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Singer Hyun Jin-young (55) has unveiled a "STOP DRUG" t-shirt he designed himself, delivering a message of drug prevention to the youth.

Hyun Jin-young recently shared photos on his social media taken with his wife, Oh Seo-woon. The couple is seen wearing new products from "XKARA," a fashion brand launched by Hyun in 2023, while enjoying a meal at a Korean restaurant run by singer Kim Jang-hoon.

Regarding the t-shirt, Hyun Jin-young stated, "This design is a reproduction of the album jacket from I.W.B.H, a project hip-hop group I released in 1997." He added, "STOP DRUG was the title track of that album, but I wanted to convey a slightly different meaning this time." He explained, "I created this design specifically to send a message to many people, including teenagers, that they must never do drugs."

He wrote with a laugh, "Honestly, it is a bit embarrassing for me to wear a t-shirt with this kind of slogan on it," but added, "It is okay because I am living a very good and diligent life now."

This t-shirt draws more attention as it is not just a fashion item, but a symbol that encapsulates Hyun Jin-young's own life.

Hyun Jin-young was a first-generation artist who led the domestic hip-hop craze in the 1990s, but he went through a long dark period after getting involved with drugs during his prime. Having broken free from drugs in the early 2000s through voluntary treatment and determination, he has since consistently participated in drug prevention campaigns and public service activities, using his own experience to raise awareness about the importance of preventing recidivism and educating youth. This "STOP DRUG" t-shirt is an extension of those efforts.

Hyun Jin-young, who launched the fashion brand "XKARA" in 2023, which reinterprets his stage outfits in a modern way, previously stated, "I put my hope into it that Generation X and the MZ generation could empathize with each other through fashion," and "I want to share emotions that transcend generations through the mediums of music and fashion." 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The film "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" has claimed the top spot in both pre-sale rates and ticket volume, surpassing "HOPE" with 9 days left until its release.

According to the Korean Film Council on the 20th, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" recorded a 48.8% pre-sale rate (as of 10:30 AM) and 230,000 tickets sold. This result is nearly double the figures of the current box office leader, "HOPE" (26.6%, 120,000 tickets).

"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" is a film that depicts the journey of Peter Parker, who lives alone after being forgotten by everyone, as he overcomes new threats to become a true hero.

The "Tom-Spa" series, which refers to the "Spider-Man" series starring Tom Holland, has never failed at the box office in Korea. The previous three films—"Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017, 7.25 million viewers), "Spider-Man: Far From Home" (2019, 8.02 million viewers), and "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (2021, 7.55 million viewers)—all recorded massive box office success with over 7 million viewers each.

Returning after five years, the fourth installment is already showing high pre-sale rates and ticket volumes, signaling a fierce battle to become this summer's box office winner.

"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" will be released on the 29th. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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As the film "HOPE" surpasses 2 million viewers nationwide just 5 days after its release, the supporting actors who shone in the film are also receiving attention.

A prime example is Eum Moon-suk, whose casting was not even known until the film's release. Eum Moon-suk plays 'Yang-bae', a carpenter in Hopohang, and takes on a pivotal role from the middle of the film onwards.

If director Na Hong-jin's previous work "The Wailing" reached a turning point in the plot with the appearance of Il-gwang (Hwang Jung-min), then Yang-bae plays that same role in "HOPE". He is the person who provides the catalyst for the incident. With his shabby appearance, vacant expression, and yellowed teeth, he exudes an unusual aura just by his looks.

"Hopohang" is a small village located near the DMZ adjacent to North Korea, but Yang-bae speaks with a Chungcheong-do dialect. The authentic dialect line, "It's at my house!", provided big laughs, but this line also causes a massive ripple effect that keeps the audience focused. Yang-bae also delivers an unexpected performance in the latter half of the film, greatly surprising the audience.

In an interview, director Na Hong-jin explained, "The thing that Yang-bae did is, in a way, a trivial matter, but the film shows how far this can escalate. This massive tragic situation can arise from such trivial things, and it becomes an evil act. However, if you look closely, there seems to be no malice at all. There is no rule that the perpetrator of an evil act must necessarily have malice. It seems that life's tragedies happen that way. 'HOPE' is a film that tells that kind of story."

After premiering the film at the Cannes Film Festival, director Na Hong-jin returned to Korea and re-edited it. In the process, the running time was reduced from 160 minutes to 156 minutes. During this process, the entire portion featuring Park Young-gyu, who played the township head, was edited out.

Compared to the Cannes version, Yang-bae's screen time increased in the domestic version. Director Na Hong-jin stated that he put the most effort into the Yang-bae character in the final cut, even describing it as a "restoration to the original state." He emphasized, "I hoped that 'Yang-bae' would deliver the same impact to the audience that Il-gwang gave in 'The Wailing'."

