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Young-ja and Young-cheol, who met on the divorcees special of the SBS Plus and ENA program "I Am Solo", have divorced just 7 months after getting married.

On the 31st, Young-ja posted a long message on her social media, stating, "We ended our relationship and parted ways." She added, "We did not register our marriage, and since we covered our living expenses and financial matters separately while we were together, there are no separate assets or financial issues to settle." She also noted that all personal arrangements and delivery of belongings related to the end of their relationship have been completed.

Explaining her reasons for remaining silent until now, Young-ja stated, "Recently, many people have sent me worried inquiries and messages. I am sorry that I could not speak to each of you directly." She added, "Although I am not a celebrity or public figure, I thought it was polite to share my current situation with those who have cherished and worried about me, so I am carefully leaving this message."

She did not disclose the specific process and reasons for their breakup. Young-ja concluded her post by saying, "I do not plan to talk separately about the process and reasons for our breakup. Moving forward, I will focus on the present and my future rather than the past, and greet you with a better image."

The two, who are same-age peers born in 1983, developed into an actual couple after being chosen as a final couple on the "I Am Solo" divorcees special broadcast last year, and held their wedding this January. After becoming a couple, they appeared together on the tvN STORY program "Lee Ho-seon's Counseling Center" broadcast in March, where they opened up about trust issues experienced after remarriage.

Young-cheol stated that his wife did not trust him well and seemed unable to move past the failure of her previous marriage, while Young-ja explained that her husband had undisclosed debts and online rumors regarding her husband had spread, prompting her to want to check for herself. In addition, the two showed disagreements over spending habits regarding their hobbies.

Meanwhile, photos of the two remain on Young-cheol's social media without being deleted as of this day.

Young-cheol is a researcher with a doctorate, and Young-ja is a piano player who runs a piano academy. Young-cheol's ex-wife is raising the children he had from his previous marriage, and Young-ja is raising her teenage son alone from her previous marriage.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Caricature artist Seo Eun-hye (formerly known as Jung Eun-hye) has directly addressed rumors regarding a divorce from her husband, Cho Young-nam.

On the 31st, Seo shared her current status via the community tab of her YouTube channel, stating, "We are living well."

She stated, "It seems that fake news and videos about our divorce are spreading (especially by a malicious aYouTuber called 'K-Pop Hot Issues'), but we are in love and working happily more than ever."

She added, "Lately, because it's vacation season, many customers from all over the country are visiting our cafe. A few days ago, I also hugged actor Yang Mi-kyung." She continued, "Unless something special happens, my husband and I are always waiting for customers at the cafe, drawing requested pictures, and acting affectionate whenever we get a chance."

Seo Eun-hye and Cho Young-nam got married in May of last year. The two first met at a workplace for individuals with developmental disabilities, and it has been reported that Seo is preparing to have a second child.

Meanwhile, Seo Eun-hye left a deep impression by appearing as Han Ji min's twin sister in the 2022 tvN drama "Our Blues."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Director Yoon Dan-bi's new film "The World Before" has been officially invited to the New Directors section of the 74th San Sebastián International Film Festival.

The San Sebastián International Film Festival, where "The World Before" has been invited, will be held from September 18 to 26 in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain, as the Spanish-speaking world's most prestigious international film festival.

"The World Before" was named to the New Directors section, which focuses on the first or second feature films of emerging directors. Previously, the film was also invited to the Platform section, a competitive category at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival.

"The World Before" tells the story of 17-year-old Jin-i, living on an island not connected by land, who encounters Du-jae, who returns to the island for his grandmother's funeral. This is director Yoon Dan-bi's second feature-length fiction film, starring actor Shim Su-bin as 17-year-old girl Jin and actor Kim Eo-jin as Du-jae.

Director Yoon Dan-bi made her feature debut with "Moving On" (2019), drawing attention by winning Best New Director awards at numerous film festivals and award ceremonies, including the Baeksang Arts Awards.

The film is scheduled for a domestic theatrical release in 2027.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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"I can't believe they actually filmed this."

It has been revealed that actor Zo In-sung performed the dangerous road chase scene in the movie "HOPE" entirely without a stunt double, sending shockwaves through fans.

On July 31, the production company for "HOPE", Forged Films, released a making-of video on its official social media capturing the highlight chase sequence between Sung-ki (played by Zo In-sung) and a vehicle in the latter half of the film.

In this scene, Sung-ki escapes the pursuit of an alien on horseback before leaping onto a moving police car in a high-stakes, breathless moment. Shifting from a running horse to a moving vehicle delivered intense tension and fear while simultaneously drawing chuckles for its sheer surrealism. However, when it was revealed that this stunt was performed directly by the actor rather than through CGI or a double, netizen reactions quickly escalated from surprise to outright shock.

Most assumed the sequence was completed using a combination of a stunt double and computer graphics. Yet, the making-of video released by Forged Films showed Zo In-sung actually clinging to a speeding car, bending and arching his waist in real life.

In fact, the chasing alien was added later via CGI. Zo In-sung had to cling to the speeding vehicle while frantically acting out sheer terror against an invisible, computer-generated threat.

The making-of video spread rapidly across various online communities, sparking explosive reactions. Comments filled with awe poured in, such as, "This wasn't filmed with CGI on a set???", "Insane, he did this without a stunt double", "No wonder people are saying he's an alien", "I feel so sorry for laughing during this scene", and "Zo In-sung is insanely amazing and Na Hong-jin is ruthless."

In a previous interview for "HOPE", Zo In-sung shared that when he first received casting offers from director Na Hong-jin, he honestly confessed his physical condition made it difficult for him to properly perform action sequences. In reality, the cartilage in both of his knees had worn down, making heavy running difficult for him.

At the same time, he expressed his philosophy by stating, "Holding back your body in a movie by director Na Hong-jin doesn't make any sense, and that wouldn't be a Na Hong-jin film." Once filming for "HOPE" began, Zo In-sung dove into intense action stunts without holding back, bypassing only the running scenes while performing even more grueling physical feats himself.

Meanwhile, "HOPE" surpassed 3 million moviegoers nationwide in just 11 days since its release and is now aiming to break the 4 million mark this weekend.

<Photo = Forged Films> 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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KBS web variety show "Donseontae Success Era," which drew attention as the first solo-hosted variety program for former Chungju city public official and YouTuber Kim Seon-tae, has been entirely scrapped ahead of its broadcast schedule.

KBS announced in an official statement on the 31st, "After multiple discussions, we have accepted Kim Seon-tae's intention to step down and canceled both the digital and broadcast schedules." KBS added, "We take very seriously the fact that this could have caused discomfort and hurt to our cast members and viewers. We deeply apologize for this."

Earlier that day, Kim Seon-tae explained the background behind his decision to step down voluntarily through his YouTube channel. He said, "It is not because I lack ability or because I have an agency, but I had difficulties with communication issues with the production team." He added, "Deciding to step down voluntarily is not actually easy. There are contracts, and a broadcasting station is a heavy place. They trusted me and gave me a regular schedule, but I did not have that kind of ability."

This controversy began when a pre-release video for the program was posted on the YouTube channel "Kebaeksu Original" on the 29th.

