Cha Eun-woo enlists, Song Kang returns, Rowoon delays: Korea’s most striking actors swap military dutiesKorea’s so-called “visual genius” actors are drawing attention as they take turns stepping in and out of military service. Singer-actor Cha Eun-woo enlisted in the military on Monday. He entered the Army Training Center in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, and will serve in the military band after completing his basic training. His discharge is scheduled for January 2027. Up until his enlistment, Cha kept busy with various activities, including fan meetings. His Netflix series “The Wonderfuls” and the film “First Ride” are also set to be released during his service. As Cha’s absence begins, fans and the public expressed their sorrow online, leaving comments such as “It’s finally happening,” “I already miss him,” “A national loss” and “The country should protect Cha Eun-woo.” Still, some good news may help ease the disappointment: Song Kang, another top “visual genius,” will complete his military service and return to the public eye this October. Song Kang, who enlisted in April last year as an active-duty Army soldier, is expected to be discharged iAug 2, 2025By Xportsnews
K-drama heartthrob Cha Eun-woo says ‘don’t forget me’ ahead of enlistment, leaves fans with songs, drama and filmCha Eun-woo of K-pop group ASTRO is minimizing his time away from fans during military service by filling the pre-enlistment period with a packed schedule. The singer-actor recently shared heartfelt messages through a fan communication platform, expressing gratitude and affection to his followers. “I’ve been doing well, meeting people I’m thankful for,” he wrote. “I miss Aroha (ASTRO’s fan club). You’ll probably miss me a lot too, right? It hasn’t fully hit me yet. But with the album, movie, and drama all coming out, don’t forget me,” he said. Cha is set to enter an Army training center on July 28 and will serve as an active-duty soldier in the military band. Ahead of enlistment, he has shared updates including photos of his newly shaved head and glimpses of his routine, such as working out and attending schedules. True to his nickname “face genius,” his sharp, clean-cut appearance sparked buzz among fans. His pre-enlistment activities reached a peak with solo fan meetings titled “The Royal” held in Seoul and Japan — a final chance to meet fans in person beJul 26, 2025By Xportsnews
K-pop privacy at risk: From BTS and NewJeans to Haruna, fan break-ins raise alarmUnauthorized entries into the homes of K-pop stars — sometimes accompanied by threats or stalking — are on the rise, prompting concern from both fans and agencies about artist safety. Mystic Story, the agency representing Haruna of the girl group Billlie, said Friday that a serious incident recently occurred in which an outsider “used force to damage the front door and trespassed into Haruna’s residence, causing a direct threat to the artist.” As a result, Haruna has been diagnosed with psychological distress and advised to take time off for rest and recovery. She will temporarily suspend all activities. “We recognize the seriousness of the matter and plan to take strict legal action, both criminal and civil, without leniency,” the agency said. It added that her return schedule will be announced later. Haruna is not the only K-pop star to face such incidents. In June, a Chinese woman in her 30s was arrested while attempting to enter the home of BTS member Jungkook. The woman repeatedly tried to input the front door’s password before being caught by police after a neighborJul 26, 2025By Xportsnews
National Museum official thanks RM as BTS collab draws global fansA team leader at Korea’s National Museum expressed gratitude to BTS member RM for his role in popularizing a miniature of the iconic “Pensive Bodhisattva” statue — and revealed how the museum’s collaboration with BTS came to be. On the Wednesday episode of tvN’s "You Quiz on the Block," Kim Mi-kyung, head of the product planning team at the National Museum of Korea, spoke about RM’s impact on the museum’s product line and his enduring support. During the show, host Yoo Jae-suk brought up the immense popularity of the Pensive Bodhisattva miniature. “It became even more famous because RM bought it. I heard he once visited the shop but couldn’t buy it because the color he wanted wasn’t available,” he said, sounding surprised. Kim confirmed the story. “After we launched the miniature, we increased production and began selling it offline. One day, a manager at our museum store contacted us saying RM had come by, but we didn’t have the color he wanted, so he left empty-handed. I felt so bad,” she said. Moved by the experience, the team produced more stock for offlJul 24, 2025By Xportsnews
BLACKPINK’s Lisa flaunts ultra-luxurious lifestyle in front of $220,000 FerrariLisa of BLACKPINK has once again wowed fans with a glimpse into her extravagant lifestyle. On Monday, Lisa shared several photos on her personal social media account, captioned "Keep scrolling." The images show the K-pop star striking chic poses on a palm tree-lined street beside a luxury supercar. Wearing a white cropped T-shirt, denim jeans and a black LA Dodgers cap, Lisa showcased a casual yet polished look. One image captures her leaning against the steering wheel of the sleek convertible, smiling effortlessly — a scene that could be mistaken for a fashion editorial. The car featured is a Ferrari reportedly priced at around 300 million won ($220,000) in Korea. Meanwhile, Lisa and the rest of BLACKPINK are currently on their "DEADLINE" world tour, which spans 31 shows across 16 cities. After kicking off in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, the group has successfully wrapped performances in Los Angeles and Chicago, with upcoming stops in Toronto, New York, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, London, Kaohsiung, Bangkok, Jakarta, Bulacan, Singapore, Tokyo and Hong Kong. This article from Xportsnews is tJul 24, 2025By Xportsnews
What made IU thank Byeon Woo-seok’s fans? The sweet tradition of K-drama snack giftsIU responded with heartfelt thanks to a generous lunch box gift from actor Byeon Woo-seok’s fans. On Thursday, the singer and actress shared a photo on her social media account along with the caption, “Thank you for the meal!! Woo-seok 24 hours.” The photo shows a vibrant fruit lunch box delivered by Byeon Woo-seok’s fandom to the filming set of the upcoming MBC drama tentatively titled “Wife of a 21st Century Prince.” The lunch box was packed with fresh seasonal fruits, including watermelon, kiwi, orange, cherry tomatoes and pineapple. IU expressed her appreciation with a finger heart gesture in the photo. Fans of IU and Byeon Woo-seok, who are co-starring in the series, have been actively supporting the cast and crew by sending coffee trucks, snack trucks and lunches to the filming site. “Wife of a 21st Century Prince” is a modern-day romance set in a fictional constitutional monarchy in Korea. The drama tells the story of a woman who has everything as a chaebol heiress but is frustrated by her commoner status, and a prince who was born to royalty but is denied the privJul 21, 2025By Xportsnews
Same black, different style: Seo Hyun-jin, Hyeri, and Soo-hyun redefine the classic black gownActors Seo Hyun-jin, Hyeri, and Soo-hyun lit up the red carpet on Friday at the 4th Blue Dragon Series Awards held at Paradise City in Incheon — each in black, but with a distinct twist. Though all three chose black dresses, their choices of silhouettes and details created strikingly different moods and styles on the red carpet. Seo Hyun-jin brought refined elegance in a classic one-shoulder gown. The subtle draping over her shoulder and the clean, structured lines emphasized her serene, urban sophistication and understated allure. Hyeri opted for a sleek mock-neck dress that drew attention to her neckline and shoulders. While the covered neckline could have appeared restrictive, a daring cutout at the right waist introduced a subtle, unexpected touch of sensuality. Soo-hyun showcased the timeless charm of a strapless tube-top gown, revealing her collarbones and shoulders. The clean-cut silhouette and voluminous bodice combined grace and femininity in perfect balance. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.Jul 19, 2025By Xportsnews
'Physical: 100' goes global with US, European, Asian editions"Physical: 100," Netflix's global hit Korean reality competition, is officially expanding worldwide with American, European and Asian spin-offs in development, the streaming service said Wednesday. Netflix said it is creating an American version, tentatively titled "Physical: 100 USA." It also confirmed a European version is in the early planning stages. Both series will follow the original's format, featuring elite competitors from across the United States and Europe, selected from the fields of sports, fitness and military, in a battle of strength and endurance. Early this year, Netflix announced a third season, which has been rebranded as "Physical: Asia." The upcoming season will hold a major inter-country competition, with contestants from various nations representing their homelands. Adding star power to the Asian edition, legendary Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao is set to appear in "Physical: 100 Asia," scheduled for release in the fourth quarter. The global expansion comes on the heels of the massive success of the first two seasons. The show quickly became a chart-topping hit by bJul 16, 2025By Yonhap
Kim Soo-hyun reportedly offloads Seoul property following legal disputeActor Kim Soo-hyun has reportedly sold one of his high-end properties as he faces mounting legal challenges from advertisers. According to a recent report by Woman Sense, Kim sold his unit at the upscale Galleria Foret in Seongsu-dong, Seoul — originally purchased in October 2014 for 3.02 billion won ($2.2 million) — for 8 billion won on July 3. The apartment, measuring 170.98 square meters in net floor area and 232.59 square meters in total area, earned him a profit of nearly 4.98 billion won after 11 years. Sources say Kim signed the sales contract on June 27, shortly after being hit with a 7.3 billion won damages lawsuit from an advertiser. The timing has sparked speculation that the sale may have been prompted by financial concerns related to the lawsuit. However, attorney Bang Sung-hoon of law firm LKB & Partners, who represents Kim, told Xportsnews on Wednesday, “This is a personal matter, so it is difficult to confirm the details,” declining further comment. Some speculate the sale was part of preparations to handle potential liabilities. “The lawsuits filed by advertiseJul 10, 2025By Xportsnews
‘Seungri oppa’ photo sparks backlash amid signs of possible comebackA recent photo of former BIGBANG member Seungri taken in Seoul is stirring controversy, prompting speculation about his potential return to the Korean entertainment scene. Seungri, who has largely remained out of the spotlight since his release from prison, was recently spotted in a sleeveless shirt with a noticeably slimmer figure and clearer complexion. The image, which circulated on online communities, was taken alongside a woman who described herself as a “cryptocurrency trader and luxury appraiser.” Her use of the phrase “Seungri oppa” to refer to him has further fueled public curiosity about their relationship. The location of the photo, presumed to be in Seoul, suggests that Seungri is currently in South Korea. Just a short time ago, he was reportedly seen at a nightclub in China, raising concerns over a possible attempt to restart his career abroad. Now, his updated appearance and presence in Korea are stirring up public outrage. Social media users have responded with harsh criticism, posting comments such as “Criminals shouldn’t return to the spotlight,” “Don’Jul 10, 2025By Xportsnews
