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Do you remember Typhoon Rusa?

On the July 30 broadcast of SBS's "Tails of Tales", the episode titled "Forgotten People - Typhoon Rusa" tracked the day when the worst typhoon in history, which recorded the highest number of casualties and property damage of all time, struck the Korean Peninsula.

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 left 8 missing and 238 dead, making it the deadliest typhoon since 2000. The property damage at the time reached a staggering 5.1479 trillion won, ranking it first in history for typhoon property damage.

With daily rainfall far exceeding several times the average precipitation of the monsoon season, landslides and washed-out roads caused damage in various places. Amid a flood of calls from people requesting rescue, the Gangneung Fire Station was in utter chaos.

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 lowland areas, would not open. Because a blackout across the Gangneung area caused by heavy rain made it impossible to control the floodgates, if the gates could not be opened and the Obong Dam collapsed, the worst-case scenario could unfold where the city of Gangneung vanished from the Korean Peninsula entirely.

Amidst such situations, evacuations were underway in various parts of Gangneung. Among the people evacuating to higher ground was Gyu-tae's family. Gyu-tae and his family were escaping to higher ground in a car. As their vehicle was swept away by the rushing current, Gyu-tae got out of the car with his family to survive.

He walked forward step by step, carefully holding his wife in one arm and his two daughters in the other. However, at a certain moment, the strength in his arms gave out, and his wife was swept away by the raging current right before him. Gyu-tae had no choice but to simply watch it happen.

At the moment 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 currents at a certain moment.

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

Around that time, the floodgates of the Obong Dam, which had been at risk of collapse, were opened. But an even greater problem awaited them. Due to the record-breaking rainfall, more water was rushing in than was escaping through the opened gates, leaving only 1 meter until maximum capacity.

Faced with an unprecedented situation, the mayor of Gangneung agonized over whether to order an emergency evacuation for the entire city of Gangneung. It was a situation where the entire city of Gangneung needed to evacuate, but an evacuation order could also bring about even greater panic. Ultimately, the mayor decided to wait for the typhoon to pass and did not issue an emergency evacuation order.

As night fell afterward, the rain dramatically stopped, and the water level of the Obong Dam lowered, allowing them to avert the worst-case scenario. However, the next day, the city of Gangneung was left looking like ruins.

At the time, there were approximately 23,000 flood victims in Gangneung alone. Firefighters immediately set out to search for the missing people 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 took shelter, he barely managed to call his wife to check in, but the next day news of his disappearance was delivered.

Right after having a phone call with his wife, he went out to control traffic. Unable to ignore the rescue requests of people asking for help, he went to assist them directly, and while rescuing an elderly couple, he lost his balance and was swept away by the raging current.

In response, his wife waited for him, praying that he would please just stay alive. However, after four days of failing to find her husband, just as everyone was growing exhausted, his body was found.

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.

And Gyu-tae, who was separated from his family during the evacuation, was able to meet his wife a few days later as she departed for heaven as if sleeping. Afterward, the body of his eldest daughter was found in a nearby rice paddy 37 days later, and his second daughter's body was found a month after that.

Recalling that time, Gyu-tae said, "You have to consider that I was out of my mind; being in my right mind would have been strange." He tormented himself with guilt, believing that he had let go of his hand and lost his daughter.

August 31, when Typhoon Rusa made landfall, was his second daughter's birthday. Without even getting to go on the beach trip she dreamed of so much, his second daughter had no choice but to leave this world. And Gyu-tae still longed for his daughter and wife.

The name of the typhoon that caused massive damage was permanently retired. Thus, the name Typhoon Rusa completely disappeared. And now, 24 years later, people's memories of Typhoon Rusa are gradually fading even further.

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 getting married.

Those who lost precious family members in just a single day. Some cannot get behind the wheel of a car because of the memories of that day, while others live on carrying their loved ones deep in their hearts to this day. Even if the name of Typhoon Rusa is erased, those who suffered damage and those who leaped into the typhoon to save someone must never be forgotten.

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

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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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"Eum Moon-suk, Eum Moon-suk, Eum Moon-suk is..."

Actor Eum Moon-suk shared his deep emotions after director Bong Joon-ho mentioned his name and praised his acting skills during a recent GV (guest visit) event for the film "HOPE".

