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The original beast-dols, 2PM, are gathering to deliver legendary laughs with their unfiltered wit and undying variety show instincts.

On the episode of SBS's "uh, but like, seriously!" airing tonight, July 6, at 10:10 PM, the group 2PM—now in their 18th year since debut—will appear to share behind-the-scenes stories and engage in a hilarious roast session.

The members revisit the era of Ok Taec-yeon’s legendary "Rip-Ok Taec-yeon" days, which once shook the K-pop scene. The members sent the studio into a fit of laughter by revealing, "Even on stages where there was no plan to take off his clothes, Ok Taec-yeon kept ripping them off, to the point where people around him had to stop him." There was even speculation that new broadcast censorship standards were established specifically because of Ok Taec-yeon’s provocative performances.

In response, Ok Taec-yeon drew laughter by confessing, "I also had my own secret struggles because of the 'Rip-Ok Taec-yeon' image, such as having sudden shirtless scenes added while filming dramas."

2PM also honestly opened up about the intense self-management and challenges of fan service they face as long-running idols in their 18th year. NICHKHUN revealed that he went on a grueling diet, eating only three boiled eggs a day throughout their Japan concert tour, after being shocked by comments that he had "gained weight." Upon hearing this, MC Lee Su-ji wittily retorted, "I actually like it better because you look closer to me now that you've gained weight," adding to the fun.

Ok Taec-yeon also shared a behind-the-scenes story from a video call fan signing event. He mentioned that while he was initially hesitant to show aegyo (cute behavior) due to shyness, he was jolted into action the moment a fan bluntly said, "Oppa, this is a paid service," leading him to immediately perform a storm of aegyo that left the studio in chaos.

Stories from the members' military service days were also shared without reservation. JUN. K recalled Ok Taec-yeon visiting him while he was a private, wearing his military uniform with a squad leader badge. JUN. K exposed the incident, saying, "Ok Taec-yeon appeared at the base in a convertible, even receiving salutes from the soldiers at the guard post," adding that everyone mistook him for an officer. Ok Taec-yeon appealed his innocence, explaining, "I just went straight there because I didn't have time to stop by home," which only added to the amusement.

The highlight of the day was Ok Taec-yeon’s bombshell statement regarding the members' marriages. When asked which of the currently single members—NICHKHUN, JUN. K, WOOYOUNG, or JUNHO—would get married last, Ok Taec-yeon firmly replied, "I don't think any of them will get married," shocking the members.

The spicy talk from the original variety-dols, 2PM, will be revealed on uh, but like, seriously! airing tonight, July 6, at 10:10 PM. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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YEONJUN of TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) is set to further define his unique musical world with his second solo album.

YEONJUN will release his second mini album, "NO LABELS: PART 02", on July 10 at 1:00 PM. As a continuation of his first solo album released last year, this project is the second chapter of his "NO LABELS" series, which aims to showcase YEONJUN exactly as he is, free from labels or constraints.

This album captures YEONJUN’s musical color and identity in greater detail. After proving his potential as a solo artist by participating in songwriting, composition, and performance planning for his 2024 solo mixtape "GGUM" and his first mini album "NO LABELS: PART 01" last year, YEONJUN presents an even more expanded musical world through this new work.

Notably, YEONJUN participated in writing the lyrics for the tracks "Baby Wassup?" and "Long Way Long Ride", and contributed to the choreography for the title track, "Ice Cream", taking an active role in completing both the music and the performance.

The album features a diverse range of genres, including rap rock, funk rock, R&B, pop, and alternative hip hop. The title track, "Ice Cream", sings about a relationship where two people are sweet to each other yet maintain a certain distance. It creates a unique atmosphere by layering Spanish-style sounds over vintage drums, addictive bass, and guitar riffs.

Following his comeback, YEONJUN will continue his global activities. On August 7 (local time), he will perform at the Summer Concert Series hosted by the flagship ABC morning program "Good Morning America". This marks the second time a K-pop solo artist has appeared on the show, following BTS’s JUNGKOOK, adding further significance to the achievement. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The legal representatives for former NewJeans member DANIELLE have issued a strong rebuttal against allegations of Chinese capital involvement and double contracts, which were raised during the ongoing legal battle with ADOR regarding an exclusive contract and damages lawsuit. They dismissed these claims as a distortion of facts.

During the third hearing for the damages lawsuit filed by ADOR, held at the Seoul Central District Court on July 2, ADOR claimed that DANIELLE had violated her exclusive contract by collaborating with overseas artists and pursuing contracts with companies backed by Chinese capital.

Following this, reports from Dispatch alleged that former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin had effectively spearheaded NewJeans' independent activities, including their performance at ComplexCon in Hong Kong last year. The reports also claimed that she planned NewJeans' live broadcasts and suggested adding content to court-submitted documents alleging that some members of ILLIT had mocked NewJeans, further fueling the controversy.

In response, Team Bunnies, a NewJeans fan coalition active primarily on X, released an official statement from DANIELLE’s legal team, Hwawoo, on July 6. The statement was provided in response to inquiries regarding the July 2 hearing.

DANIELLE’s legal team stated, "Some media outlets have distorted the facts by mentioning Chinese capital, as if DANIELLE had signed a double contract with an external company or attempted to conceal it." They further clarified, "The matter in question was a standard process during the 2025 NewJeans dispute, where a third party submitted a proposal to HYBE for the acquisition of ADOR shares through official channels. This has been maliciously distorted by mixing it with false information. DANIELLE and the other NewJeans members have never signed, or attempted to sign, a dual entertainment exclusive contract with any specific company."

The legal team also argued, "The claims made by ADOR’s attorney during the trial differ from objective facts or are distortions and exaggerations. We suspect that ADOR’s influence may be involved in the process where issues related to NewJeans as a whole are being reported as if they were DANIELLE’s individual actions."

The attorneys added, "ADOR’s claims are nothing new, and we expect the court to make an accurate legal judgment based on evidence. We plan to respond firmly, including requesting necessary measures from the court, regarding ADOR’s attempts to unfairly influence the trial through public opinion."

Meanwhile, it is reported that some of the other NewJeans members are currently working on music both domestically and internationally ahead of their comeback. DANIELLE recently drew attention after successfully completing a 21.0975 km course at a half-marathon held on the Gold Coast in Australia.

Photo = Reporter Baek Seung-cheol

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Lee Jun-young has shared his heartfelt thoughts as he wraps up his journey in the drama "Reborn Rookie".

The JTBC Saturday-Sunday drama "Reborn Rookie", which concluded on July 5, tells the story of Kang Yong-ho (played by Son Hyun-joo), a chairman of Choi Sung Group known as a business genius, who gets a second chance at life in the body of a man in his 20s following an accident. Thanks to its solid storyline and the passionate performances of the cast, the drama received immense love from viewers, breaking its own viewership ratings record with every episode.

In the drama, Lee Jun-young played Hwang Jun-hyun, a promising soccer player whose career was cut short by a hit-and-run accident involving the Choi Sung Group family. He delicately portrayed a character whose body is inhabited by the soul of the 72-year-old Chairman Kang Yong-ho, using subtle differences in his gaze, tone, and speech. He once again proved his wide acting spectrum by perfectly transitioning between the seasoned charisma of a chairman and the ambition of a rookie employee.

Having created another iconic character through "Reborn Rookie", Lee Jun-young shared his thoughts on finishing the project and behind-the-scenes stories in a Q&A session through his agency on July 6, the day after the finale.

Below is the full Q&A with Lee Jun-young regarding "Reborn Rookie".

Q. How do you feel now that "Reborn Rookie" has ended?

A. I feel both sad and relieved. It was certainly not an easy challenge, but thanks to the wonderful senior actors and the production team, I was able to rely on them and prepare and film with all my heart until the end. I sincerely thank everyone who was part of this journey.

Q. What was the most difficult part of playing Hwang Jun-hyun?

A. Surprisingly, I didn't feel there was any one part that was particularly difficult. If I had to pick one, it would be expressing the realistic side and the tension of Hwang Jun-hyun, a fresh graduate taking his first steps into society.

Q. Did you research or refer to anything specific to portray Kang Yong-ho within Hwang Jun-hyun?

A. I watched and re-watched the performances of Son Hyun-joo, a senior actor I have always admired. By focusing on his acting, I think I was able to express his speech, gestures, and overall aura more naturally.

Q. Do you have any memorable scenes or episodes from filming?

A. Every single scene is memorable, but I especially remember the great chemistry in the scenes with Jeon Hye-jin, who played Jae-kyung. Also, there was constant laughter during the shoots with the four of us: Kang Bang-geul of the Strategic Planning Team (played by Lee Joo-myung), Department Head Park Bong-gi (played by Lee Sung-wook), and Executive Director Lee Sang-jae (played by Kim Jong-tae).

Q. What did you learn while working with senior actors like Son Hyun-joo?

A. I learned a lot about the freedom of adjusting the tempo in acting, as well as how to be relaxed and comfortable on set.

Q. Which line or scene is most dear to you?

A. All scenes are precious, but the moments where Hwang Jun-hyun and the fake Jun-hyun tell their grandmother "I'm sorry" stand out the most. Even though the lines were the same, the emotional depth felt completely different.

Q. How will "Reborn Rookie" be remembered by Lee Jun-young?

A. The first thing that comes to mind is that it is a project where I poured everything I had. I will remember it for a long time as a project where I did my absolute best and was able to learn and gain so much.

Q. Please share a final word for the viewers and fans who loved the drama.

A. Once again, I sincerely thank all the viewers who loved "Reborn Rookie" until late at night. I am just so grateful to have received such great love before my military enlistment. I truly hope you all stay healthy and that only happy things happen to you. I hope you finish the rest of the year well. And, watch out for headbutts, day or night! (Laughs)

Meanwhile, having successfully wrapped up "Reborn Rookie", Lee Jun-young will enlist in the military on July 21. However, his hiatus is not expected to be long. His next project, "Four Hands", is set to be released in August, and he has already completed filming for major upcoming works including the new Netflix series "Our Sticky Love" and the film "Handwritten". Therefore, he will continue to meet viewers through both dramas and films even during his military service.

[Photo= SLL, Copus Korea] 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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The group NOWZ is continuing their momentum as a rising K-pop act by landing their first-ever brand endorsement since their debut.

On July 6, their agency, Cube Entertainment, announced that NOWZ has been selected as the new exclusive models for the school uniform brand Elite Student Wear.

The brand explained the decision, stating, "We selected them as our new models because we determined that the bright, cheerful energy and sporty vibe unique to NOWZ align perfectly with the image our brand pursues."

In the accompanying photos, the members of NOWZ showcased their youthful charm by naturally pulling off various styles of school uniforms. They drew attention with a neat and refreshing visual that contrasts with their intense stage performances.

