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Actor Han Ye-ri has been cast as the lead in the film "Room 1301 Knows" (literal translation).

"Room 1301 Knows" is a black comedy that follows people trying to conceal their own secrets and desires who fall into an irreversible situation, sparked by a mysterious incident in a suite room of a Seoul hotel. Production began filming in September and is currently underway.

In the film, Han Ye-ri plays Bang Mi-jin, a secretary to a ruling party lawmaker. After encountering an unexpected incident in a hotel room where a secret meeting was held, she is plunged into an uncontrollable situation as unforeseen figures begin to appear. As a character who keenly observes her surroundings to find a way out even during volatile moments, her ever-shifting emotions and hard-to-read inner thoughts are expected to heighten the film's suspense.

Han Ye-ri has demonstrated a broad acting spectrum across diverse works, including the films "As One", "Haemoo", "Worst Woman", "A Quiet Dream", "The Table", and "Minari". Having continually brought characters to life through her distinct interpretations regardless of genre or character type, she drew worldwide attention for her portrayal of the resilient yet delicate Monica in the film "Minari". 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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A media report has revealed that police forensic analysis found actor Kim Soo-hyun was not the person exchanging KakaoTalk messages with the late actor Kim Sae-ron in 2016, despite allegations previously made by YouTube channel Hover Lab and the bereaved family.

Citing details from the police investigation, entertainment news outlet Dispatch reported on October 13 that the sender of the 2016 KakaoTalk conversation—which Hover Lab and the family had claimed was an exchange between Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun—was actually celebrity "A," not Kim Soo-hyun.

In March of last year, Hover Lab CEO Kim Se-ui and Attorney Bu Ji-seok, the legal representative for the bereaved family, held a press conference and made public several KakaoTalk exchanges from 2016. In those messages, the person chatting with Kim Sae-ron sent texts suggestive of a romantic relationship, including, "When can I fall asleep holding you?" At the time, the bereaved family claimed the other party was Kim Soo-hyun and released image files containing Kim Soo-hyun's photo and name.

Police conducted an exhaustive investigation into nearly 200 KakaoTalk screenshots saved by Kim Sae-ron on N Cloud. While most of them were saved alongside the sender's name, about ten screenshots showed the chat partner as "Unknown," which included the controversial 2016 KakaoTalk messages. After comparing the "Unknown" chat logs with conversations showing real names and analyzing texting styles, police reportedly identified the sender as celebrity "A."

According to Dispatch, police conducted forensic examinations on devices used by Kim Sae-ron, including an iPhone 7, iPhone 8, iPhone SE, and iPhone 13 mini, but found no material proving a romantic relationship with Kim Soo-hyun. On the iPhone 7 she used between 2017 and 2018, phone calls with Kim Soo-hyun occurred only three times. During that same period, she was found to have maintained close relationships with at least four men, and Kim Soo-hyun was not among them, the outlet reported.

Police have also reportedly secured a statement from an internal Hover Lab employee who claimed that prior to the press conference, "Kim Se-ui ordered that 'Unknown' be changed to 'Kim Soo-hyun.'"

Meanwhile, CEO Kim Se-ui has been detained and is currently on trial on charges including defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes (such as the distribution of photographs taken with cameras), intimidation, and attempted coercion. Prosecutors determined that Kim broadcast allegations regarding Kim Soo-hyun dating a minor more than 25 times, earning a total of 169.4 million won, which includes 115 million won in advertising revenue and 54.4 million won in viewer donations. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Yoo Jae-myung makes a surprise confession in front of director Jang Hang-jun, revealing that his "dream is to be a film director."

Premiering on Thursday, October 15, SBS's new variety show "Maestro Jang" is a secret audition program where Jang Hang-jun—who was at times pathetic and at times servile, but more brilliant than anyone—sets out to cast top actors in his autobiographical film "Maestro Jang." Expectations are high for the witty, back-and-forth banter between director Jang Hang-jun and top stars.

With Yoo Jae-myung and Lee Sun-bin appearing as the first guests, Yoo Jae-myung provokes Jang Hang-jun with an unexpected confession.

Yoo Jae-myung confesses, "This is the first time I'm revealing this, but my dream is to be a film director," adding with a meaningful smile, "I realized my dream because of Jang Hang-jun." To this, Kim Poong slyly retorted, "Do you mean, 'If Jang Hang-jun can do it, why couldn't I?' Is that what you're thinking?", drawing laughter.

Jang Hang-jun joked, "I'm glad Yoo Jae-myung didn't become a director. It would have just added another competitor." In response, Yoo Jae-myung offered flattering praise, placing Jang Hang-jun on par with world-renowned master director Martin Scorsese. While Jang Hang-jun showed satisfaction at Yoo Jae-myung's words, he followed up with a self-inflicted reality check, saying, "When people say I lack directing skills, I'm doubtful myself, so I can't laugh and it gets under my skin."

Meanwhile, production company CEO Song Eun-i revealed ambitious hopes, saying, "Jang Hang-jun's next project is aiming for Cannes and the Academy Awards," while also reportedly putting the brakes on Jang Hang-jun's runaway swagger, adding, "However, Jang Hang-jun needs to watch what he says."

SBS's new cinematic talk variety show "Maestro Jang" will premiere on Thursday, October 15, at 9:00 PM on SBS.

<Photo = SBS> 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Singer Ailee is making a fresh start with "Ailee Band."

Ailee Band will release their first single, "Feelings," on October 13 at 6 p.m. The track is in the modern rock genre. Marking 14 years since her debut, Ailee is opening a new chapter with a co-ed band that she personally planned and produced.

