SBS Star

On the 14th, the agencies representing both Zion. T and CHAEYOUNG released an official statement saying, "After checking with the artists themselves, the two are still maintaining a good relationship and continuing their relationship in a positive manner."

Earlier that day, a media outlet reported that the two had naturally drifted apart due to their busy schedules and broken up. However, the agencies for both sides refuted the report, stating that they confirmed the facts directly with the artists.

Both companies also announced a firm response to the spread of false information. They warned, "We will continuously monitor to prevent the artists' reputations from being damaged by baseless speculative articles, the spread of false information contrary to the facts, and malicious posts," adding, "We will take strong legal action against sensational reports and distribution regarding unconfirmed facts."

Zion. T and CHAEYOUNG became embroiled in dating rumors in April 2024, at which time the agencies for both sides acknowledged their relationship, stating that the two were meeting with good feelings. Since then, the two have continued their public relationship, overcoming a 10-year age gap.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Hover Lab's Kim Se-ui Requests Jury Trial in Kim Soo-hyun Case; First Hearing Postponed

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:14:00 +0900

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The first trial for Hover Lab representative Kim Se-ui, who was detained and indicted on charges including spreading false information about actor Kim Soo-hyun, was scheduled to be held on the 14th but was abruptly postponed on the day of the hearing. The trial date had previously been changed once on June 26 at the request of the defense, making this the second postponement.

According to the Seoul Central District Court, the trial for Kim and five others, which had been scheduled for 10:40 a.m. today in Courtroom 526 of the West Building, was canceled following an order by the court to change the trial date. The prosecutor, the defendants, counsel for both sides, and counsel for the victim were all notified.

On the 13th, the day before the scheduled trial, Kim's defense counsel submitted a written opinion along with a confirmation of intent expressing his desire to have a citizen participation trial. The victim's counsel also submitted a written opinion on the same day, and the court promptly issued a trial preparation order.

A citizen participation trial is a criminal trial system in which ordinary citizens participate as jurors to determine guilt and provide opinions on sentencing. Although the jury's verdict is not legally binding, the court generally respects it and takes it into consideration when issuing its ruling.

When an application for a citizen participation trial is filed, the court must first determine whether the defendant genuinely wishes to have such a trial and whether there are any grounds for exclusion. If the application is accepted, a separate pretrial preparation hearing must be held for procedures such as jury selection. As a result, the previously scheduled hearing could not proceed as planned.

Meanwhile, five to six trucks from Kim Soo-hyun's fandom, which has been calling for Kim Se-ui's detention, were stationed outside the court today, publicly expressing their support for Kim Soo-hyun.

Five to six individuals believed to be Hover Lab supporters also remained outside the courtroom. Some of them had also been seen at Kim's detention warrant hearing earlier. Appearing to be unaware that the trial date had been changed, they were seen leaving the courtroom area after learning of the postponement.

Previously, Kim was detained following a detention warrant hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court on May 26. He faces charges including violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes, defamation involving false statements, intimidation, and violations of the Stalking Punishment Act. The charges stem from broadcasts in which he claimed that the late Kim Sae-ron had been in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun while she was a minor and that pressure to repay her debts had caused her death, while presenting fabricated screenshots of KakaoTalk conversations and audio files as evidence.

Kim subsequently filed for a review of his detention, but the request was denied on June 2, leaving him in detention. He was indicted while in custody on June 23.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Former Xdinary Heroes Leader GUNIL Addresses Fan Insult Controversy Following Departure

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:31:00 +0900

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GUNIL, leader of the group Xdinary Heroes, has released a lengthy statement regarding his departure from the group.

On August 13, after JYP Entertainment officially announced that GUNIL would be leaving Xdinary Heroes, GUNIL posted on a fan platform, "This will likely be my final greeting to you as a member of Xdinary Heroes. I truly wanted to remain with Xdinary Heroes until the very end and keep the group as the six-member group, but as you know, I had no choice but to accept the company's decision."

Controversy previously escalated when an online post written by an individual claiming to be GUNIL's ex-girlfriend began spreading. In the post, the writer claimed that after concerts, GUNIL vented his frustrations about fans and even made harsh remarks such as wanting to "slap their faces," adding that he frequently badmouthed fans in private and differed from the bright image he displayed on broadcast.

In response, GUNIL stated, "Since I am no longer a member of Xdinary Heroes, I do not want to hide the truth or make false excuses for my own sake." Regarding the individual who initiated the controversy, he explained, "It was someone I got to know through an acquaintance and dated for about two weeks. At the time, I was mentally exhausted from ongoing malicious comments, false rumors about me, and various anxieties regarding Xdinary Heroes' music and performances. It was a time when opening up about my frustrated feelings to a stranger who didn't know me well felt more comfortable than confiding in those close to me."

