Former adult film star Asuka Kirara defends The Boyz’ Ju Haknyeon again: ‘He may be a fan, but there was no prostitution’Asuka Kirara, a former Japanese adult video actress, has once again spoken out to deny allegations linking her to former The Boyz member Ju Haknyeon, who recently faced — and was cleared of — prostitution charges. During a livestream on her personal channel on Tuesday, Asuka addressed rumors surrounding her alleged involvement in a private gathering with Ju, which had previously led to his departure from the group. "I met a male friend on his birthday after two years and joined a mixed group of people for drinks," she explained. "There were designers and many others. I didn’t even know Ju Hak-nyeon would be there. No one invited me saying he’d be there, and claims that I was used to raise someone’s profile are nonsense." She acknowledged that Ju had said he was a fan but denied all other claims. "Has anyone actually read the Shukan Bunshun (a weekly Japanese tabloid) article? It’s all nonsense. There was never any three-day relationship. That was the first time I met him. So much false information is being spread." She went on to say, “I don’t understand how this led to hJul 3, 2025By Xportsnews
The Royal Ballet returns to Korea after 20 years with gala of classical, contemporary worksThe Royal Ballet, one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the world, is in Seoul this week for gala performances featuring both classical and contemporary works. Marking the company’s first visit to Seoul in 20 years, the Royal Ballet director Kevin O’Hare — who came to Seoul two decades ago as a dancer — said he was thrilled to be back. “We are delighted to be here and to share the very best of ballet with you,” he said during a press event at the LG Arts Center in western Seoul, Wednesday. “The program is full of excerpts from some of our greatest works, all part of our repertoire — it’s really a snapshot of what we do.” Due to tight performance schedules in London, the Royal Ballet doesn’t often travel outside the U.K. This year, the company is touring only in Korea and Italy. The gala performance, which will take place Friday through Sunday at the LG Arts Center, features a blend of timeless classics and contemporary pieces. Audiences can expect highlights from famous works, such as "Swan Lake," "Don Quixote," "Romeo and Juliet" and "Giselle," alongsideJul 2, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
BTS’ Jin brings ‘deadly cuteness’ to fashion event in SeoulBTS member Jin made a captivating appearance at the opening photo call for the ALO Dosan store held Tuesday in Sinsa-dong, Seoul. Jin posed for photographers at the event, drawing attention with his signature charm and polished visuals. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.Jul 2, 2025By Xportsnews
Scarlett Johansson’s Seoul comeback: Skincare shopping, heart gestures and Hollywood glamHollywood actress Scarlett Johansson returned to Korea for the first time in eight years to promote the film “Jurassic World: New Era.” A red carpet event was held on Tuesday at Times Square in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, featuring director Gareth Edwards and actors Scarlett Johansson, Rupert Friend and Jonathan Bailey. This marks Johansson’s second visit to Korea, the last being in 2017 for the film “Ghost in the Shell.” Ahead of the premiere, Johansson made a surprise appearance on the popular Korean TV show “You Quiz on the Block,” personally announcing her upcoming visit and raising excitement among fans. Speaking at a press conference held at the Four Seasons Hotel, she said, “I’m so excited to be back here. I wish I had more time to be here.” She added, “This morning I just ended up going to buy a bunch of makeup and skincare products. That was my day. I was like, 'I have to go and do that first.' And I think I had about seven kinds of kimchi at the breakfast this morning,” expressing her affection for Korean culture. Beloved for her role as Black Widow in the MarvelJul 2, 2025By Xportsnews
Girl’s Day’s Hyeri and ‘Street Man Fighter’ dancer Woo Tae spark dating rumors after ‘Victory’ collaborationActress and former Girl’s Day member Hyeri is at the center of dating rumors involving dancer Woo Tae, known from Mnet’s “Street Man Fighter.” On Tuesday, both parties’ agencies responded to the reports, but declined to confirm the relationship, citing privacy. Sublime, Hyeri’s agency, told Xportsnews, “We cannot confirm matters related to the actor’s personal life.” Similarly, Woo Tae’s agency, The Live, said, “As this concerns private matters, we are unable to confirm. We ask for your understanding.” The rumors began after a media outlet reported that Hyeri and Woo Tae have been dating for over a year. According to the report, the two first met during the production of the film “Victory” and recently began sharing their relationship status with close acquaintances. “Victory” is a dance-themed movie that follows the story of Pil-seon (played by Hyeri) and Mi-na (Park Se-wan), two women who find purpose and support through cheerleading. Woo Tae worked as the film’s choreographer. Hyeri debuted in 2010 as a member of the K-pop group Girl’s Day and has sJul 1, 2025By Xportsnews