In the video, Kim Seon-tae faced criticism after directly bringing up RESCENE member WONI's past "museopno" controversy and asking, "Was there anyone who asked if this might be viral marketing?" The controversy grew as it was revealed that the video's hashtags included the names of numerous political and business figures unrelated to RESCENE. The video was switched to private about four hours after its release.

Regarding the hashtag controversy, KBS explained, "Hashtags related to specific individuals used in the previous 'Teaser 2' video were applied as they were to the preview 'Shorts' video." They added, "Due to the production team's carelessness in failing to check this during the upload process, the hashtags were posted."

The broadcaster further stated, "The production team has no intention whatsoever to associate RESCENE with specific individuals for political purposes or any other intent through those hashtags, nor were they intentionally used for viral marketing or securing view counts."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Kim Minha has been selected as the sole host for the opening ceremony of the 31st Busan International Film Festival.

Since her debut in 2016, Kim Minha has steadily built her own filmography across both the screen and television. She notably drew widespread attention for her role as the young Sunja in the globally acclaimed Apple TV+ series "Pachinko" (2022, 2024), where she delicately and densely portrayed a character living a resilient life amidst the turbulence of the era. Building on this performance, she won the Rising Star Award in the TV category at the 2022 Asian American Awards, proving her potential on the international stage.

She has since been expanding her acting spectrum by moving across various genres, including the dramas "Light Shop" (2024), "Way Back Love" (2025), "Typhoon Family" (2025), and the film "Hana Korea" (2026). Her progressive steps and solid acting skills have led to critical acclaim both domestically and internationally. She successively won the Best Actress in International Competition at the 2025 Seoul International Drama Awards, Best New Actress at the 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards, and Best Actress (Rising Star) at the 2026 Korea First Brand Awards, firmly establishing her presence as a leading next-generation Korean actor and icon.

The Busan International Film Festival stated, "This host selection is the result of focusing on actor Kim Minha's unique path, as she has faithfully represented the inner sides of characters with in-depth interpretations in every work. We expect that Kim Minha, who has captivated audiences with her earnest yet bold demeanor through diverse project activities, will showcase steady hosting at this opening ceremony that will further brighten the prestige of the festival."

The 31st Busan International Film Festival with Kim Minha will be held for 10 days from Tuesday, October 6 to Thursday, October 15 around the Busan Cinema Center. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Actor Moon Geun-young shared her thoughts on being touched by fans' responses following her marriage announcement.

On the 30th, she posted on her social media account, saying, "I choked up seeing so many congratulations. It was a time to deeply feel how much I am being loved," adding, "Thank you, thank you so much for celebrating and supporting me. I will live happily and beautifully as much as you have congratulated me. Thank you once again from the bottom of my heart."

On the 29th, Moon Geun-young announced her marriage to actor Jung Pyung, with whom she has been in a relationship for about seven years, through a handwritten letter. The two reportedly tied the knot without holding a separate wedding ceremony, simply sharing a meal with their families. Because the news of their marriage came without any prior dating rumors, many fans expressed surprise. Sincere congratulatory messages soon followed.

Jung Pyung, her spouse, is a musical and theater actor seven years her senior. They are also known to have worked together in the creative collective Bachi, which Moon Geun-young led as a director.

Moon Geun-young plans to continue her active career even after marriage. She recently stood on stage for the play "Orphans" and also appeared on tvN's "You Quiz on the Block". She has finished filming director Yeon Sang-ho's new project "Yeto" and has also joined the SBS audition program "The Ballad of Us".

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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YouTuber Yu Hye-ju (LIJULIKE) has opened up about the heartbreaking passing of her father just three days after welcoming her second son.

In a video uploaded to her YouTube channel "LIJULIKE" on July 30th titled "[VLOG] D-13 Until Childbirth, Our Story That Paused for a Moment," Yu shared the news of her father's death, explaining, "My father was diagnosed with rectal cancer six years ago. After the cancer metastasized to his pelvis and worsened, he underwent a lot of chemotherapy until treatment became difficult. He passed away a month after being transferred to a hospice hospital."

Yu, who gave birth to her second son on July 19th, lost her father on July 22nd. After holding the funeral, she reportedly returned to a postpartum care center to look after her health.

As the eldest daughter, Yu emphasized that after her father's cancer diagnosis, her entire family gathered to live in Busan and spent time together without regrets. She added, "There were many times when our family forgave and resolved past hurts. My siblings took turns caring for him in the hospital, and my father himself said while he was alive, 'I am truly happy. I am the happiest right now.'"

She also shared the reason for continuing to release YouTube content, saying, "My father often told us siblings, 'I'll do what I need to do, so you guys do what you need to do.' I told my younger siblings that we should also keep doing our work and live diligently so that our father wouldn't have to worry."

Regarding her current frame of mind, she shed tears as she said, "Having seen how much my father suffered because of the cancer, I actually feel more at ease knowing that his pain is gone. The only sadness is simply the longing of not being able to see my father anymore."

Yu married in 2019 and has two sons. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Director Na Hong-jin, who helmed the film "HOPE", explained the details of the movie during a GV (Guest Visit) with Director Kim Jee-woon.

On July 29, a special GV featuring Director Na Hong-jin and Director Kim Jee-woon was held to an enthusiastic response from the audience at Megabox COEX.

Director Kim Jee-woon, who mentioned that this was his first time hosting a GV in his film directing career, shared his impressions of the work, saying, "I felt like I was watching it in a state of ecstasy for two and a half hours. It ended too quickly, so I wanted to watch another 20 to 30 minutes," and "It felt like stepping into the world led by Director Na Hong-jin. It is a film that powerfully and ecstatically shows what cinematic cinema is."

Regarding the planning intention of the work, Director Na Hong-jin explained, "When considering how to understand the current state of humanity, I wanted to view it from a cosmic perspective." In response, Director Kim Jee-woon praised the energy of "HOPE," which races with an unpredictable rhythm, stating, "Human ignorance in the face of incomprehensible existence and irrationality becomes the driving force, creating a spectacle of immense kinetic energy."

During the audience Q&A session, various questions surrounding the film along with colorful behind-the-scenes stories from the filming set heated up the atmosphere even more. While discussing the high-difficulty action sequences, Director Kim Jee-woon shared his vivid impressions of the road-racing sequence that is talked about as a memorable scene in the film, saying, "Watching the horse action scene filmed on the Seonggi Bridge, an asphalt overpass, I thought Zo In-sung was amazing. Riding a horse in such a dizzying place about 50 meters high with his upper body coming over the railing, knowing the bridge originally, I thought it must have been difficult (to film)."

Next, when asked about the process of building characters, Director Na Hong-jin mentioned "Mukbang" (eating broadcasts) and answered, "To portray a living creature-like feeling that keeps wriggling and surviving even when killed, I wanted to capture it through (the characters) eating in a combative manner." In addition, to Director Kim Jee-woon's question about future OTT screening plans for "HOPE", Director Na Hong-jin drew attention by stating, "There are no plans to screen 'HOPE' on OTT platforms yet. I will do my best until that final day."

On this day, Jung Hoyeon, who worked together with Director Kim Jee-woon on his upcoming project, was also present in the audience and heated up the atmosphere by asking a surprise question.

