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WINNER member MINO (Song Minho), whose conviction for neglecting his duties as a public service worker has been finalized, will have to fulfill the remainder of his mandatory military service.

On October 16, the Military Manpower Administration stated that a decision had been made for MINO to re-serve following the finalization of his first-instance court ruling. An official from the Military Manpower Administration explained, "After thoroughly reviewing the exact period of additional service and the assigned service institution based on the written judgment, we plan to formally notify him of his re-service."

MINO was indicted on charges of violating the Military Service Act for leaving his assigned workplace without authorization for 102 days while serving as a public service worker and submitting false explanations to the institution. On October 1, the Seoul Western District Court sentenced MINO to one year in prison, suspended for two years, in his first-instance trial. MINO did not appeal, and the sentence was finalized as handed down.

SOHA

The court stated, "Military service is an obligation for the existence and security of the nation, and one must fulfill it faithfully. There is a high level of public interest regarding the fulfillment of military service by those working in the broadcasting industry." However, the court cited as mitigating factors for sentencing the fact that MINO admitted to the wrongdoing, was in poor health at the time, and expressed his intention to complete his remaining service. The court also noted that MINO's unauthorized absence went undetected because an accomplice, surnamed Lee, signed off on normal attendance, and sentenced Lee, who was in charge of managing attendance records, to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years.

During the trial, MINO testified, "If given the opportunity to re-serve, I will fulfill my duties faithfully." Immediately following the sentencing, he said, "I humbly accept the court's decision."

In a handwritten letter posted on social media on October 9, MINO stated, "I bow my head in apology for causing deep concern to many people because of me." He added, "I am truly sorry for disappointing the young people who are faithfully fulfilling their military service duties, as well as the fans who have cherished me," and continued, "I will faithfully carry out the remaining procedures and obligations moving forward."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Lee El is set to take over as the host of "Cinetown," succeeding Park Haseon.

On October 16, SBS announced, "Actor Lee El will host SBS Power FM's 'Lee El's Cinetown' starting November 2."

Lee El has been selected to succeed actor Park Haseon, who led the program for six years. She will meet listeners every day at 11:00 AM.

Having earned wide acclaim for her distinctive acting in the film "Inside Men" and dramas such as "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God," "My Liberation Notes," "Queen Mantis," and "Battle for Happiness", Lee El has also been recognized beyond her acting career for her uniquely captivating voice and witty banter, having previously served as a special host and narrator across multiple broadcasts.

The SBS Power FM production team explained the reason behind her casting: "Lee El is an actor with an enchanting voice that instantly captures the listener's ear, along with her own distinct personality. Beyond the intense presence she has shown in her acting projects, she also possesses an easygoing and friendly charm as a host."

The team added, "Lee El possesses a broad perspective that encompasses not only film and music, but also the everyday lives of our listeners. With her unique sensibility and delightful wit, we anticipate she will become a host listeners will want to keep by their side for a long time."

First launched in 1999, "Cinetown" is SBS Power FM's flagship film radio program, previously hosted by figures including Song Seung-whan, Shim Hye-jin, Lee Seung-yeon, Kong Hyung-jin, announcer Park Sun-young, announcer Jang Ye-won, and Park Haseon.

"Lee El's Cinetown" will premiere on November 2.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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The late Ahn Sung-ki was posthumously honored at the Beautiful Artist Awards hosted by the Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation, an organization where he served as chairman for 16 years during his lifetime.

The 16th Beautiful Artist Awards ceremony took place on October 15 at 4:00 PM at Stage 28 in Godeok-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul.

This year, the Good People Artist Award went to the late actor Ahn Sung-ki, the Film Artist Award to actor Kim Mu-yeol, the Performing Arts Award to actor Park Geun-hyung, the Lifetime Achievement Award to cinematographer Lee Seok-ki, and the New Artist Award to director Kim Do-young. Each honoree was presented with a plaque and 20 million won, totaling 100 million won in prize money.

Marking its 16th edition this year, the Beautiful Artist Awards were inaugurated in 2011 alongside the establishment of the foundation. Reflecting changing times, the foundation has highlighted the accomplishments of artists active across diverse disciplines, including expanding the scope of the Film Artist Award to cover television series and broadening the Theater Artist Award into the Performing Arts Award.

Meanwhile, approximately 200 figures from the cultural and arts communities and various sectors attended the ceremony to grace the occasion, including the foundation's founder and veteran actor, Honorary Chairman Shin Young-kyun, along with Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young, Yu In-chon, Kim Dong-ho, Chung Ji-young, Bae Chang-ho, Sohn Sook, Park Chan-wook, Lee Young-ae, Jung Joon-ho, Kim Soo-chul, and Park Chan-ho.

The Good People Artist Award was bestowed upon the late actor Ahn Sung-ki, who served as the inaugural chairman of the Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation. Having debuted as a child actor and devoted his life to Korean cinema, Ahn earned nationwide love through numerous productions and commanded profound respect both inside and outside the film industry for his humble and sincere character.

In particular, he consistently put the values of sharing and service into practice by engaging in various social contribution activities and supporting junior filmmakers over a long period. Honoring the late actor's warm and noble life, which was beloved for his lifelong humility and integrity while fostering the development of Korean cinema, the foundation presented him with the Good People Artist Award. The late actor's second son, Ahn Philip, attended the ceremony to accept the award on his behalf.

Actor Kim Mu-yeol, recipient of this year's Film Artist Award, has shown multifaceted acting prowess and outstanding character transformation across films and series. In particular, he left a deep impression on numerous viewers in the Netflix series "Teach You a Lesson" by portraying an inspector who takes the side of victims in a broken educational system. High praise was given to his remarkable acting caliber and achievements demonstrated through the work.

Actor Park Geun-hyung, who received the Performing Arts Award, is a premier veteran actor in Korean performing arts who has pursued an extensive acting career centered on the stage while spanning films and television dramas for decades. Notably, he drew applause from audiences with his impassioned performance playing the lead in "The Merchant of Venice." He was lauded for the artistic achievements accumulated over his lengthy career and for setting an exemplary model for junior artists.

