SBS Star

[Throwback] SEVENTEEN's DK Melts Carats' Hearts at Pangyo Event

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:08:00 +0900

DK of the group SEVENTEEN strikes a pose as he attends a photo call event for a fashion brand held at the Hyundai Department Store Pangyo branch in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of April 19.

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

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'First-Gen Internet Broadcaster' Kim Eve Resumes Activities Following Prison Sentence: "I Had a Hard Time for Various Reasons"

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:00:00 +0900

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First-generation internet broadcaster Kim Eve (real name Kim So-jin) has announced her return to activities via YouTube after a long hiatus.

On the 23rd, Kim Eve shared the news of her return through her social media, saying, "I have reopened my account, which had been set to private for 4 to 5 years. There are not many photos, but I am going to try again now."

She continued, "I was broadcasting on Panda TV for a few years and went through a difficult time due to various circumstances. I created a new account to try broadcasting on YouTube." Her first live broadcast is scheduled to take place at 10:30 PM on the 24th.

Born in 1983, Kim Eve gained immense popularity during the early days of AfreecaTV, establishing herself as a representative figure among first-generation female internet broadcasters. She is considered one of the representative internet broadcasters who led the heyday of internet broadcasting with her unique talk skills and communication abilities.

However, she became embroiled in controversies surrounding financial issues starting in 2021. Handed over to trial on charges of fraud related to debt, Kim Eve was sentenced to 10 months in prison in the first trial in 2022, and 8 months in prison in the appellate trial. Her prison sentence was finalized after her appeal was dismissed.

Sharing her recent status after about two years through the Panda TV bulletin board this February, Kim Eve stated, "I have been reflecting on my complacent past days while experiencing situations I never thought I would face, and I am preparing to return to broadcasting in early March." At the time, she expressed her determination to return by saying, "Thank you to those who waited. I will change my ID and start over."

Choosing YouTube as her new stage for activities this time, Kim Eve signaled a fresh start, saying, "I will meet viewers on YouTube from now on."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Ji Changwook and Kim Yoo-jung Transform Into Convenience Store Manager and Part-Time Worker for 'Backstreet Rookie'

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:44:00 +0900

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Actor Ji Changwook (left) and Kim Yoo-jung pose for photos during the online press conference for the new SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Backstreet Rookie" on the afternoon of June 19.

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

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BLACKPINK JENNIE Wrote, Directed, and Starred in Her New MV for 'Less than a Lover' with Kai

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:40:00 +0900

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BLACKPINK member JENNIE unveiled her new single "Less than a Lover," delivering a summer romance that feels like a coming-of-age film.

JENNIE simultaneously released the sound source and music video for her new single "Less than a Lover" worldwide at 1 p.m. on the 24th. Inspired by summer, the alternative pop track is built on lo-fi guitar and vintage electric keyboard sounds, capturing the fluttering excitement and bittersweet emotions of a relationship described as "a little less than that," somewhere between lovers and friends. JENNIE personally participated in writing the lyrics and composing the song.

The music video was filmed on location in Spain. Set against blue oceans, alleyways, and classic cars, JENNIE and model Kai display natural chemistry reminiscent of real lovers as they look at each other and smile, hold hands, and enjoy playing in the water together. A scene of them leaning in close right before a kiss intersects with the lyrics "I need a relationship that is not quite a lover," completing a cinematic, romantic atmosphere.

In particular, this music video draws attention for JENNIE's exceptionally high level of creative participation. The released credits show JENNIE listed as director, writer, and music producer, indicating her involvement as a core creator across the music, storyline, and video direction. A previously released teaser also featured the same credit lineup, introducing the project as a JENNIE-led endeavor.

Previously, JENNIE performed the song ahead of its release at overseas stages including Poland's Open'er Festival, introducing it by saying, "It's a song I wrote while thinking about summer."