This advertisement is particularly meaningful as it marks the group's first brand model activity since their debut. With a comeback scheduled for August, the news of this first endorsement deal further highlights their upward trajectory.

Since rebranding and changing their group name last year, NOWZ has been expanding their musical spectrum. They showcased powerful performances through their first mini-album IGNITION and the single Play Ball, and they proved their growth by successfully holding their first fan concert, 2026 NOWZ FAN-CON [Run with me, NOW], this past March.

Their global presence is also active. Last year, their track "Fly to the Youth (Feat. YUQI)," produced by I-DLE's YUQI, topped the daily new song chart on China's largest music platform, QQ Music. Recently, they expanded their reach to international fans by releasing their first Japanese EP, NOWZ. Furthermore, they demonstrated their presence as a next-generation K-pop group by winning the Hot Trend award for two consecutive years at the 3rd Asia Star Entertainer Awards 2026 (ASEA 2026).

NOWZ plans to meet their fans through various domestic and international stages, including their upcoming album release in August and the OBJET K-POP FESTA 2026 (OKF 2026) in September. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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"Running Man" captivated viewers with a hilarious series of activities that took a wild turn into an unexpected survival race.

The episode of SBS's "Running Man" that aired on July 5th recorded a 2.3% rating in the key 2049 demographic, featuring both bizarre experiential activities and a thrilling survival race. This marks a significant increase from the previous week, securing the No. 1 spot among variety shows in the same time slot and ranking first among all Sunday variety programs. The peak rating per minute also soared to 5% (based on Nielsen Korea's metropolitan household data).

I-DLE members MIYEON and MINNIE appeared as guests ahead of their comeback. From the moment they arrived, they heated up the set by performing the point choreography for "Crow", a pre-release track from their 9th mini-album "We made", and their title track "Gimme Dat Love" for the first time on television.

The race for the day was titled "If You Live, You'll Make a Fortune," where the cast earned money through various activities. As unique experiences like visiting a mystery peach farm were revealed, MIYEON showed off her seasoned variety skills, proving her status as a "Running Man veteran," while MINNIE drew constant laughter with her unpredictable, pure, and harmless charm.

However, the true highlight of the race was the unexpected "survival experience" hidden in the second half. The members were thrown into chaos when they were given a surprise hidden mission: to identify and eliminate the "water ghosts" hiding among them to successfully end the race in a peaceful atmosphere.

Yu Jae-seok, using his sharp instincts, combined clues hidden throughout the village to discover that the true name of the race was not "If You Live, You'll Make a Fortune" but "Sal. Mok. Ji," raising the tension to its peak.

A fierce battle of elimination followed between the water ghosts, who were trying to hide their identities, and the humans trying to find them. After an unpredictable chase, the combined efforts of Yang Sechan and MIYEON in the final moments led the human team to victory over the water ghosts.

"Running Man" airs every Sunday at 6:10 PM.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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A heartwarming story about entertainer Yu Jae-seok, who kept a small promise he made 19 years ago during the filming of "Infinite Challenge", is gaining attention once again.

Recently, an Instagram webtoon artist known as A shared a post titled, "The story of how I went to Yu Jae-seok’s wedding after appearing on 'Infinite Challenge'." A introduced the owner of a neighborhood grocery store in Jangchung-dong, who appeared in the Seoul Outing special of MBC’s "Infinite Challenge" in 2007, as the father of their current boyfriend.

At the time, Yu Jae-seok was on a mission with Park Myung-soo to travel around Seoul with a budget of 5,000 won. Lacking a wallet, he bought ice cream for himself and the production crew on credit. He promised the store owner, "I will definitely come back to pay you later. If I get married, I will invite you to my wedding."

A shared, "A few years ago, my boyfriend told me, 'Yu Jae-seok bought ice cream on credit back then, and later, we actually went to his wedding.' It turned out that Yu Jae-seok had personally visited to pay off the debt and invited the family to his wedding."

A added, "He even sent pizza and cake through his manager. My boyfriend said he followed along without knowing much, and ended up having a meal surrounded by celebrities. He said he even saw Noh Hong-chul and Kim Jong-min in person."

Yu Jae-seok married former MBC announcer Na Kyung-eun in July 2008. At the time of the wedding, it was noted by broadcast industry insiders in attendance that Yu Jae-seok approached the grocery store owner and their party first, greeting them by name.

Yu Jae-seok’s thoughtfulness has been shared as a heartwarming story in the broadcasting industry on numerous occasions. His habit of approaching non-celebrity participants first to take photos, helping citizens get autographs when they couldn't, and taking care of guests even after filming has ended has been consistently talked about among industry professionals. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Jin I-soo, the one-of-a-kind chaebol detective who takes down criminals with his massive wealth and capital, is returning with an overseas investigation of epic proportions.

On July 6, the production team for the new SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Flex X Cop 2" (written by Kim Ba-da, directed by Kim Jae-hong), which premieres on Friday, August 7, announced the show's return by releasing the first stills of lead actor Ahn Bo-hyun (as Jin I-soo) in his character's unique element.

Following "Agent Kim Reactivated", "Flex X Cop 2" is a refreshing and exhilarating investigative drama featuring Jin I-soo, a chaebol detective who flips the script with his wealth when investigations hit a dead end, and his new team leader, Joo Hye-ra (played by Jung Eun-chae). With the return of actor Ahn Bo-hyun, director Kim Jae-hong, and writer Kim Ba-da—the team behind the success of the first season—along with the addition of the uniquely charming Jung Eun-chae, the series is highly anticipated to continue the legacy of the SBS Friday-Saturday "cider" universe.

In the previous season, Jin I-soo, a third-generation chaebol, left his position as a corporate chairman to become a full-fledged detective, armed with a sense of justice and camaraderie. In Season 2, he returns with even more evolved, high-end "cider" action. His immense financial power remains, as he continues to use his own money to charter private jets if that is what it takes to solve a case. The released stills capture the absurd yet hilarious side of Jin I-soo as he embarks on an overseas investigation to catch a criminal.

Appearing in a Mexican restaurant packed with locals, he fully transforms into a member of a traditional Mexican mariachi band, claiming it is appropriate for the "TPO" (Time, Place, and Occasion) of the scene. Dressed in a large sombrero and a flashy gold-embroidered suit, his unwavering wealth and signature "attention-seeking" personality are on full display.

In particular, his "infuriatingly charming" nature—playing the guitar and enjoying Latin romance even in tense, life-or-death moments, and maintaining a relaxed, dimpled smile even in the face of a criminal's threat—is sure to bring laughter to viewers. Despite growing into a formal detective, he still has not lost his chaebol flair, and expectations are high for his performance as he continues to shake things up by adding capital to his police badge.

The production team stated, "As soon as Ahn Bo-hyun arrived on set, we could feel the world of "Flex X Cop" coming to life. It was a moment that made us realize why the character of Jin I-soo is called the role of a lifetime for Ahn Bo-hyun." They added, "Based on his special affection for the 'Flex X Cop' series, Ahn Bo-hyun is giving his all in every moment on set. His passion to deliver more fun and thrills than the previous season is immense. In Season 2, viewers will be able to enjoy the activities of Jin I-soo, who has been reborn as a 'superstar of the police force.' We ask for your high expectations."

"Flex X Cop 2", which will deliver thrilling catharsis to the small screen this summer, will premiere on Friday, August 7, at 9:50 PM. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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The film "THE EYES", starring actor Shin Mina, has been officially invited to the Sitges Film Festival in Spain.

According to the distributor BY4M Studio, "THE EYES" has been invited to the Panorama section of the competition at the 59th Sitges Film Festival, which kicks off on October 8.

Since its inception in 1968 as a festival dedicated to fantasy and horror films, the Sitges Film Festival has grown into the world's largest genre film festival. It has previously hosted numerous critically acclaimed Korean works, including "No Other Choice," "The Roundup" series, "Sleep," "The Night Owl," and "Train to Busan."

Angel Sala, the artistic director of the Sitges Film Festival, praised "THE EYES", stating, "It is a work that goes beyond the framework of a remake to establish its own unique identity." He added, "It is a thriller that stands out for its tension and an atmosphere that subtly carries the essence of a horror film."

An international release has also been confirmed. Following its premiere in the Philippines on June 25, the film was released in Singapore on July 2 and Mongolia on July 3, with a North American release scheduled for July 10. The film will continue its global rollout with subsequent releases in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Russia, and Japan.

"THE EYES" is a suspense thriller that follows the story of Seo-jin, who is gradually losing her eyesight due to a genetic disease, as she uncovers the truth behind the suspicious death of her twin sibling. Shin Mina delivers a powerful performance in a dual role, and Kim Nam-hee has also received acclaim for his intense acting.

The film, which was released on June 24, even created a surprise by surpassing "Toy Story 5" to take the number one spot at the box office in its second week. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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ATEEZ has once again proven their status as a global powerhouse by topping the main Billboard chart in the United States.

According to a chart preview article released by the U.S. music media outlet Billboard on July 5 (local time), ATEEZ reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the main album chart, with their 14th mini album, "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5," which was released on June 26.

The album recorded a total of 228,000 equivalent album units, combining 223,000 in traditional album sales and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). This marks a new personal record for ATEEZ in first-week sales in the U.S., surpassing the 195,000 units achieved by their 13th mini album, "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.4," released in February.

With this achievement, ATEEZ has now secured the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 for the third time, following their 2nd studio album "THE WORLD EP.FIN : WILL" and their 11th mini album "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.2."

Furthermore, since first entering the Billboard 200 Top 10 with their 8th mini album "THE WORLD EP.1 : MOVEMENT," the group has now placed nine consecutive albums in the Top 10. ATEEZ continues to hold the record for the most Top 10 entries on the Billboard 200 among K-pop groups in the 2020s.

ATEEZ also achieved a career-high in South Korea with this album. They surpassed 1.88 million copies in first-week sales, breaking their own record and becoming a million-seller for the seventh time.

The title track, BAD, is also enjoying global popularity. Following their first U.S. broadcast performance on NBC's "The Kelly Clarkson Show," the group took first place on KBS2's "Music Bank," which aired on July 3, showcasing their active presence both domestically and internationally.

Meanwhile, ATEEZ is set to meet their fans at the 2026 fan meeting, "ATINY'S VOYAGE : TINY MYSTERY," which will be held at Hwajeong Gymnasium at Korea University from July 17 to 19. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Singer KCM is set to hold an official wedding ceremony with his wife, 14 years after the birth of their first daughter.

On July 6, KCM’s agency, A2Z Entertainment, announced, "KCM will hold his wedding ceremony on October 4 at 5:00 PM at Floating Island in Sevit Island, Seoul."

Ahead of the ceremony, KCM shared his thoughts through his agency, stating, "I am happy to finally keep my promise to my wife after 14 years. I owe this to my wife, who silently endured difficult times, and my three children, who give me the courage to keep going every moment."

