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Ahead of the release of the film "Still Shining", actor Kim Hye-ja shared a handwritten letter filled with her candid thoughts.

"Still Shining" tells the story of Soon-ok, who reunites after 60 years with her best friend with whom she shared the most radiant moments of her life.

Kim visited the 31st Busan International Film Festival for her big-screen comeback after nine years. On October 6, she walked the opening ceremony red carpet alongside director Song Il-gon, but health concerns arose after she was seen coughing multiple times. In response, the PR agency dismissed the rumors, stating it was "just a mild cold."

Concerns arose once again on October 15 when the stage greeting for the press screening of "Still Shining" in Seoul was abruptly canceled. A film representative stated it was due to "poor physical condition." Given her advanced age of 85, fatigue appears to have accumulated from back-to-back public appearances.

Although Kim was unable to attend the stage greeting that day, she delivered a handwritten letter to the film production company expressing her thoughts on the upcoming release and her gratitude to audiences.

In the letter, Kim mentioned the letter from director Song Il-gon that led to her joining the film: "It was in the autumn of last year. I received a letter from director Song Il-gon. In that letter, there were these words: 'Soon-ok does not cry. She is someone who believes until the very end that the time she spent with her friend remains radiant.' Those words stayed in my heart for a very long time."

She continued, revealing what motivated her decision to star in the film: "It is a sad history that we know all too well. We must remember how much pain those children suffered. But I also hope we do not forget how beautifully those children wished to live. That is why I thought I had to do this film."

Kim conveyed her heartfelt feelings to future viewers, saying, "At the end of the letter Director Song Il-gon sent me, there was this sentence: 'What I hope for is not the acting in a single scene, but the moment when the presence of a human being lingers above time.' Today, I want to convey that feeling to all of you as well. I hope you will not view the two young girls you will meet merely as a scene from painful history."

"Still Shining" will hit theaters on October 21.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Actor Byeon Wooseok expressed his excitement for his upcoming project "Solo Leveling".

Gracing the cover of the November issue of fashion magazine Elle, Byeon Wooseok showcased a versatile charm in the pictorial that ranged between softness and strength.

An interview was conducted alongside the photoshoot. Byeon Wooseok, who has recently been on an Asia fan meeting tour, shared, "When I face the fans, there are moments when unexpected surges of emotion hit me. The expressions with which they look at me and the voices cheering me on make me choke up with emotion. Even when I make up my mind not to cry this time, when that moment comes, it doesn't go the way I want (laughs)."

He also shared the joy of experiencing simple everyday moments in the cities he visited for the fan meetings. He said, "I eat delicious food or walk through the streets, soaking in the local atmosphere. Above all, walking through the spaces where fans live their daily lives feels special. That is because it touches my heart all over again to realize that people living in different cultures and environments still love and support me."

Byeon Wooseok, who spends most of his days filming and living as Sung Jin-woo in the Netflix series "Solo Leveling," answered, "Sung Jin-woo is a character who has a completely different side from the roles I've played so far. I am spending a lot of time trying to understand and portray him. In particular, since he is a character where how he uses his body is very important, I find myself staying conscious of my movements and posture even outside the filming set."

Sung Jin-woo is a character who grows from an E-rank hunter once known as the 'Weakest Weapon of All Mankind' into a completely different being. When asked what drew him to Jin-woo, Byeon Wooseok said, "I liked that he wasn't strong from the beginning, but someone weaker and more fearful than anyone else, yet he keeps moving forward for the sake of what he must protect even in such situations. While respecting the appeal of the original work, I want to show Jin-woo's emotional arc that can only be felt in a live-action adaptation."

Asked what kind of life he would choose if he could 'level up' into a different being, Byeon Wooseok answered, "The happiness I feel in my life right now is precious enough. While I will have to continue to grow and develop going forward, rather than becoming another being, I want to live as who I am now. Even if I were born again, I'd like to properly level up as Byeon Wooseok (laughs)."

<Photo = Elle Korea> 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Singer TAEMIN stepped onto the pitch as the kickoff ceremony's "Honorary Falconer" at a home game for the Major League Soccer (MLS) club Los Angeles FC (LAFC).

TAEMIN attended the LAFC home match held at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on October 14 (local time) as a special invited guest. The Honorary Falconer is an LAFC pre-match ritual where a falcon, the club's symbol, is released to fly over the pitch just before the game starts, signaling the kickoff.

Wearing an official LAFC jersey emblazoned with his English name "TAEMIN" and the squad number "93," TAEMIN walked onto the pitch to carry out the ceremony. According to his agency, the number 93 represents the year TAEMIN was born.

LAFC posted photos from the scene on its official social media channels, introducing TAEMIN as "Today's Honorary Falconer" alongside a Korean welcoming message that read, "Always shining TAEMIN."

Following the ceremony, TAEMIN met, shook hands, and spoke with Son Heung-min, who is the captain of LAFC and the captain of the South Korean national soccer team. The agency stated that Son Heung-min started in the match that day and led the team's attack.

His agency Galaxy Corporation expressed, "It is deeply meaningful that TAEMIN participated in an iconic event of the local U.S. sports culture, delivering a special moment bridging music and sports," adding, "We hope this served as an opportunity for diverse engagement with local fans in tandem with his ongoing world tour."

His agency explained that TAEMIN became the first K-pop male solo artist to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in the United States this year. TAEMIN held his Seoul concerts for the "2026–27 TAEMIN WORLD TOUR <LiMiNaL>" from September 18 to 20, and plans to continue his world tour.

Photo=Galaxy Corporation

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Group NCT DREAM will release their sixth full-length album capturing their 10-year narrative of growth.

SM Entertainment announced on October 16 that NCT DREAM will release all tracks of their sixth full-length album "DREAM AFTER DREAM" on various global music platforms on November 9 at 6:00 PM. In the album image unveiled alongside the news, the letter "D" is clearly drawn on a green grassy lawn.