During an interview held in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 29th to commemorate the release of the film "HOPE", Eum Moon-suk mentioned director Bong Joon-ho's praise, saying, "I watched that video more than 100 times. It was an honor just to hear my name, 'Eum Moon-suk,' 'Mr. Eum Moon-suk,' coming from his mouth. I am so grateful. I loved it so much," and smiled brightly.

Eum Moon-suk showed a humble attitude, saying, "On top of that, he even praised my acting. I was so happy. Honestly, it felt like an overestimation, so I made up my mind to practice acting even harder."

Director Bong Joon-ho highly praised Eum Moon-suk's acting in "HOPE", saying, "His face itself looked more alien than an alien. Although it must be an expression through acting, the movement of his oral cavity and lower jaw itself was so bizarre and astonishing. His facial expressiveness and rhythm are incredible."

Having caught the eye of the master, expectations for casting calls are naturally rising as well. Regarding this, Eum Moon-suk answered without hesitation, "If a casting call comes, I will run over the moment the phone rings."

Eum Moon-suk stated, "Every actor wants to discover a different side of themselves on the screen. I think 'HOPE' made that desire of mine a reality. When I go to stage greetings, people don't even know that I appeared in the movie. That is why I always start by delivering Yang-bae's line, 'It's at my house, I'm telling you!' I look forward to hearing from directors who will discover another side of me."

Eum Moon-suk took on the role of 'Yang-bae', the root cause of all trouble, in the film "HOPE", delivering a strong performance in the middle and latter halves through hard-to-recognize special makeup and unique acting.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Actor Jung Ilwoo attends a press conference for the Amazon Prime series "Criminals" held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 30th, posing for photos.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Director Matsunaga Daishi (left) and actor Jung Ilwoo pose for photos at a press conference for the Amazon Prime series "Criminals," held on the afternoon of the 30th at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Director Matsunaga Daishi attends a press conference for the Amazon Prime series "Criminals" held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 30th and is giving his greetings.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Actor Jung Ilwoo is giving a greeting as he attends the press conference for the Amazon Prime series "Criminals" held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 30th.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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As the Netflix series "The East Palace" continues its global box office run, its in-universe mascot, "Kkeomeoksali," has garnered explosive popularity, confirming the release of official merchandise.

Depicting the story of Gucheon (Nam Joohyuk), who has the ability to cross between the worlds of spirits, court lady Saenggang (Roh Yoonseo) who hides a secret, and the King (Cho Seung-woo) as they investigate the curse of "The East Palace," the series has achieved immense popularity by entering Netflix's Global TOP 10 Non-English Shows chart at No. 2 in its second week of release and ranking No. 1 in TV-OTT integrated drama buzz for two consecutive weeks.

Along with the drama's success, interest in "Kkeomeoksali," the spirit guardian by Gucheon's side, is also soaring. Originating from urban legends and born like a companion spirit, Kkeomeoksali has captured the hearts of global fans, earning affectionate nicknames such as "Joseon Groot" and "Post-Duffy."

The lead actors also hold deep affection for the character. Nam Joohyuk shared, "Because it is a very special presence that helps Gucheon, I grew particularly attached to it," while Roh Yoonseo expressed her affection, saying, "Even though it looks small and cute, it has a surprising twist of charm, being strong enough to harm other spirits, making it a cheat-like character."

As fans continued to create voluntary secondary creations and merchandise utilizing AI and 3D printers, Netflix responded to fan support by officially confirming the release of official Kkeomeoksali merchandise. Five types of keyrings and two types of Musinsa Standard collaboration T-shirts are scheduled to be released in August through MUSINSA DROP.

Meanwhile, "The East Palace" consists of a total of 8 episodes and was released in full on Netflix on the 17th.

[Photo = Netflix]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Following criticism for reviving the "museopno" controversy surrounding the group RESCENE, former Chungju public official-turned-broadcaster Kim Seon-tae has quickly issued an apology.

Kim posted a video titled "I'm Sorry" on his YouTube channel on the 30th to offer an immediate apology. He began by saying, "Hello, this is Kim Seon-tae. First, I sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt by the pre-release video of 'Donseontae Successful Era' uploaded to the KBS YouTube channel yesterday."

