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Actor Kim Hye-eun is set to make a special appearance in "Flex X Cop 2," showcasing her unmatched charisma.

On August 26, her agency, FN Entertainment, announced that Kim Hye-eun will make a special appearance in the SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Flex X Cop 2" and deliver a powerful performance.

"Flex X Cop 2" is a refreshing cooperative investigative drama starring Jin Yi-soo (Ahn Bohyun), a chaebol detective who turns tables with his wealth when investigations hit a wall, and the new team leader Joo Hye-ra (Jung Eun-chae).

Kim Hye-eun plays Jung Tae-sun, the chairwoman of UBS Media Group and mother of Yoo Sung-won (Yoo Seung-ho). Jung Tae-sun is a quick-witted and sharp individual. She is a meticulous and fierce ambitious figure who seized the weaknesses of her stepsons after her husband collapsed, triumphed in the power struggle, and climbed to the top of the media group.

However, just when she thinks she has everything in her hands, she faces a crisis upon encountering her son's shocking secret. Amidst these unexpected circumstances, Kim Hye-eun's charismatic powerhouse performance and chilling mother-son chemistry with Yoo Seung-ho are expected to heighten the drama's immersion.

Having proven her broad acting spectrum through dramas such as "Mr. Sunshine," "Itaewon Class," "Twenty-Five Twenty-One," "Typhoon Family," and "Family by Choice," as well as films like "Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time" and "Revolver," anticipation is building for the overwhelming presence Kim Hye-eun will display through this special appearance.

Meanwhile, "Flex X Cop 2," featuring Kim Hye-eun's special appearance, airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m.

[Photo=FN Entertainment]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Ahead of the release of her first solo full-length album, "What a Wonderful Life," since her debut, i-dle member SOYEON opened up about her journey as a singer and producer, as well as addressing various rumors surrounding her in an intro video.

Cube Entertainment released the intro film for her 1st full-length album, "What a Wonderful Life," through i-dle's official social media at midnight on the 26th, capturing SOYEON's journey from infancy to the present. Released on SOYEON's birthday, the video deeply touched fans.

SOYEON did not shy away from addressing the controversies surrounding her. During her joint performance with the band Jaurim at the "2022 MAMA AWARDS," she changed the lyrics to say, "What kind of award are you going to give us this year, MAMA. You know who we are, the syndrome this year. I refuse specially created awards," which led to interpretations that she might have been expressing disappointment over failing to win a grand prize. Without adding extra comments, SOYEON candidly showed the scene and shared her thoughts.

SOYEON also directly refuted the rumors about her 2022 release "LIAR" being a diss track targeting her ex-boyfriend, four years after the controversy.

Suspicion arose that the lyrics in "LIAR," a B-side track from i-dle's first full-length album released in March 2022, targeted rapper Changmo. The rumor spread as the lyrics related to spelling were reminiscent of Changmo's past controversy over spelling certain Korean words, and specific words in the song overlapped with the title of a track from Changmo's second full-length album. Regarding this, SOYEON clearly set the record straight on her unfair misunderstanding, appearing with the caption "Complete rumor" and stating, "I am not bold enough to do something like that."

In the video showcasing the vibe of her full-length album, SOYEON shared her thoughts, saying, "I feel like I've put this off for quite a long time," and "When I am a grandmother looking back at this album, I think I will feel like, 'Ah, it was truly romantic.'"

SOYEON's first solo full-length album, "What a Wonderful Life," will be released on various online music platforms at 6:00 PM on September 7.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The film "The Assassin(s)" has released a making-of video capturing its intense production set.

"The Assassin(s)" follows the pursuit of the mysteries and hidden forces behind the August 15, 1974, First Lady assassination attempt that shocked South Korea. It is directed by Huh Jin-ho and stars Yoo Hai-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Minho.

The newly released making-of video features stories from the director, production crew, and actors about bringing the mystery behind the incident, which served as the starting point of the project, to the screen.

Yoo Hai-jin raised curiosity about the mystery thriller by sharing, "I think this is a story that delves into the gaps within a historical event that everyone thought they knew," adding cinematic imagination to the questions hidden behind official records.

Director Huh Jin-ho and Park Hae-il stated, "Depending on the perspective you view it from, the meanings and suspicions can feel quite varied," foreshadowing the gripping tension created by the intersecting viewpoints of various characters surrounding a single incident, including a detective tracking the case, a newspaper social affairs desk chief, and a rookie reporter.