At a GV event with director Bong Joon-ho, director Na Hong-jin revealed, "Eum Moon-suk acted so well that I had no choice but to cast him after several auditions." Director Bong Joon-ho also mentioned Eum Moon-suk, who showed an impressive appearance and acting ability in the film.

Eum Moon-suk's performance provides the fun of an unexpected discovery. His unique, personality-filled acting offers more than just comic relief and even plays a role in heightening the tension in the latter half.

"HOPE" is currently a box office hit, surpassing 2 million viewers nationwide in just 5 days since its release. Eum Moon-suk is touring for stage greetings alongside Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, and Jung Hoyeon, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Dog trainer Lee Chan-jong, who stood trial on charges of sexually harassing a fellow trainer, has shared his feelings for the first time after being acquitted following a legal battle that lasted 4 years and 5 months.

On the 19th, Lee released a video titled "Hello, this is trainer Lee Chan-jong" on his YouTube channel "JAEkkiCHAN". The video includes footage of him at the court on the day of the appellate court's sentencing and scenes of him sharing his joy with his family immediately after the acquittal.

Before entering the court, Lee said, "Today is the day my truth is revealed. I have gone through various processes over the past 4 years and 5 months. I don't know what the result will be, but I want to prove my innocence and confirm to the world that truth exists. It was harder to see my family suffer than to deal with my own unfairness. My first goal in clearing my name was for my family to live with their heads held high."

After the appellate court dismissed the prosecutor's appeal and declared him not guilty, Lee said, "My innocence has once again been confirmed in the second trial as well. I have suffered so much for 4 years and 5 months, and I am so overwhelmed right now. My legs are giving out." He then hugged his daughter and wife, expressing his gratitude.

On this day, Lee's wife said, "My husband even went to a reservoir alone. After that, I accompanied him to every police investigation, prosecution investigation, and court appearance." His daughter also emphasized her trust in her father, saying, "When the incident broke out, I worried about whether I should go to school. Some friends even said, 'I didn't think you would come to school.' It was upsetting because I didn't understand why they thought that way when I hadn't done anything wrong."

Lee concluded by saying, "When the incident first happened, the first thing that came to my mind was my family. My family trusted me unconditionally and told me, 'We will protect you, Dad.' I am also grateful to the viewers of "JAEkkiCHAN" for trusting and supporting me from the beginning."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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CRAVITY proved their true value as the masters of performance, known as 'Perform-vity,' by heating up the Caribbean Bay Water Music Pool Party.

CRAVITY appeared at the 'Caribbean Bay Water Music Pool Party,' held on the special outdoor wave pool stage at Caribbean Bay in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, on July 19, and delivered an energy-packed performance. Amid the cheers of the crowd that filled the venue, they boosted the mid-summer festival atmosphere with refreshing performances and solid live vocals.

On this day, CRAVITY appeared in sporty casual outfits and kicked off the show with "AWAKE." They kept the heat going with "Lemonade Fever" and delighted fans by performing "Sunrise" for the first time in a while. During the following talk segment, they greeted the audience and communicated more closely with them. CRAVITY roamed the stage and sprayed water to liven up the atmosphere, adding a refreshing charm with "Cloud 9." They brought the performance to a grand finale with their final song, "Ready or Not," delivering a steady performance even amidst the pouring water jets.

Through their agency, Starship Entertainment, CRAVITY shared their thoughts, saying, "We were able to enjoy the performance even more because so many people joined us, to the point where we could feel the hot energy just by standing on stage." They added, "We thank everyone who enjoyed the scene with us and LUVITY, who always cheers for us with the loudest voices. We hope this remains an unforgettable memory for everyone."

Meanwhile, CRAVITY is meeting fans every Monday at 9 PM through their own content series, "CRAVITY PARK."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Director Na Hong-jin, who created the film "HOPE," spoke about the process of producing a sci-fi film, a genre that is nearly barren in Korea.

In a recent interview with Elle magazine, director Na Hong-jin revealed that "HOPE" is a film with over 400 creature shots, adding that he spent an intense time working on CGI and sound post-production until just before the screening.

Director Na Hong-jin said, "As soon as the script was finished, I met with the CEO of the VFX company at Daepo Port," and added, "I had the thought that our country's VFX industry needed to try this and achieve a certain level of quality. It wasn't the grammar of existing creature films; it was something that had never been done before. There are no references for creatures in broad daylight. We started from scratch."

The reason for starting "HOPE" was not simply a challenge to the sci-fi or creature genre. Mentioning the era when the streaming age was in full swing, director Na Hong-jin revealed the starting point of the work, saying, "The entertainment I wanted to see in theaters was gradually disappearing. So, I started with the mindset that I would make it myself."

