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Yu Jae-seok brought up his cherished close brother, Lee Kwang-soo.

On the October 20 broadcast of SBS's "Whenever Possible", actors Chae Soo-bin and Shin Seungho appeared as "Gap Friends."

On this day's broadcast, Yu Jae-seok opened the show by repeatedly apologizing for having canceled a previous filming. His apologies went to the Gap Friends and Yoo Yeonseok, and extended to the production staff as well as the Gap Masters.

However, regardless of those apologetic feelings, the Gap Mission ended in failure, leaving behind regret.

After heading to a restaurant recommended by a Gap Master, the four enjoyed a meal together. Yu Jae-seok asked Chae Soo-bin what she does when she has free time.

To this, Chae Soo-bin said, "I spend time seeing my niece or nephew," adding, "I think I see them about two or three times a week. Singing and dancing, they are so adorable. And I had no idea I would adore them this much."

On their way to meet the next Gap Friend, Yu Jae-seok showed off his "Old Kk-kk" aesthetic. He drew laughter by saying, "Just give it five years, and the Young Kk-kks will be the exact same."

Yu Jae-seok continued, "At some point, becoming a middle-aged man actually feels great." Shin Seungho then asked in what ways it was good. Yu Jae-seok replied, "It's nice. What's there to dislike? It's comfortable and good."

Hearing this, Shin Seungho said, "I'm curious about my 40s, too." Yu Jae-seok said, "Don't be afraid," drawing laughter by looking forward to the Young Kk-kks entering their Old Kk-kk era.

Following the meal, the four sat down for tea time. Yu Jae-seok suddenly brought up an update about his cherished close brother, sparking laughter by asking, "These days, even getting a single meal costs over 10,000 won or 12,000 won. But Kwang-soo charges 5,000 won for Bubble? Does that make any sense?"

Shin Seungho chimed in, "I use Bubble too. I logged in to communicate with my fans, but notifications for Kwang-soo hyung kept popping up. Even when I check 'Do not show again,' they keep appearing," catching attention by confessing his frustration with constantly and unintentionally running into Lee Kwang-soo's updates.

On this day, the four also failed their second Gap Mission, expressing their disappointment. The four even avoided eye contact with the Gap Master, denying reality.

Meanwhile, toward the end of the broadcast, a preview showed actors Seo Hyun-jin and Lee Chun-hee appearing as the next Gap Friends, raising anticipation for the upcoming episode.

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

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Kang Shin-il's wife, Oh Su-mi, shared her first impressions of her husband.

On the October 20 broadcast of SBS's "You're my destiny" (hereafter "You're my destiny"), actor Kang Shin-il drew attention as he appeared alongside his beautiful wife, Oh Su-mi.

On the broadcast, Kang Shin-il's wife Oh Su-mi recalled that time, saying, "Our first meeting was not fun. With his bushy beard and bobbed hair, I thought he was really not my type. From head to toe, there was not a single thing I liked."

In response, Kang Shin-il spoke candidly about their first meeting: "I felt it was such great happiness just facing someone so pretty. From our first meeting, I thought to myself that it would be wonderful to live with that person."

Oh Su-mi remembered that time, saying, "I felt he would be hurt if he was rejected by me. I worried that if he got dumped by me, he wouldn't be able to muster up the courage when meeting someone next time, so I decided to get dumped myself." She added, "For three hours, I deliberately acted foolish, wondering how I could make him dislike me. Even then, he was a man of few words, and I thought, 'He's not my type, and I will never see him again.'"

However, Oh Su-mi's strategy ended up having the opposite effect and came across as charming. In response, Kang Shin-il drew attention by saying, "I felt that she had what I didn't. After that, I held on to her endlessly, and eventually we even got married."

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

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Kang Shin-il revealed why he decided to appear on the show.

On the October 20 broadcast of SBS's "You're my destiny" (hereinafter referred to as "You're my destiny"), Kang Shin-il, often called "an actor of actors", joined the program with his wife as a new "destiny couple."

During the episode, Seo Jang-hoon expressed a sense of closeness upon Kang Shin-il's entrance, saying, "His voice and class are on another level," noting how Kang is a fixture in detective projects who frequently appears as a mentor or senior detective across various works.

Kang Shin-il responded candidly, "This is my first time on a variety show. I'm not good with words, so at first, I said I couldn't do it."

He continued, "However, my wife said people around her scolded her a lot, saying, 'Why wouldn't you coax your husband and go on such a great show together?'" adding, "I came on the show thanks to my wife."

However, his daughter drew attention as she was revealed to have worried about the couple appearing on a variety show. Kang Shin-il shared, "My daughter asked, 'Since when were Mom and Dad close?' When I heard that, I thought, 'What does that mean? My wife and I have been close and getting along well from the very beginning,'" sharing the real-life contrast in perspectives between father and daughter and sparking curiosity about what the truth really is.

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

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Shin Seungho revealed an important schedule he had lined up before departing for an overseas trip.

On the October 20 broadcast of SBS' "Whenever Possible", actors Chae Soo-bin and Shin Seungho appeared as "gap friends."

During the episode, the guests and Yoo Yeonseok honestly shared that they initially thought Yu Jae-seok's past request to cancel filming was a hidden camera prank.

Yoo Yeonseok explained that he almost misunderstood because Yu Jae-seok did not lose his sense of humor even at that moment, saying, "His voice was completely raspy and metallic, but even while he was that sick, he called me 'Yeon-sik-ah.'"

In response, Yu Jae-seok said, "I'm sorry for unintentionally causing concern, and thank you." Yoo Yeonseok then checked Shin Seungho's overseas departure schedule.

When Shin Seungho mentioned that he would be flying to Morocco after filming, Yu Jae-seok felt apologetic and joked, "King Kong has great momentum these days. Kwang-soo's on Bubble, too."

Lee Kwang-soo, who belongs to the same agency as the three of them, had recently been generating buzz every day with his unique interactions on a fan communication platform. Yu Jae-seok also teased Yoo Yeonseok, who had cut his hair short for a new project, asking, "Are you playing an Air Force officer?" which drew laughter.

He then asked Shin Seungho what time his flight was. Hearing that his flight was at 11 p.m., Yu Jae-seok was relieved, saying, "There's still plenty of time left. I thought you were leaving right after we wrapped up."

