Yeo Jin-goo’s agency clarifies adult account follow on social media, calls it staff errorActor Yeo Jin-goo’s agency has issued a statement after it was discovered that his official social media account had followed an adult content account, clarifying that it was an accidental action by a staff member. An official from the agency said on Thursday, “The account is managed by a staff member. It was confirmed to be a simple mistake. We will make sure such incidents do not happen again by reviewing our account management practices.” The issue surfaced after fans noticed that Yeo’s account had followed a sexually explicit profile. The account in question has since been unfollowed, but the discovery quickly gained traction online, prompting the actor’s side to respond. Yeo Jin-goo has appeared in numerous popular dramas and films, including “Moon Embracing the Sun,” “The Crowned Clown,” “Hotel Del Luna” and “Hijacking.” He is currently starring in the Tving original variety show “The Great Escape: The Story,” in which he previously expressed his affection, saying, “The teamwork our members achieved is the biggest strength of this season.” This artiJul 25, 2025By Hankookilbo
Did 'World of Street Woman Fighter' succeed in winning global fans?Mnet’s global dance sensation “World of Street Woman Fighter” (WSWF) has concluded with the victory of Osaka Ojo Gang from Japan. Thanks to its star-studded lineup and larger scale, WSWF generated high anticipation even before its broadcast. While the show succeeded in creating buzz with street dance legends from around the world facing off under one roof, various controversies followed, tarnishing the show's reputation. Ultimately, the dance survival show ended on Tuesday with its lowest ratings ever, leaving a lingering sense of disappointment. In the final episode, where teams from Japan, Australia and the United States competed, Japan's Osaka Ojo Gang took the win. The segment garnered a national paid household viewership rating of 0.7 percent, according to Nielsen Korea, which was just over half of the previous episode's 1.2 percent rating from July 15. This figure is the lowest rating across all episodes this season, adding to the show's bittersweet ending. Among the season’s standout moments was the Mega Crew Mission video by Korean team BUMSUP, comprising “Street WomanJul 24, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Actor Yang Mee-ra responds to baggage rule mishap as debate brews onlineActor Yang Mee-ra has addressed a controversy over a portable battery mistakenly packed in her checked luggage, calling it an honest mistake amid growing debate online. The incident began after Yang shared her chaotic July 22 departure to Canada with her two children. “I ran all over the airport yesterday, got called back because I put a battery in my suitcase, and nearly missed my boarding time while picking up duty-free items,” she wrote on social media. Her post drew criticism for appearing to casually admit to violating airline rules. Portable batteries are prohibited in checked baggage due to fire risks and must be carried onboard. Public reaction was split. Some criticized her for being careless, while others called it a relatable parenting mishap. On Wednesday, Yang responded to the growing controversy, explaining, “If I stay silent, it’ll look like I knowingly packed a battery and even bragged about it, so I’m speaking up.” She said the incident happened while frantically packing for a three-week trip with her child and that she was unaware the battery had ended up inJul 24, 2025By Hankookilbo
Yoo Young-jae sentenced to 2.5 years in appeals trial for sexual assault of ex-wife’s sisterTV personality Yoo Young-jae, 61, has lost his appeal in a sexual assault case involving the older sister of actress Sunwoo Eun-sook, 66, as the court upheld the original sentence of two years and six months in prison. The Suwon High Court on Wednesday upheld the original ruling against Yoo, who was convicted of five counts of forcible molestation committed between March and October 2023. The victim was the sister of Yoo’s then-wife, from whom he divorced in April 2023 after marrying in 2022. In rejecting appeals from both the defendant and the prosecution, the court said the sentence was neither unduly harsh nor lenient. “The defendant has no prior sexual offense record, has admitted to the crime and appears remorseful,” the court said. “Given the lack of risk of further offenses, there is no basis for increasing the sentence.” Yoo was first convicted in January and taken into custody immediately. In addition to his prison sentence, the lower court had ordered him to complete 40 hours of sexual violence counseling and imposed a five-year ban on employment in institutions involJul 24, 2025By Hankookilbo
K-pop idol-studded rom-com ‘My Girlfriend is the Man’ to debutK-pop idol-studded KBS drama "My Girlfriend is the Man" will meet drama fans Wednesday evening. Based on the popular webtoon by the same title, the Wednesday-Thursday drama tells a wild romance story between Ji-eun, who suddenly transforms into a man overnight, and Yoon-jae, a devoted boyfriend who can't give up on her. Director Yoo Gwan-mo described the fantasy rom-com in one word as "a watercolor painting depicting K-youth." "It not only tells a love story about whether the two protagonists can protect their love when they face difficulties, but it also deals with themes of friendship and family," Yoo said during a on-line press conference for the drama, Wednesday. He also said the drama has a lot of things to attract K-drama fans overseas. "You'll see various scenes captured in places that tourists are curious about including popular dating spots. It also shows a lot of natural scenery as well," he elaborated. Another highlight is appearance of K-pop idol group stars in the drama, including Sanha from Astro, Arin