He added, "I am preparing this wedding as a way to express my commitment to living for my family for the rest of my life and to show my gratitude to those who are dear to us. I also sincerely thank my fans who have supported me unwaveringly for such a long time."

KCM and his wife, Bang Ye-won, welcomed their first daughter, Su-yeon, in 2012, but were unable to hold a wedding due to personal circumstances, including his military service and business failures. They legally registered their marriage in 2021, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they opted for a simple vow ceremony instead of a formal wedding.

KCM had previously opened up about the reasons why he could not reveal his family’s existence for a long time. He confessed that he had been burdened with billions of won in debt due to joint surety fraud, and that he had to delay registering his marriage and hide the existence of his daughter out of fear that his family would suffer from debt collection and financial pressure.

The couple welcomed their second daughter, Seo-yeon, in 2022, and their third child, a son named Ha-on, in 2025. Recently, KCM has been receiving support from viewers by sharing his daily life as a father of three on the KBS 2TV program "The Return of Superman."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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"HOPE", widely considered the most anticipated Korean film of 2026, is already heating up the box office with impressive pre-sale figures nine days ahead of its release.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network for movie theater tickets on July 6, "HOPE" has secured the top spot in both pre-sale rate (44.7%) and total pre-sale volume (86,000 tickets). Immediately upon the opening of ticket reservations, the film surged past the upcoming release "Moana" and the current box office leader, "Toy Story 5", to claim the number one position.

"HOPE" follows the story of Beom-seok, the head of a branch office in Hopohang located in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The plot unfolds when he receives reports from local youths about the appearance of a tiger, leading the entire village into a state of emergency as they face an unbelievable reality. Having been invited to the Competition section of the Cannes Film Festival and receiving significant attention from global media and critics, "HOPE" is set to officially meet domestic audiences in about a month and a half.

The buzz surrounding "HOPE" has reached its peak, driven by the high expectations domestic audiences have for the Na Hong-jin brand, combined with the premium effect of its Cannes Film Festival invitation. The film will be unveiled today, July 6, through a press and distribution screening.

The official release date for "HOPE" is July 15. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Singer Lyn shared her honest feelings regarding her divorce.

On the July 5th episode of SBS's My Little Old Boy, Lyn spent time with her same-aged friend, K.Will.

During the episode, Lyn and K.Will visited a mugwort moxa clinic after her concert practice. While enjoying the session, Lyn brought up the content K.Will is currently producing for his personal channel.

Following his series Knowing Older Sister, K.Will has launched a new project titled Known Older Sister. When Lyn asked, "Are these people who have been through a divorce?" K.Will replied, "I am preparing it." He added, "When I was planning Knowing Older Sister, my top casting choice was producer Hye-yoon, the wife of Shin Dong-yeob. But when I started planning Known Older Sister, the first person who came to my mind was you," which brought laughter to the set.

Lyn responded, "Baek Z Young and Gummy appeared on Knowing Older Sister, and everyone else was on it, but you never called me. Back when I was married. I felt hurt by that."

K.Will explained the unavoidable situation, saying, "I thought about it, of course. I was going to cast you, but that was when you first told me about your divorce."

Later, Lyn asked K.Will if he had any thoughts on marriage. K.Will answered honestly, "I do have thoughts about marriage. But living as a family means facing unpredictable situations, and I think it requires courage. I feel like I lack that. So, whenever someone around me gets married, I think they are cool and courageous."

Hearing this, Lyn said, "In some ways, even though I chose to divorce, I actually do recommend marriage. I had a truly happy marriage and was left with precious memories."

She continued, "But there is this feeling. We were such close friends, you know." Struggling to continue, she added with visible emotion, "It is not just that I lost a husband; it is sad and regrettable because I feel like I lost a very close friend."

K.Will expressed his concern, saying, "It must be difficult to go through a breakup when you were long-time friends who became lovers." Lyn replied, "It is just awkward. We did not end things on bad terms. I always support them," revealing that she still holds good intentions for her former partner.

K.Will then joked, "Talk about it bit by bit when you are ready. Save these marriage-related talks for Known Older Sister," making everyone laugh.

K.Will also praised Lyn, mentioning her singing performance from a previous broadcast, saying, "It was incredible." When Lyn humbly asked, "Wasn't it too bad?" K.Will retorted, "Shut up. That is not humility. I think Lyn is the best singer in Korea among those born in 1981."

The two then listed other vocalists born in 1981, including Park Hyo-shin, Kim Tae-woo, Gummy, Big Mama's Lee Young-hyun, Hwanhee, and Yoon Mi-rae.

The panelists were amazed, asking, "What happened? Why are they all born in 1981?"

After hearing K.Will's praise, Lyn called Kim Tae-woo to ask the same question. Kim Tae-woo replied, "For women, it is definitely Lyn," adding, "I think the measure of vocal ability is the spectrum of genres. You can do every genre."

He then jokingly claimed that K.Will was the best among men, saying, "I am going to learn how to sing from K.Will." When K.Will responded, "How could I teach one of the world's top 5 vocalists?" Kim Tae-woo quipped, "Not top 5, top 3. Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight, and Kim Tae-woo," causing an outburst of laughter.

Meanwhile, in the same episode, Lyn and K.Will visited a karaoke room and held an impromptu concert, drawing a great response from viewers.

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

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KAIST genius Heo Seong-beom showed off his extraordinary giftedness.

On the episode of SBS's My Little Old Boy that aired on July 5, Heo Kyung-hwan and Kim Jong-min met with KAIST genius Heo Seong-beom.

During the broadcast, Heo Kyung-hwan expressed a sense of closeness, noting that they share the same surname, Heo. Meanwhile, Kim Jong-min marveled at Heo Seong-beom, saying, "He is too handsome for someone who has only focused on studying."

Heo Seong-beom, who is currently pursuing a master's degree at KAIST graduate school after graduating from the university, drew attention by revealing that he has never paid tuition fees for falling grades, stating, "I attended school on scholarships the whole time."

Heo Kyung-hwan then mentioned that Heo Seong-beom also graduated from a science high school for the gifted. Heo Seong-beom explained, "I graduated from the Korea Science Academy of KAIST in Busan. It is a bit harder to get into than a regular science high school. There are a total of 8 gifted science academies in the country, and our school was the first one established," drawing further admiration.

Upon hearing this, Heo Kyung-hwan asked about the entrance criteria for the school. Heo Seong-beom replied, "There is a three-stage selection process. The first stage involves reviewing self-introduction letters, letters of recommendation, and academic records. The second stage consists of math and science exams. The math exam lasts for 4 hours but only has five questions. You pass if you solve just three and a half of them," surprising everyone.

He explained that the final third stage involves a 2-night, 3-day camp with in-depth interviews, adding, "They conduct interviews on character, leadership, math, and science, and we even have debates."

Notably, he drew attention by revealing that there were approximately 3,000 to 4,000 total applicants, with only about 200 making it to the interview stage, and that he entered the school ranked 8th among all applicants.

When Kim Jong-min asked for his secret, Heo Seong-beom calmly replied, "I have liked studying since I was young, and I think I am just naturally gifted," which brought laughter to the set.

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

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Comedian Shin Bong-sun opened up about her past relationships.

On the episode of SBS's My Little Old Boy that aired on July 5, Shin Bong-sun appeared as a special MC.

During the broadcast, Seo Jang-hoon introduced Shin by saying, "Although it hasn't been verified, you are known as a woman with a magical charm. I heard that all of your ex-boyfriends were tall and handsome. Is that true?"

Shin responded, "How would you like me to verify that?" and drew a line by adding, "Some of them are already married and have families," implying that she could not provide further details.

Shin continued to describe her past boyfriends, saying, "I kept my relationships secret, but when I revealed who I was dating, the women around me were so shocked they couldn't even eat. Everyone had a crush on them."

Seo Jang-hoon then asked, "Isn't that just your own standard?" Shin replied, "Everyone else liked those guys too. And when they told people they were dating me, people around them would ask, 'Why are you with Bong-sun?'" which drew attention.

Hearing this, Seo Jang-hoon asked if she had ever dated a celebrity. Shin piqued everyone's curiosity by answering, "I haven't, but there are some people who are famous enough to appear if you search for them."

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

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The Water Ghost duo has been defeated by the humans.

On the July 5th episode of SBS's Running Man, the cast members were joined by (G)I-DLE's Minnie and Miyeon for a race titled If You Live, You'll Get a Fortune.

During the episode, the members participated in the Running Merchant Association alongside Minnie and Miyeon. Just as they finished their meal according to the schedule, a survival mission began. Notably, Song Jihyo, who had been with them, suddenly disappeared, raising questions.

The production team announced, "You must find a way to end the race in the village. Use the benefits you earned from the previous Chinese character quiz."

The members speculated about the race based on the hints they each held. They searched for clues hidden throughout the village to deduce the rules of the game.

Yu Jae-seok, Kim Jong-kook, and others discovered the most crucial rule: "Among you, there are Water Ghosts in human form." The members then set out to track down the identities of the Water Ghosts using the hidden clues.

Yu Jae-seok was the first to uncover the truth. The real name of the race was revealed to be Sal-Mok-Ji, and the Water Ghosts were none other than the Jee duo, Jee Seokjin and Jee Yeeun.

Having arrived before the other members to receive their secret mission, Jee Seokjin and Jee Yeeun were excited. Jee Yeeun could not hide her thrill at being a spy for the first time, saying, "I was so nervous I couldn't even sleep. I couldn't even focus during church service yesterday because I kept thinking about being a spy."

The production team informed them that they were Water Ghosts and would win if they eliminated all the members. They added that each member had a different method of elimination, which drew attention.

In fact, Jee Seokjin and Jee Yeeun had been eliminating members one by one through various methods, such as stacking a 60-story stone tower, breaking boiled eggs with their foreheads, and playing jacks with peach pits.

Convinced that the Jee duo were the Water Ghosts, Yu Jae-seok boldly ripped off Jee Seokjin's name tag. However, when there was no reaction, he realized there must be a specific elimination method.

At the same time, Yang Sechan figured out how to eliminate the Water Ghosts. Miyeon also guessed that since they were Water Ghosts, pushing them into the water might be the way to eliminate them.

The members threw Jee Seokjin into a pool set up in the village, but he was not eliminated. They then set out to find Jee Yeeun.

Jee Yeeun, who had been hiding out of fear of the humans, was eventually discovered by Yu Jae-seok and pushed into the water by the members. She was immediately eliminated. It turned out that Yang Sechan had discovered the correct method to eliminate Jee Yeeun.

The members then searched for a way to eliminate Jee Seokjin. To eliminate Yu Jae-seok, who was suspicious of his identity, Jee Seokjin completed the mission of playing jacks with three peach pits for 50 years, successfully eliminating him.