To this, Shin Seungho revealed his important schedule, saying, "I do have something scheduled in between," and added, "I decided to go get a perm," drawing bursts of laughter.

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

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Yu Jae-seok apologized.

On the October 20 broadcast of SBS's "Whenever Possible," actors Chae Soo-bin and Shin Seungho appeared as "gap friends."

On this day's broadcast, Yu Jae-seok began by apologizing to the "gap friends" who appeared alongside Yoo Yeonseok.

He repeatedly apologized to the "gap friends," saying, "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," and also offered an apology to Yoo Yeonseok, asking, "Yeon-sik, what happened to your hair? Did you cut it because of me?"

In response, Yoo Yeonseok joked, "I was so shocked back then. Hearing that my hyung was sick."

Previously, Yu Jae-seok had canceled a shoot due to poor health on the day of filming. Following this, numerous articles were published with headlines highlighting a filming cancellation for the first time in 36 years, raising concern among many people.

To those affected by the cancellation who had arrived at the filming site that day only to turn back, Yu Jae-seok apologized continuously, saying, "I am so sorry, and although we will also meet the clients today, I am so truly sorry."

He then recalled that time, saying, "I was indeed sick, but the articles made it sound like I had collapsed for the first time in 36 years, so people thought I had come down with some serious illness. In reality, it was a cold. My throat was so swollen, and I thought, what if it was COVID-19? So out of concern, I canceled the shoot, but after going to the hospital, the swelling went down right away. So I immediately called to ask if we could possibly tape even now, but everyone had already parted ways."

He then did not forget to express his gratitude to everyone who worried about him, signaling a full-fledged apology broadcast.

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

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Singer LEE HYORI revealed activity plans for the group Fin. K.L, who are reuniting after 21 years.

On October 20, LEE HYORI appeared as "Intermittent Hyori" on MBC Radio's "A Perfect Day with Lee Sang-soon," hosted by her husband Lee Sang-soon. When Lee Sang-soon mentioned he heard Fin. K.L had been busy gathering recently, LEE HYORI shared her recent updates, saying, "We're working hard practicing something. Doing yoga classes every day while practicing alongside it leaves me no time to rest."

Regarding Fin. K.L's reunion, LEE HYORI expressed, "We had spent time living apart, and we each did a lot of individual music activities. Lee Jin lived in the United States and hasn't been active in the entertainment industry, Sung Yu-ri was raising children, and it has been a long time for me singing and dancing as well." However, she added, "Yet once the four of us gathered, we immediately went right back to being 20 years old. Having gotten married, practiced yoga, and done volunteer work, I thought I had become a mature person, but meeting my old friends proved otherwise. It feels right on the verge of exploding what had been bottled up like a dormant volcano."

Regarding future plans, LEE HYORI said, "I hope we can release new songs and hold concerts. I also want to appear on fun variety shows. My dreams are grand. Out of pride, I still haven't gotten reading glasses. I'm worried I won't be able to see the prompter during the concert."

Fin. K.L's activities are being planned and prepared with god member Kim Tae-woo's agency. LEE HYORI said, "Because we took a long break and the four members' personalities are all different, we are having continuous meetings about where and how to go. We need to satisfy the needs of those who waited for Fin. K.L in the past, and we can't just recycle old things too much, which makes it even harder. But it's not a huge burden; it's fun. I thought I was sick and tired of this kind of thing, but it turns out I'm really enjoying it."

She also shared the other members' reactions. LEE HYORI said, "They tell me to stop acting up so much, saying, 'Unnie, you're going to overload yourself.' I feel like I might burn out quickly at this rate, but my desire to do my best and do well is so big that I'm working hard." To this, Lee Sang-soon also expressed concern, saying, "Because my health wasn't good either, it would be a big problem if Ms. LEE HYORI also collapsed in our house."

Previously, agency Gemstone E&M officially announced that they are preparing for Fin. K.L's full-group activities after approximately 21 years alongside the four members: LEE HYORI, Ock Joo-hyun, Lee Jin, and Sung Yu-ri. This marks Fin. K.L's first official group activities in about 21 years since their 2005 digital single "Forever Fin. K.L."

The agency stated that over roughly two years, centered on music and performances, they plan to meet fans through stages leading up to their 30th debut anniversary, rolling out documentaries, variety shows, exhibitions, official merchandise, brand collaborations, commercials, and fan projects.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the "SBS Gayo Daejeon" has unveiled an even more dazzling concept poster, heralding its largest-ever Christmas music festival.

Unveiled on October 20, the concept poster for the "2026 SBS Gayo Daejeon" was designed with a "diamond" motif, representing enduring value to capture the significance of its 30-year journey. It heightens anticipation by visualizing the brilliant 30-year history of the "SBS Gayo Daejeon," built together with fans since taking its first steps in 1996, as a radiant gemstone.

Marking the meaningful milestone of its 30th anniversary, the "2026 SBS Gayo Daejeon" will take place over two days on Thursday, December 24, and Friday, December 25, at KINTEX in Ilsan. As it is held across Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for the first time in history, diverse and highly immersive stages on the largest scale ever are being prepared.

At this festival, veteran artists spanning K-pop history and top-tier artists currently leading the global market will gather in full force to deliver timeless, special collaboration stages that can only be seen at the "SBS Gayo Daejeon."

The production team stated, "To repay the unwavering love shown to 'SBS Gayo Daejeon' over the past 30 years, we are preparing stages that are brighter and more diverse than ever before," adding, "The first artist lineup, which fans are eagerly awaiting, will be revealed soon, so please give it a lot of interest and anticipation." 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Broadcaster Yu Jae-seok touched host Kim Young-chul with a warm congratulatory message celebrating the 10th anniversary of SBS Power FM's "Kim Young-chul's Power FM."

On the October 19 broadcast of SBS Power FM's "Kim Young-chul's Power FM", a surprise congratulatory voice message specially prepared by "Nation's MC" Yu Jae-seok was revealed for Kim Young-chul, who marks the show's 10th broadcast anniversary on Saturday, October 24.

On this day, Yu Jae-seok shared his heartfelt support, saying, "I sincerely congratulate 'Kim Young-chul's Power FM' on its 10th anniversary. Seven in the morning every day is truly not an easy time, and the fact that you have consistently held that spot for 10 years is an example showing our Young-chul's diligence."