Finally, Director Kim Jee-woon did not spare encouragement and praise for Director Na Hong-jin, stating, "As the production environment worsened after the pandemic and investments shrank, repeating the vicious cycle where safe planned movies are made and ignored by audiences, I think Director Na Hong-jin has created 'HOPE', a spectacle overflowing with the madness and grit we so desperately wanted. As a creator, I am grateful and happy."

The film "HOPE" surpassed 3 million moviegoers nationwide in 11 days of its release, and is challenging to surpass 4 million this weekend.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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The operational methods of "Cemter of Inspiration," the one-person agency established by the duo AKMU (Lee Chan-hyuk, Lee Su-hyun) after leaving YG Entertainment after 12 years, have been revealed.

A video titled "AKMU Suhyun's Day" was released on Kian84's YouTube channel on the 30th. It featured Kian84 personally visiting the "Cemter of Inspiration" office and receiving a tour from Lee Suhyun.

Lee Suhyun stated, "We are using the basement and the second floor of a building, and including my brother and me, there are 10 employees." Half of the employees are reportedly former YG Entertainment staff who joined through job transitions.

The office interior was free-spirited itself. Instead of individual partitions or separate rooms, AKMU shared a single table with spaces divided by curtains. Introducing her desk, Lee Suhyun also shared a special hobby, saying, "What I do here is touch Mallang-i or give Mallang-i as gifts to people."

Lee Chan-hyuk's desk was separately called the "Cemter Head" position. Regarding the work system, Lee Suhyun shared, "We have a four-day workweek, and we designate every Tuesday as fitness day, doing about an hour and a half of group exercise together." In addition, Lee Suhyun was called "Princess" within the company. Employees are called with their family names attached, such as "Inspiration Son," "Inspiration Kim," "Inspiration Roh," "Inspiration Ko," and "Inspiration Hwang."

The company name "Cemter of Inspiration" was first revealed last April through tvN's "You Quiz on the Block." At the time, Lee Chan-hyuk explained, "Ever since our pre-debut auditions, we were asked 'Where do you get your inspiration?' so many times that we simply decided to name the place where we are the Cemter of Inspiration." He also drew attention by assessing the welfare level compared to his previous workplace, saying, "After working for about two months, it's a place you can bet your life on."

Siblings Lee Chan-hyuk and Lee Su-hyun debuted through YG Entertainment in 2014 and promoted for 12 years before setting up an independent agency when their exclusive contract with YG Entertainment ended in December of last year.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Broadcaster Kim Seon-tae has announced his voluntary departure from his program, taking responsibility for the controversy surrounding girl group RESCENE. This comes just a day after he apologized for the controversy that erupted on the 29th.

On the 31st, Kim uploaded a video to his YouTube channel, saying, "I suppose I had too much ambition. I wanted to try hosting a terrestrial broadcast solo host gig, so I gave it a shot, but it really wasn't easy."

He explained the background of his decision to step down voluntarily, stating, "It's not that I lacked capability or that my agency did something. Operating on my own, I felt an overall lack of smoothness, and to be honest, I also experienced difficulties in communication with the production team. I felt a lot of shortcomings in leading a broadcast as a solo host."

He added, "Making the decision to step down voluntarily is actually not easy. There are contracts involved, and a broadcast station is a heavy entity. They trusted me and scheduled a regular broadcast, but I simply didn't have that capability."

Kim shared that he had called his agency's CEO early the previous morning to apologize directly, and that he had also apologized to the RESCENE members. "I was told that the members actually worried about me before I even reached out to them," he said, adding, "This incident gave me a chance to look back at myself. I found myself thinking a lot about whether I had truly lost my original intentions."

Previously, on the 29th, a pre-release video for the KBS show "Faith Success Era" was uploaded to the YouTube channel "KBS Original."

In the video, Kim drew criticism for directly bringing up past controversy involving RESCENE member WONI, asking, "Wasn't there anyone who said this was viral marketing?" Pointing out that he had brought up a controversy that had already been put to rest, criticism mounted alongside revelations that the video's hashtags included the names of numerous political and business figures unrelated to RESCENE. The video was made private about four hours after its release.

On the 30th, Kim uploaded a video titled "I Am Sorry," stating, "I first saw the pre-release video around 8:40 PM yesterday," and adding, "As soon as I recognized that a problem had occurred, I asked the production team to delete the video."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Amid growing controversy surrounding the decision of BTS to skip the Grammys, an explanatory post shared by an industry insider who claimed involvement in introducing a new Grammy category has sparked backlash in overseas online communities.

Gina Coda, known as a brand and entertainment marketing industry insider, posted her stance across three Instagram Stories on the 30th regarding the controversy over the new Grammy category "Best Asian Music Performance." It was in the form of a personal social media story rather than an official statement, and the account is currently set to private.

Introducing herself as one of the individuals who pushed to establish the "Best Asian Music Performance" category within the committee, she claimed, "It has become a media campaign based on a narrative completely unrelated to the purpose for which this category was created."

She continued, explaining, "The intention was to honor it at the highest level of the Academy. We know pop is not the only category where Asian artists exist, but this was intended as a first step in a broader direction to give us more voice and power."

She also directly expressed disappointment regarding the decision made by BTS. She wrote, "We were torn down by one of the biggest Asian artists. It is unfortunate that rather than taking a bold action aimed at generating buzz, there could have been more meaningful behind-the-scenes conversations to understand what the actual intent was," adding, "It makes me question whether we can truly unite as one."

In particular, she emphasized that the newly established category was not meant for BTS. Pre-facing that "this is a newly established category and its first implementation, so it cannot be perfect," she elaborated, "BTS has always been eligible to apply in other pop categories. It was for artists who needed more spotlight, which simply didn't exist before, and securing representation was a true mission for many of us."

Many music fans responded that they could not agree with this explanation.

Counter-arguments followed that since BTS is already an artist with five Grammy nominations and multiple Billboard main chart toppings, there was no need to grant visibility through a separate category. In particular, criticisms were raised that the category's standard of "Asian pop," which is difficult to divide by specific languages and cultures, lacks realism. Some BTS fans suspected that the timing of the new category announcement—right after the full-group comeback and album success of BTS, and just two months before the Grammy submission deadline—was very suspicious.

The spark for this controversy dates back to the 29th. The seven members of BTS shared through personal social media channels that day, "We have decided not to submit to the Grammys this year," adding, "We hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language."

The Recording Academy explained through a statement in the name of CEO Harvey Mason Jr. the next day, the 30th, stating, "It was established to celebrate the depth, diversity, and incredible growth of pop music coming out of Asia," and adding, "Submitting in a genre category does not exclude an entry from consideration in the general field categories." 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Behind the soaring success of the SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Agent Kim Reactivated," which surpassed 20 percent in viewership ratings and came to a spectacular close, was a passionate paternal narrative at its core. At the center of it all were actor So Jisub, who played the role of Agent Kim and risked everything to save his daughter, and rookie Seo Su-min, who played the daughter, Minji, capturing viewers' protective instincts and completing the drama's emotional immersion.

Director Lee Seung-young, who directed "Agent Kim Reactivated," opened up about the behind-the-scenes casting process and filming experience during a wrap-up interview with the press held at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 30th, calmly sharing the exceptional presence and deep resonance the two actors brought to the project.