The production team's efforts to maximize immersion in the film also draw attention. Cinematographer Lee Mo-gae shared, "When Director Huh Jin-ho arrives, it always starts with the question, 'Why are we here?' Through such questions, I believe the situations and characters we shoot today can become real," revealing the process of meticulously fleshing out characters and situations through continuous questioning.

Art Director Kim Byeong-han also stated, "During location scouting, we changed our plan to shoot entirely using real locations. We tried to implement props and textures fitting the era, down to unseen details," raising expectations for an overwhelming realism that vividly brings back the atmosphere of the 1970s.

Finally, anticipation is high for the passionate performances of the cast. Director Huh Jin-ho added to the expectations for the synergy created by actors with distinct personalities and energies, saying, "You will be able to see the ensemble of Yoo Hai-jin, Park Hae-il, Lee Minho, and so many other actors." As Yoo Hai-jin noted, "I think the passionate message delivered by the characters alone makes it a movie worth watching," attention is focused on the intense tension and lingering emotional resonance delivered by the characters chasing the truth of the case.

"The Assassin(s)" is scheduled to open in theaters on September 23. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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The SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Flex X Cop 2" is gaining unstoppable momentum with enhanced teamwork chemistry, intricate deduction, and entertaining visuals.

"Flex X Cop 2" (written by Kim Ba-da, directed by Kim Jae-hong) is a delightful, refreshing, and exhilarating thrilling cooperative investigation drama featuring Jin Yi-soo (played by Ahn Bo-hyun), a chaebol detective who turns tables with his wealth when investigations get stuck, and the new team leader Joo Hye-ra (played by Jung Eun-chae). With each episode drawing a steep upward ratings curve, it surpassed a peak rating of 9.4% in its 6th episode, breaking its own highest ratings record day after day. Furthermore, it proved its immense popularity by claiming the number one spot in Disney+ comprehensive content rankings in South Korea according to the global OTT platform analytics site FlixPatrol.

At the center of this upward trend are enriched entertaining elements. The process in which the bickering Jin Yi-soo and Joo Hye-ra complement each other's execution and deductive skills to be reborn as a perfect "one team" delivers thrilling catharsis. In addition, passionate performances by a high-end special appearance lineup including Kwak Si-yang, Kim Eui-sung, Bae Seong-jae, Kwak Tube, and Park So-yi added to the completion of the series.

It also built intricate deductive layers tracking the real culprit among a small number of suspects, maximizing the fun for viewers to find the killer together. Delightful homage direction parodying famous lines from popular dramas such as the movies "Desperado" and "A Clockwork Orange", as well as "The World of the Married" and "Coffee Prince", is placed everywhere like Easter eggs, providing unique viewing points.

Fueled in popularity by exhilarating narratives and visual treats, "Flex X Cop 2" will broadcast its 7th episode at 9:50 PM on Friday, August 28.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Ahead of his new album release, singer LIM YOUNGWOONG is sparking public curiosity with a clever move.

On the morning of the 26th, a tracklist spoiler video for his special digital album "IM HERO 10" was released through LIM YOUNGWOONG's official social media channels.

In the released video, a variety of props such as colorful construction paper, a telephone keypad, cupcakes, and a pen and paper stand out. LIM YOUNGWOONG raises further anticipation by performing hand acting utilizing these props. In particular, as this video serves as a tracklist spoiler for the new album, it delivers the fun of imagining which song titles are being indicated by LIM YOUNGWOONG's diverse hand gestures using the props.

LIM YOUNGWOONG's special digital album "IM HERO 10," which is spoiling his new album through hand acting, will be released through various music platforms at 6 p.m. on September 8.

Prior to releasing "IM HERO 10," LIM YOUNGWOONG plans to hold his 2026 concert "IM HERO - THE STADIUM 2" at the Goyang Stadium main stadium from September 4 to 6 to build sky-blue memories with Hero Generation.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Singer-songwriter Kim Dong-ryul has announced that he will hold a concert without an orchestra for the first time since his debut, scheduled for this coming October.

On August 25, Kim Dong-ryul shared the news directly through his social media channels regarding his solo concert titled "2026 Kim Dong-ryul Concert Old Songs", expressing his unique sentiments.