Admitting to making the comments in question and apologizing for them, GUNIL also addressed the circumstances surrounding his statements at the time. He added, "Earlier this year, there was an incident where sasaeng fans broke into our dorm, and someone even attached a location tracker to my personal vehicle to follow me around. Going through those experiences filled me with immense fear and resentment toward certain malicious fans, and I went through a very difficult time mentally. As the leader and the oldest member, I couldn't easily talk about my fear or anxiety, so I tried my best to manage my emotions on my own."

Regarding the timing of his comments, he pointed to the concert at INSPIRE Arena this past June as the turning point. GUNIL stated, "Along with the members, I prepared with the single-minded goal of giving Villains the absolute best performance possible, and after finishing the first day's show, I checked social media with high expectations." He continued, "Seeing unexpected criticism and malicious comments caused me to break down emotionally. Not wanting to worry the company or my fellow members, I couldn't express how I felt, and in the end, while opening up about those pent-up emotions to someone I had only recently met, I carelessly blurted out harsh and wrong expressions."

GUNIL admitted, "I never imagined that conversation would be recorded and made public," but acknowledged, "Regardless of whether it was made public or not, I clearly know that me saying such things in itself was wrong."

However, he drew a firm line regarding who his remarks were directed toward. He emphasized, "The targets of my emotional statements at the time were certain malicious fans who hid behind anonymity to recklessly criticize us or invade our privacy. My words were absolutely not directed toward all the Villains who believed in us and supported us." He apologized again, adding, "Because I had tried so hard to show a diligent and dependable image as a leader, the disappointment and sense of betrayal you felt must have been even greater. I am truly sorry for that."

Regarding his relationship with his fellow members, he stated, "It would also be a lie to say I never had any grievances with the members, considering we always lived together and shared so much of our work and private lives." However, he affirmed, "I can say with absolute confidence and without a shred of shame that throughout my time promoting with Xdinary Heroes, I sincerely cherished and loved the members, and I was always grateful for the love sent by Villains." He also left the message, "To me, the members were always people I was proud of, and Villains were always people I was grateful for."

Xdinary Heroes is a six-member band that debuted under JYP Entertainment in December 2021, and with GUNIL's departure, they will continue activities as a five-member group.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Kim Min-hee Makes First Public Appearance After Giving Birth to Hong Sang-soo's Son: "I Made Baby Food on Set"

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:09:00 +0900

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Actor Kim Min-hee has made her first public appearance since giving birth and shared updates on her life.

On August 14 (local time), the Locarno Film Festival released a press conference video for director Hong Sang-soo's new film "Nowhere to Lay My Eyes," which was invited to the International Competition section. "Nowhere to Lay My Eyes" depicts the story of Sang-hee (played by Kim Min-hee), a daughter from a divorced family, as she heads to Jeju Island to find her mother whom she last saw 10 years ago. The film stars Choi Myung-gil, Kim Min-hee, Kwon Hae-hyo, Shin Seok-ho, and Park Mi-so.

Returning to films two years after the 2024 movie "By the Stream," Kim Min-hee remarked on the significance of this new project, saying, 'This is the first film I've shot after giving birth to a child.' She continued, 'Having taken a break for about two years after childbirth before filming this movie, my condition was different from before. Even while shooting the film, my child came to the set with me. I had to breastfeed and make baby food. That was the very first thing I did on set.'

Kim Min-hee also spoke about the changes before and after childbirth, stating, 'I would wake up early, finish all the preparations for the child, and then get ready for filming. The way I used to be completely absorbed only in films is gone. Since I have a child, I finished preparations for the child first and then did my best for the film. I think that version of myself was healthy.'

Director Hong Sang-soo and Kim Min-hee first met while filming the 2015 movie "Right Now, Wrong Then," and at a press conference for "On the Beach at Night Alone" in 2016, they acknowledged their romantic relationship, stating, 'We are in love.' Director Hong Sang-soo is a married man who wed in 1985 and has a daughter.

After continuing a common-law relationship, the two welcomed a son last year. Having faced criticism over their affair, they have refrained from domestic activities and have pursued a path of attending overseas film festivals only.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Park Joo-ho ♥ Anna Expecting Fourth Child After Her Recovery from Cancer

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 10:26:00 +0900

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Former soccer player Park Joo-ho's wife, Anna, has shared the miraculous news of her fourth pregnancy after overcoming her battle with cancer.

On the 13th, Anna posted a video titled "Starting Again" on her YouTube channel, greeting fans for the first time in about four months.

In the video, Anna said, "I thought about what kind of stories I should share with you from now on," and added, "Perhaps I can now cautiously open up about the cancer I went through."