The entire narrative of "Agent Kim Reactivated" starts from the clear premise that a father rescues his daughter in danger. Therefore, the role of the daughter, Minji, went beyond a simple supporting character and had to be the most carefully considered casting choice, providing the driving force for the entire drama. Director Lee recalled the casting process, stating, "For this story to start off powerfully, not only the father but also the viewers needed to feel a desperate urge to save that child."

"We reviewed about 200 profiles of existing actors. They all had such wonderful acting skills, but it was difficult to find the exact right person who perfectly matched the specific image we were looking for. Eventually, we started reviewing rookies separately."

At that time, what caught Director Lee's eye was a simple video of Seo Su-min that looked like it was shot on a cell phone at a profile photo studio. In the video, where she struck free poses rather than standardized acting, the director discovered the potential for Minji.

"We asked for an acting video, but she was a complete rookie who didn't even have a prepared acting video ready. After verifying her through a free acting video practiced at an academy, we started holding auditions with candidates from then on. Countless candidates passed through the auditions, which went up to the fifth final round, but we became convinced that the actor Seo Su-min absolutely had to be in 'Agent Kim Reactivated'."

Although filming began under the heavy pressure of a debut project, the consideration on set and Seo Su-min's boldness truly shone. Director Lee expressed his gratitude, saying, "When you act for the first time, you tend to shrink in front of the camera, your fellow actors, and the gazes of numerous staff members, and I want to praise actor Seo Su-min for overcoming that and delivering her own performance. Thanks to the senior actors and staff members who warmly considered her without anyone being unfriendly on set, she was able to adapt quickly despite being a rookie."

Based on the webtoon of the same name, "Agent Kim Reactivated" is an action revenge drama about an ordinary father trying to win back his daughter, and it wrapped up its grand journey on the 25th. The final episode of "Agent Kim Reactivated" achieved its highest viewership rating yet, bringing it to a successful close with 23.0 percent nationwide and 23.4 percent in the metropolitan area, according to Nielsen Korea. It also created a massive storm in the global market, ranking first in the Netflix non-English TV show category for three consecutive weeks.

Proving both public appeal and artistic quality, "Agent Kim Reactivated" is signaling yet another beginning by embarking on positive discussions for a second season right alongside its conclusion.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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"I'm still overwhelmed by how much love I've received. It feels like I'm being pranked."

Actor So Jisub, who set major records with the SBS Fri-Sat drama "Agent Kim Reactivated" by surpassing 20% in viewership ratings and claiming the global number one spot on Netflix's Non-English TV shows, shared his thoughts on the show's massive success.

During an interview held at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 30th, So Jisub expressed his astonishment over the popularity of "Agent Kim Reactivated," saying, "Until the press conference, I just thought 'I hope it exceeds 10%,' so I never expected this at all."

Although he is a veteran actor celebrating his 30th year since debut, the success of this project was uniquely special to him. So Jisub showed deep affection for the project, stating, "If I had to pick the first chapter of my acting career, 'I'm Sorry, I Love You' is definitely unforgettable, and 'Agent Kim Reactivated' feels like the second chapter that follows it."

He continued, "Even people who wouldn't normally acknowledge me on the street now call out 'Agent Kim!' to me. I've also received many messages from dads around me saying they found themselves tearing up without realizing it." He added with a smile, "I was shocked to see an article calling me the number one rising star. In my 30th year since debut, I wonder if this is a new beginning."

Based on the webtoon of the same name, "Agent Kim Reactivated" is an action thriller about an ordinary father who goes on a revenge mission to rescue his daughter, and it wrapped up its run on the 25th. The final episode of "Agent Kim Reactivated" achieved massive success, recording a nationwide viewership rating of 23.0% and 23.4% in the metropolitan area according to Nielsen Korea. The series also maintained its popularity in the global market by ranking number one in the Netflix Non-English TV category for three consecutive weeks.

In this project, So Jisub played the role of "Agent Kim," a father who risks everything to get his daughter back, delivering intense action and profound paternal love. Regarding the differences from his previous work "Mercy for None," he explained, "While 'Mercy for None' featured moth-to-a-flame action that ended only when I died, Agent Kim's action was a process of surviving together with his daughter. I pursued showing emotions first and action second. I incorporated details of inflicting pain on someone without killing them. I tried to avoid passing, unnecessary action."

Expressing his desire to become an actor who can perform action acting for a long time like Liam Neeson, So Jisub also responded positively to the possibility of a second season for "Agent Kim Reactivated." He added, "It would be nice if season two happens, but since there was a major storyline about finding his daughter this time, he can't lose his daughter again next time, so figuring out what major storyline to take on seems like it will be the biggest challenge."

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(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Singer JENNIE claimed the top spot on a music broadcast with her new song alone, without any promotional TV appearances.

JENNIE received the first-place trophy for her new song "Less than a Lover" on Mnet's "M Countdown" broadcast on the 30th. It is a result achieved purely through digital music scores, without any separate stage performances or broadcast appearances.

Domestic digital music performance also provided solid backing. "Less than a Lover" ranked first side by side on the Bugs real-time chart and Apple Music's "Today's Top 100: South Korea" chart, and continues to maintain the top spot on YouTube's top trending videos in Korea chart.

Overseas performance figures are also notable. It took first place across China's top three music platforms: QQ Music, NetEase Music, and Kugou Music. Notably, on QQ Music, it became the only female solo single released this year to receive a gold certification. In addition, it ranked high on Apple Music's "Top Songs" chart in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos, and on Spotify's "Daily Top Songs" chart in South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore.

On the iTunes "Top Songs" chart, it ranked first in 27 countries and regions including Vietnam, Chile, Indonesia, and Peru, setting the record for the most first-place finishes among K-pop solo songs released this year. The music video also ranked first on YouTube Music Video Trending Worldwide, as well as the YouTube video trending charts in South Korea and the United States.

"Less than a Lover" is a song that JENNIE participated in writing and composing, capturing the excitement and lingering emotions of a relationship that is neither lovers nor friends. It is an alternative pop genre utilizing lo-fi guitar and vintage electric keyboard sounds.

JENNIE is set to take the stage as a headliner at "Lollapalooza Chicago" in the United States on August 1, and is also scheduled to perform at "Summer Sonic 2026" held in Tokyo on August 14 and Osaka on August 16.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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A2O MAY, a multinational girl group formed overseas by former SM Entertainment producer and founder Lee Soo-man, is set to appear on a Korean music broadcast for the first time since their debut.

Composed entirely of members who are Chinese or Chinese-American, A2O MAY has focused its activities mainly on the United States and China following their global debut, making this their first entry into the domestic market.

According to A2O Entertainment, following the release of their new song "Love Got Me Ooh," A2O MAY has been named as a candidate for pre-voting on Mnet's "M Countdown," confirming their first domestic music show appearance. The agency explained that reactions have continued to pour in on domestic online communities and social media following the release of their music video.

A2O MAY is a five-member group that debuted on December 20, 2024. In the U.S., starting with their debut track "Under My Skin" and followed by "BOSS," "B.B.B (Bigger Badder Better)," and "PAPARAZZI ARRIVE," they have entered the Mediabase TOP40 mainstream radio chart eight times. "PAPARAZZI ARRIVE" tied for No. 1 with Justin Bieber on the U.S. TOP40 Airplay "Most Added" chart. The group has also performed on the official pre-shows for "Wango Tango" and New York's "Jingle Ball," and achieved milestones such as entering the TOP10 of the Billboard Emerging Artists chart.

