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"Flex X Cop 2" has heightened anticipation by releasing its third teaser, featuring more intense cases and a much more chilling suspense.

Premiering on August 7, SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama "Flex X Cop 2" (written by Kim Ba-da, directed by Kim Jae-hong) is a delightful, refreshing, and satisfying cooperative investigation drama. In the series, Jin Yi-su (Ahn Bo-hyun), a chaebol detective who uses his wealth to turn the tables when investigations stall, teams up with new team leader Joo Hye-ra (Jung Eun-chae) to flash their cash. The show is drawing attention as a key pillar of the SBS refreshing universe, following hits like "Taxi Driver", "The Fiery Priest", and "The Judge from Hell", and as a highly anticipated work that will cheerfully kick off SBS's reliable seasonal drama lineup for 2026.

On July 24, the production team of "Flex X Cop 2" dropped the third teaser video, capturing more sophisticated crimes and the mysterious moves of new character Yoo Sung-won (Yoo Seung-ho).

This teaser creates an intense tension that contrasts with the previous cheerful atmosphere. In particular, the chilling demeanor of Yoo Sung-won, who is newly appearing this season, grabs attention. The sight of Yoo Sung-won wearing a blank smile with bloodstains, along with the fleeting line "The worst thing I've ever done? It's a secret", maximizes curiosity about what kind of conflict he will form with the investigation team led by Yi-su.

Following this, Jin Yi-su sharply rebukes the criminals by saying, "I sent you to prison to become human, but you came back as trash," while new team leader Joo Hye-ra radiates cold charisma, exuding veteran detective vibes.

Amid increasingly bizarre murder cases, such as a mummy found inside a carrier, and the madness of more ferocious villains, Yi-su and Hye-ra face consecutive crises. However, the scene where they overturn the tables by mobilizing all their wealth and investigative power while declaring, "The perfect crime? There's no such thing" promises a satisfying thrill for viewers.

Returning with a larger scale and heightened suspense, "Flex X Cop 2" will premiere on Friday, August 7, at 9:50 PM following "Agent Kim Reactivated".

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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A woman in her 30s who repeatedly left graffiti insulting singer BoA (real name Kwon Bo-ah) around the Gangnam Station area has been sent to trial.

According to the Kyunghyang Shinmun on the 24th, Criminal Division 7 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (led by Senior Prosecutor Cho Yoon-chul) indicted a woman in her 30s, surnamed Cho (38), without detention on charges of insult and property damage on the 20th.

Cho is accused of publicly insulting BoA and impairing the utility of public facilities by leaving sexually disparaging graffiti about the singer using a permanent marker a total of eight times on bus stop signs and electronic billboards in the Gangnam-gu and Gangdong-gu areas of Seoul in June of last year.

The Seoul Gangnam Police Station received a complaint from BoA in June of last year, investigated the case, and forwarded it to the prosecution in July. Cho is reportedly known to have a history of being sentenced to fines multiple times on charges including property damage for repeatedly leaving insulting graffiti targeting other celebrities in addition to BoA.

The graffiti targeting BoA last year was discovered consecutively around the Gangnam Station area, sparking public anger among fans.

Fans shared locations where the graffiti was found through online communities, reported them to the police, the local district office, and SM Entertainment, and some fans even visited the sites personally to take part in voluntary cleanup activities, wiping away the graffiti with wet wipes and other materials.

One fan shared at the time, "I was so worried that the artist would see this graffiti and get hurt. I couldn't just leave it there, so I wiped it off myself and also reported it to the police."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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A heartwarming wave of praise and personal anecdotes about actor Ahn Jae-hyun is spreading across online communities, drawing widespread attention.

Following one person sharing a photo taken with Ahn Jae-hyun about 10 years ago and recalling him as a celebrity they always want to cheer for, the comments section has been flooded with similar personal encounters and secondhand stories from people who met him in person.

Recently, a Threads user wrote, "After posting a golf course sighting of Lim Ji-yeon and Lee Do-hyun a few days ago, I was scared to see it spread like crazy across media outlets and blogs. Suddenly, a celebrity I wanted to praise came to mind. It was Ahn Jae-hyun, whom I saw at my cousin's wedding about 10 years ago."

The writer recalled, "At the time, Ahn Jae-hyun was at the height of his popularity, but because he has been childhood friends with my cousin, he came all the way to Busan for the wedding. Even when wedding guests asked for photos, he never once showed any annoyance and smiled while taking pictures with everyone until the end. Seeing his attitude that day made me realize he is a good person." They added, "He went through some personal matters, but seeing him on TV these days makes me glad. He is a celebrity I always want to support."

As the post spread, more heartwarming stories about Ahn Jae-hyun followed in the comments.

One wrote, "I have heard so many times that Ahn Jae-hyun has great character and a good heart. He is a celebrity I really hope succeeds," while another recalled, "I met him as a customer at a store, and rather than just being handsome, he was a humble and upright person. Even when I asked him for an autograph on the credit card receipt, he did it with sincere care."

Another person who has known Ahn Jae-hyun since his modeling days shared, "Whenever he came down to Busan before his broadcast debut, we would often keep in touch, and he was really kind back then too. He wasn't as famous as he is now, but his visuals were striking enough that people would turn around just to look at him as he passed by."

Encounters from filming locations also surfaced. One said, "A drama was being filmed in my neighborhood, and all the older women were going crazy over how amazing he looked in real life," while another wrote, "When he came to our neighborhood for a YouTube shoot, he took photos with fans and chatted with them, but that side of him never made it into the news articles."

In addition, supportive and praising comments continued, such as "I ran into him abroad by chance and he was so polite and friendly," "He is easily one of the kindest celebrities I have ever met," "There must be a reason why there are so many good stories about him," "I often heard from acquaintances that he is always consistent," and "An acquaintance of mine lives in the same apartment complex and said he is extremely affectionate toward children."

As these good deeds spread, Ahn Jae-hyun's side showed a modest reaction. A representative from Ahn Jae-hyun's agency told SBS Entertainment News, "Upon hearing that posts like this had been uploaded, he himself was quite flustered. He doesn't remember every detail because it happened a long time ago, but he mentioned that he has always considered it natural to take photos when asked at places like wedding venues, and finding it introduced as heartwarming stories makes him feel rather embarrassed and shy."

Ahn Jae-hyun has been actively continuing his career by recently appearing on MBC's variety show "I Live Alone" and other programs.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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ADOR is holding its first-ever solo domestic boy group audition to discover the next generation of male idols.

On July 24, ADOR announced through its official social media the upcoming "ADOR BOYS AUDITION in KOREA".

The auditions will take place across 7 cities nationwide, starting in Seoul on August 1, followed by Gwangju on August 2, Jeju on August 12, Daejeon on August 14, Wonju on August 16, Daegu on August 29, and Busan on August 30. This marks the first time that ADOR, which has previously held global auditions, is hosting an exclusive audition targeting South Korea only.

Applicants must be males born in 2007 or later, and they can freely showcase their talents across various fields without restriction, including singing, dancing, rap, and acting. All applicants who complete the online pre-registration will be given the opportunity to participate in an in-person audition directly meeting the judges.

ADOR stated, "We ask for a lot of interest from students during the vacation period, and anyone who wants to show off their strengths and talents is welcome to knock on the door of the audition without hesitation."

Meanwhile, ADOR is the label that produced NewJeans, and under its recent new management system, it is accelerating its next-generation boy group project and stepping up to discover new talent.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The plagiarism allegations surrounding the film "The King's Warden" have been settled following a court decision.

On the 23rd, the 21st Civil Division of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Shin Myung-hee) dismissed the application for a film screening injunction filed against co-production companies OndaWorks and BA Entertainment, as well as distributor Showbox, by the bereaved family of the scenario writer for the drama "Eom Heung-do".