Cinematographer Lee Seok-ki, who took home the Lifetime Achievement Award, launched his career during the renaissance of Korean cinema between the 1960s and 1980s as the director of photography for director Lee Man-hee's "Legend of Ssarigol." He later expanded his creative scope into directing films such as "The Story of Sung Ri-su-il" and "Camels Don't Cry Alone," leaving behind a filmography of roughly 180 works. The foundation highly commended director Lee's substantial legacy, passion, and lifelong contributions to the advancement of Korean cinema.

Director Kim Do-young, recipient of the New Artist Award, has opened new possibilities for Korean cinema while earning recognition for her delicate directing and artistic merit through films such as "Kim Ji-young, Born 1982," "Once We Were Us," and "The Intern." Drawing on direction that attentively captures character emotions and relationships, she has garnered audience empathy and continues to build her own unique directorial vision grounded in her experience as an actor.

A hand-printing ceremony was also conducted at the event to commemorate the honorees' accomplishments. The handprints will be cast into bronze plaques and permanently installed in the plaza in front of Myungbo Art Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Singer Bada of the group S.E.S. has expressed her deep respect and gratitude toward A2O producer Lee Soo-man.

On October 16, Bada posted a photo taken with Lee Soo-man on her Instagram along with a lengthy message. Bada began, "29 years ago, I felt like... I was having a conversation with someone who had seen the future." She continued, "Mr. Lee precisely and meticulously described the position and vision of our country's idols in the distant future to me, an 18-year-old young artist. Because he spoke with such earnestness, even at that moment, I knew I would never forget it for the rest of my life."

Bada went on to share, "It's strange. Mr. Lee's soul does not age," adding, "I felt a conviction like the purity of a young boy in him back then, and I still feel it in our conversations these days." She said, "During S.E.S., every night I pondered and thought deeply about the answers to the questions he gave me, establishing those answers on my own. Listening to the demos he sent, I didn't put off my thoughts; I practiced them in my own way and let him hear them. Looking back now, through those times, I was receiving training as a vocalist and an artist who learns to understand music."

Bada also expressed her appreciation, saying, "I was not prepared at all to enter the market of popular singers, especially idols, which is sophisticated and driven by distinct concepts. Producer Lee Soo-man clothed me—someone with a healthy sound—in new attire of sophisticatedly colored music, and completely prepared me with the pride of being our country's first female idol vocalist. These experiences were also utilized in the process of surviving as a solo artist."

Near the end of her post, Bada wrote, "Something I truly will never forget for the rest of my life. Once again, my gratitude goes to Mr. Lee, who knew about my family's difficult financial situation at the time and paid my college tuition." She concluded her message by adding, "Mr. Lee, fighting!!"

S.E.S. is a three-member girl group that debuted on November 28, 1997. Lee Soo-man is a first-generation K-pop producer who founded SM Entertainment, and he recently introduced rookie groups A2O SOUL and A2O LITE through A2O Entertainment.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The production team of MBC's "I Live Alone" has released a statement addressing allegations of a pre-written script regarding Jun Hyun-moo's "spontaneous trip" to Kazakhstan. This comes in response to a report by the Chosun Ilbo stating that filming permit documents submitted by the crew to the Incheon International Airport Corporation contained Jun Hyun-moo's departure flight schedule and the process of deciding his destination.

Regarding the materials submitted to the Incheon International Airport Corporation, the "I Live Alone" team stated on October 16, "It was merely an outline prepared to obtain filming permission, not a pre-written script." They added, "During the preliminary preparation, an outline explaining the general filming situation was required to receive filming permission from the Incheon International Airport Corporation," explaining that "the controversial scenario was material sent as an official document when applying for the filming permit at the time."

They continued, "It was drafted with anticipated situations as examples so that the person in charge of filming permits could easily understand how the filming would proceed," emphasizing, "Jun Hyun-moo has never seen the outline in question and was completely unaware of its contents." The production team maintains that the details were never conveyed to Jun Hyun-moo and that no directorial instructions were given.

Earlier that day, the Chosun Ilbo reported, based on documents obtained from the Incheon International Airport Corporation by the office of People Power Party Representative Kim Eun-hye, that the filming permit application and scenario submitted by MBC on July 22 contained details premised on Jun Hyun-moo traveling to Kazakhstan.

According to the report, the application specified a departure itinerary using an Air Astana flight departing at 11:10 a.m. on August 6. The accompanying scenario reportedly included Jun Hyun-moo saying, "I've been to China too many times~ Should I visit Kazakhstan~" and subsequently deciding on the destination after phone calls with actors Koo Sung-hwan and Lee Ju-seung.

Following the August 14 broadcast of the Kazakhstan travel episode of "I Live Alone," controversy over pre-planning arose online as questions surfaced regarding documents needed to rent a car and the fact that the city of Almaty had provided filming support became known.

The production team previously explained that they had only prepared in advance because they viewed it as highly likely that Jun Hyun-moo would choose Kazakhstan, not that the destination had been finalized. While admitting that they had booked flight tickets for staff beforehand and requested local filming cooperation, they stated that they received no monetary sponsorship or production subsidies, and previously apologized for failing to fully consider that the term "spontaneous trip" could lead viewers to believe the entire process took place without any prior preparation.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Artists affiliated with South Korea's four major agencies—HYBE, YG Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and SM Entertainment—have reportedly not submitted entries to "Best Asian Pop Music Performance," a new category introduced for the 2027 Grammy Awards.

According to Grammy analysis site The Grammy Guru, artists from HYBE, YG, JYP, and SM had not submitted songs for this category as of October 15 (KST). This includes flagship artists representing each agency, such as BTS, BLACKPINK, aespa, and TWICE.

The outlet reported that the lineup of submissions became clear after the Recording Academy (NARAS) opened the first round of voting for voting members to select nominees.

The category encompasses popular music across Asian regions, including Korea, China, and Japan, and the Recording Academy announced in June this year that it would be newly added starting from the 2027 Grammys. Immediately following the announcement, criticism arose that "grouping Korean, Chinese, and Japanese music by geographic region when they share no common ground reflects a Western-centric mindset."

On July 29, BTS stated their position that they would not submit music to the 2027 Grammys in protest of the category's creation. The group conveyed the intent that "we hope music is heard and loved as music itself, rather than being divided by region or language." BTS withdrew their fifth full-length album "Arirang" from consideration for nominations.

