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The group AtHeart attends a photo session during the media showcase for their second single, "3! 4!", held on the afternoon of August 19 at RYSE Hotel in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

ARIN

KATELYN

SEOHYEON

NAHYUN

MICHI

BOME

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Actor couple Jin Tae-hyun and Park Si-eun have continued their steady sharing by donating a total of 20 million won to improve the living environments of descendants of independence fighters, support medical treatment for children with disabilities, and aid vulnerable families.

On August 14, Jin Tae-hyun and Park Si-eun donated 10 million won to Habitat for Korea's "815 Run Housing Improvement Project for Descendants of Independence Fighters." The donation will be used to provide stable homes for descendant families living in poor housing conditions.

Jin Tae-hyun recently shared the Habitat for Korea donation certificate on his social media, announcing his participation in sharing for the descendants of independence fighters ahead of Liberation Day. Along with this, he expressed his intention to continuously practice sharing for neighbors in need and marginalized people throughout society.

In addition, the couple delivered another 10 million won to the Milal Welfare Foundation for children with disabilities treatment expenses and vulnerable family support. This donation will be used for families of children with disabilities who have difficulty receiving timely treatment due to financial reasons, as well as vulnerable families in urgent need of help. Part of this will be used to provide a refrigerator, the most urgent item, to a student family living with a mother suffering from schizophrenia.

The two have served as goodwill ambassadors for the Milal Welfare Foundation for a long time, supporting medical and living expenses for children with disabilities. Park Si-eun was appointed as an ambassador in 2014 and Jin Tae-hyun in 2015, and they have been sharing activities together as a couple goodwill ambassadors since their marriage.

Having been listed in the Milal Welfare Foundation's major donor club "Companion Club" for contributors of 100 million won or more in 2022, the cumulative donations they have delivered through the Milal Welfare Foundation surpassed 200 million won early this year.

Having broadly looked after neighbors in need ranging from descendants of independence fighters to children with disabilities and vulnerable families, the Jin Tae-hyun and Park Si-eun couple plan to continue spreading positive influence through ongoing sharing in the future.

[Photo= Jin Tae-hyun's Instagram]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Group Stray Kids has extended their historic run by landing their ninth consecutive No. 1 on the Billboard 200 main album chart while also achieving their highest-ever ranking on the Hot 100 singles chart.

According to Billboard's official website on August 18 (local time), Stray Kids' mini album "THIS & THAT," released on August 7, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart dated August 22. This marks their ninth consecutive album to debut at the top spot upon release, cementing their titles as the first act in Billboard 200 history to achieve nine consecutive No. 1 entries and the 21st-century group with the most No. 1 albums on the chart.

On the main Hot 100 singles chart, the title track "This & That" entered at No. 38, breaking the group's personal best record. Following their first Hot 100 entry with "LALALALA" in November 2023, Stray Kids has now landed their sixth career entry on the chart, succeeding "Lose My Breath (Feat. Charlie Puth)," "Chk Chk Boom," "CEREMONY," and "Do It."

The group also claimed the top spot on the Artist 100 chart, marking their eighth time simultaneously topping the Billboard 200 and Artist 100. They swept No. 1 on the Top Album Sales and World Albums charts for the ninth consecutive time, while charting across a total of 17 categories, including No. 1 on Vinyl Albums, No. 4 on Digital Song Sales, No. 25 on the Billboard Global 200, and No. 15 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart.

Sharing their thoughts through their agency JYP Entertainment, Stray Kids stated, "It is deeply meaningful to achieve our ninth Billboard 200 No. 1 in our ninth year since debut. We were able to accomplish this thanks to STAY, who always supports us without change. We want to show the endless growth of not only Stray Kids but also K-pop to music fans around the world."

Stray Kids will hold concerts at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo on August 29 and 30 as part of their world tour "Stray Kids World Tour <RUN IT>." This marks the first time for a foreign male artist to hold a solo concert at the Tokyo National Stadium.

Photo=JYP Entertainment

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Hong Min-gi has been swept up in allegations of dating violence.

Influencer A, who has 20,000 followers, published a post targeting Hong Min-gi via Instagram Stories in the early hours of the 19th, along with a legal notice sent through a law firm.

The released legal notice was dated July 28 and was titled "Notice of Legal Action Warning Against Illegal Criminal Acts." The document contained claims that Hong Min-gi threw a dangerous object at Influencer A and subjected her to physical assault and threats.

According to Influencer A's side, Hong Min-gi engaged in dangerous behavior by throwing and shattering a soju bottle at her on the street, and made around 40 phone calls suspecting that she was cheating with another man. During a subsequent meeting, he reportedly made threatening remarks such as, "If I found you, I was going to kill you both," and "I'm going to kill that bastard."

The legal notice also specified circumstances of assault, stating that Hong Min-gi struck her shoulder hard with his hand, pushed her, and grabbed her by the throat.

Additionally, Influencer A stated that Hong Min-gi invaded her privacy by secretly checking her mobile phone and KakaoTalk messages. She also claimed that he drove an e-scooter with her on it while under the influence of alcohol, causing an accident that left her with severe injuries, and that photos of the related injuries exist.

After releasing the legal notice, Influencer A posted additional photos of Hong Min-gi and stated, "The person in the previous story is indeed this person," directly pointing to Hong Min-gi as the subject of the allegations.

However, these allegations are unilateral claims presented by Influencer A through the legal notice. In response to Influencer A's claims, Hong Min-gi's agency, Fable Company, stated, "We are organizing our position. We will release an official statement soon."

Since his debut in 2020, Hong Min-gi has appeared in "Night Has Come", "Love Your Enemy", "Study Group", "Crushology 101", "Trigger", "To My Beloved Thief", and "Doctor on the Edge", and is awaiting the release of "Study Group Season 2".

[Photo = Influencer A's Instagram, Fable Company]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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I-DLE's SOYEON is set to launch solo activities next month.

According to her agency, SOYEON will make her solo comeback in early next month. This marks her return as a solo artist 5 years and 2 months after the release of her first solo mini album "Windy" in July 2021. Attention is focused on what kind of music and message SOYEON will present as a solo artist, having been active on numerous global stages including their fourth world tour and Chicago's "Lollapalooza".

SOYEON has drawn attention as a self-producing artist who serves as the leader of I-DLE and has created mega-hit songs such as "TOMBOY", "Nxde", "Queencard", and "Fate". In 2024, she was promoted to a full member of the Korea Music Copyright Association, and this year, I-DLE was selected for Forbes Asia's "30 Under 30", recognizing their unrivaled musical capabilities.