The court found it difficult to locate similarities between the scenario submitted by the bereaved family and the film "The King's Warden". It also determined that there are essential differences in their creative expression methods.

The court stated, "While some similarities can be found in the materials and settings between the bereaved family's scenario and 'The King's Warden,' the overall plot and main themes are completely different," adding, "It is difficult to recognize similarities in the unique and inherent characteristics of the bereaved family's scenario."

It also explained the difference that while the bereaved family's scenario centers on the emotional theme of "confucian loyal narrative," "The King's Warden" focuses on the interaction, change, and growth of Danjong, Eom Heung-do, and the villagers.

Furthermore, the court mentioned that there was no data to prove the possibility that director Jang Hang-jun, who revised the scenario for "The King's Warden," had access to the bereaved family's scenario.

Previously, "The King's Warden" became embroiled in allegations of plagiarizing the script of the drama "Eom Heung-do," which aired in the 2000s. The bereaved family of the drama 'Eom Heung-do' writer claimed that the film plagiarized the drama scenario and requested to halt its screening and OTT (video streaming service) availability. With this court ruling, the production company of "The King's Warden" is able to screen the film on airplanes or ships, provide it through OTT and DVDs, and export it overseas.

Released in February, "The King's Warden" recorded approximately 16.88 million cumulative viewers, ranking second of all time behind "The Admiral: Roaring Currents," which was released in 2014 with 17.61 million viewers.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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With only two episodes left until its conclusion, "Agent Kim Reactivated" is set for a final showdown as So Jisub and Joo Sang Wook point their guns at each other.

In episode 9 of the SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Agent Kim Reactivated" (written by Nam Dae-jung, directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun), airing on the 24th, Agent Kim (played by So Jisub) and Joo Kang-chan (played by Joo Sang Wook) meet again in a secluded forest to fight a life-or-death battle to end their bitter ties.

Episode 8 recorded 23.6% in the Seoul metropolitan area and a peak of 26.2% according to Nielsen Korea, breaking its own record for the highest viewership ratings among miniseries broadcast in 2026. At the end of episode 8, Agent Kim became entangled in a massive conspiracy and was surrounded by guns, while Joo Kang-chan pushed forward with revenge that crossed the line, signaling an unpredictable catastrophe.

In stills released ahead of the broadcast, the two maintain a hair-trigger standoff. Agent Kim, with clear scars on his face, reveals his determination with an unwavering gaze, while Joo Kang-chan exerts pressure with a cold smile and a provocative line saying, "It seems our parent-teacher consultation isn't finished yet." The chilling gazes of the two aiming guns at each other create breathtaking tension.

On set, So Jisub completed the character's anger and determination with just restrained expressions and a steady gaze. Joo Sang Wook also matched him with a chilling charisma that did not lose composure even in front of a gun, creating palpable tension. The two actors reportedly left the set holding their breath by showing flawless chemistry in the scene where they exchanged lines and glances while pointing guns at each other.

The production team shared, "In this 9th episode, the ultimate showdown between Agent Kim and Joo Kang-chan will push the drama's tension to its peak," and asked viewers, "Please stay with us until the end to see what results the fateful moment they face will bring."

Episode 9 of "Agent Kim Reactivated" will air on Friday the 24th at 9:50 p.m.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Domestic and international fans of actor Kim Soo-hyun have made a clothing donation for vulnerable children to celebrate the 19th anniversary of his debut.

Child welfare specialized organization ChildFund Korea announced on the 24th that the BENCH X Actor Kim Soo-hyun Korea & Global Fan Coalition donated clothing for vulnerable children in South Korea in honor of Kim Soo-hyun's 19th debut anniversary.

The BENCH X Actor Kim Soo-hyun Korea & Global Fan Coalition is a combined body formed together by the Daum fan cafe Eucaris and the DC Kim Soo-hyun Gallery.

Fans from 114 countries worldwide participated in this donation, adding meaning to the sharing under the message, "True in Every Moment, May It Reach the World with a Warm Glow."

This donation was carried out under the name of the BENCH X Actor Kim Soo-hyun Korea & Global Fan Coalition. A total of 3,800 items of clothing, consisting of 1,900 children's t-shirts and 1,900 hats, were prepared in accordance with the number symbolizing the 19th debut anniversary. The fan coalition prepared 1,000 sets, and Philippine clothing brand BENCH joined in the cause by adding 900 more sets, completing a total of 1,900 sets.

ChildFund Korea plans to use the received clothing to support vulnerable children in South Korea so they can wear seasonally appropriate clothes in a timely manner.

A representative for the BENCH X Actor Kim Soo-hyun Korea & Global Fan Coalition stated, "It is meaningful to be able to provide practical help to children by gathering our hearts to celebrate the 19th debut anniversary. We hope this becomes a small addition to helping children grow up warmly and healthily."

A representative from ChildFund Korea stated, "We thank the fans for practicing warm sharing on such a meaningful day as actor Kim Soo-hyun's 19th debut anniversary. We will continue our support so that children can grow up happily."

Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyun recently resumed official activities after about 1 year and 4 months by conducting an advertisement photoshoot for the Philippine clothing brand BENCH.

This marks his first official schedule carried out since suspending activities in March of last year due to various suspicions raised by Hover Lab, drawing attention to whether he will expand his domestic and overseas activities in the future.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Director Lee Chang-dong's new film "Possible Love" has been officially invited to the competition section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.

"Possible Love" depicts the story of two couples, a laid-off worker and his wife, and a documentary director and her husband, who meet through the production of a documentary and confront their different lives and hidden desires. Directed by Lee Chang-dong, who made "Green Fish", "Oasis", "Secret Sunshine", and "Burning", the film stars Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung, and Cho Yeo-jeong.

This marks the first time in 24 years, since 2002 with "Oasis", that Director Lee Chang-dong has been invited to the competition section of the Venice International Film Festival. At the time, "Oasis" won a total of five awards, including the Director's Award and Moon Sori's Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Actress.

This year's film festival will be held from September 2 to 12 on Lido Island near Venice. In the competition section, Director Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love" will compete for the Golden Lion, the grand prize. 

Director Lee Chang-dong and the actors plan to attend official events and press conferences held locally.

"Possible Love" will premiere worldwide at the Venice International Film Festival before meeting global viewers through Netflix.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Broadcaster Lee Na-yeon (30), a JTBC Golf announcer, has sparked controversy after mentioning the company's financial difficulties on YouTube and claiming that "the air conditioning is not working."

The controversy stemmed from a video titled "I am not unemployed yet" uploaded to Lee Na-yeon's YouTube channel on the 13th.

Lee Na-yeon candidly shared her feelings about JTBC's financial crisis through the video description box.

She wrote, "While doing my best at the given work and looking around, the world had changed a lot. For example, while working hard on broadcasting, the company went bankrupt?" and added, "If I have to leave this company, will I be able to work as an announcer again? Since I am older now and it will be hard to get a job again, I felt briefly depressed thinking that my days as an announcer might really end like this." She also added, "Fortunately, there are still no major issues with the company and broadcasting, but I am seriously thinking about my second future. Even if I do new work later, please cheer me on."

In the video as well, Lee Na-yeon studied foreign languages in the JTBC office lobby and said, "I am not sure if I should say this, but maybe because the company is struggling, the air conditioning is not turning on. It is so hot." She added, "Does this really have an impact? I will not get fired for saying things like this, right?"

Also, through subtitles, she wrote, "I am not unemployed yet. I am still working at JTBC Golf." She added, "Actually, I am not sure how much longer I can show this to you. It is a place that feels like my spiritual home."

After the video was released, some viewers raised criticisms, saying it was inappropriate to make lighthearted jokes about the company's financial difficulties. On the other hand, comments of support and encouragement worrying about JTBC's financial situation also followed.

