‘Love After Divorce’ star Lee Sora reveals $7,300 plastic surgery — and shares her long-term dating secretReality TV personality Lee Sora, known for her appearance on the dating show “Love After Divorce 3,” has drawn online attention after candidly discussing her plastic surgery and relationship advice with fans. Lee recently interacted with followers through her social media account, answering questions about her life and relationship. She had previously been open about undergoing cosmetic procedures, including breast and nose surgery. When a follower asked about her breast surgery, Lee said the procedure cost 10 million won ($7,300) and that the expense was paid for by her mother. “It cost 10 million won. My mom paid for it,” Lee said. “She told me I could either spend the money on something I needed or use it for breast surgery.” Lee also addressed questions about her relationship with Choi Dong-hwan, her partner from the show. Asked about the secret to maintaining a long-term relationship, she said mutual respect for personal space plays a key role. “You have to respect each other’s time,” Lee said. She added that both she and Choi may better understand each other becauseMar 16, 2026By Xportsnews
TV shifts toward soothing, heartfelt reality showsKorean television is quietly shifting from shock to solace, with more programs trading relentless stimulation for what viewers call "good dopamine" — not the adrenaline rush of drama, but the gentle satisfaction of genuine human care. At the forefront of this trend is SBS “Mongle, Mongle? Mongle!,” a dating reality show that premiered March 8 and follows young adults with developmental disabilities or who are neurodivergent as they attempt something both ordinary and radical: romance. Guided by real-life couple Lee Hyo-ri and her husband Lee Sang-soon, the show treats dating not as spectacle but as a basic right often denied to people who are often not seen as adults with desires and boundaries. Casting alone tells us how hungry people were for this premise: producers reportedly met with more than 500 applicants before selecting three participants whose lives and personalities anchor the three-part series. For Ji-hyun, an artistically gifted woman who dreams big despite her intellectual disability, Ji-hoon, an autistic barista, and Ji-won, an actor with Down syndrome, even gettingMar 16, 2026By Park Jin-hai
BLACKPINK’s Jisoo shrugs off acting controversy with cheerful ‘Boyfriend on Demand’ behind-the-scenes photosBLACKPINK member Jisoo is drawing attention online after sharing a batch of behind-the-scenes photos from her new Netflix series “Boyfriend on Demand” — a move that comes as the idol-actress once again faces mixed reactions over her acting. On March 12, Jisoo posted several photos on her personal social media account along with the caption, "I'm freshman Seo Mi-rae." The images quickly spread across fan communities and social platforms, where fans praised the cheerful set atmosphere and the singer’s college-student transformation. The photos show scenes from the filming of Netflix’s original series “Boyfriend on Demand,” which stars Jisoo in the lead role. In several shots, she appears dressed as a freshman university student wearing a varsity-style department jacket, portraying a youthful campus look. Other images capture her smiling alongside fellow cast members on set. One scene features Jisoo wearing a kendo uniform, while actor Seo Kang-joon, who plays a senior member of the university’s kendo club and a virtual-reality date partner in the story, stands beside her.Mar 14, 2026By Xportsnews
From chaebol to secret agent: Virtual roster of 'Boyfriend on Demand'Since its release on March 6, Netflix’s "Boyfriend on Demand," starring BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, has captured both local curiosity and global buzz. Beyond its star power and glossy production, the show taps into a distinctly modern fantasy — the comfort of love without the risk of heartbreak. At the heart of the story is Seo Mi-rae, a webtoon producer worn down by deadlines, a difficult author she manages and the emotional residue of a breakup. Her ex-boyfriend is about to marry someone else. Out of loneliness, exhaustion and a flicker of curiosity, she turns to a virtual reality subscription service promising up to 900 kinds of love. With a simple headset and the push of a button, Mi-rae can meet boyfriends who fulfill every imaginable romantic ideal — from a devoted CEO to a sentimental artist — all without the messy unpredictability of real life. Fans adore its straightforward bliss. "I miss K-dramas just for fun — no murders, just love and butterflies," one Reddit user raved. Others nod to its real-world edge: "It nails the fear of relationships ending," while another mused, "PMar 13, 2026By Park Jin-hai
‘My 901st boyfriend?’ BLACKPINK’s Jisoo shares Seo In-guk photo from Netflix’s ‘Boyfriend on Demand’BLACKPINK star Jisoo delighted fans with behind-the-scenes glimpses from the Netflix show “Boyfriend on Demand,” sharing a series of photos that quickly drew attention online — including a solo shot of co-star Seo In-guk, who plays her character’s “901st boyfriend.” On March 10, Jisoo uploaded several photos to her personal social media account with the short caption “The sea,” accompanied by dolphin and blue heart emojis. In one image, Jisoo appears in a flowy long white dress, completing a breezy resort look that blends perfectly with the bright blue seaside backdrop. In another shot, she poses on a wide airport runway wearing a black off-shoulder mini dress. The design, which reveals her shoulder line, adds an elegant yet sophisticated mood. The photos appear to capture moments from the production of the Netflix series “Boyfriend on Demand,” a romantic story set around a virtual reality dating service. Jisoo also shared friendly snapshots with fellow cast members Kim Ah-young and Go Gyu-pil, who appear with her in the virtual reality setting of the series. Among theMar 12, 2026By Xportsnews