A nationwide tour will follow. Ticket sales will open on NOL TICKET on October 13 at 8 p.m. Ailee Band will kick off their solo concert tour, "I AM : WE ARE," on November 21 at NOL THEATER Hapjeong Dongyang Life Hall in Seoul. The tour is scheduled to take place across a total of four cities, including Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and Daejeon.

Ailee Band recruited members through social media for the month of February and was formed after hundreds of applicants competed. Ailee personally watched and evaluated every applicant's video, sharing the selection process through the YouTube channel "Ailee Music." Ailee takes on vocals, while Ok Seong-min serves as leader and drummer, Bae Jae-yong plays guitar, Lee Hyeon-seong plays keyboards, and Ahn Seong-ju plays bass.

Ailee Band made their debut performance in August on KBS 2TV's "Immortal Songs." They received a standing ovation after performing Choi Baek-ho's "Run."

A representative for Ailee Band stated, "Starting with the release of our first single, we plan to explore our musical direction and expand our scope of activities. Please look forward to what kind of music and stages we will create to build a color uniquely our own."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Comedian Park Se-mi, widely loved for her character "Seojun Mom," is tying the knot after two years of dating.

On October 12, Park posted wedding photos on her social media account alongside the message, "Everyone, I am getting married this week! I've found my best friend and partner to play, laugh, and eat delicious food with for the rest of my life." On the same day, she uploaded a video titled "Everyone, I'm Getting Married" to her YouTube channel "Annyeonghasemi," personally sharing the news by saying, "I'm getting married. It has happened."

Her fiancé is a non-celebrity florist who is reported to be one year younger than Park. The two were introduced through their personal trainer and grew their love for more than two years with marriage in mind.

Regarding their first meeting, Park shared that while it was not love at first sight for either of them, he fit her ideal type perfectly. She proudly remarked, "Family was one of the big reasons I decided to get married. We have been dating for more than two years, and he still gives me a foot massage every single day. The more we meet, the better he treats me."

The story of the proposal was also revealed. Park recalled, "One day, I came home after work and saw that the door to the house had changed, so I thought, 'This must be a proposal.' I wondered if I should cry, and I was slightly nervous wondering what I would do if tears didn't come out. My boyfriend didn't own a suit, so he was wearing one he had worn three years ago." However, the fiancé was the one who burst into tears first. Park laughed and shared, "While reading a letter, he suddenly called out 'Semi-ya' and started sobbing. I had prepared myself to cry, but my tears went completely back inside."

Addressing whether she would reveal her fiancé's face, Park said, "I will think about whether to reveal his face. I'll just leave it to your imagination that he is handsome." She added, "Going forward, I will share stories along the way about the marriage, the preparations, and the meeting between our families." 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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PLAVE, the first K-pop virtual group to enter the U.S. Billboard 200, has once again swept domestic music charts with their new mini album.

PLAVE's fifth mini album "HYPERDRIVE" was released across various music streaming sites at 6 p.m. on October 12. As of midnight on October 13, all tracks from the album—including the title track "Star Trace," as well as "Ggun," "Sweet Rain," "The Answer Is Yes," and "Rewind"—lined up consecutively from No. 1 to No. 5 on the Melon TOP100 chart.

In addition to Melon, all five new songs entered the TOP5 on Genie and Bugs, achieving an "all-kill" across all three major domestic music platforms. Their agency, Vlast, shared that the group achieved a full chart lineup with the title track and all b-sides claiming the upper ranks.

The album features a total of five songs spanning diverse genres, from EDM-based dance pop to bossa nova, rock, pop, and R&B pop.

PLAVE is currently continuing their first world tour, "KEEP IT MANIC." Starting with shows in South Korea, the tour will visit Singapore on October 17, Taipei on October 23 and 24, Macao on October 31 and November 1, and Los Angeles on November 14.

PLAVE is a five-member virtual boy group that debuted on March 12, 2023. Their name is a combination of "Play" and "Rêve" (dream). They are a self-producing group whose five members directly take part in songwriting, composing, producing, and choreographing.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Jung Woong-in has addressed the controversy surrounding allegations that he bullied juniors during his college years.

Jung appeared alongside director Jang Jin on the YouTube variety show "Zzanbro", released on October 12. Jung and Jang are known to be classmates from the Department of Theater at Seoul Institute of the Arts. Host Shin Dong-yeob, a college junior of theirs, directly addressed the past anecdotes concerning Jung.

Shin Dong-yeob said, "Since we are so close, I tease him and joke around half-seriously on broadcasts, but I was shocked when stories surfaced claiming he bullied juniors during school. What was meant to be shared playfully on variety shows got distorted." He added, "If I harbored such feelings personally, would I have begged the production team to cast Jung Woong-in when planning the sitcom 'Three Friends'?"

Shin also addressed the 'leg splits' anecdote mentioned on past broadcasts.

He said, "It wasn't done forcibly, but expressions like 'it tore' or 'it ruptured' made it sound that way. For me, capillaries burst if my legs go even slightly past 90 degrees." He also shared that as he tried to wrap up the story, he suddenly remembered that Jung has three daughters and thought, "Oh, that's not right."

Previously, actors Ahn Jae-wook and Lee Cheol-min, who also graduated from Seoul Institute of the Arts, sparked controversy after mentioning on variety shows that they avoided Jung during their school days out of fear.

Regarding the rumors that began because of this, Jung said, "It is upsetting, but I have to endure it all moving forward."

