Entertainment

Ma Dong-seok brings his punch to variety TV with ‘I Am Boxer’

Actor Ma Dong-seok is making his first-ever leap into variety entertainment with tvN’s new boxing survival program “I Am Boxer,” raising expectations about whether his trademark intensity will translate to the small screen. “I Am Boxer” is a survival show designed by Ma, a boxing gym head with 30 years of experience, who aims to revive K-boxing through a competition format. Produced by Lee Won-woong of “The Iron Squad” and writer Kang Suk-kyung of “Physical: 100,” the program features Kim Jong-kook and Dex as hosts while top fighters and celebrities compete for the title of strongest boxer. The participant lineup is as striking as the cast. Former Oriental champion Kim Min-wook, 14-time National Sports Festival winner Kim Dong-hoe, gold medalist Guk Seung-joon, military athlete Lee Chae-hyun, actor Jang Hyuk, Korea’s first UFC light heavyweight fighter Jung Da-un and UDT veteran–turned–artist Yuk Jun-seo are set to compete. As Ma put it, “This is the kind of match people normally pay to watch,” signaling a star-studded and physically dominant roster. Known to a

Nov 8, 2025By Hankookilbo

Ma Dong-seok brings his punch to variety TV with ‘I Am Boxer’

Shows & Dramas

‘Peach Trap’ becomes surprise global hit, reviving local Korean BL genre

Korean BL (boys’ love) drama “Peach Trap” has emerged as a breakout hit on global streaming platforms, signaling a long-awaited resurgence for Korea’s gay content scene. Released on Thursday as the first original production from BL-focused OTT platform Heavenly, the eight-part romantic comedy soared to the top of various streaming rankings upon debut. It currently ranks No. 1 on Heavenly Korea, Japan’s Rakuten TV, North America’s iQIYI and Taiwan’s GagaOOLala, demonstrating its broad cross-border appeal. According to Heavenly, the show’s success reflects “a growing international appetite for high-quality Korean BL dramas that balance emotional storytelling with striking visuals.” The series, coproduced with game and media company WeMade, is being hailed as Korea’s first BL title in years to challenge the dominance of Chinese and Thai series in the genre. “Peach Trap” follows Doha, a chronically single man who becomes entangled with three different men, leading to a string of romantic mishaps. Blending elements of office romance, age-gap love, and friends-to-lov

Nov 8, 2025By Xportsnews

‘Peach Trap’ becomes surprise global hit, reviving local Korean BL genre

Others

K-pop idols to form Korea’s first labor union, could launch by end of year

Former Teen Top member Bang Min-su, better known by his stage name C.A.P, has been appointed head of the preparatory committee for Korea’s first-ever idol labor union — a move that could reshape how the K-pop industry addresses artists’ rights. His agency, Moden Berry Korea, said on Friday that Bang is currently serving as chair of the Idol Labor Union Preparatory Committee, which aims to launch within the year. The committee, which submitted its establishment report to the Seongnam branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor in September, seeks to represent and protect the rights of idol singers and other pop culture workers. More than 10 idols have reportedly expressed interest in joining the union, including singer Ailee, who has been confirmed as a public participant. Seo Min-seon, a research fellow at the Democratic Party’s Youth Policy Research Institute, is overseeing the group’s overall preparations and public outreach. In a statement, the preparatory committee stressed that entertainment agencies should be required to adopt standardized protocols to better safeguar

Nov 8, 2025By Xportsnews

K-pop

Stray Kids, RIIZE, ILLIT: K-pop heavyweights crowd November lineup

This November is proving to be one of K-pop's busiest months, with heavyweight acts and rising newcomers alike crowding the release calendar. From veteran performers like Super Junior vocalist Kyuhyun and rapper Jessi to global powerhouses including Stray Kids and NCT DREAM, the month's lineup highlights shifting currents within the K-pop soundscape. The comeback rush begins with ONF, a six-member boy band under WM Entertainment. Returning after a nine-month hiatus, the group will release its five-track mini-album "UNBROKEN" on Nov. 10, led by the title track "Put It Back." Anchored by groovy bass lines and crisp electric guitar riffs, WM Entertainment described the song as having a funky edge and an addictive melody. The album also includes "Broken Map," "Moonlight Festa," "New Dawn" and "I Found You in Heaven," each broadening the record's sonic range. A day later, rookie boy band CLOSE YOUR EYES will return with its third mini-album "blackout" on Nov. 11, led by double title tracks "X" and "SOB (with Imanbek)." According to agency UNCORE, the album takes on a darker tone than the grou