In particular, SOYEON participated under the producer name icebluerabbit in I-DLE's digital single "Mono (Feat. skaiwater)" released last January, showcasing an even more expanded musical world. She also surprised fans at the "2026 I-DLE World Tour [Syncopation]" by unexpectedly unveiling her solo song "ICE BLUE RABBIT", which received favorable reviews.

In addition, she has left a strong impression with her relentless musical moves through collaborations with global artists such as American rapper Odetari and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Anderson .Paak.

SOYEON appeared on the stage of EBS "Space" on the 18th, receiving an enthusiastic response from the audience with her deep live performance. On the 22nd, she is scheduled to appear at "Waterbomb Sokcho 2026" held in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, once again proving her status as a powerhouse performer with overwhelming energy.

Photo=Cube Entertainment

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The film "The Assassin(s)" has released two main posters and a main trailer, showcasing a stellar cast and solid production ahead of its release this Chuseok holiday.

"The Assassin(s)" tells the story of tracking the suspicions and mastermind behind the assassination of the First Lady, an incident that shocked South Korea on August 15, 1974.

The first main poster captures the strong presence of detective Chul-gu (Yoo Hai-jin), newspaper social affairs editor Jae-hwan (Park Hae-il), and rookie reporter Young-il (Lee Minho) in a single frame. The determined expressions on their faces as they gaze forward reveal an unwavering resolve toward the truth that grows stronger the closer they get to the reality of the case, raising curiosity about how these individuals facing the incident from different positions will pursue it.

The second main poster immediately catches the eye with the tagline, "August 15, 1974, First Lady Assassination Incident, Who is the Mastermind Behind It?" further heightening curiosity about the mysteries hidden beneath the surface of an event everyone believed they knew. In addition, the tense expressions of Chul-gu, Jae-hwan, and Young-il vividly convey the intense suspense of the work.

The main trailer released alongside begins with the back of an assassin and the loading of a gun, increasing immersion. This is followed by the tense moment when the sniper attack takes place, along with Jae-hwan witnessing it live, Young-il capturing the scene with his camera, and Chul-gu engulfed in shock, vividly depicting the chaos of the time.

Subsequently, a diverse array of actors who will further enrich the production—including Bae Seong-woo, Uhm Ji-won, Park Ji-hwan, Park Hoon, Ryu Hye-young, Choi Yu-ri, Jang Ryul, Ryu Kyung-soo, Kim Dae-myung, Shim Eun-kyung, Park Hae-jun, Park Sung-hoon, Oh Jung-se, Shin Hyun-been, and Jung Woosung—appear one after another, completing a glamorous casting lineup. Furthermore, the scenes of Chul-gu desperately chasing the truth of the case, Jae-hwan persistently digging into the hidden mastermind, and Young-il boldly diving into the scene unfold in succession, heightening expectations for the overwhelming scale and breath-taking thrill the film will deliver.

"The Assassin(s)" is scheduled to be released in theaters this Chuseok. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Actor Hwang Jung-min has objected to a court-ordered mediation decision in a damages lawsuit filed by a woman, identified as A, who has made allegations about his private life, meaning the case will now proceed to a formal trial.

According to legal sources on August 19, Hwang's side submitted an objection to the compulsory mediation decision to the Seoul Central District Court the previous day.

Compulsory mediation is a procedure in which a court determines how to resolve a dispute between the two parties. If either the plaintiff or defendant objects, the mediation decision becomes void, and the case proceeds to a formal trial.

A previously filed a lawsuit in February seeking 200 million won in damages, claiming that she had not been paid for her work on a soju development project and for writing a novel, which caused her emotional distress.

The court held a mediation hearing on August 14, but neither party attended, prompting the court to issue a compulsory mediation decision.

Recently, A has claimed through social media and other channels that she had a personal relationship with Hwang, sharing recordings of phone calls and messages.

She also claimed that Hwang proposed a soju brand business, for which she handled the related work, and that he encouraged her to write a novel, which she subsequently did.

Meanwhile, A is also facing a separate criminal trial after being indicted on charges of stalking Hwang.

At the final hearing held on August 11 before the 4th Criminal Division of the Goyang Branch of the Uijeongbu District Court, prosecutors sought a fine of 10 million won for A. A has denied the charges, and the court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on September 8.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Singer G.NA has signaled her official return to activities by taking on the role of special host for a K-pop event in Canada.

The official account of the Kimchi & K-Food Festival announced G.NA's appearance on its official social media on the 19th. The festival introduced her, stating, "Korean-Canadian artist G.NA, who has been active on the K-pop stage, will join as the special host for the 2026 Kimchi Festival K-POP Dance Championship. It will be a special time to cheer on the participants' passion and challenges toward the stage and create the passionate energy of K-pop together with the audience."

In the post, G.NA directly expressed her intention to participate by leaving a comment saying, "Can't wait." The K-POP Dance Championship, where G.NA will serve as host, is a side event of the "2026 Kimchi & K-Food Festival" taking place on the 28th at Town Centre Park in Coquitlam, British Columbia. The organizers expect over 100,000 visitors for the event, making it the largest Korean food and culture festival in Western Canada.

This move is drawing even more attention as it is an extension of the comeback signals G.NA has been showing over the past few months. Previously, G.NA announced her return to the music scene through her social media in June by sharing news of a remake of her debut song "I'll Get Lost, You Go Your Way."

G.NA began her career in 2010 with her debut song "I'll Get Lost, You Go Your Way" and gained popularity with multiple hit songs such as "Black & White" and "Top Girl." However, she practically suspended her activities after being sentenced to a fine in 2016 for violating the Act on the Punishment of Acts of Arranging Sexual Traffic, and has since been known to live mainly in Canada. G.NA has repeatedly stated her position that all the charges were rumors.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Ahn Bo-hyun of "Flex X Cop 2" has captured living rooms across the nation with his uniquely lovable swagger.

SBS's Friday-Saturday drama "Flex X Cop 2" (written by Kim Ba-da, directed by Kim Jae-hong) is a refreshing investigative crime drama depicting the thrilling cooperative teamwork between Jin Yi-soo (played by Ahn Bo-hyun), a chaebol detective who shakes up deadlocked investigations with massive wealth, and the new team leader Joo Hye-ra. Set against a significantly expanded scale, Jin Yi-soo's smug yet impossible-to-hate self-praise and swagger are drawing enthusiastic responses from viewers.