Later, visiting a hospital, Anna shared an ultrasound video of her fourth child for the first time, accompanied by the touching message, "After enduring difficult times, life quietly holds precious hopes and waits for us." She announced the resumption of her YouTube activities with the blessing, saying, "Along with the hope that has found us this way, I am trying to start a new chapter with my family and with all of you."

Previously, Anna had broken hearts when she confessed to battling cancer in 2022, but she quietly endured the treatment process and recovered her health.

Married in 2015, the couple Park Joo-ho and Anna have a daughter, Na-eun, and sons, Geon-hoo and Jin-woo, and received lots of love through KBS2's "The Return of Superman." Following the news of the fourth pregnancy delivered after overcoming cancer, warm messages of support and congratulations from netizens are continuing.

[Photo=Park Joo-ho and Anna's YouTube]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Musical 'Frozen' Premieres in Korea Today with Jeong Sun-ah, Park Jinjoo, and More

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 10:06:00 +0900

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The musical "Frozen" kicks off its first-ever Korean premiere today (the 13th) at Charlotte Theater.

Based on the animated film of the same name, the production brings the kingdom of Arendelle to the stage through music, lighting, and theatrical staging. Audiences can enjoy original tracks by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, such as "Let It Go" and "Love is an Open Door," along with new numbers written specifically for the musical, including "Monster" and "I Can't Lose You."

The Korean premiere features 47 Korean cast members selected through auditions. Elsa will be played by Jeong Sun-ah, Jung You-ji, and Min Kyoung-a, while Anna will be portrayed by PARK JINJOO, Hong Geum-bi, and Choi Ji-hye. Cha Yoon-hae and Shin Jae-beom will perform as Kristoff, Kim Won-bin and Hwang Gun-ha as Hans, and Jung Won-young, Han Kyu-jung, and Lee Chang-ho as Olaf. Supporting cast members, ensemble members, and swing actors will also join the production.

Opening commemorative events are also underway. Paid ticketholders attending the "Opening Week" performances from August 13 to 16 will receive a special ticket.

A summer-themed "FROZEN in SUMMER" event has also been prepared. Paid ticketholders who attend performances from August 17 to 21 will receive an ice fan as a "Summer Week Gift."

An "IN SUMMER with Olaf" event will run at the venue until September 6. Those who submit what they would like to do with Olaf this summer will be entered into a draw to win handwritten letters from the actors who play Olaf.

The Seoul run will take place at Charlotte Theater, and the Busan performances are scheduled to be held at Dream Theatre in 2027.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Director Kim Mi-jo Aims for 'Mad Max' Style in 'The Journey to Gyeongju'

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 09:30:00 +0900

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"I am actually the youngest of four sisters. I thought I could capture the story of the mother and older sisters that I witnessed, along with those emotions. I wanted to make a movie with the story I am most confident about."

Director Kim Mi-jo, who directed the film "The Journey to Gyeongju", shared that the four sisters dynamic in the movie was adapted from her own family. Of course, the family in "The Journey to Gyeongju" is far from ordinary. An unexpected tragedy strikes them, and they devise and execute an extraordinary plan to overcome that pain.

Director Kim Mi-jo, who drew attention with her independent film "The Seagull", hit the jackpot in terms of casting for her commercial debut film "The Journey to Gyeongju". She cast some of the most talented actors in the current film industry: Lee Jung-eun, Kong Hyo-jin, Park So-dam, Lee Yeon, and Byun Yo-han. Four of these female actors came together as a family, while Byun Yo-han played a ruthless murderer.

The somewhat monotonous title takes on a different feel after watching the movie. This film blends elements from distinct genres such as family drama, thriller, action, and drama, giving it a very clear and distinct personality.

Attending the press preview on the 13th, Director Kim Mi-jo explained about this directing style, saying, "'The Seagull' and 'The Journey to Gyeongju' are both me. Personally, I am very interested in genre films. My goal is to shoot a movie like "Mad Max", and after watching "The Odyssey", I wanted to make a movie like "The Odyssey" too. I always match the format of the story to the production environment I can handle. This movie did not have a large budget, and since the format was a drama, I directed it that way."

"The Journey to Gyeongju", where comedy and tragedy intersect, also carries a dark comedy tone. The situation is tragic, but the episodes bring laughter. When a full-scale revenge story unfolds, viewers can also feel tension and fear.

Director Kim Mi-jo explained the meaning of the ending where comedy and tragedy intersect, saying, "When watching existing revenge stories, what I always wondered most was whether the process would be easy even if you understand the desire for revenge. Killing a person can never be easy. Furthermore, our movie features an inefficient revenge undertaken together by a family, and it was important to deal with a personal story. The same goes for how to deal with loss. I wanted to portray the mother Oksil as a character who pushes through the loss and makes a certain choice until the end."

