to compete with anyone — that she would rather cheer on and guide the younger generation than seek applause for herself, and that it is fine to take things at a slower pace.

Sept. 7, 2026

Former announcer Kim So-young shutters cookie, book club businesses after raising W7b

Kim So-young, a former TV announcer turned entrepreneur, is shutting down her book club service after six years — the latest in a string of closures following her Dubai Chewy Cookie business. Both ventures were part of her company Biplant, which raised 7 billion won ($5.17 million) in investment last year. On Friday, Kim announced she would end her Chaekbaljeon Book Club subscription service with the October issue, bringing the six-year-old operation to a close. The service sent subscribers a curated book, a newsletter and reading-themed merchandise each month. Fans expressed concern upon learning that the long-running business was suddenly closing. In response, Kim said she had spent the past few years watching the publishing and printing markets shift, and that she had quietly been bracing herself for the possibility of closing the book club for some time, even as the business continued to struggle. "Because I never once mentioned that there were problems or difficulties, those who read the announcement on Sunday may have found it very sudden," she said. "I felt that talking about it would look irresponsible, like I was blaming others — and I disliked the idea of coming across as whining." She added, "I realize now that I was being foolishly clever. I learned something this time." Kim had also recently drawn sympathy after it emerged that she was winding down her Dubai Chewy Cookie business. She had previously said the venture was running at a loss even when sales were strong. Some observers have speculated that Kim is streamlining her business portfolio to focus on her curation commerce operation, which has been performing well. Kim's company Biplant drew attention last year when it secured 7 billion won from Altos Ventures. While Biplant had operated the Dubai Chewy Cookie and book club businesses, it grew primarily on the strength of Bronte, its curation commerce platform. The company has since expanded by developing its own cosmetics and healthcare brands. In a post published Friday, Kim wrote that she had spent roughly two months in what she described as a kind of emergency management mode, working through major decisions and ambitious plans. "I am grateful that we have reached a stage where I can explain to anyone what our company does and what it aims to do — not because the organization has grown larger or because Bronte's sales have increased, but simply because we are now able to articulate it," she wrote. Kim joined MBC as an announcer in 2012 and left in 2017 to pursue business. That same year, she married Oh Sang-jin, a fellow former MBC announcer. The couple have a son and a daughter.

Sept. 7, 2026

Im Young-woong hits 1 million cumulative concertgoers on 10th debut anniversary

Singer Im Young-woong has surpassed 1 million cumulative concertgoers, marking a milestone in his 10th year since debut. His agency Fish Music said Monday that about 95,000 fans attended Im's three-day concert "IM HERO-THE STADIUM 2," held Friday through Sunday at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Im, who has grown steadily since his 2016 debut, reached the 1 million cumulative attendance mark through the run. Held to commemorate his 10th debut anniversary, the concert featured a remade version of his debut track "Miwoyo," along with signature songs including "Love Always Runs Away," "Grain of Sand" and "Warmth." The stadium was filled with waves of his signature sky-blue glow sticks, with elaborate fireworks and a drone show adding to the spectacle. "The 10 years I spent with Yeongung Sidae — my fandom — were truly precious and I am so grateful," Im said. "I want to spend the next 10 years together as well, and I will keep singing hard for a long, long time."

Sept. 7, 2026

Actor Han Jung-su vows to join impeachment drive if troops deployed to Strait of Hormuz

Actor Han Jung-su said he would join a presidential impeachment campaign if the government decides to deploy troops to the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, Han wrote on his Instagram that he would "unconditionally take part in the president's impeachment" if a deployment goes ahead, criticizing the move as "a path to national ruin and a state driving its people into the jaws of death." In an earlier post, Han said: "Not a single country in the world is joining this fight. Even Canada, which is more dependent on the US than we are, is fiercely pushing back against Washington and seeing its approval ratings rise — and we're supposed to go in alone? This country is truly losing its mind." He added, "Why are we the only ones going in like fools? Are we the world's pushover? Do those young lives belong to you?" On Saturday, he wrote that "deployment is murder and a sacrifice of our young people," adding that he would "fight to the end" if the government decides to send troops. Meanwhile, the South Korean government is reviewing a US request to send troops and assets to the Strait of Hormuz. A senior Iranian official warned that any South Korean involvement in operations against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz would be considered an act of war.