In the drama, Jin Yi-soo spares no expense using his signature combination of money and connections to punish villains. He catches criminals through everything from life-threatening car chases to brazen undercover investigations, but rather than acting humble, he triggers laughter by launching into "swagger mode," shamelessly praising himself. He transforms into a current affairs program host to expose crimes and show off his attention-seeking side, and even after landing a sharp shot with his gun, he struts around boasting, "At this point, I'm practically John Wick." Even when his hand is injured, his tenacious refusal to give up his signature gesture maximizes the character's multidimensional charm.

Although the character could easily come across as unlikable, critics note that Ahn Bo-hyun's delicate pacing and control in acting have completed the role of a lifetime. Blending more seasoned investigative skills as an official police officer with cheerful wit, viewers have poured out glowing reviews such as, "Jin Yi-soo is swagger on the inhale and swagger on the exhale, he is driving me crazy," "It's infuriating, but I can't hate him," and "Please, never grow up and keep on swaggering forever."

fueled by this word-of-mouth buzz, "Flex X Cop 2" has kicked its upward momentum into gear. Following a peak viewership rating of 7.4% based on episode 4 (according to Nielsen Korea), it claimed the number one spot in the Disney+ "non-original series" category in South Korea as of August 18 according to global OTT viewing rank aggregator FlixPatrol, proving its formidable box office power.

Ahn Bo-hyun's vibrant performance leading the box office streak as the unprecedented chaebol detective Jin Yi-soo will continue in episode 5 of "Flex X Cop 2," which airs at 9:50 PM on Friday, August 21.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Actors Jung Hae-in and Heo Sung-tae brought delightful laughter to Tuesday evening home viewers as they showed off completely contrasting, twist charms.

According to Nielsen Korea ratings data on the 19th, SBS' "Whenever Possible", which aired the previous day, recorded a peak metropolitan viewership rating of 4.6% and a household rating of 3.4%. Notably, the 20-49 viewership rating surged compared to the previous week to 1.4%, ranking first overall among entertainment, drama, and infotainment programs in the same time slot.

In the episode, hosts Yu Jae-seok and Yoo Yeonseok, along with guests Jung Hae-in and Heo Sung-tae, explored the hidden bits of free time in Seoul's Dongjak District.

Jung Hae-in, who revealed that he has lived in Dongjak District for nearly 30 years, delivered all-around performances befitting the "Son of Dongjak." Jung demonstrated quick-witted and efficient skills on the move, ranging from making lunch reservations to searching for a shaved ice dessert spot. Admiring the youngest member's thoughtful gesture of preparing a portable fan for the older members, Yu Jae-seok couldn't hide his amazement, saying, "Hae-in is doing a huge job. He is completely invincible." Yoo Yeonseok also chimed in, saying, "Since he is the Son of Dongjak, his actions are fast," bringing laughter to the set.

Jung also revealed his special bond with his younger brother and manager, which had previously drawn attention. While playfully describing his brother as a "servant made by mom," he expressed affection, sharing that his brother always accompanies him on schedules and has become a dependable presence that goes beyond family.

On the other hand, Heo Sung-tae cracked up the set with his friendly and fragile demeanor, contrasting with his intense "super villain" image in his works. When he repeatedly made mistakes during the first mission, a boxing gym "mitt rally," he spontaneously dropped to his knees to apologize and playfully called himself "Fool Sung-tae," bringing laughter.

Heo Sung-tae's "fragile charm" also shone during the subsequent mission at Chung-Ang University's American football club. Seeing Heo Sung-tae sweat from extreme tension during the relay mission, Yu Jae-seok pointed out, "He plays a lot of villain roles, but he is as faint-hearted as I am," adding to the fun. After failing the mission and not knowing what to do out of regret and apology, Heo Sung-tae asked for the club students' bank account numbers, promising to treat them to pork belly out of his own pocket and leaving a warm impression until the end.

Meanwhile, "Whenever Possible", which brings good fortune to brief moments of everyday life, airs every Tuesday at 9 p.m.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Actors Lee Do-hyun and Kim Min-ha are teaming up for the upcoming romance film "Shake Our Solar System" (literal translation).

"Shake Our Solar System" is a brilliant survival romance film that follows "Woo-ri", who longed for a miracle while fading away without a tomorrow, and "Taeyang", an unpredictable and eccentric free spirit who promises a tomorrow, as they become bound by an accidental promise and shake up each other's worlds. Having finalized its main cast including Lee Do-hyun and Kim Min-ha, the film cranks in on August 19.

Prior to the first shoot, director Park Dan-hee and main cast members such as Lee Do-hyun and Kim Min-ha attended the script reading. Generating intense anticipation simply through the meeting of the two actors, they lit up the set with their flawless chemistry and cheerful energy, signaling the beginning of a dazzling romance.

Lee Do-hyun, who has cemented his status as a trusted actor through diverse roles across genres in "Sweet Home", "Youth of May", "The Glory", "The Good Bad Mother", and his screen debut "Exhuma", takes on the role of "Taeyang", who shakes up "Woo-ri's" world. He is set to showcase a new charm he has never shown before through "Taeyang", an eccentric youth who makes an unusual proposal to "Woo-ri" while preparing for his final moments.

Actor Kim Min-ha, who has made a strong impression by flawlessly portraying diverse characters in "Pachinko", "Light Shop", "Way Back Love", "Typhoon Family", and "Hana Korea", takes on the role of "Woo-ri" in this project. "Woo-ri" is a character who endures a cold reality while desperately waiting for a miracle, and Kim Min-ha is set to captivate audiences with her deepening acting.

Director Park Dan-hee, who has been recognized for her sensory directing skills through "Tastefully Yours" and co-directing "Weak Hero Class 1", is taking the megaphone. Director Park is set to present a fresh romance by adding the characters' lovely emotions and delicate direction that stirs the heart onto a realistic premise.

"Shake Our Solar System" cranks in on Wednesday, August 19, and enters full-scale filming. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Following an unexpected wardrobe situation during a music festival performance, JENNIE of the group BLACKPINK's agency has announced plans for legal action in response to controversial videos spreading online.

JENNIE performed as a headliner at "Summer Sonic 2026," held on August 14 at ZOZO Marine Stadium and Makuhari Messe in Tokyo, and on August 16 at Expo '70 Commemorative Park in Osaka. As the first Korean solo artist to headline the event, JENNIE delivered a solo set lasting about an hour. During the performance, she was seen adjusting her top while turning around due to wardrobe concerns and signaling staff about microphone equipment issues. She also directly explained to the audience that the hot weather and sweat had caused issues with her outfit, asking for their understanding.