When it was suggested that this image might have formed because he plays villains so well, Jung brought up an anecdote involving his daughters whenever he takes on villainous roles.

He shared that while riding in a car recently with his youngest daughter, an eighth grader, he asked her, "What do you think about Dad playing villains?" to which his daughter replied, "Don't you play villains because you are good at acting? Isn't it because villain roles require good acting that directors cast you?" Jung said, "For a moment, it was thrilling. It gave me a sense of pride, and made me feel that I need to do even better."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The film "The Assassin(s)" has reclaimed the top spot at the box office after just one day.

According to data from the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network for movie theater admissions on October 13, "The Assassin(s)" drew 30,675 moviegoers nationwide on October 12. After briefly surrendering the number-one spot by a narrow margin of around 200 viewers to the Japanese animated film "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island" on Sunday, October 12, "The Assassin(s)" reclaimed the throne in just a single day. "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island" drew 30,094 admissions on the same day.

Released on September 23, "The Assassin(s)" hit the 3 million milestone in 20 days since its theatrical premiere. Although the film faced a challenging path early on after becoming embroiled in controversy over historical distortion, it achieved the meaningful record of surpassing 3 million admissions through the sheer strength of the film itself. As it enters its fourth week of release and begins to see a downward trend in audience numbers, the movie is now challenging to cross its break-even point of approximately 3.7 million admissions this weekend.

Staying power is now essential. With no further holiday boosts in sight, the key will be how many more moviegoers the film can draw through word of mouth and public interest.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Song Baek-kyoung, a former member of the group 1TYM, has publicly expressed his displeasure over video content in which a shaman addressed the life or death of Perry, a former YG Entertainment producer whose whereabouts have remained unknown for years.

On October 12, Song Baek-kyoung shared screenshots of a fortune-telling video posted by a shaman on his social media, stating, "I didn't really want to watch the video, but I happened to see it. And even I felt chills of disgust." He went on to criticize, "After asking everything you want to ask, is that what you come up with by reading the room? What do you know to speak so carelessly about another person's life, babbling about the living and the dead?"

In the controversial video, the shaman looked at a photo of Perry and made remarks hinting at his death, saying, "His face looks pitch-black. Is he even alive?" and "I don't think this person is around anymore." Without specific grounds, the shaman also said, "It seems he fell into a bad path," and "I saw needles." Regarding this, Song Baek-kyoung pointed out, "Something pitch-black is visible to my eyes as well. That is your inner mind, ma'am."

Starting with his participation in Jinusean's debut album in 1997, Perry was a producer who shaped the early YG hip-hop sound by working on songs for 1TYM, SE7EN, Lexy, Wheesung, and BIGBANG. Following reports of him being seen in Los Angeles (LA) in 2010, he has been out of contact for approximately 16 years.

In 2021, an individual claiming to be Perry's nephew revealed that they filed a missing person report with the U.S. Department of State, and recently, the production team of SBS's "Unanswered Questions" requested public tips to trace his whereabouts, drawing renewed attention.

Song Baek-kyoung previously posted a message expressing how much he missed Perry on his blog last July, sharing an unreleased track from 24 years ago that he worked on with Perry but never finished.

He added, "Perry was supposed to write the verse rap and I was supposed to make the hook, but it fell through. I am posting even a short clip for those who wonder how Perry is doing and miss his voice. I wish for Perry's health and well-being."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Park Hae-soo has claimed the Grand Prize at an awards ceremony for the first time since his debut.

Park Hae-soo won the Grand Prize at the 2026 Korea Drama Awards, held on October 10 at the Main Hall of the Gyeongnam Culture and Arts Center in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do. The Grand Prize was chosen from among the nominees for Top Excellence in Acting in both male and female categories.

As the flagship event of the 2026 Korea Drama Festival, this ceremony was hosted and organized by the Korea Drama Festival Organizing Committee and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Jinju City. The winners were determined by evaluations from a professional panel of judges and the organizing committee, alongside results from prior fan voting.

Taking the stage upon winning, Park Hae-soo could not hide his surprise, saying, "I truly did not expect this." He continued, "I wanted to be here with a happy heart because being nominated alongside Hee Jun hyung offered a moment to introduce 'The Scarecrow' to people once again." He added, "I came wanting to make the occasion shine, but you have given me such a truly, truly heavy award. I will work hard to become an actor who can prove his worth."

His comments toward Lee Hee Jun, who was also nominated, also drew laughter at the venue. Park Hae-soo expressed his gratitude, saying, "Because my beloved older brother Lee Hee Jun was right there beside me, I was able to act," before joking, "I thought you were giving us the Best Couple Award." Regardless of the actual award category, it was a moment that showcased his affection for Lee Hee Jun, with whom he shared the screen.

Park Hae-soo then addressed the incident depicted in "The Scarecrow," which is based on a true story, saying, "There are still many people who carry pain and wounds."

He also expressed his appreciation to the writer and director of the project, stating, "To the writer, for whom holding the pen must have been difficult, and the director, for whom taking up the megaphone must have been difficult." He shared his feelings on taking part in the production, adding, "Thank you so much for enabling me to play that role." Concluding his remarks, he shared his resolve for the future: "I will become a good person as a good actor."

Park Hae-soo, who met audiences as Prosecutor Baek Dong-hoon in "The Price of Confession" and Detective Kang Tae-joo in "The Scarecrow," received recognition for his major acting accomplishments of the year through this Grand Prize win. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Actor Don Lee has made a special appearance in the movie "Street Fighter", based on the popular fighting game series that thrilled fans worldwide.