In particular, it was confirmed that Lee Na-yeon's remark that "the air conditioning is not coming out" was different from the facts. According to the broadcasting industry, separate from JTBC's financial difficulties, the cooling system inside the office building is operating normally, and there are no particular problems with the working environment for employees. Regarding this, criticisms continued within JTBC that it was a rash remark that dampened the morale of colleagues.

JTBC declared a default last month on the 12th after failing to repay a liquidity borrowing of 20.6 billion KRW. Afterward, it applied for the commencement of rehabilitation procedures with the court, and the court accepted the application for the Autonomous Restructuring Support (ARS) program, holding off on whether to commence rehabilitation procedures.

Meanwhile, Lee Na-yeon began her broadcasting activities as a JTBC Golf announcer in 2021 and gained recognition through the 2022 Tving original variety show "EXchange 2". She is currently in a relationship with ice hockey player Nam Hee-doo and recently drew attention by appearing with Nam Hee-doo on the JTBC variety show "Extreme Tour".

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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“I staked my life on it like a gamble.”

On the July 23 broadcast of SBS's "Tails of Tales", the love story of Ahn Jae-hyung and Jiao Zhimin, who overcame the barriers of reality, was spotlighted under the subtitle "Century of Love - Ahn Jae-hyung & Jiao Zhimin".

Former national table tennis athlete Ahn Jae-hyung fell in love at first sight with China's Jiao Zhimin, who was the top star player of her time in the 1980s. Feeling nervous just by saying hello, Ahn imitated the gestures Jiao frequently made and smiled at her. With his flirty gestures repeated every time they met, Jiao eventually smiled back at him.

The two grew close as if by fate. They conveyed their feelings to each other through letters. However, South Korea and China did not have diplomatic relations, and official exchanges were limited. In particular, South Korea and China had fought against each other during the Korean War, making China a country that felt as distant and sensitive as North Korea. Even making phone calls or sending letters was no easy task.

The two met again after half a year without even knowing each other's news. Ahn Jae-hyung wrote down Chinese characters from a Korean dictionary and communicated with Jiao Zhimin in writing. Jiao Zhimin was two years older than Ahn Jae-hyung. Thinking he did not want to look younger to her, Ahn introduced himself as being one year older than her.

And as feelings for each other built up, the time to part ways came once again. Afterwards, meetings between the two were not easy. Because of this, Ahn Jae-hyung delivered letters to Jiao Zhimin through other Chinese athletes at international competitions, and at another international competition, another Chinese athlete delivered a gift sent by Jiao Zhimin to Ahn Jae-hyung.

However, Ahn could not understand Jiao Zhimin's letters, no matter how hard he tried. In response, Ahn Jae-hyung immersed himself in studying Chinese by playing Chinese language tapes all day long. And he practiced table tennis as hard as he studied Chinese. This was because he had to become an athlete evaluated by world table tennis in order to meet Jiao Zhimin.

Afterwards, Ahn Jae-hyung made it to the final five-member list for the 1986 Asian Games table tennis national team. Jiao Zhimin was also selected for the Chinese national team, and the two finally met again in Seoul.

And the South Korean men's national table tennis team won the gold medal thanks to Ahn Jae-hyung's performance. South Korea won the gold medal against an exceptionally formidable Chinese lineup, with Ahn Jae-hyung at the center of the victory. With this, Ahn Jae-hyung engraved his three-letter name on the world stage overnight.

Jiao Zhimin also won a gold medal, and the two met again. Unlike the first time, the two directly conveyed congratulations to each other and expressed their feelings, clumsy as they were. And Ahn Jae-hyung gifted Jiao Zhimin the South Korean national team training suit that she liked.

Ahn Jae-hyung realized his feelings two years after first meeting Jiao Zhimin. One day, when days of having to part ways soon after meeting repeated, Ahn sent a confession letter containing his feelings to Jiao Zhimin.

He sent a letter containing his sincere feelings, saying, "They say the saddest thing in the world is parting with the person you love. I can't believe how I ended up liking you this much. Love is not done with words, but with the heart. I love you. Don't forget me. I won't forget you either." And Jiao Zhimin replaced her feelings with a photo in her dorm room with Ahn Jae-hyung's poster attached to it.

Thus, in the autumn of 1986, the two's love began. But at the same time, it was the beginning of trouble. At the time, the two's love was blocked by a wall of reality that was hard to overcome with love alone.

And in January 1987, an unexpected incident occurred. A Japanese newspaper broke the news of the two's romantic relationship. A photo of Jiao Zhimin wearing the training suit given by Ahn Jae-hyung was released, and because of this, not only domestic media but media around the world paid attention to the two.

In the end, the two denied each other's relationship through the media, and even when they met, they had to pretend not to see each other. However, none of this was sincere. They spoke of parting ways falsely because they were afraid that each other would be placed in a difficult situation.

As the wall of reality grew higher alongside their deepening feelings, Ahn Jae-hyung asked the national team doctor to help him. The doctor, who was cheering for Jae-hyung's feelings, thought he should help the two's love with a pure heart, and thus the two continued a secret romance. They also met each other's parents and even began thinking about marriage.

And around that time, news reports about the two's marriage rumors surfaced. To handle the situation, Ahn Jae-hyung directly appeared on a live news broadcast to deny the marriage rumors with Jiao Zhimin. This was because it could cause political repercussions.

However, even after that, Ahn Jae-hyung continued to think about marrying Jiao Zhimin and planned for them to register their marriage in utmost secrecy at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Sweden. Jiao Zhimin agonized over the decision, but what the two ultimately chose was love.

Recalling that time, Jiao Zhimin said, “Because I liked him, I didn't want to lose this opportunity or our love. I staked my life on it like a gamble.”

On October 19, 1989, the two became a married couple. However, around that time, the world was also changing little by little. Changes in socialist countries arrived.

And the impossible marriage of the two, and their relationship, influenced the two countries. It became an important stepping stone and catalyst in promoting the northern policy.

With a love achieved by crossing the high barrier of ideology, the two held a traditional Korean wedding ceremony at Olympic Park on December 22, 1989, amid the celebrations of many. And the two's love was forever recorded as a century of love that transcended the barriers of borders and ideology.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Hyo-jung)

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The movie "COLONY" is launching its simultaneous theatrical and VOD service starting today (the 23rd).

According to its distributor Showbox, "COLONY" will begin offering its service starting on the 23rd across various online and mobile platforms, including IPTV and cable TV VOD. Viewers can watch it via IPTV (Genie TV, Btv, U+tv), digital cable TV (Studio Choice), OTT platforms (Wavve, Apple TV+, Coupang Play, Watcha, Google TV, YouTube, etc.), satellite broadcasting (Skylife), and web hard platforms.

"COLONY" depicts the story of survivors isolated inside a building blockaded due to an unidentified infection outbreak as they fight against infected individuals evolving in unpredictable ways. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, who created "Train to Busan", the film stars Jun Ji-hyun, Koo Kyohwan, and Ji Changwook.

It drew attention after being invited to the Midnight Screening section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, and after opening domestically on May 21, it gathered 5.94 million moviegoers nationwide. This record places it second in the overall box office for 2026, following "The King's Warden" (16.91 million).

Having largely wrapped up its theatrical run, "COLONY" is set to greet viewers in their living rooms and on mobile devices through IPTV services. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Where does Kwon Ye-chan's heart truly lie?

On the July 23 broadcast of SBS's "Match To Marry: With Parents 2", Kwon Ye-chan was captured stepping into the spotlight as the ultimate "Uija-wang."

Ahn Do-yoon's mother, who secured a secret conversation ticket, requested a chat with Kwon Ye-chan and expressed her affection for him.

Specifically, Ahn Do-yoon's mother asked about Kwon Ye-chan's family background and his parents' occupations, saying, "My husband has been a dentist for a long time and is still practicing. And Do-yoon's younger sibling is an elementary school teacher. I think family alignment is really important."