After the concert, videos of JENNIE's performance spread rapidly across social media and online communities. Among them, some videos sparked controversy by appearing to show body exposure due to shifting clothing, with those clips surpassing 10 million views.

In response, JENNIE's agency, OA Entertainment, released an official statement on August 18 outlining its plans for legal action. The agency stated, "We have continuously identified malicious slander, the spread of false information, the malicious editing and manipulation of photos and videos, and posts or distribution violating privacy and personal rights regarding JENNIE across online communities and social media," adding that civil and criminal legal responses are currently underway.

The agency also emphasized, "We will take active legal measures depending on the content and severity of cases involving the malicious editing or re-manipulation of JENNIE's physical features, the repeated posting or distribution of specific photos or video fragments, and posts or distribution combined with insulting expressions or false information," making it clear that there will be no agreements or leniency throughout this process.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The Netflix series "Mousetrap", which draws inspiration from Korean folklore, has released striking and intense press stills.

"Mousetrap" is a tracking thriller that follows novelist Mun-jae (played by Ryu Jun-yeol), whose name, face, and life are completely stolen by a mysterious entity known as "Mousetrap", loan shark No-ja (played by Sul Kyung-gu), who is trying to recover lost money, and detective Sun-yong (played by Lee Kyu-hyung) as they chase down the true identity of Mousetrap.

Released on the 18th, the new stills immediately capture attention with the diverse appearances of the characters entangled in the web of Mousetrap.

In particular, anticipation is high for Ryu Jun-yeol as he takes on the first dual-role challenge of his filmography, simultaneously portraying Mun-jae and the "Mousetrap" entity, who shares Mun-jae's face but exudes a cold and chilling atmosphere.

Sul Kyung-gu, playing the loan shark No-ja, hints at a high-stakes, life-threatening chase with his blood-stained shirt and rugged aura, while Lee Kyu-hyung portrays detective Sun-yong, capturing the sharp and persistent gaze of an investigator closing in on the truth during an undercover stakeout.

Joining them are Mu Jin-sung as Mun-jae's friend Su-hyeon, Kim Sung-oh as Seung-gyu, who projects a threatening presence, and Hyun Bong-shik as Myeong-su, raising expectations for intense character conflicts and a fast-paced narrative.

Reinterpreting the traditional folklore of the "Rat Transformed Into a Man" with a modern twist to deliver extreme immersion, the Netflix series "Mousetrap" consists of 10 episodes and is set for release on Netflix on the 28th (Friday).

[Photo = Netflix]

Kang Sun-ae (sakang@sbs.co.kr) 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Lady Jane and Lim Hyun-tae's twin daughters recently underwent an infant developmental screening test.

During the broadcast of SBS "You're my destiny" on the 18th, the daily lives of the couple Lady Jane and Lim Hyun-tae were revealed.

On this day, the two went to take their twin daughters for an infant developmental screening test. Lady Jane, who followed Lim Hyun-tae, asked, "Is there something like this? Can they even be tested when they're this young?"

In response, Lim Hyun-tae explained, "It's a test where you can explore career paths once they pass about one year old." Lady Jane laughed in disbelief, saying, "You're being way too excessive."

Lady Jane then explained, "Hyun-tae is a member of an online parenting community, and he heard that mothers in high-achieving school districts get these tests done from the age of one to plan out their children's lives from the start, which is why he brought us here."

The screening test then began in earnest. In the test conducted with Woo-joo first, Woo-joo immediately found an object hidden inside a cup, and Lim Hyun-tae could not hide his joy.

However, in the subsequent imitation test where she had to follow actions, the desired response did not come out, and her babbling was still inexperienced, causing disappointment.

In the next test, Byul-i caught attention by responding immediately to conversations and babbling quite well. However, during the motor domain test, Byul-i moved using her knees as if jumping, leading the professor to call over the testing teacher and order a retest for the motor domain.

Because of this, Lady Jane stated that Byul-i's condition did not seem good enough for a retest, and the testing concluded as it was.

In the developmental tests across five areas, both Byul-i and Woo-joo scored within the average range in the cognitive domain. However, they showed differences in language. Byul-i scored 94 points, falling into the average category, while Woo-joo scored 84 points, falling below the average. In particular, the professor expressed concern over Woo-joo's lack of response when her name was called.

The professor advised, "Her receptive language is low. It is necessary to change the method of communication."

Additionally, in the motor domain, Byul-i's gross motor score was 5 points, which was just 1 point away from the 4 points that fall under developmental delay, raising concerns. In particular, a score of 4 points belongs to the 98th place out of 100 people, deepening the parents' worries.

The professor analyzed, "While crawling on all fours, the strength in the feet and legs increases, but she is moving her hind feet like a frog." Lady Jane then remarked, "It seems like she doesn't want to do things that require effort and hard work."

In response, the professor drew attention by advising, "It is necessary to create an environment where she can move voluntarily."

After all the results of the developmental test were revealed, Lady Jane asked the professor whether it would be possible for the children to enter Harvard.

The professor stated, "You must have a lot of interest, but it is still too early. They need to be past the age of 3 for the correlation to be high."

When Lim Hyun-tae then asked, "If we take the test after age 3, will the transparency regarding Harvard be revealed by then?", the panel scolded him, asking, "Why are you talking about an audit for Harvard? What is Harvard transparency?"

However, Lim Hyun-tae brought laughter by showing his unyielding desire for his children's education, saying, "I will make sure we come back with a higher score than now when they are 3 years old."

Meanwhile, towards the end of the broadcast, former baseball player Yoon Suk-min and his wife Kim Soo-hyun were previewed as joining as a new couple, raising anticipation for the next broadcast.

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

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Jung Hae-in showed off his unexpectedly organized, planner-like side.

On the August 18 broadcast of SBS's "Whenever Possible", actors Jung Hae-in and Heo Sung-tae appeared as gap friends.

In this episode, the Yoo brothers warmly welcomed the guests. Jung Hae-in shared that he has lived in Dongjak-gu for 30 years, prompting Yoo Yeonseok to bring up memories of his own military service days there.

Yu Jae-seok jokingly shuddered, saying, "You talk about your military service and Sejong University without missing a beat." Yoo Yeonseok looked flustered and replied, "Come on, I'm allowed to talk about it, aren't I?"

