Lee Min-ho ranks fourth among figures boosting positive image for KoreaActor Lee Min-ho has been officially recognized as one of Korea’s representative stars, with the government acknowledging his positive contribution to the country's global image. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s recently released “2025 National Image Survey of Korea,” Lee ranked fourth in the category of Koreans who have positively influenced the nation’s image abroad. This marked the highest ranking achieved by an actor in the survey. Lee has consistently placed near the top since the survey was revised in 2018 to focus on individuals who contribute a positive image for the country. From 2023 through 2025, he remained among the top-ranked figures, underscoring his sustained global recognition, influence beyond Korea, and enduring star power. The recognition follows a series of recent honors. Lee was awarded a presidential citation at the “16th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards.” He also ranked first for the 12th consecutive year as the most favored Korean actor worldwide in the “2025 Overseas Hallyu Survey,” based on 2024 data, and jointlJan 24, 2026By Hankookilbo
Advertisers pull ads with Cha Eun-woo after Kim Soo-hyun switchKorea’s advertising industry is moving quickly to distance itself from singer and actor Cha Eun-woo after he became embroiled in a massive tax evasion controversy — an ironic turn given that he was recently brought in to replace another scandal-hit star. On Jan. 23, promotional videos and image posts featuring Cha were switched to private across Shinhan Bank’s YouTube and other social media accounts. Cha had been serving as the bank’s advertising model. The move came after reports surfaced that Cha is under investigation for alleged tax evasion totaling around 20 billion won ($15 million), prompting fallout across the advertising sector. The situation has drawn particular attention because Shinhan Bank had previously dropped the actor Kim Soo-hyun as its model following a personal controversy, only to appoint Cha as his replacement. With both figures now linked to separate scandals, the bank has found itself caught in consecutive celebrity crises. A day earlier, on Jan. 22, skincare brand Abib, for which Cha serves as an ambassador, also set his promotional video on its officialJan 24, 2026By Xportsnews
For Cho Yeo-jeong, 'mukbang' is part of how she manages her weightClick here for more articles by Kormedi.com. For most people, watching “mukbang” — online streaming shows centered on eating excessive amounts of food — stimulates the appetite rather than suppresses it. The notion that such videos could curb cravings is widely seen as counterintuitive. Yet that unlikely approach has gained attention after actor Cho Yeo-jeong, 44, gained attention for her lean, toned appearance in the Disney+ series "Made in Korea." As viewers revisited her past television appearances, some noted a habit she once described as her way of coping with late-night hunger: watching mukbang instead of eating. Can exposure to food actually reduce cravings — or does it risk reinforcing unhealthy eating patterns? As the so-called “mukbang diet” draws renewed attention, experts caution that its effects vary widely depending on how and why it is used. Cho has said her late-night mukbang viewing is meant to provide a sense of vicarious satisfaction. Rather than attempting to suppress cravings outright, the practice briefly acknowledges the urge — then redirects attentJan 23, 2026By Kormedi.com
Celebrity drug cases could resurface as Hwang Hana reportedly names entertainersConcerns of another celebrity drug scandal are resurfacing in South Korea after Hwang Hana, a former girlfriend of singer Park Yoo-chun, was indicted on drug charges and reportedly mentioned other entertainers during questioning. Hwang, 37, the granddaughter of the founder of Namyang Dairy Products, was formally indicted and detained on Jan. 20 for violations of the Narcotics Control Act, according to the Anyang branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office. Prosecutors said Hwang is accused of encouraging two acquaintances to use methamphetamine at an apartment in Seoul’s Gangnam district in July 2023 and personally administering the drug via injection. After police began searching one of her alleged accomplices, Hwang left South Korea for Thailand the following day. Despite later learning that her passport had been invalidated and that she was under an Interpol red notice, she did not return, instead entering Cambodia illegally, prosecutors said. Hwang remained abroad until late last year, when she signaled her intention to surrender. She was arrested by police aboard a South KoJan 22, 2026By Xportsnews
G-Dragon’s ‘accidental’ like on BLACKPINK Jennie’s viral stage clip draws attentionA single tap was all it took to send K-pop fans into another frenzy. BIGBANG’s G-Dragon is trending across social media after he briefly “liked” a video of BLACKPINK’s Jennie performing at the Golden Disc Awards — then quickly removed it, leaving behind screenshots and renewed speculation about their long-rumored relationship. The moment happened Sunday, when the official Golden Disc Awards channel uploaded a short-form clip highlighting Jennie’s closing-stage performance from the 40th Golden Disc Awards with Upbit, held the previous evening at the Taipei Dome in Taiwan. Fans quickly noticed that G-Dragon, who has been repeatedly linked to Jennie in dating rumors over the years, had pressed the “like” button on the video. The reaction disappeared soon after, but by then, screenshots and comments saying “G-Dragon liked it” had already spread across platforms, turning the incident into a viral talking point among Gen Z and millennial K-pop fans. The buzz was amplified by the fact that both artists were major winners at the same ceremony. G-Dragon took home the Digital SoJan 12, 2026By Xportsnews
