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‘KPop Demon Hunters’ voice actress posts support for Cha Eun-woo amid tax controversy

A supportive message posted by Korean American actress Arden Cho has sparked online backlash after she publicly encouraged singer-actor Cha Eun-woo, who is currently facing allegations of massive tax underpayment in South Korea. Cho, who voiced the character Rumi in Netflix’s animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” left a comment on Cha’s social media account shortly after he posted a public apology on Jan. 26, addressing allegations that he failed to pay roughly 20 billion won (about $15 million) in income taxes. “Always supporting you, dongsaeng. Hwaiting!” Cho wrote in English, using a Korean term that implies a close bond. The comment quickly drew attention, as it appeared amid heightened public scrutiny of Cha’s situation. The apology marked Cha’s first public response since the allegations emerged. The Seoul Regional Tax Office previously conducted an intensive tax audit of the star and notified him of the additional tax assessment tied to unpaid income taxes, according to officials. For international audiences, Cho is a familiar face from both Hollywood and Korean-link

Jan 27, 2026By Xportsnews
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ voice actress posts support for Cha Eun-woo amid tax controversy

7 years after coming out as bisexual, singer Som Hevin announces marriage to a man

Singer Som Hevin, who drew national attention in Korea after publicly coming out as bisexual in 2019, has announced she is getting married, marking a personal milestone that has reignited discussion online about identity, choice and public expectations. Som shared the news through a lengthy post on her personal social media channel, opening with the words, "I’m getting married," and revealing that the wedding will take place in February. "This may come as sudden news, but I’ve found the one person I want to spend my life with," she said. "He lives within the same faith as me, truly cherishes me, and always shares warmth and peace with me through an honest heart. He’s a lovely person who feels like home." Som is best known for her brief appearance on Mnet’s idol audition program “Idol School” in 2017. She withdrew from the show voluntarily after the first episode, a decision that triggered intense online criticism at the time. She later faced — and denied — allegations related to school bullying, which further complicated her early career. Som returned to public attention

Jan 27, 2026By Xportsnews
7 years after coming out as bisexual, singer Som Hevin announces marriage to a man

Pusan National University recruits most international students via gov’t-run scholarship

Pusan National University recruited the largest number of international students among four-year universities in the 2026 Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program's undergraduate selection, marking the third consecutive year it has ranked first nationwide, the school said Thursday. The GKS program, run by the Ministry of Education’s National Institute for International Education, invites outstanding students from around the world to pursue degree studies at Korean universities as part of an effort to cultivate global talent and strengthen international networks. In this year’s selection, Pusan National University secured 22 scholars through the embassy-recommendation track, the university said. “Its third straight top ranking reflects international recognition of the university’s strong educational infrastructure and systematic support for international students,” Pusan National University’s Office of International Affairs Director Lee Chang-hwan said. “The university plans to expand recruitment of global talent and deepen international exchanges.” Pusan National University

Jan 22, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan
Pusan National University recruits most international students via gov’t-run scholarship

BLACKPINK’s Jennie shares 30th birthday photos, party video sparks online debate

BLACKPINK’s Jennie has thanked fans for their birthday wishes and shared behind-the-scenes photos from her 30th birthday celebration, drawing renewed attention amid ongoing online debate surrounding footage from her party. On Wednesday, Jennie posted several photos on her social media account alongside a short message saying, “Thank you for celebrating my birthday.” The images show the artist enjoying a lavish birthday party, with balloons, cakes and elaborate decorations creating a glamorous atmosphere for the milestone occasion. In the photos, Jennie stands out in a stylish outfit that matches the festive setting, once again showcasing her distinctive presence and fashion sense. The post quickly drew interest not only from fans but also from online users already discussing Jennie’s birthday celebrations. Earlier, a video said to be filmed at her birthday party spread across online communities and social media platforms. The footage shows Jennie dancing to music in what appears to be a club-like venue. The video sparked debate after several women commonly referred to online as

Jan 22, 2026By Xportsnews
BLACKPINK’s Jennie shares 30th birthday photos, party video sparks online debate

Kyung Hee University researchers publish analysis on chronic respiratory illnesses, COVID-19

A research team led by Yeon Dong-Geon of the Kyung Hee University College of Medicine has published its assessment of negative impacts of chronic respiratory diseases and the COVID-19 pandemic. A Kyung Hee university official said the analysis is the world’s first global assessment on such illnesses and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, a massive international collaboration involving more than 1,100 researchers from institutions including the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Harvard Medical School, was published in the January issue of Nature Medicine. Chronic respiratory diseases encompass conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, interstitial lung disease and pneumoconiosis. They are among the four major noncommunicable diseases identified by the World Health Organization alongside cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. As of 2023, an estimated 569 million people worldwide were living with chronic respiratory disease, with more than half of these cases at