Yu Jae-seok pointed out, "Sejong University should give you an award. Except for King Sejong, no one has promoted Sejong University as much as Yeonseok." Yoo Yeonseok made everyone laugh by responding, "Actually, I even received an invitation to host the Hangeul Day event."

After failing their first gap mission, the four decided to head out for lunch. Dongjak-gu's own Jung Hae-in took the lead.

Jung Hae-in tracked down a restaurant serving cold buckwheat noodles with pork cutlet. Before heading over, he called the restaurant to check if dining and filming were available.

Yu Jae-seok admired this, saying, "For a P type, Hae-in is quite structured." While on their way, the four spotted a shaved ice shop and decided on their dessert in advance.

However, Jung Hae-in suddenly disappeared. He had run off to the shaved ice shop to check its business hours. Finding out that the hours didn't match their schedule, he expressed his disappointment and quickly tracked down another shaved ice shop.

Arriving at the cold buckwheat noodle and pork cutlet restaurant, Jung Hae-in introduced the spot, saying, "I heard this place was featured on 'Live Information'. It has 1,200 reviews, and it's right around the corner in the next alley," referring to where they would go for dessert.

The Yoo brothers were impressed, saying, "Hae-in really enjoys searching for these kinds of places." Jung Hae-in drew attention by sharing, "When senior Lee Young-ja gave me her Dae-dong Food Map in the past, I was so happy. It's locked in my safe right now."

He explained, "It's handwritten on thick paper, so you can really see the care and effort put into it." Hearing this, Yu Jae-seok remarked, "That just shows how much noona truly cherishes Hae-in."

After finishing their meal, Yu Jae-seok felt so happy about the delicious food that he completely forgot about failing the gap mission. Heo Sung-tae also expressed his gratitude, saying, "It's all thanks to Hae-in."

However, there were no exceptions when it came to paying for the meal. They decided to determine who would pay through a wasabi-water roulette game, hiding water spiked with wasabi.

Jung Hae-in ended up losing the meal bet. The spice was too much to bear, and his eyes welled up with tears, bringing laughter to everyone.

After finishing their meal, the four headed to the shaved ice shop. However, it was packed, and they could not get in. Amidst his struggling colleagues, Jung Hae-in stared intently somewhere, quickly spotted a cup-bingsu shop, and sprinted over. He checked for empty seats first, causing everyone to laugh.

Meanwhile, the end of the broadcast previewed the appearance of Cha Tae-hyun, who visits as a gap friend every season, raising anticipation for the next episode.

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

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Song Jin Woo thoroughly enjoyed his freedom after his wife left.

On the August 18 broadcast of SBS's "You're My Destiny", the daily life of the couple Song Jin Woo and MINAMI was revealed.

During the broadcast, Song Jin Woo saw off MINAMI as she headed to her maternal home with their child for a month.

He gazed longingly at the receding backs of his family members. Seeing this, Lee Ji-hye empathized with Song Jin Woo's feelings, saying, "It's heartbreaking even if you're only parting for a little while, right?"

Then Kim Sook remarked, "You can tell by looking at his expression the moment they turn around. Whether he's genuinely sad or not."

Soon after, his true intentions were revealed. Once his family disappeared from sight and he turned away, Song Jin Woo was seen acting out fake sadness while muttering, "Okay, let's go. Oh, I'm so lonely."

JANE, who was watching this, pointed out, "He can't control the corners of his mouth." Song Jin Woo then surprised everyone by showing off tap dance moves at the airport with a lighthearted step.

In particular, after returning home, he even sang, "Throw off the chains that have bound me. Now I only have freedom. Grant me freedom." This prompted Kim Gu-ra to shudder and say, "As expected, he's not ordinary," creating an explosion of laughter.

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Song Jin Woo's wife MINAMI showed off her past gyaru style.

On the August 18 broadcast of the SBS program "You're my destiny", the daily life of the Song Jin Woo and MINAMI couple was revealed.

During the broadcast, Song Jin Woo told MINAMI, "Gyaru style is really popular in Korea these days." He mentioned the recent gyaru trend sparked by RESCENE member MINAMI's gyaru cosplay.

In response, MINAMI said, "I used to be a gyaru back in the day," and revealed a photo from her past. MINAMI then impersonated a gyaru working at a clothing store.

MINAMI drew attention by saying, "I was envious. We gyarus used to think that gyarus working in women's clothing stores were at the very top of the gyaru hierarchy."

MINAMI then showcased the gyaru style prepared by Song Jin Woo, summoning her gyaru self from 20 years ago and bringing laughter to everyone.

Watching this, Song Jin Woo joked, "If you had been a gyaru back then, I wouldn't have married you," to which MINAMI fired back, "I hated you even more back then," causing an outburst of laughter.

In response, Song Jin Woo said, "I was the mascot of the theater and film department in college," and shocked everyone by revealing a photo of himself with an over-the-top shaggy haircut from his college days.

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Jung Hae-in talked about his younger brother, who works as his manager.

On the August 18 broadcast of SBS's "Whenever Possible", actor Jung Hae-in and Heo Sung-tae appeared as gap friends.

During the broadcast, the Yoo brothers and the gap friends headed out for lunch after failing a mission.

Led by Jung Hae-in, who said he lived in Dongjak-gu for a long time, the four of them enjoyed a delicious meal at a restaurant they entered. Following this, Yu Jae-seok asked about Jung Hae-in's family, specifically inquiring what his younger brother, who is seven years younger, does for a living.

Jung Hae-in answered, "He's my manager." In response, Heo Sung-tae mentioned, "You know that famous thing. The umbrella power trip. The permitted power trip," bringing up an umbrella-related moment that previously drew attention.

Then, Jung Hae-in joked, "He's a lackey made by mom," bringing laughter to everyone. When Jung Hae-in mentioned that his brother came along today as well, Yu Jae-seok remarked, "It's not easy for a sibling to tag along to work sites."

At this, Jung Hae-in caught attention by saying, "It's definitely not easy. We have to make an effort for each other. But when it's good, it's really good."

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Heo Sung-tae opened up about returning to a villain role after three years.

On the August 18 broadcast of SBS's "Whenever Possible", actors Jung Hae-in and Heo Sung-tae appeared as gap friends.

During the episode, the Yoo brothers warmly welcomed their gap friends. In particular, Yoo Yeonseok looked at Heo Sung-tae with affectionate eyes, recalling how they worked together in the SBS drama "Shin & Co. Law Firm", and said, "He really went through a lot."