The album consists of a total of 10 tracks, including the title track "Boogie Woogie," raising expectations for an enthusiastic response. In particular, through this album, NCT DREAM reflects on the time and musical growth built over 10 years, while also showcasing their passion and determination toward another dream beyond the dreams they have achieved together, echoing the album title's meaning of "an endlessly continuing dream."

Having debuted on August 25, 2016, NCT DREAM has written their own story by singing about the dreams and growth of youth through diverse music such as "Chewing Gum," "My First and Last," "Hot Sauce," "Hello Future," "Candy," "ISTJ," and "BTTF."

Having achieved dazzling growth by taking home Grand Prizes (Daesang) at various awards ceremonies, breaking million-seller records, and setting "first" and "most" records at major stadiums and dome venues both domestically and internationally, anticipation is building for the steps NCT DREAM will take as they mark their 10th debut anniversary.

Meanwhile, NCT DREAM's sixth full-length album "DREAM AFTER DREAM" will also be released as a physical album on November 9, with pre-orders beginning today (October 16) at various online and offline record stores.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Park Ji-young has confirmed her appearance in "Crash 2," showcasing an even deeper charisma.

Scheduled to premiere on November 16, ENA's new Monday-Tuesday drama "Crash 2" is the second installment of "Crash," which received acclaim for its novel subject matter of traffic crimes and the exhilarating team play of Namgang Police Station's Traffic Crime Investigation (T.C.I) team punishing villains on the road.

In "Crash 2," anticipation is building among prospective viewers as T.C.I is reborn as a regional investigation unit under the National Office of Investigation (NOI), resolving nationwide traffic crime cases and unfolding a relentless, non-stop investigative action drama that rounds up increasingly cunning and formidable perpetrators of serious traffic offenses.

In the drama, Park Ji-young will reprise her role from "Crash" as Shin So-jeong, head of the National Office of Investigation, adding gravitas to the story. She is a vanguard of reform who came to the NOI to cut off the corrupt ties entrenched within the police. In the previous season, she was the pivotal figure who persuaded Jung Chae-man (played by Heo Sung-tae) and reorganized the T.C.I into a team directly affiliated with the National Office of Investigation, leading its fresh start. Amid the expanded organization and investigative system in "Crash 2," Park Ji-young is expected to elevate the drama's quality not only by serving as the central axis bridging the T.C.I team and the broader organization, but also by exuding her signature elegant aura and warmth.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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"The Table : Day and Night," which served as the opening film of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), will officially open in theaters on November 4.

"The Table : Day and Night" is a delightful and lovely film that captures the conversations of day and night that pass through a single cafe over the course of a season.

The film drew significant attention after being selected as the opening film of the 31st Busan International Film Festival. It is the latest work by director KIM Jong-kwan, who has showcased his sensory directing style through films such as "Worst Woman" and "The Table," and features Kim Minha, Joo Jong Hyuk, Han Sun Hwa, Chang Ryul, Shim Eun-kyung, Lee Hee Jun, Jeon So-young, and Kim Dong Hwi, each presenting characters with distinct colors.

Released alongside the confirmed release date, the main poster offers a glimpse of the colorful emotional landscape to be delivered by the eight actors, building anticipation.

The concurrently unveiled main trailer also captures attention through the harmony of director KIM Jong-kwan's signature lyricism, beautiful visuals, and the cast's strong performances.

Ramping up anticipation with the reveal of its main poster and main trailer, "The Table : Day and Night" will hit theaters nationwide on November 4. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Can the "Master Hang-jun" project really be okay like this?

On the October 15 broadcast of SBS's "Master Hang-jun", the project for Master Hang-jun's next film officially kicked off.

During the episode, actors Yoo Jae-myung and Lee Sunbin took part in the audition. As their final test of the day, the two conducted a script reading for "The Man Who Lives with the Queen".

In response, Jang Hang-jun said, "This is the defining scene that made the Jang Hang-jun of today," revealing that before "The King's Warden", there was "The Man Who Lives with the Queen". He went on to explain that he poured an anecdote into the screenplay about how his wife Kim Eun-hee's career took off, leading him to receive her credit card, spend it lavishly, and ultimately suffer a blow to his pride.

Jang Hang-jun then assigned Yoo Jae-myung the role of Jang Hang-jun and Lee Sunbin the role of Kim Eun-hee, asking them to do the script reading.

After the drama "Signal", writer Kim Eun-hee's income far surpassed his, and she told Director Jang Hang-jun, "Oppa, use my card. I don't know how to spend money, so you can spend all of mine." Director Jang Hang-jun recalled thinking at the time, "Is this a trap?"

He drew laughter by confessing that he won over writer Kim Eun-hee by telling insincere lies. However, the queen's card, which he thought would last forever, was eventually blocked.

To Yoo Jae-myung, who was reading the script in the role of Jang Hang-jun, the staff requested, "Please make it a bit more frivolous." Yoo Jae-myung replied, "I have my own interpretation. The director is definitely not a frivolous person," pleasing Jang Hang-jun.

After watching Yoo Jae-myung and Lee Sunbin's script reading with satisfaction, Jang Hang-jun and the staff announced that the casting was confirmed.

However, Yoo Jae-myung put his appearance on hold, saying, "I'll go home, read the script a bit more, think it over, and give you my answer," adding, "The screenplay is a bit childish."

Lee Sunbin also said, "Actually, I have various schedules," mentioning overseas commitments. Kim Poong tried to hold onto her, saying, "We can easily work around your schedule," but Lee Sunbin merely gave an awkward smile.

At this, Jang Hang-jun made a flustered face and remarked, "The atmosphere was great when we started, but how can the vibe change like this after just one script reading?"

The two actors also showed hesitation when asked to take a commemorative photo, drawing laughter as they pleaded, "You must not post this anywhere."

Director Jang Hang-jun sparked bursts of laughter by showing his petty side, warning, "I may not be able to make you two into world-class stars, but I can drag you down."