Jan 20, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan
Kyung Hee University researchers publish analysis on chronic respiratory illnesses, COVID-19

Korea University team selected for international R&D program with Lund University

A Korea University research team, led by professor Kim Sung-do in the school’s department of linguistics, has been selected for the international cooperative research support program “Get Started,” hosted by Lund University in Sweden. Kim’s team had a kickoff meeting with Lund researchers on Jan. 12 before officially beginning their joint research project. Get Started is a competitive program designed to activate international collaborative research, selecting leading academic teams from around the world through a rigorous peer review process. According to a Korea University official, prestigious institutions such as University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom and University of Geneva in Switzerland were also selected for this year’s cycle. Among Korean universities, only Korea University and Seoul National University were chosen, highlighting the global competitiveness of humanities research in Korea. The team said the joint project, titled “Homo Ritualis,” will apply methodologies from cognitive semiotics to conduct comparative analyses of ritual practices in Eastern an

Jan 20, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan
Korea University team selected for international R&D program with Lund University

BLACKPINK’s Jennie turns 30 with a wink and sunglasses, redefining a milestone

Jennie of BLACKPINK marked her 30th birthday in unmistakably cool fashion, sparking buzz across social media with a playful yet chic celebration. On Jan. 15, Jennie shared a series of photos on Instagram with a simple caption: “thirtyyyyyy.” The images show her celebrating in a space decorated with “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” balloons while holding a Cinnamoroll character cake, blending a lighthearted mood with her signature style. In one photo, Jennie flashes a wink and a bright smile in front of a cake topped with candles shaped in the number “30.” In another, she gazes at the candles while wearing sunglasses, projecting a relaxed confidence. Dressed in a black tube-top dress, Jennie balances cuteness and maturity — a visual that many fans said perfectly captured the start of her 30s. Online reactions poured in quickly, with comments such as “Happy birthday,” “We love you,” and “Already 30?” reflecting both celebration and disbelief at the milestone. Jennie’s post resonated widely among fans, particularly younger followers, as conversations spread about aging, self-ass

Jan 17, 2026By Xportsnews
BLACKPINK’s Jennie turns 30 with a wink and sunglasses, redefining a milestone

C-sections in Korea: Convenience or medical necessity?

According to the United Nations, the world welcomed approximately 132 million newborns in 2024. Of these, roughly 21 to 22 percent were born via cesarean section. In stark contrast, 67.4 percent of the 235,234 babies born in South Korea that year were delivered through the surgical procedure, which involves an incision into the mother's uterus. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a C-section rate of 10 to 15 percent of all births, noting that the surgery should be performed only when necessary due to risks such as excessive bleeding, infection, organ damage and pulmonary embolism. The C-section rate is approximately 32 percent in the United States and 18 percent in Japan. Korea's peculiarly high rate reflects the local perception that C-sections are safer than vaginal deliveries. Critics point out that the medical community often encourages defensive practices to avoid legal liability for complications that can occur during natural childbirth. Other contributing factors include the desire to avoid labor pain, the cultural practice of selecting birth dates based on "saju" (for

Jan 16, 2026By Hankookilbo
C-sections in Korea: Convenience or medical necessity?

'KPop Demon Hunters' leaves its mark on 2026 Korea Image Awards

Netflix’s global animated sensation "KPop Demon Hunters" took center stage at the 22nd Korea Image Awards held Thursday in Seoul, tying for two of the three top honors, highlighting how pop music, heritage and food continue to shape Korea's cultural presence on the global stage. Organized annually by the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI), the awards honor individuals, objects and organizations that shaped Korea’s global image over the past year, highlighting the continued resonance and evolution of Korean culture worldwide. The Stepping Stone Award, presented to individuals or companies that have contributed to promoting Korea's image overseas, went to K-pop agency The Black Label. The label's in-house production team helped produce the soundtrack for "KPop Demon Hunters," including the smash hit "Golden" and other viral tracks such as "How It's Done," "Soda Pop" and "Your Idol." Agency CEO Jeong Kyung-in accepted the honor on behalf of the company and its executive producer Teddy, who was unable to attend. In his acceptance speech, Jeong noted the company signed onto the p

Jan 16, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
'KPop Demon Hunters' leaves its mark on 2026 Korea Image Awards
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