"The Journey to Gyeongju" is a family revenge story about four mothers and daughters who embark on a "lethal" journey after eight years of waiting for their youngest daughter Gyeongju, who never returned from a school trip. Lee Jung-eun, Kong Hyo-jin, Park So-dam, and Lee Yeon starred in the film, while Byun Yo-han made a special appearance. It is scheduled to be released on August 26.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Go Ah-sung Named Goodwill Ambassador for '2026 Korea Literature Festival'

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 09:09:00 +0900

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Actor Go Ah-sung has been appointed as a goodwill ambassador for the "2026 Korea Literature Festival".

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and co-organized by related organizations, the "2026 Korea Literature Festival" is an event designed to promote the social solidarity and emotional healing value of literature. Throughout September, designated as "Reading Month," various programs such as Literature Week, the Seoul International Writers Festival, and Literature Sharing are scheduled to take place in Seoul and across the country.

Go Ah-sung previously appeared in a public service advertisement for reading. Known for her deep affection for reading and literature, Go has also been hosting the MBC radio program "Go Ah-sung's Radio Book Club" since March of last year, taking the lead in expanding the base of reading culture.

Go Ah-sung shared her thoughts, saying, "My childhood experiences with books were an important foundation that made me who I am today. I believe that acting out the lives of various characters as an actor also begins with believing in the power of stories. I am glad to share the comfort and value of connection that literature provides with more people."

As a goodwill ambassador, she plans to participate in shooting promotional videos and photos for the festival and host the opening ceremony of the 2026 Literature Week. She also plans to actively share festival news and messages through social media.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Uncovering the Chonan Kidnaping Case on 'Tails of Tales': 40 Missing Cable Ties and Untold Crimes

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 10:31:00 +0900

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The day evil men treated murder like a hunt was revealed.

On the 13th, the SBS program "Tails of Tales" tracked the murder cases that threw a region into terror in 2005 under the subtitle "The Evil Squad: Hunters of Death."

In November 2005, a husband from a family in Cheonan was kidnapped. The husband, who had said the previous night that he was going to a jjimjilbang after a company dinner, did not return by the next day, and just as worry set in, a letter arrived at the house.

On the back of someone's wedding invitation, a message was left saying, "Honey, bring 50 million won to the taxi stand. I hope you make sure I survive."

The wife who received this immediately reported it. And the detectives immediately launched an investigation. They investigated until Monday, the day money was demanded, but no particular clues emerged. Therefore, the detectives thought that the moment of delivering the money was the only opportunity to catch a clue about the culprit, and 49 detectives disguised themselves and laid low at the taxi stand.

However, the hostage taker's appearance was nowhere to be seen, and the money bag moved from person to person and place to place. In the end, the hostage taker did not appear until the end.

Consequently, the detectives investigated the people involved in moving the money bag. During that process, the owner of the restaurant where the money bag was first moved stated that two men had eaten there the previous day and asked them to store a package that would arrive the next day. Based on the restaurant owner's statement, the detectives even drew up a montage of the suspects. In addition, following the owner's statement that they had a glass of soju, they investigated the fingerprints of the suspect left on the soju bottle.

Through that process, they were able to identify a man in his mid-40s with five previous convictions, surnamed Noh. They also figured out the identity of Shim, who was close to Noh, through Noh's ex-lover. Shim had no prior convictions resulting in imprisonment or a more severe sentence.

The restaurant owner confirmed that the people who came the day before and asked to keep the items were indeed Noh and Shim. Hence, the detectives tracked Noh and Shim. However, the whereabouts of the two people were untraceable.

Around that time, ominous rumors circulated throughout Cheonan and the Chungcheong region that "if you ride a nice car, you die." In fact, a series of murder cases targeting foreign car drivers was taking place in that area at the time.

Judging by the victim selection method, suppression method, and crime method, it was highly likely that this case was a serial murder case, and from the victim of an attempted robbery resulting in injury that was believed to be part of the same series, it was also confirmed that the people who committed the crime against him were none other than Noh and Shim.

A month and a half after the kidnapping incident occurred, the police received contact from Shim, who knew Noh's whereabouts, and on the 39th day after the incident occurred, they succeeded in arresting Noh.

Noh, who had a murderous look in his eyes, consistently played dumb about the victim of the Cheonan kidnapping case. However, responding for the first time to the story of his son brought up by the detective, he stated that he was unrelated to the incident, that Shim committed the kidnapping, and mentioned a place where Shim had spoken of.

Afterward, the detectives discovered the body of the victim, Jung, at that location. The victim returned as a cold corpse on January 1, 2006.

A short time later, the detectives even arrested Shim, who was preparing to smuggle himself into China, and Shim stated that he kidnapped and murdered Jung along with Noh. However, Noh denied the crime until the end, and the statements of the two people conflicted.