In response, Kwon Ye-chan caught attention by sharing, "My parents have been in business for a long time. They've been running postnatal care centers for about 30 years ever since they first started appearing in Korea in the early 2000s. Recently, they've been resting like it's a sabbatical and getting ready to start again. When they were really busy, they ran about three of them at the same time."

Afterwards, Ahn Do-yoon's mother and Kwon Ye-chan had a candid conversation about realistic matters, and Kwon Ye-chan later stated that his favorable impression of Ahn Do-yoon had grown even more.

Meanwhile, Kim Da-hye, realizing that there were misunderstandings surrounding her, honestly expressed that she wanted to have another conversation with Kwon Ye-chan, who she heard had a favorable impression of her. She also shared her thoughts, saying, "It's true that Shin-woo is a good person, too. But there are things that keep bothering me in my heart. Because of that, I find myself overthinking. And in a situation where he picked me as one of his top choices, I worry a lot about what position I should take." She added, "Now that the puzzle pieces have fallen into place through my conversations with the mothers, I realize how truly clueless I was," raising curiosity about whether Kim Da-hye's subsequent actions will change.

Yang Ha-yoon, who experienced a sort of breakup-not-a-breakup with Kim Dong-young, sought out Kwon Ye-chan. Yang Ha-yoon asked if she was included among his objects of interest, explaining, "We never actually dated today, but we had a breakup. After going through that, I felt I needed to sort things out clearly. So I wanted to ask you as well." Hearing Kwon Ye-chan's answer, Yang Ha-yoon straightened out her path, thinking, "I figured I should sort things out at this point."

Next, Ahn Do-yoon visited Kwon Ye-chan, and Kwon Ye-chan told Ahn Do-yoon who his top three romantic interests were.

Kwon Ye-chan and Ahn Do-yoon continued their conversation in a much more relaxed atmosphere compared to their previous talks. They drew closer to each other step by step by honestly discussing each other's environments, conditions, and more.

Just as their conversation was reaching its peak, someone else came to find Kwon Ye-chan. Seeing this, the panelists felt firsthand just how popular Kwon Ye-chan was, remarking, "He really is the Uija-wang."

The person who appeared at this moment was Lee Kang-hyun. As a result, Ahn Do-yoon wrapped up her conversation with Kwon Ye-chan and left. Witnessing this, Lee Kang-hyun cracked a joke by saying, "This place is like a royal palace," bringing everyone to laughter.

Lee Kang-hyun asked Kwon Ye-chan about his views on faith, plunging him into deep thought. Right then, yet another female contestant appeared. This time, it was Kim Da-hye.

Hearing Lee Kang-hyun mention that their conversation wasn't over yet, Kim Da-hye asked Kwon Ye-chan to come find her after his chat finished, and then headed back to the dormitory. However, Kang Shin-woo sought out Kim Da-hye once again.

When Kang Shin-woo asked if she had time, Kim Da-hye turned down his conversation, replying, "I'm supposed to talk with Ye-chan in about 15 minutes." Seeing Kwon Ye-chan arrive to meet Kim Da-hye, Kang Shin-woo didn't hide his feelings toward her, blurting out, "Don't go. Send him away quickly."

Kim Da-hye, who had been waiting to talk with Kwon Ye-chan, confessed, "Actually, I came here thinking about religion," and asked if the other person felt similarly. Kwon Ye-chan responded by sharing his perspective, saying, "I thought religion comes into play only after you figure out if you're a good match first," indicating that other things took priority over religion for him.

Listening to this, Seo Jang-hoon also expressed disappointment regarding Kim Da-hye's approach, noting, "Ye-chan's words are the correct answer. Shouldn't you talk about whether you're a good match first before discussing religion?"

Kwon Ye-chan shared a similar sentiment. He expressed his honest thoughts by saying, "I'm not so sure anymore if Da-hye is my third choice," and added, "If I cared that much about such things, I figured it would have been faster to just look for a woman exclusively at church," leaving viewers curious about how this conversation will impact the two moving forward.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Hyo-jung)

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Kim Dong-young drew the line with Yang Ha-yoon.

On the 23rd broadcast of SBS's "Match To Marry: With Parents 2", Yang Ha-yoon had an honest conversation with Kim Dong-young about long-distance dating.

On this day, Yang Ha-yoon finished her three-on-one date with Kwon Ye-chan and talked with Kim Dong-young. She said, "You live really, really further south than I thought... After hearing the word Gimhae, I couldn't properly listen to the self-introduction. I kept writing Gimhae, Gimhae, Gimhae."

Yang Ha-yoon also said, "I don't expect a huge sacrifice tailored to me. I think that when one side makes sacrifices, differences in thought arise from the sacrifice, and a relationship without sacrifice is a bit healthier. Actually, before opening the clinic, my job was very free to move around regions. But it's only been about six or seven months since I started... I thought this would be a bit difficult."

In response, Kim Dong-young cautiously opened up by saying, "Until I talked with Ha-yoon just now, a unilateral greed that I could just adapt was dominant."

He continued to draw the line, saying, "The situational conditions might be too difficult... Since we both have that kind of thought, I think we can wrap things up here."

Hearing this, Yang Ha-yoon expressed her regret, saying, "Actually, I didn't come here to say a closing greeting, but I do feel a sense of regret. Because the conversation was so good." Yang Ha-yoon continued and couldn't finish her sentence, saying, "I even thought, should I have looked for more ways and come to talk?"

Then Kim Dong-young said, "For that, Ha-yoon is too smart. You must have thought of tens of thousands of ways. Anyway, I support you, Ha-yoon."

Afterward, Yang Ha-yoon showed a bitter expression, saying, "Actually, what I wanted to hear was something like don't worry about that, let's put that issue aside and talk a little more. I think I developed more feelings than I thought."

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

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Kim Da-hye opened up about the truth behind the rumors surrounding her.

On the July 23 broadcast of the SBS program "Match To Marry: With Parents 2" (hereinafter "Match To Marry 2"), Kwon Ye-chan's mother had a private conversation with Kim Da-hye.

During the broadcast, the mothers played a game with private conversation passes on the line. Kwon Ye-chan's mother, who placed first among the male contestants' mothers, chose Kim Da-hye as her conversation partner.

Kwon Ye-chan's mother asked Kim Da-hye if she was ready for marriage. In response, Kim Da-hye answered honestly, "Honestly, I have seen many people around me get married quickly once their hearts align. Ultimately, I think feelings, chemistry, and marriage happen naturally when they are meant to be."

Hearing this, Kwon Ye-chan's mother said, "Among the three people Ye-chan is interested in, Da-hye is one of them," surprising Kim Da-hye, who had no idea. Kwon Ye-chan's mother expressed her affection for Kim Da-hye, sharing that she felt similarly to her son.

Kwon Ye-chan's mother then added, "However, I heard something. I heard that certain people are basically going all-in," revealing that she had heard rumors of Kim Da-hye already choosing a partner and pursuing him directly.

In response, Kim Da-hye said, "Hearing this now, everything about the situation makes sense. I can see how it might have looked that way to others," and added, "It is not that I have no feelings for him (Kang Shin-woo), but I am not really going all-in. There are two people I have feelings for, and one of them is Ye-chan. I want to talk more."

Kim Da-hye also stated, "I didn't come here to concede anything. I came out to meet a truly good person," revealing that she is being careful in order to find her real marriage partner.

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

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Actor So Ji-sub is driving viewers into deep immersion by setting new legendary endings in every episode of "Mr. Kim".

So Ji-sub delivers a passionate performance as Mr. Kim, a man who throws everything on the line to find his missing daughter, Min-ji (played by Seo Su-min), in the SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Mr. Kim" (written by Nam Dae-jung, directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun). Skillfully portraying everything from exhilarating action to heart-wrenching paternal love, he leaves a powerful lingering impression at the end of each episode, making it impossible for viewers to skip the next.