A special philosophy was also embedded in the film's visuals. Director Na Hong-jin explained his collaboration with cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo, stating that he wanted to plant a "retro" sensibility into the entire mise-en-scène of "HOPE." He replied that he wanted to complete a classic genre film of the current era through vintage lenses and classic screen composition, adding, "I've watched it over 1,000 times while making 'HOPE,' and I still love the feeling."

He also mentioned that for the actors' action scenes, he chose to film them in reality as much as possible without relying on CGI, aiming to capture the spectacle created by the human body on screen.

The interview also revealed the working process with actors such as Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Jung Hoyeon, Michael Fassbender, and Alicia Vikander. Director Na Hong-jin expressed his gratitude, saying, "There wasn't a single easy scene," and "Thanks to the actors trusting the set and staying with us until the end, we were able to create a perfect harmony."

Regarding Michael Fassbender, who was immersed in motion capture acting, he added, "He was acting with machines hanging all over his body, surrounded by people he didn't know, and it was so cool," and "My goodness, why am I covering this person with CGI? I should have just shown his face," which drew laughter from the staff at the interview site.

Director Na Hong-jin explained how to watch "HOPE," saying, "Instead of interpreting the film like a text, please accept the visuals and sound as they are, with your body." When asked about a sequel, he left the answer, "I really don't know. Because you can't make a film of this scale with this amount of capital."

"HOPE" was released in theaters nationwide on the 15th and surpassed 2 million viewers nationwide in 5 days.

<Photo=Elle Korea> 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Singer and actor IU (real name Lee Ji-eun) has initiated legal proceedings in a U.S. court to identify the individual behind malicious online posts. It has been revealed that the content of these posts reached a level of severity that included mocking national tragedies and making false claims about deceased celebrities.

According to reports from The Biz and Dispatch on July 20, IU filed an application for discovery (28 U.S.C. §1782) against Meta at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on July 15 (local time). This procedure is intended to identify the operator of a Threads account for use in a defamation civil lawsuit currently underway in South Korea.

IU's legal team claims that the account in question repeatedly wrote at least 52 false posts between March and October of last year, causing defamation. It is reported that they have requested the minimum information necessary to identify the account holder from the U.S. court, including the user's name, email address, phone number, physical address, and recent login IP records.

According to the application submitted to the court, the malicious posts were categorized into six types: plagiarism allegations, false claims related to China, distortion of overseas achievements, allegations of marketing using the deceased, allegations of media control and public opinion manipulation, and false claims linking her songs to national tragedies.

The severity of the malicious posts was particularly alarming. The author repeatedly claimed that the Netflix series "When Life Gives You Tangerines," which had tens of billions of won in production costs, was a failure overseas, and also posted conspiracy-theory-style content alleging that IU's side controls the media and manipulates internet public opinion.

Furthermore, the author reportedly made false claims suggesting that IU used the deaths of her colleagues, such as the late Sulli, JONGHYUN, and Koo Ha Ra, for promotional purposes. It was also reported that the author wrote malicious posts claiming that IU's songs "Ah puh" and "Strawberry Moon" contained meanings mocking the Sewol Ferry tragedy and the Itaewon tragedy, respectively.

In addition, the author allegedly repeatedly posted false information referring to IU as a Chinese national or an individual linked to Chinese capital, and claimed that she has "virtually no popularity overseas."

In the application, IU's side argued that "it is highly likely that the user is a South Korean resident," citing the fact that the account exclusively used the Korean language and focused on domestic issues. They also emphasized that defamation based on false facts is not protected under freedom of expression.

If the U.S. court grants the application for discovery, Meta will review whether to submit the relevant subscriber information. If the identity is confirmed, the civil and criminal legal proceedings currently underway in South Korea are expected to accelerate.

IU has consistently taken a firm stance against those who write malicious posts. In February, she announced that she was pursuing criminal complaints and civil lawsuits against 96 malicious commenters. In May, a malicious commenter who stalked her while claiming that IU was a Chinese spy was sentenced to 4 months in prison with a 1-year suspended sentence in an appellate trial.

Photo = Reporter Baek Seung-cheol

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Ha Ji-won will become the first Korean actor to stand on the mound at Fenway Park, the home stadium of the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB).

Ha Ji-won is scheduled to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the 2026 MLB regular season game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles, held at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 21 (local time).

Fenway Park is a historic stadium that has represented Major League Baseball since its opening in 1912, and Ha Ji-won is the first Korean actor to take on the role of throwing the first pitch there. This first pitch was arranged as part of a global exchange connecting sports and entertainment, and it is drawing attention as a meaningful event that bridges Korean entertainment and Major League Baseball.

"I am very honored to be the first Korean actor to throw the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park, a historic stadium that represents Major League Baseball," Ha Ji-won said. "I want to show a great performance as I have practiced hard. I hope to deliver winning energy to the Boston Red Sox players, and I also hope it will be a meaningful time for the Korean residents and baseball fans from all over the world who are there at the scene."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The highly anticipated film "Assassins," starring Yoo Hai-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho, has finally unveiled its teaser trailer.

