ASTRO’s Jinjin receives military exemption due to autoimmune diseaseJinjin of K-pop group ASTRO has been granted an exemption from Korea’s mandatory military service due to health reasons. On Monday, ASTRO’s agency Fantagio announced through the group’s official fan website that Jinjin was found unfit for military duty following a detailed medical examination by the Military Manpower Administration. Fantagio said, “Jinjin has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that requires regular hospital visits and ongoing management. While it does not significantly impact his daily life, it makes military service and other specialized group living situations difficult.” Fantagio emphasized that it will prioritize Jinjin’s health above all else as he continues his activities. Born in 1996, Jinjin debuted as a member of ASTRO in 2016 and is currently appearing in the musical “Dream High.” This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.Jun 3, 2025By Xportsnews
Kim Soo-hyun dropped from brand campaign of a shabu-shabu franchise — who’s the new face?Kim Woo-bin has stepped into the role of brand ambassador for the food brand Shabu All Day, replacing Kim Soo-hyun after a series of controversies. Shabu All Day recently selected Kim Woo-bin as its new promotional model. Photos of Kim are now featured on the company’s website. Fans of Kim Woo-bin reacted enthusiastically, commenting online with messages such as “I’ll have to visit again soon,” and “He’s a perfect fit for the brand.” Shabu All Day’s previous model, Kim Soo-hyun, became embroiled in controversy after allegations surfaced that he had been in a relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron while she was underage, along with other accusations. Reports circulated online of a customer at a Shabu All Day location receiving a table mat with Kim Soo-hyun’s face flipped upside down, further fueling public attention. Following the controversy, several brands that had worked with Kim Soo-hyun — including Homeplus, Shinhan Bank, Tous Les Jours, Cuckoo, Prada and Jo Malone London — terminated their advertising contracts or removed promotional materials. Kim Soo-hyun recenJun 3, 2025By Xportsnews
Comedian Maeng Seung-ji shares frustration over $29,000 sponsor proposal for paid companionshipComedian and entertainer Maeng Seung-ji has revealed that she recently received a "sponsorship" proposal offering a large sum of money in exchange for a three-day partnership. On Friday, Maeng shared a screenshot on her social media with the caption, "There are strange people out there. Please refrain from this kind of thing." The screenshot showed a direct message from an account that introduced itself as an agency connecting VIP clients with individuals seeking high-value sponsors. The message read, "Hello, sorry to contact you out of the blue. We are a specialized agency that provides tailored services for individuals seeking high-value sponsors. One of our VIP clients has taken an interest in you, which is why we are reaching out." The sender then made a direct proposal, stating, "Our client would like to arrange a three-day partnership, with an expected payment of around 40 million won (about $29,000). We can explain the specific terms in detail — please add the following ID on a different messaging app for more information." Maeng responded by sharing the account ID and the messaMay 31, 2025By Xportsnews
From casual chic to summer-ready: K-pop girl group IVE’s standout airport fashion momentIVE members turn heads at Incheon International Airport on Friday as they leave for an overseas trip to Taiwan, showcasing their unique and trendy "airport" fashion. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.May 31, 2025By Xportsnews
Astro's Cha Eun-woo to enlist in the military on July 28Cha Eun-woo of boy band Astro will enlist for his mandatory military service on July 28 after being accepted into the Army's military band. On Thursday, Cha’s agency Fantagio told Xportsnews, “Cha Eun-woo has been accepted into the Army’s military band. He will enlist on July 28.” Earlier this month, on May 9, it was reported that Cha Eun-woo had applied for the military band. He will join the Army’s military band after completing basic training and serve for 18 months. His discharge is expected around January 2027. Cha was born in 1997. He is also preparing to meet viewers in the upcoming Netflix series “The Wonderfuls,” a supernatural comedy-action drama set in 1999. The series follows a group of quirky locals who gain superpowers from an unexpected event and join forces to fight villains threatening the peace of Haeseong City. The cast includes Park Eun-bin, Kim Hae-sook, Chae Dae-hoon, Lim Sung-jae and Son Hyun-joo. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.May 29, 2025By Xportsnews
