IU on ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’: 'I wanted to do it all, and then came this role'IU returned to the screen in Netflix’s "When Life Gives You Tangerines," a moving drama that has brought viewers around the world to tears. Set in Jeju, the series follows the life of Ae-sun — a fierce, rebellious girl. IU shares the role with veteran actress Moon So-ri and also plays Ae-sun’s daughter, Geum-myeong. It’s a rare case of one actor taking on the challenge of both a dual role and a shared role. “When I crave acting, it’s like the right project always finds me. Three years ago, I just wanted to do it all — honestly. And then the character Ae-sun came along, and I thought, ‘This is fate.’ I felt it in my bones and said 'yes.'” When IU was offered the script, she said her passion for acting was at an all-time high. “I really wanted to try everything,” she said with a laugh. So when the drama, with its rich and unique script, landed in her hands, she knew she couldn’t pass it up. Meeting IU recently at a hotel in central Seoul, she welcomed reporters with her signature warm smile. Both her modest yet determined demeanor and her intelligence echo througApr 6, 2025By KTimes
Comedian Kim Byung-man to remarry in SeptemberComedian Kim Byung-man will remarry this September to a non-celebrity, his agency Sky Turtle said Thursday. “The wedding is scheduled for September, and it will be a small ceremony with only family in attendance,” the agency said. Kim was previously married to a woman seven years his senior in 2011. The couple legally divorced in 2020, though the news was only made public in 2023. On a Channel A program, Kim revealed that he and his former wife had lived separately for nearly a decade, from 2012 to 2020. Explaining why he delayed announcing the divorce, he said, “I was scared. I couldn’t let go because I was afraid everything I had built since my days as an unknown comedian would collapse.” Kim debuted in 2002 through KBS’s comedian class and is best known for such shows as “Law of the Jungle,” and "King of Survival." This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.Apr 4, 2025By KTimes
Prison term sought again for ‘Squid Game’ actor Oh Young-soo in appealProsecutors requested a one-year prison sentence for actor Oh Young-soo, 81, during the appeal trial of his indecent assault case on Thursday, repeating the sentence they sought in the first trial. Oh, widely known as the “Gganbu grandpa” from the Netflix drama “Squid Game,” was sentenced in the first trial to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, for forcibly groping a younger actress from a theater troupe. At the final hearing held at the Suwon District Court’s Criminal Appeals Division 6, prosecutors said, “The defendant has not been forgiven by the victim and instead claims the victim gave false testimony,” adding, “As a veteran actor with 50 years in theater, he sexually assaulted a powerless junior during rehearsal.” Oh has consistently denied the allegations. His defense argued that the victim’s testimony, the sole piece of evidence, lacked consistency, specificity and credibility. The lawyer addressed a key point in the lower court’s ruling. “We believe the first court ruled guilty largely because of a message of apology Oh sent to the victim. BApr 4, 2025By KTimes
'Crushology 101' cast promises laughs, romance in MBC’s new dramaThe cast of "Crushology 101," MBC's new romantic comedy series, promised to deliver lighthearted escape from stress. "We guarantee that viewers will laugh and smile a lot while watching the romantic story unfold around Bunny," actor Roh Jeong-eui, who plays the main female protagonist Ban Hui-jin, also known as Bunny, said during a press conference in Seoul, Thursday. The plot follows college student Bunny who vows to stop dating after a painful breakup — her first lover left such a deep emotional scar that she even considers taking a break from school. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when four men enter the picture — Hwang Jae-yeol (Lee Chae-min), who becomes her enemy due to a debt-related entanglement; Cha Ji-won (Cho Jun-young), who expresses his love gently; Cho Ah-rang (Kim Hyun-jin), who is an idol figure for her; and Jin Hyun-oh (Hong Min-ki) her first lover who makes a comeback into her life. Hwang, who attends the same university as Bunny, slowly breaks down her defenses with his caring nature, while Cha softens her heart with his gentle charisma. Meanwhile, ChoApr 3, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Korean history lecturer Jeon Han-gil cut from ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ — was it due to political stance?Popular Korean history lecturer Jeon Han-gil was initially included in Netflix’s hit series "When Life Gives You Tangerines," but all of his scenes were ultimately cut from the final version, sparking speculation that his outspoken political activity played a role in the decision. According to multiple online communities on Thursday, Jeon was supposed to have a cameo in the drama and had confirmed his participation two years ago on a Korean history exam forum he operates. However, he is nowhere to be seen in the released episodes, prompting viewers to question what happened. Fans of the drama speculated that Jeon would appear in Act 4 of the series, particularly during scenes involving the online lecture company founded by the character Geum-myung, played by IU. Instead, another actor appears in that segment. It remains unclear when Netflix reshot the scenes or discarded Jeon’s original footage. Some online users believe that Jeon’s increasingly political image might have made his appearance problematic for the production team. After President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law onApr 3, 2025By KTimes