However, Jee Seokjin was later eliminated through a joint operation by Yang Sechan, Miyeon, and HAHA. After being eliminated, Jee Seokjin shouted at HAHA, "Hey, whose side are you on?" HAHA pretended he was on Yang Sechan's side.

At that moment, an announcement rang out that the race was not over. Yang Sechan became certain that HAHA was working with the Water Ghosts.

Ultimately, Yang Sechan and Miyeon eliminated HAHA, and the humans emerged as the final winners.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Hyo-jung)

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HAHA shared a sweet update about his daughter Song-i’s dreams.

On the July 5th episode of SBS’s Running Man, (G)I-DLE members Minnie and Miyeon joined the cast for the "Living Life, You’ll Eventually Strike It Rich" race.

During the episode, the members teased Ji Ye-eun by comparing her to Miyeon. When it was mentioned that Miyeon, who is three years younger, looked much more youthful than her, Ji Ye-eun retorted, "She’s younger, and Miyeon is an idol."

Yang Sechan tried to comfort her by saying, "But you’re the idol of the comedy world," to which Ji Ye-eun drew a firm line, insisting, "I’m an actor. I’m a female actor."

Hearing this, HAHA revealed that his daughter Song-i’s dream recently changed to becoming an actor, adding, "Her dream is to be like Ji Ye-eun," which touched Ji Ye-eun.

HAHA then joked, "So I told her to get into a push-up position. I told her to get a grip." Ji Ye-eun responded with a laugh, "If Song-i grows up to be just like me, she’ll be on such a righteous path."

Ji Ye-eun also showed off their close bond, mentioning that she often talks on the phone with 8-year-old Song-i for over 30 minutes. When Yang Sechan quipped, "So her maturity level is the same as yours," Ji Ye-eun snapped back, "It just means I’m that pure. Shut your mouth, or I’ll pull your teeth out," causing a burst of laughter.

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

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i-dle member Minnie has extended a special invitation to the cast of Running Man to visit her family's resort.

On the episode of SBS's Running Man that aired on July 5, Minnie and Miyeon of i-dle joined the cast for a race titled "Someday, I'll Hit the Jackpot."

Making her first appearance on the show, Minnie could not hide her excitement, saying, "I feel like I am looking at celebrities right now." Regarding Minnie, who is from Thailand, the cast members brought up rumors about her background, saying, "We heard that you are very wealthy. They say you are incredibly rich," and added, "We even heard that you do music as a hobby."

Minnie drew attention by responding, "That is not true. It is my dream. Being a singer is my dream." She then surprised everyone by saying, "Please come visit our resort."

It turns out that Minnie's mother operates a resort in Thailand. Upon hearing this, the cast members could not contain their excitement, exclaiming, "See? See? We told you she was rich!"

When the members expressed their desire to visit, Minnie drew cheers by inviting them, saying, "Film an episode of Running Man there. I will cover the accommodation costs."

Meanwhile, Minnie also shared a personal story about a fortune teller who looks into her family's future. She said, "When I was worried before coming to Korea, the fortune teller said that I would do well if I went abroad and strongly encouraged me to go. They even correctly predicted that I would film a Thai movie and which company I would sign with," drawing interest from the cast.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Hyo-jung)

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Will So Jisub be able to reunite with MINJI, who is still alive?

In the SBS Friday-Saturday drama Agent Kim Reactivated, which aired on the 4th, the story followed Agent Kim as he vowed to turn himself in only after finding his daughter.

On this day, Agent Kim addressed the special task force agents urging him to surrender, saying, "MINJI has been kidnapped. Please wait until I find her. Once I do, I will turn myself in voluntarily. I promise." Sang-ah and Mr. Im, who had been monitoring him for a long time and were well aware of MINJI, were visibly shaken by his plea.

However, the path for Agent Kim and his friends to find MINJI was not easy. A character nicknamed Ttangkang-aji continued to obstruct them. With the help of his friends, Agent Kim managed to escape the situation and continued his pursuit of the person who had discarded MINJI's mobile phone.

Meanwhile, Geum-ippal (Gold Tooth), fueled by a desire for revenge against Joo Kang-chan for the humiliation he suffered in the past, called Chief Nam. He claimed that Joo Hye-ri had killed someone and that he was holding the body, warning, "If you don't want your precious daughter to face prison time, tell him to contact me immediately."

Joo Kang-chan pressed Joo Hye-ri, who insisted it was not her fault, asking, "You have to be honest with your father. Did you kill that child?" When she suggested that might be the case, he chillingly replied, "If you wanted to kill her that badly, you should have asked me to do it. Do you think I couldn't even do that for you? I have never denied you anything you wanted. I am very hurt, daughter."

He then dismissed the incident as nothing major and asked if she had confirmed the death. When Joo Hye-ri replied that the child had been bleeding from the head and she wasn't sure, Joo Kang-chan coordinated with Chief Nam to frame Geum-ippal for MINJI's murder, drawing attention.

At that moment, Geum-ippal arrived at the cold storage facility where the body was kept to take a proof photo for Joo Kang-chan. MINJI, who was still alive, was hiding to avoid Geum-ippal. Just as her presence was about to be discovered, Geum-ippal received a call from Joo Kang-chan.

Geum-ippal mocked Joo Kang-chan, saying, "You're just like your father—good at killing people. You raised your daughter quite well." When Joo Kang-chan suggested they meet to talk, Geum-ippal snapped, "Stop talking down to me, you jerk. Can't you read the room? I'll send you the address, so bring 2 billion won in cash and get here immediately. Come alone. And one more thing, pull out all of Chief Nam's teeth and bring them with you. You know a photo as proof is mandatory, right?"

Towards the end of the episode, Agent Kim was seen finishing his pursuit of Kim Sang-man, who had discarded his daughter's phone, and began interrogating him. The episode concluded with a cliffhanger as Geum-ippal, having finished his call with Joo Kang-chan, locked eyes with MINJI, who had been hiding and watching him, heightening curiosity about what will happen next.

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

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On the July 3rd episode of the SBS Friday-Saturday drama Agent Kim Reactivated, the protagonist, Agent Kim (played by So Jisub), desperately searched for his daughter, MINJI, while being pursued by the Special Investigation Bureau and the General Bureau of Reconnaissance.

In this episode, Agent Kim sought help from Seong Han-su. When Agent Kim revealed, "I saw a message saying MINJI was dead, but then I received a phone call," Seong Han-su urged him to explain the situation clearly.

Agent Kim explained that his daughter had been kidnapped. Despite knowing that the Special Investigation Bureau was tracking him, he refused to discard his phone, hoping for contact from MINJI.

Just then, a group including Ddangkangaji and agents from the Special Investigation Bureau appeared. Ddangkangaji, aiming to secure Agent Kim before the North could, confronted them. However, Agent Kim and Seong Han-su managed to neutralize the agents and escape.

Agent Kim apologized to Seong Han-su for dragging him into the conflict, but Seong Han-su comforted him, saying, "If my son Tae-hun were in that situation, I would have gone to you first."

As they tracked MINJI's phone, they received a call from Park Jin-cheol. Park warned that a North Korean operative had been sent to kill Agent Kim and added, "Be careful. MINJI is also in danger. We need to get to her quickly."

Seong Han-su informed Park of the kidnapping and provided the location tracked from MINJI's phone, urging him to meet them there.

Meanwhile, Ju Gang-chan eliminated Seong Min-ho, who was involved in the MINJI case, leaving viewers curious about his next moves for his own daughter, Haeri.

The location tracked by the phone turned out to be a romance scam operation. Agent Kim subdued the man holding the phone and demanded to know how he had obtained it.

The man claimed he had taken it from a homeless person. He revealed that the call history was filled only with calls to her father, adding, "She didn't have a single friend." He further shocked Agent Kim by exposing that Kang Hye-ryeong, whom MINJI had called a friend, was actually one of the people who had bullied her.

Agent Kim, who had been unaware of his daughter's struggles, was devastated. "Why didn't I notice sooner? How hard must it have been for her?" he lamented.

Seong Han-su stepped in to pull him back to reality, saying, "Get a grip. This is not the time to be sentimental. I know you tried your best. It must be painful, but you are a father. We need to find MINJI first so you can apologize to her."

At that moment, Park Gang-seong appeared, pointing a gun at Agent Kim and declaring, "So you were here, Fake 66," leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.

The episode concluded with a flashback revealing the first meeting between Agent Kim and Park Jin-cheol, as well as the story behind how Agent Kim became known as 66.

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

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Seo Jang-hoon’s Rising Eagles, fueled by the goal of conquering the nation, are set to make a spectacular return for Season 2 with an even more powerful lineup.

Premiering on Sunday, July 5 at 11:05 PM, SBS Rising Eagles Season 2 features the return of Korean basketball legend Seo Jang-hoon as head coach, leading the team toward their second flight.

This season, the team has completed a national-level coaching staff with the addition of KBL legend and guard Kim Tae-sul. They are joined by returning members SHINee’s Minho, Son Tae-jin, Park Chan-woong, Oh Seung-hoon, 2AM’s Jeong Jin-woon, Moon Soo-in, Lee Dae-hee, Jeong Gyu-min, and Kim Taek. The roster has been further strengthened by the arrival of the physically imposing Julien Kang, hidden talent Jo Jin-se—who has been honing his skills since middle school—EXO’s Chanyeol, and the ambitious rookie Jin-hyeok from NOWZ.

Before embarking on the national championship, the new and existing members faced off in a 3-on-3 match fueled by pride. Chanyeol ignited an internal rivalry by naming his SM senior and fellow passion-driven member Minho as his target. Jo Jin-se also provoked Jeong Gyu-min by declaring, "I will take your number 13 jersey," to which Jeong Gyu-min retorted, "I will definitely set the rookies straight today," raising the tension on the court to its peak.

The rookies’ performances stunned everyone on set. Chanyeol, in particular, showed off high-level skills by sinking consecutive shots, earning high praise from head coach Seo Jang-hoon, who noted, "His shooting touch is exceptional." Julien Kang dominated the paint with his human-wall physique, while the existing Eagles members countered with solid teamwork, leading to an unpredictable and fierce battle. It is also reported that a special 1-on-1 match between legendary guard coach Kim Tae-sul and Jeon Tae-poong brought a rare, bright smile to Coach Seo Jang-hoon’s face.

However, the festive atmosphere was short-lived. As the national championship approaches, amateur basketball powerhouses began launching cold provocations, leaving the set frozen. Opposing teams threw sharp insults at the Rising Eagles, claiming, "They lack basketball IQ compared to their passion," and "At the end of the day, they are just a celebrity team." In response, head coach Seo Jang-hoon expressed his anger, saying, "That is complete nonsense," and the members declared they would face the challenge head-on, stating, "We will prove it with our skills on the court."