Here is a look back at five of the most talked-about ending scenes from "Mr. Kim".

▲ Episode 1: Rage to Get Back His Missing Daughter... "Where is My Min-ji?"

While searching for clues to find his missing daughter Min-ji, Mr. Kim encounters Joo Hae-ri (played by Yoo Ji-an) and Sung Min-ho (played by Hwang Sung-bin). This is the moment when he instantly subdues the provoking Sung Min-ho, holds a wire to his neck, and reveals his hidden abilities by demanding, "Where is My Min-ji?" So Ji-sub's sharp gaze glued viewers to their screens.

▲ Episode 2: A Call From His Kidnapped Daughter... "Hello? Is That You, Min-ji?"

Refusing to give up hope for his daughter, Mr. Kim spots a phone call from her at the police station, instantly subdues a detective, and snatches the phone. With just a trembling voice uttering, "Hello? Is that You, Min-ji?" and his shaking eyes, So Ji-sub fully conveyed his desperation, pushing tension to its absolute peak.

▲ Episode 6: The Overwhelming Emotion of Finding His Daughter Amidst Urgency... "Dad is Here. Let's Go Home Now."

After a long pursuit, Mr. Kim finally reunites with his daughter, emerging from the shadows by subduing the Vice Minister of National Defense and instantly taking control of the high-stakes situation. He then looks at Min-ji and delivers a short phrase: "Dad is here. Let's go home now." Instead of explosive emotions, So Ji-sub reassures his daughter in a calm, low voice, leaving a deep, heartbreaking resonance.

▲ Episode 7: Waking Up in North Korea... Overwhelming Confusion and Anxiety

After safely sending his daughter back, Mr. Kim is arrested as promised. When he opens his eyes after being injected with an anesthetic, he finds himself in a North Korean interrogation room. So Ji-sub portrays this unexpected twist without a single line of dialogue, capturing confusion, alertness, and slowly creeping anxiety solely through his eyes, showcasing the pinnacle of restrained acting.

▲ Episode 8: The Final Mission Accepted to Protect His Daughter, and Another Crisis

Having accepted his final mission to protect Min-ji, Mr. Kim embarks on the operation full of hope, only to find himself driven to the edge once again as Joo Kang-chan's (played by Joo Sang-wook) scheme turns the guns of the special task force agents toward him. The moment where hope turns into despair with the words "Your mission has failed" was captured through nothing more than a single expression, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating the next episode.

In this way, So Ji-sub maximizes the show's immersion by making emotions built up throughout the running time explode in the final minute of each ending. Seamlessly navigating desperate paternal love, cathartic action, and startling twists, he proves why he is a trusted actor and a master of endings.

With only two episodes left until its conclusion, episode 9 of "Mr. Kim" will air tomorrow, Friday, July 24 at 9:50 PM, followed by the final episode on Saturday, July 25 at 9:45 PM.

Reported by Kang Sun-ae (sakang@sbs.co.kr)

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

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Chinese actor Tang Wei and South Korean film director Kim Tae-yong have welcomed a baby boy.

On the 22nd, Tang Wei shared a photo on her social media account showing all four family members holding hands. Writing from the perspective of her daughter Summer, she announced the birth of their second child with the caption, "Our family of four is going on a family trip soon." Her local agency confirmed that the newborn second child is a son. Throughout her pregnancy, Tang Wei had affectionately referred to the unborn child by the nickname "Colt."

News of Tang Wei's pregnancy first emerged in April of this year when she attended a brand event in Shanghai, China. At the time, her visibly rounded belly drew considerable attention.

Tang Wei later shared the news of her second pregnancy directly on her social media, writing, "I was truly surprised and overjoyed," and adding, "Everyone is excited as another little colt is joining our family."

The pregnancy and childbirth garnered significant attention due to her age of 47. Congratulatory messages are pouring in for Tang Wei's second child from both the Greater China region and South Korea.

The couple first met as director and actor on the film Late Autumn (2011) and married in July 2014. They welcomed their first daughter, Summer, in 2016. In June 2024, the film Wonderland, directed by Kim Tae-yong and starring Tang Wei, was released.

ebada@sbs.co.kr

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

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Antenna Plus YouTube channel DdeunDdeun is officially launching a new spin-off content "Punghyangjung" as part of its summer vacation special "2026 Summer Road Series."

On July 22, DdeunDdeun announced that it will introduce "Punghyangjung" as another spin-off lineup following "How About We Grab Some Ramyun?". It is domestic travel content that inherits the worldview of the hit show "Punghyanggo," which previously surpassed 100 million cumulative views and won the Best Variety Show award at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards.

"Punghyangjung" adds even stronger restrictive elements of "no navigation, no highways" to the core rules of the original "Punghyanggo," which were "no apps, no reservations." After spinning a wheel with domestic region names to randomly set a destination, an unimaginable journey unfolds where they must travel only via national roads without using a navigation system. Expectations are already high for the chaotic national road trip that the four-member crew of Yu Jae-seok, Lee Sung-min, Jee Seokjin, and Yang Sechan, who traveled overseas together in "Punghyanggo," will showcase in "Punghyangjung."

The heated momentum of another previously released spin-off, "How About We Grab Some Ramyun?", is also drawing attention. Led by Yu Jae-seok and featuring veteran talkers and actors Kim Nam-gil, Yoon Kyungho, and Joo Ji-hoon, the content captures a day trip taken with ramen as the medium, surpassing 10 million combined views just two episodes after its release (as of the 21st) and proving its unrivaled box office power in the web variety show scene.

DdeunDdeun is broadening the horizons of web variety content by successfully releasing various spin-off programs one after another, such as "Punghyanggo," "Ggangchon-cance," and "How About We Grab Some Ramyun?". "Punghyangjung," which is set to deliver refreshing laughter in the mid-summer heat, is also expected to draw an explosive response from subscribers.

"Punghyangjung" will be released sequentially over three episodes for three weeks, starting with its first episode on Saturday, August 1, at 9:00 AM.

[Photo = Antenna]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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The film "HOPE" has released a special video revealing the behind-the-scenes of its special photography.

Director Na Hong-jin and cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo maximized natural daylight through "HOPE" to capture subtle changes in light with sophisticated camera work and designed an overwhelming mise-en-scène.

In addition, XM2, the special photography team that participated in the "007" series, the "Mission: Impossible" series, the "John Wick" series, and the "Star Wars" series, joined forces to create original action sequences never before seen in Korean cinema.

The released video captures how electric bikes, wire cams, and slider systems capable of traveling at 200 kilometers per hour were utilized to complete the bold action scenes unique to "HOPE," ranging from rugged horseback action and thrilling chase sequences to fast-paced car chases.

Furthermore, breathtaking landscapes were captured both domestically and internationally—including the dense and deep forests of Retezat in Romania, as well as Haenam in Jeollanam-do, Hapcheon in Gyeongsangnam-do, and Jeju Island—completing visual spectacles that add strength to the narrative.

The dynamic chase scenes racing through a village turned into chaos and the three-dimensional perspective of the camera capturing an unknown presence combine the original sensibilities of Director Na Hong-jin and cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo with the technological prowess of XM2 to deliver unprecedented visual catharsis.

"HOPE" is a film that depicts the story that begins when Beom-seok, the head of the Hopohang branch office located in the Demilitarized Zone, hears news from local youths that a tiger has appeared, and encounters an unbelievable reality while the entire village goes on high alert. It surpassed 2 million moviegoers nationwide within 5 days of its release.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Park Soo-hong's sister-in-law, who was indicted for spreading false information regarding Park Soo-hong's personal life, has also been fined on appeal.