Meanwhile, during the investigation, it was confirmed that about 40 of the cable ties used in the crime had disappeared, and the detectives were convinced there must be further unrevealed crimes. Nevertheless, with no evidence, trials for a total of six cases began: two counts of robbery-murder, one count of attempted robbery-murder, one count of robbery and injury, and two counts of special larceny.

Noh received the death penalty, and Shim received life imprisonment. Then on January 1, 2007, Noh sent a letter to Detective Kim. Detective Kim went to meet Noh, who claimed he would reveal the truth. He stated to Detective Kim that there were seven more unrevealed murders.

Three in Seoul, two in Gyeonggi Province, and two in Chungcheong Province. Moving across regions, the gang took a total of nine lives. Including robbery-murder, attempted robbery-murder, and special larceny, they committed a total of 18 crimes over 11 months starting from 2005.

Regarding Noh's sudden confession, an expert analyzed, "Noh, who was cornered by Shim's confession and saw that he himself became a death row inmate while Shim became a life prisoner, might have confessed with the mindset of 'If so, you can't get out either.'"

In fact, Noh had even made remarks about Shim such as, "I'll make you get a double life sentence so you can't get out." Thereafter, Shim seemed resigned and admitted to all the crimes, and in the process, it was revealed that Noh's biological brother and Noh's friend also participated in the crimes.

The total money extorted from the victims by those who committed indiscriminate crimes was 15 million won. They said they committed the murders because the victims saw their faces.

And when asked if they had anything to say to the victims, they made brazen remarks such as, "I have never felt sorry for the victims once, and I have no intention of feeling sorry in the future."

The final verdicts for the horrific villains were life imprisonment for Shim, life imprisonment for Noh's brother, and a seven-year prison sentence for the remaining accomplice. As for Noh, the final verdict was a dismissal of indictment due to death. Noh took his own life in the detention center after revealing his unrevealed crimes.

On the last day of his meeting with Detective Kim, Noh left behind the words, "If things go the way I want, there is a third part coming, so look forward to it." In response, an expert emphasized that "there must have been another case with a huge impact," raising hopes that further investigation into unsolved cases from 2005 may uncover additional crimes committed by the group.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Hyo-jung)

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'Match To Marry: With Parents 2' Lee In-kwon and Choi Jung-yoon Become Final Couple With Mothers' Approval

star@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:30:00 +0900

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Lee In-kwon and Choi Jung-yoon became a final couple.

On the August 13 broadcast of the SBS reality program "Match To Marry: With Parents 2", the final selections took place.

During the episode, Kim Da-hye surprised everyone by choosing Kang Shin-woo, who had chosen her, resulting in a successful match. Kim Da-hye explained her reason for the choice, saying, "There were so many things he took care of with such delicate attention that I could feel he was constantly paying attention to me. Because of that, I thought I should gather a little more courage in making my choice."

Meanwhile, Ahn Do-yoon, who had boldly expressed her feelings for Kwon Ye-chan, chose Kwon Ye-chan. However, Kwon Ye-chan gave up on the final selection, bringing disappointment. Kwon Ye-chan explained, "It was a short yet long time. However, I thought that five nights and six days was a short period to make a final choice at this point, so I thought about it a lot but will not make a final selection. I have feelings of attraction toward Do-yoon and Jung-yoon, but I decided I haven't felt genuine butterflies yet, so I gave up on the final selection with the thought of going outside and talking more comfortably."

Lee In-kwon and Moon Sung-mo both chose Choi Jung-yoon. Lee In-kwon stated his reason for choosing her, saying, "I want to meet Jung-yoon outside. I've never done anything like this in my life, and I think I need to check what is visible beyond the finish line."

Moon Sung-mo also said, "Jung-yoon is the easiest to talk to, the closest, and the prettiest. So I wanted to express my feelings."

Having received the choices of two men, Choi Jung-yoon shared her thoughts, saying, "It was a short but very fulfilling five nights and six days. There were many difficult moments, but thanks to the wonderful people, I was able to spend it happily. I hope to continue building relationships with the wonderful people I met here." She then drew attention by choosing Lee In-kwon without a moment of hesitation.

Choi Jung-yoon stated, "To me, it always felt like In-kwon was one step ahead. That's why I chose him, hoping to have many conversations and spend time together outside."

The matched couples could only become final couples with the approval of both sets of mothers. Kang Shin-woo and Kim Da-hye waited for the two mothers with nervous hearts. The result was largely as expected: Kang Shin-woo's mother approved, but Kim Da-hye's mother ultimately rejected the match.

Kim Da-hye's mother expressed opposition, stating that Kang Shin-woo had interfered with other cast members approaching Kim Da-hye. Seeing this, the panelists expressed regret, saying, "That is truly a misunderstanding."