He began by stating, "This performance will be the first in my concert history, including my days in Exhibition, where I am preparing a stage without an orchestra." He continued, "It was my dream to hold a concert with a full orchestration arrangement, and I was able to make that dream come true after returning from studying abroad. As I repeated performances, the rich orchestra sound became a signature of my shows. I still love this kind of grandiose, magnificent epic-style music and performances, but even so, I wanted to try a somewhat minimalist configuration performance that breaks away from my typical concert style at least once."

In this concert, Kim Dong-ryul will perform with a band, excluding the orchestra. He explained, "This might actually be a more difficult challenge for me, like stepping onto a battlefield without a sword or a shield." He added, "Among my songs, there are quite a few minor-style tracks. I wanted to dust off and sing songs that I haven't been able to share often on stage for a long time. I also wanted to try various stage direction techniques that would be physically impossible if the stage were completely filled with instrumentalists."

Finally, Kim Dong-ryul expressed his confidence, saying, "For some people, this might feel a bit unfamiliar and awkward, while for others, it might be a concert that hits right in their taste. If you are someone who usually preferred the tracks that were sidelined in albums over my hit songs, or if you enjoyed the 2019 concert 'Old Songs', you can look forward to this performance."

Meanwhile, Kim Dong-ryul, who has set new standards for the domestic performance culture, has met audiences spanning generations since the 2000s through various concerts such as "Invitation", "Monologue", "Thanks", "2015 KIMDONGRYUL THE CONCERT", "Old Songs", "Melody", and "Stroll".

In particular, his 2023 concert "Melody" drew approximately 60,000 audience members across six shows, and his 2025 concert "Stroll" mobilized about 70,000 attendees over seven shows, proving his top-tier ticket power in the country.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Coupang Play series "The Affair Was Just the Beginning" has released preview stills for episode 7, capturing a fierce physical brawl among its lead actors Kim Hye-soo, Cho Yeo-jeong, Kim Ji-hoon, and Kim Jaechul.

"The Affair Was Just the Beginning" is a runaway chain-collision black comedy in which a popular influencer couple that has marketed a happy family life and a neighboring doctor couple going through a messy divorce lawsuit become entangled in unmanageable secrets that make even infidelity seem trivial.

The stills for episode 7 released on the 26th capture a decisive moment where Gyeong-hui (Kim Hye-soo), Su-jeong (Cho Yeo-jeong), Jae-hong (Kim Ji-hoon), and Bo-seong (Kim Jaechul) engage in a chaotic fight together in one place. Having clashed fiercely amidst accumulated misunderstandings and secrets, they are drawn into a no-holds-barred physical brawl, pushing the tension to its absolute limit.

In addition, suspense is set to reach an extreme as Bo-seong's divorce lawyer secretly sneaks into Jae-hong's home, and the twin brother of the detective agency head who lost his life in a hit-and-run accident closely chases after the secrets. Min-seo and Ye-ji, the daughters of the two couples who visited Gyeong-hui's vacation home, also cross paths with someone they never should have encountered, foreshadowing yet another upheaval.

Previously, Kim Hye-soo, who plays Gyeong-hui, hinted in a media interview, "Episode 7 shows the four main characters gathering in one place and exploding into chaos," adding, "I think episode 7 will probably be the peak of this work." Anticipation is building for episode 7, which even the actors who performed in it found thrilling.

Amid continuing praise from viewers and critics for the unpredictable plot and the stellar performances of the cast, episode 7 of "The Affair Was Just the Beginning," which heads toward catastrophe, will be released on Coupang Play at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, the 28th.

[Photo = Coupang Play]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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SBS variety show "Whenever Possible" achieved its first triple-kill sweep of season 5 and broke its own record for highest viewer ratings, fueled by Cha Tae-hyun's active role as a human good luck charm.

According to Nielsen Korea on the 26th, the previous day's broadcast of "Whenever Possible" recorded a peak viewership of 6.2%, an average of 4.2% for metropolitan households, and 1.6% for the key 2049 demographic. This marks the highest rating for the current season, ranking first overall among entertainment, drama, and cultural programs airing in the same time slot.

In the broadcast, MCs Yu Jae-seok and Yoo Yeonseok, along with guests Cha Tae-hyun and Jin Ki-joo, visited Gwangjin-gu in Seoul to bring good fortune to citizens.

Referring to himself as the pig's head of the show, Cha Tae-hyun remarked, "When I got the casting call, the producer told me I'm like a good luck charm. I'm the pig's head of 'Whenever Possible'." He added fun to the episode by acting as Yu Jae-seok's mental agitator. As Jin Ki-joo, an actor under his agency, was talking nonstop without a break, Yu Jae-seok burst into laughter and shouted in mock frustration, "Let's listen to Ki-joo! Ki-joo, give your agency head a proper lesson!"