"Street Fighter" is an action entertainment film set in 1993, following fated rivals Ryu and Ken Masters as they face off once again in the arena at Chun-Li's suggestion, only to confront the reality of a massive conspiracy hidden behind a life-or-death battle royale.

Don Lee, who has pursued a global career connecting domestic and international audiences through "The Roundup" series and his Hollywood debut "Eternals", adds excitement to the film with his special appearance.

In the film "Street Fighter", Don Lee voices Gouken, the master of Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo). Alongside this, a greeting video featuring Don Lee personally addressing Korean audiences was also released, drawing even more attention to the news of his special appearance.

Gouken (Don Lee) is the master who taught martial arts to Ryu and Ken, who trained together since childhood, and is a character deeply intertwined with their long-standing history. Gouken appears in an animated scene depicting the backstory of Ryu and Ken. As someone who shared the past with Ryu and Ken, who grew as close as brothers while training under the same master, Gouken is set to play a crucial role in deepening the understanding of their relationship.

"Street Fighter" hits theaters on October 14. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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The show saw its first-ever contestant to score a perfect mark.

On the October 12 broadcast of SBS's "The Ballad of Us Season 2" (hereinafter "The Ballad of Us 2"), 15-year-old Park Ye-seung, who moved to Seoul in pursuit of her dreams and has been living on her own for six months, took the stage.

On this day, Park Ye-seung drew attention by choosing Maya's "Shout Myself." Explaining her reason for selecting the song, she shared, "The lyrics that say to keep looking straight ahead and run down my own path gave me the courage to work even harder and do well. Coming to Seoul was my own choice, so I want to sing with the desire to repay my parents' faith in me."

Park Ye-seung's performance overwhelmed everyone. Her explosive vocal power and stable high notes led many people to give a standing ovation.

Exclamations poured out from all around: "A championship contender is here. It's a win, a clear win. She is first place." When asked if Park Ye-seung was a contender to win, Joo Woo-jae cheered, "The only one."

Chun Hyun-moo also sympathized with her empty refrigerator resulting from living alone, saying, "Ye-seung, what is your home address? I will fill your fridge for you."

Moon Geun-young and Park Kyung-lim also showed their support for Ye-seung, saying, "We can even clean for you. Just say the word."

The Top 100 Ears representatives could not easily calm their excitement at the emergence of a powerhouse vocalist representing Season 2. Cha Tae-hyun, who previously struggled to understand her living alone after moving to Seoul for her dream, gave a thumbs-up, saying, "Study abroad approved. With this level of skill, her parents have to surrender. At this level, living alone is approved."

Joo Woo-jae marveled, "Her foot tapping was like that of a legendary rocker. I don't know much, but it feels like Ye-seung was born to sing well." Roy Kim also praised her, saying, "It has been a long time since I've heard such clean, unembellished power vocals."

Jung Jae-hyung offered high praise, saying, "She appeared just when people were getting tired. I didn't have high expectations, but this stage was like a wake-up call for me."

He continued, "Such a young girl came all the way to Seoul from Daegu, and I am grateful for her passion to pursue music despite her parents' opposition. It was a performance that shattered prejudices and gave me strength. During the final chorus, tears were streaming down my face. It seems a passion for music can suddenly bring someone to tears."

Park Ye-seung's performance, which had everyone wondering how many votes she would receive, surprised everyone once again by earning a perfect score of 150 out of 150 votes.

Facing the show's first-ever contestant to receive a perfect score, Cha Tae-hyun confessed, "To be honest, while listening, I didn't press my button until the very end. I held back until the end and pressed it because I hoped that if it was going to be a perfect score, I would be the last one." It drew attention when it was revealed that Cha Tae-hyun was indeed the last person to press the button.

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

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Park Dae-hee captured the hearts of the Top 100 Ears.

On the October 12 broadcast of SBS's "The Ballad of Us Season 2" (hereafter "The Ballad of Us 2"), 20-year-old Park Dae-hee, who is pursuing his 13th dream, made an appearance.

During the broadcast, Park Dae-hee shared that after pursuing various dreams, his 13th dream became wanting to make music that remains in people's memories.

He continued, "Once I gave it a try, it was so much fun, and I felt that I couldn't live without music. So right now, I'm earning money by giving lessons teaching guitar chords to elementary school students at an academy, and I'm happy because I feel like I'm taking one step closer to my dream."

That day, he selected Asoto Union's "Think About' Chu"—the song that sparked his dream of becoming a singer-songwriter—delivering a performance that exceeded the expectations of the Top 100 Ears.

Prior to his stage, a Top 100 Ears representative urged the panel, who were already captivated by him, "Listen to the song before pressing. The button is not a drum."

However, even the Top 100 Ears representatives who said that pressed their buttons as if bewitched, and the room was filled with cheers as soon as the performance ended. Chun Hyun-moo particularly caught attention by revealing his fan affection, shouting, "I love you, I said I love you!"

The male Top 100 Ears representatives also drew laughter by expressing playful jealousy toward Park Dae-hee, who boasts both tall height and handsome looks.

Furthermore, Roy Kim shared his own past experience, remarking, "There is also a part of me that feels concerned about Dae-hee's future. When you first debut and your looks appeal to the public before your singing ability or skills, it requires a tremendous amount of time and effort to break through that perception."

To this, Jung Seung-hwan joked, "It really is hard. There are truly so many difficult things. It's going to be no easy journey," prompting laughter.

Moon Geun-young also praised Park Dae-hee, commenting, "His voice is completely my style, and I'd love to hear him sing a passionate ballad as well."