After finishing the audition, Yoo Jae-myung said, "Earlier, putting Director Martin Scorsese and Director Jang Hang-jun on the same level seemed like a stretch. It doesn't seem respectful," adding, "Director Martin, I made a mistake. I am reflecting on it and truly hope to meet you someday." He also caught attention by sending a message to another master rather than Jang Hang-jun, saying, "Director Bong, let's definitely meet once."

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

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Yoo Jae-myung confessed his true dream.

On the October 15 broadcast of SBS's "Master Hang-jun," the "Master Hang-jun" next-project kicked off.

On this day's episode, actors Yoo Jae-myung and Lee Sunbin participated in the audition. While sharing the reason he became an actor, Yoo Jae-myung cautiously opened up, saying, "To be honest, I debated quite a bit over whether I should tell this story or not."

He continued, "What I decided was to reveal my dream in a private setting," confessing his solemn resolve and making everyone nervous.

Yoo Jae-myung shared, "Not long ago, I realized again that my dream was to be a film director," and revealed Jang Hang-jun's influence, saying, "I gained hope by watching you, Director."

Hearing this, Kim Poong quipped, "If even Jang Hang-jun can do it, why couldn't I? Even that Jang Hang-jun does it."

To this, Jang Hang-jun expressed relief looking at Yoo Jae-myung, who had become an actor instead, saying, "I am so relieved. If you had studied film directing as originally planned, I would have had one more competitor."

Yoo Jae-myung then added, "When I was studying film, I heard an anecdote about master Martin Scorsese. They said he was drinking liquor in a New York back alley and asked a passerby, 'I am a guy named Martin, would you like to invest in me?' That kind of fighting spirit that never gives up became a bible for filmmakers, and you, Director Jang Hang-jun, are also a bible, aren't you?" Placed on the same level as Martin Scorsese in an instant, Jang Hang-jun puffed up his shoulders with a satisfied smile, drawing bursts of laughter.

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

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Master filmmakers sent messages for "The Great Hangjun."

On the October 15 broadcast of SBS's "The Great Hangjun," the project for Director Jang Hang-jun's next film officially kicked off.

During the broadcast, congratulatory messages arrived from fellow master directors to celebrate the project, drawing viewers' attention.

Director Bong Joon-ho praised him, saying, "He is someone who rightfully deserves to be called a master," while director Park Chan-wook remarked, "I'm jealous. How can he be so brilliant?"

Director Park Chan-wook further caught attention by saying, "I hope he keeps making films like 'The King's Warden,'" playfully adding, "Comedy is my territory, so I hope he doesn't make any of those."

Director Bong Joon-ho also spoke about Jang Hang-jun, who is the same age as him, sharing, "Even on phone calls, he goes, 'Ah, director, it's Master Jang Hang-jun.' We aren't casually addressing each other as 'Hang-jun-ah' and 'Joon-ho-ya' just yet, but that day will come soon. Love you."

After receiving messages from the two masters, director Jang Hang-jun joked, "I've been close with people like Joon-ho Bong and Cannes Park for a very long time. We've known each other since way back," and drew bursts of laughter by adding, "Cannes Park keeps asking to borrow money, and Joon-ho Bong keeps calling me asking what he should do for his next project."

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

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The heartbreaking record of friends striving to protect their fellow classmate's body was revealed.

Broadcast on October 15, SBS's "Tails of Tales" highlighted the death of student activist Kim Gwi-jeong under the subtitle "Protect Gwi-jeong – A 35-Year Defense."

In the early dawn of May 1991, hundreds of young people gathered at Paik Hospital in Myeongdong, Seoul. They locked arms in a scrum and blocked the entrance to the mortuary.

Without anyone having to explain why they had to do so, thousands of students quickly gathered, with about 100 of them standing guard over the mortuary. They spoke in one voice, saying, "We can never surrender Gwi-jeong."

Students from Sungkyunkwan University had come together to protect the body of 26-year-old student Kim Gwi-jeong, who had died just hours earlier.

Gwi-jeong had met an unexpected death. In response, police judged her death to be a simple accidental fatality and pushed to conduct an autopsy quickly and proceed with the funeral. But her friends felt differently. Having doubts about her passing, they demanded that the exact circumstances surrounding her death be properly determined.

However, the prosecution issued a search and seizure warrant just five hours after Gwi-jeong's death. Haunted by the recent death of a laborer whose truth had been obscured after police seized the body, her friends were left with no choice but to step forward and protect Gwi-jeong themselves.

In truth, making a living had once been more urgent than democracy for Gwi-jeong, who worked as a factory assistant by day and at a restaurant by night to pay tuition, eventually having to drop out of university due to high costs. Driven by an unyielding desire to pursue her education, Gwi-jeong re-entered Sungkyunkwan University's French Literature department in 1988. Unlike her earlier college days, this time she balanced part-time work while taking time to enjoy campus life.

Then one day, reflecting on her own life after seeing a friend become a wanted fugitive due to the student movement, Gwi-jeong joined an activist club and began participating in student activism.

Gwi-jeong went on to take the lead in the movement, even running as an executive candidate for the club union with the resolution: "I will not live in comfort only for myself. I will never do so."

On the day she died, Gwi-jeong had also taken part in a protest. But having vanished in an instant, she returned before her friends as a corpse.

Students gathered at the hospital to protect her. At dawn while they guarded the body, the telephone inside the mortuary rang. Someone said in an urgent voice, "There will be a situation tonight. Someone might truly die."

That day marked the expiration date of the search and seizure warrant for the body for an autopsy. At 5:00 a.m., around 1,500 armed riot police were deployed, hurling tear gas canisters and stones at the students, while the students, virtually bare-bodied, stood their ground to defend Gwi-jeong's body.

The police also brought in water cannons to fire tear-gas liquid, but the defense squad, willing to risk death to guard Gwi-jeong's body, held out to protect her until the end.

However, the police warned they would return and had the warrant reissued. A few days later, prosecutors and medical examiners arrived to conduct an autopsy on Gwi-jeong's body.

