Kim Sae-ron's family to hold press conference to 'prove underage relationship'The family of late actress Kim Sae-ron will hold a press conference Thursday to present evidence supporting claims that she was in a relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun while still a minor, Newsis and other outlets reported. Attorney Boo Ji-seok of Law Firm Buyou, representing Kim’s family, said the press conference will take place at 1:30 p.m. on March 27 at the Space Share Gangnam Station Center in Seocho-dong, Seoul. “We will disclose evidence proving that Kim Soo-hyun was in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since she was underage,” the lawyer said, adding that the family will also address legal action over “the reckless spread of false information” about them. Kim Sae-ron, 25, was found dead at her home in Seongdong District, Seoul, on Feb. 16, which was also Kim Soo-hyun’s 37th birthday. Her family had previously appeared on the YouTube channel Hoverlab (Gaseyeon) and claimed that the two had been in a romantic relationship. The family has since released a photo of the two sharing a cheek kiss, as well as text messages and letters. In response, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, GMar 27, 2025By KTimes
'When Life Gives You Tangerines,' 'Revelations' top Netflix non-English chartsTwo Korean original works on Netflix topped the global weekly charts, the streaming platform said Wednesday. "When Life Gives You Tangerines" claimed the No. 1 spot on the non-English series chart for the week ending Sunday, garnering 5.5 million views. The nostalgic drama spans over 60 years in the lives of its main couple on the southern island of Jeju: Ae-sun, a spirited rebel played by IU and Moon So-ri, and the steadfast Gwan-sik, played by Park Bo-gum and Park Hae-joon, with the latter actors portraying their older selves. Since its premiere March 7, the series has earned positive reviews for its heartwarming narrative, bringing both laughter and tears, as it follows the couple's unwavering resilience through life's hardships. Meanwhile, the mystery thriller "Revelations," starring Ryu Jun-yeol and Shin Hyun-bin, debuted at No. 1 on the non-English films chart, amassing 5.7 million views. It is the latest work by director Yeon Sang-ho, a familiar name to Netflix fans through his previous collaborations with the company on the hit series "Hellbound" and "Parasyte: The Grey." The storyMar 26, 2025By yonhap
Kim Sae-ron's ex-boyfriend defends Kim Soo-hyun, husband denies abuse allegationsA former boyfriend of late actor Kim Sae-ron has stepped forward to dispute growing rumors about her death, saying they unfairly target actor Kim Soo-hyun and distort the truth, The Fact reported Tuesday. “I know for sure that Sae-ron’s death had nothing to do with Kim Soo-hyun,” he told the outlet in an exclusive interview. “Too many false claims are circulating. I’m angry, and I want at least part of the truth known so Sae-ron can rest in peace.” His remarks come amid swirling speculation about Kim Sae-ron's former agency, a debt dispute and her past relationship with Kim Soo-hyun. The ex-boyfriend said Kim Sae-ron would not have wanted her death to be tied to false narratives. The ex-boyfriend said Kim Sae-ron was emotionally torn in the months before her death, caught between him and a man she married in January in New York. After the marriage, Kim Sae-ron confided in her ex-boyfriend, describing the relationship as emotionally abusive. He alleged her husband took her phone, monitored her messages and verbally harassed her. In a message dated Jan. 13, her husband wrote,Mar 26, 2025By KTimes
Kim Soo-hyun cancels Taiwan fan meeting amid controversyActor Kim Soo-hyun canceled an upcoming fan meeting in Taiwan following allegations that he dated the late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor. On Tuesday, Taiwan’s 7-Eleven announced via its official social media that the Kim Soo-hyun fan meeting, originally scheduled for March 30, had been canceled due to scheduling adjustments. The event had drawn attention as it would have been Kim's first public appearance since the dating controversy surfaced. The cancellation fee is reportedly around 1.3 billion won ($970,000). The controversy began on March 10 when the YouTube channel Hoverlab claimed that Kim had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron while she was still underage, and released photos of the two together. Kim’s agency later acknowledged that the two had dated, but insisted that the relationship began after Kim Sae-ron became an adult. The actor also filed a criminal complaint against Hoverlab operator Kim Se-ui for blackmail and other charges. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The KMar 25, 2025By KTimes
Controversial 'UNDER15' pleads for broadcast despite child sexualization claimsThe upcoming girl group audition show "Under15" has sparked a massive controversy following allegations that it sexualizes minors, prompting the production team to hold a press briefing Tuesday to address concerns and urge the network MBN to proceed with the scheduled broadcast. The program was initially introduced as an ambitious global search "to discover K-pop prodigies under the age of 15," featuring 59 girls selected from over 70 countries. However, shortly after the promotional content featuring young contestants wearing heavy makeup and crop tops was released, criticism exploded both domestically and internationally. The controversy intensified further following recent allegations regarding actor Kim Soo-hyun and late actor Kim Sae-ron's past relationship when Kim Sae-ron was still a minor, raising public sensitivities about minors' exposure in media. "We sincerely apologize and deeply regret causing concern through various controversies and allegations. We have been caught up in unforeseen controversies and misunderstandings have grown to be seen as facts, escalating the situatiMar 25, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Park Bo-gum finds Gwan-sik admirable in 'When Life Gives You Tangerines'Park Bo-gum, long known for his youthful charm, has captured viewers in a new light as a quietly powerful father figure in the Netflix drama “When Life Gives You Tangerines." The 31-year-old actor plays the younger version of Yang Gwan-sik, a steadfast husband and father who remains devoted to his wife Ae-soon (played by IU) and their children as they navigate hardship and loss. Though his character is soft-spoken, Park delivers deep emotion through subtle expressions and controlled gestures, bringing viewers across generations to tears. The drama, which began streaming on March 7, has remained No. 1 on Netflix Korea’s popularity chart and climbed to No. 2 globally in the non-English TV category. Episodes are released in sets of four each week, with the final episodes scheduled for release Friday. A return with emotional weight “When Life Gives You Tangerines” marks Park’s first project since completing his military service in 2022. He was so drawn to the role he even postponed another drama to take on the part. "I was deeply moved by the adults in the script who protect the vulnMar 25, 2025By KTimes
Byeon Woo-seok’s agency warns of impersonation scam involving overseas eventsActor Byeon Woo-seok's agency has issued a warning regarding impersonation scams involving false claims of authority over his overseas events. Varo Entertainment, Byeon’s management agency, released a statement on Monday, alerting the public to recent incidents in which individuals falsely claimed to hold agent rights for Byeon’s international fan meetings and attempted to profit financially from these claims. “We have not granted any exclusive rights or signed any agent contracts with third parties concerning Byeon Woo-seok’s fan meetings or related events,” the agency said in a statement. “We ask for special caution to avoid involvement in or damage from any illegal activities falsely conducted under the guise of an agreement with our company.” Byeon rose to stardom last year through the hit tvN drama “Lovely Runner” and has since become one of the most sought-after actors in Korea. He has held fan meetings in major Asian cities including Bangkok, Seoul, Hong Kong and Taipei, cementing his growing global popularity. He currently serves as an advertising model for overMar 25, 2025By KTimes
Lee Dong-wook turns into thrice divorced, utterly drained man in tvN's 'The Divorce Insurance'Lee Dong-wook is poised to captivate audiences with a refreshing departure from his prior roles as he returns with tvN's rom-com "The Divorce Insurance," embracing a relatable, grounded comedic style. In his latest project, the 42-year-old actor will portray Noh Ki-joon, a genius actuary who has become economically and mentally exhausted after going through three divorces. "This leads him to think, 'What if we consider divorce as a disaster?' He starts to think that traffic accidents aren't the only type of accident and wonders if it would be possible to quantify and insure divorce, which leads him to launch a divorce insurance product," Lee said as he described his character during an online press conference for the drama, Monday. The path to bringing this audacious concept to life was far from easy. Actors Lee Joo-been, Lee Kwang-soo and Lee Da-hee join the task force dedicated to launching this unique insurance product. A dynamic team of colleagues — who have experienced divorce firsthand — team up to calculate the financial impact of heartbreak and, perhaps, unravel the very mysMar 24, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Kim Soo-hyun files additional complaint against YouTube channel HoverlabActor Kim Soo-hyun’s legal representatives have filed an additional criminal complaint against the operators of the YouTube channel Hoverlab, commonly known as Gaseyeon, accusing the channel operator of making threats related to his drama “Knock-Off.” Law firm LKB & Partners, representing actor Kim Soo-hyun’s agency Gold Medalist, said in a statement on Monday they filed an additional complaint with the police against Gaseyeon operator Kim Se-ui on charges of criminal intimidation under the Criminal Act. According to the law firm, Gaseyeon made threatening remarks during broadcasts on Friday and Saturday, claiming that if Disney+ did not cancel the release of “Knock-Off,” which stars Kim Soo-hyun, the channel would release footage involving the actor. Disney+ announced on Friday that it would postpone the release of “Knock-Off,” which had originally been scheduled for the first half of this year. The law firm further said that Gaseyeon repeatedly referenced the “Nth Room” case during its live broadcasts, implying that Kim Soo-hyun was involved in a similar crime and tMar 24, 2025By KTimes
Seo Yea-ji makes first variety show appearance in 8 yearsActor Seo Yea-ji is making her return to the small screen with an appearance on TV Chosun’s “Huh Young Man's Food Travel” — her first variety show appearance in eight years. At the end of the Sunday episode of “Huh Young Man's Food Travel,” Seo appeared in the preview, surprising viewers. Her last appearance on a variety show was in 2017 on JTBC’s “Knowing Bros.” In the preview, Seo joins host Huh Young-man on a culinary tour through Wonju, Gangwon Province. The two are seen enjoying local dishes, with Seo even dancing to BLACKPINK member Jennie’s song “Mantra” inside a restaurant, adding a playful and lighthearted moment. “I’m really glad I came on ‘Huh Young Man's Food Travel,’” she said during the episode. Seo stepped out of the spotlight in 2021 amid controversy surrounding her past relationship with actor Kim Jung-hyun. Additional allegations, including accusations of school bullying and falsifying academic records, soon surfaced, leading her to suspend all public activities. More recently, she found herself at the center of online rumors involvingMar 24, 2025By KTimes