Yu Jae-seok continued, "Having watched Young-chul for a long time, the person I know is a friend who is always full of energy, constantly studying, and truly never slacking on self-improvement. It seems he is pleasantly opening up the day for many people every morning with that good energy of his."

He also added that he heard news that "Kim Young-chul's Power FM" has maintained the No. 1 spot in the morning time slot for 10 years, expressing admiration by saying, "This is truly amazing." Furthermore, he said, "I hope you remain a beloved host for a long time, going beyond the 10th anniversary to 20 and 30 years," while also asking the listeners, nicknamed "Chulgaru," for their continued love.

Moved to tears by Yu Jae-seok's unexpected voice message, Kim Young-chul described it as "a message beyond comfort." Calming his emotions, Kim Young-chul remarked, "I almost cried. I need to wipe away my tears. Reaching 10 years brings all sorts of surprises," and also recalled the conversation they shared during his appearance on tvN's "You Quiz on the Block" in January.

Afterward, Kim Young-chul demonstrated his professionalism as a veteran 10-year host by delightfully shifting the emotional atmosphere, including delivering his signature vocal imitation of Yu Jae-seok.

[Photo = SBS "Kim Young-chul's Power FM," tvN "You Quiz on the Block"] 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Actor Kang Ki-young and Kim Ji-woong of the group ZEROBASEONE have been cast as the leads in the film "Siren".

"Siren" is a buddy cop investigative drama about a feud-turned-partnership between a third-generation chaebol police university trainee who commutes in a supercar and a livelihood-driven ace detective who commutes by bicycle—a senior officer determined to kick him out and a trainee with absolutely no intention of leaving. Helmed by Director Oh Ki-hwan, who directed the film "The Art of Seduction" and the ENA drama "The Defects", the film tells the story of two completely different people confronting each other's worlds through a single case.

Kang Ki-young takes on the role of Si-woo, a livelihood-driven ace detective at Gangnam Police Station. A special-hire recruit who only had his sights set on a special promotion, Si-woo finds himself facing disciplinary action after an arrest operation goes awry when Do-yoon, a third-generation chaebol police university student, barges onto the crime scene. Having resolved never to cross paths again, the two reunite the very next day at Gangnam Police Station as mentor and trainee, and Si-woo receives an offer to make Do-yoon give up on becoming a police officer.

Kim Ji-woong plays Do-yoon, the youngest son of the Kangsung Group and a police university student dreaming of becoming a police officer. Do-yoon is someone who decided to become a cop following a past incident and is so passionate about the job that he mobilizes money and personal connections to get things done when obstacles arise. With Do-yoon having no intention of quitting on his own and Si-woo trying everything to drive him away, the two clash over every little thing, but ultimately become partners and embark on an unpredictable investigation together.

Having wrapped up all filming, "Siren" is currently stepping up post-production with the goal of releasing in 2027. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Actor Jin Sun-kyu will appear as a guest on SBS's "Maestro Jang" to share the touching behind-the-scenes story of his wife Park Bo-kyoung's award win and an unexpectedly embarrassing moment from her audition days.

In Episode 2 of the SBS cinematic talk variety show "Maestro Jang," airing on Thursday, October 22 at 9:00 PM, actor Jin Sun-kyu will appear and trade witty banter with director Jang Hang-jun.

On this day, Jin Sun-kyu recalls the moment he burst into tears when his wife Park Bo-kyoung was confirmed as a winner at the 5th Blue Dragon Awards. Jin Sun-kyu touches hearts by sharing, "Seeing the person I love win an award made me 1,000 times happier than when I won one myself," adding, "Moments from the past flashed before my eyes, like when my wife was pregnant and told me, 'You keep acting for a while, I will be the mom.'"

Jin Sun-kyu then reveals an unexpected blunder from his past as he mentions his wife Park Bo-kyoung's first audition returning from her childcare hiatus. Jin Sun-kyu shares with embarrassment, "I preemptively offered comfort to my wife by saying, 'I failed auditions more than 200 times too,' but she actually passed the audition on her very first try."

Hearing this, Jang Hang-jun reportedly chided him by saying, "Park Bo-kyoung, who passed on the first try despite a career break, is more amazing than Jin Sun-kyu, who only kept acting," filling the studio with laughter.

In addition, the broadcast will capture delightful moments of Jin Sun-kyu quickly reflecting on how he used to act smug in front of his wife as an award-show senior, even resorting to self-punishment.

"Maestro Jang," featuring the battle of wits between actor Jin Sun-kyu and director Jang Hang-jun, will air on Thursday, October 22 at 9:00 PM. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Director Jang Jin, TV personality Park Ji-yoon, comedian Jang Dong-min, actor Kim Jihun, and IVE's AN YUJIN are reuniting for the "Crime Scene" series.

On October 20, Netflix officially confirmed the production of the variety show "Crime Scene Zero Season 2" and announced the casting of the five "deduction veteran" players: Jang Jin, Park Ji-yoon, Jang Dong-min, Kim Jihun, and AN YUJIN.

"Crime Scene Zero" is a role-playing mystery game variety show where players take on the roles of suspects and detectives to uncover the culprit hidden among them. "Crime Scene Zero Season 1," which debuted last season in partnership with Netflix, earned favorable reviews from viewers for capturing the core thrill of the original mystery format.

For "Crime Scene Zero Season 2," the five seasoned stars will join forces once again: Director Jang Jin, who has anchored the identity of the series; "deduction queen" Park Ji-yoon, who boasts a perfect attendance record across every season; Jang Dong-min, renowned for his razor-sharp observational instincts and comedic flair; Kim Jihun, a master of unexpected psychological mind games; and AN YUJIN, returning with even sharper reasoning skills. On top of that, an unimaginable lineup of special guests will join each episode to maximize the role-playing entertainment.

Producer Yoon Hyun-joon, who helms the production, stated, "Whatever anyone might say, I believe these five are the ones who best understand and can bring the universe of 'Crime Scene' to life. I am thrilled that we can all work together again, and please look forward to the incredible guests who will be joining them as well."

Returning with an expanded scale and even more intricate case designs, the Netflix variety show "Crime Scene Zero Season 2" is scheduled to premiere next year.

