The Boyz’s Juyeon, actor Shin Si-a deny dating rumorsK-pop boy band The Boyz’s member Juyeon and actor Shin Si-a have denied rumors suggesting they are in a romantic relationship, with both agencies quickly issuing statements to refute the claims. An official from Shin's agency Management SOOP said on Tuesday, “After checking, the dating rumor is not true.” Juyeon’s agency One Hundred also said, “The rumor is not true.” Speculation began circulating online after fans pointed out that the two had been seen wearing similar items, such as hats, necklaces, and jackets. Both sides moved swiftly to shut down the rumors. Juyeon and Shin previously worked together on the film “YOUNGYOUNG,” a story that explores the relationship between a man and a woman. The film was screened as a special selection at the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival. The Boyz released their third full-length album “Unexpected,” in March. Shin is known for her roles in films such as “The Witch: Part 2. The Other One” and “The Old Woman with the Knife,” and recently starred as first-year OB-GYN resident Pyo Nam-kyung in the tvN drama “ResideJun 11, 2025By Hankookilbo
'Krazy Rich Korean' sheds lights on Korean trailblazersNew observational reality show "Krazy Rich Korean" will highlight the lives and stories of world-class Koreans who showcase a "crazy presence" in their respective fields. Producer Lee Chang-soo revealed that he was inspired by the unapologetic ambition of former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, known for her creative leadership behind some of K-pop's most successful acts, including NewJeans. Despite her ongoing legal battles with HYBE, Ador's parent company, Min's infamous press conference served as a catalyst for Lee’s idea. "This program came about after much thought following former Ador CEO Min's press conference," Lee said during a press conference Tuesday at the KBS Annex in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul. "I think Min clearly showed how 'crazy' one needs to be to succeed on the world stage, so I looked into it, and indeed, she was crazy." Turning heads at the event, Lee paid cheeky homage by wearing a blue cap and green striped shirt — the same outfit Min wore during her April 2024 press conference. The outfit made headlines and quickly sold out after going viral. He explained that the progJun 10, 2025By Park Jin-hai
'Squid Game' final season deepens moral conflict between Gi-hun, Front ManNetflix's sensation "Squid Game" returns June 27 with its highly anticipated final season, promising a dramatic showdown between Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and the mysterious Front Man (Lee Byung-hun). As the brutal competition reaches its climax, the two former players clash over their opposing beliefs on humanity, justice and survival. The global phenomenon — the first non-English language work to sweep major categories at the Primetime Emmy Awards — picks up where Season 2 left off. Gi-hun reenters the deadly arena with his own motives, only to suffer devastating losses, including the death of his closest friend. Meanwhile, the Front Man continues to manipulate the game from within, concealing his true identity and agenda. The last remaining players' fates will be revealed within the brutal contest. Asked what message he wanted to convey with the new season, director Hwang Dong-hyuk said he approached the final chapters not to deliver a specific message, but to "raise deeper questions" about the world we live in. “If we talk about the many side effects of capitalist society, itJun 9, 2025By Park Jin-hai
How ‘The Haunted Palace’ brought K-ghosts to life and made them global hitsThe SBS fantasy historical drama “The Haunted Palace” aired its final episode on Saturday, ending on a high note with a peak rating of 11 percent and securing the top spot in its time slot. Its popularity extended beyond South Korea, captivating audiences in Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam through global streaming platforms. The show’s secret? A powerful blend of Korean mythology, sorrowful spirits and carefully crafted storytelling grounded in traditional beliefs. Set in the Joseon era, “The Haunted Palace” follows Yeo-ri (played by Kim Ji-yeon), a shaman who comforts tormented ghosts and helps them find peace. Rather than portraying spirits as terrifying, the drama focuses on their grief, regrets and lingering sorrow. The production team explained that they designed each ghost by approaching them not as horror elements but as tragic figures deserving empathy and closure. “This emotional depth gave the series its unique tone and helped global viewers connect with the freshness of K-ghosts,” they said in a written interview. Ghosts in the series are drawn directly from Korean foJun 9, 2025By Hankookilbo
'Our Unwritten Seoul': Healing drama of twin sisters' growthThe new weekend drama from tvN, “Our Unwritten Seoul,” follows identical twins Yu Mi-rae and Mi-ji, who look exactly alike but live completely different lives. When they make the choice to swap places, they learn about each other's hidden pain and to understand the world from the other’s perspective. Mi-rae, who spent most of her childhood in the hospital due to a congenital heart condition, has always felt indebted to her family for caring for her fragile health. Driven by a sense of obligation, she studies hard, attends a prestigious university and lands a job at a public corporation in Seoul. In contrast, Mi-ji was born healthy and dreamed of becoming a track athlete. But after an injury dashes her hopes, she stays in her hometown, working various part-time jobs like cleaning the local school and seasonal agricultural labor. Their personalities are also polar opposites. While Mi-rae is used to enduring and holding back, Mi-ji is cheerful and robust no matter the situation. As children, they would sometimes swap places to help deal with adversity. As adults, with Mi-rae facingJun 9, 2025By Park Jin-hai