Criminal Appeals Division 1 of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Ban Jung-woo) dismissed the appeal filed by the defendant, surnamed Lee, who was indicted for violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc. (Defamation), and upheld the original ruling of a 12 million won fine.

Lee was sent to trial on charges of defaming Park Soo-hong by sending messages containing false information, such as claims that Park Soo-hong lived with a woman during his broadcasting career, through a KakaoTalk group chat.

Previously, the first-instance court sentenced her to a 12 million won fine, stating, "She committed the crime with the purpose of creating favorable public opinion for the legal dispute between herself and her husband and defaming the victim." In response, Lee appealed, claiming errors of fact and law, but her appeal was not accepted.

During the final appeal hearing held on May 25, the prosecution requested the court to "dismiss the defendant's appeal and sentence her to 10 months in prison, the same as the sentence originally sought by prosecutors."

In her final statement at the time, Lee belatedly expressed her apology to Park Soo-hong and his wife Kim Da-ye. Lee pleaded for leniency, stating, "Although it was a strictly private conversation with acquaintances, I apologize for causing hurt to Park Soo-hong and Kim Da-ye through it. At the time, I thought my actions were right, but looking back now, I realize how reckless and foolish I was. I am deeply reflecting on this and will make sure such a thing never happens again. I will become a mother who is not embarrassing to my children."

Lee's side argued that she had sufficient reason to believe the victim was living with a woman because she had spotted a woman's belongings at Park Soo-hong's home multiple times, and that she did not fabricate the statements knowing they were false. They also argued that the remarks were merely made to respond after the family property dispute became public and were not intended for defamation.

Meanwhile, Park Soo-hong's older brother, surnamed Park, was indicted on charges of embezzling funds from an entertainment agency corporation and Park Soo-hong's appearance fees, and recently had a prison sentence of 3 years and 6 months finalized by the Supreme Court.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Model Lee Min-seok (27) has been discharged early from the military after being judged unsuited for active-duty service.

News of Lee's discharge became known through a post by his wife and influencer Han Areumsongee. On the 22nd, Han shared a lengthy message via her social media, saying, "Today, I would like to speak regarding my husband Min-seok's military service."

She explained, "Min-seok has received treatment for mental health issues since before his enlistment. Even so, he chose to enlist for active duty of his own accord and tried to fulfill his national defense duties. However, as his symptoms worsened during his service, he underwent multiple examinations, consultations, and reviews based on the judgment of the military and medical institutions, and was ultimately discharged after being judged unsuited for active-duty service."

Han added, "This is not a decision made through a short or simple procedure. It is not a matter that can be decided solely by an individual's personal intent, but rather an official result finally reached in accordance with relevant regulations and procedures. Since we believe that recovering his health is the most important priority right now, we plan to spend time focusing on sufficient treatment and recovery for the time being. We sincerely thank everyone who always supports and worries about us, and we earnestly ask that you refrain from unconfirmed conjectures and speculation."

Previously, Lee, who is in an age-gap couple with Han Areumsongee where she is six years older, held their wedding on October 26, 2024. Lee is a model who has been active in domestic and international fashion scenes, making his presence known by walking the runways of Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks for brands such as Louis Vuitton, Valentino, and Dior since 2019.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Nam Joohyuk is returning to the small screen with a crime thriller centered around a mysterious app that grants wishes.

On the 23rd, Disney+ officially confirmed the production of its original series "Code", a highly anticipated project directed by Yu Su-min and starring actors Nam Joohyuk, Lee E-dam, Kim Euisung, and Park Hoon.

"Code" is a mystery crime thriller that unfolds when a materialistic lawyer navigating illegal and expedient methods is invited to an app called "Code" that grants wishes. Director Yu Su-min of the globally acclaimed "Weak Hero Class 1 & 2" will direct, delivering a fast-paced portrayal of the groundbreaking premise and unpredictable storyline.

In the series, Nam Joohyuk takes on an acting transformation as Yoon Tae-joo, a materialistic lawyer who dreams of becoming a partner at a top law firm. He is a character who accidentally receives an invitation to the "Code" app and plunges into a whirlpool of desire, raising expectations for another multi-dimensional performance unlike his previous works.

Following this, Lee E-dam plays Park Ji-dam, a Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office prosecutor who pursues Yoon Tae-joo to uncover the truth of the case, showcasing unique chemistry amid a tense standoff with Nam Joohyuk. Kim Euisung adds weight as Cho Chul-ho, a North Korean defector hacker who unintentionally cooperates with Yoon Tae-joo, and Park Hoon joins as Im Chang-jae, a violent crimes detective and Yoon Tae-joo's supporter, creating strong synergy.

The Disney+ original series "Code", which will sharply portray the naked face of human desire through the premise that one must handle the consequences to make wishes come true, is scheduled to be released next year.

[Photo = Nam Joohyuk (Fable Company), Lee E-dam (Ghost Studio), Kim Euisung (Aan Company), Park Hoon (Artist Company)] 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Director Kim Jae-hong of "Flex X Cop Season 2" shared his ambitious goals and behind-the-scenes stories ahead of the new season's premiere.

Premiering on August 7, SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama "Flex X Cop Season 2" (written by Kim Ba-da, directed by Kim Jae-hong) is a delightful, refreshing, and satisfying co-op investigation drama. It follows Jin Yi-soo (played by Ahn Bo-hyun), an immature chaebol who uses his wealth to turn cases around when investigations stall, and the new team leader Joo Hye-ra (played by Jung Eun-chae), as they throw money at solving crimes. Following in the footsteps of "Taxi Driver," "The Fiery Priest," and "The Judge from Hell" as part of the SBS refreshing universe, the series is drawing high anticipation as the upbeat kickoff for SBS's reliable seasonal drama lineup in 2026.

Director Kim Jae-hong, who returns to direct Season 2 following Season 1, stated, "We had only one goal: a Season 2 that is better than Season 1. The main principle for Season 2 was not to try things we haven't done before, but to do what we did well even better. While maintaining the kitschiness and wit, I pondered how Jin Yi-soo, who has grown into a true detective, would utilize his wealth in investigations."

He continued, "We prepared cases that happen only because it is Jin Yi-soo, and cases that can only be solved because it is Jin Yi-soo. The episodes are of such high difficulty that we often thought, 'How on earth are we going to film this?' To solve these difficult cases, Jin Yi-soo's flex had to scale up even further. To put it simply, while Jin Yi-soo only rode helicopters in Season 1, this time he even takes private jets overseas to catch criminals. We put a lot of effort into making these scenes blend naturally into the drama, as they could otherwise look like unrealistic cartoons," hinting at an expanded scale.

He expressed deep trust in the title role actor Ahn Bo-hyun. Director Kim praised him, saying, "He has ridiculous physical stats and visuals, but on top of that, he is smart, funny, and has a great personality. With actor Ahn Bo-hyun, anything is possible—whether it is a comedic scene, a serious scene, or an action scene." He added, "Ahn Bo-hyun's ego and ideas go into every single moment of Jin Yi-soo. Thanks to all the preparation and communication we did while building the character of Jin Yi-soo in Season 1, it was very comfortable to make Season 2. Now, 'Ahn Bo-hyun is Jin Yi-soo,' so when I tell him during rehearsals, 'Please just handle it however you like,' he really handles it. As a director, I am so grateful."

Regarding the newly joined Jung Eun-chae, he expressed satisfaction, saying, "She was the irreplaceable number-one pick for both me and the writer. Joo Hye-ra needs to have the charisma and senior aura to overpower Jin Yi-soo, while also being sophisticated and witty. This role is such a perfect fit that it couldn't have been pulled off without actor Jung Eun-chae." He also raised his thumb in praise, stating, "She has an aura and vibe that a person cannot acquire simply through effort. She acts well and puts in so much effort that she doesn't spare her body in action scenes. Her actual personality is even cute. She is simply the best."