Contrary to the defense squad's wishes, Gwi-jeong's mother had agreed to the autopsy. Although she had opposed the autopsy more adamantly than anyone, she worried about the safety of her daughter's friends, ultimately consenting as she said, "I do not want what happened to my daughter to ever happen again."

On June 7, 1991, the autopsy began, and the findings matched the claims of the prosecution and police, concluding that she died of suffocation due to simple compression.

Earlier, when consenting to the autopsy, Gwi-jeong's mother had requested an investigation into the police suppression process. However, the defense squad could not trust the prosecution and ultimately formed a fact-finding committee with the help of alumni. Unable to trust the state and state power, they established their final line of defense.

Many who attended the protest Gwi-jeong had participated in came forward with eyewitness accounts to help uncover the truth about her death.

On May 25, 1991, during the rally on that rainy day, the police, unlike on other days, drove the retreating students like cornered rabbits while firing tear gas at them. The "Baekgoldan," a plainclothes arrest squad, also appeared to suppress the protesters.

The protesters fled into alleys to escape the violence. But police tear gas flew into those alleys as well, and the Baekgoldan pursued the demonstrators.

Police hurled handheld tear gas canisters, commonly called "apple bombs," toward the crowd. Student Chae Su-jin, who was struck directly, testified about everything she experienced for Gwi-jeong's sake.

She could never forget the sight of round black heads piling up like a mountain beside her. A campus newspaper reporter from a university, who witnessed and photographed the scene, provided the evidence photos to the fact-finding committee. Based on this, the committee concluded that her death was clearly the result of excessive suppression.

In South Korea, the deaths of student activists Park Jong-cheol and Lee Han-yeol in 1987 had ignited the June Democratic Struggle, leading to the restoration of direct presidential elections after 16 years. However, Chun Doo-hwan's associate Roh Tae-woo was elected, placing another president from the military regime in power.

Roh Tae-woo drew a distinction by claiming, "I am different from Chun Doo-hwan," yet he invoked the National Security Act to arrest numerous citizens, including college students, and violently suppressed demonstrations. In 1991, another university student died at the hands of state power.

State authorities dismissed it as the rogue action of a few officers. In response, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets every day demanding the regime step down, and many resisted through death, taking their own lives.

And once again, a university student, Gwi-jeong, died at the scene of a protest. The students felt they had to uncover the truth behind the excessive force this time, while the authorities sought to conceal it at all costs.

Despite the evidence presented by the fact-finding committee, the police refused to admit to excessive force until the end, and the prosecution maintained throughout that Gwi-jeong's death was a simple accidental fatality.

A member of the fact-finding committee at the time remarked, "There was a preceding factor that led to her death by compression asphyxiation, and the fact that we failed to uncover it still remains as a sense of debt. I feel deeply apologetic and sorry."

Gwi-jeong's death was closed as compression asphyxiation, and her funeral was held. Her friends and family led the hearse toward her school, Sungkyunkwan University. However, Confucian scholars wearing hanbok and yugeon blocked their way, insisting that a deceased body could not pass through Sungkyunkwan University, a sacred site enshrining the memorial tablets of Confucian sages.

Her friends knelt in the rain and pleaded. Feeling guilty that they could not protect Gwi-jeong, they wanted to see her off on her final journey without regrets. Ultimately, their sincerity moved the Confucian scholars.

Around 30,000 people, in addition to Gwi-jeong's friends, took part in the funeral. In their hearts, she remained as activist Kim Gwi-jeong. Two years later, the civilian government of Kim Young-sam was inaugurated.

Gwi-jeong's friends and mother filed a lawsuit against the state, and the state officially acknowledged that her death resulted from excessive police force, stating, "Kim Gwi-jeong's death occurred due to negligence in the line of duty by riot police." The truth was finally recognized four years after her passing.

The members of the defense squad, who still miss Gwi-jeong and hold her close, visit her on the anniversary of her passing every single year. And Gwi-jeong's mother continues to prepare meals for hundreds of her daughter's friends.

For the friends who survived and live today, Gwi-jeong's resolution — "I will not live only for myself" — remains deeply etched in their hearts.

Pledging, "Even if we cannot change the world, let us not kill or die unjustly," they strive to live righteously and uprightly.

Remembering that the present day they live in was an everyday life so desperately desired by someone else, they resolved to live lives where they can one day confidently ask Gwi-jeong when they meet again far in the future, "How was I? Did I live a decent life?"

Her friends still carry the guilt and sense of debt for not being able to protect Gwi-jeong. Yet perhaps, simply remembering and longing for her all this time has been their way of protecting Gwi-jeong all along.

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

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South Korean "rock legend" singer Kim Jong-seo (61) shared a special musical connection with journalist Sohn Suk-hee (70), who is nine years his senior.

On the October 15 broadcast of MBC Standard FM radio's "Sohn Suk-hee's 12 O'Clock," host Sohn Suk-hee surprised Kim Jong-seo by revealing himself to be a devoted fan who knows not only Kim's signature hit songs but also his lesser-known album tracks and hidden gems inside and out. The in-depth musical conversation between the two legends offered listeners a profound resonance and heartwarming chemistry.

When Sohn mentioned that Kim had performed more than 20 songs live in their original keys from his debut era during his recent nationwide tour, Kim shared his fierce self-discipline and sincere conviction, explaining, "It is a personal challenge to set my own standards, avoid becoming complacent, and keep moving forward as a musician".

In particular, special mention was made of singer Kim Jang-hoon, who took charge of the overall stage directing for Kim Jong-seo's 2026 nationwide tour concert "Everyone's Kim Jong-seo". Kim Jong-seo was unstinting in his praise, saying, "I joined hands with the 'god of performance' Kim Jang-hoon, who possesses unrivaled planning ability and ideas." He added, "Kim Jang-hoon gave me wings with his ingenious, multi-dimensional directing so that I could focus entirely on singing on stage and connect passionately with the audience."