Regarding BTS's decision, music critic Lim Jin-mo commented in a preview for tvN's "You Quiz on the Block" that aired on October 14, "BTS's declaration was thrilling. It is a declaration of independence from the United States."

The Grammy Awards is a premier American popular music awards ceremony running since 1959. While it has faced recurring criticism over conservative judging standards, controversy surrounding the creation of the Asian pop category has added to the debate this year.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The TOP6 of SBS's "The Ballad of Us" Season 1 are set to meet their fans.

Season 1 TOP6 members Lee Ye-ji, Lee Ji-hoon, Cheon Beom-seok, Choi Eun-bin, Hong Seung-min, and Song Ji-woo, who filled living rooms with ballad emotions last year, will hold the "2026 The Ballad of Us TOP6 Fan Concert <TIMELESS>" on Saturday, November 7, at the Grand Auditorium of Sungshin Women's University Woonjung Green Campus. Ticket reservations will open on October 16 at 8:00 PM through NOL Ticket. The performance will be hosted and organized by DMG ENT and SM C&C.

The organizers introduced the upcoming concert as a warm autumn story delivered through the voices of the six vocalists. Under the slogan "The reason songs do not stop even as time goes by," the concert plans to unfold the emotional power of ballads on stage—from the fluttering excitement of hearing a song for the first time to the memories brought back upon listening to it again. Alongside live performances by the TOP6, interactive audience-participation programs will also be prepared to allow the artists to closely breathe and connect with fans. The organizers stated that they aim to present special memories to the attending audience.

Earlier this year, the TOP6 held a nationwide tour concert to meet with fans. Since then, each member has pursued individual activities by releasing original music. They have also been active on television. Season 1 winner Lee Ye-ji has been crossing between sports and music variety programs, appearing on SBS's "Kick a Goal" and "The Listen". On SBS's "The Ballad of Us 2," which recently kicked off a brand-new season, Lee Ye-ji and runner-up Lee Ji-hoon appeared as members of the 150-member "Top Ears" panel.

The organizers shared that the TOP6 strengthened their teamwork through the nationwide tour concert and deepened their emotional sensibility through their solo endeavors, promising to deliver warm comfort and touching moments to fans at this fan concert. It will be a stage where the six members who shared Season 1 reunite in one place.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Police protective measures for actor Yoo Hai-jin, who had been placed under personal protection amid controversy surrounding the film "The Assassin(s)", have been lifted.

On October 15, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Ko Beom-seok stated during the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee's parliamentary audit of the agency, "A request to lift the measures was submitted a couple of days ago, and the measures have been lifted," responding to an inquiry by People Power Party lawmaker Kang Myung-gu regarding Yoo Hai-jin's personal protection status.

On October 6, the Seoul Seongbuk Police Station implemented safety measures, including the provision of a smartwatch, registration in the 112 emergency response system, and increased patrols around his residence, following a request from Yoo Hai-jin's agency. This decision was made amid escalating concerns for his personal safety after conservative groups staged protest rallies in front of his home and threatening remarks surfaced online.

Addressing criticisms from some quarters alleging "special treatment," the police explained, "It was not special treatment simply because he is an actor," adding, "A request for safety measures was submitted through his agency, and the measures were carried out following a formal deliberation process."

Yoo Hai-jin, who starred in "The Assassin(s)", recently drew heavy criticism from conservative politicians and members of conservative civic groups as controversy over alleged historical distortion surrounding the film erupted. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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After drawing bustling crowds across three consecutive holiday breaks over the past three weeks—Chuseok, National Foundation Day, and Hangeul Day—the box office has suddenly turned quiet.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated box-office network on October 16, total moviegoers across theaters on October 15 numbered 132,083. Daily attendance dropped sharply once the weekdays arrived following the triple holiday period. With the exception of October 14, which was Culture Day, the daily box-office audience has stayed below 200,000 across all weekdays this week.

Taking the top spot on October 15 was the Japanese animated feature "Chiikawa The Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island," which brought in 35,423 viewers. In second place was "The Assassin(s)," attracting 23,511 moviegoers. Neither title managed to reach 50,000 daily attendees.

A wave of fresh titles is on the horizon, with "Paradise Lost" and "Still Shining" slated to open on October 21, followed by "Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng" and "Heart of the Beast" on October 28. Theaters are hopeful that this diverse slate of upcoming releases will inject much-needed vitality into the box office during this off-peak lull.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Produced by first-generation K-pop producer Lee Soo-man, often called the "Father of K-pop," the group A2O LITE is making waves with their debut track "NEON," which soared to the top of digital music charts right after its release.

"NEON" was released at 6:00 PM on October 13 and reached No. 1 on Melon's TOP100 at 11:00 PM on October 14, just 29 hours later. It marks the debut track of a new girl group presented by Lee Soo-man—who has created legendary acts such as S.E.S., BoA, f(x), and Girls' Generation—marking his return as a key producer after three years.

Behind the spotlight on "NEON" was not just the music itself, but also social media culture. The usual formula in K-pop today is for a choreography challenge to spread first whenever a new song drops. A2O LITE's "NEON" took a different path. User-generated memes went viral before the song itself.

It all began with the lyrics. Reactions quickly circulated that the chorus line "Neon and Beyond" sounded like the Korean words "mihon and bihon" (unmarried and choosing not to marry). The spark caught on when influencer feellikefeel changed the lyrics, singing, "Mihon and bihon, everyone, what is this..."

AI-generated videos followed soon after. According to reports, clips featuring Choi Minsik and Yoo Ji-tae's characters from the movie "Oldboy" dancing in group choreography to "NEON," as well as Kim Hee-ae and Ha Yoo-mi from the drama "My Husband's Woman" performing the dance as a duo, racked up tens of thousands of likes. A version featuring the popular character Chiikawa also surfaced. Even parody videos featuring HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk and ooak records CEO Min Hee-jin emerged.

While traditional challenges typically follow a structure where an agency or artist starts by dancing the choreography with fellow singers or influencers before fans join in, this time the dynamic was reversed. Users played with the song first as their creative material, and that play served as the channel that propelled the track into the spotlight.