[Photo: Jang Jin (self), Park Ji-yoon (Studio M2), Jang Dong-min (TN Entertainment), Kim Jihun (Big Picture ENT), AN YUJIN (Starship Entertainment)] 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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SBS's "The Ballad of Us 2" is launching an open recruitment for the "Top 100 Ears" audience judging panel, who will help determine the contestants moving on to the live broadcast rounds.

"The Ballad of Us 2" is once again sparking a "ballad syndrome" after producing notable contestants from Round 1, including Park Ye-seung, who achieved a perfect score of 150 votes for the first time in history, as well as Heo Chae-min, Kim So-yeon, and Lim Ba-da.

The "Top 100 Ears" selected through this recruitment will personally attend the recording of Round 4 on Saturday, November 14, to watch and evaluate the contestants' performances. Anyone can apply regardless of age or gender, leading to expectations of enthusiastic participation from viewers who have already identified their definite public favorites.

Applications will be accepted online via the official "The Ballad of Us" website starting today (October 20) until Tuesday, November 3. Those selected through a lottery will receive the opportunity to attend the Round 4 recording in person. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Singer izi (Oh Jin-sung), known for the karaoke staple "Emergency Room," is releasing his new song "Slow Dream" after one year.

izi (Oh Jin-sung) will release the new song "Slow Dream" on various music streaming platforms on October 20 at 12:00 PM. His agency introduced the track as a song cheering on all fathers around the world who quietly walk life's path for their children and families while setting out to find another dream.

As a father of three children in real life, Oh Jin-sung calmly expressed the precious emotions he felt while raising his kids through warm and resonant vocals. The animated music video released alongside the track depicts the life moments of ordinary fathers. It portrays through animation the image of a father who lives his life while holding onto a "slow dream."

Starting with the release of the music track, Oh Jin-sung plans to continue his activities by appearing on various broadcast programs and concert stages.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The film "Street Fighter" climbed to No. 1 at the global box office during its opening weekend.

After kicking off in first place with $13 million (approximately 17.337 billion won) on its opening day, "Street Fighter" captured the top spot at the global box office by grossing approximately $51.1 million (approximately 68.108 billion won) globally over its opening weekend. On the other hand, in South Korea, where it opened on October 14, the film has recorded somewhat sluggish box office numbers, sliding down toward 10th place in just a week.

Set in 1993, "Street Fighter" is an action entertainment movie in which destined rivals Ryu and Ken Masters step into the fighting ring once more at the suggestion of Chun-Li, only to face the reality of a massive conspiracy hidden within a life-or-death battle royale. It is based on the popular fighting game series that took the world by storm. Korea's Don Lee drew attention in this film by lending his voice to Gouken, the master of Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo).

"Street Fighter" also catches the eye by incorporating Easter eggs throughout the film that fans of the original game will welcome. With signature moves representing each fighter—such as Ryu's (Andrew Koji) Hadoken and Ken Masters' (Noah Centineo) Shoryuken—unfolding in heated action, familiar signature audio cues such as "ROUND 1, FIGHT!" and "Perfect!", along with Guile's theme from the game, evoke the feeling of playing "Street Fighter."

Furthermore, the iconic car-smashing bonus stage from "Street Fighter II" is recreated through Ken Masters' spectacular action, and the opening screen of "Street Fighter II" is brought back to life as a street brawl scene in the film, offering nostalgic fun for original fans.

In addition, American fighting game legend Justin Wong makes a surprise cameo as an inmate watching the duel between Ryu and Blanka (Jason Momoa), ensuring special fan service for gamers. Because countless details that are hard to catch in a single viewing are hidden throughout the movie, it stimulates the desire for repeat viewings and offers the fun of rediscovering missed elements.

"Street Fighter" is currently screening in theaters nationwide. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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"Doctor X: Mafia in White" has surpassed a peak viewership rating of 20% in just four episodes, once again proving the formidable strength of SBS-style gratifying justice dramas.

SBS's Friday-Saturday drama "Doctor X: Mafia in White" (written by Pyeon Seong-geun, directed by Lee Jung-rim) depicts the journey of genius surgeon Gye Soo-jung (played by Kim Ji-won) as she shatters deep-rooted corruption. Following hit series like "Taxi Driver", "The Fiery Priest", and "The Judge from Hell", which delivered exhilarating catharsis and built an unmatched universe of justice-driven satisfaction, this is SBS's first medical noir in the genre.

From its premiere, "Doctor X: Mafia in White" recorded an 11.4% nationwide rating and a peak of 12.9%, ranking first among premiere ratings for all miniseries aired in 2026. After breaking its own viewership record with every subsequent episode, it recorded a peak rating of 20.8%, a nationwide rating of 18.5%, and an 18.4% rating in the Seoul metropolitan area in just four episodes, maintaining explosive upward momentum.

Furthermore, the key 20-49 demographic rating, which gauges buzz and targeted viewership, soared to a peak of 6.56% and an average of 5.9% for Episode 4. This placed it at No. 1 among all programs broadcast on Saturday, demonstrating the unstoppable "Doctor X: Mafia in White" syndrome.

Its momentum on global charts is equally strong. According to the streaming analytics site FlixPatrol (as of October 19), "Doctor X: Mafia in White" not only held the No. 1 spot on Netflix Korea's Top 10 TV Shows for two consecutive weeks, but also landed in the Top 10 across 61 countries and ranked No. 1 in 18 countries, rising to No. 4 on the Global Top 10 TV Shows chart.

Hong Sung-chang, CEO of production company Studio S, stated, "We are grateful for the passionate support shown to 'Doctor X: Mafia in White'. In particular, we find it deeply rewarding that we successfully expanded and established the grammar of the SBS-style justice-driven genre that Studio S has developed into a new arena." He added, "We believe this is the result of the intense deliberation and effort put in by the production crew and actors. Please look forward to and support the upcoming journey of genius surgeon Gye Soo-jung."

Having cemented its place as a new hit card in the SBS justice universe, "Doctor X: Mafia in White" will air Episode 5 on Friday, October 23, at 9:50 p.m.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Group LIGHTSUM will hold their first showcase since their debut in Japan.

LIGHTSUM will meet fans by holding "Re:idol SHOWCASE" (tentative title) at Spotify O-EAST in Tokyo, Japan, on December 28. The event will be held twice on that day, and Japanese fan club presales began on October 16. The agency stated that LIGHTSUM plans to present various performances and interactive segments at the showcase, communicating closely with local fans.