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-seo also shared welcome news about his upcoming year-end activities to excite fans. He is scheduled to release a new single album on November 3, and on December 25, he plans to hold a special Christmas concert at Sogang University's Mary Hall to present the audience with an unforgettable, warm winter.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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The Japanese animated film "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island" has reclaimed the No. 1 spot at the box office.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network for movie tickets on October 15, "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island" drew 75,246 moviegoers nationwide on October 14, Culture Day. Its cumulative audience stands at 1,415,028.

Released on September 30, "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island" had previously topped the daily box office twice after its premiere, but spent most of its run in the No. 2 position behind "The Assassin(s)". Entering its third week in theaters, "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island" reclaimed the summit by outpacing "The Assassin(s)"—which began a downward trend starting on Culture Day—by a margin of more than double.

"Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island" is an animated film depicting a suspicious subjugation mission in which Chiikawa and friends, drawn by the sweet temptation of 100 times the regular pay, head to an uncharted island and uncover the secrets hidden there. It is based on the popular feature-length episode "Siren Arc" from "Chiikawa," serialized by Japanese illustrator Nagano.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Kim Se-ui, the head of the YouTube channel "Hover Lab," who was indicted and detained on charges including defaming actor Kim Soo-hyun, has requested release on bail, citing mental illness among other reasons.

On October 15, Criminal Agreement Division 26 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Hyun-kyung) held a bail hearing for Kim. Kim's defense attorney stated at the hearing that Kim feels a threat to his personal safety due to broadcasts involving terror threats and is living in solitary confinement. The attorney said, "He suffers from mental illnesses such as panic disorder, so living in solitary confinement risks causing harm to his mental health," adding, "His commissary funds have been seized, leaving him unable to even purchase medication. He has a fixed residence, so there is no concern of flight, nor is there any danger of him causing harm to the victim." The attorney also noted, "Upon requesting an appraisal of the audio file from the National Forensic Service, we received a reply stating that whether it was manipulated by AI is undetectable."

Appearing in court wearing a green prison uniform, Kim argued that he has no risk of flight because he is confident of his innocence.

Given an opportunity to speak directly, Kim said, "I have a clear conviction of innocence in this trial, so there is no reason for me to flee." Kim noted that Kim Soo-hyun's side filed a civil lawsuit in the 15 billion won range against him and the bereaved family of the late Kim Sae-ron, leading to the provisional attachment of his apartment, and asserted, "Even just to protect my apartment, which is a precious asset, there is no risk of flight." He added, "Due to my detention, I have already been demonized across various media outlets. The defamation is already severe," and stated, "I did not broadcast by merely listening to one-sided claims; I conducted reporting and analysis before broadcasting."

The prosecution opposed the bail request. The prosecution pointed to the risk of reoffending and concerns over harm to the victim, arguing that if Kim is released, "there is a high probability he will spread distorted claims, saying the bail proves his innocence," and noted, "He is continuing to broadcast by sending letters from the detention center, and in that process, he is leaking court documents for purposes other than their intended use."

The prosecution also pointed out that Kim's side is misleading the situation as if there were no grounds for detention regarding the withdrawal of certain evidence, including the audio file appraisal results. The prosecution explained, "The evidence is already sufficient, and we merely withdrew overlapping evidence to ensure a speedy trial, which is unrelated to the grounds for detention." They also explained to the effect that the withdrawal was prompted by concerns that the evidence might be misused in broadcasts.

Kim was indicted and detained in June on charges of spreading false claims on YouTube and other platforms alleging that Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor, and that the cause of Kim Sae-ron's death was pressure from Kim Soo-hyun's side regarding debt repayment. He is also charged with intimidation for broadcasting Kim Soo-hyun's private photos without authorization and demanding a public apology while threatening to expose materials concerning his private life.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Park Bo young poses at a jewelry brand photo wall event held on the afternoon of October 15 at Lotte Department Store Avenuel in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

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

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Actor Kang Hoon poses at a jewelry brand photo wall event held at Lotte Department Store Avenuel in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of October 15.

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

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Actor Park Bo young poses at a photo call event for a jewelry brand held at Lotte Department Store Avenuel in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of October 15.

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

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Actor Kang Hoon attends a jewelry brand photo wall event held at Lotte Department Store Avenuel in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of October 15.

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

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Actor Park Bo young attends a photo call event for a jewelry brand held at Lotte Department Store Avenuel in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of October 15.

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

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Actors Won Hyang-ra and Kang Seung-ho will receive the Actor of the Year award at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).

The Actor of the Year award is intended to discover actors who have demonstrated brilliant performances and potential among works featured in the "Vision - Korea Section". Selected as jurors this year, Yoo Yeon-seok and Ko A-sung chose Won Hyang-ra from "Beyond Love's Horizon" and Kang Seung-ho from "Cosmic Trace".

Explaining the primary focus of their evaluation, the two jurors stated, "It is quite rare for an actor to judge another actor's performance. If an opportunity like this ever came, we wanted to focus on an actor's 'professionalism.'"

They continued, "Rather than the charm of a fresh and pure image, a mask that feels mysterious to critics, or an untamed, raw quality, when we see an actor who keeps their body open in the direction the story unfolds, listens to the director's guidance while internalizing it as their own, accurately perceives the distance between the camera and themselves in the film, and displays confidence through that awareness, the audience gains trust along with a sense of stability and becomes fully immersed in the film," explaining why they selected Won Hyang-ra and Kang Seung-ho as the recipients.

Yoo Yeon-seok and Ko A-sung conveyed, "Actor Won Hyang-ra's performance in 'Beyond Love's Horizon' was, quite literally, that of a professional actor. Along with our heartfelt applause, we would like to present her with the Actor of the Year award."

"Beyond Love's Horizon" is a work that captures the journey of a married couple becoming parents. Directed by Park Songyeol, the film features Won Hyang-ra not only in the lead role but also active as a producer. The two are a real-life married couple who unraveled their autobiographical story in an honest voice.

Regarding Kang Seung-ho, they praised, "He demonstrated the ability to lead the drama with a steady presence not typical of a newcomer. His comfortable delivery of lines and unexaggerated emotional expression were impressive, conveying the character's emotions naturally and convincingly. His delicate emotional expression and the varied layers of feeling held in his gaze provided deep insight into the character's inner world."

