Park Bo-gum reveals barber’s license in new variety showActor Park Bo-gum is making a return to the small screen through a new variety program. A tvN official told Xportsnews on Sept. 16 that “Park Bo-gum is preparing for a new variety show with us. It is scheduled to air on tvN, but the details have not yet been decided.” On the same day, YTN reported that Park will appear in tvN’s upcoming show “The Barber.” The program will follow Park as he opens a barbershop for older adults in a rural area, sharing conversations and building connections in the community. Park previously earned a barber’s license in 2020 during his military service, when he worked as a military barber. Alongside his variety show return, Park has been active this year through multiple projects, including Netflix’s “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” JTBC’s “Good Boy” and KBS 2’s “The Seasons: Park Bo-gum’s Cantabile.” After wrapping up his Asia fan meeting tour, Park is set to head to South America. He will also hold a domestic encore performance, “PARK BO GUM 2025 FAN MEETING TOUR [BE WITH YOU] FINAL IN SEOUL,” at Korea University’s HwaSep 16, 2025By Xportsnews
Singer KCM reveals why he hid wife, daughters for over a decadeSinger KCM has opened up about why he kept his marriage and two daughters secret for more than 12 years, saying fear of debt was the main reason. Appearing on TV Chosun’s variety show “Lovers of Joseon” on Monday, KCM spoke with comedian Kim Byung-man about his long-hidden family life. The singer, who admitted earlier this year that he had a wife and two daughters, said he endured years of stress in silence. “I worried that if I got married, my debts would become family debts. That fear kept me from revealing my family,” KCM said. “For about 12 years, I lived in solitude, suffering quietly.” KCM, whose real name is Kang Chang-mo, married a noncelebrity woman who is nine years younger than him. The couple welcomed their first daughter in 2012 but did not hold a wedding at the time. In 2021, during the pandemic, they officially registered their marriage and held a small ceremony with only close relatives and friends. Their second daughter was born in 2022. In March this year, KCM announced both his marriage and his children, surprising fans. The singer recalled finally clearinSep 16, 2025By Hankookilbo
Park Bo-gum takes aim at scalpers over fan meeting ticketsActor Park Bo-gum has publicly called out scalpers reselling his fan meeting tickets at inflated prices, taking to social media to warn against the illegal practice. Park reposted a message Monday from a foreign user who was advertising the sale of photo cards and postcards distributed as entry perks for his fan meeting. Park added his own comment: “You shouldn’t sell that. Do you really want to?” The post was deleted shortly after his response. The actor also highlighted other scalping attempts by quoting posts that offered tickets above face value, even specifying seat information. By attaching a detective emoji, he signaled his personal crackdown, drawing laughter and support from fans. Scalping has long been a problem in Korea’s music and entertainment industries, raising concerns over fairness and safety. For example, organizers of singer Cho Yong-pil’s recent concert, led by KBS, announced they would enforce strict identity checks to prevent illegal ticket resales. The film industry has also faced similar issues with stage greeting tickets being resold. Fans praised Park’Sep 16, 2025By Hankookilbo
Ko Hyun-jung draws attention for liking photo of ex-husband’s niece, idol AnnieActor Ko Hyun-jung has stirred online buzz after she pressed “like” on a photo of Annie, a member of the K-pop group ALLDAY Project and granddaughter of Shinsegae Group Chairwoman Lee Myung-hee. Ko recently liked a W Korea Instagram post featuring Annie (born Moon Seo-yoon), sparking discussion across online communities and social media platforms. The gesture drew attention because Annie is the niece of Ko’s former husband, Shinsegae Chairman Chung Yong-jin. Ko was part of the Shinsegae family before the couple divorced in 2003, a connection that amplified public interest in the seemingly casual interaction. Annie, the eldest daughter of Chung Yoo-kyung, President of Shinsegae Department Store, attracted widespread attention when she debuted due to her status as a third-generation chaebol. Online commenters speculated about the past connection, noting that Ko divorced in 2003 and has a daughter born in 2000, close in age to Annie, who was born in 2002. Comments ranged from curiosity about whether Ko had met Annie as a child, to lighthearted remarks about the family resemblance. WithSep 15, 2025By Xportsnews
Actor Jin Seo-yeon faces backlash for mourning slain Trump ally Charlie KirkActor Jin Seo-yeon is under fire after posting a tribute to Charlie Kirk, a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump who was fatally shot last week. Jin uploaded a photo of Kirk on her social media channel on Sunday, with the message, “Rest in peace.” Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and vocal Trump supporter, was killed on Wednesday (local time) during an event at Utah Valley University. His death has prompted tributes from U.S. celebrities including Hollywood actor Chris Pratt and Coldplay’s Chris Martin, as well as a handful of Korean entertainers. But responses to Jin’s post have been far from favorable. Critics point out that Kirk, during his lifetime, opposed gun control measures and was known for inflammatory remarks targeting immigrants and the LGBTQ community. Earlier, Choi Si-won of K-pop group Super Junior posted “Rest in Peace Charlie Kirk” with a cross image on his social media but quickly deleted the message without explanation after online backlash. Popular YouTuber Haejoo also faced criticism for “liking” a memorial post for Kirk, later issuing a leSep 15, 2025By Xportsnews