He explained the timeline of when he became aware of the controversy. Kim stated, "I first saw the pre-release video yesterday around 8:40 PM. As soon as I realized that a problem had occurred, I asked the production team to delete the video." He blamed himself, adding, "Even though the video bears my name, I was truly irresponsible. Hiding behind the name of a broadcasting station, I did not request any prior review or pre-sharing of the uploaded video."

He also directly acknowledged the remarks that sparked the controversy. He explained, "The excessive mention of the guest, which many people pointed out, is also clearly my fault. Since it was the first shoot for the program, I was too busy familiarizing myself with the script on the day of filming and completely failed to recognize the problems in the script on-site."

He concluded his apology by saying, "Ever since the video was made private, I have taken time to reflect on my words and actions. Moving forward, I will be much more cautious in all my statements and actions. I will work hard to ensure that something like this never happens again. I want to express my deepest apologies to everyone who was harmed by my shortcomings, especially the RESCENE members."

Previously, on the 29th, a pre-release video for "Donseontae Successful Era" was uploaded to the YouTube channel "Kebaeksu Original." In the video, Kim drew criticism for explicitly bringing up the past "museopno" controversy to RESCENE member WONI, asking, "Didn't anyone say this might be viral marketing?"

Criticism mounted that he had re-summoned painful memories for an artist who had already suffered emotional distress over a settled political controversy. The backlash grew further when it was revealed that the video's hashtags included the names of political and business figures, such as the president, which had nothing to do with RESCENE. Eventually, the video was made private approximately four hours after its release.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Former Chungju official Kim Seon-tae's new KBS YouTube variety show "Donseontae Success Era" has come under fire for bringing up past controversies involving RESCENE member WONI.

On July 29, a pre-release video for the RESCENE episode of "Donseontae Success Era" titled "First Official Stance Release, Why Is My Story on the News?!" was uploaded to the YouTube channel "KBSu Original." RESCENE members WONI and MINAMI appeared in the video.

Kim Seon-tae directly asked WONI about the past controversy surrounding her use of the phrase "museopno." He asked, "I acknowledge that people have different viewpoints, but it felt like a bit of a stretch. Didn't anyone say it might be viral marketing?" WONI replied, "I can see why people might think that, but I was really worried that being featured on the news would affect our group."

She continued, "I was actually really surprised. I only ever imagined seeing myself on YouTube or music broadcasts, so appearing on the social news section overnight was terrifying. I felt that I needed to be much more careful with every single word I say after that," and explained, "Even if I didn't mean it that way when I spoke, I realized some people might take it differently. I was just using words I normally use, so I was quite flustered."

WONI, who is from Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do, previously became embroiled in controversy after using the phrase "museopno" in content. The controversy grew as critics pointed out that the expression is used on the far-right online community Ilbe to disparage the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, though counter-arguments argued that it is simply a Gyeongsang-do dialect.

Following the broadcast, reactions poured in criticizing the overall format for bringing up a controversy that had already been put to rest. In particular, the initial thumbnail prominently featured the phrase "What's scary?", and although the production team changed the phrase to "Even if you look at it nicely" as criticisms continued, the backlash did not subside.

The hashtags in the video description added fuel to the fire. It was confirmed that a slew of names from political, business, and cultural circles, including President Lee Jae-myung, former national football team coach Hong Myung-bo, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, NewJeans, and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who have no relation to RESCENE, were tagged. Adding the names of politicians to a video featuring an idol member who suffered from unintended controversy only amplified the level of criticism.

As the fallout grew, the production team switched the video to private without issuing a separate official statement.

"Donseontae Success Era" is a talk show where Kim Seon-tae meets figures from various fields to chat, and is scheduled for regular programming on KBS2 in August.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Singer Seo Inyoung shared a glimpse of her stage preparations ahead of her appearance at "Waterbomb Sokcho 2026".

On July 29, an interview video featuring Seo Inyoung was posted on the official Waterbomb social media accounts. In the video, Seo Inyoung appeared wearing a long-hair wig, a white short-sleeved t-shirt, hot pants, and boots, showing off her slim figure.