They also added, "We selected him as a recipient by highly evaluating not only his current acting completeness, but also his growth potential as an actor who can actively perform in even more diverse works moving forward."

"Cosmic Trace" is a film portraying the story of Hyun-ji, an assistant YouTube producer, and Ji-hyun, an unknown actor, who continue living together amid anxiety about reality and the future, only to confront sudden death and seek the meaning of existence amid life's uncertainties. Kang Seung-ho, who played the lead, is an actor who previously drew attention through the film "House of the Seasons," which was released in 2024.

The presentation of the Actor of the Year award is scheduled to take place at the closing ceremony of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, held this afternoon, October 15.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Singer and painter Solbi (real name Kwon Ji-an) has personally shared her thoughts on her upcoming marriage to actor Lee Kyu-han.

On October 15, Solbi posted on her social media, "I am sharing important and happy news about my life with all of you." She wrote, "I have met a life partner with whom I will sketch our tomorrows together. I will cherish and be grateful for every moment we create together, completing the work of art of life called 'us.' Please support us warmly."

The photos shared alongside her message showed the couple holding hands on a beach and gazing at each other against a backdrop of trees and flowers.

Earlier that day, Solbi's agency, Jian Castle, announced the news of their marriage. The agency stated, "Solbi and Lee Kyu-han have promised to tie the knot based on their mutual trust and love," adding, "Both families recently met and shared their blessings for the marriage, and the wedding is scheduled to be held in April 2027." The ceremony will be held privately, attended only by both families, relatives, and close acquaintances.

The two reportedly bonded while appearing together in Season 3 of KBS Joy's "Seeking Old Connections", which aired last year. During the broadcast, the two selected each other and went on a one-on-one drive date. Lee Kyu-han told Solbi, whom he had met on a variety show eight years earlier, "I was such a fan. Since we didn't become close, I couldn't even ask for your phone number." Solbi responded, "We've known each other for a long time, but our paths only crossed briefly. I wanted to get close, too."

Solbi debuted in 2006 as a member of the co-ed group Typhoon and went on to work as a solo singer and television personality. She took up painting in 2010 and continues her artistic career under her real name, Kwon Ji-an. Lee Kyu-han has appeared in dramas such as "My Lovely Sam-Soon", "Que Sera, Sera", "Graceful Family", "The Judge from Hell", and "To My Beloved Thief".

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Representatives of former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, who currently heads ooak records, have explained the circumstances behind the postponement of a ruling in a damages lawsuit filed by a former ADOR employee.

In an official statement on October 15, ooak records said, "On May 27, Min's side officially received a police decision not to refer the case to prosecutors and a prosecutorial decision not to indict in connection with defamation allegations."

ooak records explained, "As decisive and objective evidence had been secured, the court granted the motion to reopen the proceedings so that the evidence could be submitted to the court." The company added, "Min's side had been aware of the police and prosecutorial decisions, which are favorable to the civil case, for some time but had refrained from unnecessary media maneuvering. However, as distorted reports continued to appear in some media outlets, we had no choice but to clarify the facts."

The lawsuit involves a claim for 100 million won in damages filed against Min by former ADOR employee "A." A alleges that they experienced workplace harassment and sexual harassment while employed at the company, that Min attempted to cover up the incidents, and that Min subsequently damaged their reputation by spreading false information. Min has denied the allegations.

The Seoul Western District Court's Civil Division 21 concluded the proceedings at the fourth hearing on July 23 and scheduled the ruling for October 15 at 2 p.m. However, Min's legal team filed a motion to reopen the proceedings on September 21, ahead of the scheduled ruling, followed by a request to change the hearing date on September 29. After the court granted the motion to reopen the proceedings, the ruling was not delivered as scheduled. The case is set to resume on November 26 at 3:50 p.m.

Earlier, a media outlet reported that Min's side had criticized the plaintiffs in a separate damages lawsuit filed by HYBE subsidiaries BELIFT LAB and SOURCE MUSIC for seeking to reopen proceedings on October 14. Min's side described the move as "a typical stalling tactic and attempt to harass the defendant by plaintiffs struggling to substantiate their claims." The outlet also pointed out that Min's side had filed a similar motion approximately three weeks earlier in the present case, in which Min is the defendant.

In response, ooak records told the outlet that "Min's side filed the motion specifically to submit the police and prosecutorial decisions concerning A's defamation complaint to the court." The company added, "This is crucial evidence that could have a decisive impact on the judgment, and portraying the motion as a delay tactic misrepresents the fundamental nature of the filing."

Photo = Reporter Baek Seung-chul

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Poster designer Park Si-young, well known for the hit film "The King's Warden," has announced a temporary halt to his public activities.

On October 14, Park stated on social media, "I have decided to stop doing YouTube and interviews for the time being."

Sharing his thoughts, he explained, "I feel like I've said this many times, but freedom is the most important value in my life. I am losing it. Previously, I felt free, but now, rather than feeling like I'm having a chat, it feels like I'm giving a report."

He also confessed that receiving pleas for help from countless people through social media messages—such as "I am in hell right now" and "Please save me"—took a heavy toll on him.

"I can ignore malicious comments, but I can't ignore concrete pain," he said. "If I ignore it, my sense of humanity gets hurt, and if I listen to it, my own vulnerability causes me pain."

He also opened up honestly about how things changed and the sense of duty he developed after publicly coming out on social media. CEO Park Si-young explained, "An abrupt, bizarre sense of duty came over me: a sense of duty as an adult, a sense of duty as a successful minority, a sense of duty as a senior in an industry that ranks first among jobs likely to disappear in the AI craze, and a sense of duty as someone who has stayed sane among all these damned lunatics."

He continued, "A sense of duty eats away at one's intellect and chains one's own freedom. It is not other people that are the problem; rather, this illusion of righteousness that I created is self-proliferating within me and torturing me. I don't really know the answer, but I will never sacrifice the freedom in my heart for the sake of others."