So Ji-sub expresses love for wife, says 'Marriage is better than being alone'Actor So Ji-sub recently shared his affection for his wife, Cho Eun-jung, saying he highly recommends marriage, calling it a better life than being alone. In a video released June 6 on Netflix Korea’s YouTube channel, comedian Yoo Byung-jae asked So if he truly felt that marriage satisfaction was “1,000 percent,” as rumored. So nodded and replied, “I do recommend it. Being together is better than being alone.” So married Cho, a former announcer, in 2020. In the same video, So also touched on why he only follows his agency and fellow actor Song Seung-heon on social media. “We debuted together, and when I was going through a rough time, he offered me food and a place to stay. He’s like a savior to me. Even though we’re both busy and don’t meet often, he’s always in my heart,” he said. So also discussed his physical transformation for the newly released Netflix film "Mercy for None," where he plays Ki-jun, a character with limited mobility. “I didn’t use my legs much and focused more on hand-to-hand combat. I wore a leg brace during early scenes to learn how to walkJun 9, 2025By Hankookilbo
Lee Je-hoon looks ahead to ‘Signal 2,’ ‘Taxi Driver 3’ after 'Big Deal'Actor Lee Je-hoon is keeping his momentum strong after the film “Big Deal,” with upcoming roles in highly anticipated new seasons of the dramas “Signal” and “Taxi Driver.” Speaking in a recent interview, Lee shared his thoughts on his latest work and his hopes for future projects that will resonate with viewers. “Big Deal,” which premiered on May 30, takes place during Korea’s 1997 financial crisis, centering on the clash between Jong-rok (played by Yoo Hae-jin), a finance executive for whom soju is a way of life, and In-beom (Lee), a cold-blooded employee at a global investment firm. The two face off in a high-stakes struggle over the fate of Korea’s beloved national liquor. Lee said he’s been keeping up with audience reactions. “I check reviews and ratings. I hope more people will watch and share their thoughts,” he said, emphasizing that “Big Deal” is best experienced in theaters for its immersive sound and big-screen energy. “I feel a deep happiness when I watch movies in the theater,” he said. “Sometimes I think, ‘I want to be in a film like thaJun 9, 2025By Hankookilbo
INTERVIEW Kim Da-mi opens up about skipping romance subplot in ‘Nine Puzzles’Actor Kim Da-mi said she and co-star Son Suk-ku ultimately decided against including a romantic element in their characters’ relationship in the Disney+ original series “Nine Puzzles,” even though they initially considered it. In a recent interview at a cafe in Seoul, Kim reflected on her role in the mystery thriller, which follows criminal profiler Ena (played by Kim) as she reopens a decade-old unsolved case. The story revolves around Ena, the only witness to the original crime, and detective Hansaem (Son Suk-ku), who continues to suspect her. As new puzzle pieces emerge, the two are drawn back into a string of murders. Kim said she was captivated by the script upon first reading. “I couldn’t stop. At the time, the cast hadn’t been finalized, so I had even more room to imagine. I had never done a mystery before, and when I heard director Yoon Jong-bin was involved, I couldn’t help but be intrigued,” she said. Describing her character, Kim said, “Ena is someone you want to comfort. She’s a person who wants to believe in people. It hurt my heart to play her.” PortraJun 9, 2025By Hankookilbo
Private life off-limits? Not on variety shows, where stars open up with easeKorean celebrities usually opt to neither confirm nor deny dating rumors, instead offering vague responses through their agencies. The most common reply? “It is difficult to confirm private matters.” Yet those same stars often speak candidly about their personal lives on entertainment shows, leaving fans puzzled over the inconsistency. In January, Lovelyz member Lee Mi-joo was rumored to have broken up with professional football player Song Beom-keun, her boyfriend of nine months. Her agency, Antenna, declined to comment at the time, citing “respect for the artist’s privacy.” But in a February episode of MBC’s variety show “Hangout With Yoo,” Lee seemed to express her emotions indirectly. Watching a flock of ducks, she said, “Birds are lucky — they’re so free,” then added, “Don’t leave me alone and lonely.” Co-host Yoo Jae-suk said, “She’s confused,” while Joo Woo-jae chimed in, “You have to understand. When something beside you disappears, that’s the feeling.” Lee Yi-kyung playfully echoed her agency’s statement: “Hey, it’s her private liJun 9, 2025By Hankookilbo
Why silver-themed variety shows are disappearing in aging South KoreaOnce a notable trend on South Korean television, variety shows featuring senior citizens — often dubbed “silver entertainment” — are fading from view, despite the country’s rapidly aging population. Programs like Channel S’s “Grandma Attack” and YouTube’s “My Other Half” were among the most prominent examples in recent years. “Grandma Attack,” which aired from January to July 2022, featured respected veteran actresses Kim Young-ok, Na Moon-hee, and Park Jung-soo offering advice to the younger generation. That same year, KBS2’s “Godfather” starred Lee Soon-jae, Joo Hyun, and Kim Kap-soo. The dating show “My Other Half,” which premiered on YouTube in 2024, was hosted by comedian Ji Sang-ryeol and actress Oh Hyun-kyung. South Korea officially became an “aged society,” by United Nations standards, in 2017, and by December 2024, those aged 65 or older made up more than 20 percent of the population — crossing into the “super-aged” category. With such demographic shifts, expectations grew that silver-themed shows would gain ground. Instead, they aJun 7, 2025By Hankookilbo