She candidly added, "Behind that soft and sweet voice, a solid yet raspy metallic tone breaks through, and I think it would be fantastic to hear a passionate ballad delivered in that voice." When the other Top 100 Ears representatives reacted by saying, "We had no idea Moon Geun-young was this proactive," she responded, "I am a proactive woman," sparking bursts of laughter.

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

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The "Top 100 Ears" panel cheered on Kim Su-a's dream.

On the October 12 broadcast of SBS's "The Ballad of Us Season 2" (hereafter "The Ballad of Us 2"), 19-year-old Kim Su-a, who nurtured her dream at a youth shelter, took the stage.

On this day, tears were shed across the room as Kim Su-a performed Jaurim's "Over the Rainbow."

Kim Su-a, who shared that she lives in a youth shelter separated from her father due to difficult circumstances, was asked what was on her mind while singing. She replied, "I thought a bit about the past, and I sang while thinking of the cloud shapes floating in the sky and my friends at the shelter."

In response, Cha Tae-hyun said, "To be honest, before she sang, when Su-a was talking, she seemed awkward and timid, so I was worried. But I'm so grateful that she showed a completely different side from the very first line."

He added, "It made me realize that music has really been Su-a's best friend. Going forward, I hope she won't be discouraged and will sing with even more confidence."

Jung Jae-hyung also cheered on Kim Su-a's dream, saying, "Music is about sharing one's own story with someone, and that courage is remarkable. Thank you for sharing your story, which could have been a difficult one to tell." He continued, "Seeing you take steps forward one by one toward your dream makes me feel thankful and so proud as an adult."

Moon Geun-young expressed her sincere thoughts, saying, "Throughout the performance, I felt such a strong desire to ask, 'Su-a, how was your day? Will you tell me?' I will be looking forward to your next performance."

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

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Cha Tae-hyun shared his honest thoughts following Jeon Yi-soo's performance.

On the October 12 broadcast of SBS's "The Ballad of Us Season 2" (hereafter "The Ballad of Us 2"), the round one competition of contestants continued from the previous week.

A contestant who surprised everyone caught attention during the broadcast. That person was none other than gifted children's book author Jeon Yi-soo.

Having become widely recognized through his previous appearance on SBS's "Finding Genius," Jeon Yi-soo's entrance left everyone unable to hide their astonishment.

Introducing himself as a painter, author, and Jeju boy who loves music, Jeon Yi-soo said, "I believe that if you can convey your sincerity and the beauty of a song through singing, that is what singing well truly means."

He then selected Patti Kim's "You, My Friend," sharing that the friends mentioned in the song are his younger siblings to him, calling them "the greatest and most precious gifts mom gave me."

Following Jeon Yi-soo's stage, which defied everyone's expectations, Jung Jae-hyung spoke candidly: "To be honest, I didn't expect much. I didn't expect to like the music that Jeon Yi-soo likes."

He continued, "Yet isn't this what music was originally meant to be? It was raw and unrefined. By the time the song ended, I even found myself wondering if I could listen just a little bit longer. I think we all fell under that magic."

He added that while listening to his singing, "I felt like I was standing in the middle of an open field. It gave off a different feeling from any competitor I have experienced so far, which made me want to see a bit more."

Cha Tae-hyun, who had already known of Jeon Yi-soo beforehand, then opened up, saying, "Honestly, I was hoping that the lights wouldn't turn on. Because I wanted many people to see Yi-soo's music just for this moment."

Expressing concern that Yi-soo might be harmed in this environment, he continued, "Is it right for Yi-soo to go to the next round and face that competition? Yi-soo honestly seems like someone living in a different world from ours, so what does he gain by competing here of all places?"

He then shared his heartfelt advice: "On the other hand, I also thought it would be wonderful if other friends could encounter a different world through Yi-soo. Even if you hear negative things, please don't listen to them and just do whatever you want to do."

Joo Woo-jae drew attention by responding, "Looking at the jeans, boots, and shirt pattern he is wearing right now, though, he doesn't seem completely detached from the secular world. In fact, it is a very trendy outfit right now. It made me think that he might navigate this competition flexibly and well."

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

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Director Bong Joon-ho's first feature-length animated film, "Ally," has locked in its theatrical release for July next year in South Korea. In France, the film is set to open in theaters on July 14 next year.

"Ally" follows the story of deep-sea creatures living in an ocean canyon who grow curious about the world of humans.

Ally, a young piglet squid who dreams of seeing the sun in person and appearing on television, suddenly faces danger alongside her friends when an unidentified aircraft crashes into the sea. Swept into an unexpected grand adventure, they embark on a journey toward the world above the surface. "Ally" is set to deliver breathtaking visuals, thrilling action, delightful humor, and heartfelt emotion.

Marking Director Bong Joon-ho's first venture into feature animation, "Ally" is a global project featuring top-tier creators from 12 countries, including South Korea, France, and the United Kingdom. Director Jason Yu of "Sleep" joined the production as a co-writer. The international voice cast features global stars including Alex Jayne Go, Emmy Award winner Ayo Edebiri, Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista, Finn Wolfhard, and Rachel House, alongside Oscar-nominated filmmaker Werner Herzog.

In addition, Jae Hyung Kim, who worked on "Toy Story 4" and "Inside Out," serves as animation supervisor, while Marcin Jakubowski of the Netflix animated film "Klaus" serves as production designer. David Lipman of "Shrek" and "Shrek 2" also joined the production team. Furthermore, global visual effects studio DNEG, renowned for its work on "Inception" and "Dune" as well as its world-class 3D animation expertise, took part to elevate the film's visual craftsmanship.