Director Kim guaranteed the chemistry between Ahn Bo-hyun and Jung Eun-chae, pointing out, "First of all, their visual chemistry is insane. When you look at their two-shot, you start to wonder if the two of them are even the same species as you. Their facial harmony and physical chemistry are that good. Also, the personality dynamics between Jin Yi-soo and Joo Hye-ra, which is a new relationship in Season 2, are very entertaining. Jin Yi-soo is not the type to get pushed around by anyone, but he gets pushed around by Joo Hye-ra. The process of them starting off as an antagonistic senior and junior and gradually turning into colleagues who trust and rely on each other is thrilling. You can look forward to it."

In particular, the glamorous special appearance lineup is raising expectations for this season. Yoo Seung-ho appears as 'Yoo Sung-won,' a close younger friend of Jin Yi-soo and a mysterious third-generation chaebol sculptor, playing a pivotal role in the drama.

Director Kim confessed, "He is our hidden card who anchors a part of Season 2. Originally, we planned to hide him, cherish him, and reveal him later, but actor Yoo Seung-ho simply doesn't have a face that can be hidden. Whenever Yoo Sung-won appears, there are many serious and grave scenes according to the script, but the staff members are wearing very warm smiles. So we decided not to hide this precious card." He added, "I hope you will also look forward to actor Yoo Seung-ho's acting transformation and character interpretation skills. It will be fun to follow the gaze and find out why Yoo Sung-won, a third-generation chaebol sculptor artist with wealth comparable to Jin Yi-soo, has been under Joo Hye-ra's long-standing suspicion."

In addition, a dazzling array of actors such as Kim Eui-sung, Lee Hak-joo, Park So-yi, Heo Sung-tae, Jung Chae-yeon, Joo Hyun-young, and Jeon Hye-bin are stepping up to show their support. Director Kim explained, "We composed the casting mainly of actors who have a connection with me or actor Kim Bo-hyun. Just like Jin Yi-soo, who utilizes money and connections in his investigations, we mobilized all our available personal networks this time. Among the special appearance actors, some are villains and some are not, and it will be fun to figure out who among those many actors is the criminal."

Director Kim added, "To drop a slight spoiler, senior Kim Eui-sung appears in the first episode of Season 2 following Season 1, and he comes out in a massive role. Among ourselves, we decided that if we make Season 3, he will appear in episode 1 then as well. Senior Kim Eui-sung marks the beginning of every 'Flex X Cop' series." He also shared, "Aside from the actors revealed in the special credits, there are tiny little cameos prepared. It will be fun to watch out for when, at what timing, and in what appearance they show up."

Finally, Director Kim requested, "I sincerely thank the viewers whose love allowed 'Flex X Cop' to return with Season 2, and we worked hard to make a truly entertaining drama that can repay those expectations. I am confident that this is a 'Season 2 better than Season 1' that both those who watched Season 1 and those who didn't can thoroughly enjoy. Once you watch just episode 1, you will find it consistently entertaining from then on. It's a drama you can watch to comfortably blow away the heat on a sweltering summer night, so please show lots of anticipation and tune in."

"Flex X Cop Season 2" will premiere on Friday, August 7 at 9:50 PM KST, following the conclusion of "Agent Kim Reactivated".

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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A major shift is heading for the love lines on "Match to Marry 2".

On episode 5 of the SBS variety show "Match to Marry 2", airing on the 23rd, a secret conversation ticket battle that shakes the minds of the matching singles and their mothers will unfold, while participant Kim Da-hye's unexpected tears are captured, raising curiosity.

Kim Da-hye, the owner of a pilates academy, has formed an official couple vibe since their first meeting, receiving unwavering, direct affection from oriental medicine doctor Kang Shin-woo. However, lawyer Kwon Ye-chan steps up to the seemingly solid pair, saying, "I want to talk with Da-hye," instantly reversing the atmosphere. Kwon Ye-chan's surprise declaration causes Kang Shin-woo's pupils to shake, setting up a battle between the lawyer and the oriental medicine doctor over Kim Da-hye.

Receiving intense attention from the two men, Kim Da-hye instead could not hide her complicated feelings and shed tears. Kim Da-hye expressed confusion, saying, "I am worried about what position I should take," while MC Seo Jang-hoon watched and immersed himself in the situation with excitement, asking, "Is this a love triangle between a lawyer and an oriental medicine doctor?"

Meanwhile, dark clouds also loom over another love line. Oriental medicine doctor Yang Ha-yun requested a serious conversation with Kim Dong-young, a pharmaceutical company employee working in Gimhae, due to feeling burdened by a "long-distance relationship." It is rumored that MC Kim Yo-han, who had been cheering for the green light between the two, let out a massive scream, saying, "No! I am rooting for them!"

With the mothers going out, the unrestrained direct pursuit and emotional changes of the matching singles, who become even bolder, will be revealed on "Match to Marry 2" airing tonight (the 23rd) at 9 PM.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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The film "HOPE" (directed by Na Hong-jin) has claimed the number one spot at the daily box office for eight consecutive days.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network for movie theater tickets on the 23rd, "HOPE" drew 131,829 viewers nationwide on the 22nd. Its cumulative audience reached 2,533,444.

"HOPE" surpassed 2 million moviegoers in just five days after its release, boasting the fastest box office pace among films released this year. However, the onset of a downward trend as it enters its second week is a point of concern. While it is significantly outpacing the second-place film "Minions & Monsters" (which drew 18,079 people), maintaining its own competitive edge remains crucial.

Above all, polarized reactions toward the film could potentially hinder the expansion of word-of-mouth recommendations. "HOPE" is expected to surpass 3 million moviegoers sometime this week. It still has a long way to go to reach its break-even point of 7 million.

"HOPE" is a sci-fi action thriller about Beom-seok (played by Hwang Jung-min), the head of a sub-office in Hopohang located in the Demilitarized Zone, who visits the site after receiving a report about tigers and encounters an unimaginable presence. Directed by Na Hong-jin, who created "The Chaser" and "The Wailing," the film stars Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, and Jung Hoyeon.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Singer Sean has successfully completed a 72-hour non-stop 815km relay run alongside 100 runners ahead of the 81st anniversary of National Liberation Day.

Habitat for Humanity Korea announced that it held South Korea's first 72-hour non-stop "815km Relay Run" with Sean from July 20 to 23 at the Anyangcheon Multi-Sports Zone track in Seoul.

This event was organized as a preliminary event ahead of the "2026 815 Run" to be held this Liberation Day. It was planned to raise awareness for housing environment improvement projects for descendants of independence activists and to boost public interest.

The relay run was conducted in a format where 100 runners each ran 8.15km to complete a total of 815km. Using smartphones provided by Samsung Health as batons, records were passed on in real-time, and Sean took on both the first and last runners, marking the start and finish of the relay.

Participants were selected from among applicants for the "2026 815 Run" who could complete 8.15km at a pace of 5 minutes 10 seconds to 5 minutes 30 seconds.

Sean plans to run 81.5km as usual this Liberation Day as well. For the "2026 815 Run" to be held on August 15, about 4,000 offline participants at Sangam World Cup Park and about 15,000 virtual runners participating from all over the country will run 8.15km together. All donations, including participation fees, will be used for housing environment improvement projects for descendants of independence activists.

Lee Kwang-hoe, Secretary General of Habitat for Humanity Korea, stated, "Through South Korea's first non-stop "815km Relay Run" joined by 100 runners, it became an opportunity to further spread awareness about the housing support project for descendants of independence activists. We ask for your continued interest in the "2026 815 Run" held on Liberation Day and the housing environment improvement project for descendants of independence activists."