from Oh My Girl and Chuu from Loona. Yoon San-ha, known as Sanha from theJul 23, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Netflix faces growing calls from teachers to halt production of ‘Get Schooled’ dramaTeachers' unions and youth advocacy groups are calling on Netflix to cancel its upcoming drama “Get Schooled," arguing that the series glorifies corporal punishment and presents a harmful message about education and student rights. A coalition of 62 organizations and individuals, including the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU), held a press conference outside Netflix Korea’s headquarters in Seoul on Wednesday. They demanded the immediate cancellation of the drama’s production, citing widespread public concern. “A petition against the production and broadcast of this drama has been gaining momentum since July 7, with over 1,000 citizens and 62 civic groups joining the effort,” the coalition said. The drama is based on the Naver webtoon “Get Schooled,” which depicts the creation of a special government unit under the Ministry of Education tasked with restoring teachers’ authority through violent means. In the storyline, inspectors use physical punishment to discipline students and resolve problems at school, framing corporal punishment as a solution to issuesJul 23, 2025By Hankookilbo
'Squid Game' 3 tops Netflix global chart for 4th straight week"Squid Game" Season 3 has maintained its position at the top of Netflix's global non-English TV chart for the fourth consecutive week, the U.S. streaming giant said Wednesday. The final season of the Netflix Korean original show recorded 7.8 million views worldwide during the week of July 14-20, continuing its strong global momentum since its release last month. The second season, which premiered in December last year, ranked sixth on the chart as renewed interest in the franchise boosted viewership across earlier episodes. Among other Korean titles, "Better Late Than Single" Season 1 placed 10th in the non-English TV show category. Across all content on Netflix, including both English and non-English shows and films, the most-watched title last week was the U.S. animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," which garnered 25.8 million views in its fifth week on the platform.Jul 23, 2025By Yonhap
Gun disaster series 'Trigger' hits amid Korea's real shooting incidentAs Korea — long perceived as a gun-free country — confronts the shock of a rare shooting involving a homemade firearm, the new Netflix series "Trigger" is set to debut Friday, thrusting viewers into a dystopian scenario where illegal, untraceable firearms are rampant. The show’s resemblance to current events has drawn both anticipation and unease. "Trigger" is a 10-part disaster action thriller that follows two men who pick up weapons for personal reasons in a society where firearms circulate freely and untraceably and public safety has collapsed. While "Trigger" initially garnered anticipation for its depiction of a chaotic society stripped of safety measures and dynamic action, the series now arrives in an atmosphere of heightened anxiety following a shooting on Sunday in which a man used a homemade gun to kill his son during a family gathering in Incheon. The series canceled a scheduled live broadcast during a fan event on Tuesday in light of the incident. "This work tells a story of guns becoming widespread in Korea, where firearms are still illegal. It encapsulates the thoughJul 22, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Park So-dam parts ways with Artist Company after 8 yearsActor Park So-dam is leaving Artist Company, her agency of the past eight years, the company said on Tuesday. “After careful discussion, we have decided to conclude our exclusive contract with Park So-dam,” said an official from Artist Company. “We are grateful for her time with us over the past eight years and sincerely support her in her future endeavors.” Park joined Artist Company in 2017. Her departure marks a new beginning as she prepares to move forward independently. Park gained widespread attention for her breakout role in director Jang Jae-hyun’s film “The Priests,” where she portrayed Young-shin, a girl possessed by an evil spirit. Her performance earned her the Best Supporting Actress award at the 37th Blue Dragon Film Awards and the nickname “monster rookie” for her powerful screen presence. Founded by actors Lee Jung-jae and Jung Woo-sung, Artist Company is a talent agency specializing in actor management. Its roster includes well-known names such as Ahn Sung-ki, Yeom Jung-ah, Park Hae-jin, Bae Sung-woo and Go Ah-sung. Park is best known for her roles in drJul 22, 2025By Hankookilbo
Son Ye-jin to star in Netflix drama ‘Variety’ alongside Jo Yu-riActor Son Ye-jin is returning to the screen in a new Netflix original series titled “Variety,” the streaming platform said Monday. Netflix confirmed the production of the series and revealed the main cast, which includes Son and rising actor Jo Yu-ri. “Variety” follows the story of Sae-eun, a powerhouse entertainment executive who created Korea’s top idol group, and Seung-hee, an obsessive fan who relentlessly follows the group. The series unfolds the complex web of desires surrounding them in a stylish and provocative narrative. The project will be directed and written by Kim Yong-hoon, known for his critically acclaimed works such as Netflix’s “Mask Girl” and the noir film “Beasts Clawing at Straws.” Kim is expected to once again deliver a gripping crime drama with sharp visual storytelling, delving into the dazzling but cutthroat world of K-pop entertainment and the people driven by ambition within it. Son Ye-jin plays Sae-eun, the head of Korea’s top entertainment agency. Known for her sharp instincts and bold decision-making, Sae-eun is a brilliant strategist whJul 22, 2025By Hankookilbo