Meanwhile, following the release of her new single, JENNIE plans to continue active promotions by taking the stage at global music festivals such as Lollapalooza Chicago in the United States and Summer Sonic 2026 in Japan.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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'Running Man' Kang Hoon Makes a 'Used Newcomer' Return for Fierce Gold Bar Battle with Kim Hye-jun & Cha Woo-min

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:25:00 +0900

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Actors Kang Hoon, Kim Hye-jun, and Cha Woo-min are heading to SBS "Running Man" to engage in a fierce bonus gold bar battle.

The upcoming July 26 broadcast of SBS "Running Man" will feature the "Goal: The Favorite Employee" race alongside three lead actors from the drama "Choeae's Employee" (tentative title).

On this day, Kang Hoon, who was previously the first rental member of "Running Man," showed off his seasoned wit right from his entrance by asking, "Why has the reporting time for 'Running Man' gotten so early?" Kim Hye-jun, making her return to the show after seven years, brought the set to laughter when Jee Seokjin welcomed her, by asking him back, "Do you remember my name?" Cha Woo-min, taking on variety shows for the first time, quickly adapted after an initial moment of nervousness, revealing an unexpected athletic background.

The cast members, transformed into trading company employees, will engage in a race where they must collect bonus gold bars given by the company president into their individual safes. When team leader Yu Jae-seok took control of the bonus gold bar distribution rights, the members launched into blatant flattery competitions, and Yu Jae-seok also drew laughter by exercising biased abuse of authority.

Once the rule that gold bars would determine victory and defeat was revealed, the set instantly descended into chaos. From secretly stealing opponents' gold bars to endless betrayals and deceptions for survival, a fierce corporate psychological warfare unfolded.

The final winner who will claim the gold bars and become the president's "favorite employee" will be revealed on "Running Man," airing this Sunday, July 26, at 6:00 PM.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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SBS Returns to Rural Variety After 16 Years with 'Jecheolri Family' Premiering on July 26

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:01:00 +0900

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SBS is launching a new rural-themed real variety show 16 years after "Family Outing".

Premiering on July 26, the SBS program "Jecheolri Family" is a regional symbiotic real variety show where five young adults from the city visit a rural village to share their talents and create a day together with the residents. Moving away from consuming rural areas as one-time experience destinations, it focuses on the process where urban talents and rural warmth meet to fulfill one another.

The cast lineup is also stellar. Announcer Kim Dae-ho, known as the "brainy leader", leads the "Jecheolri Youth Association" with his life skills and friendliness, while singer Song Gain, the "talented singer vice president", takes charge of the seniors' excitement. In addition, Chef Park Eun-young, the "good at cooking older sister", prepares a meal using local ingredients, OH MY GIRL's HYOJUNG, the "super-positive older sister", adds her unique energy, and the youngest member Jonathan brings delightful clumsy charm.

Furthermore, TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) member SOOBIN and CRAVITY member HYEONGJUN have been recruited as special supporters, completing a chemistry that spans across generations.

After finishing the first shoot, Song Gain expressed deep satisfaction, saying, "I would have regretted it if I hadn't come", while supporter HYEONGJUN also shared the exceptional teamwork on set, saying, "I would feel disappointed if another guest comes next time."

Delivering human touch and heartwarming laughter, SBS "Jecheolri Family" will air every Sunday at 11:00 AM starting July 26.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Nam Joohyuk Donates 100 Million Won to Pediatric Patients, Reaching 500 Million Won in Total Donations

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:27:00 +0900

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Actor Nam Joohyuk has donated 100 million KRW to Asan Medical Center in Seoul.

His agency, Fable Company, shared on the 24th that "Nam Joohyuk's donation will be used to improve various medical environments at the children's hospital and to support projects for pediatric patients."

Nam Joohyuk has consistently practiced sharing since 2018. His total donations delivered to Asan Medical Center reach 500 million KRW. In addition, he donated 30 million KRW in scholarships to his alma mater, Suil High School in Suwon, and has also contributed donations for neighbors affected by wildfires.

Nam Joohyuk is currently greeting viewers through the

Netflix

series "The East Palace". He recently confirmed the Disney+ series "Code" as his next project.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Rising Eagles Face Injury Crisis and Taunts Ahead of Pursuit for Third Consecutive Win on 'Rising Eagles 2'

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:04:00 +0900

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The Rising Eagles team of "Rising Eagles" Season 2 faces a relentless challenge to secure their third consecutive win despite a string of mounting injury setbacks.