At the debut showcase on October 12, Lee Soo-man remarked, "Before trying to find what's different, I hope you first feel that it's just 'good.'" Memes proved to be the fastest route through which that "good" feeling spread.

A2O LITE is a nine-member girl group aged 13 to 17, with members hailing from countries including South Korea, China, Japan, the United States, and Thailand. Several media outlets reported that "NEON" set the record for the fastest time for a rookie group's debut track to hit No. 1 on the Melon TOP100 since the chart's revamp in 2021.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Ahead of the release of the film "Still Shining", actor Kim Hye-ja shared a handwritten letter filled with her candid thoughts.

"Still Shining" tells the story of Soon-ok, who reunites after 60 years with her best friend with whom she shared the most radiant moments of her life.

Kim visited the 31st Busan International Film Festival for her big-screen comeback after nine years. On October 6, she walked the opening ceremony red carpet alongside director Song Il-gon, but health concerns arose after she was seen coughing multiple times. In response, the PR agency dismissed the rumors, stating it was "just a mild cold."

Concerns arose once again on October 15 when the stage greeting for the press screening of "Still Shining" in Seoul was abruptly canceled. A film representative stated it was due to "poor physical condition." Given her advanced age of 85, fatigue appears to have accumulated from back-to-back public appearances.

Although Kim was unable to attend the stage greeting that day, she delivered a handwritten letter to the film production company expressing her thoughts on the upcoming release and her gratitude to audiences.

In the letter, Kim mentioned the letter from director Song Il-gon that led to her joining the film: "It was in the autumn of last year. I received a letter from director Song Il-gon. In that letter, there were these words: 'Soon-ok does not cry. She is someone who believes until the very end that the time she spent with her friend remains radiant.' Those words stayed in my heart for a very long time."

She continued, revealing what motivated her decision to star in the film: "It is a sad history that we know all too well. We must remember how much pain those children suffered. But I also hope we do not forget how beautifully those children wished to live. That is why I thought I had to do this film."

Kim conveyed her heartfelt feelings to future viewers, saying, "At the end of the letter Director Song Il-gon sent me, there was this sentence: 'What I hope for is not the acting in a single scene, but the moment when the presence of a human being lingers above time.' Today, I want to convey that feeling to all of you as well. I hope you will not view the two young girls you will meet merely as a scene from painful history."

"Still Shining" will hit theaters on October 21.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Actor Byeon Wooseok expressed his excitement for his upcoming project "Solo Leveling".

Gracing the cover of the November issue of fashion magazine Elle, Byeon Wooseok showcased a versatile charm in the pictorial that ranged between softness and strength.

An interview was conducted alongside the photoshoot. Byeon Wooseok, who has recently been on an Asia fan meeting tour, shared, "When I face the fans, there are moments when unexpected surges of emotion hit me. The expressions with which they look at me and the voices cheering me on make me choke up with emotion. Even when I make up my mind not to cry this time, when that moment comes, it doesn't go the way I want (laughs)."

He also shared the joy of experiencing simple everyday moments in the cities he visited for the fan meetings. He said, "I eat delicious food or walk through the streets, soaking in the local atmosphere. Above all, walking through the spaces where fans live their daily lives feels special. That is because it touches my heart all over again to realize that people living in different cultures and environments still love and support me."

Byeon Wooseok, who spends most of his days filming and living as Sung Jin-woo in the Netflix series "Solo Leveling," answered, "Sung Jin-woo is a character who has a completely different side from the roles I've played so far. I am spending a lot of time trying to understand and portray him. In particular, since he is a character where how he uses his body is very important, I find myself staying conscious of my movements and posture even outside the filming set."

Sung Jin-woo is a character who grows from an E-rank hunter once known as the 'Weakest Weapon of All Mankind' into a completely different being. When asked what drew him to Jin-woo, Byeon Wooseok said, "I liked that he wasn't strong from the beginning, but someone weaker and more fearful than anyone else, yet he keeps moving forward for the sake of what he must protect even in such situations. While respecting the appeal of the original work, I want to show Jin-woo's emotional arc that can only be felt in a live-action adaptation."

Asked what kind of life he would choose if he could 'level up' into a different being, Byeon Wooseok answered, "The happiness I feel in my life right now is precious enough. While I will have to continue to grow and develop going forward, rather than becoming another being, I want to live as who I am now. Even if I were born again, I'd like to properly level up as Byeon Wooseok (laughs)."

<Photo = Elle Korea> 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Singer TAEMIN stepped onto the pitch as the kickoff ceremony's "Honorary Falconer" at a home game for the Major League Soccer (MLS) club Los Angeles FC (LAFC).

TAEMIN attended the LAFC home match held at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on October 14 (local time) as a special invited guest. The Honorary Falconer is an LAFC pre-match ritual where a falcon, the club's symbol, is released to fly over the pitch just before the game starts, signaling the kickoff.

Wearing an official LAFC jersey emblazoned with his English name "TAEMIN" and the squad number "93," TAEMIN walked onto the pitch to carry out the ceremony. According to his agency, the number 93 represents the year TAEMIN was born.

LAFC posted photos from the scene on its official social media channels, introducing TAEMIN as "Today's Honorary Falconer" alongside a Korean welcoming message that read, "Always shining TAEMIN."

Following the ceremony, TAEMIN met, shook hands, and spoke with Son Heung-min, who is the captain of LAFC and the captain of the South Korean national soccer team. The agency stated that Son Heung-min started in the match that day and led the team's attack.

His agency Galaxy Corporation expressed, "It is deeply meaningful that TAEMIN participated in an iconic event of the local U.S. sports culture, delivering a special moment bridging music and sports," adding, "We hope this served as an opportunity for diverse engagement with local fans in tandem with his ongoing world tour."

His agency explained that TAEMIN became the first K-pop male solo artist to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in the United States this year. TAEMIN held his Seoul concerts for the "2026–27 TAEMIN WORLD TOUR <LiMiNaL>" from September 18 to 20, and plans to continue his world tour.

Photo=Galaxy Corporation

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Group NCT DREAM will release their sixth full-length album capturing their 10-year narrative of growth.

SM Entertainment announced on October 16 that NCT DREAM will release all tracks of their sixth full-length album "DREAM AFTER DREAM" on various global music platforms on November 9 at 6:00 PM. In the album image unveiled alongside the news, the letter "D" is clearly drawn on a green grassy lawn.