The grueling struggle of the Rising Eagles to prove their worth and the start of their journey toward the national throne will be revealed in the premiere of Rising Eagles Season 2 on Sunday, July 5 at 11:05 PM.

Reporter Kang Sun-ae sakang@sbs.co.kr

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

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In the upcoming episode of Agent Kim Reactivated, So Jisub and Choi Dae-hoon transform into the most dangerous fathers as they launch a relentless counterattack.

In the third episode of the SBS Friday-Saturday drama Agent Kim Reactivated (written by Nam Dae-jung, directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun), airing tonight, July 3, at 9:50 PM, Agent Kim (played by So Jisub) seeks out his friend Seong Han-su (played by Choi Dae-hoon) while searching for his missing daughter. The two will engage in a breathtaking cooperative action sequence against mysterious assailants.

Agent Kim Reactivated has quickly emerged as the hottest drama of the summer, recording a peak viewership rating of 18.1% after just two episodes. So Jisub has topped the list for most buzzworthy TV and OTT drama cast member, while the series itself has claimed the number one spot for TV drama buzz, dominating both ratings and popularity.

In this episode, Agent Kim’s search for his daughter leads him to his old friend Seong Han-su, with whom he once shared life-or-death experiences, signaling the full-scale launch of the "Dad Universe." In stills released ahead of the broadcast, So Jisub exudes intensity in a sharp black suit as he corners his enemies, while Choi Dae-hoon builds tension dressed in a taekwondo uniform, displaying his firm resolve.

Most notably, the "double-pistol action" of the two men standing back-to-back with their weapons drawn captures the eye with visuals reminiscent of a movie scene. The combination of Agent Kim’s unwavering decisiveness and Seong Han-su’s passionate loyalty promises to deliver a heavy-hitting, high-speed action experience unlike anything seen before.

It is reported that both actors gave their all on set, performing intense action sequences without holding back. So Jisub vividly portrays the desperation of a father, while Choi Dae-hoon embodies the loyalty of a friend willing to put his body on the line, completing a perfect "lawless middle-aged" bromance. The synergy between the two, which promises to leave a lasting impression beyond just the action, is a key point to watch in the third episode.

The production team stated, "In episode 3 of Agent Kim Reactivated, as Agent Kim and Seong Han-su reunite as a team, the 'Dad Universe' action will accelerate. The fast-paced plot, exhilarating action, and the bromance synergy between the two actors will provide viewers with a thrilling catharsis."

Episode 3 of Agent Kim Reactivated airs tonight, July 3, at 9:50 PM.

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

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SBS's

Tails of Tales

(hosted by the "Jang Trio" consisting of Jang Hyun-sung, Jang Sung-kyu, and Jang Doyoun) brings to light the stories of "that day" in history that we must never forget. For those who missed the broadcast or want to revisit the details, SBS Entertainment News has summarized the episode for you.

The story we want to share with you today is from the episode broadcast on July 2, 2026, titled

"Four Kidnappers – Who is Lying?"

Joining as story buddies were AND2BLE member ZHANG HAO, singer SOYOU, and actor Park Tam-hee. (In line with the show's unique style, this review is written in an informal, conversational tone.)

▲ Eun-ji Has Vanished

The date is October 10, 1994, at a home in Busan. A housewife, Mrs. Kim, keeps staring out the window. Her 10-year-old daughter, Eun-ji (pseudonym), has not returned home yet. Eun-ji, a third-grader, usually comes home from school around 1:00 PM. But on this day, she is still missing even as 4:00 PM approaches. Just then, the phone rings.

"If you want to find Eun-ji, listen to me carefully. Bring 'two sheets' of cash to the Busan Theater by 2:30 PM the day after tomorrow."

Eun-ji had been kidnapped. However, the "two sheets" of cash the kidnapper demanded was not 20 million won, but 2 million won. Usually, kidnapping is a planned crime aiming for a large sum of money, but in 1994, 2 million won was worth less than 5 million won in today's value. The kidnapper did not ask for a massive fortune.

Furthermore, Eun-ji's father was an ordinary office worker. Their family was not wealthy enough to be targeted for a crime. So, why did the kidnapper target Eun-ji?

Upon receiving the report, the police immediately tracked Eun-ji's last known movements. While canvassing the school area with the child's photo, an eyewitness emerged. It was So-young (pseudonym), Eun-ji's friend from the same after-school academy.

"Eun-ji was walking over there with an older girl earlier. She had long, straight hair."

Around 1:00 PM on the day of her disappearance, she saw a young woman in her 20s walking with Eun-ji. Crucially, Eun-ji was smiling at the time. Hearing this, the detectives' eyes sharpened.

"If she was smiling as they walked by, 'she definitely wasn't a stranger; she must have known her well.' If it was someone she knew well, we believed there was a high possibility it was a relative."

- Case Detective

The detectives checked if any of Eun-ji's relatives lived in the direction the two had headed. It turned out Eun-ji's maternal aunt lived there. The young woman in her 20s seen by the witness matched Eun-ji's maternal cousin, who was in her 20s.

Her name was Na Kyung-ae (pseudonym). She was a 20-year-old student preparing for college entrance exams, and she had long, straight hair. Was the woman walking with Eun-ji really her cousin, Na Kyung-ae? The next day, the police brought her in for voluntary questioning.

"Me, Eun-ji?! That makes no sense!"

- Na Kyung-ae

Na Kyung-ae vehemently denied it. Just as the detectives began to doubt her, someone made an urgent phone call. It was Na Kyung-ae's father.

"When I came home, the house was a mess. The police were coming and going. I was so out of it that I first sat down in Kyung-ae's room. As I slowly gathered my thoughts, I kept smelling a strange odor. It was the smell of decomposition. Goosebumps broke out all over me, and I thought, 'Ah, something is wrong here.'"

- Na Kyung-ae's father

The source of the horrifying stench was a blanket bundle inside the room. That night, the police discovered Eun-ji's body wrapped in a blanket bundle inside Na Kyung-ae's room.

Only then did she confess to the crime. Even more shocking was that she had murdered the child on the very day of the kidnapping. While her family was away, she hid the body in her house. However, this was not the only secret Na Kyung-ae revealed.

"Hyun-woo oppa suggested we kidnap her just to get the money. I really had no intention of killing her."

- Na Kyung-ae

She claimed she had accomplices. Here is the horrific story of that day as told by Na Kyung-ae.

▲ Four Kidnappers

His name was Choi Hyun-woo (pseudonym), a 23-year-old office worker. Na Kyung-ae claimed he was the one who initially planned the crime, making him the mastermind. And there were more accomplices.

Her name was Shin Yu-ri (pseudonym). She was Na Kyung-ae's high school classmate and best friend. Unlike Na Kyung-ae, who was preparing for college entrance exams again, Yu-ri had entered college that year. Na Kyung-ae, Shin Yu-ri, and Choi Hyun-woo reportedly knew each other beforehand. And there was one more.

His name was Jung Il-soo (pseudonym). He was a 23-year-old restaurant owner and a neighborhood friend brought in by Choi Hyun-woo.

Why did these young adults, who had just entered society and were seemingly living normal lives attending school and work, commit such a crime? It was because of this incident.

The "Jijonpa," a criminal organization that shocked South Korea in 1994. Claiming to hate the wealthy, they built a murder factory and killed innocent people with absolute brutality. On October 9, 1994, the day before the crime, when the four first conspired, Na Kyung-ae claimed Choi Hyun-woo said this:

"Did you guys see the news about the Jijonpa? We're bored, so why don't we pull off a job too? My mom said she won't give me money for a while."

- Choi Hyun-woo

In reality, except for Na Kyung-ae, the other three came from wealthy families. Yet, they allegedly planned the crime out of curiosity after watching the Jijonpa news. They committed a horrific copycat crime simply to make money for entertainment.

The next day, the four lured Eun-ji on her way home from school and put her in a pre-arranged car. They could have returned the child after receiving the ransom, so why did they murder Eun-ji? According to Na Kyung-ae, Shin Yu-ri argued:

"The kid saw our faces. What if she goes home and tells everyone? Let's just get rid of her."

- Shin Yu-ri

Ultimately, the four decided to kill Eun-ji. They parked the car in a suitable spot, and Na Kyung-ae and Shin Yu-ri got out to keep watch. Then, Choi Hyun-woo strangled Eun-ji inside the car. Afterward, Jung Il-soo wrapped the body in a blanket bundle and put it in the trunk. The next day, they moved the body to Na Kyung-ae's house. This was Na Kyung-ae's claim.

Based on Na Kyung-ae's statement, the police arrested the three accomplices. Following the Jijonpa case, the entire nation was shocked once again.

▲ Conflicting Statements

However, at that very moment, another place was in an uproar for a different reason. It was the

Busan Maeil Shinmun

, one of the three major newspapers in Busan at the time. It was the only one among the three to publish a morning paper. However, the previous evening, other newspapers had scooped them by reporting the story first.

"Back then, the concepts of scoops and missed stories were incredibly strong. If we missed even a minor traffic accident or a non-fatal incident during coverage and got scooped, we faced immense criticism."

- Kim Hyung-jin, then-reporter for the Busan Maeil Shinmun's social affairs department

Having missed such a massive scoop, the newspaper office was turned upside down. A special coverage team was quickly assembled, and Reporter Kim and his colleagues rushed to the police station handling the case. By pleading with a friendly detective, they managed to speak with one of the kidnappers: Na Kyung-ae's classmate, Shin Yu-ri.

However, Shin Yu-ri did nothing but cry silently in front of the reporter. Just as they were about to leave empty-handed, Shin Yu-ri spoke up.

"I... I really didn't do it. I was taking a typing exam that day!"

- Shin Yu-ri

She claimed she had absolutely nothing to do with the case. Shin Yu-ri provided an alibi, stating she was taking a typing exam at school on the day of the crime.

"During the investigation, when asked, 'What did you do yesterday? Why did you participate in the crime?' she replied, 'I was at school at that time. I did not participate in the crime.'"

- Kim Hyung-jin, then-reporting reporter

The reporters rushed to Shin Yu-ri's school to verify the facts. As it turned out, it was true that there was a typing exam on the day of the crime. One of Shin Yu-ri's classmates said:

"While taking the exam, my paper slipped and tore, so I spent that time just looking at the friend next to me. Since Yu-ri was sitting right next to me, I looked at her, and she looked back at me and smiled. That's how it was."

- Shin Yu-ri's classmate

Reporter Kim collected written statements from Shin Yu-ri's classmates. The statements contained detailed eyewitness accounts, such as, "I saw Shin Yu-ri sitting in her seat, around the middle of the first row," "I saw Shin Yu-ri walking down the stairs after the typing exam," and "When I turned around to borrow a stapler from a student in the back, I saw Yu-ri sitting there." One student even drew a seating chart of the typing exam to testify that Shin Yu-ri was present at the scene.