In China, their first EP "PAPARAZZI ARRIVE" climbed to the top ranks of major QQ Music charts, and their new song "Love Got Me Ooh" debuted at No. 1 on the QQ Music New Songs chart. On July 19, "Love Got Me Ooh" and its coupled track "Rain On My Parade" claimed the No. 1 and No. 2 spots side by side on the QQ Music Real-Time Listening Popularity Chart.

Following a management dispute within SM Entertainment in 2023, Lee Soo-man left SM and established Blooming Grace along with its subsidiary A2O Entertainment. A2O MAY is the first group he has presented since leaving SM, featuring a lineup entirely of local members without any Korean members. Industry insiders interpret this as a reflection of Lee's localization phase from his previously proposed "Hallyu 3-Stage Theory," which involves transplanting K-pop production methods to local groups.

A2O Entertainment plans to unveil its first domestic rookie debut team in the second half of this year.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor So Jisub opened up about his rigorous self-management routine and his thoughtful gestures toward the production staff.

During an interview on July 30 at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul, following the conclusion of the SBS Fri-Sat drama "Agent Kim Reactivated", So Jisub talked about the behind-the-scenes story of gifting gold to the staff who worked hard on set.

He shared his warm sincerity, saying, "Creating a single project does not happen with just one person doing well. It is a token of my gratitude for everyone coming together and doing their best. I also gave gold during my previous project "Mercy for None", and the response was the best, so I prepared it again. Rather than being sponsored, I have custom messages engraved on them. I hope that when they look back on this project in the future, it will be cherished as a good memory in their hearts."

So Jisub, who expressed his gratitude to the "Agent Kim Reactivated" staff on multiple occasions, specifically mentioned the crew members who struggled while filming water cannon scenes in the dead of winter during the Myeongpohang episode.

Giving credit to them, So Jisub said, "Even in the harsh cold where the ground froze the moment the rain fell, not a single person frowned or showed any displeasure, and everyone did their best in their respective positions. That image still remains in my mind like a photograph. I was truly grateful."

He attributed his perfect physique and ability to pull off action scenes in his late 40s to thorough self-management. So Jisub, who exercises to the extreme when he has a hard time until he cannot think about anything else, maintains a strict daily routine. "If I have no schedule, I eat breakfast, box for two hours, and work out at the gym for an hour in the afternoon. I have dinner at home," he said candidly, adding with honesty that cracked everyone up, "These days, working out alone is not enough, so I occasionally go to the dermatology clinic."

He also shared his honest feelings about his long-standing nickname, "So Ganzi". Smiling, he said, "When I first heard it, I was very nervous and felt burdened, so I tried hard to live up to it. But now, it has become a very grateful and precious nickname that only applies to me."

Finally, bidding farewell to the character Kim Bu-jang that he portrayed, So Jisub said, "He was a very lonely man who came from the North to the South and raised his daughter alone, but it was fortunate that he had his daughter and friends. I want to tell him, 'You were lonely, but you were cool.'"

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(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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While actor Hwang Jung-min has maintained that he suffered stalking from an individual who posted malicious content about him, the poster, identified as A, has denied the claims and continued a series of exposés.

On July 30, A took to social media to refute the official statement released by Hwang Jung-min's agency, SEM Company. A emphasized, "The stalking case is undergoing a formal trial, so a final guilty verdict has not been confirmed," adding, "We have appealed the summary order of a 3 million won fine and requested a formal trial."

Previously, SEM Company stated, "The writer of the malicious posts regarding Hwang Jung-min is a stalking crime suspect who has continuously harassed him." The agency added, "Hwang Jung-min has filed a criminal complaint against the suspect, and the court has issued three temporary protective measures, including restraining orders. The court also recognized the stalking charges and issued a summary order for a 3 million won fine."

In response, A stated that it is not a finalized guilty verdict and mentioned that the first-instance hearing for a 200 million won damages lawsuit filed against Hwang Jung-min is still ongoing. A also emphasized that the court's temporary restraining order was merely an interim measure intended to protect the complainant.

A claimed that their relationship started as a fan and an actor, but that Hwang Jung-min first reached out in August 2023, initiating a "private exchange."

According to A, the two first met at the press preview for the film "Smugglers" in August 2023. A claimed they exchanged contact information and met a total of four times until late 2024, with communication cutting off around May of last year.

During this process, A revealed that Hwang Jung-min proposed a soju brand business. A claimed to have worked on related tasks as a design practitioner, but suffered major damages when Hwang Jung-min unilaterally cut off contact.

A has repeatedly insisted that the relationship was a mutual "private exchange." Addressing a report by Dispatch stating that "Hwang Jung-min and A met a total of three times with no physical contact," A countered with claims to the effect of, "Strictly speaking, there was contact even during our first meeting."

A emphasized this issue as "emotional, sexual, and labor exploitation that occurred under significant power asymmetry," stating, "What I have demanded for the past two years is solely a direct explanation from Hwang Jung-min." A expressed their views, adding, "The substantive truth of our relationship cannot be masked by, nor should it be buried under, a single procedural incident of 'stalking' that arose during the course of the relationship."

On the other hand, Hwang Jung-min has classified A's actions as "stalking," claiming that A caused harm not only to him but also to his family, including approaching his son. Nevertheless, A has continued to contact various media outlets and carry on with exposés against Hwang Jung-min even after the official statement from Hwang's side.

Hwang Jung-min, who is currently greeting audiences with the film "HOPE," plans to proceed with scheduled stage greetings this weekend.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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After surpassing 20% in viewership ratings and sweeping the number one spot on Netflix's global charts to become this year's hottest drama, the SBS Friday-Saturday series "Agent Kim Reactivated" has taken its first steps toward a potential second season.

Director Lee Seung-young, who helmed "Agent Kim Reactivated", shared the update during a wrap-up interview with reporters at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 30th regarding the possibility of a second season, which has been a major point of interest for viewers. "Starting last week, the people involved have begun official discussions in a positive direction," he stated.

Based on the webtoon of the same name, "Agent Kim Reactivated" is a revenge action drama about an ordinary father who sets out to rescue his daughter, and it successfully concluded its run on the 25th. The finale of "Agent Kim Reactivated" achieved massive success, recording 23.0% nationwide and 23.4% in the metropolitan area according to Nielsen Korea. The series also maintained its global popularity by ranking first in the Netflix non-English TV shows category for three consecutive weeks.

In the final episode of "Agent Kim Reactivated", Agent Kim (So Jisub) safely rescued his daughter Minji and returned to his happy everyday life. However, the ending showed Agent Kim visiting a place called Baekho Labor Agency and meeting a new character named Lee Do-gyu, sparking a flood of speculation about whether it was hinting at a second season of "Agent Kim Reactivated".

Regarding this, Director Lee said, "The ending of season 1 is indeed an open ending. It was an open ending that kept season 2 in mind, but even if it hadn't, it was designed in a way that left room for possibilities."

Director Lee had already hinted at the possibility of a seasonal format for "Agent Kim Reactivated" as early as the SBS Drama Media Day held before the show premiered. However, after the show's actual success, he kept quiet about it.