Seo Inyoung expressed her excitement for the Waterbomb stage, saying, "I've waited so long. It's so nice to see you." She continued, "Now is the time to show you. I've prepared a lot of different things. First of all, I spent a lot of money on maintenance. Since I invested heavily in maintenance and procedures, please look forward to a stage that will delight your eyes and ears."

Regarding her stage concept, she teased, "A very Seo Inyoung-style stage, high heels, everything is ready. Come and see for yourself."

She expressed her affection for the stage, saying, "I'm sure you all waited a long time too, and ever since I got the call from Waterbomb, I've been working really hard to prepare." Ahead of the main performance, Seo Inyoung generated anticipation by showcasing a medley of hit songs, including cover songs of "Baby One More Time", "Cinderella", and Jewelry's "Super Star", alongside her own hit tracks "I Want You" and "To the Rhythm".

This Waterbomb performance holds special meaning for Seo Inyoung. After appearing on MBC's "King of Mask Singer" in 2021, Seo Inyoung virtually stopped standing on official stages. After experiencing marriage and divorce, she temporarily halted her activities before reopening the public eye in March by launching her YouTube channel. This Waterbomb appearance is drawing attention as her first major stage since her return to YouTube.

Seo Inyoung has steadily shared her weight loss and beauty procedure updates through YouTube ahead of the performance. In a video released on July 15, she shared, "I haven't been eating much lately," adding, "I dropped down to 46kg, and then gained 4kg back," while mentioning that she has been eating boiled eggs instead of rice. Furthermore, in a video released on July 22, she appeared with bruises on her face and arms, revealing that she had received a skin booster and arm liposuction procedures.

Meanwhile, "Waterbomb Sokcho 2026" will be held on August 22 at Hanwha Resort Seorak Sorano, with Rain, Tiger JK, Yoonmirae, Simon Dominic, and Lee Young-ji listed in the lineup.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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A powerhouse lineup of seasoned acting veterans is joining "Our Sticky Love," bringing both laughter and emotion.

Set for release on August 7, the new Netflix series "Our Sticky Love" is a romantic comedy that follows Ko Eun-sae (played by Hayoung), a prosecutor suffering from amnesia, and Jang Tae-ha (played by Jung Hae-in), a self-proclaimed boyfriend, as they share a sweet and sticky cohabitation in Yeomae Village.

While anticipation is already high for the unique synergy between Jung Hae-in and Hayoung's romance mixed with a touch of noir, the full lineup for the "Yeomae Village Family," who will richly fill the drama with laughter and emotion, was unveiled on the 30th.

Veteran actor Kim Young-ok takes center stage as Ko Yeon-hong, a traditional malt taffy artisan suffering from dementia and the grandmother of Jang Tae-ha. Jeon Bae-soo (as Hong Do-yeop) and Seo Jung-yeon (as Do Jung-hwa) join as the married owners of Hong Boxing Gym, acting as reliable supporters for Jang Tae-ha and Ko Eun-sae.

In addition, Jang Hye-jin, Cha Chung-hwa, and Kim Mi-hwa have been cast as Pang Hee-ja, Cho Maeng-sook, and Na Geum-hyang—known as the SES of Yeomae Village—and are set to showcase irreplaceable presence. They are joined by Lee Jae-won (as Ahn Ki-joon), Jung Soon-won (as Kim Kang-rok), and Choi Yu-ju (as Min Su-ji), completing the eventful daily life of Yeomae Village.

Director Kim Jang-han shared, "In the drama, the people of Yeomae Village are not just portrayed as simply good people. They are characters who discover sides of themselves they wouldn't have known without the fresh catalysts of Jang Tae-ha and Ko Eun-sae, growing together. We wanted to cast the absolute best actors you can trust to make these processes portrayed convincingly."

He added, "With people of similar vibes gathering together, it was a warm set filled with plenty of ad-libs and laughter. We hope you look forward to various fun elements, from their strong determination to protect Yeomae Village to their lovely appearance of watching over the sweet romance of Jang Tae-ha and Ko Eun-sae with the same heart as the viewers."

The Netflix series "Our Sticky Love," which promises a familiar yet satisfying romantic comedy and fantastic chemistry among a stellar cast, will be released via Netflix on August 7.

[Photo = Netflix]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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The team behind the film "HOPE" has announced that it will take strong, company-level action against an individual who raised privacy suspicions regarding actor Hwang Jung-min.