When Yoo Yeonseok praised Yu Jae-seok and Cha Tae-hyun by saying, "Comedy acting is really difficult, but the two of you pull it off," Cha Tae-hyun drew a sharp line by responding, "You shouldn't compare us. That guy just does it recklessly, while I analyze it systematically," causing Yu Jae-seok to bristle.

The four then met the first guest hosts, a pickleball club, and dramatically succeeded in the stage-three game. They even cleared all stages of the game played for a Nintendo console, which was the earnest wish of the second guest hosts, a group of four nine-year-old children. Thrilled by the perfect ending that shattered the children's bad luck curse, Yu Jae-seok expressed his gratitude, saying, "Even Santa Claus couldn't give a gift like this. Thank you, pig head Cha Tae-hyun."

Meanwhile, the preview released at the end of the broadcast featured actors Hyun Bin and Woo Do Hwan, drawing significant attention. Hyun Bin, taking on his first variety show appearance in 23 years since his debut, heightened anticipation by showing a contrasting charm as he sat on the edge of his seat with tension before taking on the game challenge. "Whenever Possible" starring Hyun Bin and Woo Do Hwan will air at 9 PM on Tuesday, September 1.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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The trial of 63-year-old musical actor Nam Kyung-joo, who has been indicted on charges of sexual assault against his student, will proceed as a national participation trial in November.

On the 26th, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 29 (Presiding Judge Uhm Ki-pyo) held the first preparatory hearing for Nam on charges of sexual assault by a person in a supervisory position, stating, "We will hold a national participation trial for two days on November 27 and 30." This decision comes after the court accepted the request made by Nam's side.

During the hearing, Nam's legal representative expressed the desire for a national participation trial, stating, "Rather than asking questions that cause secondary harm or shame, we will focus objectively on what the relationship between the defendant and the victim was like at the time," adding that they wish to receive an evaluation based on common sense and public sentiment.

In particular, Nam's defense attorney explained, "The prosecution has established the supervisory relationship based on three points: that the victim was a student attending the defendant's class at the time, that the defendant proposed the teaching assistant position and she was scheduled to take it, and the defendant's influence in the musical industry. We plan to focus our defense on the specific nature of the influence the defendant could exert over the victim and whether that supervisory relationship truly existed, considering that the victim's academic evaluation had already concluded and the appointment of a teaching assistant was decided by the student's choice rather than a unilateral decision by the instructor."

In response, the victim's legal representative requested, "Just as there is a right to a national participation trial, the victim's wishes must also be respected in sexual violence cases. Please carefully consider whether to hold a national participation trial." However, the court decided to proceed with the national participation trial after reviewing the opinions from both sides.

A national participation trial is a system in which citizens participate as jurors in criminal trials to determine guilt and suggest sentencing opinions. The jury's opinion does not have legal binding force and serves only in an advisory capacity.

On the first day of the trial on November 27, proceedings will include the identification of the defendant, the prosecution's statement of the summary of the indictment, documentary evidence examinations such as playing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and audio recordings, followed by the examination of five witnesses requested by the defendant. On the second day of the trial on the 30th, the examination of the victim as a witness, the examination of the defendant, the prosecution's sentencing recommendation, and the defense's final argument will take place, leading up to the sentencing.

Previously, Nam was accused of sexually assaulting a female student in the Seocho-gu area of Seoul last December by utilizing his social status and influence.

The case was sent to the prosecution following a police investigation, and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Criminal Division 2 (Presiding Prosecutor Park Ji-na) indicted Nam without detention on April 24 on charges of sexual assault by a person in a supervisory position. During the prosecution stage, Nam requested to be referred to criminal mediation and attempted to reach a settlement with the victim, but the mediation fell through as the victim refused.

Meanwhile, Nam debuted in 1982 as a first-generation musical actor and was relieved of his position as an associate professor of musical theater in the Department of Performing Arts at Hongik University after news of the incident became known.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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FC Wonder Woman 2026, aiming for their first championship since foundation, will face their nemesis FC Balladream in a fateful final after going winless in four previous encounters.

In the SBS program "Kick a Goal" airing on the 26th, the grand final will unfold as FC Wonder Woman 2026 and FC Balladream clash for the throne of the 2nd GIFA Cup.