The Lee In-kwon and Choi Jung-yoon couple waited for their mothers without major worries. As expected, both sets of mothers approved of the two meeting.

Lee In-kwon's mother expressed satisfaction, saying, "Of course I am clapping and cheering. Jung-yoon is such a good person the more you see and talk to her, so I am very grateful." Choi Jung-yoon's mother also fully supported her daughter's choice, creating a heartwarming atmosphere as she shared, "In-kwon made sure to prepare coffee for her in the morning until the last day and even helped move her luggage when leaving the accommodation. So I came out thinking I should trust and support Jung-yoon's choice."

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

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'Match To Marry: With Parents 2' Yang Ha-yoon Chooses Not to Make Final Selection Despite Kim Dong-young's Pick

star@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:10:00 +0900

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Yang Ha-yoon ultimately decided not to make a final selection.

On the August 13 broadcast of the SBS reality program "Match To Marry: With Parents 2", the final choices of the participants were revealed.

During the episode, the male and female participants made their final decisions after much deep thought. As everyone expected, Kim Dong-young chose Yang Ha-yoon first.

He explained the reason behind his choice, saying, "I did so because I still have the desire to get to know her more." Following this, the result of Yang Ha-yoon's decision was revealed.

Yang Ha-yoon stated, "For me, the meaning of the final selection was whether or not to overcome the long-distance issue, which was considered the most important factor, and continue meeting Dong-young." She then chose not to make a final selection.

Expressing her reasons for passing on the final choice, Yang Ha-yoon brought a sense of disappointment by saying, "The time here was short, and first of all, I did not develop enough feelings of attraction to overcome the issues that are important to me, so I decided not to make a selection."

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

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Ahn Do-yoon Makes Bold Move on 'Match To Marry: With Parents 2': "I'm Young, Pretty, and Make Good Money"

star@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:02:00 +0900

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Ahn Do-yoon boldly pitched herself to Kwon Ye-chan.

On the August 13 broadcast of the SBS reality program "Match To Marry: With Parents 2", the cast members spent their final night together ahead of the final decision.

During the broadcast, upon hearing that Kwon Ye-chan's interest in her had grown following the family meeting, Ahn Do-yoon went straight to see him.

However, Kwon Ye-chan shared that he had made up his mind about 80 percent but was still unsure, stating that he did not know who to choose between Choi Jung-yoon and Ahn Do-yoon.

In response, Ahn Do-yoon said, "Oh, I see. Do whatever you want. Then I'm going to make my pitch," showing a side of herself different from before.

Ahn Do-yoon then stated, "First of all, I'm young." Hearing this, Kwon Ye-chan looked taken aback by her contrasting mood, asking, "Didn't you change too much?"

Unfazed, Ahn Do-yoon made everyone laugh by saying, "Well, I'm young, pretty, and make good money. Think about it carefully." To this, Kwon Ye-chan replied, "I think I need to think about it a little more until tomorrow morning and make up my mind."

He added, "Seeing her make her pitch had a cute side to it, so it made me think I should consider it a little longer. I think I need a bit more time to think," raising curiosity about what choice he will ultimately make.

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

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Xdinary Heroes GUNIL Leaves Group Following 'Harsh Remarks About Fans' Controversy

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:57:00 +0900

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GUNIL (real name Goo Gun-il), the leader of the group Xdinary Heroes, has left the team and terminated his exclusive contract with agency JYP Entertainment following allegations that he made harsh remarks and spoke ill of fans during a private call.

JYP Entertainment stated in an official release on the 13th, "Our company deeply recognizes the seriousness of the situation regarding the recent issues involving member GUNIL, and we have had sufficient multi-faceted discussions with the artist." The agency added, "As a result, we determined that it is no longer possible to continue group activities together, and we have mutually agreed to terminate his exclusive contract," announcing that GUNIL is withdrawing from Xdinary Heroes and concluding his activities with the team as of today.

The agency expressed apologies for causing concern to fans with the sudden news and explained that Xdinary Heroes will continue activities as a 5-member lineup moving forward. They also shared their policy to provide multi-faceted support so that the remaining members can steadily focus on their musical activities.

Born in 1998, GUNIL majored in drums at Berklee College of Music in the United States and has served as the drummer and team leader since Xdinary Heroes debuted on December 6, 2021. At the time of their debut, the agency introduced GUNIL as a leader equipped with both skill, character, and leadership.

Prior to this announcement of departure, controversies surrounding GUNIL spread rapidly online.

Controversy grew after a post by an anonymous author claiming to be GUNIL's former romantic partner was published on an online community. The author raised a stir by repeatedly claiming to have heard harsh remarks from GUNIL, such as wanting to slap fans in the face, and exposing that they felt uncomfortable with the discrepancy between his actual personality and the image portrayed on broadcasts.