Nov 7, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

Stray Kids, RIIZE, ILLIT: K-pop heavyweights crowd November lineup

Shows & Dramas

Jun Ji-hyun reveals daily routine of fasting workouts and protein-based meals

Actor Jun Ji-hyun shared her rigorous self-care routine, drawing attention for its discipline and consistency. Jun appeared as a guest on the YouTube show “Zzin Genius Hong Jin-kyung” in a video released Thursday, marking her first appearance on a YouTube entertainment program. She spoke in detail about how she structures her day. “I wake up at 6 a.m. and work out on an empty stomach,” she said. “These days I enjoy running and boxing. I’ve told my family that as long as I can work out, I’m fine with anything.” When asked why she exercises every day, Jun said her approach has evolved. “When I was younger, my goal was weight loss. But as I get older, I feel the importance of exercise in my body,” she said. “I think of it as something I will keep learning for the rest of my life, regardless of the sport.” On her diet routine, Jun said, “Food is what I’m most careful about. I exercise on an empty stomach and then have a late lunch at around 2 p.m.” She added that her meals are mostly protein-focused. “I usually eat eggs, avocado and vegetables for lunch. If I w

Nov 7, 2025By Hankookilbo

Jun Ji-hyun reveals daily routine of fasting workouts and protein-based meals

K-pop

G-Dragon reflects on drug allegations, says he even considered retirement

G-Dragon opened up about the distress he experienced during a drug investigation involving him, saying the false accusations left him so shaken that he even considered retiring from the entertainment industry. The singer also spoke about his future, including the possibility of marriage. The artist appeared on MBC’s current affairs program “Son Suk-hee’s Questions 3,” which aired Wednesday. During the interview, he revisited key moments of his career and discussed the circumstances surrounding his 2023 drug allegations. Host Son Suk-hee mentioned the music video for “Power,” released last October, noting that G-Dragon had described it as humorous satire but that the video felt like a direct critique. G-Dragon replied, “I had a very clear message. A year before the album release, I became entangled in an incident.” In October 2023, he was investigated on suspicion of drug use. G-Dragon firmly denied the allegation, voluntarily appeared for police questioning and was later cleared after detailed forensic tests returned negative. Although prosecutors found no grounds to move t

Nov 7, 2025By Hankookilbo

G-Dragon reflects on drug allegations, says he even considered retirement

K-pop

Crayon Pop’s Way criticizes extreme crash diets, voices concern over HyunA and WJSN’s Dayoung

Way, a former member of Crayon Pop, raised concerns about extreme short-term dieting in the entertainment industry, mentioning singer HyunA and WJSN’s Dayoung as recent examples of harmful practices. Way uploaded a video titled “Why K-pop diets fail + how to succeed” on her YouTube channel Thursday, where she discussed the dangers of rapid weight-loss methods common in the industry. “I’ve basically been dieting since my teens,” she said. “Because I worked in front of cameras, I’ve seen every kind of diet — successes and failures. The K-pop industry contains every extreme form of dieting you can imagine.” Way said structural issues play a major role. “Most contracts last about seven years. Because idols are valued as short-term products, agencies often force harmful crash diets,” she said. “The moment people hear ‘an idol lost weight this way,’ everyone copies it. You should never follow these methods.” She pointed to the “yo-yo effect” as the most serious consequence. “HyunA always had an incredible figure, but recently she and even Seo In-young have

Nov 7, 2025By Hankookilbo

Crayon Pop’s Way criticizes extreme crash diets, voices concern over HyunA and WJSN’s Dayoung

Shows & Dramas

Cha Eun-woo ARS event prompts wrong-number flood as agency apologizes

Actor Cha Eun-woo’s agency issued an apology after a promotional ARS event for his new album caused a surge of misdialed calls to unrelated phone users. Fantagio posted a notice titled “ARS VOICE contact information” on Wednesday, explaining that the number used for the ARS content in his upcoming mini second album was 070-8919-0330 and could be reached only through that line. “Some users entered the number incorrectly and their calls were directed elsewhere. Please make sure to dial the exact number,” the agency said. “We sincerely apologize to those who were affected.” The ARS event, held Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. to promote Cha’s new release “ELSE,” allowed fans to hear a pre-recorded message from the artist by calling the announced number. More than 100,000 calls were made after the event began. But some fans dialed similar numbers by mistake, leading to a wave of calls to a private individual who happened to use a number resembling the agency’s line. Cha, who enlisted in the Army’s military band in July, is fulfilling his mandatory service. His solo second mini alb