Standing on the threshold of their first title since foundation, FC Wonder Woman 2026 faces the final hurdle: overcoming FC Balladream, a massive wall against which they have suffered four consecutive defeats without a single win.

In particular, Mashima, known as the "demon king" who shed tears after suffering a 3 to 7 crushing defeat in their last head-to-head match, foreshadowed a powerful revenge by giving one-on-one customized advice to members in the locker room before the match to boost morale. Captain Kisum also stepped up with a desperate resolve, stating, "Wonder Woman is strong at the edge of a cliff. Let us approach this with the mindset of wearing last place on our chests if we lose."

The cheering battle outside the ground also heated up. Truedy from FC Wonder Woman and Seo Moon-tak from FC Balladream visited the site to cheer for their former teams. A fierce battle of pride unfolded even in the stands, with Truedy's ear-shattering storm-shouting cheers causing committee member Ha Seok-ju right beside her to cover his ears.

Whether FC Wonder Woman 2026, harboring desperate tenacity at the edge of a cliff, can break their ill-fated ties and lift their first championship trophy will be revealed on "Kick a Goal," airing at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, the 26th.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Broadcaster Park Soo-hong has directly apologized over the controversy that a flight bound for Guam was delayed by about an hour because his family decided to get off the plane and then changed their minds.

Park posted on his social media on the 26th, "A flight delay occurred recently due to my family during the departure process. We caused great inconvenience by taking away the precious time of many people, and we also caused trouble for the airline officials. I bow my head and sincerely apologize."

He also explained the situation at the time that became controversial. Park stated, "As soon as we boarded, our child cried so much that we couldn't even take our seats, and in my panic, I made an immature judgment. Thinking that the child's crying during the long flight would cause even greater distress to the passengers, I conveyed our intention to get off to the flight crew." However, he explained that while waiting inside the aircraft, the child stopped crying, leading him to express his intention to board again.

He acknowledged his responsibility, saying, "I failed to realize in advance that this could significantly delay procedures such as security checks. This happened entirely due to my ignorance of aviation-related procedures, and there is no room for excuse." He bowed his head deeply once again, stating, "I once again bow my head in deep apology to the passengers and airline officials who suffered great inconvenience due to my shortcomings."

Previously, eyewitness accounts spread online stating that on the 23rd, Park's family boarded an international flight, expressed their intention to get off after their child cried, and then reversed the decision, causing the departure to be delayed by about an hour. It was also reported that the flight actually arrived in Guam about 30 minutes later than expected. A passenger who claimed to be on the same flight shared the situation, saying, "Park Soo-hong's baby cried very badly," and "They said they had to get off because the baby was crying so much." The passenger added, "While the legal team came to explain the situation, which took about 50 minutes to an hour, the baby calmed down a bit and we departed."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Group Stray Kids has landed in the top 3 of the main U.S. Billboard chart for two consecutive weeks with their new mini-album.

Released on the 7th, the mini-album "THIS & THAT" claimed the No. 3 spot on the U.S. Billboard main album chart, the Billboard 200, for the chart dated August 29 (local time), successfully following up on its No. 1 debut by securing a top 3 placement for a second consecutive week. The album also maintained its popularity by holding the top spot on the World Albums chart. Beyond Billboard, the group defended its No. 1 position for two consecutive weeks on the France's National Syndicate of Phonographic Publishing (SNEP) Top Albums chart and the Austria Ö3 Top 40 Long Play Albums chart, following the August 14 chart.

With "THIS & THAT," Stray Kids set various first and highest records. Achieving a total of 369,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. during its first week of release for their personal best sales figure, the new album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for the chart dated August 22. This marked their ninth consecutive No. 1 entry on the chart since first topping it in 2022 with the mini-album "ODDINARY," adding a historic first achievement to the group's career. Boasting a total of nine No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, Stray Kids continued their legendary status by becoming the group with the second-most No. 1 albums in the 21st century following The Beatles in the 20th century.

Stray Kids will also continue their world tour "Stray Kids World Tour <RUN IT>." On August 29 and 30, they are set to make history as the first male overseas artists to hold a solo concert at the Japan National Stadium. Following this, on September 11, they will headline the major Brazilian music festival "Rock in Rio," and in the same month, they will host "STRAYCITY," a new group-centered festival across three regions in Latin America.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Group i-dle member SOYEON touched fans deeply by releasing an intro film for her first solo full album that chronicles her life story from infancy to the present.