JYP Entertainment did not separately comment on the specific details or truth of the controversy.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Kim Hye-soo Mourns Late Director Ahn Pan-seok: "We Shared Our Youth Together"

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:42:00 +0900

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Actor Kim Hye-soo expressed her deep sorrow and paid tribute to the late director Ahn Pan-seok.

During a press interview for the Coupang Play series "The Affair Was Just the Beginning" held at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 13th, Kim Hye-soo shared her feelings about the sudden news of Director Ahn Pan-seok's passing, which was delivered the previous day.

Kim Hye-soo said, "I heard the news last evening and it was such a shock. Director Ahn and I are an actor and a director who shared our youth together. He is someone who spent my early-to-mid twenties with me." She recalled, "We worked on the project 'One of a Pair' for a full three years, and there were three directors. Director Ahn was the second director, and he made what was then a Sunday morning drama very trendy."

Kim Hye-soo continued, "He was a very sensory director with no prejudices or stereotypes, which was very rare at the time, and someone I cared for deeply. I was grateful that he continued to make many good works afterwards. The fact that he did not let go of his calling as a director until the very end carries great significance for people in our industry," expressing her deep respect and regret for the deceased.

Director Ahn Pan-seok passed away on the 12th after his health deteriorated while battling a cerebral hemorrhage. Joining MBC in 1987 to begin directing dramas, he subsequently left a massive mark on the history of Korean dramas by leaving behind numerous masterpieces such as "One of a Pair," "Behind the White Tower," "Secret Love Affair," "Something in the Rain," and "One Spring Night."

Meanwhile, Kim Hye-soo is showing a bold acting transformation in the currently streaming "The Affair Was Just the Beginning," where she plays the successful influencer "Kyung-hee." She completed the flashy influencer look with intense outfits and hairstyles while bringing out the character's traits by sometimes using rough speech. She expressed the character's energy with her unique charm as she tries to firmly maintain her center to protect her family while caught up in a chaotic series of unending incidents.

"The Affair Was Just the Beginning," planned as an 8-episode series, has currently released up to episode 4, and is released sequentially every Friday at 8 p.m. on Coupang Play.

[Photo=Hodu&U Entertainment]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Cast of Black Comedy Family Revenge Film 'The Journey to Gyeongju'

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:42:00 +0900

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Actors Lee Yeon, Park So-dam, Lee Jung-eun, Kong Hyo-jin, and Byun Yo-han attend a press preview and Q&A session for the film "The Journey to Gyeongju" held at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 13th.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Byun Yo-han Appears Without Pay for 'The Journey to Gyeongju'

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:42:00 +0900

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Actor Byun Yo-han attends the press preview and Q&A session for the film "The Journey to Gyeongju" held at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 13th.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Actor Lee Yeon, the 'Purple Magma' of 'The Journey to Gyeongju'

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:42:00 +0900

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Actor Lee Yeon attends the press screening and Q&A session for the film "The Journey to Gyeongju" held at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of August 13.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Lee Jung-eun at Press Conference for 'The Journey to Gyeongju'

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:36:00 +0900

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Actor Lee Jung-eun is attending the press conference and Q&A session for the film "The Journey to Gyeongju" held at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 13th.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Park So-dam at Press Screening for 'The Journey to Gyeongju' as Family's Second Daughter

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:37:00 +0900

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Actor Park So-dam attends the press screening and Q&A session for the film "The Journey to Gyeongju," taking on the role of the family's second daughter, held at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of August 13.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Kong Hyo-jin Shifts from 'A Bona Fide Killer' to 'The Journey to Gyeongju'

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:37:00 +0900

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Actor Kong Hyo-jin attends a press screening and Q&A session for the film "The Journey to Gyeongju" held at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 13th.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Kong Hyo-jin Greets Fans at Press Preview for 'The Journey to Gyeongju'

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:36:00 +0900

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Actor Kong Hyo-jin attends the press preview and Q&A session for the movie "The Journey to Gyeongju" held at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 13th.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Actor Lee Joo-seung Attends Blue House Luncheon Hosted by President Lee Jae-myung

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:29:00 +0900

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Actor Lee Joo-seung (37) attended a presidential luncheon at the Blue House as the grandson of his grandfather, who passed away last February.

On the 13th, Lee Joo-seung posted several photos on his social media with the caption, "The Blue House, thanks to my veteran grandfather." In the released photos, Lee Joo-seung was dressed in a suit, wearing a badge on his chest that read, "The Korea you protected, the Republic we will make bloom. An invitation from the President."

Lee Joo-seung also revealed gifts he received at the Blue House. He posted a photo of a box containing a wristwatch and a commemorative item, leaving the comment, "The Blue House is cool~ Wow~"

It was reported that President Lee Jae-myung invited national veterans and their families to the Blue House that day to share a luncheon.