K-drama power couple Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-a turn heads on Spanish honeymoonFresh sightings of newly married Korean superstars Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-a are lighting up social media again — this time from a luxury boutique in Spain, where even scarves and hats could not hide their star power. Posts began circulating Thursday on social media and Korean online communities after fans said they spotted the couple shopping at a high-end store in Barcelona. One fan wrote, “Shin Min-a was so beautiful it was shocking,” sparking another wave of buzz around the couple’s honeymoon. Photos shared online show Shin wrapping her face in a thick scarf while Kim hides beneath a cap, but the disguise does little to dampen their presence. The pair’s tall silhouettes, matching black outfits and effortless fashion sense instantly gave them away, with fans gushing despite the attempt to stay low-key. This is not the first time their honeymoon has gone viral. Days earlier, Kim and Shin were spotted eating together at a Korean restaurant in Los Cristianos on Tenerife Island, part of Spain’s Canary Islands. The relaxed dining photos drew attention not just for their chemiJan 10, 2026By Xportsnews
Korean YouTuber KIMPRO takes No. 1 spot for annual global viewsKorean YouTuber KIMPRO ranked first among all YouTube channels worldwide for annual view counts last year. According to data released by the YouTube analytics site PLAYBOARD, the channel recorded a staggering 77.53 billion views last year. The figure far exceeded the approximately 61.5 billion views of the second-place channel, "Double Date." It is also more than double the annual views of MrBeast (approximately 38.1 billion), the YouTuber with the most subscribers globally. "KIMPRO ranked #1 worldwide in annual YouTube views," the creator shared in a post on the channel's community page on Monday. We owe this entirely to you. In 2026, we’ll keep improving and continue to deliver consistently good content. Thank you for being with us." KIMPRO was launched in August 2022 by Kim Dong-jun, an event planner, who grew the channel alongside his cousin and influencer, kkubi99. They primarily post content covering diverse themes such as mukbang, challenges and sitcom skits. KIMPRO made headlines last April by becoming the first domestic channel to surpass 100 million subscribers. The channel nJan 8, 2026By Hankookilbo
TV personality Lucky welcomes first child with wifeLucky, a well-known television personality in Korea, has become a father. Lucky welcomed his first daughter, Rahi, at around 1 p.m. on Jan. 6. Both mother and child are reported to be in good health. On Wednesday, the day after the birth, Lucky shared the joyful news by posting a photo of his daughter, Rahi, on social media. The image, which combined childhood photos of Lucky and his wife, Hye-eun, with photos of their newborn daughter, drew warm reactions. Lucky expressed his overwhelming emotions, saying, “We welcome our precious gift, daughter Rahi, who came to Hye-eun and Lucky,” and that “They say life gains meaning only when you embrace someone. Thank you so much for coming to us.” He further revealed his deep affection for his daughter by saying, “Mom and Dad love you with all our hearts and we’ll always be there to protect you.” Lucky has long been beloved by viewers, frequently coming across on television as a devoted husband and a responsible family man. Having shared candid stories about family life since his marriage, he has earned public sympathy, and congratulJan 8, 2026By Hankookilbo
Why YouTube star Hamzy is pausing her career despite 14 mil. subscribersOne of Korea’s biggest “mukbang” creators, Hamzy — whose channel has 14 million subscribers — has announced that she will temporarily suspend her YouTube activity to focus on preparing for childbirth and managing her health. In a video posted to her channel on Jan. 4, Hamzy said she has now entered her eighth year as a YouTuber. “I started in my late 20s, and now I am already past my mid-30s,” she said, adding that she and her longtime boyfriend are now in their 10th year as a couple. Hamzy said she decided it was time to step back from her food content to prioritize family plans. “If I do not make a decision now for childbirth, I may just get older over the next one or two years while continuing to delay it,” she said. “So after much thought, I decided to take a break from the mukbang channel for the time being.” She added that she plans to rest, eat healthily, stop drinking alcohol and receive medical care, saying she hopes to try for a child in 2026. Hamzy said she will still share occasional lifestyle videos and previously recorded footage so viewers will not feJan 5, 2026By Hankookilbo
K-pop star Jang Won-young faces backlash in China over Hong Kong remark, boycott calls growControversy is growing in China over comments made by Jang Won-young of the K-pop group IVE after she referred to Hong Kong as one of the “countries” she likes during a recent behind-the-scenes video. The remark appeared in a video on IVE’s official YouTube channel. While the members were shown visiting Hong Kong to attend an awards ceremony, Jang said, “We should eat a delicious dinner,” adding, “I like Hong Kong. There is a lot of good food. Hong Kong is one of the countries I like.” After the video was released, some Chinese social media users protested the fact that she referred to Hong Kong as a “country.” China maintains the One China principle, under which Hong Kong is defined as a special administrative region of China. Jang’s phrasing, interpreted as contradicting that stance, quickly fueled online criticism. On Chinese social media platforms, related hashtags such as “#JangWonyoungHongKongCountry,” “#IVEGetOutofChina” and “#KoreanIdolsHistoryEducation” are spreading, with some users even calling for a boycott of IVE-related content. Local media aJan 3, 2026By Hankookilbo