On the 26th at midnight, her agency Cube Entertainment released the intro film for SOYEON's 1st full album "What a Wonderful Life" through the official social media channels of i-dle. The video added special meaning as it was unveiled on SOYEON's birthday.

The intro film began with SOYEON, who is celebrating her last birthday in her 20s, looking back on her life so far and saying, "I guess you could say it was awesome." It then unfolded SOYEON's timeline step by step, from her newborn days right after birth, her first birthday party, her trainee days, her appearance on Mnet's "Produce 101", her debut and producing with i-dle, up to the present as she prepares for her first solo full album. Notably, short phrases such as "I always wanted to be new" and "I wanted to do better" flashed throughout the video, revealing her mindset of constantly growing and challenging herself with new music.

Regarding her first solo full album, SOYEON shared, "I think I actually put it off for quite a long time. One thing I can tell you is that when I grow old as a grandmother and look back on this album, I'll probably think, 'Ah, it was truly romantic.' Please look forward a lot to 'What a Wonderful Life'."

Fans' responses are explosive to the video, which captures her entire life from the moment she was born to her debut and the present.

One fan wrote in the comments, "I think Neverland (fandom name) was able to experience so much diverse music because unnie made the music she wanted to make without caring about other people's gazes." Another fan reacted, "I was about to tear up, but then I burst out laughing." In addition, messages of celebration and support poured in, such as "You really worked hard. Let's soar, SOYEON," "Happy last birthday in your 20s, and I hope only happy things fill your future," and "No matter what anyone says, SOYEON is an awesome person."

Previously, SOYEON fired the starting signal for her comeback by first revealing performances of two new songs at the "Waterbomb Sokcho 2026" stage: "STAR", which left an impression with its intense EDM sound and straightforward lyrics, and "I Hate Vegetables Song" (literal translation), which stands out with its cute and highly addictive melody.

SOYEON's first solo full album "What a Wonderful Life" will be released on various online music sites at 6 PM on September 7.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Broadcaster Jun Hyun-moo has denied allegations of broadcast sponsorship regarding his impromptu trip to Kazakhstan on the MBC variety show "I Live Alone," but it has been confirmed that there were issues with missing documents during the car rental process.

According to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan on the 26th, the embassy posted a notice on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Travel Safety website titled "Guidelines on Local Driving for Short-Term Visitors (Tourists) to Kazakhstan." The embassy stated, "Even if you hold an international driving permit, you cannot drive without your original South Korean driver's license and a notarized Russian translation."

While South Korea issues international driving permits under the Geneva Convention, Kazakhstan is a party to the Vienna Convention and does not recognize international driving permits issued by South Korea. Even if an international driving permit is notarized by the Korean embassy or consulate-general, it cannot be used for driving locally.

However, on the episodes of "I Live Alone" broadcast on the 14th and 21st, Jun Hyun-moo was shown embarking on an impromptu trip to Kazakhstan and renting a car immediately after submitting only his international driving permit and passport, sparking suspicions among some viewers that the production team had pre-arranged the process.

In response, the production team of "I Live Alone" flatly refuted the claims, stating, "We have never received filming support or sponsorships." An acquaintance of Jun Hyun-moo, A, posted videos of an impromptu trip they took together in the past on social media, stating that they were "the actual videos that became the motif for this Kazakhstan episode," and Jun Hyun-moo showed support by "liking" the post.

However, issues surrounding the process of renting a vehicle from a local rental car company remained separate.

The production team admitted that filming proceeded without being aware of procedural issues, stating, "After receiving inquiries following the broadcast, we checked with the embassy and belatedly confirmed that a separate notarization process is required." They added, "The embassy stated they will issue another notice to prevent local citizens from suffering harm. We will be more careful in producing the show moving forward."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Kim Sia attends the press conference for the movie "REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED" held on the morning of August 26 at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, and poses for photos.

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Actor Koo Kyo-hwan attends the photo time for the movie "REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED" held at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 26th.

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Actors Koo Kyo-hwan (from left), Shin Seungho, Kim Sia, and Kang Ki-young pose for photos during a press conference for the film "REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED" held on the morning of the 26th at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

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Actor Shin Seungho attends the press conference for the movie "REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED" held at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 26th and poses for photos.

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Actor Kang Ki-young is giving a greeting as he attends the press conference for the movie "REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED" held at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 26th.