"Assassins" follows the investigation into the suspicious circumstances and the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on the First Lady, an event that shocked South Korea on August 15, 1974.

The released teaser trailer begins by capturing the attention of the audience with the chaotic scene at the Liberation Day ceremony, where a single gunshot shatters the silence and turns the event into a scene of devastation. The trailer then introduces the three protagonists: detective 'Cheol-gu' (Yoo Hai-jin), who fiercely pursues the truth hidden behind the incident; journalist 'Jae-hwan' (Park Hae-il), who strives to make the truth heard despite immense external pressure; and rookie reporter 'Young-il' (Lee Min-ho), who finds himself caught in the center of the mystery after witnessing the event firsthand. The trailer highlights the intense pursuit of these three individuals as they seek the truth from their respective positions.

Yoo Hai-jin anchors the film with his sharp gaze and commanding presence, densely portraying the inner world of detective 'Cheol-gu'. Park Hae-il completes the character of 'Jae-hwan', a man with unwavering conviction, through his signature restrained acting, adding significant weight to the film.

In addition, Lee Min-ho showcases a new, deeper side of his acting, vividly portraying the grit and passion of 'Young-il'. As the mysterious circumstances surrounding the incident and the precarious moments facing the characters intersect rapidly, curiosity grows regarding the outcome of their pursuit of the truth.

"Assassins" follows the process of individuals who witnessed and recorded the events of that day as they persistently pursue the truth from their own positions, meticulously digging into the hidden side of the incident. In particular, the delicate and dense direction of director Hur Jin-ho, combined with the unparalleled acting ensemble of Korea's representative actors Yoo Hai-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho, is raising high expectations.

"Assassins" is scheduled to be released in theaters this Chuseok. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Actor Lee Do-hyun is set to return to the big screen with the film "Nambeol".

"Nambeol" is a hard-boiled martial arts action film set in the early Joseon Dynasty. It follows nine warriors, each with different skills and social classes, as they head to Tsushima Island to rescue captives kidnapped by Japanese raiders. With Lee Byung-hun and Go Youn-jung already confirmed for the cast, the addition of Lee Do-hyun completes a star-studded lineup.

This project is drawing significant attention as it marks the reunion of Lee Do-hyun and cinematographer Lee Mo-gae, who built a strong rapport while working on the 10-million-viewer film "Exhuma". Notably, this film serves as Lee Mo-gae's feature directorial debut.

Lee Do-hyun plays the character 'Bo-gyeong', a rugged warrior who stands at the vanguard of the punitive force. He is a complex figure who breaks through enemy lines with relentless action while possessing a deeper sense of camaraderie than anyone else. He is also expected to shine as the loyal right-hand man to the warriors' leader, 'Im-eok' (Lee Byung-hun), raising anticipation for the overwhelming acting synergy between the two.

"Nambeol" is garnering major interest as the first directorial work by Lee Mo-gae, who has showcased a unique mise-en-scène in high-profile films such as "12.12: The Day", "Exhuma", "Hunt", "Yadang", and "Emergency Declaration". Having been recognized for his exceptional sense of style with awards including the Art Award in the film category at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards, the Cinematography and Lighting Award at the 43rd and 37th Blue Dragon Film Awards, and the Cinematography Award at the 31st and 29th Blue Dragon Film Awards, he is expected to demonstrate his outstanding directing skills by capturing both grand narratives and intense action and visuals in this project.

With a star-studded cast including Lee Byung-hun, Go Youn-jung, and Lee Do-hyun, "Nambeol" is currently in pre-production with the goal of beginning filming in the second half of 2026.

Note: "Nambeol" is a romanization, as no official English title has been released yet.

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The first solo concert of the group CORTIS, which will celebrate its first anniversary next month, started off with a bang by selling out all tickets. However, fans expressed significant disappointment regarding the concert duration and the composition of the setlist.

CORTIS held their first world tour, "2026 CORTIS TOUR <PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN> IN INCHEON," at the Inspire Arena in Incheon on July 18 and 19. The concert title, "PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN," carries the concept of putting down mobile phones to fully immerse oneself in the stage, music, and the atmosphere of the venue.

Immediately after the performance, the agency stated, "The audience put down their phones and immersed themselves in the concert, and the venue was filled with high-purity sing-alongs," declaring the first concert a success. The members also shared their thoughts, saying, "We are grateful and happy to be able to fill such a large stage less than a year after our debut."

The concert focused on maximizing audience participation in a free atmosphere, and some evaluated it as an attempt to move away from the existing grammar of idol concerts and focus on the music and performance itself.