With this level of detail, was Shin Yu-ri's alibi of taking a typing exam at school on the day of the crime true?

Shin Yu-ri's alibi of being at school on the day of the crime was an exclusive scoop obtained by the

Busan Maeil Shinmun

. But just then, a middle-aged man visited the newspaper office, pleading, "Please help me." This man was the father of Choi Hyun-woo, who had been identified as the mastermind.

"The next day, the father of Choi Hyun-woo, who was identified as the mastermind, came to our newspaper office. He kept speaking in a highly frustrated tone, claiming his son was not the culprit, and said he had gone to other newspapers but they wouldn't listen to him..."

- Kim Hyung-jin, then-reporting reporter

Choi Hyun-woo's father presented envelopes claiming his son also had an alibi on the day of the crime. The first envelope contained statements from Choi Hyun-woo's colleagues, stating they saw him working on the day of the crime. The second envelope contained his home phone records, showing that Choi Hyun-woo had spoken with his girlfriend from home after work on the day of the crime.

Furthermore, his home and workplace were located in a different region, not Busan. In other words, Choi Hyun-woo was not even in Busan on the day of the crime. Looking at his colleagues' statements and the phone records with his girlfriend, was Choi Hyun-woo's claim true?

Out of the three accomplices named by Na Kyung-ae, two were claiming alibis. Did the final accomplice, Jung Il-soo, have an alibi as well? Reporter Kim rushed to the restaurant Jung Il-soo ran. There, he met Jung Il-soo's friends, who stated that Jung Il-soo was at his restaurant on the day of the crime, meaning he also had an alibi. Even more bafflingly, Jung Il-soo claimed he saw Na Kyung-ae and Shin Yu-ri for the very first time at the police station. They had never even known each other before.

Three accomplices claiming innocence, and Na Kyung-ae claiming they committed the crime together. Someone among them is lying.

▲ Shattered Alibis

The

Busan Maeil Shinmun

compiled the alibis of the three accomplices and immediately reported them.

This time, the police went into a frenzy. They had just announced the resolution of a kidnapping case that shook the nation, only for an article to suggest that three of the suspects might not be the culprits. The police immediately fired back, claiming that the alibis presented by the accomplices were completely fabricated. Here is the police's side of the story.

First, regarding Shin Yu-ri's alibi of taking a typing exam at her college. The police acknowledged that Shin Yu-ri did go to school on the day of the crime. However, they revealed that one of the students who took the exam that day made an unexpected confession. It was Shin Yu-ri's friend, Miss A.

"I'm sorry. Yu-ri asked me to, so I had no choice but to take the exam for her."

- Shin Yu-ri's friend, A

A stated that she took the typing test on behalf of Shin Yu-ri, and Shin Yu-ri arrived late only to sign the answer sheet. In other words, Shin Yu-ri had set up a "fake alibi" in advance. As for the statements from classmates who claimed to have seen Shin Yu-ri on the day of the exam, the police explained that they had merely seen her arriving late at the test site. Later, the police referred A to the prosecution on charges of taking the exam for Shin Yu-ri.

"To be honest, it was a lie that I saw my friend at the store that day. I lied because I wanted to help my friend."

- Jeong Il-soo's friend

The friend who had provided an alibi for Jeong Il-soo also later confessed to the police, admitting that they had lied to reporters in an attempt to help their friend.

The police also claimed that Choi Hyun-woo's alibi was unreliable. At the time, the president of the company where Choi Hyun-woo worked was none other than his own father. Therefore, the police argued that the employees might have given false statements under pressure from the father, Mr. Choi. But what about the call records with his girlfriend? After consulting with experts, the police claimed that, theoretically, call records could be manipulated. They suggested that the father, Mr. Choi, an influential local figure, bribed a telephone office employee to fabricate fake records.

Now, hearing the police's claims, what do you think? Can the alibis of the three accomplices be trusted? Regarding their alibis, Na Kyung-ae said:

"I have committed a grave, unforgivable sin. I will accept any punishment. However, I can never forgive those who show no remorse."

- Na Kyung-ae

Na Kyung-ae strongly insisted that the accomplices were lying. The prosecution, which took over the case, also recognized the charges against the three accomplices, just as the police did. Ultimately, the truth of this case was left to be decided in court.

▲ Discrepancies in Statements

However, the judge presiding over this trial was nicknamed the "Tiger Judge," famous for handing down heavy sentences in heinous, anti-humanitarian violent crimes.

"At the time, the entire nation was incredibly focused on whether these people were the actual culprits or not. I felt that this case required an exceptionally careful trial. When citizens face unfairness or difficulties, isn't the court their last resort? If so, isn't it most desirable for the judges in that court to work together to find the right answer..."

- Park Tae-beom, then-Presiding Judge of the Busan District Court

However, as Judge Park reviewed the case files, he noticed something puzzling. Let's look back at Na Kyung-ae's statement to see what it was.

On October 9, 1994, the four of them allegedly planned the crime following Choi Hyun-woo's suggestion. The next day, October 10, Na Kyung-ae lured Eun-ji on her way home from school and took her to her own house. Later, at the agreed-upon time, she took the child to a predetermined location. There, they put Eun-ji into a car driven by the accomplices. At this point, they reportedly had no intention of harming Eun-ji, believing they only needed to get money from her parents. So, they drove for about an hour to Nampo-dong, Busan. At the time, this area was a popular hotspot known as the "Myeong-dong of Busan." Driving a kidnapped child for an hour to a bustling downtown area? Doesn't that seem a bit strange?

Na Kyung-ae claimed that they later decided to kill the child as Shin Yu-ri suggested, and discussed the location of the murder with the accomplices. The spot Na Kyung-ae pointed out was an alley in Bupyeong-dong, just across the street from Nampo-dong. She claimed they parked the car there and killed Eun-ji inside it. Committing such a crime on a street rather than indoors? This, too, was hard to believe.

So, Judge Park decided to conduct an "on-site reconstruction" to personally visit the scene and verify Na Kyung-ae's statements.

However, upon personal inspection, the murder scene pointed out by Na Kyung-ae seemed strange. Realistically, it made no sense that a murder could have been committed there.

"You can't park a car in front of this store. If someone tries to park, we don't let them. We are running a business, and if a car blocks the front of the store, customers can't come in."

- Owner of the store in front of the crime scene

When the reporting team checked the site themselves, they found that this alley had so much traffic that a car could not be parked there for even a single minute. How did Na Kyung-ae react on-site when this was pointed out?

"When I got out of the car, I said I was keeping watch, but actually, I wasn't keeping watch after I got out..."

(When asked if she didn't know whether this was the actual murder scene or not)

"As of right now..."

- Na Kyung-ae

As a result of the on-site reconstruction, Na Kyung-ae's statements lost all credibility. Conversely, the probability that the three accomplices' alibis were true increased.

▲ New Evidence

At that time, Reporter Kim of the Busan Maeil Shinmun was deeply troubled. The evidence proving their alibis had been rendered useless during the police investigation. If the three accomplices were truly framed, other evidence was needed to prove their innocence. Just then, a young woman came to Reporter Kim asking for help. It was Choi Hyun-woo's girlfriend.

"He used to call me whenever he moved from one place to another. He was a very caring person. Since he arrived in Daegu at 2:00 PM on October 8 and was definitely with me through the 8th, 9th, and until 1:00 AM on the 10th, I was certain that Hyun-woo was not the culprit."

- Choi Hyun-woo's girlfriend

She insisted that they did indeed talk on the phone on October 10, the day of the crime, and that the call records were not fabricated. Choi Hyun-woo's girlfriend showed a timeline she had made of their movements at the time, which included the following:

"Sunday, October 9, 1994. My sister, Hyun-woo, myself, and my four nieces and nephews went to a sports day in Hyun-woo's car."

This meant that on October 10, the day of the crime, he went to work, and on October 9, when they allegedly plotted the crime, he attended his girlfriend's niece's/nephew's sports day. Reporter Kim called the kindergarten that held the sports day and asked if there was any video footage filmed on that day. The kindergarten said they had hired a videographer to shoot the event. If Choi Hyun-woo was captured on that videotape, his alibi would be proven. However, upon checking, Choi Hyun-woo could not be found in the footage. Just as Reporter Kim was feeling disappointed, the kindergarten shared a piece of information. In 1994, video cameras were rare. However, there was exactly one parent who had brought a camcorder.

"Back then, domestic home video cameras had just come out, so it was a novelty. When I carried it around and filmed, ordinary people would even ask me, 'Which broadcasting station are you from?' Since video cameras were so rare at the time, other mothers at the sports day kept asking me to film their kids, so I carried a tripod and kept shooting there."

- Lee Sang-choon, who filmed the kindergarten sports day at the time

That night, Reporter Kim and Choi Hyun-woo's lawyer visited Lee Sang-choon's house and watched the tape together.

"So we watched the video together at my house. We kept watching, and then, 'Stop!' They rewound and replayed it a few times, and then said, 'We will use this as evidence.'"

- Lee Sang-choon, who filmed the kindergarten sports day at the time

The man walking in front of the parents playing tug-of-war was indeed Choi Hyun-woo. Would Choi Hyun-woo's alibi be proven in court?

"Since the prosecution claimed that the sports day video was manipulated or edited, we consulted an expert at the time to see if it was synthesized, and they said, 'It is not edited.' It was clearly proven that on October 9, the day of the alleged conspiracy, Choi Hyun-woo was in Daegu, not Busan."

- Park Tae-beom, the judge in charge of the case at the time

The situation of Choi Hyun-woo, who was accused of being the mastermind, was completely reversed. Was everything fabricated by Na Kyung-ae?

▲ Uncover the Truth

Following this, lawyers in Busan began to take action. The Busan Bar Association conducted a truth-finding investigation into the case. Interestingly, the head of this investigation team was former President Moon Jae-in, who was a practicing lawyer at the time.

"At the time, Attorney Moon Jae-in was incredibly passionate. Even during our reporting, if we shared new facts discovered late at night, around 11:00 PM or midnight, he would immediately rush to the scene and verify them himself."

- Kim Hyung-jin, the reporter covering the case at the time

Attorney Moon and the investigation team met not only with the four defendants but also with all the witnesses. When the results were announced, the case took an unexpected turn. They found the real accomplice who had manipulated the case behind Na Kyung-ae.

▲ The Third Accomplice

This is a written statement recorded and notarized by the investigation team itself. The statement was made by a witness, Mr. Oh. He was being investigated for a different case at the same police station handling Eun-ji's case. He happened to see Choi Hyun-woo and Jeong Il-soo being investigated next to him.