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Actors Koo Kyo-hwan (from left), Shin Seungho, and Kang Ki-young attend the press conference for the movie "REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED" held at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul on the morning of August 26, where they are participating in a talk session.

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Actor Kim Sia attends the press conference for the movie "REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED" held on the morning of August 26 at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

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Director Baik Jong-yeol (Baik Jong-yeol) is attending the production report conference for the film "REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED" held on the morning of the 26th at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

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Actor Shin Seungho attends the press conference for the movie "REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED" held at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on the morning of August 26.

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Actor Koo Kyo-hwan attends the production presentation for the movie "REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED" held at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 26th, delivering a greeting.

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SBS Friday variety show "My Genie Secretary" has released a teaser video for its first episode, featuring singer and actor BIBI as the first "my star".

The teaser video released on the 26th begins with the unusual first meeting between the first "my star", singer BIBI, and Lee Seo-jin and Kim Kwang-kyu, who have transformed into managers.

Laughter erupted right from the start due to their "presbyopia issue", as Lee Seo-jin failed to recognize BIBI even as she greeted him first, asking, "Is that you, BIBI? No?", while Kim Kwang-kyu flusteredly muttered, "I can't see because of the backlight."

After overcoming various twists and turns, the trio immediately showed off their spicy chemistry. When Lee Seo-jin nagged BIBI not to eat snacks, saying, "Don't eat things like that," BIBI fired back with, "Why are you bossing me around?", raising anticipation for their unpredictable chemistry. Adding Kim Kwang-kyu clumsily wandering into the wrong room, the clip further boosts excitement.

Next, the three headed to the scorching Waterbomb festival site. Alongside Lee Seo-jin and Kim Kwang-kyu enjoying Waterbomb to the fullest in the audience wearing fake muscle outfits, BIBI's honest inner thoughts behind the stage will also be revealed. BIBI is set to share the overwhelming feeling she felt before the performance, saying, "I thought it was my last Waterbomb," and the fierce preparation process hidden behind the flashy exterior.

"My Genie Secretary", which will feature Lee Seo-jin and Kim Kwang-kyu closely attending to their first star BIBI, is set to premiere on Friday, the 28th, at 11:10 PM.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Influencer and model Kim Bo-hyun (30), who gained recognition through the TVING dating show "EXchange", has announced her marriage plans five years after the show ended.

Kim recently shared that she is preparing for a wedding with her boyfriend next year through a Q and A video on her YouTube channel celebrating reaching 200,000 subscribers. She shared how they met, saying, "We have been dating for about a year and a half, and we were introduced by an acquaintance." She added, "My boyfriend is older, an ordinary office worker, and a non-celebrity who has never been exposed to the media, not an influencer or a broadcasting industry insider."

Previously, she made her relationship public by sharing a travel vlog on YouTube with her boyfriend.

Regarding her views on marriage, Kim named Venerable Pomnyun's book "A Monk's Wedding Speech" as her life-changing book and quoted the passage, "You should marry when you are not lonely living alone and not distressed living together." She recommended the book, saying, "I read this book when I was single, before meeting my boyfriend, and the content was really great. It is a good book even for those to whom marriage feels far away, or for those who are already married." Regarding plans for a DINK (Double Income, No Kids) lifestyle, she added, "We are not DINK, but we have no immediate plans and are thinking of it as something for the very distant future."

Meanwhile, Kim left a deep impression by appearing on "EXchange" and sharing a tearful breakup with her ex-boyfriend, which was praised as a legendary episode.

In this video, she stated, "I barely keep in touch with the other cast members of EXchange these days. I am naturally bad at keeping in touch, so there are many days when not a single KakaoTalk message comes in." When asked if she would be willing to appear on the program again, she answered, "Right after the show, I was so mentally exhausted that I thought I would never go on again, but if it were now, I think I would appear again. If I went on now, it seems like it would be fun."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The extended version of the film "No Other Choice" is set to premiere at the 22nd Jecheon International Film Festival.

"No Other Choice" has been nominated for the main competition in the Music Insight section at this year's Jecheon International Film Festival. Launched last year, Music Insight is a feature-length music competition category designed to highlight creative achievements in Korean film music.