BLACKPINK’s Lisa raises concern with ear injury photo amid makeup-free charmBLACKPINK’s Lisa has stirred both admiration and concern among fans after sharing a series of candid photos and a cryptic video from her trip to Japan. On Monday, Lisa posted several photos to her personal account without a caption, offering a glimpse into her travel routine. In the images, she shows off her unique fashion sense, wearing a black blouse with a cutout detail, flowing knee-length skirt and white flats. The K-pop star also flaunted a new look — ditching her signature bangs and wearing glasses — while appearing without noticeable makeup. Her natural appearance quickly drew praise from fans. However, one short video has sparked concern. In the clip, Lisa appears startled, and a wound inside her ear is visible, seemingly oozing blood and fluid. The absence of any explanation from the artist has left fans alarmed and speculating about the nature of the injury. Fans from Korea and abroad flooded the comments with messages like: “Is that really blood?” “Don’t be sick,” “Please tell us what happened to your ear” and “Why aren’t you saying anything when fansJul 1, 2025By Xportsnews
Celebrities open up about postpartum depression, sparking waves of supportHonest confessions from celebrities about their struggles with postpartum depression are resonating deeply with viewers and generating widespread empathy online. On the June 26 episode of JTBC’s “Divorce Consideration Camp,” actress Park Ha-sun shared her personal experience with postpartum depression, offering a raw account of how difficult it had been. In the episode, one participant revealed that his wife had been diagnosed with postpartum depression, prompting Park to reflect, “The husband really needs to be supportive during that time. It’s not something you can just overcome with willpower.” She recounted, “One night, my husband went out briefly to meet a friend, and I just broke down crying. I hadn’t been able to meet anyone for so long. He came back and was shocked, asking, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ I looked in the mirror and saw that the blood vessels in my face had burst. I had been holding everything in for so long that it literally showed on my face.” Actress So Yoo-jin, who has three children with celebrity chef Paik Jong-won, also shared her story onJun 28, 2025By Xportsnews
Unexpected duo: BTS’ J-Hope and ‘Goblin’ star Gong Yoo surprise fans with stylish rooftop photo in ParisBTS member J-Hope has shared an unexpected but heartwarming photo with actor Gong Yoo, drawing enthusiastic reactions from fans around the world. On Tuesday, J-Hope posted several photos on his personal social media account without any caption. Among them were snapshots taken in Paris, where he had traveled to attend a luxury brand’s fashion show. One particular image stood out — a rooftop photo of J-Hope and Gong Yoo posing together with the sunset sky in the background. The two stars showcased a surprising connection, with their friendly shoulder-to-shoulder pose and effortless charisma capturing fans' attention. Both dressed in black suits, the pair exuded confidence and style. Gong Yoo offered his trademark gentle smile, while J-Hope showed off his sharp features and bold expression, highlighting their distinct visual charms. Their unexpected chemistry quickly became a hot topic online, with fans expressing delight at the crossover between two of Korea’s biggest stars in music and film. Meanwhile, J-Hope recently wrapped up his encore world tour concert on June 14 at Goyang SporJun 26, 2025By Xportsnews
Retired adult video actress Aoi Sora speaks out after K-pop group The Boyz scandalJapanese adult video actress and model Aoi Sora has spoken out amid the controversy surrounding Ju Haknyeon, a former member of K-pop group The Boyz. On Wednesday, Aoi posted a message in both Korean and Japanese on her social media account. “Although AV [adult video] actors portray sexual acts, that does not mean they are prostitutes," she wrote. “What’s truly wrong is behaving in a way that could lead to such scandalous photos being leaked,” she added. “From a fan’s perspective, they might say, ‘Why did it have to be an AV actress?’” Her remarks are believed to be in reference to reports that former member of The Boyz Ju Haknyeon was involved in a sex scandal with Asuka Kirara, a retired adult video actress. On May 29, Ju was spotted in Japan with Asuka. The incident sparked public outrage and speculation over the nature of their relationship. The Boyz's agency, One Hundred, had already announced Ju’s suspension from activities on June 16. Two days later, the agency said, “We immediately suspended his activities upon learning about the controversy and spent time thJun 26, 2025By Xportsnews
Still stunning after 20 years: Korea’s legendary trio Kim Tae-hee, Song Hye-kyo and Jun Ji-hyun remain icons in their 40sThe enduring star power of Kim Tae-hee, Song Hye-kyo and Jun Ji-hyun — dubbed the “Tae-Hye-Ji” trio of the 2000s — remains as strong as ever, with each actress drawing headlines for her beauty, poise and career longevity well into their 40s. Kim Tae-hee recently made waves through a new commercial for a Taiwanese medical beauty brand, marking her first major public appearance since the 2023 drama “Lies Hidden in My Garden” and a cameo in “Welcome to Samdal-ri” in early 2024. Despite her unchanged appearance, Kim spoke candidly in a local Taiwanese interview released June 13 about her insecurities regarding aging. “I started to feel a little uneasy after turning 35,” she said. “Marriage, giving birth and raising children kept me busy.” Now in her 40s, Kim added that she has learned to embrace change. “I’ve come to accept there are things I can’t control. By doing my best, I began to discover new sides of myself and now embrace my calm and composed aura. I want to continue cultivating that beauty and charm.” Although Kim doesn’t use social media, she recenJun 25, 2025By Xportsnews