Disney+ series ‘Tempest’ climbs to No. 2 worldwide, led by star power of Jun Ji-hyunThe Disney+ original series “Tempest” has soared to global success, ranking No. 2 worldwide in the platform’s Top 10 TV shows category, according to streaming analytics site FlixPatrol on Monday. The thriller, starring Jun Ji-hyun and Gang Dong-won, claimed the top spot in six countries including Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Turkey. It also entered the charts in North America and Europe, ranking seventh in New Zealand, ninth in Canada and 10th in Croatia, underscoring its emergence as a global hit. Since its premiere Wednesday, viewers have praised the series for its tense storytelling, compelling performances and high production values, fueling anticipation for upcoming episodes. “Tempest” follows Mun-ju (played by Jun), an internationally renowned U.N. ambassador, who investigates the forces behind an assassination attempt on a presidential candidate. She joins forces with San-ho (played by Gang), a stateless special agent assigned to protect her, as they uncover a vast conspiracy threatening the Korean Peninsula. The series brings together a powerhouse creaSep 15, 2025By Hankookilbo
Lee Tae-gu says ‘Queen Mantis’ role tested his limits alongside Ko Hyun-jungActor Lee Tae-gu said he approached his role in the SBS drama “Queen Mantis” with both excitement and pressure, especially when acting opposite veteran star Ko Hyun-jung. In the series, Ko plays Jung Yi-sin, a serial killer, while Lee portrays Seo Gu-wan, her devoted follower. “I waited for the day I would act with senior Ko as if I was gathering all my energy like a spirit bomb,” Lee told the Hankook Ilbo in a recent interview. Lee’s casting came through director Byun Young-joo, with whom he previously worked on MBC’s “Death to Snow White.” “I was resting when the director called and asked what I was doing. I said I was running, and she replied, ‘I mean your schedule!’ That’s how she brought me in,” Lee said with a laugh. The role of Seo Gu-wan was not easy to accept. “When I first read the script, I didn’t think I could do it,” he said. Byun pressed him, asking if he was afraid of acting with Ko. “After the call, I thought about it and got emotional. That’s when I decided to take it on.” Though some questioned whether a more recognizable actor shoulSep 15, 2025By Hankookilbo
5 Korean political dramas that feature women in powerIn the era of strong female leads, the latest Disney+ Korean original blockbuster “Tempest” was conceived out of “a desire to tell a story centered on a powerful female character.” In contrast to other Korean political dramas where men routinely dominate the screen as presidents, kingmakers and rising stars, “Tempest” hands the reins of power to women, ranging from a former U.N. ambassador stepping into politics to a female president and behind-the-scenes power players, all against the volatile backdrop of the Korean Peninsula. Experts note that the visible presence of female politicians on screen in Korea can be traced back to the 2010 drama “Big Thing,” which was seen as a cultural response to a society where women’s participation in both the workforce and politics had expanded significantly. “The fact that dramas now feature not just female politicians but even a woman president reflects a dual shift of greater female entry into public life and growing attention to women’s leadership,” culture critic Jung Duk-hyun told The Korea Times. “In many ways, these drSep 14, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Lee Young-ae to appear on KBS2’s ‘Immortal Songs’Actor Lee Young-ae, best known for her roles in “Jewel in the Palace” and “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance,” will make a rare variety show appearance on KBS2’s “Immortal Songs” on Sept. 13. It marks her first time on a KBS entertainment program in three decades. The special episode, titled “Actor Lee Young-ae, an Immortal Masterpiece,” will feature six artist teams who will perform songs chosen to celebrate Lee’s career and personal favorites. Lee will join them on stage, sharing stories and displaying her personality beyond the screen. Lee revealed that she even practiced singing ahead of the show, after producers suggested it. “I practiced, but after just one session, I completely lost my voice,” she said with a laugh. “I realized not everyone can be a singer. From now on, I’ll stick to just listening.” During the taping, she shyly sang part of her practice piece, drawing cheers from the audience. Performers include Hong Kyung-min, Cha Ji-yeon, Kim Da-hyun, 6band, Forestella, W24 and STAYC. The broadcast comes as Lee is preparing for her long-awaited drama retuSep 12, 2025By Hankookilbo
Kim Da-mi and Shin Ye-eun star in ‘A Hundred Memories,’ a nostalgic bus romanceJTBC’s upcoming weekend drama “A Hundred Memories” is set to transport viewers back to the 1980s, telling a story of friendship, romance and youthful longing centered around the iconic No. 100 bus. At a press conference held Thursday at The Link Seoul Hotel in Guro District, Seoul, director Kim Sang-ho and lead actors Kim Da-mi, Shin Ye-eun and Heo Nam-jun introduced the series. Written by Yang Hee-seung, known for hits such as “Crash Course in Romance” and “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo,” and directed by Kim Sang-ho of “Thirty-Nine,” the drama follows bus conductors Ko Young-rye (Kim Da-mi) and Seo Jong-hee (Shin Ye-eun). Their friendship is tested when they encounter Jae-pil (Heo Nam-jun), the son of a department store owner whose privileged background masks rebelliousness and loneliness. The series highlights the role of female bus conductors, who in the 1980s were responsible for collecting fares, guiding passengers and signaling departures with the now-nostalgic call, “Orai!” The exclamation was a Koreanized signal used to tell drivers “Alright” or “reaSep 12, 2025By Hankookilbo