Music director Jo Yeong-wook, who handled the music for "No Other Choice", will compete for the award alongside music directors Jung Yong-jin of "The Square", Dalparan of "The People Upstairs", Kim Sawol of "Manok", Kim Tae-seong of "The King of Kings", Kim Jun-seok of "Hi-Five", and Lee Soo-bin of "3670".

The version screening at the Jecheon International Film Festival is an extended cut with approximately 20 minutes of additional footage compared to the theatrical release. Music director Jo Yeong-wook is scheduled to attend a GV (guest visit) session with director Park Chan-wook following the screening at 1 PM on September 4.

Music director Jo Yeong-wook has created memorable film scores alongside numerous projects, starting with "The Contact", which recorded the first-ever million-seller for a single OST, followed by "Oldboy", "Lady Vengeance", "The Handmaiden", and "Decision to Leave".

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Disney+ has confirmed the release date for its new series "The Remarried Empress" as November 4, dropping an intense teaser trailer and character posters that offer a deeply immersive preview.

"The Remarried Empress" is a romance fantasy epic that unfolds when Navier (Shin Mina), the perfect empress of the Eastern Empire, is notified of a divorce by Emperor Sovieshu (Ju Ji-hoon), who has fallen for the runaway slave Rashta (Lee Seyoung). Refusing to accept it lying down, she demands approval for her remarriage to Prince Heinrey (Lee Jong-suk) of the Western Kingdom instead. This marks the first live-action adaptation of the legendary IP, which has accumulated 2.97 billion views globally across its webtoon and other formats.

Released on the 26th, the teaser trailer opens with Empress Navier sitting loftily with her back to the light against the backdrop of the Eastern Empire's overwhelming scale, followed by Sovieshu vowing, "No matter what happens, you are my only wife," showcasing what once was a flawless relationship. However, the arrival of Rashta begins to shake their solid bond. Scenes of Sovieshu captivated by Rashta, Rashta unapologetically enjoying the happiness she has found, and Navier quietly composing herself as she watches the two unfold a preview of a runaway imperial scandal.

Their uneasy dynamic takes a new turn with the arrival of Prince Heinrey of the Western Kingdom. Heinrey approaches Navier to comfort her, while Sovieshu reveals jealousy and anger as he watches the two grow closer. Eventually, Sovieshu notifies Navier of the divorce, and without a single tremor, Navier accepts the divorce while simultaneously demanding approval for her remarriage to Prince Heinrey, foreshadowing a massive upheaval.

The character posters released alongside the trailer also capture attention with their peerless synchronization. The overwhelming aura of the four actors heightens anticipation: Shin Mina, who completes the grace and dignity of an empress; Ju Ji-hoon, who captures the narrative of an emperor wielding absolute power; Lee Jong-suk, who transforms into a mysterious and alluring prince; and Lee Seyoung, who vividly portrays the ambition of achieving a sudden rise in status.

"The Remarried Empress," a blockbuster that will open a new horizon for K-romance fantasy, will be released via Disney+ on November 4.

[Photo=Disney+]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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The production team of the MBC variety show "I Live Alone" has stepped forward to address official positions regarding the alleged manipulation surrounding television personality Jun Hyun-moo's impromptu trip to Kazakhstan.

Through an official statement on the 25th, the production team stated, "Jun Hyun-moo's trip to Kazakhstan was exactly as shown on the broadcast. Right before departing for Kazakhstan at the airport, he submitted his international driver's license and passport as requested by the local rental car company and rented the vehicle."

Regarding the controversy over the local rental car rental procedures that arose afterward, they admitted to shortcomings in checking administrative procedures, stating, "After the broadcast, we checked with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan and belatedly confirmed that a separate notarization process is required." They added, "The embassy conveyed that many citizens suffer damages locally due to such issues, and stated they will provide guidance once again so that visiting citizens do not suffer damages."

In addition, regarding suspicions of sponsorship by local tourism authorities, they emphasized, "We have not received any filming support or sponsorships in connection with this Kazakhstan trip," drawing a line against the manipulation rumors.

In the previously broadcast Kazakhstan episode, Jun Hyun-moo was shown deciding on his destination impromptu at Incheon International Airport and leaving for a 1-and-2-day trip. However, issues such as omitting the mandatory local rental car notarization procedure, the companion staff securing same-day tickets, and mentions of filming support by the Almaty tourism authorities came under fire, raising pointed questions about whether it was a pre-planned trip.

The production team promised to exercise caution in the future, stating, "We will look into things more carefully and produce the broadcast."

[Photo = MBC]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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