However, the reactions of fans who actually attended the concert were mixed. Reviews on online communities and social media continued, such as, "Compared to the ticket price of 143,000 KRW, the concert duration was short at about 1 hour and 40 minutes," "The representative song 'REDRED' was repeated 4 times, and 'YOUNGCREATORCREW' was repeated 5 times," and "There was a lack of elements expected from a solo concert, such as costume changes, VCRs, or cover stages."

CORTIS has released a total of 12 original songs through two albums so far. As there are not many released songs, the concert was filled with remixes and repetitive compositions, but some fans reacted by saying, "It felt like listening to the same song multiple times," "It was closer to a fan meeting than a concert," and "As it was the first solo concert, I expected a more diverse stage."

As the controversy surrounding the first day's performance spread, there were some changes on the second day. According to reviews from fans who attended the concert, CORTIS added various songs upon audience request during the encore, and the members' talk segments were longer than on the first day. The concert duration was also reported to be slightly longer at about 2 hours, and the encore stage was expanded.

However, the atmosphere was not that the disappointment raised on the first day had been completely resolved. Evaluations continued that there was no major change in the setlist composition other than the slightly increased concert time, and there were many opinions that disappointment remained in terms of the completeness and composition of the concert, considering the symbolism of it being their first solo concert since debut.

While some viewed the challenge of attempting a new concert grammar as meaningful, a significant number of audience members responded, "Regardless of the experiment, since a concert is a cultural product for which the audience pays, it should have met the expectations for basic running time, setlist, and stage composition."

Attention is focused on how CORTIS will reflect the reactions raised at the Incheon concert in their North American tour and the first anniversary commemorative concert to be held this coming August.

Meanwhile, CORTIS will perform a solo stage as the only K-pop boy group this year at "Lollapalooza Chicago" in the United States from July 31 to August 1 (local time). Afterward, they will continue their North American tour starting in Toronto, Canada, on August 4, and hold their first anniversary commemorative concert, "2026 CORTIS TOUR <PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN> BIRTHDAY PARTY," at Hwajeong Gymnasium at Korea University in Seoul on August 22 and 23.

Photo=Big Hit Music (HYBE) 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Lee Dong-wook is posing for photos at the press conference for the Disney+ series "A Shop for Killers" Season 2, held at the Conrad Seoul Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of July 20.

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

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Actor Jung Yoon-ha poses for photos at the press conference for the Disney+ series "A Shop for Killers" Season 2, held at the Conrad Seoul Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of July 20.

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

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Actor Jo Han-sun attends the production presentation for the Disney+ series "A Shop for Killers" Season 2, held at the Conrad Seoul Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of July 20.

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Actor Hyunri attends the photo session at the production presentation for the Disney+ series "A Shop for Killers" Season 2, held at the Conrad Seoul Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of July 20.

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Actor Kim Min attends the press conference for the Disney+ series "A Shop for Killers" Season 2, held at the Conrad Seoul Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 20th, and poses for the cameras.

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Actor Kim Hye-jun is participating in a photo session at the press conference for the Disney+ series "A Shop for Killers" Season 2, held at the Conrad Seoul Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 20th.

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Director Lee Kwon (from left), and actors Okada Masaki, Hyunri, Kim Min, Jung Yun-ha, Geum Hae-na, Jo Han-sun, Kim Hye-jun, and Lee Dong-wook are posing for photos at the production presentation for the Disney+ series "A Shop for Killers" Season 2, held at the Conrad Seoul Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 20th.

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

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Actor Okada Masaki is posing for photos at the press conference for the Disney+ series "A Shop for Killers" Season 2, held at the Conrad Seoul Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 20th.

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

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Actor Keum Hae-na attends the production presentation for the Disney+ series "A Shop for Killers" Season 2, held at the Conrad Seoul Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of July 20, and participates in a photo session.

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

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YouTube creators Psick Univ, including comedians Lee Yong-ju, Jung Jae-hyung, and Kim Min-su, visited Rwanda to support the first day of kindergarten for local children.

ChildFund Korea announced on July 20 that Psick Univ participated in the 'Follow the Friend to Africa' campaign to support early childhood education in Rwanda and donated 10 million KRW to assist local children.

ChildFund Korea has been conducting early childhood education support projects in Rwanda since 2016. They help with the care and growth of local children by operating early childhood centers, providing play-based education, improving educational environments, supplying uniforms and school supplies, and conducting health checkups. This 'Follow the Friend to Africa' campaign was organized to help Rwandan children who are in blind spots of education and care attend early childhood centers and grow up healthy.

Psick Univ contributed by participating in the production of campaign content while also donating 10 million KRW. This is the second time Psick Univ has participated in an overseas child support campaign with ChildFund Korea, following their participation last year.

Previously, Psick Univ participated in the 'Follow the Friend to Bangladesh' campaign to prevent the closure of the Bridge School in Bangladesh and donated 10 million KRW separately.