In August, LIGHTSUM released the first episode of the original documentary "Re:Idol" on the Japanese streaming platform ABEMA. The program captured the members learning Japanese-style idol makeup and greetings, while dedicating themselves to recording and choreography practice.

Following that, LIGHTSUM released their Japanese mini-album "Re:idol" in September. The title track "どうして(Doshite)" expresses the feelings of an unrequited crush through cute lyrics and choreography, showcasing a Japanese 'kawaii' (cute) concept. Upon release, the album reached No. 4 on the Oricon Daily Album Ranking and No. 20 on the Weekly Album Ranking.

LIGHTSUM will appear on Mnet's "M Countdown" on October 22. According to their agency, this marks their first appearance as a full group in two years.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The film "The Assassin(s)", which ranked among the top 4 Korean box office hits of 2026, is holding a thank-you event for moviegoers.

To celebrate reaching the top 4 among Korean films in 2026, a movie ticket giveaway event is running through Tuesday, October 20. Participants who fill out the application form will be entered into a draw to receive two movie tickets per person for "The Assassin(s)", with the winners to be announced on Wednesday, October 21.

Alongside this, an event will also be held offering a limited-edition HEIGHTS collaboration T-shirt through a raffle for those who book a movie ticket and post proof on social media with the required hashtags. Entries for this event are open through Sunday, November 1, and winners will be announced on Monday, November 2. Detailed information about the events can be found on Hive Media Corp's official social media.

Released on September 23, "The Assassin(s)" surpassed 3 million admissions nationwide within 20 days of release and went on to exceed a cumulative audience of 3.26 million, ranking fourth at the domestic box office among Korean films this year. With the film also on the verge of crossing its break-even point (approximately 3.3 million admissions), the event strongly serves as a way to repay the audience's support.

While "The Assassin(s)" relinquished the No. 1 spot at the overall box office to "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island", it is firmly holding onto the No. 1 spot at the Korean film box office.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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On "Whenever Possible," actor Shin Seung-ho delivers big laughs with a surprising timid side that contrasts sharply with his commanding physique.

Airing on Tuesday, October 20, at 9:00 p.m., the SBS variety show "Whenever Possible" features hosts Yu Jae-seok and Yoo Yeon-seok alongside guests Shin Seung-ho and Chae Soo-bin as they search for spare moments across the Gwanghwamun area.

During the recording, Shin Seung-ho raised expectations from the moment he entered with his solid build and distinctive aura. Yoo Yeon-seok cheered him on, saying, "An elite force has arrived today!" However, once the game began, Shin Seung-ho entered an unexpectedly hyper-nervous state, catching everyone off guard.

Startled by the production team's countdown of "3, 2, 1," Shin Seung-ho pleaded, "Please don't count down the time. I'm counting the numbers by myself." Seeing Shin Seung-ho's shoulders shrink back completely, Yoo Yeon-seok responded playfully, "What are we going to do if you get that startled?"

Eventually, Shin Seung-ho became the first person on the show to undergo "pressure-tolerance training." Declaring a head-on challenge by saying, "I'll keep going until it works," Shin Seung-ho threw himself into endless practice until his leg even cramped up, prompting Yu Jae-seok, who was watching him, to burst into laughter and ask, "Seung-ho, why are you so timid?"

Shin Seung-ho's endearing, unexpected charm shining through his massive physique, along with whether he successfully overcomes the pressure, will be revealed on "Whenever Possible," airing Tuesday, October 20, at 9:00 p.m.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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"The Ballad of Us 2" continued its streak at No. 1 in viewership ratings for three consecutive weeks, bolstered by the touching performance of its youngest contestant, Park Jin-seo.

According to Nielsen Korea, Episode 3 of SBS's "The Ballad of Us 2," which aired on Monday, October 19, saw its ratings climb from the previous week to peak at 6.5% per minute, while recording a 5.8% household rating in the Seoul metropolitan area. With this, the show took first place in its time slot and ranked No. 1 across all Monday variety programs for the third straight week. It also demonstrated unrivaled buzz by recording a 1.5% rating among the key 20-to-49 demographic.

The broadcast featured the final stage of Round 1 of the main competition, where Season 2's youngest contestant, 13-year-old Dangjin native Park Jin-seo, claimed second place overall with 148 votes. Having studied music while making a five-hour round-trip commute by bus with her mother three times a week, Park Jin-seo passionately sang Yoon Mi-rae's "Good Bye Sadness, Hello Happiness," pouring out her gratitude and apologies toward her mother.

Park Jin-seo's deep, resonant voice drew gasps of admiration from the "Top 100 Ears" panel from the very first line. Park Kyung-rim and the "Top 100 Ears" were moved to tears as they felt the heartfelt emotions embedded in the lyrics, while Joo Woo-jae marveled, "I thought an R&B master had arrived." Cha Tae-hyun exulted, saying, "A star has finally emerged from Dangjin!"

Kim Hae-rim, who delivered a solo acoustic reinterpretation of Noel's "Proposal," earned the distinction of becoming the fastest contestant to pass in Episode 3, drawing rave reviews from Cha Tae-hyun, who praised it as "a performance that didn't make me think of Noel at all." Cho Seung-beom, who took the stage for another challenge, also grabbed a ticket to Round 2 by showcasing explosive high notes with Lee Juck's "I didn't know yet."

In addition, Kim Ha-yul, Shin Chae-won, Yoo Hye-ri, and vocal music major Kim Hoon-oh succeeded in advancing to Round 2, delivering a sense of catharsis to viewers.

Having concluded Round 1 of the main competition, "The Ballad of Us 2" is set to dive into intense one-on-one death matches starting with the upcoming Episode 4. "The Ballad of Us 2" airs every Monday at 10 p.m.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Singer-songwriter EJAE (Kim Eun-jae), who provided the singing voice for the main character Rumi in the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," has tied the knot with producer and composer Samuel Kim (Sam Kim).

According to U.S. fashion magazine Vogue on October 20, the couple held their wedding ceremony on October 17 at Stage 28 in Godeok-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul. They moved up their wedding by one month, having originally planned to hold the ceremony in California in November.