Sept. 7, 2026

'If Lee Dong-gook's son does that … ': K-League legend explains why he opposed his son's soccer career

Former soccer star Lee Dong-gook, now technical director of Yongin FC, has opened up about why he once opposed his son Sian's pursuit of a soccer career. A preview clip from the variety program "Namgyeoseo Mwohage" (tentatively, "What's Left Behind") was released Monday on the tvN STORY YouTube channel. The segment featured Lee alongside former baseball national team player Lee Jong-beom, with the two discussing the pressures faced by children of prominent athletes. Lee Jong-beom revealed that his son Lee Jung-hoo, who now plays in Major League Baseball, became a baseball player despite his father's objections. Lee Dong-gook said he felt the same way. His youngest son, Sian, is currently active as a youth soccer player and is nurturing his dream of becoming a professional footballer, following in his father's footsteps. Lee Dong-gook said his opposition stemmed from the prejudice his son would inevitably face simply for being the child of a famous player. "No matter how far he gets through his own hard work, people will always say things like 'it's in the DNA' or 'look who his father is,'" Lee said. He added that his son "might be under a lot of stress from hearing things we never had to hear." Lee Jong-beom said Jung-hoo had endured similar remarks on his account — comments such as "You get to play because your dad is Lee Jong-beom, not because you're actually good." Lee Dong-gook recalled a specific incident involving Sian during a match. When Sian missed a penalty kick, people nearby remarked, "How can Lee Dong-gook's son miss that?" Lee said he was watching at the time and that Sian happened to overhear the comments, breaking down in tears. Lee also said that when Sian commits a foul in a physical challenge, people react by saying, "Why does that kid have such bad character?" — and then add, "He's Lee Dong-gook's son, look at his attitude." He was pointing out how every mistake his son makes is held to a harsher standard and linked directly to his father's name. Lee Jong-beom told him it would only get worse, saying Jung-hoo had gone through the same thing and that Sian would hear far more of it once he reaches middle and high school. Lee Dong-gook said he felt "at a loss" when faced with Lee Jong-beom's warning that the scrutiny would intensify as public attention grows. Meanwhile, Sian has recently drawn attention after being named to the South Korean youth roster for the global youth project "Nova Korea 12." The project organizers introduced him as a player from Yeonsu-gu, praising his finishing ability and combination play, and said they were eager to see how he would perform in Brazil. Sian previously led his team to victory at the 2024 Chungju Apple Cup National Youth Soccer Festival and recently passed a tryout for the youth academy of LA Galaxy, a prominent Major League Soccer club.

Sept. 7, 2026

Actor Kim Ok-bin announces pregnancy 10 months after marriage

Actor Kim Ok-bin, 39, has announced she is pregnant. On Monday, Kim shared the news on her Instagram, writing, "It's been a long time since I've had any updates. The truth is, I've been preparing to become a mother." A photo she posted showed her resting her hands on her belly. "The baby's nickname is Ulu, and it will be a Year of the Horse baby," she wrote, adding, "It's been tough at times, but I'm happy and cherishing every moment." She continued, "Everything is new and surprising these days, as it's all a first for me. I'm praying that Ulu and I stay healthy through the rest of this time. I'll share more news when we finally get to meet." Kim married a non-celebrity on Nov. 16 last year. The wedding was held privately, attended only by close relatives and friends from both families. The pregnancy announcement comes 10 months after the marriage. Born in 1987, Kim made her debut in 2005 and has appeared in films including "Thirst," "The Front Line," "The Villainess," "1st Grade Classified" and "A Midsummer's Fantasia," as well as drama series including "The Blade and Petal," "Arthdal Chronicles," "Dark Hole," "Love in Contract" and "Araman's Sword."

Sept. 7, 2026

ITZY's Yuna silences hip-padding allegations with one beach photo

Yuna of K-pop group ITZY, who has long faced allegations that her hip line is too striking to be natural, appears to have put the speculation to rest with a single photo. On Sunday, Yuna posted beach photos to her Instagram with the caption "I love it even when it's cloudy." In the images, she strolled along the shore in a one-piece swimsuit, a white knit top draped over one hand. Her slender waist and long legs drew attention to what fans have called her "golden hips" — widely regarded as one of her most distinctive features. Yuna has repeatedly faced speculation over her unusually pronounced hip line, with some questioning whether she wears padding or has undergone cosmetic procedures. Appearing on MBC's "Radio Star" in 2024, she acknowledged the rumors, saying people had asked what she had "put in there," then shrugged off the allegations by suggesting viewers watch her "U-Go-Girl" performance video.

