Former LE SSERAFIM member Kim Garam returns as an actress 4 years after school bullying controversy ... Signs exclusive contract with Lee Yowon and Ha Seokjin's agency

According to a recent report by OSEN, Kim Garam, who left the girl group LE SSERAFIM due to a school bullying controversy, is returning as an actress.

On the 16th, Management Koo announced that they had signed an exclusive contract with Kim Garam. Regarding their decision, the agency stated:

"We have consistently followed Kim Garam's Youtube activities over time and were deeply impressed by both her potential as an actress and her sincere attitude."

They added, "Seeing her work hard every day to achieve her dream and continuously improve herself was a major factor in our decision to sign her."

They also highly praised her, "Kim Garam has been consistently training and studying to improve her acting skills. She has shown remarkable growth in a short period of time. In addition to acting, she consistently dedicates her time to study English and Japanese. She also has been teaching herself how to play the guitar. She never stops challenging herself and learning new things." They further explained:

"She spends most of her time preparing to achieve her dream of becoming an actress and investing in self-improvement. She continuously working to make up for her own shortcomings. After internal discussions, we concluded that her future growth potential and talent are extremely promising, leading us to sign the exclusive contract."

Management Koo also emphasized, "Kim Garam's sincerity, passion, and attitude of constantly wanting to learn and grow will be tremendous assets in her acting career. We will spare no effort in providing full support so that she can pursue a wider range of activities as an actress."

Management Koo is an agency specializing in actors, representing figures such as Lee Yowon, Ha Seokjin, and Seo Jihoon. Other actors under the agency include Yoo Insoo, Kwon Hyuk, Baek Soojang, Oh Heejun, Lee Taehyung, and Yoo Sooyeon.

Kim Garam debuted in May 2022 as a member of LE SSERAFIM, but was swept up in allegations of school bullying immediately after her face was revealed through pre-debut teasers. The controversy intensified when it was revealed that Kim Garam had received a Level 5 disciplinary measure from the school violence committee after being identified as a perpetrator in a school bullying case.

At the time, her agency stated, "This issue had been maliciously distroted and edited from incidents that occured while she was making friends after entering middle school," and announced that Kim Garam would suspend activities to focus on recovery. