Discharged BTS' RM says ‘It was tough but meaningful. I’ll return to the stage soon’BTS member RM has expressed his strong desire to return to the stage following his discharge from the military. On Tuesday morning, RM and V held a quiet discharge ceremony at Sinbuk Sports Park in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, where they reflected on their service and shared their thoughts with fans and the press. From early in the day, the venue was buzzing with excitement as global fans and media gathered. Coffee trucks and large decorated buses, prepared by fans, added to the atmosphere. RM, dressed in uniform and holding a saxophone, entertained the crowd with a lively performance. His saxophone playing and energy created a meaningful moment to share with his fans. “To be honest, there were many hard and painful times,” RM said. “But I came to realize that there are so many people protecting the country in our place. It’s thanks to those who defend the nation on the front lines that we were able to continue our activities.” He added, “During my service, I became much closer to my father and my friends, and it was a meaningful time that allowed me to connect with fellow solJun 10, 2025By Xportsnews
BTS' V says 'Time to reset body and mind. I’ll return with amazing stage soon'BTS member V has expressed gratitude to fans who waited and supported him throughout his military service. On Tuesday morning, RM and V held their military discharge ceremony at Sinbuk Sports Park in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, where they spoke candidly about completing their military duties. From early morning, the site was filled with fans and media, all eager to welcome the two back. Fans took their seats and waited patiently, a scene that spoke volumes about how much they had missed the two stars. V appeared before the fans and press in his military uniform, beaming with a bright smile and holding a large bouquet of flowers. He waved to cheering fans, savoring the moment after a long wait. “After serving in the military, I had time to reflect and rebuild both my body and mind,” V said. “I kept thinking about how much I wanted to run back to ARMY as soon as possible. I sincerely want to thank everyone who waited for me during the hiatus. If you wait just a little longer, I promise to return with an amazing performance.” He also expressed appreciation to his fellow soldiers andJun 10, 2025By Xportsnews
Actress Kim Sae-ron was listed as creditor in father’s bankruptcy, lost over $180,000Actress Kim Sae-ron, who died in February at the age of 25, reportedly bore the weight of her family’s financial difficulties in her final years, including debts tied to her father’s failed business. According to an SBS Entertainment News report on Monday, Kim had assumed responsibility for part of her family’s debt and received financial help from acquaintances in the entertainment industry to make ends meet. Her economic hardship reportedly intensified over the past few years, partly due to her family's financial instability. Kim’s father filed for personal bankruptcy in December 2020 after a business collapse during the COVID-19 pandemic left him indebted to more than 20 creditors. At the time, Kim — then 20 years old — was listed as one of the creditors and reportedly owed around 250 million won (about $180,000). The bankruptcy was finalized in March 2023. Additionally, a restaurant run by her family went out of business after failing to pay rent and maintenance fees, resulting in the full loss of its security deposit. Kim’s situation worsened further after her 2022 druJun 9, 2025By Xportsnews
Gold, padded coats and massage machines: Korean celebrities go big on staff appreciationKorean celebrities are earning praise for going above and beyond when it comes to rewarding the staff members who support their productions. On Friday, YouTube channel Fullmoon shared a heartwarming anecdote about actor So Ji-sub from the Netflix original series “Mercy for None.” Fellow actor Ahn Kil-kang said, "After the shoot was over, So Ji-sub gave each of us a piece of gold," highlighting the actor’s generous gesture toward both cast and crew. So later explained, "I’ve always liked giving something back after wrapping a shoot. I paid for everything myself, but people assumed it was all sponsored. But with gold, there are no sponsors. I meant it as something they could sell if times got hard." Actress Go Youn-jung also made headlines last December when she gifted over 150 long padded winter coats to staff members on the set of the Netflix series "Can This Love Be Translated?" Partnering with an outdoor clothing brand she models for, she has gifted coats to the crew two years in a row, leaving a lasting impression. Girls’ Generation member Im Yoon-ah also drew attention whenJun 8, 2025By Xportsnews
G-Dragon denies renewed dating rumors with Lee Joo-yeonK-pop star G-Dragon has officially denied recurring rumors that he is romantically involved with former After School member Lee Joo-yeon. On June 6, G-Dragon’s agency Galaxy Corporation issued a statement saying, “We would like to clarify that the recent speculation about a romantic relationship between G-Dragon and Lee Joo-yeon is not true.” The latest wave of dating rumors emerged on online forums after fans pointed out similarities between the interior setting of a photo posted by Lee on social media and G-Dragon’s home. Netizens compared elements such as the sofa, wall art and decor arrangement, claiming they closely resembled those seen in previous glimpses of the singer’s residence. A cat seen in Lee’s arms wearing what looked like G-Dragon’s pet’s signature scarf further fueled speculation. Neither party had previously addressed the latest round of speculation, though this is far from the first time the two stars have been linked. Dating rumors between G-Dragon and Lee Joo-yeon first surfaced in 2017 and continued to circulate in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Now facing thJun 6, 2025By Xportsnews