Hoverlab challenges Kim Soo-hyun again with new KakaoTalk messagesActor Kim Soo-hyun’s press conference and his legal team’s detailed rebuttal have failed to quell the controversy over his dating rumors with the late actor Kim Sae-ron. YouTube channel Hoverlab continues to release new material challenging his denial and fueling ongoing mudslinging over his alleged relationship with Kim Sae-ron. As Kim Soo-hyun's team dismissed the evidence presented by the family of Kim Sae-ron as “fabricated” on Wednesday, Hoverlab pushed back by revealing what it says are original KakaoTalk messages between Kim and Kim Sae-ron. Hoverlab streamed live what it said were original KakaoTalk messages from Kim Sae-ron, refuting Kim’s denial. The video showed a phone screen being scrolled through, allegedly displaying the unedited messages. According to Hoverlab, the messages were exchanged between Kim Sae-ron and her cousin after dating rumors resurfaced when she posted a selfie with Kim Soo-hyun on Instagram last year. Hoverlab said Kim Sae-ron sent a message to Kim Soo-hyun in April 2018 that read, “You’re always available when you need me, but never when IApr 3, 2025By KTimes
YouTuber Dex heads to Everest for ‘Adventure by Accident 4’ filmingTV personality Kim Jin-young, known professionally as Dex, has departed for Nepal to film “Adventure by Accident 4,” the newest season of MBC’s popular travel reality series. Dex boarded a flight to Nepal Thursday morning from Incheon International Airport, the show's production team said. The latest journey kicks off with a grand expedition along the fabled Tea Horse Road, beginning at Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. Dex will be joined by the complete cast as they take the first step of their adventure together. Dex first joined the series in its second season, set in India, and quickly became a fan favorite. With his special forces background, he showcased strong stamina, bold reactions and unpredictable humor. His reliable appearance combined with his sharp wit has helped him grow into a “variety show powerhouse,” heightening anticipation for his return. At the airport, Dex appeared in mountain-ready outdoor gear tailored for high altitudes. “I heard this will be the toughest journey yet,” he said. “But I’m excited to travel again with the brothers. I’lApr 3, 2025By KTimes
‘Weak Hero Class 2’ to premiere April 25 as Season 1 storms global chartsNetflix released the official poster and trailer Tuesday for its upcoming series "Weak Hero Class 2," the sequel to the 2022 hit "Weak Hero Class 1." The new season follows Yeon Si-eun, a model student who transfers to Eunjang High School burdened by trauma after failing to protect a friend from violence. Determined never to lose another friend, he finds himself once again standing against even greater violence. Portrayed by Park Ji-hoon, Yeon faces off against a mysterious new rival, Geum Seong-jae, played by Lee Jun-young. In the trailer, Yeon's says remorsefully, “Suho, I got into another fight. I’m sorry,” hinting at the unresolved scars from his past. Having lost his smile and become a self-imposed outsider, Yeon struggles to stay unnoticed, but disturbing rumors soon target him again. New characters Park Hu-min (Ryeoun), Seo Jun-tae (Choi Min-young), and Ko Hyun-tak (Lee Min-jae) approach him with kindness, telling him to ignore the gossip. Though he initially shuts others out, Yeon slowly lowers his guard and accept their friendship. “I forgot how good it feels to have frieApr 3, 2025By KTimes
Kim Sae-ron's friends to release statement to refute Kim Soo-hyun’s denialA group of eight close acquaintances of the late actress Kim Sae-ron is preparing to release a public statement in response to actor Kim Soo-hyun’s denial that he was in a romantic relationship with her while she was underage, according to TV Chosun and other outlets on Wednesday. The group is made up of individuals who were close to Kim Sae-ron and claim to have either witnessed or directly heard about the nature of the alleged relationship between the two. Their decision to issue a joint statement follows Kim’s public denial of the allegations during a press conference on Monday. Attorney Bu Ji-seok, representing the family through the law firm Buyou, said in a televised interview with TV Chosun that the family had hoped for “a sincere apology” from Kim, but were disappointed. “Friends who watched the press conference were frustrated and [have] conveyed that they are writing a statement, which may be made public,” he said. Bu added, “Even saying something like, ‘We had feelings for each other when we were young, but didn’t begin a relationship until adulthood,’ wouApr 3, 2025By KTimes
Kim Soo-hyun releases materials to refute underage dating claimsActor Kim Soo-hyun's legal team on Wednesday released detailed materials refuting claims that he dated Kim Sae-ron while she was underage. The newly disclosed information directly addressed and countered specific allegations circulated online. Kim's representatives at law firm LKB & Partners also said they have filed an additional complaint against the operators of the YouTube channel Hoverlab, accusing them of stalking and defamation for continuing to spread false claims about his relationship with the late actress. They said that a key photo presented by Hoverlab, showing Kim and Kim Sae-ron in ski gear, was not taken between 2015 and 2016, as the channel claimed, but during a group ski trip with Gold Medalist employees on Jan. 22, 2020. They added that a group photo from the same day confirms this. Kim’s side also said that the photo appearing to show Kim Soo-hyun kissing Kim Sae-ron was taken after 2019, when both were adults. Regarding another widely shared photo of someone washing dishes, Kim’s team explained that Kim Sae-ron had moved into her apartment in Seoul’s Hangdang-doApr 3, 2025By KTimes