Stage 28, where the wedding took place, is the site of the former residence of EJAE's maternal grandfather, veteran actor Shin Young-kyun (99), and is currently home to the Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation. EJAE's older brother also had his wedding ceremony at the venue, and EJAE reportedly held a quiet yet warm ceremony with family members without public notice. EJAE is the child of Shin Hye-jin, vice chairperson of Seyoung Enterprise and daughter of Shin Young-kyun.

Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami from "KPop Demon Hunters" were also reported to have attended the ceremony as guests.

Prior to the wedding, EJAE attended the 16th Beautiful Artist Awards ceremony held at Stage 28 in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, on October 15 alongside her groom-to-be, Samuel Kim.

A former SM Entertainment trainee, EJAE composed Red Velvet's "Psycho" as well as aespa's "Drama" and "Armageddon," and gained immense popularity after composing and singing the main theme song for "KPop Demon Hunters."

EJAE and Samuel Kim first crossed paths during a music session in May 2017 and, after dating, held an engagement ceremony in June of last year.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Singer and actor Rain (Jung Ji-hoon) is donating personal items to the Manna Bazaar, a fundraising event supporting medical treatment costs for children suffering from rare diseases.

Rain will take part in the "Manna Bazaar to Support Medical Treatment Costs for Pediatric Rare Diseases", scheduled for November 7 at Mauritia Cafe in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. Having first built a connection with the event in 2024, Rain will be participating for his third consecutive year. Rain reportedly reached out first to express his enthusiastic intention to take part once again.

Rain shared, "The Manna Bazaar, which began in 2020, is once again returning before you this year." He added, "The 'Manna Bazaar' is a meaningful event to help children. We kindly ask for your warm support. Thank you."

This year's "Manna Bazaar" will take place on November 7 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, during the first half of this year, Rain took on a villain role for the first time in his filmography through the Netflix series "Bloodhounds" Season 2, and has also confirmed his appearance in the new Netflix series "Solo Leveling." On December 5 and 6, he will hold his solo concert "The Smoke" at Olympic Hall in Olympic Park, Jamsil, Seoul.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The "Along with the Gods" series, the first in Korean cinema history to surpass 10 million moviegoers with both its first and second installments, is returning for a third story.

Director Kim Yong-hwa confirmed "Along with the Gods: Life and Death" as his next project and has begun full-scale preparations with the goal of cranking in during the second half of 2027. Dexter Studios (hereafter Dexter), which brought the afterlife to the big screen, will once again participate in the production project as an investor.

Attention is also focused on whether Ha Jung-woo and Ju Ji-hoon, the key leads of the series, will team up once more. Dexter did not release any casting-related information on this day.

Based on writer Joo Ho-min's popular webtoon of the same name, the "Along with the Gods" series opened a new horizon for Korean fantasy blockbuster films, creating a box-office sensation across Asia with its solid storyline rooted in an Eastern concept of the afterlife and unprecedented visuals that vividly depicted a hell never seen before. The franchise also won Director, Technical, and Visual Effects awards at ceremonies including the KOFRA Film Awards, the Blue Dragon Film Awards, the Grand Bell Awards, the Baeksang Arts Awards, and the Korean Association of Film Critics Awards.

"Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds", which drew major buzz by creating a live-action depiction of a deceased soul from the underworld facing trials across seven hells over 49 days alongside three grim reapers who guide him, mobilized 14.41 million moviegoers thanks to director Kim Yong-hwa's deeply humanistic direction and distinct visuals.

The second installment, "Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days", set consecutive box-office records starting with the highest opening score in Korean film history (1,246,692 viewers) and gathered 12.27 million moviegoers, writing a record as the "Along with the Gods" franchise became the first in Korean cinema history to have both its first and second parts surpass 10 million viewers.

The "Along with the Gods" series achieved remarkable success not only in the domestic Korean market but also internationally. Both Part 1 and Part 2 ranked side by side as the No. 1 and No. 2 highest-grossing Korean films of all time in Taiwan. Building on the success of Part 1, Part 2 recorded the all-time highest opening scores for a Korean film at the time of its release in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

Director Kim Yong-hwa's next project, "Along with the Gods: Life and Death", depicts the story in "Gucheon" (the Nine Heavens), a realm where souls linger after being unable to depart for the afterlife due to feelings they could not let go of even in death. Following "Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds", which portrayed seven trials judging the sins of the deceased, and "Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days", which unraveled the thousand-year-old ties of the three grim reapers, the third film will follow the journey of the protagonist "Sol-i", who is caught between life and death, crossing nine worlds to find a song left unsung.

Dexter, which is participating as an investor in the production of Part 3 following Parts 1 and 2, will oversee all of post-production, including VFX (visual effects), DI (digital intermediate color grading), sound design, and mixing. Dexter previously brought the afterlife of "Along with the Gods" to live-action reality with VFX used in more than 90% of the scenes in Parts 1 and 2, and enhanced the overall quality by overseeing the entire post-production process, including digital color grading (DI) and sound design and mixing, which completed the series' unique tone and emotion. Utilizing the technology that brought seven hells to the screen, Dexter will bring the nine worlds of "Gucheon" to life this time.

Dexter Studios CEOs Kim Wook and Kang Jong-ik stated, "The 'Along with the Gods' series is a monumental project that demonstrated how combining Korea's VFX technology with high-quality IP can create films that are widely loved by the public." They added, "Once again, we will craft a story and visual world that only we can create, delivering a K-movie that combines entertainment and artistry capable of becoming a mega-hit in the global market."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Actor Yoo Jae-myung shared his deep affection for the comedy genre.

Attending the press screening and press conference for the film "Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng" held at CGV Yongsan in Seoul on the afternoon of October 19, Yoo spoke about stepping away from the serious image of his past projects to make a comic transformation: "Because I have worked tirelessly like an ox without rest, I ended up with a serious image. But in reality, I love comedy, and I did a lot of comedies back when I acted in theater."

He went on to describe the appeal of the genre, saying, "I think the greatest charm of comedy is the unexpected laughter where you never know where things will bounce. The process of clashing and creating something alongside fellow actors—each of us bringing our own uncalculated weapons to the table—was truly fun. The power of comedy is that both the person watching and the person performing can enjoy it."

Yoo added, "I also worked very hard to throw away my usual image," noting, "If I come across as a bit obnoxious and unlikable in this film, I think I have fulfilled my role."

"Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng" is a mission comedy about Maeng Bo-ram, a high school Korean language teacher from a small provincial town who unexpectedly ends up joining the test preparation headquarters—sealed off from the world for 40 days to draft questions for South Korea's Level 2 state secret, the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). The story traces her chaotic struggles to craft "problem-free questions" free of typos or controversy. Yoo Jae-myung takes on the role of Moon Joo-yeol, the head of the CSAT exam preparation committee.

The film opens in theaters on October 28.

<Photo = Reporter Baek Seung-cheol> 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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The youngest contestant delivered a phenomenal performance.

On the October 19 broadcast of SBS's "The Ballad of Us Season 2" (hereafter referred to as "The Ballad of Us 2"), high praise poured in for the performance of the youngest contestant.

The episode revealed the final stage of Round 1, featuring the youngest contestant, 13-year-old Park Jin-seo.

Ahead of her performance, Park Jin-seo expressed gratitude to her mother, who always accompanies her on a five-hour round trip from Dangjin to Seoul three times a week so she can attend a music academy in Seoul.

Hearing this, Moon Geun-young recalled her grandmother, who took on the role of her manager for over ten years when she worked as a child actor, and drew laughter by saying, "Make sure to listen to your mother."

Park Jin-seo touched the "Top 100 Ears" representatives as she confessed that thinking of her mother—who is even happier when she is happy and even sadder when she is sad—makes her want to succeed even faster.

Park Jin-seo's song choice was also dedicated to her mother. Selecting Yoon Mi-rae's "Good Bye Sadness, Hello Happiness," Park Jin-seo moved viewers by sharing her heartfelt feelings for her mother: "On the day I cried because my singing wasn't going well, my mom cried even more seeing me like that. Then I burst into tears because I felt so sorry to her." She added, "This song's title means saying goodbye to sadness and welcoming happiness, and that is what I really want to say to my mom. I hope mom can let go of sadness and welcome happiness."

Park Jin-seo drew cheers from everyone with a performance that made it hard to believe she is only 13 years old. Cha Tae-hyun marveled, "Isn't Jin-seo the youngest among our contestants? But her soul is the oldest; her soul is the eldest sibling."

Jung Jae-hyung then lavished praise, saying, "I was a bit worried before watching the performance. What if she sounded overly trained? But seeing her on stage, she possessed a sense of rhythm I hadn't seen in anyone, with a truly unique voice distinct from others. It's a voice that feels familiar yet unfamiliar—like a delightful discovery."

Jung Seung-hwan also expressed his awe, saying, "I wondered how hard and preciously she must have practiced holding onto this song every day, yet I felt a tone and sensibility that cannot be achieved through practice alone. That is simply an innate gift." He added, "The moment I saw this masterpiece shaped by effort and talent, it was truly wondrous."

Jung Jae-hyung further expressed his overwhelmed emotions, saying, "She sings well, but I wondered how she could interpret the lyrics so brilliantly. I didn't witness how Jin-seo and her mother have lived, but listening to the song, it felt like the past three years of this mother and daughter flashed before my eyes." He continued, "I felt excited for Jin-seo's future, while also feeling choked up and joyful. I think that heart reached everyone."

Moon Geun-young offered heartfelt encouragement, saying, "I think I'm going to become Jin-seo's number one fan. Auntie will be cheering you on enthusiastically."

Joo Woo-jae remarked, "It truly feels like she lives in a different universe from us. She is so admirable, and this performance felt like a true reward for her mother's sacrifices."

On this day, Park Jin-seo captured the hearts of 148 out of 150 voters, drawing attention by taking second place overall. Cha Tae-hyun joked, "A star has finally emerged from Dangjin," and Park Jin-seo conveyed her feelings to her mother, who would be happier than anyone: "Mom, it must have been so hard for you until now, thank you for continuing to help me, and I love you."

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

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Jung Seung-hwan confessed that he was shocked by Yoo Hye-ri's performance.

On the October 19 broadcast of SBS's "The Ballad of Us Season 2" (hereafter "The Ballad of Us 2"), 22-year-old Yoo Hye-ri, who lives in Denmark, made an appearance.

On that day, the "Top 100 Ears" panel expressed concern over Yoo Hye-ri's choice of Car, the garden's "My Whole World." They were worried that selecting a song not typically suited for a competition show might work against her.

Contrary to expectations, however, Yoo Hye-ri delivered a performance entirely her own, drawing a storm of applause. Park Kyung-rim sent her an affectionate love call, remarking, "I've completely fallen in love."

Cha TAEHYUN also praised her highly, saying, "Her facial expressions are so varied, and she expresses the song using both her facial expressions and her entire body. Beyond just a singer, she felt like an artist directing the stage. It seems like a genre unique to Hye-ri."

Jung Seung-hwan then drew attention by sharing, "I was worried when I heard she would sing this song. The original is a track that really shines when accompanied by the chorus. Yet somehow, she sang in a way that made every lyric clearly audible. I was shocked because the performance brought out both a ballad interpretation and the original song's groove," adding, "I think Car, the garden would be very pleased if he saw this stage."

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Hyo-jung)

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Both praise and harsh criticism poured in for the performance of Cho Seung-beom, a returning contestant on "The Ballad of Us."

On the October 19 broadcast of SBS's "The Ballad of Us Season 2" (hereafter "The Ballad of Us 2"), Cho Seung-beom appeared as a returning contestant.

On this day, Cho Seung-beom expressed his regret, revealing that although he had advanced to the main rounds of Season 1 last year, he was unable to take the stage due to poor health on the day of recording.

In particular, as he was preparing for college entrance exams at the time, watching the stages of Lee Ye-ji, who is currently his department senior, and Lee Ji-hoon, his department classmate, made him feel even more disappointed.

Taking the stage, he selected Lee Juck's "I Didn't Know That Time" and delivered a passionate performance with his signature husky voice. Barely advancing to round two, he shared his emotional reaction, saying, "Remembering last season seemed to make the emotions well up even more."

In response, Moon Geun-young advised, "I think you just sang too hard. You did not manage to open the hearts of the 'Top 100 ears,' and it felt like you were just showing, 'Look how well I can sing,' which was a shame," adding, "It would be good to ease up a bit and think more about how to open the hearts of the 'Top 100 ears.'"