Explaining why he refrained from mentioning season 2 specifics, Director Lee confessed, "During filming, we were busy shooting day by day. After filming ended, we were tied up with post-production, and once it aired, the response was much hotter than expected, so I spent a nervous month on edge. Because I was in a state that was both joyful and tense, any talk about season 2 up to that point was just joking around."

Now that the project has successfully drawn its grand curtain while proving both its commercial success and artistic quality, the situation has begun to turn serious. Director Lee raised anticipation by sharing, "Starting last week, we finally began having serious conversations about season 2. Since we are just at the stage of starting discussions, we plan to talk things over in an orderly and measured manner."

Behind the scenes of how discussions for season 2 could quickly gain positive momentum so soon after "Agent Kim Reactivated" ended lie not only the drama's phenomenal popularity but also the overwhelming teamwork and affection shared by the staff and cast who led the set. Even in harsh conditions, such as high-difficulty action scenes filmed while spraying water in the freezing midwinter cold, the team was united by perfectionism without a single complaint.

Recalling the experience, Director Lee said, "At the wrap party, everyone was sad that we wouldn't be going to the filming set anymore, and at the end-of-broadcast party, while trying to humbly accept the good results, we freely shared the joy of our success among ourselves. Finding a project where not only the process was good, but the results are this grateful is an amazing experience that happens only a few times in a lifetime for a director or an actor."

Given that lead actor So Jisub along with cast members Joo Sang Wook, Yoon Kyungho, and others hold an exceptional affection for the project and the team, specific discussions regarding season 2 are expected to deepen further during their reward vacation. Director Lee stated, "The reward vacation will be an opportunity to set aside the word 'Agent Kim Reactivated' and rest for a bit," while unable to hide his deep affection for his team members.

Based on its webtoon origin, "Agent Kim Reactivated" left a deep resonance on the small screen by harmoniously blending intense paternal love to protect one's child and the humanity of multidimensional characters, going beyond a simple cathartic revenge story. Director Lee Seung-young's directing style, which balanced plausible action and cheerful comedy instead of brutal killings, was also cited as a primary contributor to its box office success.

Analyzing the factors behind the show's popularity, Director Lee remarked, "I think that paternal love and the yearning for humane characters are a universally powerful force across both the East and the West. Even in extremely urgent situations because of his daughter, the character in 'Agent Kim Reactivated' does not treat human life lightly. We didn't shoot a single scene where Agent Kim takes a human life. Viewers wouldn't like it just because the protagonist goes around beating up bad people. I think the response came from the combination of characters being human yet providing cathartic, refreshing thrills, where justice and poetic justice prevail. I believe people liked seeing justice and righteousness upheld, even if just within a drama."

Anticipation is already building over what kind of narrative and action "Agent Kim Reactivated", which has officially set sail, will return with. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Do you remember Typhoon Rusa?

On the July 30 broadcast of SBS "Tails of Tales", the program revisited the day Typhoon Rusa struck the Korean Peninsula, recording the highest number of casualties since 2000 and the largest amount of property damage ever caused by a typhoon under the subtitle "The Forgotten People - Typhoon Rusa".

On August 31, 2002, Typhoon Rusa struck. While the entire country was under the influence of the typhoon, the area that took the direct hit was Gangneung, Gangwon Province.

Typhoon Rusa caused the highest number of casualties since 2000, with 8 missing and 238 dead. The property damage at the time reached a staggering 5.1479 trillion won, making it the record-holder for the highest property damage caused by a typhoon in history.

Daily rainfall far exceeding several times the average precipitation of the monsoon season caused landslides, washed-out roads, and damages in various places. Consequently, the Gangneung Fire Station was in utter chaos with a barrage of calls from people requesting rescue.

Then an even bigger crisis struck. The floodgates of the Obong Dam in Gangneung, which played a role in preventing flood damage in the downstream lowlands, would not open. With power outages in the Gangneung area due to the torrential rain leaving the gates uncontrollable, failing to open the gates meant that if the Obong Dam collapsed, Gangneung could be completely wiped off the map of the Korean Peninsula in a worst-case scenario.

Amidst such a situation, evacuations were underway across various parts of Gangneung. Among those evacuating to higher ground was Gyu-tae and his family. Gyu-tae and his family were escaping to higher ground in a car. As their vehicle was being swept away by the rapid currents, Gyu-tae escaped the car with his family to survive.

Holding his wife in one arm and his two daughters in the other, he stepped forward carefully, step by step. However, at a certain moment, the strength in his arm gave out, and his wife was swept away by the rapid current right before his eyes. And Gyu-tae had no choice but to simply watch.

Just as he took another careful step forward to protect even his two daughters, his second daughter disappeared before he knew it. A moment later, Gyu-tae even lost his grip on his eldest daughter's hand. He, too, was swept away by the fierce current in an instant.

Afterward, Gyu-tae barely managed to save his life. However, his wife and two daughters were nowhere to be seen, and their fates remained unknown.

And then, the floodgates of the Obong Dam, which had been at risk of collapse, opened. Yet an even greater problem awaited them. With the record-breaking rainfall, the water pouring in was greater than the water escaping through the opened gates, leaving the water level just one meter below its maximum level.

Faced with an unprecedented situation, the Mayor of Gangneung fell into deep contemplation over whether to issue an emergency evacuation order for the entire city of Gangneung. While the entire city needed to evacuate, an evacuation order could also trigger an even greater panic. In the end, the mayor decided to wait for the typhoon to pass and did not issue an emergency evacuation order.

As night fell, the rain dramatically stopped, the water level of the Obong Dam dropped, and the worst-case scenario was thus averted. However, the next day, Gangneung was left looking like a wasteland.

At the time, there were some 23,000 flood victims in Gangneung. Firefighters immediately set out to search for the missing persons starting the next day.

Captain Kim Young-gon was serving as a company commander for the Gangneung Iron Wall Unit when Typhoon Rusa made landfall. After all his unit members had evacuated, he managed to make a check-in call to his wife, before news of his disappearance broke the next day.

Right after finishing his phone call with his wife, he went out to control traffic, but unable to ignore the desperate pleas for help from people requesting rescue, he went to assist them personally. While rescuing an elderly couple, he lost his balance and was swept away by the rapid current.

His wife prayed desperately for him to stay alive and waited for him. However, after four days of failing to find her husband, just as everyone was growing exhausted, his body was recovered.

Appearing like a birthday gift, Captain Kim—who was Yoon-jung's first and last love—had no choice but to leave the side of the family he loved so dearly.

Meanwhile, a few days after being separated from his family during the evacuation, Gyu-tae found his wife, who had passed away and looked as though she were peacefully asleep. Thirty-seven days later, the body of his eldest daughter was found in a nearby rice paddy, and a month after that, the body of his second daughter was found.

Recalling that time, Gyu-tae said, "You have to consider that I wasn't in my right mind; being in my right mind would have been abnormal." He tormented himself with guilt, believing that he had lost his daughter because he let go of her hand.

August 31, the day Typhoon Rusa made landfall, was his second daughter's birthday. Without ever getting to go on the beach trip she dreamed of so much, his second daughter had to leave this world. And Gyu-tae still longs for his daughter and wife.

The name of the typhoon that caused catastrophic damage was permanently retired, causing the name Typhoon Rusa to disappear completely. Now, 24 years later, people's memories of Typhoon Rusa are gradually fading as well.

