BTS’ V sparks buzz with winter ‘running addiction’ as he shares sweaty selfies in freezing windBTS member V is drawing attention online after revealing that he is still committed to outdoor running despite South Korea’s harsh winter temperatures — a small moment of daily life that quickly went viral among the band's global fanbase, ARMY. On Nov. 28, V shared new photos on his social media, showing himself drenched in sweat after a run. The singer wrote, “The wind is too cold to run now.” He also posted a mirror selfie taken at a public exercise point in Hangang Park, where many locals jog along the river. Even after an intense workout, V’s clean, unfazed visuals stood out, capturing fans’ attention across platforms. His post immediately spread on Korean and international social media, with fans expressing surprise — and admiration — that he continues outdoor running even in biting winter winds. Many joked about his “running addiction,” a phrase that trended locally as fans discussed his fitness routine and dedication. This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.Nov 29, 2025By Xportsnews
Chinese fans brace for curbs on Japanese culture, echoing hallyu banWhat was meant to be an ordinary concert for fans of Japanese singer-songwriter Kokia in Beijing turned into disappointment when the show was abruptly canceled on Nov. 19. Fans waited outside the venue for over an hour past the scheduled start time, only to leave without ever seeing a performance, according to social media posts. For Wang Xiaobu, a Beijing office worker who bought a ticket for the Beijing show, the cancellation wasn’t the end. Determined to see Kokia perform, she made a last-minute decision, flying to Guangzhou for another concert during the weekend. “I turned regret into contentment,” she said on the lifestyle platform RedNote. “The last-minute cancellation for my first time also led to my first spur-of-the-moment trip. An unforgettable experience.” Wang’s experience appears to be tied to the latest fallout from an escalating spat between China and Japan over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments suggesting Tokyo would deploy its self-defense forces in the event of a Beijing attack on Taiwan. China, which regards the self-ruled island as part of its terrNov 28, 2025By Alyssa Chen
BTS' Jung Kook proves unmatched star power as cooking livestream hits 6.4 mil. viewersBTS member Jung Kook once again sparked global buzz with a surprise live broadcast. His spontaneous cooking livestream on fan platform Weverse drew more than 6.4 million real-time viewers, reaffirming his “world-class” influence. Jung Kook went live on Weverse on Nov. 24, unveiling a new pasta recipe that instantly captivated fans around the world. What could have been a simple cooking stream felt closer to a complete performance. His smooth and precise movements, detailed explanations of flavors and ingredients, and natural smiles and facial expressions combined to create a broadcast that kept viewers fully engaged from start to finish. Jung Kook has already shown his culinary creativity through creations such as “bulguri” (a combination of Buldak and Neoguri brand spicy instant noodles), sesame oil buckwheat noodles with spicy mayo, “rajuk” (a combination of instant noodles and rice porridge) and truffle cream pasta, all of which he crafted himself. Each time he does a cooking livestream, major fan communities and online platforms light up with real-time reactions, reflecNov 26, 2025By Xportsnews
‘Even if I were born again, I would be an actor’: Lee Soon-jae’s life reflects dignity of an artistLee Soon-jae lived as a working actor until his final days. At 91, an age when many retire into quiet rest, he moved between theater stages and filming sets, fueled by an undying passion for performance. His life itself was a work of art, shaped by discipline, humility and craftsmanship. News of Lee’s passing on Nov. 25 prompted an outpouring of grief across the entertainment industry. Actors, directors and colleagues shared their condolences and recalled memories of the veteran performer with deep sorrow. Lee had an exclusive YouTube interview with the Hankook Ilbo a few years ago, ahead of the release of the film “Good Morning.” “I didn’t get paid much for this one. It’s a low-budget film. But the script was good. I joined the project happily, with a bit of ambition, regardless of the money,” he said with a cheerful laugh. For Lee, an actor’s greatest fortune was meeting good scripts and good directors. “That’s how you can fully show your capabilities. That’s real luck for an actor,” he said. In “Good Morning,” he played an elderly man in a hospice ward. “Nov 26, 2025By Hankookilbo
Kim Woo-bin, Shin Min-a join ranks of long-term celebrity couples finally getting marriedThe Korean entertainment world is buzzing this month, and not only because top actors Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-a are getting married after a decade of dating. Their wedding has unexpectedly revived global interest in a uniquely Korean trend: celebrity couples who date quietly — often for seven to 10 years — before finally tying the knot. Kim and Shin will hold a private ceremony on Dec. 20 in Seoul with family and close friends. Their agency, AM Entertainment, said, “Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-a promised to become lifelong partners based on the deep trust they have built over many years.” Kim, born in 1989, and Shin, born in 1984, went public with their relationship in 2015. Over the past decade, they have earned praise in Korea for keeping their romance low-drama and for their steady philanthropy, leading fans to call them a “model couple.” Their wedding has now sparked broader public attention toward other long-term celebrity relationships — many of which lasted nearly a decade before marriage, a pattern that differs from the often shorter span of high-profile Hollywood roNov 22, 2025By Xportsnews