In the upcoming 4th episode of SBS "Rising Eagles" Season 2, airing on July 26, the "Rising Eagles", buoyed by two consecutive wins in the national championship, clash with "Three Point", a 28-year-old powerhouse that has conquered Gangwon Province.

Their opponent, "Three Point", is a formidable team boasting powerful three-point shooting and fast breaks. Notably, "Three Point" Coach Lee Jun-beom, who has played basketball with "Rising Eagles" ace Moon Soo-in since childhood, thoroughly understands Moon Soo-in's playing style and heightened tension on set by delivering a provocative remark, saying, "Moon Soo-in is past his prime now."

On top of this, the "Rising Eagles" face a major crisis of severe roster depletion. With starting guard Oh Seung-hoon unable to play due to an injury sustained in the previous match, Jung Gyu-min and Son Tae-jin, who had been delivering irreplaceable performances, also suffered consecutive injuries during the game and left the court. Faced with the successive bad news, Coach Kim Tae-sul could not hide his distress, stating, "I am worried about how to overcome this crisis."

However, a spark of hope was ignited amidst the trials. Team captain MINHO of SHINee successfully scored his long-awaited first points of the season, turning the team atmosphere around. Cho Jin-se, the hidden card who had suffered a finger fracture, will finally make his court debut.

With the "Rising Eagles" facing the adversity of successive injuries, the results of whether they can unleash their fighting spirit to the end and complete their third consecutive win will be revealed in the 4th episode of "Rising Eagles" Season 2, airing on Sunday, July 26, at 11:05 PM.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Romance Reality Show 'Love Against Time' Featuring Youths Overcoming Illness Drops Posters

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:41:00 +0900

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SBS's new romance reality show "Love Against Time" has officially released two cinematic posters.

Premiering on August 3, SBS's new variety show "Love Against Time" is a romance reality program where 20- and 30-something youths who have experienced terminal diagnoses or stood at the threshold of death face life and love once again. It depicts the passionate romance records written by those who have deeply experienced the finiteness of life.

The two posters released on the 24th create a dreamy and emotional mood based on a refreshing sky-blue tone. The main poster prominently features a giant clock object that visualizes "time," the core concept of the program. Through the appearances of the cast members within the clock frame, it intuitively conveys the special nature of romance that blooms amidst the finiteness of time.

The sub-poster released alongside captures the backs of the cast members enjoying a date in a cinematic way. The main copy "Our Day That's Hotter than a Year" and the phrase "Love against time" harmonize in the poster, raising anticipation for the brilliant love stories of those living time with extraordinary meaning.

"Love Against Time" is directed by Producer Lee Eun-sol, who proved her original planning skills and sensuous directing regarding human fundamental emotions and relationships through "Fortune Tellers' Love". In addition, actor Lee Seyoung, singer Jung Yong-hwa, SEVENTEEN's DK, and YENA are set to join as hosts, adding deep empathy and synergy to the cast members' stories.

"Love Against Time" will premiere on Monday, August 3, at 10 PM.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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MEOVV's SOOIN Turns Incheon Airport Into Her Personal Runway As She Departs For Taipei

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:39:00 +0900

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SOOIN of the group MEOVV is departing through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 24th to attend the "ACON 2026" concert held in Taipei, Taiwan.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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QWER Heads to Taiwan for 'ACON 2026' Concert

baik@partner.sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:38:00 +0900

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Girl band QWER is departing through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of July 24 to attend the "ACON 2026" concert held in Taipei, Taiwan.

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

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QWER's Magenta, Stepping Out Like a Character From a Manhwa

baik@partner.sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:38:00 +0900

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Magenta of the group QWER is departing through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of July 24 to attend the "ACON 2026" concert held in Taipei, Taiwan.

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

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QWER's Chodan and Magenta Hold Hands Heading to Taipei for 'ACON 2026'

baik@partner.sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:36:00 +0900

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Group QWER members Chodan (left) and Magenta are departing through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of July 24 to attend the "ACON 2026" concert in Taipei, Taiwan.