Meanwhile, Sean and Habitat for Humanity Korea have been raising housing environment improvement funds for descendants of independence activists through the "3.1 Run" and "815 Run" campaigns since 2020. With the funds raised so far, new homes have been established in 23 regions nationwide, including Hwasun in South Jeolla Province, Dongducheon in Gyeonggi Province, Cheongyang in South Chungcheong Province, Changwon in South Gyeongsang Province, Ulsan, Jecheon in North Chungcheong Province, and Cheongsong in North Gyeongsang Province.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Police have requested an arrest warrant for a third time against Cha Ga-won, the head of the entertainment agency One Hundred, who is facing allegations of fraud involving around 30 billion won.

On the 22nd, the Financial Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency requested an arrest warrant for CEO Cha on charges including fraud under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Economic Crimes. Previously, police applied for arrest warrants twice, in early May and on the 15th of the same month, but prosecutors rejected both requests with instructions to conduct additional investigations to supplement the criminal fact configuration.

CEO Cha is accused of proposing a business utilizing the intellectual property (IP) of artists under her management agency to Nomus Inc., signing a contract, and receiving an advance payment of 24.2 billion won without actually carrying out the business.

Police suspect that CEO Cha concluded a double contract while concealing the situation even though the existing contract was unlikely to expire, and that she also failed to prepare to fulfill the business. Separately, CEO Cha is also accused of failing to fulfill a contract and receiving a deposit of 5.4 billion won after promising to enter into a jeonse lease agreement with an acquaintance for each other's homes.

CEO Cha's side strongly protested the police's third warrant application. Hyun Dong-yeop, an attorney at Law Firm Hwa-Geum representing CEO Cha, claimed in a statement and a YouTube video, "It is proof that the prosecution's supplementary investigation power is desperately needed when the police commit illegal investigations that directly violate the Criminal Procedure Act and apply for an arrest warrant based on them."

Attorney Hyun also claimed, "Chairperson Cha Ga-won has fully cooperated with the investigation, submitted all relevant materials and forensic data, so there is no concern about destruction of evidence and no reason to flee. As a mother with a middle school child, there is no possibility of flight whatsoever." He repeatedly denied the necessity of an arrest, stating, "The formatting of former employees' computers is merely a standard company protocol and not the destruction of evidence, and they are driving Chairperson Cha Ga-won based solely on the statements of employees."

Meanwhile, apart from CEO Cha's case, Hive Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, who faces allegations of fraudulent unfair trading under the Capital Markets Act, has also had arrest warrants requested twice by police, both of which were rejected by prosecutors. At the time, prosecutors returned the warrants on the grounds that the police had not sufficiently fulfilled the supplementary investigation requirements.

kyakng@sbs.co.kr 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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With only two episodes left until its finale, "Agent Kim Reactivated" is set to unfold an unpredictable covert infiltration operation.

On the 23rd, the producers of the SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Agent Kim Reactivated" (written by Nam Dae-jung, directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun) heightened anticipation by releasing on-site stills ahead of episode 9 airing on the 24th, showcasing striking transformations of So Jisub (playing Agent Kim), Choi Dae-hoon (playing Sung Han-soo), and Yoon Kyungho (playing Park Jin-chul).

Previously, episode 8 recorded 23.6% in the Seoul metropolitan area and a peak of 26.2% according to Nielsen Korea, breaking its own record for the highest viewership ratings among miniseries broadcast in 2026. It has also claimed the number one spot in the Netflix global non-English TV show category for three consecutive weeks, proving its explosive box-office success both domestically and internationally.

In the released photos, the three individuals disguise their identities in different ways to infiltrate enemy lines. First, Agent Kim is dressed in a neat black suit, revealing a sharp gaze contrasting with his bruised face as he reawakens the instincts of a cool-headed legendary agent.

On the other hand, Park Jin-chul is fully disguised as a hotel chef wearing a chef's uniform and apron, drawing laughter by leisurely raising his hand even in front of security personnel. Sung Han-soo is captured cowering inside a cramped car trunk with a perplexed expression, arousing curiosity about the tense situation they have encountered.

The production team shared, "Agent Kim, Sung Han-soo, and Park Jin-chul will dive into a new operation while hiding their identities in their own respective ways. Amidst the tension-filled situations, the unique teamwork of the 'Dad Universe' will shine. Please look forward to the extraordinary exploits the three of them will unfold."

Episode 9 of the SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Agent Kim Reactivated," featuring the life-risking final team play against a massive conspiracy, will air at 9:50 PM on Friday the 24th.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Actor Park Eunbin is marking her 30th debut anniversary by sharing a special moment with her fans.

On the 23rd, her agency Namoo Actors announced that the "2026 Park Eunbin FAN CONCERT <EUN-iverse>" will be held at 5:00 PM on September 5th at the Seoul KBS Arena.

The title of this performance, "EUN-iverse," is a combination of Park Eunbin and Universe. It signifies Park Eunbin's own unique universe, created by gathering the time she has walked as an actor from her child actress days until now, her new journey to be written in the future, the characters she has portrayed, her music, and the precious memories built with her fans.

In the released poster, Park Eunbin catches attention by holding a star engraved with "EUNiverse" and creating her own mysterious universe with dreamy eyes.

The agency shared, "Park Eunbin is holding a fan concert to meet fans in a year that holds special meaning as an actor. In particular, at this performance, you will be able to see never-before-seen stages and unique charms." They added, "As this is her first performance in a year, she is doing her absolute best in preparations despite her busy schedule."

They also added, "We hope that this will be a deeply meaningful and long-lasting memorable time for both Park Eunbin, who has walked tirelessly since her debut, shown unwavering passion for acting, and received much love with her consistent sincerity, and all of you, the fans."

Starting with the Seoul concert, Park Eunbin's fan concert is scheduled to visit global fans, continuing to Taipei, Tokyo, and Osaka in Japan. Tickets for the Seoul concert will open through Ticketlink, with fan club pre-sales starting at 8:00 PM on the 30th, and general ticket sales opening at 8:00 PM on August 3rd.

[Photo = Namoo Actors]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Actor Ha Ji-won has successfully thrown the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park, becoming the first Korean actor to do so.

On July 22 (local time) at around 1:00 PM, Ha took the mound as the pitcher for the Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.

Originally scheduled for July 21, her appearance was pushed back by a day due to rain cancellations. The event, which made Ha the first Korean actor to throw a first pitch at Fenway Park, was organized as part of MLB's ongoing global efforts to connect with fans worldwide through the intersection of sports and entertainment.

On that day, Ha arrived at the stadium alongside Kim Byung-hyun, a legendary Korean Major Leaguer and former Boston Red Sox player, and took the mound wearing a Boston Red Sox uniform amidst cheers from the crowd at Fenway Park.

After exchanging hand signals with Kim Byung-hyun, who was positioned at the catcher's zone, Ha displayed a flawless pitching form and calmly threw the ball straight into the strike zone, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the spectators. Expressing her joy over the successful strike after the pitch, she watched the game firsthand to experience the excitement of the MLB.

Sharing photos from the scene after successfully completing her first pitch, Ha shared her thoughts, saying, "As the first Korean actor to throw a first pitch at the historic Fenway Park, I prepared hard. Although I felt very nervous due to the unexpected situation of the game being delayed by a day, I am relieved and proud to have finished it safely. I hope this first pitch served as a great source of strength for Korean expatriates living locally, and it was an honor to watch high-level MLB baseball in person."

Meanwhile, Ha is currently appearing in the web variety show "Ji-won Is the Class of '26", which follows her entering Kyung Hee University and interacting closely with Gen-Z college students. She has been drawing enthusiastic responses through various challenges, including a special "Home Run" stage, acting as a cheerleader, and throwing first pitches. She is scheduled to meet audiences with the movie "Bigwang" on September 2.

Photo Source = Major League Baseball (MLB) Official YouTube, Haewadal Entertainment 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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