When news articles were published within a few hours bearing headlines such as "Designer Park Si-young Announces Hiatus," he posted again on social media, reacting, "Wait, how can I halt activities when I was never active in the first place?" He added, "Six hours have passed, can I resume activities now?" alongside a smiling selfie.

It was his way of expressing a bit of embarrassment after his comment about stepping away from future YouTube and interview appearances was sensationalized by media outlets with the grandiose term "hiatus."

CEO Park Si-young is a leading poster designer in the Korean film industry. Leading the design studio Bitnaneun, he has crafted posters for box office sensations including "The Face Reader," "The Wailing," "Mother," and the "Veteran" series. Recently, his poster for the 16-million-viewer blockbuster "The King's Warden" also garnered immense love.

Having revealed on social media this year that he has been in a relationship with a same-sex partner for 15 years, CEO Park Si-young had previously drawn widespread interest after appearing on YouTube and other platforms to share his views on love and personal values.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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The band TOUCHED is releasing their first full-length album, "Polar Night" (literal title).

TOUCHED will release their first studio album, "Polar Night," through various online music streaming platforms at noon on October 15. Marking the first full-length album from TOUCHED since their debut in 2021, the release features a total of 12 tracks. The album title "Polar Night" was inspired by the natural phenomenon in which the sun does not rise above the horizon, causing night to persist.

Their agency explained that they compared emotions that do not easily fade over time to an endless night, expressing each member's "night of their own"—such as frustration, resentment, loss, and solitude—through music. The album was produced with production support from CJ Cultural Foundation's musician support program "Tune Up."

The double title tracks are "Fallen Angel" and "Farewell Star" Both songs were previously unveiled on major festival stages earlier this year and are officially being released as digital tracks through this album. The music video teaser for "Fallen Angel," which was released at midnight on October 14, depicts a sleeping self and another self playing instruments to awaken it coexisting within the same space. The full music video will be released alongside the album.

In line with the album's concept, key teaser content was unveiled at midnight (0:00). The album's first track, "Tunnel," was featured in the mood film, which includes narration by the band members.

The physical album will be released in two formats: a digipak standard edition and a box-type special edition. The physical CD includes exclusive narrations that cannot be heard on digital streaming platforms, bridging the songs together to connect all 12 tracks into a single cohesive flow.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Director Kim Jee-woon's Hollywood film "The Hole" has confirmed its release for June 2027.

According to U.S. entertainment outlet The Hollywood Reporter on October 14, Orion Pictures, under Amazon MGM Studios, has set the U.S. release date for "The Hole" for June 25.

"The Hole" depicts the story of a successful university professor in his 40s who faces a shocking truth after losing his wife in a sudden accident. It is based on the novel of the same name by author Pyun Hye-young, which won the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel. Director Kim Jee-woon is helming the project, with a screenplay written by Christopher Chen.

Theo James, well known to domestic audiences through the "Divergent" series, plays the professor in his 40s. Jung Hoyeon portrays the professor's Korean wife, while Yeom Hye-ran plays his Korean mother-in-law.

Although "The Hole" was made with a Korean director, cast, and crew members, and was largely filmed in South Korea, it is classified as an American film because it was 100% funded by U.S. capital.

Director Kim Jee-woon made his Hollywood debut in 2013 with "The Last Stand", starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, but it underperformed both critically and commercially. Attention is focused on what kind of results he will achieve in his return to Hollywood after 13 years.

On June 25, the date "The Hole" hits theaters in North America, the "Ocean's Eleven" prequel starring Bradley Cooper is also scheduled for release. While jumping into a massive market, this scheduling can also be interpreted as a sign of confidence in the competitive strength of "The Hole".

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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The film "REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED" is showing signs of an early exit from the box office after recording figures bordering on an unprecedented disaster.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated box office tracking network on October 15, "REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED" drew 3,274 moviegoers on October 14, placing tenth at the box office. Its cumulative audience stands at 314,343.

In its third week of release, not only did the daily audience collapse below the 10,000 mark, but it plummeted into the 3,000 range. With the film's break-even point set at approximately 4 million moviegoers, investor and distributor Lotte Entertainment is poised to incur massive losses.

"REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED" is a major production with an estimated budget of 20 billion won. However, compared to its grand scale, it received an unusually low level of attention both before and after its theatrical debut. Production kicked off in June 2023 and wrapped filming in November of that year. Taking over three years to hit the big screen, unfavorable rumors surrounding the project also surfaced along the way.

Audience reactions following its release were similarly disappointing. Alongside criticism that it failed to capture the charm of the original webtoon of the same name, harsh reviews poured in lambasting the CGI as crude, especially considering the massive production budget.

The box office draw of Koo Kyo-hwan, who took the helm as the sole lead, also fell short of expectations. Although he had enjoyed strong momentum this year with consecutive box office hits in "Once We Were Us" and "COLONY," the scorecard for "REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED" resulted in showing that his individual competitiveness as a lead has yet to hit its stride.

Promotions were also insufficient. The film lacked a promotional budget commensurate with its scale as well as active supporting campaigns. Among the four Korean films released during the Chuseok holiday season ("The Intern," "The Assassin(s)," and "Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub"), it opened in theaters last, and despite relatively low awareness and preference among audiences, promotional efforts remained passive. Stage greetings by the cast were held only through the second weekend.

"REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED" was produced by Yong Film, which has delivered sensory and stylish cinematic works such as "The Beauty Inside," "The Handmaiden," and "Believer." In this latest release, however, the production house's distinctive identity, discernment, and flair were completely absent.

Consequently, the film appears headed toward logging the weakest performance among the four Korean releases targeting this year's Chuseok box office. Yet, buried under the historical distortion controversy surrounding its competitor "The Assassin(s)," even this historic catastrophe is going largely unnoticed. For "REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED," that may be the only silver lining.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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"HOPE," the most talked-about film of 2026, will soon be available on online and mobile platforms.