Sept. 7, 2026

Park Jun-hyung of god addresses health concerns: 'Almost 60 — one sleepless night takes longer to recover from'

Park Jun-hyung of the group god has addressed speculation about his health, explaining that his appearance on a recent episode was the result of filming immediately after a trip to the United States without any sleep. He reassured fans there was nothing to worry about. Park said on his Instagram account that he had received many direct messages from fans who watched "Wassup Man" and were concerned about him. The messages included comments such as "Are you feeling sick?", "You look so tired", "You've gotten so thin" and "You suddenly look so gaunt — your face and neck have gotten all wrinkled." In response, Park explained that the episode was filmed a month ago, right after he returned from the United States without having slept at all. "As you know, 'Wassup Man' is shot without any lighting, and when you film with a bright window behind or beside you, everything looks more pronounced," he said. Park, who is 57 this year, said that when he was younger his face would bounce back to looking fresh within a few hours no matter how long the flight — whether 12 or 20 hours — even without sleep. "Now that I'm almost 60, not sleeping for one night means it takes longer to recover," he added. He thanked fans for their concern and even for critical comments, saying people had taken the time to care. "I'm fine — everyone stop worrying about me, take care of yourselves, and have a fun and safe weekend," he said. Comments on the post included reactions such as "Fans love seeing your natural self, so keep the current style," "Just ignore the negative posts" and "We're always rooting for you."

Sept. 7, 2026

New complaint filed over rental car duration in Jeon Hyun-moo's 'impromptu' Kazakhstan trip

Complainant submits supplementary opinion to broadcast regulator Calls for objective verification of vehicle rental and return circumstances A new question has emerged over the rental car booking shown in MBC's reality program "I Live Alone," as the episode featuring broadcaster Jeon Hyun-moo's Kazakhstan trip faces scrutiny from the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC). According to the online community DCInside on Monday, a complainant identified as A, who had previously filed a KCSC review request over the episode's factual accuracy, objectivity and sponsorship disclosures, submitted a supplementary opinion to the commission on Sunday calling for verification of the rental car booking shown in the broadcast. "The production team described this trip as 'one night and two days — just 29 hours,' but the rental car booking period shown on screen was set for exactly 48 hours, from 9:08 a.m. on Aug. 6, 2026, to 9:08 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2026," A said. A added that the 29-hour trip presented in the broadcast did not match the 48-hour rental period shown on screen, and that questions also arose regarding Jeon's domestic filming schedule on Aug. 8 and 9. A requested that the actual vehicle rental and return dates, the return itinerary and the circumstances behind the on-screen booking details be verified through objective source materials. "Given that the production team has acknowledged pre-purchasing staff flights to Kazakhstan, it is also necessary to verify whether the rental car was pre-booked and arranged in advance," A said. A added that the broadcast did not show the final step of completing the rental car reservation, leaving a reasonable question as to whether the scene depicted the actual booking process or was separately staged and reconstructed to emphasize the "impromptu travel" narrative. Earlier, in a statement released Friday, the production team said regarding the rental car: "Jeon Hyun-moo booked the vehicle himself at Incheon Airport, and upon arrival at the destination, submitted copies of his passport and international driver's license as directed by the rental company before taking possession of the car." The team said that after the broadcast, upon receiving criticism over incomplete documentation, it checked with the South Korean Embassy in Kazakhstan and belatedly learned that renting a vehicle in Kazakhstan requires a notarization procedure through the Kazakhstani Embassy in Seoul. The production team added that it was "an oversight on the part of the production team for failing to carefully verify local regulations." In this regard, the South Korean Embassy in Kazakhstan issued a travel advisory through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Safe Travel notice on Aug. 25, stating: "Even if you hold an international driver's license, you cannot drive without the original South Korean driver's license and a notarized Russian-language translation." South Korea issues international driver's licenses under the Geneva Convention, but Kazakhstan is a signatory to the Vienna Convention and does not recognize international driver's licenses issued in South Korea. Even having such a license notarized at a South Korean embassy or consulate does not permit driving in Kazakhstan. In the episodes that aired Aug. 14 and 21, Jeon was shown arriving at Almaty Airport, receiving a call from the rental car company and being told that if he photographed his passport and international driver's license and sent them by email, a manager would be dispatched to the airport within 40 minutes. He was then shown safely receiving the vehicle at the airport and driving it himself throughout the trip. In principle, it is not possible to spontaneously rent and drive a vehicle in Kazakhstan using an international driver's license issued in South Korea — yet the broadcast depicted it as though it were. Some viewers, including A, have called on the regulator to determine whether the production team had secured prior or on-site cooperation from the Almaty tourism authority, or whether the rental company rented out the vehicle in violation of regulations — whether intentionally or by mistake.

Sept. 7, 2026