Nov 7, 2025By Xportsnews

Cha Eun-woo ARS event prompts wrong-number flood as agency apologizes

Shows & Dramas

‘Perfect Glow’ takes K-beauty to New York in bold reality challenge

TvN is launching a new reality show that follows Korean beauty professionals as they attempt to introduce K-beauty techniques to clients in New York. The network held an online press conference Thursday for “Perfect Glow,” with cast members Park Min-young, Ra Mi-ran, Joo Jong-hyuk, hair stylist Cha Hong, beauty creators Leo J and Pony, and producer Kim Sang-ah in attendance. The show follows Park, Ra, joined by top Korean hair and makeup experts, as they open a Korean-style beauty salon in Manhattan and present K-beauty to local customers. Park said she was unsure at first whether she was the right fit for a reality program. “When I first received the offer, my reaction was, ‘Why me?’ I had never done a reality show,” she said. “But I decided to take the challenge and experienced complete chaos. Even now my tongue still twists sometimes. But I became more comfortable with English, and viewers will see everyone’s growth from beginning to end.” Ra also said she hesitated before accepting the offer. “I’ve shown relaxed sides of myself through travel programs, but this

Nov 7, 2025By Hankookilbo

‘Perfect Glow’ takes K-beauty to New York in bold reality challenge

Shows & Dramas

Jeon Jong-seo joins ‘John Wick’ director’s new film ‘Highlander’

Actor Jeon Jong-seo is set to appear in “Highlander,” the next project from Chad Stahelski, the director behind the “John Wick” series. Her agency, Andmarq, said Friday that Jeon has officially joined the cast of the film. “Highlander” is an action fantasy centered on a Scottish warrior with the power of immortality who confronts and hunts other immortal fighters. The remake of the 1986 film is reportedly being produced with a budget of about $75 million. The cast includes Henry Cavill, Mark Ruffalo, Russell Crowe, Dave Bautista and Jeremy Irons, with Stahelski directing, raising anticipation for the project. Jeon will play a member of a secret group known as the Watchers. This marks her second Hollywood outing, following her role in the 2023 film “Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon.” Jeon has drawn global attention since her debut in Lee Chang-dong’s 2016 film “Burning,” which earned a Cannes premiere. More recently, she starred alongside Han So-hee in the film “Project Y,” showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival. Production on “Highlander” is schedule

Nov 7, 2025By Hankookilbo

Stray Kids to drop new album in August, announces new world tour

BTS' 'ARIRANG' returns to top 10 on Billboard 200

'Toy Story 5' tops weekend box office, dethroning 'Colony'

Megabox crisis raises concerns over future of Korean cinema

Review'Summer’s Camera' captures gentle first love, grief

Classic K-dramas turn into reunion shows

Recognition or sidelining? Reactions mixed as Grammys unveil Asian pop category

Baritone Matthias Goerne, pianist Sunwoo Ye-kwon bring Schubert's songs to Seoul

Entertainment

Stray Kids to drop new album in August, announces new world tour

BTS' 'ARIRANG' returns to top 10 on Billboard 200

'Toy Story 5' tops weekend box office, dethroning 'Colony'

Megabox crisis raises concerns over future of Korean cinema

Review'Summer’s Camera' captures gentle first love, grief

Classic K-dramas turn into reunion shows

Recognition or sidelining? Reactions mixed as Grammys unveil Asian pop category

Baritone Matthias Goerne, pianist Sunwoo Ye-kwon bring Schubert's songs to Seoul

Read more

Ma Dong-seok brings his punch to variety TV with ‘I Am Boxer’

‘Peach Trap’ becomes surprise global hit, reviving local Korean BL genre

K-pop idols to form Korea’s first labor union, could launch by end of year

Stray Kids, RIIZE, ILLIT: K-pop heavyweights crowd November lineup

Jun Ji-hyun reveals daily routine of fasting workouts and protein-based meals

G-Dragon reflects on drug allegations, says he even considered retirement

Crayon Pop’s Way criticizes extreme crash diets, voices concern over HyunA and WJSN’s Dayoung

Cha Eun-woo ARS event prompts wrong-number flood as agency apologizes

‘Perfect Glow’ takes K-beauty to New York in bold reality challenge

Jeon Jong-seo joins ‘John Wick’ director’s new film ‘Highlander’

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