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

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MEOVV Shines at Incheon Airport Heading to Taipei as a Complete Five-Member Group

baik@partner.sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:36:00 +0900

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Girl group MEOVV is departing through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of July 24 to attend the "ACON 2026" concert held in Taipei, Taiwan.

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

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QWER's Hina Serves Bright Smiles at Incheon Airport Ahead of Taipei Concert

baik@partner.sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:36:00 +0900

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Hina of the group QWER is departing through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 24th to attend the "ACON 2026" concert in Taipei, Taiwan.

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MEOVV's NARIN Stuns With Striking Wine-Colored Hair

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:40:00 +0900

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NARIN of the group MEOVV departs through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 24th to attend the "ACON 2026" concert in Taipei, Taiwan.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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MEOVV's ANNA Stuns at Incheon Airport En Route to Taipei

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:38:00 +0900

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ANNA of the group MEOVV is departing through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of July 24 to attend the "ACON 2026" concert in Taipei, Taiwan.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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MEOVV's ELLA is a 'Radiant Flower in the Midst of Summer'

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:39:00 +0900

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ELLA of the group MEOVV is departing through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 24th to attend the "ACON 2026" concert held in Taipei, Taiwan.

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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YENA Heads to Taiwan for 'ACON 2026' Concert

baik@partner.sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:34:00 +0900

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Singer YENA departs through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 24th to attend the "ACON 2026" concert held in Taipei, Taiwan.

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

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YENA Rocks Head-to-Toe Hip Style at Incheon Airport

baik@partner.sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:34:00 +0900

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Singer YENA is departing through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 24th to attend the "ACON 2026" concert held in Taipei, Taiwan.

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

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'Reply 1994' Min Do-hee Joins 'My Little Old Boy', Reveals Search for Part-Time Jobs During Extended Hiatus

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:12:00 +0900

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Actor Min Do-hee, a star of "Reply 1994", will reveal her candid daily life for the first time as she searches for part-time jobs to make a living amid an extended hiatus.

On the upcoming July 26 broadcast of SBS's "My Little Old Boy", the daily life of Min Do-hee, who was widely loved for her bold Jeolla dialect acting in the drama "Reply 1994", will unfold. In the studio, her mother, who looks just like her, will appear together to watch her daughter.

In this episode, Min Do-hee surprised the MCs with her realistic daily routine of searching job recruitment websites herself in her duplex officetel. As her hiatus after her last project stretched longer, she personally stepped up to make a living. Despite having 1 year and 3 months of experience working part-time at a cafe, the harsh reality of her job search added to the sympathy.

Later, actors Kim Sung-kyun (who played Samcheonpo) and Cha Sun-woo (who played Binggrae), who co-starred with her in "Reply 1994", visited Min Do-hee's home, bringing warmth to the scene. The cast members, who have maintained a close friendship even after the drama ended, shared behind-the-scenes stories, including their famous kiss scene from back then. In particular, curiosity was raised as the story of how fellow co-star Son Ho-jun shed tears upon hearing about Min Do-hee's recent situation was revealed.

Meanwhile, Min Do-hee took on the challenge of making "stone octopus samhap" using mustard kimchi and stone octopus sent from her hometown of Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, for her guests. While her hesitation-free prep work drew attention, her unexpected final visual brought a sea of laughter to the studio.

Actor Min Do-hee's honest daily life and the unchanging friendship of the "Reply 1994" team will be revealed on "My Little Old Boy", airing this Sunday, July 26, at 9:00 PM.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Famed Poster Designer Slams HYBE: "Is Destroying a Young Artist the Definition of Justice?"

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:43:00 +0900

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Park Si-young, a prominent poster designer known for acclaimed works such as "King and the Clown", "The Face Reader", and "Mother", has launched a scathing critique against HYBE, following his previous remarks calling NewJeans' 4th-anniversary commemorative content "tacky."