The album consists of a total of 10 tracks, including the title track "Boogie Woogie," raising expectations for an enthusiastic response. In particular, through this album, NCT DREAM reflects on the time and musical growth built over 10 years, while also showcasing their passion and determination toward another dream beyond the dreams they have achieved together, echoing the album title's meaning of "an endlessly continuing dream."

Having debuted on August 25, 2016, NCT DREAM has written their own story by singing about the dreams and growth of youth through diverse music such as "Chewing Gum," "My First and Last," "Hot Sauce," "Hello Future," "Candy," "ISTJ," and "BTTF."

Having achieved dazzling growth by taking home Grand Prizes (Daesang) at various awards ceremonies, breaking million-seller records, and setting "first" and "most" records at major stadiums and dome venues both domestically and internationally, anticipation is building for the steps NCT DREAM will take as they mark their 10th debut anniversary.

Meanwhile, NCT DREAM's sixth full-length album "DREAM AFTER DREAM" will also be released as a physical album on November 9, with pre-orders beginning today (October 16) at various online and offline record stores.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Park Ji-young has confirmed her appearance in "Crash 2," showcasing an even deeper charisma.

Scheduled to premiere on November 16, ENA's new Monday-Tuesday drama "Crash 2" is the second installment of "Crash," which received acclaim for its novel subject matter of traffic crimes and the exhilarating team play of Namgang Police Station's Traffic Crime Investigation (T.C.I) team punishing villains on the road.

In "Crash 2," anticipation is building among prospective viewers as T.C.I is reborn as a regional investigation unit under the National Office of Investigation (NOI), resolving nationwide traffic crime cases and unfolding a relentless, non-stop investigative action drama that rounds up increasingly cunning and formidable perpetrators of serious traffic offenses.

In the drama, Park Ji-young will reprise her role from "Crash" as Shin So-jeong, head of the National Office of Investigation, adding gravitas to the story. She is a vanguard of reform who came to the NOI to cut off the corrupt ties entrenched within the police. In the previous season, she was the pivotal figure who persuaded Jung Chae-man (played by Heo Sung-tae) and reorganized the T.C.I into a team directly affiliated with the National Office of Investigation, leading its fresh start. Amid the expanded organization and investigative system in "Crash 2," Park Ji-young is expected to elevate the drama's quality not only by serving as the central axis bridging the T.C.I team and the broader organization, but also by exuding her signature elegant aura and warmth.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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"The Table : Day and Night," which served as the opening film of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), will officially open in theaters on November 4.

"The Table : Day and Night" is a delightful and lovely film that captures the conversations of day and night that pass through a single cafe over the course of a season.

The film drew significant attention after being selected as the opening film of the 31st Busan International Film Festival. It is the latest work by director KIM Jong-kwan, who has showcased his sensory directing style through films such as "Worst Woman" and "The Table," and features Kim Minha, Joo Jong Hyuk, Han Sun Hwa, Chang Ryul, Shim Eun-kyung, Lee Hee Jun, Jeon So-young, and Kim Dong Hwi, each presenting characters with distinct colors.

Released alongside the confirmed release date, the main poster offers a glimpse of the colorful emotional landscape to be delivered by the eight actors, building anticipation.

The concurrently unveiled main trailer also captures attention through the harmony of director KIM Jong-kwan's signature lyricism, beautiful visuals, and the cast's strong performances.

Ramping up anticipation with the reveal of its main poster and main trailer, "The Table : Day and Night" will hit theaters nationwide on November 4. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Can the "Master Hang-jun" project really be okay like this?

On the October 15 broadcast of SBS's "Master Hang-jun", the project for Master Hang-jun's next film officially kicked off.

During the episode, actors Yoo Jae-myung and Lee Sunbin took part in the audition. As their final test of the day, the two conducted a script reading for "The Man Who Lives with the Queen".

In response, Jang Hang-jun said, "This is the defining scene that made the Jang Hang-jun of today," revealing that before "The King's Warden", there was "The Man Who Lives with the Queen". He went on to explain that he poured an anecdote into the screenplay about how his wife Kim Eun-hee's career took off, leading him to receive her credit card, spend it lavishly, and ultimately suffer a blow to his pride.

Jang Hang-jun then assigned Yoo Jae-myung the role of Jang Hang-jun and Lee Sunbin the role of Kim Eun-hee, asking them to do the script reading.

After the drama "Signal", writer Kim Eun-hee's income far surpassed his, and she told Director Jang Hang-jun, "Oppa, use my card. I don't know how to spend money, so you can spend all of mine." Director Jang Hang-jun recalled thinking at the time, "Is this a trap?"

He drew laughter by confessing that he won over writer Kim Eun-hee by telling insincere lies. However, the queen's card, which he thought would last forever, was eventually blocked.

To Yoo Jae-myung, who was reading the script in the role of Jang Hang-jun, the staff requested, "Please make it a bit more frivolous." Yoo Jae-myung replied, "I have my own interpretation. The director is definitely not a frivolous person," pleasing Jang Hang-jun.

After watching Yoo Jae-myung and Lee Sunbin's script reading with satisfaction, Jang Hang-jun and the staff announced that the casting was confirmed.

However, Yoo Jae-myung put his appearance on hold, saying, "I'll go home, read the script a bit more, think it over, and give you my answer," adding, "The screenplay is a bit childish."

Lee Sunbin also said, "Actually, I have various schedules," mentioning overseas commitments. Kim Poong tried to hold onto her, saying, "We can easily work around your schedule," but Lee Sunbin merely gave an awkward smile.

At this, Jang Hang-jun made a flustered face and remarked, "The atmosphere was great when we started, but how can the vibe change like this after just one script reading?"

The two actors also showed hesitation when asked to take a commemorative photo, drawing laughter as they pleaded, "You must not post this anywhere."

Director Jang Hang-jun sparked bursts of laughter by showing his petty side, warning, "I may not be able to make you two into world-class stars, but I can drag you down."