InterviewLee Na-young says 'Honour' is not just about sexual violenceENA’s thriller “Honour,” which wrapped Tuesday, follows a team of lawyers taking on a powerful sex trafficking cartel in a story that inevitably echoes the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Centered on three determined attorneys at the victim advocacy firm L&J — short for Listen & Join — who choose solidarity over silence while investigating scandals linked to the shadowy digital sex trade platform “Connect In,” the drama marks actor Lee Na‑young’s first work on the small screen in three years. Lee plays Yun Ra‑yeong, a celebrity lawyer with millions of followers online, but beneath her polished public image lies a woman shaped by deep personal trauma. Lee's restrained performance has drawn praise from viewers. "I first read the script with the curiosity of a novel reader, just dying to know what would happen next. Then I went back through it, thinking about the role I had to play and that's when I felt like I just had to be part of this story," Lee said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in central Seoul, Wednesday. Taking on a role with lengthy legal dialogueMar 11, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Song Ji-hyo faces renewed calls to leave 'Running Man' as criticism resurfacesActress Song Ji-hyo is once again facing mounting calls from viewers to step down from the long-running variety show “Running Man,” nearly three years after a similar controversy placed her participation in the program under scrutiny. The latest debate erupted after the March 8 episode of SBS’s flagship variety show, which aired under the theme "Run & Fun Company: Spin the Roulette." In the episode, the cast transformed into office workers competing in various games to leave work early, using any strategy possible to win. However, viewers quickly pointed out that Song appeared largely disengaged throughout the broadcast. Unlike the other cast members, she rarely joined the improvised skits or conversations that drive much of the show’s humor, resulting in minimal screen time. At one point during a bus ride to lunch, the other members continued lively banter while Song mostly sat quietly, smiling but not participating in the conversation. The contrast was particularly noticeable alongside the show’s youngest member, Ji Ye-eun, who repeatedly attempted to jump into the conversatMar 11, 2026By Xportsnews
Starring Ju Ji-hoon, Ha Ji-won, 'Climax' gives voice to desires nobody talks aboutENA's new series "Climax" is a work that "scratches exactly where it itches," actor Ju Ji-hoon said Tuesday. "The script felt like giving voice to the desires that everyone carries silently but never dares to speak aloud," the actor said at a press conference in Seoul. "That was what drew me to participate in it." He portrays Bang Tae-seob, a man who, according to the actor, "has no connection, no ties and no network, and gets knocked around and worn down by the world, yet burns with a desperate ambition to rise above it all, struggling with everything he has." Tae-seob transforms himself into a prosecutor of relentless ambition and ice-cold judgment, who pursues power at any cost and makes one devastating choice after another in his climb to the top. Actress Ha Ji-won makes her small-screen return after a four-year absence since the KBS drama "Curtain Call," taking on the role of Choo Sang-ah, a once-celebrated actress and the wife of Tae-seob. Ha described her character as someone caught between "a glamorous past and an anxious, unstable present living side by side." She said she aimed tMar 10, 2026By Yonhap
Jang Keun-suk to return to TV with new drama 'Hyupban'Korean actor Jang Keun-suk is set to return to the small screen for the first time in about three years, taking the lead role in the upcoming drama "Hyupban" (working title). According to industry sources Tuesday, Jang will play the main character Ma Han-sang in the new series. The drama tells the story of a skilled cook who also happens to be a gangster. After saving a college student in danger, Ma ends up hiding out at the student’s home, where the two gradually find comfort and encouragement through sharing warm meals. The series is based on a popular novel of the same title that has already been published in book form and adapted into a drama (Otoko Meshi) in Japan. Jang has previously showcased his cooking skills on various television programs, drawing attention to how closely the character may align with his real-life talents. The drama will be directed by Lee Min-woo, known for works such as the hit series “Boys Over Flowers,” “God’s Quiz Season 4” and “Not Others.” Lee has received praise for his detailed, character-driven storytelling, raising expectations for hMar 10, 2026By Hankookilbo
‘Boyfriend on Demand’: Jisoo’s acting sparks debate, but 901 virtual boyfriends keep Netflix series trendingA new Netflix series starring BLACKPINK’s Jisoo is drawing global attention — and reigniting a familiar debate. While some viewers remain skeptical about her acting, the romantic comedy’s unusual premise and star-packed “boyfriend” lineup are helping propel the show up Netflix’s charts. Released on March 6, the Netflix original “Boyfriend on Demand” follows Mi-rae, a webtoon producer played by Jisoo, who is exhausted by real life and turns to a virtual dating simulation service where users can “subscribe” to and experience romantic relationships. The show marks Jisoo’s first solo lead drama, placing her squarely at the center of the story after several supporting roles since her acting debut in the 2021 JTBC drama “Snowdrop.” She has also appeared in films such as “Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy” as well as the Coupang Play series “Newtopia.” But the new release has once again put her acting skills under scrutiny. Since her debut, Jisoo has frequently faced criticism over pronunciation, vocal delivery and facial expressions. With “Boyfriend on Demand,Mar 10, 2026By Xportsnews