On the 24th, Designer Park posted a long message on his social media, writing, "Oh, now that it's been brought up, will this become an article too? I hope it does." He added, "I find the behavior of HYBE, a major corporation in the K-pop industry, disgusting."

He continued, criticizing, "If you took a period of these young friends' lives under the pretext of training, shouldn't you act like adults? If you're going to do business with kids and target kids, you at least need to act like an adult." He further intensified his criticism, stating, "Are you trying to discipline the entertainment industry through laws and money? Min Hee-jin and Bang Si-hyuk are none of my business, but what kind of realization of justice is it to target and crush a single child? There should be a limit. HYBE is disgusting."

Designer Park also shared his thoughts on malicious comments. When asked, "What do you think when you see malicious comments or malicious messages?", he wrote, "I reflect. Those people don't hesitate to express themselves and are even diligent, which makes me think that as a creator, I should live without hesitating to express and release things."

Previously on the 22nd, Designer Park also left remarks regarding the special film "2026 Summer of NewJeans" released by NewJeans for their 4th debut anniversary, calling it "tacky" and stating with the gist that "the sentiment isn't even from the 'Gayo Top Ten' era, and un-talented people just hitched a ride and scooped everything up." He also pointed out the content released as a four-member lineup, saying, "What is this four-member NewJeans? The 'Attack' has been dropped from 'Attack on Titan'."

Although Designer Park did not directly mention names, industry insiders interpret his posts over two consecutive days as remarks mindful of the current situation of DANIELLE, who is currently undergoing an exclusive contract dispute with ADOR. DANIELLE is the only NewJeans member to have received a notice of exclusive contract termination from ADOR and has been excluded from group activities, currently engaged in legal battles.

ADOR filed a lawsuit for damages amounting to approximately 33.1 billion won against DANIELLE, her family, and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, claiming that DANIELLE unilaterally terminated her exclusive contract and suspended activities, causing losses to the company.

ADOR has been heavily raising the issue of a double contract, stating that while other NewJeans members recognized that the contract was problematic and cooperated with the resolution process, DANIELLE and her family did not even notify them of the contract signing.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Yoo Seung-ho Transforms Into 'Devil Chaebol' with Chilling Smile in 'Flex X Cop 2' Teaser

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:22:00 +0900

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"Flex X Cop 2" has heightened anticipation by releasing its third teaser, featuring more intense cases and a much more chilling suspense.

Premiering on August 7, SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama "Flex X Cop 2" (written by Kim Ba-da, directed by Kim Jae-hong) is a delightful, refreshing, and satisfying cooperative investigation drama. In the series, Jin Yi-su (Ahn Bo-hyun), a chaebol detective who uses his wealth to turn the tables when investigations stall, teams up with new team leader Joo Hye-ra (Jung Eun-chae) to flash their cash. The show is drawing attention as a key pillar of the SBS refreshing universe, following hits like "Taxi Driver", "The Fiery Priest", and "The Judge from Hell", and as a highly anticipated work that will cheerfully kick off SBS's reliable seasonal drama lineup for 2026.

On July 24, the production team of "Flex X Cop 2" dropped the third teaser video, capturing more sophisticated crimes and the mysterious moves of new character Yoo Sung-won (Yoo Seung-ho).

This teaser creates an intense tension that contrasts with the previous cheerful atmosphere. In particular, the chilling demeanor of Yoo Sung-won, who is newly appearing this season, grabs attention. The sight of Yoo Sung-won wearing a blank smile with bloodstains, along with the fleeting line "The worst thing I've ever done? It's a secret", maximizes curiosity about what kind of conflict he will form with the investigation team led by Yi-su.

Following this, Jin Yi-su sharply rebukes the criminals by saying, "I sent you to prison to become human, but you came back as trash," while new team leader Joo Hye-ra radiates cold charisma, exuding veteran detective vibes.

Amid increasingly bizarre murder cases, such as a mummy found inside a carrier, and the madness of more ferocious villains, Yi-su and Hye-ra face consecutive crises. However, the scene where they overturn the tables by mobilizing all their wealth and investigative power while declaring, "The perfect crime? There's no such thing" promises a satisfying thrill for viewers.