Distributor Plus M Entertainment announced on October 15, "Starting Wednesday, October 21, the theatrical day-and-date VOD service will launch via IPTV, cable TV, online, and mobile platforms."

"HOPE" will be available starting Wednesday, October 21, across various platforms including IPTV (KT, SKB, LG U+), cable TV (Studio Choice), Skylife, Apple TV, Wavve, Coupang Play, TVING, Watcha, and web hard services. In addition, pre-order events will kick off on select platforms starting Friday, October 16.

As "HOPE" continues its theatrical run with sustained enthusiasm from audiences, its VOD service will be provided not only in 2K HD but also, unusually for a Korean film, in 4K, allowing viewers to enjoy the movie in crystal-clear picture quality.

Meanwhile, the confirmed release schedule applies only to transactional VOD services; the release date for subscription-based OTT streaming platforms has yet to be finalized. It appears that detailed terms are currently being coordinated.

"HOPE" begins when Beom-seok, the head of a remote branch office in Hopo Port located in the Demilitarized Zone, hears from local village youths that a tiger has appeared, leading the entire town into high alert as he confronts an unbelievable reality. The film competed in the Competition section of the Cannes Film Festival, earning international acclaim, and drew 4.59 million moviegoers nationwide following its domestic release on July 21. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Rookie girl group A2O LITE, launched by A2O Key Producer Lee Soo-man, is creating a buzz across the music industry with an unconventional debut stage performance.

A2O LITE's debut track "NEON," released digitally at 6 p.m. on October 13, climbed to No. 1 on Melon's TOP100 chart at 11 p.m. on October 14. Achieving this milestone roughly 29 hours after its release, the track overtook "I'm gonna TOESA" by i-dle's SOYEON—which had steadily held the top position—and maintained the No. 1 spot until 8 a.m. on October 15.

Their bold choreography cannot be overlooked in this achievement. The performance featured XILI and AIJING taking the stage for "INTRO" and "NEON". During the intro where the two danced in sync, AIJING executing a turn on one foot was highlighted as the "killing part," sparking strong reactions among fans. Online commenters responded enthusiastically, noting that it felt like watching BoA's past performances.

Regarding this, choreographer J Black shared a video of A2O LITE's debut stage on his Instagram on October 14, writing, "I am J Black, who took part in creating the two-person intro choreography for A2O's XILI and AIJING. Lee Dong-gyu and Choi In-young of Cream Dance co-participated in the creation and training. Please enjoy the choreography and show lots of love for our A2O".

Rumors had initially circulated that this intro choreography was the work of another dancer. J Black shut down the speculation by leaving a comment on the post saying, "Huh?"

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Singer and painter Solbi (birth name Kwon Ji-an, 42) and actor Lee Kyu-han (46) are tying the knot next year.

On October 15, Solbi's agency, Jian Castle, announced, "Singer and painter Solbi and actor Lee Kyu-han have promised to unite in marriage based on mutual trust and love". The agency shared, "The two recently met with both of their families to share their intention to marry, and they plan to hold their wedding ceremony in April 2027". The wedding will be held privately with both families, relatives, and close acquaintances.

The agency added, "We would appreciate your warm congratulations and support for the two as they prepare for a new beginning in life," continuing, "Solbi and Lee Kyu-han will show themselves growing together as precious companions, supporters, and sources of strength in each other's journeys".

The two appeared together last year as cast members on Season 3 of KBS Joy's "Seeking Old Connections". On the broadcast at the time, they chose each other and went on a one-on-one driving date. Lee Kyu-han said to Solbi, whom he had met on a variety show eight years earlier, "I was such a fan. We didn't get close, so I couldn't even ask for your phone number," and Solbi replied, "We've known of each other for a long time, but our paths just briefly crossed. I wanted to get closer to you," creating a romantic atmosphere.

Solbi debuted in 2006 as a member of the co-ed group Typhoon and has been active as a solo singer and television personality. She took up painting in 2010 and continues her career as an artist under her real name, Kwon Ji-an. Lee Kyu-han has appeared in dramas such as "My Lovely Sam Soon," "Que Sera, Sera," "Graceful Family," "The Judge from Hell," and "To My Beloved Thief".

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Singer BIG Naughty (real name Seo Dong-hyun, 24), who began his alternative military service as a social service agent a month ago, has announced his marriage to his girlfriend.

BIG Naughty shared on his social media, "We first met at age 9, and now at 24, we are getting married. I am sincerely grateful to my universe, who has always been a great inspiration to me, and to all of you who love those creations." He added, "Wondering what I could give in return, I casually uploaded a song to YouTube. I will return in a more mature form after diligently completing my service!"

The post featured the phrase "2011, First met. 2026, Married" alongside the credits for his new song "Vancouver 3".

Earlier, on October 14, BIG Naughty also personally broke the marriage news to fans in a group chat room where he interacts with them.

He wrote, "I wanted to let you guys know first before people found out.... There is one more final piece of news for this year," sharing, "You might already know, or it might seem sudden, but I decided to spend the rest of my life with that friend from 'Vancouver', 'Vancouver 2', and many other songs!!!!!" He continued, "Thanks to you all, those songs were able to come out into the world, and thanks to that, I think I learned a lot too. I am always grateful, but thank you once again, and I will return as a more mature young man :)"

BIG Naughty has not hidden his relationship in the past. Through various broadcasts and media appearances, he spoke openly about his crush of over 10 years that began during his elementary school days, and his signature "Vancouver" series is known to convey his feelings for her.

In 2023, he was also swept up in controversy over a public display of affection during a performance. While performing an unreleased track at the "Tone & Music Festival" held in June of that year, BIG Naughty suddenly ran off the stage and returned about 30 seconds later to resume his performance. Backstage footage released afterward showed him kissing a woman and caressing her cheek, and the woman was identified as BIG Naughty's girlfriend.

BIG Naughty has been fulfilling his alternative military service as a social service agent since September 10. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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