"A person who appeared to be the head of the investigation ordered that their statements must be aligned, saying there were too many discrepancies. As soon as Choi Hyun-woo and Jeong Il-soo entered the office, they started beating them indiscriminately, saying, 'You bastards, you don't deserve to live. You must die.'"

- From the statement of witness Mr. Oh

At the time, the police reportedly sat Na Kyung-ae next to them and beat the two men until they gave the same answers as her. If the accomplices' statements differed, the police should have questioned Na Kyung-ae's initial claims. Instead, they assaulted Choi Hyun-woo and Jeong Il-soo, claiming that 16 of their statements did not align. Mr. Oh recalled that every time Choi Hyun-woo returned to the holding cell after questioning, he was covered in bruises.

And remember how it was mentioned earlier that Jeong Il-soo did not know Na Kyung-ae? In fact, the accomplice Na Kyung-ae initially pointed out was not Jeong Il-soo, but a man named Park Dong-soo (pseudonym).

"The accomplice initially pointed out at the police station by the cousin, Na Kyung-ae, was a man named 'Park Dong-soo.' They identified him as the culprit, brought him in, and actually investigated him at the police station."

- Kim Hyung-jin, the reporter covering the case at the time

However, when they checked Park Dong-soo's whereabouts, he was serving as a conscripted police officer on the day of the crime. With such an airtight alibi, Park Dong-soo was clearly not the culprit. The police then demanded to know the "real accomplice." Instead of asking Na Kyung-ae, they asked Choi Hyun-woo—even resorting to torture. Unable to endure the torture, Choi Hyun-woo eventually pointed to his friend, Jeong Il-soo. Jeong Il-soo, after suffering harsh treatment by the police, also made a false statement claiming he had used the pseudonym "Park Dong-soo."

That wasn't all. Miss A, who had stated she took the exam on behalf of Shin Yu-ri, revealed to the investigation team, "Yu-ri did take the exam herself that day," admitting she had been forced to lie.

"During the police investigation, what they were saying started to sound like the truth. It wasn't true at all, but since Yu-ri kept insisting it was, and the police warned me that if things went wrong, I might have to spend a few days in the holding cell, I was terrified."

- Shin Yu-ri's friend, A

The investigation revealed that Shin Yu-ri had also been severely beaten by the police. That was why she made a false confession about asking her friend to take the exam for her. Furthermore, Jeong Il-soo's friend, who had retracted his statement, also revealed that he had given false testimony due to police assault.

In total, there were six witnesses who gave false statements due to the police's coercive investigation. The police assaulted not only the suspects but also the witnesses. In other words, the alibis of the three accomplices were not fabricated; they were the truth. Yet, the police refused to believe the three men from the very beginning. Why on earth did the police go to such lengths?

"Police Day is October 21. Since the incident occurred less than ten days before October 21, the police station involved was in line to receive an award for solving the case. That is why they conducted such a high-pressure investigation."

- Kim Hyung-jin, the reporter covering the case at the time

At the time, the police announced the three individuals as accomplices based solely on Na Kyung-ae's confession. Having quickly solved a kidnapping and murder case that shocked the entire nation, they were even slated to receive a presidential citation. Consequently, suspicions arose that they had conducted a coercive investigation to wrap up the case hastily ahead of the award ceremony.

But was it really just a suspicion? There is clear "physical evidence" in this case.

The blanket wrapping that covered Eun-ji's body. This was the only physical evidence in this case. Naturally, it should have been preserved. When asked about the status of this blanket, the police said:

"This has been incinerated and no longer exists. (When asked who incinerated it) The autopsy room staff. The autopsy room workers."

– Police officer in charge of the case

The police claimed that the autopsy room staff incinerated it without a word. Is this claim true?

"When the police request us to 'secure it as evidence,' we preserve it. Our job itself is to assist with the autopsies conducted by the police, not to lead them. We cannot arbitrarily keep something if we are told 'do not leave it,' nor would we destroy something the police told us to 'keep.'"

– Autopsy room staff member

The police did not even properly manage the sole physical and decisive piece of evidence. Naturally, they did not investigate any fingerprints or DNA that might have remained on the wrapping cloth. If true, this is a massive dereliction of duty, and if it was covered up, it is a criminal act.

Later, Lawyer Moon Jae-in and the Busan Bar Association sued all 14 police officers involved in the torture. As a result of the investigation, charges were acknowledged for seven of them, and three were ultimately convicted.

"Without the efforts of the Busan Bar Association's truth investigation team and Lawyer Moon Jae-in, I think it would not have been easy to reach this stage."

– Kim Hyung-jin, the reporter who covered the case at the time

▲ The Unending Revelations

Did the trial of Eun-ji's case proceed smoothly then? Shin Yu-ri's friend, Miss A, exposed another shocking fact. This is from her written statement:

"I went to the prosecutor's office with the thought of telling only the absolute truth this time. But instead of believing me, they beat me and swore at me, accusing me of lying."

– From Miss A's written statement

Just like the police, the prosecution had also resorted to assault and intimidation. Reporter Kim Hyung-jin of the Busan Maeil Shinmun immediately reported this. Consequently, the newspaper office was thrown into turmoil.

"I really thought the prosecution organization was formidable. The president of our newspaper graduated from Seoul National University, and they even found a high-ranking prosecution official who had a connection with him from his boarding house days to contact the president and suggest, 'It would be good if you stopped reporting.' They used various methods to apply pressure."

– Kim Hyung-jin, the reporter who covered the case at the time

Another reporter from the Busan Maeil Shinmun was summoned for questioning by the prosecution, and Reporter Kim was even sued by the police for defamation by publication. However, the reporters did not back down. They continued to report evidence proving the alibis of the co-defendants.

"There were even rumors saying, 'The reporters will be arrested' or 'The company will go bankrupt,' but we weren't afraid. It actually made us believe even more that we could win and that this case must be uncovered, driving us to show even greater journalistic spirit."

– Kim Hyung-jin, the reporter who covered the case at the time

However, the prosecution fought back fiercely, claiming that even if the evidence fabricated through torture was excluded, there was still sufficient evidence to prove the defendants' guilt. The courtroom battle grew more intense by the day. The number of witnesses requested by both sides reached a staggering 98, which was reportedly a record high in criminal trial history at the time.

After a turbulent 1994, February 1995 arrived, and only the sentencing remained. But just then, someone visited Judge Park's office.

"Since this case was drawing so much national attention, mid-level prosecutors came to me and said, 'Don't make a ruling, Presiding Judge Park, just leave for your next post.' The atmosphere at the time strongly suggested an acquittal was coming, so they wanted the verdict to be delivered by a different panel of judges. They made many such requests, if you could call them that."

– Park Tae-beom, the judge in charge of the case at the time

At the time, Judge Park had already been appointed to another court as of March 1, 1995. Yet, the prosecution requested additional hearings twice, claiming they had new evidence. Judge Park accepted all those requests, delaying the sentencing date as much as possible to February 24, just one week before his transfer. Even so, a high-ranking prosecution official asked him to delay the sentencing once more. Judge Park firmly rejected this demand.

"'The defendants on trial are waiting and putting their trust in this panel of judges, so how could I irresponsibly abandon them and just leave?'"

– Park Tae-beom, the judge in charge of the case at the time

On the night of February 23, the day before the sentencing, Judge Park, who was preparing to leave work, called home on a strange hunch. When he asked if any suspicious people had come by or if anyone had left a note, Judge Park's wife replied:

"Some men are standing outside. Why do you ask?"

Judge Park felt that he should not go home under those circumstances. So, he intentionally waited until after midnight to return home in the early morning.

Thus, the day of the sentencing dawned. However, unfamiliar men visited his house early in the morning. They were people from the prosecution. In the end, Judge Park fled his home and headed to a certain location.

"If I went straight to my office on the day of the trial, I would have faced continuous pressure from all sides to postpone the sentencing. So, I decided to stay on a small island near the court and enter the courtroom just in time for the sentencing."

– Park Tae-beom, the judge in charge of the case at the time

Finally, at 1:30 PM, the scheduled time for the sentencing, Judge Park headed straight to the courtroom as soon as he arrived at the court. A crowd of over 300 people gathered in the courtroom to hear his verdict that day. In a rare move for a criminal trial, television cameras even appeared in the courtroom. So, what was Judge Park's final ruling?

"This case involves kidnapping and causing the death of a young cousin who usually followed and liked the defendant, Na, calling her 'Unni, Unni.' This is an act so contrary to humanity that it cannot be tolerated for any reason. For these reasons, the defendant, Na Kyung-ae, is sentenced to death. For the other defendants, there is insufficient evidence to acknowledge the charges, meaning the crimes have not been proven. Therefore, all three co-defendants are acquitted..."

– From the first-instance ruling

However, the prosecution did not accept this verdict and immediately appealed. On December 8, 1995, the Supreme Court delivered its final ruling on the case. Na Kyung-ae, who had been sentenced to death in the first trial, had her sentence commuted to life imprisonment because she showed remorse. The other three individuals were all acquitted. Thanks to the efforts of many, these three young people were cleared of the false accusations.

▲ The Unsolved Mystery

Yet, Judge Park says there are still unresolved questions about this case, even now, 30 years later.

"The female defendant, Na Kyung-ae, admitted to the crime from the very beginning and consistently maintained in her statements that she did it with these three people. Why she dragged three innocent people into this remains a mystery, I think."

– Park Tae-beom, the judge in charge of the case at the time

From here, we will tell you another truth of that day 30 years ago, which was not recorded in the ruling. It began in May 1994, when this entire tragedy started.

Five months before the incident, Na Kyung-ae and Shin Yu-ri were walking along the Haeundae beach at night. A young man approached them, asking, "Would you like me to take a picture of you?" He then mentioned he had a companion and suggested they grab a cup of coffee together. That companion was Choi Hyun-woo. The three of them, who met for the first time that way, went on a trip to Masan shortly after. But on that day, Na Kyung-ae witnessed an unexpected scene.

"I had feelings for Choi Hyun-woo ever since I first saw him, but when I woke up, I saw him kissing Shin Yu-ri on the cheek, which made me feel strange. I felt regretful, upset, and even humiliated in many ways."

– From Na Kyung-ae's statement

It is natural to feel bad seeing the man you like with another woman. But humiliated? In fact, Na Kyung-ae had experienced something similar before. There was a man she had a crush on, but he also liked Shin Yu-ri. Shin Yu-ri reportedly had no interest in him whatsoever. She had only met him once because he contacted her so persistently. Perhaps Na Kyung-ae thought, 'Why does everyone like Shin Yu-ri even when she does nothing, while the man I like doesn't like me?'

The name of the man Na Kyung-ae had a crush on was Park Dong-su, the very person she first pointed out as a co-conspirator. In other words, Na Kyung-ae framed Park Dong-su and Choi Hyun-woo—the men she had crushed on—and Shin Yu-ri, the girl they both liked, with this horrific crime.