After finishing the audition, Yoo Jae-myung said, "Earlier, putting Director Martin Scorsese and Director Jang Hang-jun on the same level seemed like a stretch. It doesn't seem respectful," adding, "Director Martin, I made a mistake. I am reflecting on it and truly hope to meet you someday." He also caught attention by sending a message to another master rather than Jang Hang-jun, saying, "Director Bong, let's definitely meet once."

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.

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Yoo Jae-myung confessed his true dream.

On the October 15 broadcast of SBS's "Master Hang-jun," the "Master Hang-jun" next-project kicked off.

On this day's episode, actors Yoo Jae-myung and Lee Sunbin participated in the audition. While sharing the reason he became an actor, Yoo Jae-myung cautiously opened up, saying, "To be honest, I debated quite a bit over whether I should tell this story or not."

He continued, "What I decided was to reveal my dream in a private setting," confessing his solemn resolve and making everyone nervous.

Yoo Jae-myung shared, "Not long ago, I realized again that my dream was to be a film director," and revealed Jang Hang-jun's influence, saying, "I gained hope by watching you, Director."

Hearing this, Kim Poong quipped, "If even Jang Hang-jun can do it, why couldn't I? Even that Jang Hang-jun does it."

To this, Jang Hang-jun expressed relief looking at Yoo Jae-myung, who had become an actor instead, saying, "I am so relieved. If you had studied film directing as originally planned, I would have had one more competitor."

Yoo Jae-myung then added, "When I was studying film, I heard an anecdote about master Martin Scorsese. They said he was drinking liquor in a New York back alley and asked a passerby, 'I am a guy named Martin, would you like to invest in me?' That kind of fighting spirit that never gives up became a bible for filmmakers, and you, Director Jang Hang-jun, are also a bible, aren't you?" Placed on the same level as Martin Scorsese in an instant, Jang Hang-jun puffed up his shoulders with a satisfied smile, drawing bursts of laughter.

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.

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Master filmmakers sent messages for "The Great Hangjun."

On the October 15 broadcast of SBS's "The Great Hangjun," the project for Director Jang Hang-jun's next film officially kicked off.

During the broadcast, congratulatory messages arrived from fellow master directors to celebrate the project, drawing viewers' attention.

Director Bong Joon-ho praised him, saying, "He is someone who rightfully deserves to be called a master," while director Park Chan-wook remarked, "I'm jealous. How can he be so brilliant?"

Director Park Chan-wook further caught attention by saying, "I hope he keeps making films like 'The King's Warden,'" playfully adding, "Comedy is my territory, so I hope he doesn't make any of those."

Director Bong Joon-ho also spoke about Jang Hang-jun, who is the same age as him, sharing, "Even on phone calls, he goes, 'Ah, director, it's Master Jang Hang-jun.' We aren't casually addressing each other as 'Hang-jun-ah' and 'Joon-ho-ya' just yet, but that day will come soon. Love you."

After receiving messages from the two masters, director Jang Hang-jun joked, "I've been close with people like Joon-ho Bong and Cannes Park for a very long time. We've known each other since way back," and drew bursts of laughter by adding, "Cannes Park keeps asking to borrow money, and Joon-ho Bong keeps calling me asking what he should do for his next project."

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.

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The heartbreaking record of friends striving to protect their fellow classmate's body was revealed.

Broadcast on October 15, SBS's "Tails of Tales" highlighted the death of student activist Kim Gwi-jeong under the subtitle "Protect Gwi-jeong – A 35-Year Defense."

In the early dawn of May 1991, hundreds of young people gathered at Paik Hospital in Myeongdong, Seoul. They locked arms in a scrum and blocked the entrance to the mortuary.

Without anyone having to explain why they had to do so, thousands of students quickly gathered, with about 100 of them standing guard over the mortuary. They spoke in one voice, saying, "We can never surrender Gwi-jeong."

Students from Sungkyunkwan University had come together to protect the body of 26-year-old student Kim Gwi-jeong, who had died just hours earlier.

Gwi-jeong had met an unexpected death. In response, police judged her death to be a simple accidental fatality and pushed to conduct an autopsy quickly and proceed with the funeral. But her friends felt differently. Having doubts about her passing, they demanded that the exact circumstances surrounding her death be properly determined.

However, the prosecution issued a search and seizure warrant just five hours after Gwi-jeong's death. Haunted by the recent death of a laborer whose truth had been obscured after police seized the body, her friends were left with no choice but to step forward and protect Gwi-jeong themselves.

In truth, making a living had once been more urgent than democracy for Gwi-jeong, who worked as a factory assistant by day and at a restaurant by night to pay tuition, eventually having to drop out of university due to high costs. Driven by an unyielding desire to pursue her education, Gwi-jeong re-entered Sungkyunkwan University's French Literature department in 1988. Unlike her earlier college days, this time she balanced part-time work while taking time to enjoy campus life.

Then one day, reflecting on her own life after seeing a friend become a wanted fugitive due to the student movement, Gwi-jeong joined an activist club and began participating in student activism.

Gwi-jeong went on to take the lead in the movement, even running as an executive candidate for the club union with the resolution: "I will not live in comfort only for myself. I will never do so."

On the day she died, Gwi-jeong had also taken part in a protest. But having vanished in an instant, she returned before her friends as a corpse.

Students gathered at the hospital to protect her. At dawn while they guarded the body, the telephone inside the mortuary rang. Someone said in an urgent voice, "There will be a situation tonight. Someone might truly die."

That day marked the expiration date of the search and seizure warrant for the body for an autopsy. At 5:00 a.m., around 1,500 armed riot police were deployed, hurling tear gas canisters and stones at the students, while the students, virtually bare-bodied, stood their ground to defend Gwi-jeong's body.

The police also brought in water cannons to fire tear-gas liquid, but the defense squad, willing to risk death to guard Gwi-jeong's body, held out to protect her until the end.

However, the police warned they would return and had the warrant reissued. A few days later, prosecutors and medical examiners arrived to conduct an autopsy on Gwi-jeong's body.

Contrary to the defense squad's wishes, Gwi-jeong's mother had agreed to the autopsy. Although she had opposed the autopsy more adamantly than anyone, she worried about the safety of her daughter's friends, ultimately consenting as she said, "I do not want what happened to my daughter to ever happen again."

On June 7, 1991, the autopsy began, and the findings matched the claims of the prosecution and police, concluding that she died of suffocation due to simple compression.