"Ally" will roll out theatrical releases across the world in collaboration with leading regional partners. In South Korea, investment and distribution are led by CJ ENM alongside the Penture K-Content Fund operated by Penture Invest. CJ ENM and Penture Invest will oversee distribution in South Korea, Vietnam, Turkey, and Indonesia.

Major French studio Pathé Films, one of the oldest film companies in the world, boarded "Ally" as a co-investor and distributor, handling releases across France, Benelux, Switzerland, and West Africa. In the United States, distribution will be handled by NEON, which has introduced globAlly celebrated titles to North American audiences, including Director Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite," Cannes Palme d'Or winners, and Academy Award Best Picture recipients. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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The film "The Odyssey" has claimed the all-time No. 1 spot in gross box office revenue among foreign films released in South Korea.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network for movie theater tickets, "The Odyssey" recorded a cumulative gross of 138,703,681,060 won as of October 10. Based on official box office statistics in Korea, this ranks as the highest revenue ever achieved by a foreign film.

This milestone surpasses the previous record set by "Avatar: The Way of Water" (approximately 137.9 billion won), released in 2022, in about four years. The achievement is all the more meaningful as it has outpaced major blockbusters that took the Korean box office by storm, including "Avatar" (approximately 125.2 billion won), "Avengers: Endgame" (approximately 122.4 billion won), and "Frozen 2" (approximately 115 billion won).

The film's cumulative domestic audience stands at 12,179,163 admissions, ranking fifth all-time among foreign films in attendance. While placing fifth in ticket admissions, the film reached No. 1 in revenue due to rising ticket prices and a high share of screenings in premium formats such as IMAX.

"The Odyssey" depicts the journey of the hero Odysseus (played by Matt Damon), who led the Greeks to victory in the decade-long Trojan War, as he embarks on an arduous voyage to return home to his wife Penelope (played by Anne Hathaway) and son Telemachus (played by Tom Holland), who await him in a kingdom rife with usurpation and power struggles in his absence. Directed by Christopher Nolan, the film stars Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, and Zendaya.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Lee Soo-man, Key Producer of A2O, personally took the stage as a presenter at the debut show for his new project A2O to introduce 4DGS (4D Gaussian Splatting) technology.

On the afternoon of October 12, A2O hosted the global debut show "WELCOME TO SOULITE From A2O SOUL A2O LITE," which also marked the launch event for its rookie idol groups, at KINTEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province. The event was attended by A2O Producer Lee Soo-man—founder and former chief producer of SM Entertainment (SM)—along with A2O's rookie boy group "A2O SOUL" and girl group "A2O LITE".

Producer Lee Soo-man had faced restrictions on domestic entertainment management activities for three years due to a non-compete clause signed when he sold his shares in SM to HYBE in early 2023. His appearance at an official domestic event marks his first in approximately two years and five months since delivering a keynote speech at the CISAC (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers) General Assembly in May 2024.

Lee Soo-man once again brought up CT (Culture Technology), a concept he has championed for a long time. He added, "CT does not simply mean adding technology to culture. It encompasses pondering how to connect new technologies with culture when they emerge, and what technology is required to create new content. It also includes the effort of continuously searching and experimenting to see if we can create technology ourselves if it does not exist."

The core technology introduced that day was 4DGS. Lee Soo-man said, "Until now, cameras recorded scenes from their perspective, and viewpoints that were not filmed did not exist in video," describing 4DGS as transitioning "from a camera that films to a camera that creates." It is a method where multiple cameras simultaneously film an artist's performance from various viewpoints, combining that data to reconstruct it in a three-dimensional space. He explained that even after filming concludes, viewers can view the space and the artist from any angle or location they want via "Free Viewpoint."

Emphasizing that he previously used his custom-built Matrix Camera System to create scenes where the camera appeared to rotate around mid-air subjects in music videos for Girls' Generation, SHINee, TVXQ!, and BoA, he stated, "Now, about 16 years later, we have begun realizing that potential in actual content through the new methods of 4DGS and the INFINITE filming system."

This filming method was also applied to the music videos of A2O SOUL and A2O LITE, which were unveiled that day.

Lee Soo-man said, "Photography recorded a single moment of human existence, and video recorded the flow of time and movement. 4DGS records the very reality in which human beings existed, exactly as it was in time and space back then." He added, "It might be the most advanced and final form in the evolution of the camera as a recording device," using the phrase "the last recording device created by humanity."

Lastly, Lee Soo-man explained, "I have long asked the question, 'What's the difference?' Today, I am finally announcing the results of that inquiry. Being different is not enough; it must also achieve being liked and loved by many people. Before trying to look for what is different, I hope people will first feel that it is good."

Following Lee Soo-man's introduction, the two groups—nine-member multinational boy group A2O SOUL and 15-member multinational girl group A2O LITE—took the stage and delivered their debut performances.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Ryu Seung-ryong filled the hour of Actors' House with his witty banter.

Appearing as the spotlight guest of Actors' House at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), held on the morning of October 9 at the Cultural Hall on the 9th floor of Shinsegae Centum City in U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, Ryu introduced himself in response to the host's remark that he "returned to Busan yesterday after receiving another big award," saying, "I am Ryu Seung-ryong, who won an unexpected global award after a fierce competition with Gary Oldman."

Ryu quipped, "It seemed like many people didn't know I won the award, so I brought it up," drawing laughter.