However, Na Kyung-ae's feelings at the time might not have been simple jealousy. Na Kyung-ae's friends described her like this:

"Should I say Kyung-ae was a bit eccentric? Once, she actually chewed and broke a glass cup with her mouth."

"Kyung-ae had a sort of complex. It got worse after she failed to get into college."

The university Shin Yu-ri was attending at the time was the very university Na Kyung-ae had failed to enter.

From the beginning of the investigation, the police believed Na Kyung-ae had an accomplice because Eun-ji's mother, who received the threatening call, stated that the kidnapper's voice was male. Could there have been a real, third accomplice? It is possible that Na Kyung-ae pointed out the three individuals to hide him. There is a saying that 'a perfect lie is made from the ingredients of truth.' Perhaps within Na Kyung-ae's statements, there lies a piece of truth she hid without realizing it.

To find that piece, let's go back to the interrogation room 30 years ago.

▲ The Truth Hidden in the Statements

First, this is the situation where Na Kyung-ae testified about the threatening phone call:

"She said, 'Hyun-woo oppa called that house and told them to bring the money. Then my aunt begged him, saying, "Just don't hurt the child."'"

– From Na Kyung-ae's statement

This statement claiming Choi Hyun-woo made the threatening call is, of course, a lie. However, experts say there is a word to pay close attention to here.

"What Na Kyung-ae is claiming here is describing what she heard about Choi Hyun-woo's previous call to Eun-ji's mother. The word that stands out in this statement is 'Aunt.' From Choi Hyun-woo's perspective, it would have been more natural to refer to the other party as 'the person on the phone,' 'the child's mother,' or 'the lady' as a third party. However, when Na Kyung-ae described it, she used the term 'Aunt,' which refers to her own relationship with the person on the phone. In other words, the person who actually spoke with the aunt is highly likely to be Na Kyung-ae..."

– Park Ji-sun, Criminal Psychologist

The word 'Aunt' was highly likely uttered unconsciously as Na Kyung-ae spoke from her own experience. In other words, Na Kyung-ae herself might have made the threatening call by mimicking a male voice.

Then, who killed Eun-ji, and why? This time, it is the situation where Na Kyung-ae talks about Eun-ji's condition inside the car:

"When I asked if Eun-ji was crying, she said Hyun-woo oppa told me she was fine because he tied her mouth with a towel and buckled her seatbelt."

– From Na Kyung-ae's statement

This statement is also Na Kyung-ae's lie. There is something unnatural about it.

"When looking at the description of the situation inside the car, a very prominent element appears: a 'towel.' We need to suspect this towel as the actual tool used in the crime. When someone is murdered by a person they have a close or familiar relationship with, they often use tools like clothes or towels to gag or strangle them. I believe there is a high possibility that a tool like the towel mentioned in this statement was used to suffocate the child."

– Park Ji-sun, Criminal Psychologist

Indeed, Eun-ji's cause of death was revealed to be suffocation. If Na Kyung-ae really committed the crime using a towel, the place where Eun-ji was killed would likely be somewhere a towel is always readily available.

"A towel is an item far more likely to be found inside a house than inside a car. Looking at the 'child crying situation' described here, I believe the process leading to the child's death was highly likely unintentional and highly impulsive."

– Park Ji-sun, Criminal Psychologist

Professor Park Ji-sun states that there is a high probability Eun-ji was killed at Na Kyung-ae's house. Just as Na claimed, it seems she initially took Eun-ji just to make some money. Afterward, she fed her snacks and let her watch TV at her house. However, something unplanned happened: Eun-ji started crying. A child crying hysterically is difficult to control, even for parents. In fact, many kidnappers end up killing the child shortly after the abduction because they cannot handle the crying. The expert estimates that Na Kyung-ae also killed Eun-ji impulsively during that process.

Furthermore, the body was found in Na Kyung-ae's room. If there had been an accomplice, wouldn't they have hidden the body somewhere other than her own house? In other words, this case is estimated to be a solo crime committed by Na Kyung-ae in her own home.

The most horrific truth remains. This is Na Kyung-ae's statement about discussing the disposal of the body:

"I asked Yuri the next day, 'What did you do with it?' She said it seemed Hyun-woo oppa drove around with it all night, not knowing what to do with that corpse, 'it.'"

– From Na Kyung-ae's statement

What was Na Kyung-ae's true feelings hidden behind the lie? What can we find here?

"The most surprising and shocking part of Na Kyung-ae's statement is that throughout her entire description of the kidnapping and murder process, there is absolutely no sense of sadness, regret, or any such emotion. Furthermore, the word Na Kyung-ae uses to describe the victim is 'it.' Her attitude of referring to the victim, who is her own relative, as an object like 'it' is incredibly shocking."

– Park Ji-sun, Criminal Psychologist

▲ Fish in a Trap

In the expert's view, Na Kyung-ae did not seem to feel any guilt or emotion toward the victim. However, all of this remains mere speculation. Because the investigation relied heavily on Na Kyung-ae's statements and torture, they missed the golden window to gather key evidence. Consequently, even now, 30 years later, the bereaved family still does not know why or how Eun-ji died. It remains forever a half-unsolved mystery.

Thanks to those who fought for the truth, the three co-defendants were cleared of their false accusations, but this case was never fully resolved. If the prosecution had chosen to reinvestigate instead of appealing after the first-instance ruling, or if the police had properly verified the suspects' alibis, or if Na Kyung-ae had simply told the truth, would the truth behind Eun-ji's death have been brought to light?

Reporter Kim says that when he thinks of this case, a "fish trap" used to catch fish comes to mind.

"You know what a fish trap is, right? If a fish enters the trap and swims back out, it survives. I believe the prosecution at the time was like a fish in that trap. They must have realized why the police's initial investigation was flawed and where things went wrong. They could have just walked away then. They could have held the person in charge of the investigation accountable and saved these innocent young people. The prosecution would have even received applause for that. Instead, they used their power to push forward, insisting on sticking to their original indictment."

- Kim Hyung-jin, Reporter who covered the case at the time

A fish in a trap. Perhaps this also applies to Na Gyeong-ae. If only she had sent the child back when she felt she could no longer handle Eun-ji, who was crying helplessly.

And this may apply to all of us as well. Everyone has, at least once, regretted a first button fastened incorrectly. Ultimately, what matters is the courage to correct our mistakes. Even if it means taking a detour or suffering a loss, having the courage to willingly admit a mistake and start over—perhaps that courage could become the new first button for a fresh start.

What are your thoughts today after hearing the story of 'that day'?

Reporter Kang Sun-ae sakang@sbs.co.kr

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

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The investment and distribution company for the upcoming film Vampir has addressed reports claiming that actor Yoo Ah-in has been confirmed for a role, stating that "nothing has been decided."

A representative from the distributor, NEW, stated on July 3, "Yoo Ah-in's casting has not been finalized."

Rumors regarding Yoo Ah-in's potential appearance in Vampir first emerged late last year. The film is highly anticipated as the next project from director Jang Jae-hyun, who achieved a massive success with the 10-million-viewer hit Exhuma.

Interest in Yoo's potential casting intensified recently after NEW confirmed its role in the investment and distribution of Vampir. Speculation grew as reports surfaced that Yoo's exclusive contract with his former agency, UAA, had expired and that he might be moving to Galaxy Corporation, with Vampir being mentioned as his potential next project.

Yoo Ah-in halted all professional activities in early 2023 following the discovery of his drug use case. He faced charges of using medical propofol 181 times between September 2020 and March 2022, and illegally obtaining and purchasing over 1,100 sleeping pills under other people's names on 44 occasions between May 2021 and August 2022. Additionally, he was charged with smoking marijuana in the United States on three occasions in January 2023 with an individual identified as Choi, and encouraging another person to smoke it. In July of last year, the Supreme Court finalized his sentence of one year in prison, suspended for two years, along with a fine of 2 million KRW.

While the investment distributor and the director remain cautious in their comments, it appears that a casting offer was indeed made and that details are currently being discussed. NEW concluded its statement by saying, "We will share news about the film as soon as related matters are settled."

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

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

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Actor Shin Ye Eun is posing at a photo wall event for a beauty outlet held in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of July 3.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Actor Shin Ye Eun poses for the cameras at a photo wall event for a beauty outlet store, held in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of July 3.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Actor Shin Ye Eun is posing at a photo wall event for a beauty outlet store held in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of July 3.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Actor Shin Ye Eun is attending a photo wall event for a beauty outlet store held in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of July 3.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Actor Shin Aela has shared her personal journey of raising her three children and her reflections on the role of a parent.

In a recent interview for the series Stories of Living for Christ (hereinafter referred to as Geusasae) with the international child development organization Compassion, Shin discussed her experiences in parenting, the true role of a parent, and the life values she has realized while working with Compassion.

Geusasae is an interview series by Compassion Korea that features the faith and sharing stories of various figures in our society. Previous guests who have shared their deep life stories and offered warm inspiration include Song Eun-i, Kim Beom-soo, the couple Park Wi and Song Ji-eun, and actors Yun Yu-Sun, Nam Bo-ra, and Baek Z Young.

In this interview, Shin identified parenting as the most difficult experience of her life. She confessed, "Becoming a parent was a much bigger change than marriage," adding, "Raising a child was not something that could be achieved just by me working hard at it."

She specifically mentioned that the greatest lesson she learned while raising her three children was "letting go of the desire to control everything within me." She shared, "I tried to control many things out of a parent's anxiety and impatience to prevent my children from failing or getting hurt. I realized that the true role of a parent is to silently wait so that the child can grow by experiencing failure and frustration on their own." She added, "A child's adolescence is a time when a parent's shortcomings are fully exposed. If a parent has done something wrong, they must be able to apologize sincerely. A parent's apology is never a loss of authority."

Shin, who has been a promotional ambassador for Compassion since 2005, said, "Through my activities with Compassion, I have come to understand little by little what God wants to accomplish through my life," and added, "I also realized that the heart to love and embrace children is a talent God gave me."

She specifically shared her connection with her sponsored child in the Philippines, Rica, recalling, "It was heartbreaking when Rica was going through a difficult time, but I knew that the child's future was in God's hands. I felt how important it is to be there through prayer and letters rather than excessive worry." She continued, "Compassion is a precious community that has gone beyond volunteer work to set the direction of my life. I want to continue playing my part for children in need in the future."

The interview also covered various stories, including her experience participating in a vision trip during the early days of her sponsorship with Compassion and the background of how her husband, actor Cha In-pyo, came to form the Compassion Band. Detailed information can be found on the official YouTube channel of Compassion Korea.

Meanwhile, Compassion is an international child development organization that connects children suffering from poverty in 29 countries around the world and provides holistic development (intellectual, socio-emotional, physical, and spiritual) until they become self-sufficient adults.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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