On the 29th, "HOPE" investment and distribution company Plus M Entertainment and production company Forged Film stated in a joint press release, "We express strong regret regarding the recent issue," and emphasized, "This matter is already a case where actor Hwang Jung-min suffered stalking damage and legal action has already been taken."

They continued, "However, regarding this, individual A has been causing damages amounting to business obstruction, such as sending maliciously edited contents to both companies and partner companies of 'HOPE', and repeatedly uploading and deleting posts slandering the actor and the movie through social media." They added, "They even showed movements trying to disrupt the smooth sailing of the film during the preparation period for its release as well as the section hitting box office inflection points," mentioning the damage situation.

Both companies stated regarding future measures, "This is not only an act that strikes a blow to the overall business of 'HOPE', but also an act that maliciously damages the efforts and honor of the people who worked hard for the film. We define this as intentional harm against 'HOPE' and will respond strongly. Both companies are actively reviewing legal measures for the fact that it had a negative impact on 'HOPE', and plan to continue strong responses to prevent additional damages."

Recently, individual A caused a stir by releasing messages and recording files presumed to have been shared with Hwang Jung-min on social media.

Hwang Jung-min's agency, Sam Company, released an official statement on the afternoon of the 29th, stating, "The writer of malicious posts related to Hwang Jung-min is a stalking crime suspect who has continuously harassed Hwang Jung-min," and added, "We filed a criminal complaint against the writer last year."

The agency explained, "The court imposed provisional measures such as restraining orders on the suspect on three occasions, and acknowledged the stalking charges, issuing a summary order of a 3 million won fine." They also stated, "We plan to take additional legal measures regarding the maliciously edited posts."

Hwang Jung-min has been meeting audiences through the film "HOPE", which was released on the 15th.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Following BTS's decision to refuse submissions for the 69th Grammy Awards, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. issued a statement just a day later, though the controversy shows signs of intensifying rather than subsiding.

The Grammys posted a statement in the name of CEO Mason Jr. via official social media channels on the morning of the 30th (Korea Standard Time).

He stated, "I was saddened to hear the news that BTS decided not to submit for this year's Grammy Awards. However, as someone who makes music, I understand and respect their decision."

Regarding the newly established "Best Asian Music Performance" category, which sparked controversy, he explained, "It was created to celebrate the depth, diversity, and incredible growth of pop music coming out of Asia." He added, "This is not to segregate artists, but to expand the recognition awarded by the 1,500 Grammy voting members." He further noted, "Submitting music to genre categories like Asian pop, jazz, or country does not restrict simultaneous submission and consideration in general field categories."

Previously, the seven members of BTS announced through personal social media accounts on the 29th, "We have decided not to submit to the Grammys this year," and added, "We hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being categorized by region or language."

Despite sweeping both the Billboard main single and album charts in the United States with their 5th full-length album "Arirang" released in March, BTS refused Grammy submissions. This is widely interpreted as a de facto protest against the Grammys' announcement last month creating the "Best Asian Music Performance" category, which lumps together music from Asian regions such as Korea, China, and Japan.

However, criticisms point out that the Grammy response missed the core of the controversy. One online community user responded to the news by asking, "They claim it's a genre and not a division by region or race, but since when is Asian pop a genre?" Another opinion stated, "If that made sense, they should break down awards by continent for Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa, but they aren't doing that, are they?" This highlights a fairness issue, noting that Western genres like rock, pop, and country are categorized by musical characteristics rather than regions, while only Asian music is lumped together on a continental scale.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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"Flex X Cop 2" stars Ahn Bo-hyun and Jung Eun-chae have unveiled a couple pictorial showcasing their unmatched visual chemistry.

Airing as the follow-up to "Agent Kim Reactivated", SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama "Flex X Cop 2" (written by Kim Ba-da, directed by Kim Jae-hong) revealed an irreplaceable buddy chemistry pictorial of Ahn Bo-hyun and Jung Eun-chae through the August issue of fashion magazine "W Korea".