Returning with a larger scale and heightened suspense, "Flex X Cop 2" will premiere on Friday, August 7, at 9:50 PM following "Agent Kim Reactivated".

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Woman in 30s Indicted for Defacing Gangnam Station with Graffiti Targeting BoA

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:59:00 +0900

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A woman in her 30s who repeatedly left graffiti insulting singer BoA (real name Kwon Bo-ah) around the Gangnam Station area has been sent to trial.

According to the Kyunghyang Shinmun on the 24th, Criminal Division 7 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (led by Senior Prosecutor Cho Yoon-chul) indicted a woman in her 30s, surnamed Cho (38), without detention on charges of insult and property damage on the 20th.

Cho is accused of publicly insulting BoA and impairing the utility of public facilities by leaving sexually disparaging graffiti about the singer using a permanent marker a total of eight times on bus stop signs and electronic billboards in the Gangnam-gu and Gangdong-gu areas of Seoul in June of last year.

The Seoul Gangnam Police Station received a complaint from BoA in June of last year, investigated the case, and forwarded it to the prosecution in July. Cho is reportedly known to have a history of being sentenced to fines multiple times on charges including property damage for repeatedly leaving insulting graffiti targeting other celebrities in addition to BoA.

The graffiti targeting BoA last year was discovered consecutively around the Gangnam Station area, sparking public anger among fans.

Fans shared locations where the graffiti was found through online communities, reported them to the police, the local district office, and SM Entertainment, and some fans even visited the sites personally to take part in voluntary cleanup activities, wiping away the graffiti with wet wipes and other materials.

One fan shared at the time, "I was so worried that the artist would see this graffiti and get hurt. I couldn't just leave it there, so I wiped it off myself and also reported it to the police."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Ahn Jae-hyun Swamped by Wave of Heartwarming Real-Life Encounters

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:33:00 +0900

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A heartwarming wave of praise and personal anecdotes about actor Ahn Jae-hyun is spreading across online communities, drawing widespread attention.

Following one person sharing a photo taken with Ahn Jae-hyun about 10 years ago and recalling him as a celebrity they always want to cheer for, the comments section has been flooded with similar personal encounters and secondhand stories from people who met him in person.

Recently, a Threads user wrote, "After posting a golf course sighting of Lim Ji-yeon and Lee Do-hyun a few days ago, I was scared to see it spread like crazy across media outlets and blogs. Suddenly, a celebrity I wanted to praise came to mind. It was Ahn Jae-hyun, whom I saw at my cousin's wedding about 10 years ago."

The writer recalled, "At the time, Ahn Jae-hyun was at the height of his popularity, but because he has been childhood friends with my cousin, he came all the way to Busan for the wedding. Even when wedding guests asked for photos, he never once showed any annoyance and smiled while taking pictures with everyone until the end. Seeing his attitude that day made me realize he is a good person." They added, "He went through some personal matters, but seeing him on TV these days makes me glad. He is a celebrity I always want to support."

As the post spread, more heartwarming stories about Ahn Jae-hyun followed in the comments.

One wrote, "I have heard so many times that Ahn Jae-hyun has great character and a good heart. He is a celebrity I really hope succeeds," while another recalled, "I met him as a customer at a store, and rather than just being handsome, he was a humble and upright person. Even when I asked him for an autograph on the credit card receipt, he did it with sincere care."

Another person who has known Ahn Jae-hyun since his modeling days shared, "Whenever he came down to Busan before his broadcast debut, we would often keep in touch, and he was really kind back then too. He wasn't as famous as he is now, but his visuals were striking enough that people would turn around just to look at him as he passed by."

Encounters from filming locations also surfaced. One said, "A drama was being filmed in my neighborhood, and all the older women were going crazy over how amazing he looked in real life," while another wrote, "When he came to our neighborhood for a YouTube shoot, he took photos with fans and chatted with them, but that side of him never made it into the news articles."