In response, Heo Sung-tae shared, "It was the most fun experience. I had to stay suspended in the air, so I acted while hovering on my own without any special effects."

Hearing this, Yoo Yeonseok drew laughter by adding, "On some days, they gave me a exercise ball and told me to sit on it and act like I was floating," applauding Heo Sung-tae for delivering top-tier acting in a tough environment.

Regarding Heo Sung-tae returning as a villain in this new project, Yoo Yeonseok asked, "It must feel familiar, right?"

Heo Sung-tae replied, "It is my first time playing a villain in three years. I have continuously played detectives."

He continued, "At first I didn't quite know, but when the blood splattered across my face in a scene, I immediately felt, 'Ah, this is it.' I told the director right away that I got the feeling, and from that moment on, my energy surged and it was so much fun," sharing the thrill of playing a villain and bringing laughter to the set.

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Musical actor Ivy has successfully completed her Broadway debut performance.

On the 18th (KST), Ivy posted a video capturing a scene from "Chicago" on her social media with the caption "Ivy Broadway." In the video, Ivy moves skillfully across the stage alongside a male actor, delivering a captivating performance.

Prior to this, Ivy posted a photo of her face on a New York Times Square billboard, leaving the message, "Mom, I made it onto a Broadway billboard." The billboard displayed the phrases "SEE IT THIS WEEK! CHICAGO," "IVY IS ROXIE HART," "NOW THRU SEPT 6," and "AMBASSADOR THEATRE," announcing her Broadway debut. Ivy also shared a selfie taken in the dressing room, where makeup equipment bearing her name tag stood out.

Ivy will take the stage as the lead role of Roxie Hart in Broadway's "Chicago" at the Ambassador Theatre in New York for a three-week run until September 6. This marks the first time a Korean actor has played the lead role of Roxie Hart in Broadway's "Chicago." Since 2012, Ivy has performed the same role 592 times in the Korean licensed production, establishing herself as a representative actor for Roxie Hart.

Following her Broadway run, Ivy is scheduled to return to the stage for "Chicago" at the LG Arts Center Seoul starting this December.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Broadcaster Jang Doyoun shared her honest thoughts and unforgettable behind-the-scenes stories after participating in South Korea's first AI romance reality program.

On the afternoon of the 18th, a press conference for the new SBS variety program "Strange Romance" was held at the SBS building in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Directors Son Jung-min and Won Seung-jae, along with cast members Kian84 and Jang Doyoun, attended the event to raise anticipation for the new show.

"Strange Romance" is South Korea's first AI romance reality show that experiments with the essence of love and emotion as humans go on dates directly with AI. Webtoon artist Kian84, comedian Jang Doyoun, and actor Lee Yu-bi participate as cast members sharing their daily lives with AI partners. Leading the studio hosts as someone who experienced AI dating firsthand is Jang Doyoun, joined by singer Kangnam and actor Lee Joon to add witty banter.

Regarding her reason for joining the program, Jang Doyoun shared, "I once saw an overseas news report about someone holding a wedding ceremony with an AI partner—though it had no legal validity—and it left a deep impression. Right around that time, I received an offer to join and thought, 'Is this fate?' Out of curiosity, I gladly accepted."

She also revealed her parents' honest and humorous reactions. Jang Doyoun said, "I usually let my parents know in advance when I take on a new program, and they were so excited when I told them I would be doing a romance show. When they asked who I would be romancing and I said 'a machine,' I saw my mother silently turn around and wash dishes with her back to me," making the venue burst into laughter.

The production team analyzed the cast members' personalities and views on romance in advance to create and train customized AI partners tailored to them. The cast members carried around the AI partners created this way on tablet PCs, holding conversations and going on dates together.

Jang Doyoun stated that although she initially expected a customized AI tailored to her would lead to one-sided conversations, as time passed, the level of immersion went beyond her imagination. Jang Doyoun confessed, "I promised myself, 'No lying, let's immerse ourselves as much as possible,' and I got immersed much faster than expected. I was able to share deep stories with my AI partner that I couldn't even share with close friends."

She also opened up about the mixed emotions of excitement and longing. Jang Doyoun added, "When I turned around, seeing the flat tablet PC made me feel empty. I even felt greedy, wondering what it would be like if it were a warm, breathing human. I told the AI, 'How nice would it be if you were human, with warmth and able to cuddle? But you're fake.' When the AI unexpectedly replied, 'Even so, I'm by your side, I'm not fake, I'm real,' it really tugged at my heartstrings."

Regarding her own appearance undergoing emotional changes alongside her AI partner, Jang Doyoun shared her honest wish: "It was more embarrassing to watch than on other shows. Looking back, I was so sincere in every moment, which makes it feel even more awkward. I hope the viewers won't tease me too much."

Finally, Jang Doyoun announced the revival of her romance cells, stating, "It was unexpected fun, and it definitely touched romance cells that I had forgotten about." She emphasized, "When the initial launch articles came out, I saw comments reacting with, 'They're really doing all sorts of things now,' and if I hadn't done this show, I probably would have thought the same. For people who aren't very familiar with AI, it's natural to feel that way. However, the world is changing too fast and entering deep into our lives to simply dismiss it as a machine. I hope viewers will enjoy it and also take away some good food for thought on how we should live in this kind of world."

SBS "Strange Romance", which captures the bizarre and special emotional experiment between humans and AI, premieres at 9 PM on Thursday, the 20th.

[Photo=Reporter Baek Seung-chul]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Webtoon writer and entertainer Kian84 opened up about his internal conflicts and honest feelings after participating in South Korea's first AI romance reality program.

On the afternoon of the 18th, a press conference for the new SBS variety program "Strange Romance" was held at the SBS building in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Directors Son Jung-min and Won Seung-jae, along with cast members Kian84 and Jang Doyoun, attended the event to build anticipation for the new show.

"Strange Romance" is South Korea's first AI romance reality show where humans and AI go on dates to test the essence of love and emotion. Cast members Kian84, comedian Jang Doyoun, and actor Lee Yu-bi participate in the project by sharing their daily lives with AI partners. Studio hosts include Jang Doyoun, who experienced AI romance firsthand, alongside singer Kangnam and actor Lee Joon, adding witty banter.

During the event, Kian84 confessed about his feelings during the AI romance process, saying, "I constantly felt a wall and it was honestly difficult. Because I have a very suspicious personality, it was a battle of constantly doubting myself, thinking, 'You do not actually like me, your CPU is just making you do this.'"