However, Gyu-tae still lives in the place where he stayed with his family, and Young-gon's daughter, who smiled innocently in front of her father's portrait, is now preparing for marriage.

Those who lost their precious family members in just a single day—some cannot get behind the wheel due to the memories of that day, while others continue to live with their loved ones buried deep in their hearts to this day. Even if the name Typhoon Rusa is erased, those who suffered the damage and those who plunged into the typhoon to save others should never be forgotten.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Hyo-jung)

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Kwon Ye-chan and his mother had completely different thoughts.

On the July 30 broadcast of the SBS reality show "Match To Marry: With Parents 2", family meeting dates took place based on the female participants' choices.

During this episode, the dates were set according to the women's picks. Ahn Do-yoon chose Kwon Ye-chan, Yang Ha-yoon chose Kim Dong-young, Kim Da-hye chose Kang Shin-woo, Lee Kang-hyun chose Moon Sung-mo, and Choi Jung-yoon chose Lee In-kwon. Notably, not a single choice overlapped.

The participants sweated through these family meeting dates, which included not just the mothers, but also fathers and siblings. Afterward, everyone felt confused due to their various circumstances.

On this day, Kwon Ye-chan went to meet Choi Jung-yoon's mother. He expressed his affection for Choi Jung-yoon and asked if she was heading straight for Lee In-kwon.

In response, Choi Jung-yoon's mother pointed out Kwon Ye-chan's cautious behavior, saying, "Isn't it more like you haven't even expressed your feelings?" The panel agreed, noting that if he had truly cared, he had plenty of time, but he only focused on gathering information instead.

With the final choice fast approaching, Kwon Ye-chan admitted he was late. He added that regardless of how others felt, he wanted to have honest conversations with Choi Jung-yoon for the remaining time, raising curiosity about how his actions would play out.

After the family dates concluded, Kwon Ye-chan's mother sought out Kim Da-hye's mother to talk about their respective dates.

Kim Da-hye's mother expressed deep concern, pointing out that Kang Shin-woo had mentioned marriage and feeling it was too rushed. She went on to say that religion is the number one priority in marriage, revealing she felt more favorable toward Kwon Ye-chan, who shares the same religion, compared to Kang Shin-woo, who does not.

Just then, Kim Da-hye appeared, and the mothers continued their conversation about marriage and religion together.

In particular, Kwon Ye-chan's mother mentioned that Kwon Ye-chan likes Kim Da-hye, stating, "Ye-chan also knows he has to marry a woman who believes in Jesus."

However, Kwon Ye-chan had previously stated that his feelings for the person come before religion. Unaware of this, Kwon Ye-chan's mother expressed regret that the timing between the two had missed its mark because of Kang Shin-woo, who was pursuing Kim Da-hye directly.

Kwon Ye-chan's mother's words left Kim Da-hye and her mother feeling confused. In particular, Kim Da-hye said, "After listening to this conversation, I caught myself thinking, 'What am I even doing here right now?' It made me wonder if it is right for me to break down my own beliefs." She added, "When it is not right, I think I need to draw the line quickly. Honestly, I am too late. Even if I just speak honestly and end up not making a choice, it is right to do it so Shin-woo can think about something else, even if it is just a day earlier."

The mothers worried that Kang Shin-woo would get hurt. Hearing this, Kim Da-hye firmed up her resolve, saying, "I think it is better to speak up sooner rather than dragging it out for all five days and not making a final choice."

Just then, Kang Shin-woo came to find Kim Da-hye, raising anticipation for the next broadcast regarding how their relationship will unfold.

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

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Yang Ha-yoon and Kim Dong-young reunited.

On the July 30th broadcast of the SBS entertainment show "Match To Marry: With Parents 2", Kim Dong-young and Yang Ha-yoon had another conversation about long-distance dating.

During the broadcast, Kim Dong-young sought out Yang Ha-yoon again. He spoke honestly, saying, "I thought a lot after that. I tried deliberately keeping my distance and pretending otherwise, and my heart felt heavy because of it."

Reflecting on that time, Yang Ha-yoon responded, "Actually, I didn't go there to end things. I went to talk about this issue and share that my values are like this, but I think I might have said it too sharply, enough to startle Dong-young."

She continued, "I also thought that since we had a lot of time left, it would have been nice to talk about finding a way and seeing if we felt like making an effort. I have a lot of regrets too."

In response, Kim Dong-young said, "I thought Ha-yoon felt burdened. I think I tried to be considerate of Ha-yoon rather than myself, worrying that saying I would go to her might feel like an even greater burden."

Hearing this, Yang Ha-yoon drew attention by confessing her affection for Kim Dong-young once more, stating, "If there was only one issue standing in the way, we could have talked more and decided. I have regrets because, although there are five people here, Dong-young is the only one who has just a single issue standing in the way."

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

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Lee In-kwon and Choi Jung-yoon confirmed each other's feelings.

On the July 30 broadcast of the SBS program "Match To Marry: With Parents 2" (hereinafter "Match To Marry: With Parents 2"), Lee In-kwon and Choi Jung-yoon were finally shown having a one-on-one conversation.

On this day, Choi Jung-yoon shared that she had gone to the accommodation the previous day to talk to Lee In-kwon. In response, Lee In-kwon said, "I didn't know. I heard about it from your mother today. I was really surprised."

As their timing kept missing, Lee In-kwon said, "But it wouldn't have mattered to me even if we missed each other more." Choi Jung-yoon pointed out a change in Lee In-kwon's mindset, saying, "My mom came and told me, saying, 'Jung-yoon is in second place now.'"

Lee In-kwon then explained, "Your mother's first question was who I had feelings for. So I said there were two people and Jung-yoon was definitely not going to be left out of those two."

Hearing this, Choi Jung-yoon relayed her mother's words, saying, "My mom said that after talking to you, she felt like oppa is the one whose conversational wavelength matches yours the best. She said you seem like a really solid person."

Hearing this, Lee In-kwon asked Choi Jung-yoon if there was someone she had feelings for and if he was among them. Choi Jung-yoon conveyed her feelings by saying, "Yeah. So I wanted to keep talking, and my mom figured that out and requested a conversation with you."

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

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Just one day after group BTS officially announced their refusal to submit entries to the U.S. Grammy Awards, suspicions arose that their past performance videos had disappeared from the official Grammy website.

On the 30th, rumors spread across online communities that BTS's performance videos for "Butter" and "Dynamite" could no longer be found on the official Grammy website.

Overseas pop music media outlet Pop Core reported via social media that the Recording Academy appeared to have taken down the videos, sharing a screenshot of the Grammy website displaying an error message.

This suspicion is drawing even more attention because it emerged immediately after BTS declared their boycott.

Previously on the 29th, BTS stated on their official social media, "We have decided not to submit entries to the Grammys this year. We hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language."

Within the music industry, this decision is widely interpreted as a practical protest against the newly established "Best Asian Pop Music Performance" category by the Grammys. Criticism has been raised that grouping Asian music into a single regional unit and placing it in a separate category could act as a subtle barrier blocking entry into the main categories.

Meanwhile, following the announcement of BTS's refusal to submit to the Grammys, Epik High's Tablo and director Maggie Kang, who directed the animated film "KPop Demon Hunters", quoted the related news to send messages of support, while music producer Mike Will Made It also expressed his backing.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Moon Geun-young is joining the SBS audition project "The Ballad of Us Season 2".