In addition, supportive and praising comments continued, such as "I ran into him abroad by chance and he was so polite and friendly," "He is easily one of the kindest celebrities I have ever met," "There must be a reason why there are so many good stories about him," "I often heard from acquaintances that he is always consistent," and "An acquaintance of mine lives in the same apartment complex and said he is extremely affectionate toward children."

As these good deeds spread, Ahn Jae-hyun's side showed a modest reaction. A representative from Ahn Jae-hyun's agency told SBS Entertainment News, "Upon hearing that posts like this had been uploaded, he himself was quite flustered. He doesn't remember every detail because it happened a long time ago, but he mentioned that he has always considered it natural to take photos when asked at places like wedding venues, and finding it introduced as heartwarming stories makes him feel rather embarrassed and shy."

Ahn Jae-hyun has been actively continuing his career by recently appearing on MBC's variety show "I Live Alone" and other programs.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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ADOR, Label Behind NewJeans, Announces First-Ever Domestic Boy Group Audition

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:09:00 +0900

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ADOR is holding its first-ever solo domestic boy group audition to discover the next generation of male idols.

On July 24, ADOR announced through its official social media the upcoming "ADOR BOYS AUDITION in KOREA".

The auditions will take place across 7 cities nationwide, starting in Seoul on August 1, followed by Gwangju on August 2, Jeju on August 12, Daejeon on August 14, Wonju on August 16, Daegu on August 29, and Busan on August 30. This marks the first time that ADOR, which has previously held global auditions, is hosting an exclusive audition targeting South Korea only.

Applicants must be males born in 2007 or later, and they can freely showcase their talents across various fields without restriction, including singing, dancing, rap, and acting. All applicants who complete the online pre-registration will be given the opportunity to participate in an in-person audition directly meeting the judges.

ADOR stated, "We ask for a lot of interest from students during the vacation period, and anyone who wants to show off their strengths and talents is welcome to knock on the door of the audition without hesitation."

Meanwhile, ADOR is the label that produced NewJeans, and under its recent new management system, it is accelerating its next-generation boy group project and stepping up to discover new talent.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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'The King's Warden' Cleared of Plagiarism Allegations as Court Dismisses Injunction

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:08:00 +0900

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The plagiarism allegations surrounding the film "The King's Warden" have been settled following a court decision.

On the 23rd, the 21st Civil Division of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Shin Myung-hee) dismissed the application for a film screening injunction filed against co-production companies OndaWorks and BA Entertainment, as well as distributor Showbox, by the bereaved family of the scenario writer for the drama "Eom Heung-do".

The court found it difficult to locate similarities between the scenario submitted by the bereaved family and the film "The King's Warden". It also determined that there are essential differences in their creative expression methods.

The court stated, "While some similarities can be found in the materials and settings between the bereaved family's scenario and 'The King's Warden,' the overall plot and main themes are completely different," adding, "It is difficult to recognize similarities in the unique and inherent characteristics of the bereaved family's scenario."

It also explained the difference that while the bereaved family's scenario centers on the emotional theme of "confucian loyal narrative," "The King's Warden" focuses on the interaction, change, and growth of Danjong, Eom Heung-do, and the villagers.

Furthermore, the court mentioned that there was no data to prove the possibility that director Jang Hang-jun, who revised the scenario for "The King's Warden," had access to the bereaved family's scenario.

Previously, "The King's Warden" became embroiled in allegations of plagiarizing the script of the drama "Eom Heung-do," which aired in the 2000s. The bereaved family of the drama 'Eom Heung-do' writer claimed that the film plagiarized the drama scenario and requested to halt its screening and OTT (video streaming service) availability. With this court ruling, the production company of "The King's Warden" is able to screen the film on airplanes or ships, provide it through OTT and DVDs, and export it overseas.

Released in February, "The King's Warden" recorded approximately 16.88 million cumulative viewers, ranking second of all time behind "The Admiral: Roaring Currents," which was released in 2014 with 17.61 million viewers.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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So Jisub and Joo Sang Wook Face Off with Guns Drawn Ahead of 'Agent Kim Reactivated' Finale

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:17:00 +0900

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With only two episodes left until its conclusion, "Agent Kim Reactivated" is set for a final showdown as So Jisub and Joo Sang Wook point their guns at each other.