On October 8, Ryu won Best Actor in the International Competition category alongside Anders Baasmo of "A Better Man" for JTBC's "The Dream Life of Mr. Kim" at the 21st Seoul International Drama Awards. The nominees that day also included acclaimed actor Gary Oldman, an Academy Award winner for Best Actor.

Having attended the opening ceremony after his film "Cattle Run" was invited to the Busan International Film Festival, Ryu stayed in Busan, traveled to Seoul to attend the Seoul International Drama Awards, and pulled off a grueling schedule by traveling back down to Busan after receiving his trophy to attend Actors' House.

Over the course of roughly an hour, Ryu shared his journey from starting out as a theater actor to becoming a 10-million-ticket star, his personal acting philosophy, and his goals as an actor in his characteristically candid words. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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The Japanese animated film "Chiikawa the Movie: Secret of the Mermaid Island" surpassed "The Assassin(s)" in its second week of release to claim the top spot at the weekend box office.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network for movie tickets on October 12, "Chiikawa the Movie: Secret of the Mermaid Island" drew 407,895 viewers nationwide from October 9 to October 11. The cumulative audience reached 1,281,485.

Released on September 30, "Chiikawa the Movie: Secret of the Mermaid Island" placed second at the box office behind "The Assassin(s)" by a margin of about 7,000 viewers in its opening weekend. However, in its second week, it successfully climbed to No. 1 by edging out "The Assassin(s)" by a margin of 215 viewers.

"Chiikawa the Movie: Secret of the Mermaid Island" is an animated film depicting a suspicious subjugation mission in which Chiikawa and friends, tempted by a sweet offer of 100 times the usual reward, set off for an unknown island to uncover the secrets hidden there. It is based on the popular long-form "Siren" arc from "Chiikawa," serialized by Japanese illustrator Nagano.

Meanwhile, "The Assassin(s)" drew 405,966 viewers over the same period, finishing its fourth weekend at the box office in second place.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Actors Son Suk-ku and Nagayama Eita raised anticipation for the series "The Blue Road" with their chemistry that transcended borders.

Attending an open talk for the Netflix series "The Blue Road" held at the outdoor stage of the Busan Cinema Center in U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan on October 9, Son Suk-ku recalled his first meeting with Nagayama Eita, saying, "We shot our first scene on a set in Japan. The moment we exchanged our first lines, I felt something was different."

He continued, "I went to the director and said, 'I think I can just trust this guy and go with it.' There are times when chemistry just doesn't happen no matter how hard you try, but I felt that this chemistry worked."

Eita shared that he had watched several of Son Suk-ku's works. He said, "Because I had watched many of Son Suk-ku's works, I felt the tension of thinking, 'He's right in front of me,' but I tried to let go of that feeling and focus on acting."

The two actors use Korean and Japanese seamlessly without boundaries in the project. Regarding his Japanese-language acting in the series, Son Suk-ku opened up about the challenges, saying, "Even when I memorized it over and over until going to sleep, it just wouldn't work. I thought I was going crazy."

Son Suk-ku revealed that his personal contemplation as an actor was the reason he chose "The Blue Road," stating, "When choosing this project, I thought that if I picked a project where I felt, 'There's no way I can do this; this is too much for me to handle,' and went all in, that might allow me to share lasting time with the audience."

He added, "If I was going to do it, I wanted to do it properly. Whenever possible, I wanted to speak even the Korean lines in Japanese, and Eita wanted to speak in Korean. In that sense, I felt we shared a similar mindset."

Eita shared their rehearsal process, saying, "The three of us—Son Suk-ku, me, and the interpreter—thought a lot about how to deliver the lines. I remember practicing together for hours while drinking coffee in a park."

"The Blue Road" is a series depicting two detectives chasing twisted corpses, cryptic messages, and horrific murders that recur across borders. It is the new work by director Han Jun-hee of the Netflix series "D.P." and the film "Coin Locker Girl," starring Son Suk-ku and Nagayama Eita, who represent South Korea and Japan. It will be released on Netflix on November 20.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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The film "The Assassin(s)" has surpassed 3 million moviegoers nationwide in just 20 days since its release.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network for movie tickets on October 12, "The Assassin(s)" crossed the cumulative milestone of 3 million viewers at around 8:00 AM on this day. With this achievement, it became the fifth Korean film released in 2026 to reach the 3 million mark.

During its third week of release, from Monday, October 5 to Sunday, October 11, "The Assassin(s)" drew 758,587 moviegoers over the week, claiming the No. 1 spot on the overall weekly box office for three consecutive weeks. Notably, the third-week attendance saw an increase of approximately 90,000 viewers compared to the 667,698 recorded in its second week. The controversy over historical distortion that flared up during its opening week escalated into political sparring, which paradoxically amplified audience interest and translated into actual theater visits.

As the historical distortion dispute expanded beyond the film itself to include slander targeting the actors and protests outside their private residences, a shift in public sentiment also began to form. Furthermore, with daily aggressive offensives continuing from political circles, some observe that it is inadvertently creating a promotional boost for the film.

The film's production cost was 19 billion won, and its break-even point is approximately 3.7 million admissions. Attention is now focused on whether "The Assassin(s)," having successfully surpassed 3 million viewers in three weeks, will be able to cross its break-even point over the coming weekend.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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It was belatedly revealed that the late action actor Kim Hyun-i passed away last summer.

At the end of Episode 1 of the SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Doctor X: Mafia in White", which aired on October 9, a caption was shown stating, "In memory of our precious colleague, the late Kim Hyun-i, who ran alongside us." Beneath the message was the note, "From the entire production team of Doctor X: Mafia in White."