Hearing this, Jung Jae-hyung commented, "That is the assessment of an expert," and shared an honest critique: "I think a lot about how to evaluate junior musicians. I can imagine how much heartache you must have gone through over the past year. Outstanding technique and skilled vocals, but I think the song choice was a miss."

Roy Kim also drew attention with thoughtful advice, saying, "I probably would have made this song choice too," and "I understand it was a song selected to showcase your own unique strengths. But because you kept pushing full speed starting right from verse one, the emotional resonance of that strength was lessened."

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

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Cha Tae-hyun praised a contestant's stage, remarking that it was a performance that completely made him forget the original song.

On the October 19 broadcast of SBS's "The Ballad of Us Season 2" (hereinafter "The Ballad of Us 2"), contestant Kim Hae-rim took the stage sporting the curly hair of a Cabbage Patch doll.

When Kim Hae-rim chose Noel's "Proposal" for the day, Roy Kim and Jung Seung-hwan—who had previously sung the track on other programs—expressed concern, noting, "It is a song you shouldn't touch lightly, and one where four members have to pace their stamina to pull off."

Kim Hae-rim, however, stated that she would do her best with confidence, and during her performance, the "Top 100 Ears" judges swiftly pressed the pass button, lighting up the pass signal early.

Praising Kim Hae-rim's performance, Jung Seung-hwan exclaimed, "Her tone is bright and full of airiness, which is one of the talents I truly envy." He continued, "IU sunbaenim also possesses that signature high register that makes her an advantageous vocalist when recording, and Kim Hae-rim has that kind of voice as well. It is a voice that will shine not only on stage, but also on studio tracks. Tone is an area of pure talent."

Roy Kim pointed out a slight critique, asking, "How would it have been without playing the guitar?" To this, Jung Jae-hyung praised the way her voice blended with the instrument, making it hard to forgo, saying, "Still, performing with the guitar allowed us to confirm that Hae-rim's voice complements the sound of a guitar extremely well."

Cha Tae-hyun also applauded her, stating, "Rather than Noel's 'Proposal,' I think Hae-rim's 'Proposal' would suit a wedding venue much better. It was a performance where Noel's 'Proposal' didn't come to mind at all."

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

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Actor Lee Sun-bin shared her feelings about acting with an almost completely makeup-free face.

Attending the press screening and press conference for the film "Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng" held at CGV Yongsan in Seoul on the afternoon of October 19, Lee Sun-bin recalled what she felt when checking her appearance on the monitor on set: "To be honest, this was my first time appearing in a project in such an unguarded state. When I first saw the monitor, even I couldn't hide my shock."

Lee Sun-bin added, "Still, I felt that brought my character to life very well. Rather than Lee Sun-bin, I wanted to portray Teacher Maeng Bo-ram, someone you wouldn't recognize if she walked past you. So I wore makeup darker than my natural skin tone and styled my hair with no effort to look stylish at all. But in fact, that face is still my face. I didn't try to look rustic, but it was fun being able to show a new side of myself. It felt great to let go of having to look pretty or worrying about visuals and just show Maeng Bo-ram as she is."

In the film, Lee Sun-bin plays Maeng Bo-ram, a young Korean language teacher brimming with passion. Maeng Bo-ram is a Korean language teacher instructing students in a small provincial town who unexpectedly finds herself entering the heavily guarded CSAT exam-writing headquarters due to an administrative error.

Bringing realism to Maeng Bo-ram, whose ordinariness is her individuality and whose passion is her charm, Lee Sun-bin explained, "I would be truly grateful if people see similarities between me and the character Maeng Bo-ram. I was very nervous in the early stages of filming. It was my first time taking on a character who is bubbly, cute, and the epitome of innocence going to this extent." She continued, "Since the genre is a comedy, I tried hard to tailor the comedy to match the tone of the teachers."

Sharing that the cast stayed together in Muju during filming just like real CSAT question-writing committee members, Lee Sun-bin smiled and said, "It was so easy to get ready and head straight to the set. It had the advantage of eliminating wasted time. Filming alongside senior actors, it was so delightful and joyful that looking back, I only remember laughing."

"Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng" is a mission comedy about Maeng Bo-ram, a Korean language teacher from a small provincial town who unexpectedly joins the question-writing headquarters—sealed off for 40 days for the "CSAT question writing," a Level 2 national secret—and scrambles to craft "flawless questions" free of typos and disputes. The film hits theaters on October 28. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Singer Kim Yong-bin, who took the ultimate crown (Jin) on TV Chosun's "Mr. Trot Season 3," will continue his journey with his current agency.

According to the agency, after being crowned the winner of "Mr. Trot Season 3," Kim Yong-bin established himself as one of the music industry's top "blue chips," emerging as the number one casting priority for various variety shows and major stages, and received extraordinary recruitment offers from numerous major entertainment companies. However, Kim reportedly politely declined them and decided to stay with his current agency, oNeSTA Company (CEO Jang Dong-il).

Behind Kim Yong-bin's choice was reportedly his deep sense of loyalty to the agency that had believed in him for a long period.

Having debuted at the young age of seven and earned the moniker of "trot prodigy," Kim Yong-bin had to endure a long hiatus of seven years due to a severe voice break and panic disorder. It was his current agency that believed in his potential until the very end during a time when no one was paying attention, shielding him and paving the way for his comeback. Not forgetting his gratitude toward the agency that reached out a helping hand when he was struggling the most, Kim Yong-bin decided to share his current success—which has reached an all-time high—with his agency, setting a heartwarming example in the entertainment industry.

oNeSTA has also fully prepared to repay Kim Yong-bin's steadfast trust. oNeSTA emphasized, "We will spare no systematic and full-fledged support so that he can take a leap forward as an even greater artist, freely showcasing his boundless capabilities across various fields such as broadcasting and concerts, in addition to musical activities encompassing diverse genres beyond trot, alongside building a dedicated producing system that will further highlight Kim Yong-bin's unique musical color."

Kim Yong-bin is often called an "icon of positive influence" for regularly practicing relay charity work with his official fan club, Sarangbin. His decision to stay, choosing people and trust over contractual conditions, proves why he is so deeply loved by the public and his fans.

Meanwhile, having firmly solidified his strong partnership with oNeSTA Company, Kim Yong-bin plans to connect even more closely with fans who have shown him unchanging support through upgraded music and diverse activities.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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