Lee Joo-seung's invitation to this event is related to the background of his late grandfather, Lee Jong-gyu. Born in 1930, Lee Jong-gyu served as an officer during the Korean War, and after being discharged, he worked as an elementary school teacher. He is also known for an anecdote from his teaching days when he paid the tuition for students in difficult financial circumstances out of his own pocket.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that after winning the director survival variety show "Director's Arena" and receiving 100 million won in prize money, Lee Joo-seung donated the entire prize money in accordance with his grandfather's wishes.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Lee Jung-eun Opens Up About Her Mother Role in 'The Journey to Gyeongju'

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:18:00 +0900

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Actor Lee Jung-eun shared the process of creating a mother character who fiercely and desperately expresses her love for her family.

Attending the press preview and conference for the film "The Journey to Gyeongju" held at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Jamsil on the afternoon of the 13th, Lee Jung-eun explained about her character Ok-sil, saying, "She is a mother of four daughters in an ordinary family. I thought about what kind of unexpected tragedy might strike and how this family would collapse afterward. It also seemed like there would be a big difference when her husband is around versus when he is not. In the process of going through trials, there are actually many cases like this. I acted while imagining what it would be like if the remaining family members went on a revenge trip in order to survive."

She added, "Ok-sil believes that her family collapsed after that incident happened, and that the only way to turn back time is through revenge. I built the character thinking of her as someone who fiercely expresses her love for her daughter and husband with her whole body."

Ok-sil, played by Lee Jung-eun, is a character with a strong will who plans revenge against the murderer of her daughter. In "The Journey to Gyeongju," which shifts its atmosphere in the early, middle, and late parts of the film, Lee Jung-eun anchors the center of the story from start to finish with passionate acting. While she has played mothers in numerous films and dramas, the mother she portrays in this film stands out in both breadth and depth.

Although the film wears the outer shell of a family drama, it is also a work that raises the topic of vigilantism. Lee Jung-eun stated, "It is not a film that advocates for vigilantism," expressing her hope that audiences would focus instead on the tragedy that befell an ordinary family and the characters.

"The Journey to Gyeongju" is a family revenge story about four mother and daughter figures who embark on a "killing" trip after eight years of waiting for their youngest daughter Gyeongju, who never returned from a school trip. Lee Jung-eun, Kong Hyo-jin, Park So-dam, and Lee Yeon star in the film, with Byun Yo-han making a special appearance. It opens on August 26.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Byun Yo-han Sheds His 'Handsome' Image for Special Appearance in 'The Journey to Gyeongju'

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 16:50:00 +0900

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Actor Byun Yo-han shared the reasons behind his special appearance in the movie "The Journey to Gyeongju".

Attending the press preview and conference for "The Journey to Gyeongju" held at Lotte Cinema in Jamsil World Tower, Seoul on the afternoon of the 13th, Byun Yo-han spoke about his role, which went far beyond a typical cameo in terms of screen time and character presence. He stated, "Since this was produced by the PD of my first commercial film, 'Will You Be There?', I naturally felt drawn to it, and above all, the scenario was really good so I decided to appear."

He also talked about his connections with the four actors he worked with in this film. Byun Yo-han said, "I've done four projects with senior actress Lee Jung-eun. I received a lot of learning and inspiration along the way. I've been a huge fan of Kong Hyo-jin. When the casting news came out, I thought there was no reason not to do this."

He added, "Actor Park So-dam is a university classmate. She has been exceptionally diligent and great at acting since our school days. I was curious how much she had grown. Actor Lee Yeon feels like a natural-born actor. Watching her through various media, I always thought she acted very well. The four actors are all so different, but I could feel the same energy. Though it is a bit cautious to say, this was a choice I made to grow as well."

Regarding the rough image of Baek Sang-hyun that he portrayed, which involved wearing a discolored tooth mouthpiece and undergoing special makeup, Byun Yo-han chuckled and said, "When I first met Director Kim Mi-jo, she said, 'I hope you can throw away all of Byun Yo-han's handsome looks.' (Laughs) I think the director should explain this part herself."

Director Kim Mi-jo explained, "When I met actor Byun Yo-han at a meeting, I was surprised by how handsome he was. I thought, 'He shouldn't be too handsome...' and we discussed if there was a way to get rid of his handsomeness. He agreed, so we were able to drop that handsome look."

"The Journey to Gyeongju" is a family revenge story about four mothers and daughters who embark on a "killing" trip after eight years of waiting for their youngest daughter, Gyeongju, who never returned from a school trip. Lee Jung-eun, Kong Hyo-jin, Park So-dam, and Lee Yeon star in the film, while Byun Yo-han makes a special appearance. It is set to open on August 26.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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