In episode 9 of the SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Agent Kim Reactivated" (written by Nam Dae-jung, directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun), airing on the 24th, Agent Kim (played by So Jisub) and Joo Kang-chan (played by Joo Sang Wook) meet again in a secluded forest to fight a life-or-death battle to end their bitter ties.

Episode 8 recorded 23.6% in the Seoul metropolitan area and a peak of 26.2% according to Nielsen Korea, breaking its own record for the highest viewership ratings among miniseries broadcast in 2026. At the end of episode 8, Agent Kim became entangled in a massive conspiracy and was surrounded by guns, while Joo Kang-chan pushed forward with revenge that crossed the line, signaling an unpredictable catastrophe.

In stills released ahead of the broadcast, the two maintain a hair-trigger standoff. Agent Kim, with clear scars on his face, reveals his determination with an unwavering gaze, while Joo Kang-chan exerts pressure with a cold smile and a provocative line saying, "It seems our parent-teacher consultation isn't finished yet." The chilling gazes of the two aiming guns at each other create breathtaking tension.

On set, So Jisub completed the character's anger and determination with just restrained expressions and a steady gaze. Joo Sang Wook also matched him with a chilling charisma that did not lose composure even in front of a gun, creating palpable tension. The two actors reportedly left the set holding their breath by showing flawless chemistry in the scene where they exchanged lines and glances while pointing guns at each other.

The production team shared, "In this 9th episode, the ultimate showdown between Agent Kim and Joo Kang-chan will push the drama's tension to its peak," and asked viewers, "Please stay with us until the end to see what results the fateful moment they face will bring."

Episode 9 of "Agent Kim Reactivated" will air on Friday the 24th at 9:50 p.m.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Kim Soo-hyun Fans from 114 Countries Donate 3,800 Garments for 19th Debut Anniversary

newsservice@sbs.co.kr(SBS Star) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 10:57:00 +0900

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Domestic and international fans of actor Kim Soo-hyun have made a clothing donation for vulnerable children to celebrate the 19th anniversary of his debut.

Child welfare specialized organization ChildFund Korea announced on the 24th that the BENCH X Actor Kim Soo-hyun Korea & Global Fan Coalition donated clothing for vulnerable children in South Korea in honor of Kim Soo-hyun's 19th debut anniversary.

The BENCH X Actor Kim Soo-hyun Korea & Global Fan Coalition is a combined body formed together by the Daum fan cafe Eucaris and the DC Kim Soo-hyun Gallery.

Fans from 114 countries worldwide participated in this donation, adding meaning to the sharing under the message, "True in Every Moment, May It Reach the World with a Warm Glow."

This donation was carried out under the name of the BENCH X Actor Kim Soo-hyun Korea & Global Fan Coalition. A total of 3,800 items of clothing, consisting of 1,900 children's t-shirts and 1,900 hats, were prepared in accordance with the number symbolizing the 19th debut anniversary. The fan coalition prepared 1,000 sets, and Philippine clothing brand BENCH joined in the cause by adding 900 more sets, completing a total of 1,900 sets.

ChildFund Korea plans to use the received clothing to support vulnerable children in South Korea so they can wear seasonally appropriate clothes in a timely manner.

A representative for the BENCH X Actor Kim Soo-hyun Korea & Global Fan Coalition stated, "It is meaningful to be able to provide practical help to children by gathering our hearts to celebrate the 19th debut anniversary. We hope this becomes a small addition to helping children grow up warmly and healthily."

A representative from ChildFund Korea stated, "We thank the fans for practicing warm sharing on such a meaningful day as actor Kim Soo-hyun's 19th debut anniversary. We will continue our support so that children can grow up happily."

Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyun recently resumed official activities after about 1 year and 4 months by conducting an advertisement photoshoot for the Philippine clothing brand BENCH.

This marks his first official schedule carried out since suspending activities in March of last year due to various suspicions raised by Hover Lab, drawing attention to whether he will expand his domestic and overseas activities in the future.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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