The following day, on October 10, a memorial caption also appeared at the end of Episode 1 of the tvN Saturday-Sunday drama "100 Days of Deception," reading, "We will never forget and will always remember the late action actor Kim Hyun-i." With two consecutive dramas airing memorial messages, attention has turned to the sad news of the actor's passing.

Kim Hyun-i is known to have passed away after filming for "Doctor X: Mafia in White" had concluded.

The late actor contributed to films including "Black Nuns," "Forbidden Fairytale," "Victory," and "Project Silence," as well as dramas such as "The Penthouse: War in Life" and "New Recruit 4: Sabotage."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The musical "Dracula" has donated 1,000 blood donation certificates collected by audiences, actors, and staff through a blood donation campaign to support children with pediatric cancer.

Production company OD COMPANY stated that together with the Hanmaeum Blood Center, it delivered 1,000 blood donation certificates to the Korea Childhood Leukemia Foundation. The donated certificates will be used for children with pediatric cancer who require blood transfusions during chemotherapy.

The blood donation campaign for "Dracula" first began in 2021. Inspired by "blood," the central motif of the production, the project was organized during a prolonged period of COVID-19 when blood shortages persisted. During the previous 10th anniversary season (2023–2024), 1,000 certificates, including those collected since 2021, were donated to the Korea Blood Cancer Association. This year marks the third campaign.

This season, the production company presented audiences who participated in blood donation in August with a specially designed "Dracula" acrylic carabiner along with a four-piece photocard set containing handwritten messages from Shin Sung-rok, KIM JUNSU, Jeon Dong-suk, and Ko Eun-sung, who star as Dracula. Audiences who donated certificates were also offered ticket discounts and invitation events.

Based on Bram Stoker's novel of the same name, "Dracula" is a musical depicting the story of Count Dracula, who has loved only one woman for more than 400 years.

"Dracula" is currently running at LG Arts Center Seoul, LG SIGNATURE Hall, and will close on October 18.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Ryu Seung-ryong, boasting a 24-year film career, confessed that comedy acting remains challenging.

Attending the Actors' House at the 31st Busan International Film Festival, held on the afternoon of October 9 at the Culture Hall on the 9th floor of Shinsegae Centum City in U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, Ryu Seung-ryong said, "The more I do comedy, the more difficult it gets."

He explained, "I think what is most important in good comedy is genuinely believing in it while acting. Even in the drama 'Chicken Nugget,' I truly acted believing that my daughter had turned into a chicken nugget. If I don't believe it myself, how can I convince the audience?" He then demonstrated a scene by calling out his on-screen daughter's name.

Although Ryu Seung-ryong spoke humbly about the difficulties of comedic acting, he is an actor who has built an acclaimed legacy through comedy. Key moments throughout his career have always featured comedy films and the uniquely charming characters he brought to life.

After debuting in a minor role in the 2004 film "Someone Special," he captured the public's attention as the Casanova Sung-ki in the 2012 film "All About My Wife." He subsequently starred in no fewer than four 10-million-ticket hit films—"Masquerade," "Miracle in Cell No. 7," "The Admiral: Roaring Currents," and "Extreme Job"—solidifying his status as a leading powerhouse actor in Korean cinema.

Notably, both projects that earned him the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the Baeksang Arts Awards belonged to the comedy genre. In 2013, he claimed his first Daesang as Yong-gu, a doting father who drew both laughter and tears in "Miracle in Cell No. 7." He received his second Daesang for the character "Manager Kim" in the drama "The Dream Life of Mr. Kim," which aired last year, depicting the bittersweet realities of South Korean office workers.

Recalling his experience portraying an intellectually disabled character in the tragicomic story of "Miracle in Cell No. 7," he shared, "Working on several projects with director Jang Jin taught me something valuable: 'Even in an intoxicated scene, you must not get so lost in acting drunk that you lose sight of what you are trying to convey.' I think it was similar to that. I approached the role believing that Yong-gu is simply an ordinary father who loves his daughter more than his own life, and everything else was merely the surrounding premise."

Regarding the drama "The Dream Life of Mr. Kim," which sparked a massive sensation last year, he reflected on the shift in perspective that allowed him to craft his own take on a father and family provider: "There are countless fathers in this world. That title is merely what someone wears on the outside, but at the core, people come in endless varieties. Thinking that way gave me the freedom when selecting projects."

When asked by an audience member about his future goals as an actor, he replied, "I want to share the love and lessons I have received through acting with the next generation." His words reflected a sense of duty and purpose as an adult and senior colleague, aspiring to serve as a bridge connecting older and younger generations rather than focusing solely on personal glory. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Singer SUNG HANBIN (ZEROBASEONE) performs the title track at a media showcase commemorating the release of his first solo EP "DEAD:ALIVE," held on the afternoon of October 12 at Layer Studio 11 in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

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

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Singer SUNG HANBIN (ZEROBASEONE) poses during a photo session at the media showcase for the release of his first solo EP "DEAD:ALIVE," held on the afternoon of October 12 at Layer Studio 11 in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

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

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Singer SUNG HANBIN (ZEROBASEONE) performs the title track at a media showcase celebrating the release of his first solo EP "DEAD:ALIVE," held on the afternoon of October 12 at Layer Studio 11 in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

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

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Singer SUNG HANBIN (ZEROBASEONE) performs the title track at a media showcase celebrating the release of his first solo EP "DEAD:ALIVE," held on the afternoon of October 12 at Layer Studio 11 in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

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

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