Earlier, when consenting to the autopsy, Gwi-jeong's mother had requested an investigation into the police suppression process. However, the defense squad could not trust the prosecution and ultimately formed a fact-finding committee with the help of alumni. Unable to trust the state and state power, they established their final line of defense.

Many who attended the protest Gwi-jeong had participated in came forward with eyewitness accounts to help uncover the truth about her death.

On May 25, 1991, during the rally on that rainy day, the police, unlike on other days, drove the retreating students like cornered rabbits while firing tear gas at them. The "Baekgoldan," a plainclothes arrest squad, also appeared to suppress the protesters.

The protesters fled into alleys to escape the violence. But police tear gas flew into those alleys as well, and the Baekgoldan pursued the demonstrators.

Police hurled handheld tear gas canisters, commonly called "apple bombs," toward the crowd. Student Chae Su-jin, who was struck directly, testified about everything she experienced for Gwi-jeong's sake.

She could never forget the sight of round black heads piling up like a mountain beside her. A campus newspaper reporter from a university, who witnessed and photographed the scene, provided the evidence photos to the fact-finding committee. Based on this, the committee concluded that her death was clearly the result of excessive suppression.

In South Korea, the deaths of student activists Park Jong-cheol and Lee Han-yeol in 1987 had ignited the June Democratic Struggle, leading to the restoration of direct presidential elections after 16 years. However, Chun Doo-hwan's associate Roh Tae-woo was elected, placing another president from the military regime in power.

Roh Tae-woo drew a distinction by claiming, "I am different from Chun Doo-hwan," yet he invoked the National Security Act to arrest numerous citizens, including college students, and violently suppressed demonstrations. In 1991, another university student died at the hands of state power.

State authorities dismissed it as the rogue action of a few officers. In response, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets every day demanding the regime step down, and many resisted through death, taking their own lives.

And once again, a university student, Gwi-jeong, died at the scene of a protest. The students felt they had to uncover the truth behind the excessive force this time, while the authorities sought to conceal it at all costs.

Despite the evidence presented by the fact-finding committee, the police refused to admit to excessive force until the end, and the prosecution maintained throughout that Gwi-jeong's death was a simple accidental fatality.

A member of the fact-finding committee at the time remarked, "There was a preceding factor that led to her death by compression asphyxiation, and the fact that we failed to uncover it still remains as a sense of debt. I feel deeply apologetic and sorry."

Gwi-jeong's death was closed as compression asphyxiation, and her funeral was held. Her friends and family led the hearse toward her school, Sungkyunkwan University. However, Confucian scholars wearing hanbok and yugeon blocked their way, insisting that a deceased body could not pass through Sungkyunkwan University, a sacred site enshrining the memorial tablets of Confucian sages.

Her friends knelt in the rain and pleaded. Feeling guilty that they could not protect Gwi-jeong, they wanted to see her off on her final journey without regrets. Ultimately, their sincerity moved the Confucian scholars.

Around 30,000 people, in addition to Gwi-jeong's friends, took part in the funeral. In their hearts, she remained as activist Kim Gwi-jeong. Two years later, the civilian government of Kim Young-sam was inaugurated.

Gwi-jeong's friends and mother filed a lawsuit against the state, and the state officially acknowledged that her death resulted from excessive police force, stating, "Kim Gwi-jeong's death occurred due to negligence in the line of duty by riot police." The truth was finally recognized four years after her passing.

The members of the defense squad, who still miss Gwi-jeong and hold her close, visit her on the anniversary of her passing every single year. And Gwi-jeong's mother continues to prepare meals for hundreds of her daughter's friends.

For the friends who survived and live today, Gwi-jeong's resolution — "I will not live only for myself" — remains deeply etched in their hearts.

Pledging, "Even if we cannot change the world, let us not kill or die unjustly," they strive to live righteously and uprightly.

Remembering that the present day they live in was an everyday life so desperately desired by someone else, they resolved to live lives where they can one day confidently ask Gwi-jeong when they meet again far in the future, "How was I? Did I live a decent life?"

Her friends still carry the guilt and sense of debt for not being able to protect Gwi-jeong. Yet perhaps, simply remembering and longing for her all this time has been their way of protecting Gwi-jeong all along.

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.

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South Korean "rock legend" singer Kim Jong-seo (61) shared a special musical connection with journalist Sohn Suk-hee (70), who is nine years his senior.

On the October 15 broadcast of MBC Standard FM radio's "Sohn Suk-hee's 12 O'Clock," host Sohn Suk-hee surprised Kim Jong-seo by revealing himself to be a devoted fan who knows not only Kim's signature hit songs but also his lesser-known album tracks and hidden gems inside and out. The in-depth musical conversation between the two legends offered listeners a profound resonance and heartwarming chemistry.

When Sohn mentioned that Kim had performed more than 20 songs live in their original keys from his debut era during his recent nationwide tour, Kim shared his fierce self-discipline and sincere conviction, explaining, "It is a personal challenge to set my own standards, avoid becoming complacent, and keep moving forward as a musician".

In particular, special mention was made of singer Kim Jang-hoon, who took charge of the overall stage directing for Kim Jong-seo's 2026 nationwide tour concert "Everyone's Kim Jong-seo". Kim Jong-seo was unstinting in his praise, saying, "I joined hands with the 'god of performance' Kim Jang-hoon, who possesses unrivaled planning ability and ideas." He added, "Kim Jang-hoon gave me wings with his ingenious, multi-dimensional directing so that I could focus entirely on singing on stage and connect passionately with the audience."

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-seo also shared welcome news about his upcoming year-end activities to excite fans. He is scheduled to release a new single album on November 3, and on December 25, he plans to hold a special Christmas concert at Sogang University's Mary Hall to present the audience with an unforgettable, warm winter.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The Japanese animated film "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island" has reclaimed the No. 1 spot at the box office.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network for movie tickets on October 15, "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island" drew 75,246 moviegoers nationwide on October 14, Culture Day. Its cumulative audience stands at 1,415,028.

Released on September 30, "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island" had previously topped the daily box office twice after its premiere, but spent most of its run in the No. 2 position behind "The Assassin(s)". Entering its third week in theaters, "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island" reclaimed the summit by outpacing "The Assassin(s)"—which began a downward trend starting on Culture Day—by a margin of more than double.

"Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island" is an animated film depicting a suspicious subjugation mission in which Chiikawa and friends, drawn by the sweet temptation of 100 times the regular pay, head to an uncharted island and uncover the secrets hidden there. It is based on the popular feature-length episode "Siren Arc" from "Chiikawa," serialized by Japanese illustrator Nagano.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Kim Se-ui, the head of the YouTube channel "Hover Lab," who was indicted and detained on charges including defaming actor Kim Soo-hyun, has requested release on bail, citing mental illness among other reasons.

On October 15, Criminal Agreement Division 26 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Hyun-kyung) held a bail hearing for Kim. Kim's defense attorney stated at the hearing that Kim feels a threat to his personal safety due to broadcasts involving terror threats and is living in solitary confinement. The attorney said, "He suffers from mental illnesses such as panic disorder, so living in solitary confinement risks causing harm to his mental health," adding, "His commissary funds have been seized, leaving him unable to even purchase medication. He has a fixed residence, so there is no concern of flight, nor is there any danger of him causing harm to the victim." The attorney also noted, "Upon requesting an appraisal of the audio file from the National Forensic Service, we received a reply stating that whether it was manipulated by AI is undetectable."

Appearing in court wearing a green prison uniform, Kim argued that he has no risk of flight because he is confident of his innocence.

Given an opportunity to speak directly, Kim said, "I have a clear conviction of innocence in this trial, so there is no reason for me to flee." Kim noted that Kim Soo-hyun's side filed a civil lawsuit in the 15 billion won range against him and the bereaved family of the late Kim Sae-ron, leading to the provisional attachment of his apartment, and asserted, "Even just to protect my apartment, which is a precious asset, there is no risk of flight." He added, "Due to my detention, I have already been demonized across various media outlets. The defamation is already severe," and stated, "I did not broadcast by merely listening to one-sided claims; I conducted reporting and analysis before broadcasting."

The prosecution opposed the bail request. The prosecution pointed to the risk of reoffending and concerns over harm to the victim, arguing that if Kim is released, "there is a high probability he will spread distorted claims, saying the bail proves his innocence," and noted, "He is continuing to broadcast by sending letters from the detention center, and in that process, he is leaking court documents for purposes other than their intended use."

The prosecution also pointed out that Kim's side is misleading the situation as if there were no grounds for detention regarding the withdrawal of certain evidence, including the audio file appraisal results. The prosecution explained, "The evidence is already sufficient, and we merely withdrew overlapping evidence to ensure a speedy trial, which is unrelated to the grounds for detention." They also explained to the effect that the withdrawal was prompted by concerns that the evidence might be misused in broadcasts.

Kim was indicted and detained in June on charges of spreading false claims on YouTube and other platforms alleging that Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor, and that the cause of Kim Sae-ron's death was pressure from Kim Soo-hyun's side regarding debt repayment. He is also charged with intimidation for broadcasting Kim Soo-hyun's private photos without authorization and demanding a public apology while threatening to expose materials concerning his private life.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Park Bo young poses at a jewelry brand photo wall event held on the afternoon of October 15 at Lotte Department Store Avenuel in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

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Actor Kang Hoon poses at a jewelry brand photo wall event held at Lotte Department Store Avenuel in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of October 15.

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Actor Park Bo young poses at a photo call event for a jewelry brand held at Lotte Department Store Avenuel in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of October 15.

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Actor Kang Hoon attends a jewelry brand photo wall event held at Lotte Department Store Avenuel in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of October 15.

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Actor Park Bo young attends a photo call event for a jewelry brand held at Lotte Department Store Avenuel in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of October 15.

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Actors Won Hyang-ra and Kang Seung-ho will receive the Actor of the Year award at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).

The Actor of the Year award is intended to discover actors who have demonstrated brilliant performances and potential among works featured in the "Vision - Korea Section". Selected as jurors this year, Yoo Yeon-seok and Ko A-sung chose Won Hyang-ra from "Beyond Love's Horizon" and Kang Seung-ho from "Cosmic Trace".

Explaining the primary focus of their evaluation, the two jurors stated, "It is quite rare for an actor to judge another actor's performance. If an opportunity like this ever came, we wanted to focus on an actor's 'professionalism.'"

They continued, "Rather than the charm of a fresh and pure image, a mask that feels mysterious to critics, or an untamed, raw quality, when we see an actor who keeps their body open in the direction the story unfolds, listens to the director's guidance while internalizing it as their own, accurately perceives the distance between the camera and themselves in the film, and displays confidence through that awareness, the audience gains trust along with a sense of stability and becomes fully immersed in the film," explaining why they selected Won Hyang-ra and Kang Seung-ho as the recipients.

Yoo Yeon-seok and Ko A-sung conveyed, "Actor Won Hyang-ra's performance in 'Beyond Love's Horizon' was, quite literally, that of a professional actor. Along with our heartfelt applause, we would like to present her with the Actor of the Year award."

"Beyond Love's Horizon" is a work that captures the journey of a married couple becoming parents. Directed by Park Songyeol, the film features Won Hyang-ra not only in the lead role but also active as a producer. The two are a real-life married couple who unraveled their autobiographical story in an honest voice.

Regarding Kang Seung-ho, they praised, "He demonstrated the ability to lead the drama with a steady presence not typical of a newcomer. His comfortable delivery of lines and unexaggerated emotional expression were impressive, conveying the character's emotions naturally and convincingly. His delicate emotional expression and the varied layers of feeling held in his gaze provided deep insight into the character's inner world."

They also added, "We selected him as a recipient by highly evaluating not only his current acting completeness, but also his growth potential as an actor who can actively perform in even more diverse works moving forward."

"Cosmic Trace" is a film portraying the story of Hyun-ji, an assistant YouTube producer, and Ji-hyun, an unknown actor, who continue living together amid anxiety about reality and the future, only to confront sudden death and seek the meaning of existence amid life's uncertainties. Kang Seung-ho, who played the lead, is an actor who previously drew attention through the film "House of the Seasons," which was released in 2024.

The presentation of the Actor of the Year award is scheduled to take place at the closing ceremony of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, held this afternoon, October 15.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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