K-drama power couple Shin Min-a and Kim Woo-bin to marry after 10-year romanceIn a real-life K-drama twist that has sent Korean social media buzzing, actors Shin Min-a and Kim Woo-bin will tie the knot on Dec. 20, 10 years after publicly confirming their relationship. Their agencies say the longtime couple, beloved for both their on-screen presence and their steadfast off-screen partnership, made the decision based on “deep trust” built over the past decade. Private December ceremony AM Entertainment said on Nov. 20 that the pair have “promised to become life partners after years of a strong and faithful relationship.” The wedding will take place privately in Seoul with only family members, relatives and close friends in attendance. “We ask for your warm support and blessings for their future together,” the agency said, adding that both actors will continue working actively and “do their best to repay the love they have received.” A relationship followed closely by fans Shin and Kim have been one of Korea’s most stable celebrity couples since going public in 2015. Their relationship drew widespread admiration during Kim’s battle with nasopharyngNov 20, 2025By Xportsnews
'Stop altering your face': Veteran Korean actor criticizes entrenched cosmetic cultureActor Yun Mi-ra is going viral after openly urging younger actors to avoid cosmetic procedures, delivering an unusually direct critique of Korea’s beauty-focused entertainment culture. The discussion appeared in a video uploaded Thursday on her personal YouTube channel, titled “Date with my son Part 2: Youth star Park Hyung-joon.” In the clip, Yun meets her longtime junior colleague Park Hyung-joon for a casual outing. Seeing him, she immediately says his face looks healthier, prompting Park to respond that her appearance has “not changed at all.” Yun then shifts the conversation, saying, “Your face looks natural because you never get work done. These days so many male actors are doing procedures.” She adds, “It is not about reversing aging. You simply should not touch your face in that way.” When Park jokes that he “might need a little work,” Yun firmly shuts it down. “Never do it. You look good right now. Once people start getting procedures, they end up ruining themselves.” The two even hook fingers as she makes him promise not to undergo any cosmetic enhancNov 15, 2025By Xportsnews
Former EXO member Kris Wu hit by prison death rumors as Chinese police call reports 'fake'Rumors claiming that former EXO member Kris Wu has died in prison are spreading across Chinese social media, prompting police to issue an unusual public denial and warn users against circulating unverified claims. On Thursday, Taiwanese media reported that speculation about Wu’s alleged death was gaining traction among Chinese netizens. The claims began after a user on Weibo — China’s largest social media platform — posted that he was Wu’s “fellow inmate” and alleged that the singer had recently died under suspicious circumstances. The user wrote that prison guards were “whispering strangely a few days ago” and claimed that Wu had “been killed after failing to meet the demands” by gang members inside the facility. The posts rapidly spread online despite the lack of evidence. As speculation intensified, Jiangsu Provincial Police posted an official statement on their Weibo account, drawing a clear line under the rumors. Police labeled the posts as fake news and urged users not to spread “unverified information,” adding that those who continue to distribute falseNov 15, 2025By Xportsnews
Adorable kid from ‘Reply 1988’ now a 14-year-old student prodigyThe children once beloved by Korean audiences — from star offspring to scene-stealing child actors — are now all grown up, leaving fans amazed by their striking visuals and life updates. On Monday, a new photo of Kim Seol, the child actress who played Jin-ju in tvN’s 2015 hit “Reply 1988,” went viral after her mother shared it on social media. The post, captioned “2025 Nov. 4 Gifted education program completion ceremony,” showed Kim smiling brightly while holding her certificate. Only 4 years old when she appeared in “Reply 1988,” Kim, now 14, has grown into a poised young teen — surprising fans who remember her as the show’s adorable toddler. The sons of actor Lee Jong-hyuk — Joon-soo and Tak-soo — also captured attention recently with their own updates. Joon-soo, now a high school senior, announced his preliminary acceptance to Chung-Ang University’s Department of Theater and Performing Arts and Sejong University’s Department of Film Arts. He later shared that he had officially been admitted to Seoul Institute of the Arts, where his father is an alumnusNov 12, 2025By Xportsnews
Kim Soo-hyun threatens legal action over 'manipulated' materials from Kim Sae-ron’s familyActor Kim Soo-hyun’s legal team has suggested that new materials provided by the late actress Kim Sae-ron’s family may have been fabricated — warning that any renewed spread of manipulated evidence would be treated as a grave legal matter. Attorney Kho Sang-rok, Kim’s legal representative, said in a post on his YouTube channel Monday that “attorney Bu Ji-seok, who represents Kim Sae-ron’s family, has reportedly accepted an interview request from a major network’s investigative news program that began production last week.” Kho added, “We welcome Bu’s decision to give media interviews.” However, Kho said the situation had taken a concerning turn. “Right after news of the interview broke, several individuals believed to be in contact with an acquaintance of the late Kim Sae-ron began spreading claims on social media that ‘the family has provided previously unreleased materials to their attorney,’” he said. “We view this as a serious warning sign suggesting a potential recurrence of the same fabrication that once caused severe harm to actor Kim Soo-hyun.”Nov 12, 2025By Xportsnews