Late actress Kim Sae-ron’s final message revealed: ‘To those who left me at my lowest’A note believed to be the last message written by the late actress Kim Sae-ron has come to light. On Friday, SBS Entertainment News reported that Kim posted the message on her private social media account last September, approximately five months before her passing. The post appears to suggest suicidal thoughts. In the note, Kim reportedly wrote, “If I die, please capture this and share it,” before naming colleagues who had helped her during difficult times. She added, “They are the ones who saved me.” Kim also addressed those who had distanced themselves during her darkest moments. “And to the ones who left me when I was struggling the most, I hope you reflect on everything you received from me,” she said. She went on to express lingering frustration about the aftermath of her drunk driving incident, stating, “The breathalyzer showed 0, the blood test showed a high level but that was from the day before. There was no blackout. I compensated all the damages anyway. At least now, I won’t be in pain anymore.” According to the outlet, two acquaintances who saw the messageMay 24, 2025By Xportsnews
Hwasa showcases power glam with signature charisma at brand eventSinger Hwasa turned heads with her confident presence and glamorous figure during a brand event in Seoul. On Friday, Hwasa attended the opening photo call at the TirTir Seongsu flagship store in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. The event marked the launch of the brand’s new space, attracting attention from fans and media alike. Known for her bold style and commanding aura, Hwasa posed confidently for photographers, once again proving why she remains a standout figure in the K-pop and fashion scenes. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.May 24, 2025By Xportsnews
Actor Son Ye-jin wows fans in serene updateActress Son Ye-jin delighted fans with a recent update showing her bright smile and graceful charm. On Wednesday, Son shared a video of herself dining with acquaintances at a restaurant. In the video, she is seen wearing a checkered jacket and wearing her long, straight hair in a natural style. Her appearance exuded both refinement and poise. Smiling warmly at the table, Son conveyed a relaxed and heartfelt energy in her everyday life. The video captured her effortless beauty and tranquil mood. Fans were quick to praise the actress, with many commenting on her beauty, while enthusiastic reactions poured in especially from her global fan base. Son married fellow actor Hyun Bin in March 2022 and gave birth to their son that November. She recently completed filming director Park Chan-wook’s new film “No Other Choice” alongside Lee Byung-hun, and has confirmed her next role in the upcoming Netflix series “Scandal.” This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.May 22, 2025By Xportsnews
Kim Soo-hyun faces possible $4.3 mil. lawsuit in Taiwan over damagesA Taiwanese media outlet has reported that actor Kim Soo-hyun may face a significant lawsuit from convenience store giant 7-Eleven, which is allegedly preparing legal action over damages from a canceled collaboration. On Saturday, Taiwanese broadcaster SETN reported that 7-Eleven Taiwan is planning to file a claim against Kim for damages. The actor had reportedly signed a contract to release a range of merchandise through the company and was scheduled to appear at a cherry blossom festival in Kaohsiung in March. However, following allegations that Kim had dated the late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was still a minor, the planned merchandise collaboration was abruptly halted. Kim also pulled out of the cherry blossom festival just five days before the event. As a result, 7-Eleven Taiwan is reportedly claiming losses of approximately NT$130 million ($4.3 million) and is preparing to seek compensation. Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyun has filed a defamation lawsuit against Kim Sae-ron’s surviving family and the YouTube channel that raised the allegations, also seeking damages of 12 billion won ($May 20, 2025By Xportsnews
'Hallyu' takes center stage at Osaka Expo as 'Korea Day' celebratedKorea is leveraging the global popularity of its pop culture, known as "hallyu," to raise its international profile at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai World Expo, with a series of high-profile events celebrating "Korea Day" on Tuesday. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism kicked off the program with a reenactment ceremony at the Osaka Asia-Pacific Trade Center, celebrating the arrival of a ship carrying a historic diplomatic mission from the Joseon Dynasty. The Joseon Tongsinsa were official diplomatic envoys sent by the Joseon Dynasty to Japan between 1607 and 1811, making 12 journeys that played a crucial role in fostering peace and cultural exchange following the Japanese invasions of Korea, known as the Imjin War. For the reenactment event, Korean authorities constructed a full-scale replica of the original Tongsinsa ship over a four-year period. The vessel set sail from Busan on April 28, crossing the Korea Strait and stopping at historic ports, including Tsushima, Iki and Shimonoseki, before arriving at Osaka Port on Sunday. It marked the first time in 261 years that the traditionalMay 13, 2025By Yonhap