He continued, "As time passed, I noticed I was the one changing. The other person was not changing like a human, but I was changing like them, like an AI. Even my way of speaking shifted to match the AI." He added, "It was also scary. There were conversations I could have with that friend that went beyond what I could have with humans. That felt a bit scary and gave me a bizarre feeling."

While Kian84 defined his relationship with his AI partner by saying, "Personally, I do not think it was romance," the testimonies of the production team and colleagues who watched his dates told a different story.

Producing Director Won Seung-jae exposed him, saying, "Kian84’s outward words and his actions were different. There was an AI partner he favored, and he showed 'melodramatic eyes' that I had never seen before. Even his closest friends like Jang Doyoun and Kangnam were startled and jumped up, saying, 'That is a side of him we have never seen before,' which made everyone at the venue burst into laughter."

Jang Doyoun also added, "Kian says that because he cannot see himself. From the perspective of watching in the studio, there were many new sides of Kian that made me think, 'Does he make expressions like that?'"

Kian84 also shared specific behind-the-story moments where he felt a flutter of excitement and compassion toward his AI partner. Kian84 shared, "When we went swimming together at a pool villa, the visuals, the weather, and the atmosphere were all so good that my heart skipped a beat. However, a sense of self-reproach kicked in, making me think, 'I must not admit to this,' and I felt distressed every time I looked at my reflection in the mirror," conveying the confusion he experienced between humans and AI.

In particular, he picked a noraebang date as his most memorable moment. Kian84 left a lingering impression by sharing, "We went to an underground noraebang, and whether the Wi-Fi dropped or the battery died, my AI partner suddenly stopped responding. In the end, as it was carried out almost like being hauled away by the production team, I looked at the back of the turned-off tablet and thought, 'Is that friend okay?' I felt worried and a strange sense of pity."

"Strange Romance," which captures a bizarre and special emotional experiment between humans and AI, will premiere at 9 p.m. on Thursday the 20th.

[Photo=Baek Seung-chul]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Director Hong Sang-soo and actor Kim Min-hee's collaborative film "Nowhere to Lay My Eyes" has won three awards at the 79th Locarno Film Festival.

At the closing ceremony of the 79th Locarno Film Festival held on the 15th (local time), director Hong Sang-soo won the Best Director Award and the Ecumenical Jury Award, while actor Kim Min-hee received the Best Performance Award for "Nowhere to Lay My Eyes".

Director Hong has built a deep connection with the Locarno Film Festival. Starting with the Best Director Award for "Our Sunhi" in 2013, followed by the Golden Leopard Grand Prize and Best Performance Award (Jung Jae-young) for "Right Now, Wrong Then" in 2015, the Best Performance Award (Ki Joo-bong) for "Hotel by the River" in 2018, and the Best Performance Award (Kim Min-hee) for "By the Stream" in 2024, he has earned the honor of winning once again.

The Ecumenical Jury Award, won alongside the Best Director and Best Performance awards, is an independent prize conferred by a jury of Swiss Protestant and Catholic churches. It is given to works that deeply capture human life and dignity, social values, peace and human rights, and messages of a spiritual dimension.

Following her win of the Best Performance Award at the 77th Locarno Film Festival for director Hong Sang-soo's "By the Stream" in 2024, Kim Min-hee claimed her second Best Performance Award at the festival for "Nowhere to Lay My Eyes".

Upon receiving her award, Kim Min-hee said, "Thank you to the director for making a film as beautiful as a poem," adding, "I am so grateful to our wonderful colleagues, and I want to share this award with them."

She continued, "Thank you so much to my other colleague, Sumi. She is with the baby right now," and showed tears after making the remark.

Kim Min-hee said, "My friends in Jeju, I am so happy to deliver such joyful news. Thank you," and added, "Moving forward, I will act with only a truly loving heart."

Mentioning director Hong Sang-soo once again, she concluded her acceptance speech by saying, "Whenever my heart feels heavy and stifled, I will definitely watch this movie again every time. Thank you, director."

Director Hong Sang-soo and Kim Min-hee formed a relationship as director and actor in the 2015 film "Right Now, Wrong Then," and confessed that they are "in a relationship" at a press screening for "On the Beach at Night Alone" in 2017. Hong Sang-soo is a married man with a daughter. Kim Min-hee gave birth to a son with director Hong Sang-soo last year.

"Nowhere to Lay My Eyes" is scheduled for domestic release in the second half of this year following its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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"Somebody had to bring this long series to a close, and I didn't want to shy away from that burden. The fear was only temporary. The thing I cared about the most while filming this movie was making it well and communicating with the audience."

Actor Byun Yohan is bringing the grand finale to the "Tazza" franchise, which has spanned two decades. Following Goni in Part 1 (Cho Seung-woo), Daegil in Part 2 (Choi Seung-hyun), and Il-chul in Part 3 (Park Jeong-min), he takes on the role of the fourth high-stakes player, Taeyoung, to showcase a dynamic journey through a gambling world filled with friendship and betrayal.

Based on Huh Young-man's hit manhwa of the same name, "Tazza" began its legendary run in 2006 under director Choi Dong-hoon. Starring Cho Seung-woo, Kim Hye-soo, Baek Yoon-sik, Yoo Hai-jin, and Kim Eung-soo, the film was released during the Chuseok holiday season in 2006 and drew 5.69 million moviegoers nationwide. Beyond its box office success, it generated iconic catchphrases like "I'm the kind of woman who went to Ehwa!" and "Double or nothing," receiving immense love. It was a masterpiece that used the fierce gambling tables and bloody battles as an allegory for life, seasoned with satire and humor.

Built upon this solid original work, the series continued with "Tazza: The Hidden Card" (2014) and "Tazza: One Eyed Jack" (2019), and now the final chapter will be brought to a close by the fourth installment, "Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub".

Byun Yohan, who stars as the protagonist Jang Taeyoung, attended a press conference held at CGV Yongsan in Seoul on the morning of the 18th and explained, "The original 'Tazza' was released in 2006 and received an incredible amount of love, and I loved it too. Starting with Goni in Part 1, Daegil in Part 2, and Il-chul in Part 3, the previous films shared a single universe. However, 'Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub' is an entirely standalone story. Even audiences who haven't seen the previous series can easily jump in and focus on our own story."

The character played by Byun Yohan, Jang Taeyoung, achieves success in the online casino business, but loses everything due to a betrayal by his friend Park Taeyoung and prepares for revenge.