Why do South Korean celebrities wear neutral colors during election season?With each election season, South Korea’s entertainment industry finds itself walking a tightrope as stars' social media activity comes under intense scrutiny. In response to the growing sensitivity surrounding political expression, agencies are now taking preemptive steps — including reviewing photos, outfits and even emoji use — to avoid misunderstandings about political leanings. The most recent controversy unfolded ahead of the presidential early voting period, when Karina of the girl group aespa posted a photo wearing a red jacket bearing the number "2" — a combination associated with the conservative People Power Party. Her post drew praise from party figures, including a spokesperson for the party’s central campaign committee and professor Lee Soo-jung. Karina quickly clarified on a fan platform, saying, “I had absolutely no political intent,” while her agency SM Entertainment also described it as “just a casual photo.” Other stars have faced similar backlash for seemingly innocuous posts. Actress Han So-hee was criticized for making a "V" hand gesture, while raJun 6, 2025By Hankookilbo
BTS’ Jin buys $12.7 mil. apartment in Seoul with cash — his third at Hannam The HillJin of BTS has made another high-profile real estate purchase in one of Korea’s most expensive residential complexes. According to Alpha Economy and real estate industry sources on Thursday, Jin recently purchased an apartment in Hannam The Hill located in the Hannam-dong area of Yongsan District, Seoul. The property, measuring 243.201 square meters, was bought for 17.5 billion won (approximately $12.7 million) — paid entirely in cash. Hannam The Hill is a luxury residential complex widely known as the home of business elites and top celebrities. This latest purchase marks Jin’s third investment in the complex. In July 2019, he purchased a 233-square-meter unit for 4.49 billion won, followed by another unit comprising 206 square meters in November that year for 4.27 billion won. Jin released his second mini album “Echo” on May 16. He is also scheduled to hold his first solo fan concert tour, “#RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR,” at Goyang Sports Complex in Gyeonggi Province on June 28 and 29. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea TimeJun 5, 2025By Xportsnews
K-drama star Cha Eun-woo melts hearts with casual selfie and gym pic before enlistmentCha Eun-woo, a member of K-pop group Astro and a rising actor, has shared a new update with fans ahead of his upcoming enlistment in the Korean military. On Wednesday, Cha posted a set of photos on social media along with the caption, “See you in three days.” In the photos, Cha appears in a casual outfit, holding a microphone. A close-up shot highlights his youthful charm, while fans praised his “face genius” visuals — a nickname he has long held for his striking looks. In one image, he sports a leather jacket and exudes charisma. In another, he draws attention with a sculpted physique built through dedicated fitness routines, eliciting admiration from fans. Born in 1997, Cha has been accepted into the Army military band and will begin his service on July 28. He is expected to be discharged in January 2027. Before enlistment, he is set to appear in the new Netflix series “The Wonderfuls” and will release his first-ever VR concert, “Cha Eun-woo VR Concert: Memories.” This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.Jun 5, 2025By Xportsnews
‘He made me look crazy’: South Korean actor cries after president’s election winActor Kim Bu-seon shared her emotional reaction to Lee Jae-myung’s election as South Korea’s president, saying she shed tears over the outcome. On Tuesday, a video titled “Jae-myung, now live kindly” was uploaded to the actor's YouTube. “I can’t sleep,” Kim said in the video. “Lee Jae-myung has finally become president. I don’t know whether to congratulate him or break down in tears.” In the early hours of Wednesday, Lee, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate, was declared the winner with 49.42 percent of the vote, defeating People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo, who received 41.15 percent. Kim recalled meeting Lee years ago. “I once told him, ‘Someone like you should become president. I think you will.’ And now, he’s done it. But I’ve suffered so much since then.” She continued, “I suffered to the point that my soul felt murdered. I couldn’t step outside for a long time. I tried to live quietly in my hometown, but even there, my older sister kicked me out, saying I was an embarrassment. It wasn’t Lee Jae-myung himself, but his fanatical supportJun 5, 2025By Xportsnews
Why did model Hong Jin-kyung apologize for wearing red before presidential election?TV personality Hong Jin-kyung has issued an apology over a political controversy sparked by a social media post. On Tuesday, Hong posted a handwritten apology, saying, “I just checked the internet because I am currently on an overseas business trip, and the time difference delayed my response. I apologize for the late statement.” She continued, “I’ve often thought it’s unfortunate when celebrities act in ways that could be misunderstood during election periods. It’s truly absurd that I made such a foolish mistake during this sensitive time. I sincerely can’t believe it myself.” Hong explained that the photos she posted were taken two days earlier at a store in Stockholm. “I shared the pictures because I thought the design was interesting, but I didn’t think about the color of the top I was wearing at the time,” she said. “Regardless of the reason, it’s entirely my fault,” she added. “I have no excuse, and I sincerely apologize once again for causing confusion during such a sensitive time.” Hong became the center of political controversy on Monday, the day bJun 3, 2025By Xportsnews