In the released pictorial, the two stand side-by-side with arms linked, exuding a chic aura while also delivering a playful tension with mischievous expressions that immediately caught viewers' attention. Playing the roles of immature chaebol detective Jin Yi-soo (Ahn Bo-hyun) and charismatic veteran team leader Joo Hye-ra (Jung Eun-chae) respectively, the duo flaunted perfect couple chemistry through the shoot.

In "Flex X Cop 2", the two previously crossed paths as a police academy instructor and trainee, and are set to reunite in Violent Crime Team 1 to deliver delightful and witty bickering chemistry. Expectations are high for the refreshing, money-fueled joint investigations led by Jin Yi-soo, who uses his wealth and connections as ultimate cheat codes, and Joo Hye-ra, a veteran detective with a wealth of investigative experience.

During the interview accompanying the pictorial shoot, the two openly shared their deep affection for the project and behind-the-scenes stories from the set.

Meanwhile, "Flex X Cop 2" is a delightful, exhilarating, and refreshing crime-solving cooperation drama starring chaebol detective Jin Yi-soo—who flips the table with his wealth when investigations stall—and the new team leader Joo Hye-ra. It is set to premiere on August 7 at 9:50 PM KST.

[Photo= W Korea]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Comedian couple Kim Jun-ho and Kim Ji-min are becoming parents.

On the 30th, Kim Ji-min directly announced her pregnancy through her social media, saying, "Last year in 2025, we became an eternal two, and this year in 2026, we have become a dreamed-of three."

She continued to share her joyful feelings, saying, "Thanks to the first IVF procedure that we started while relying on oppa, who comforted me by telling me not to overdo it and not to be impatient, our baby, whose prenatal nickname is Durubi, came to us thankfully on the very first try."

Recalling the process of undergoing health management and tests before attempting the IVF procedure, she added her overwhelming thoughts, "The reason someone like me, who usually cannot keep secrets, was able to keep this a secret was entirely because of Durubi's strength. Now that the stable period has passed, I can finally talk about it. With the two of us, Neukkim & Nari, and now Durubi, we have everything in the world."

Along with the post, Kim Ji-min expressed her joy by sharing a fetal ultrasound photo and a photo of a pregnancy test showing two lines. She is reportedly currently 12 weeks pregnant and is expected to give birth early next year.

Kim Jun-ho and Kim Ji-min tied the knot in July of last year, and recently revealed that they were undergoing IVF procedures to have a second generation, receiving great support from the public.

[Photo = Kim Ji-min's Instagram]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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"Match to Marry 2" is heating up summer nights with an upgraded meet-and-greet date featuring immediate family members.

In the 6th episode of the SBS show "Match to Marry 2", airing at 9 PM on the 30th, an unprecedented scale of family-led meet-and-greet dates will unfold.

This broadcast gathers a large group of family supporters, including Samsung Electronics employee Ahn Do-yoon's younger sister who is an elementary school teacher, former Miss Korea Choi Jung-yoon's devoted father, and announcer Lee In-kwon's dependable younger brother.

In particular, MC Seo Jang-hoon could not hide his admiration for the uncanny resemblance upon seeing Ahn Do-yoon's younger sister, exclaiming, "They look exactly alike!" Ahn Do-yoon's sister added to the lighthearted mood by offering enthusiastic support in front of the male participant, saying, "The moment I saw her, I thought she was my unni's style. She is a really great person," before switching into a front-row spectator mode.

Meanwhile, host Lee Yo-won showed complete immersion in the meeting of the prospective in-laws. While watching one female participant's choice, she offered realistic advice, saying, "From a mother's perspective, she might not welcome it." She also showed empathy when a mother gave some harsh advice to her son who was pouring on the direct flirtation, remarking, "Since a mother is a woman, she understands a woman's heart better."

The true innermost feelings of the male and female participants, which began to subtly waver following their meetings with the families, along with the meet-and-greet date scene, will be revealed on "Match to Marry 2" airing tonight (the 30th) at 9 PM.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Choi Jung-won, 45, an actor/member of the group UN, directly announced that he has been cleared of false accusations labeling him as a home-wrecker and a stalker.

On the 29th, Choi posted a long message on his social media to announce that both the lawsuit involving claims of an extramarital affair and the stalking case ended with his victory and non-prosecution.