At that time, the campaign utilized YouTube content featuring Psick Univ's signature humor to generate 8,615 support messages and 95 million KRW in annual donations, helping to keep the Bridge School in operation.

Psick Univ stated, "We hope that many people will join us in this good cause for the Rwanda campaign, which follows last year's, to help open the first day of school for these children." They added, "As the full team of Psick Univ is participating this year, we will strive to share the meaning of the campaign with more people and spread positive influence."

ChildFund Korea Chairman Hwang Young-gi said, "We will continue our early childhood support projects so that Rwandan children can start their learning journey in a safe space." He added, "We hope many people will support the children's future through the content and campaign with Psick Univ."

The 'Follow the Friend to Africa' campaign will officially begin on August 27. The YouTube content is scheduled to be released on the official ChildFund Korea YouTube channel, starting with the first episode at 6 PM on the same day, and will consist of a total of 4 episodes released every Thursday. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The world-class presence of BTS shone even at the World Cup final.

Popular YouTuber iShowSpeed, who has over 58 million subscribers, could not hide his joy upon meeting BTS. The status of these global stars was further solidified as football legends David Beckham and Ronaldinho, as well as pop star Justin Bieber, approached them first to greet them.

BTS performed at the halftime show of the "2026 FIFA World Cup" final, held at the New Jersey stadium in the United States on July 19 (local time). Intense interest in BTS continued backstage, where stars gathered before and after the performance.

American streamer iShowSpeed, who has approximately 58 million YouTube subscribers and cheered while watching the BTS halftime performance, could not contain his excitement when he spotted BTS during his live broadcast.

He repeatedly shouted, "Oh my god, BTS!" and "Wait, wait!" as he ran toward the members, hugging each one to express his delight. He continued to repeat, "I'm a huge fan," and, unable to control his joy, even performed a backflip, turning the scene into a sea of laughter. Even after taking a commemorative photo together, he continued to exclaim, "Oh my God!" showing his overwhelmed reaction.

iShowSpeed is well-known for being a fan of BTS. He previously released a video of himself dancing to the hit song "Dynamite" by BTS.

iShowSpeed was not the only one sending "love calls" to BTS. Football star David Beckham requested a photo first, and pop star Justin Bieber was captured approaching the members to greet them and share a hug. Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho also drew attention by appearing in a BTS T-shirt.

BTS served as the headliners for the first-ever halftime show in the history of this World Cup final, performing a football-themed version of "Dynamite" and gracing the finale stage alongside Coldplay, Shakira, and Justin Bieber. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Popular US talk show host Jimmy Fallon shared his support for BTS as he watched their halftime show performance at the World Cup final in real-time.

On July 20, Fallon posted two photos on his Instagram showing him watching the halftime show of the '2026 FIFA World Cup' held at the New Jersey Stadium in the US on his television.

The photos show BTS performing their hit song "Dynamite" on the TV screen. Fallon posed in front of the TV, making a finger heart to cheer for the group.

Notably, he used "Dynamite" as the background music for his post and wrote, "Let's go! 갑시다! ¡Vamos!" The inclusion of the Korean phrase "갑시다!" alongside English and Spanish caught the attention of fans.

In response, BTS member J-HOPE left a comment saying, "Jimmy," to which Fallon replied with a heart emoji, showcasing their enduring friendship.

The bond between Fallon and BTS goes back a long way. Fallon previously highlighted the group through "BTS Week" on NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and helped lead their global craze with challenges like the "Dynamite" lyric-singing challenge. BTS also appeared on "The Tonight Show" as a full group this past March, marking their first appearance in about 4 years and 8 months. At the time, the members hugged Fallon and made headlines by gifting him indoor slippers while introducing him to the Korean culture of sitting on the floor.

Meanwhile, BTS performed at the halftime show of the '2026 FIFA World Cup' held at the New Jersey Stadium in New York, USA, on July 19 (local time). It was the first halftime performance in the history of the World Cup final, where they presented a soccer-themed version of their hit song "Dynamite" and graced the finale stage alongside Coldplay, Shakira, and Justin Bieber. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The film "HOPE" topped the weekend box office, drawing over 1.5 million viewers nationwide.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network for movie theater tickets on the 20th, "HOPE" drew 1,504,013 viewers nationwide from the 17th to the 19th. The cumulative number of viewers is 2,129,720.

Released on the 15th, "HOPE" surpassed 1 million viewers in 3 days and 2 million in 5 days, marking the fastest box office pace among films released this year.

Although opinions on the film have been divided since its early release, it is capturing the attention of audiences with its high level of buzz. Viewers are split between praise and criticism, which is stimulating the curiosity of potential audiences who have not yet seen the film.