Scheduled to air in October, "The Ballad of Us Season 2" announced on the 30th that actor Moon Geun-young, who recently made headlines by announcing her marriage news, will appear as a member of the Top 100 Listener delegation.

Known as an audition enthusiast who reportedly watches every single singing audition program, Moon Geun-young is expected to bring exceptional empathy and public sensibility to the participants' special stories and performances as the show's first-ever female actor Top 100 Listener.

Season 1 of "The Ballad of Us", which aired last year, set various records including ranking first in viewership ratings among audiences aged 20-49 across all episodes, entering Netflix's South Korea series Top 10, and surpassing 100 million cumulative online views. Continuing its popular run, the show also won the Best TV Program in the Entertainment and Variety category at the 39th Korea Broadcasting Awards announced today.

This upcoming season of "The Ballad of Us Season 2" has seen the number of applicants skyrocket to nearly three times that of the previous season, while the average age of participants has lowered further to 17.9 years old, heralding the birth of even fresher stars.

A large-scale project co-produced by SBS and SM C&C, "The Ballad of Us Season 2" is set to begin its first recording in August and premiere through SBS in October. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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With one week left until its release, the film "The Odyssey" has surpassed 170,000 in advance ticket sales.

According to the Korean Film Council's ticketing rate aggregation on the 30th, "The Odyssey" recorded a ticketing rate of 16.2% and 178,000 in presales, placing second behind "Spider-Man: Brand New Day".

This figure surpasses the 139,000 presales recorded during the same period by Christopher Nolan's previous highest record holder, "Oppenheimer".

Having opened first in North America and many other overseas countries, "The Odyssey" is sparking a global box office sensation by surpassing $639.6 million in worldwide box office revenue.

Christopher Nolan is a director who enjoys high trust from domestic audiences. Expectations are also high for the technological challenge, as it is his new work released two years after "Oppenheimer" and the first feature film shot entirely with IMAX 70mm film cameras. Currently, the box office features fierce competition between "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" and "HOPE", but a three-way race is anticipated with the addition of "The Odyssey" next week.

"The Odyssey" will open in domestic theaters on August 5. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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The devastating true story of Typhoon Rusa, recorded as the worst typhoon in South Korea's history, and how Gangneung almost vanished from the map will be revealed.

Aired at 10:20 p.m. on the 30th, the SBS current affairs program "Tails of Tales" features an episode titled "Forgotten People - Typhoon Rusa," with singer Kim Jung-min, DARA, and actor Park Jung-hwa joining as listeners to share memories of that day.

This broadcast shines a light on the shocking reality of Typhoon Rusa, which caused the most casualties in the 21st century and left behind over 5 trillion won in property damage. The tragic situation of the time—so severe that the typhoon's name was retired due to 23,000 flood victims and 48 deaths in Gangneung alone—is vividly conveyed. In particular, after hearing the stories of people who lost their grip on family members and became separated, DARA shed tears, saying, "Losing family is a lifelong pain."

The behind-the-scenes story of the desperate situation will also be shared, including how the gates of the Obong Dam, holding 14 million tons of water, could not be opened, leading to considerations of using dynamite, and the all-night deliberation over issuing a total evacuation order for Gangneung, alongside the heartwarming stories of Gangneung citizens struggling to save one another.

Vivid accounts of flood damage from the listeners follow. Singer Kim Jung-min recalled, "I was a high school student during the 1984 Seoul great flood. Our house was on the second floor of a row house, and the water rose all the way up to the front door. You couldn't walk on the streets, and Mangwon Market was completely submerged." Actor Park Jung-hwa shared, "There was a time four years ago when Daechi-dong flooded. When I came out of the parking lot, water got into my car. The water rose up to my ankles, and I was so terrified I had a panic attack. The fear from Typhoon Rusa in Gangneung must have been hundreds of times greater than what I experienced."

The desperate story of Typhoon Rusa, which swallowed South Korea, and the people who overcame it will be revealed on "Tails of Tales," airing tonight at 10:20 p.m.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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The film "My Name," which deals with the tragedy of the Jeju April 3 incident, has won the Audience Award at the 25th New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF).

The film won the Audience Award with the enthusiastic support of audiences at the 25th New York Asian Film Festival, which wrapped up its run on July 26. The Audience Award is determined by votes from festival attendees. "My Name" clinched the honor by surpassing formidable candidate works such as Canada's "Montreal, Beautiful My."

"My Name" is a generational empathy mystery drama in which an 18-year-old boy named Young-ok, who wants to escape his unstylish name, and his mother Jeong-soon, who carries the painful memories of Jeju in 1949, face a brilliant truth across 78 chilling years. Jeong-soon's life blooming past the tragedy of history and the delicate perspective on family are delivering an unforgettable, heavy lingering impression to audiences not only domestically but all around the world.

Having generated buzz even before its release through an official invitation to the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, "My Name" is receiving an even more enthusiastic response overseas thanks to director Chung Ji-young's in-depth perspective and Yeom Hye-ran's passionate performance. Following its win at the 28th Udine Far East Film Festival and the Audience Award at the 25th New York Asian Film Festival, the film is continuing a relay of international film festival awards and invitations, including an official invitation to the competition section of the 14th Asian Film Festival Barcelona and the panorama (non-competition) section of the 26th Kaohsiung Film Festival in Taiwan.

The work was released domestically on April 15 and drew 220,000 moviegoers nationwide. It is currently available on various platforms through IPTV and VOD services.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Director Lee Chang-dong has been selected as the recipient of the TIFF Ebert Director Award (TIFF Ebert Director Award by The Tory Family) at the Tribute Awards of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival.

Following the significant buzz generated by the official invitation of his new film "Possible Love" to the Special Presentations section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, Director Lee Chang-dong has earned the honor of receiving the TIFF Ebert Director Award at the Tribute Awards.

The Tribute Awards are held annually by the Toronto International Film Festival to celebrate extraordinary cinematic achievements and contributions. The TIFF Ebert Director Award, received by Director Lee Chang-dong, was established in honor of the renowned American film critic Roger Ebert and honors visionary directors who have driven groundbreaking changes in the film industry.

While the award has previously been presented to master filmmakers such as Guillermo del Toro, Mike Leigh, Spike Lee, Sam Mendes, Denis Villeneuve, and Chloé Zhao, Director Lee Chang-dong has become the first Korean director to have his name added to the list.

The 51st Toronto International Film Festival will take place in Toronto, Canada, from September 10 to 20, and the Tribute Awards ceremony will be held on September 13.

Director Lee Chang-dong has received acclaim from major international film festivals, having won the Best Director award at the Venice International Film Festival for "Oasis", the Best Screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival for "Poetry", and the FIPRESCI Prize at the Cannes Film Festival for "Burning".

His new film "Possible Love" is meeting international audiences after advancing to the competition section of the Venice International Film Festival and being invited to the Gala Presentations section of the Toronto International Film Festival.

Drawing intense attention as Director Lee Chang-dong's first new work in 8 years and for bringing together Korea's representative actors Jeon Do-yeon, Sol Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung, and Cho Yeo-jeong, "Possible Love" is scheduled to open in theaters on September 23 and be released via Netflix on November 6.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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