In his post that day, Choi shared his feelings, saying, "For nearly five years, it felt like I was struggling in a dark and muddy swamp. From the lawsuit claiming I was an affair partner to the lawsuit calling me a stalker, it was like a long tunnel where I endured fiercely while hearing subhuman things."

He continued, "However, it is truly all over now. The lawsuit regarding the affair partner ended in my favor, clearly confirming that I did not commit any illicit acts, and the stalking case was fully cleared with a non-prosecution decision, so all these incidents have finally come to an end." He added, "I am now too exhausted and intend to live as a devout and humble person."

Choi also concluded by saying, "When things happen, untrue stories spread indiscriminately like a wildfire, but I think most people don't care about the outcome. That may also be human nature, but whether it is gossip, entertainment, or genuine concern, I want to say it once more: all of my past five years have ended with no charges, and the false civil lawsuit ended in my victory. Thank you."

Previously, in January 2023, Choi became embroiled in suspicions that he had an affair with a married woman and ruined a family. At the time, the woman's husband, A, filed a civil lawsuit against Choi, and Choi announced legal action, stating the reports were based on one-sided claims from the informant's side. In July of the same year, A was sent to the prosecution on charges of instigating defamation and making threats against Choi, but received a non-prosecution disposition in September.

Afterward, legal battles surrounding the affair allegations continued. In January 2025, a court mentioned physical contact between Choi and the woman, reigniting the suspicions, but on September 22 of the same year, the appellate court overturned the first-instance ruling, stating, "It is not an illicit act." On November 26, Choi posted a related recorded file on Instagram to state that the claim of him being an affair partner was false, and on January 16, 2026, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, finally clearing him of the affair suspicions.

Stalking allegations had also been raised. On August 16, 2025, it was belatedly revealed 19 days later that Choi had visited the home of a woman he was dating while carrying a weapon, and the Seoul Central District Court approved emergency and urgent relief measures citing the urgency of the matter. At the time, Choi denied the allegations of weapon threats, explaining it as a magnified mishap stemming from personal conflict. On November 12 of the same year, the Seoul Jungbu Police Station sent Choi to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office on stalking charges, but as Choi's side recently stated, the case was concluded with a full non-prosecution disposition.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Eum Moon-suk expressed his affection and respect for Zo In-sung, his co-star in the film "HOPE".

On the afternoon of the 29th, Eum Moon-suk held an interview in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, to commemorate the release of the movie "HOPE". Regarding his first-ever collaboration with Zo In-sung in this project, he shared, "Even though our characters only meet in the latter half of the film, we shared a room and lived together at the accommodation during the location shoot in Romania. Zo In-sung sunbae is a year older than me, and I often thought about how great it would be if he were my real older brother. He treated me so well that I kept wondering, 'Why is he taking care of me to this extent?'"

He added that there was a lot to learn from the passion and attitude of actor Zo In-sung. Eum Moon-suk said, "His appearance as an actor during filming is also so cool. He always approaches the shoot without getting tired and perfectly pulls out the project the director aims for. He is truly professional. Seeing that side of him, I learned a lot during filming and it gave me a great boost."

He continued, "I thought to me that I also want to become a senior like that who sets a good example for juniors," and politely showed that he even remembered his senior's milestone by saying, "Oh, and yesterday, July 28th, was In-sung hyung's birthday."

Eum Moon-suk has reached a turning point in his acting career through this work. Playing the role of Yang-bae, the source of all incidents in the story, he captured the audience's attention in the middle and latter parts of the film with unique makeup and speech, as well as mysterious acting where his true intentions could not be figured out. In particular, the Chungcheong-do dialect line "It's in my house, I tell ya!" remained deeply ingrained in the audience's minds even after the movie ended, leaving an addictive impact similar to "What is so important?!" from director Na Hong-jin's previous work "The Wailing".

Due to its box office success and buzz, talks of a sequel for "HOPE" are already coming up. Eum Moon-suk expressed his hope, saying, "I haven't heard anything about a sequel from the director, but if one is made, wouldn't the chances of Yang-bae appearing be high? I want to appear no matter what."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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SHINYU of the group TWS poses as he attends a beauty brand photo wall event held in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 29th.

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

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JIHOON of the group TWS is attending a photo wall event for a beauty brand held in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th and posing for the camera.

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

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