"HOPE" is a blockbuster that invested over 50 billion won in production costs, a first for a Korean film. It was pre-sold to 200 countries worldwide at the Cannes Film Festival held last May, lowering its break-even point to the 7 million viewer range. Having drawn 2 million viewers in its first weekend, "HOPE" has turned on a green light toward surpassing its break-even point.

"HOPE" tells the story of Beom-seok (Hwang Jung-min), the head of the Hopohang branch office located in the Demilitarized Zone, who hears news of a tiger sighting from local youths and encounters an unbelievable reality as the entire village goes on high alert. The film is directed by Na Hong-jin, who created "The Chaser" and "The Wailing," and stars Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, and Jung Hoyeon. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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BTS has made history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, delivering a performance for the ages during the halftime show of the final match.

BTS appeared at the halftime show of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, held at the New Jersey Stadium in the United States on the 19th (local time). This marks the first time a halftime performance has been held at a World Cup final.

Following the performance, BTS shared their thoughts through their agency, Big Hit Music, stating, "The World Cup is a tournament we have enjoyed watching since we were young, so it is an honor to stand on the first-ever halftime show stage at the final. We are happy to be able to perform for a good cause, shouting out love alongside wonderful artists and children, and it feels like a dream." They added, "We believe we were able to reach this stage thanks to the influence of ARMY all over the world. We are truly grateful to everyone who watched."

On this day, BTS performed their hit song "Dynamite," which topped the US Billboard main single chart, the "Hot 100." Notably, they added to the significance of the final by modifying some of the original lyrics to include football-themed phrases such as "kick the ball" and "a game of football."

The members delivered their performance on an "Earth Ball" shaped structure installed in the center of the stadium, conveying a message of harmony and solidarity that transcends borders and cultures.

In the latter part of the performance, BTS returned to the stage to join Coldplay, Shakira, Justin Bieber, Sesame Street, the Muppets, and the PS22 Chorus from a public school in Staten Island, New York, to perform "We Dance," a song Coldplay worked on for this World Cup, bringing the show to a grand finale.

This halftime show was produced by the international advocacy organization Global Citizen and was organized to promote the purpose of the "FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund." The fund was established to expand educational opportunities and sports accessibility for children in underserved regions around the world.

Meanwhile, BTS concluded their "BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG'" European tour at the Stade de France in Paris, France, on the 18th. They held a total of 10 performances across five cities—Madrid, Spain; Brussels, Belgium; London, UK; Munich, Germany; and Paris, France—attracting approximately 717,000 spectators. They will continue their North American tour at MetLife Stadium in New York on August 1–2.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Jang Young-nam has reunited with Andmarq, an agency that feels like home.

On July 16, Andmarq officially announced that they had signed an exclusive contract with actor Jang Young-nam. Having built deep trust while working together for a long time in the past, both sides have decided to walk the same path again after approximately two years. This decision was made possible by a deep understanding and strong bond that went beyond a simple business relationship.

Andmarq CEO Kwon Oh-hyun stated, "Good partners eventually meet again," and added, "Jang Young-nam is an actor with whom we have built deeper trust than anyone else during our time together. This reunion is more than just a contract; it is the result of our mutual trust being reconnected. We will provide our full support so that she can continue to encounter the best projects and characters."

Jang Young-nam has established herself as a top-tier actor who traverses film, television, and theater with solid acting skills and unparalleled screen presence. As she has received overwhelming support from the public and critics for her immersive performances and deep character interpretation regardless of the genre, attention is focused on the synergy she will create with Andmarq once again.

[Photo = Andmarq] 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Actor Jung Hoyeon has become the first Korean actor to grace the stage at the World Cup final. 

On July 19 (local time), she appeared at the pre-match event held just before the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.

As a global ambassador for Louis Vuitton, Jung Hoyeon participated in the trophy trunk ceremony alongside world-renowned tennis player Carlos Alcaraz before the start of the final. She is the first Korean actor to participate in an official event at a World Cup final.

The trophy trunk ceremony, in which Jung Hoyeon participated, is one of the most iconic moments of the World Cup final. It is an event where the championship trophy enters the pitch through the official trophy trunk crafted by Louis Vuitton before being revealed to the stadium.

Jung Hoyeon, who is currently meeting audiences in Korea through the movie "HOPE", has once again solidified her global influence by appearing on the stage of the world's largest sporting event.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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The three leads of "Lovers in Paris" promised to meet again.

On the July 19 broadcast of SBS "My Little Old Boy," Lee Dong-gun met with Kim Jung-eun for the first time in 20 years.

During the broadcast, the two stars, who were the leads of the drama "Lovers in Paris," reminisced about the show. Kim Jung-eun mentioned the ending, where it was revealed that everything was a novel written by the female lead, Taeyoung, which shocked the entire nation at the time. She said, "Many people were angry at me back then. They were angry asking why it was fake."