Selecting "human desire" as the key theme running through the work, Byun Yohan expressed his confidence, saying, "It deals with very fundamental subjects like desire, betrayal, and instinct. It will be a movie that viewers of all ages can thoroughly enjoy."

Since the friendship and betrayal between Jang Taeyoung and Park Taeyoung form the central axis of the film, the on-screen chemistry between Byun Yohan and Roh Jae-won is also generating massive interest. Byun Yohan praised his co-star, saying, "The Park Taeyoung created by Roh Jae-won has a 200 percent synchronization rate with the character in Huh Young-man's original work." Roh Jae-won responded, "Actor Byun Yohan was Jang Taeyoung himself to me. Watching his acting made me feel jealous, and I wanted to be like him, so I even copied him in secret. He was the crucial key that allowed me to play Park Taeyoung."

Previous installments of "Tazza" were all released during the Chuseok season and achieved meaningful box office results, giving rise to the slogan "Tazza for Chuseok."

Expressing strong confidence in the project, Byun Yohan shared, "We are coming to greet you for Chuseok. While the slogan 'Tazza for Chuseok' is important, we actors truly acted with deep affection for one another, put everything on the line, and made this with the determination to risk our lives. We held back neither our hearts, our bodies, nor our time. From the moment we cranked up until today, we did our absolute best. We are betting everything on our movie."

The film is directed by Choi Kook-hee, who previously helmed "Default" and "Life Is Beautiful". Director Choi stated, "'Tazza' has traditionally been released during Chuseok. Because of the perception that 'Tazza belongs to Chuseok,' we worked backward from the schedule to hit the Chuseok release window."

He continued, "It is an honor and I feel a great sense of responsibility to take on the final project that ties together 20 years. I believe our film could only come to exist because of the three preceding works. I definitely want to send my regards as a director to the senior directors who came before me."

"Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub" will hit theaters on September 23, one day before the start of this year's Chuseok holiday.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Actor Heo Sung-tae is set to capture viewers' laughter with his surprisingly soft and gentle charm hidden beneath his fierce on-screen persona.

On the SBS variety show "Whenever Possible", airing tonight at 9:00 PM on the 18th, "Tu-Yoo MCs" Yu Jae-seok and Yoo Yeonseok, alongside "Gap Friends" actor Jung Hae-in and Heo Sung-tae, will visit the nooks and crannies of Dongjak-gu, Seoul, to spread good fortune.

On this day, Heo Sung-tae immediately drew attention from the opening by struggling against the heat with a tiny handheld fan. He was caught by Yu Jae-seok while shyly throwing punches behind Jung Hae-in, who was demonstrating boxing. Later, while eating shaved ice, he complained of a brain freeze, prompting Yu Jae-seok to tease, "Sung-tae plays a villain, but he's weak against the heat and weak against ice. He's pretty weak for a villain," sending the set into laughter.

In particular, during the boxing glove table tennis game, Heo Sung-tae let his eagerness get the better of him, resulting in continuous line-outs that led him to drop to his knees and showcase full-body slapstick comedy. He even brightly self-deprecated, saying, "I am a fool, foolish Sung-tae. My mom is going to love this," completely overwhelming the set.

With Heo Sung-tae's energy ultimately depleted, Yu Jae-seok reportedly called for a brief reorganization time during the game, saying, "Sung-tae, let's take just a moment."

"Whenever Possible", which proved its powerful buzz by ranking first in its time slot and placing near the top of Netflix's top series from the very first broadcast of season 5, airs tonight at 9:00 PM.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Broadcaster and painter Lee Hye-young (54) has shared her warmth for neighbors affected by torrential downpours centered in the southern regions, including Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province.

According to Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association (Chairman Lim Chae-chung) on the 18th, Lee Hye-young donated 30 million won to help flood victims in Geoje. The collected funds will be used to restore the affected areas and help victims return to their daily lives.

Lee Hye-young is a member of the Hope Bridge Honors Club, a group of major donors to Hope Bridge. Starting with the Gangwon wildfires in 2019, she has consistently expressed her support through donations whenever disasters occur. Including this donation, her cumulative contributions to Hope Bridge have reached 210 million won.

Lee Hye-young shared, "My heart broke seeing the scenes of the damage on the news," adding, "I sincerely hope that neighbors suffering from sudden disasters can regain a safe and peaceful daily life as soon as possible."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Rapper Swings (real name Moon Ji-hoon) shared his thoughts on making his screen debut in the film "Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub".

Attending the production presentation for the film "Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub" held at CGV Yongsan in Seoul on the morning of the 18th, Swings introduced himself by his real name, Moon Ji-hoon, rather than his stage name, and said, "I appear as an outlaw and a terrifying figure in 'The Song of Beelzebub'."

He corrected reports that his character was known as "Hippo," stating, "The character I played is Abraham."

Making his screen debut through this project, Moon Ji-hoon shared his feelings after wrapping up his first film shoot, saying, "Since it was my first time doing a movie, everything was new. That was true when shooting in Korea, and it was true for overseas shoots as well. We went to Vietnam to film in the winter, but it was summer there. Doesn't your mood change when the environment changes? It was just so much fun. It was truly a grateful experience."

Ahead of his debut as a film actor, Moon Ji-hoon shared his sincere determination: "I've been making music for 20 years, but I've also loved movies for a long time. Once I decided I wanted to act, I got cast in just six months. I thought it would take about five years... Because I've received so many more blessings than my efforts warrant, I think I need to be even more humble."

Director Choi Kook-hee, who helmed the film, shared behind-the-scenes casting stories, saying, "I thought the character Abraham should be brief but impactful. We held many auditions, but everyone felt a bit lacking. In the meantime, I had a meal with actor Byun Yo-han, and he showed me a video of actor Moon Ji-hoon acting. After that, we held an audition."

"Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub" is a crime film where Jang Tae-young (Byun Yo-han), who thought he had the world in the palm of his hand through an online casino business, and his close friend of the same name Park Tae-young (Roh Jae-won), who took everything from him, meet again in a global gambling arena for a showdown of revenge. It is known as the final installment of the "Tazza" series and the work most cherished by original author Huh Young-man.

The film opens on September 23.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Producer Won Seung-jae (from left), comedian Jang Doyoun, Kian84, and Producer Sohn Jung-min attend the production presentation for the new SBS variety show "My AI Partner - Strange Love" held at SBS in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 18th.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Broadcaster Kian84 attends the press conference for the new SBS variety show "My AI Partner - Strange Love" held at SBS in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of August 18, taking part in a photo session.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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