She continued, "Actually, I made excuses back then, but looking back now, if I were asked again, I would say I was wrong and apologize."

The two also recalled anecdotes involving the male lead, Park Shin-yang. Kim Jung-eun recalled, "This is the scene where senior actor Park Shin-yang sang 'Can I Love You,' but that song was decided suddenly. So, the senior actor didn't know the song well."

Kim Jung-eun added, "When we arrived on set, everyone was lying on the floor writing something. They were writing the prompter to be used when the senior actor sang," revealing the behind-the-scenes story of how they created the iconic scene with the help of a makeshift prompter.

Kim Jung-eun then asked Lee Dong-gun, "Weren't you a bit awkward with senior actor Park Shin-yang back then?" Lee Dong-gun replied, "To me at the time, he was such a perfect actor. It wasn't a role where I could say, 'Wow, I respect you so much.' So I focused on practice without even having time to get close, and I think that helped me a lot in my acting later," drawing attention. Hearing this, Kim Jung-eun also agreed that she received a lot of help in her acting from Park Shin-yang.

Kim Jung-eun then said, "But I was a bit angry because there was a scene where the two of you talked about what was good about Taeyoung. It was a scene where you were cutely criticizing her back and forth, but when I watched the broadcast, it was a mess with content that wasn't in the script. I was watching the broadcast and it felt strange, so I looked for the script, but there was no such story," questioning him about the ad-libs.

Lee Dong-gun revealed, "That was senior actor Park Shin-yang's idea. He wrote it all down for us to do," drawing attention.

After hearing this, Kim Jung-eun made a video call to Park Shin-yang, and for the first time in 20 years, the three leads of "Lovers in Paris" were captured in one frame.

Kim Jung-eun asked Park Shin-yang about the behind-the-scenes story of "Can I Love You." Park Shin-yang said, "I memorize it now," and added, "There was no song in the script. There was no song, and we decided to sing a song of our choice."

Kim Jung-eun asked why he chose a song he didn't even know the lyrics to, when he could have chosen his favorite song. Park Shin-yang explained the behind-the-scenes story of the song selection, saying, "I said I would sing 'My Way' because Han Ki-joo would sing it. But our staff was dead set against it. So we decided to have each person recommend 5 songs, and that song was finally chosen."

Kim Jung-eun then questioned them about the ad-lib scene between Lee Dong-gun and Park Shin-yang. Park Shin-yang tried to avoid answering, saying, "Hang up now." Kim Jung-eun asked, "They said you planned it all, what happened?"

Park Shin-yang said, "It's so hot here that I'm sweating, it's not that I'm nervous," and added, "Dong-gun laughed so much back then that we had an NG," pointing out that although he planned the ad-lib, Lee Dong-gun also agreed with it. Lee Dong-gun laughed and quickly smoothed things over, saying, "I did that because it was so different from the truth."

On this day, Kim Jung-eun also addressed the rumors that her husband looks a lot like Han Ki-joo, saying, "He does always wear glasses and suits."

Kim Jung-eun then revealed the story of her husband's proposal, saying, "My father-in-law passed away, so he suggested we visit the grave. So we went together, and he proposed there." Kim Jung-eun joked, "My husband told me later that when he asked me to marry him at my father-in-law's grave, I stayed still, but when he put a ring with a large stone on my finger, I shed tears," making everyone laugh.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Hyo-jung)

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Pungja opened up about her struggles with a weight loss plateau.

On the July 19th episode of SBS's "My Little Old Boy," Pungja and Um Ji-yoon visited Han Hye-jin's home.

During the broadcast, Pungja mentioned she was hungry as soon as she entered Han Hye-jin's house. In response, Han Hye-jin teased her, saying, "Is the first thing you say as soon as you see me that you're hungry?"

Pungja replied, "I get hungry whenever I see you," to which Han Hye-jin retorted, "You've gained weight. You keep feeling hungry when you gain weight."

Pungja then shared her frustration, saying, "I'm not losing any more weight these days. I've hit a plateau. It's been two or three months now."

Having started her diet in February of last year, Pungja revealed she has lost 33kg over the past 1 year and 4 months, adding, "I've worked hard to lose it, but the number is still disappointing."

The "Mom-vengers" were amazed, commenting, "Her jawline is visible. Losing 33kg is like an elementary school student has come out of her."

Pungja continued to express her concerns, saying, "I've been in this plateau for about 3 months, and I haven't even lost 100 grams." Han Hye-jin advised, "You have to break what's called a set point to get the weight down."

Pungja replied, "If I could break it with sheer force, I would have already. It's driving me crazy." Han Hye-jin then shared her own diet expertise, noting, "It's really hard to break that. Usually, when a plateau hits, you have to go back to the most grueling exercise you've ever done," drawing attention.

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

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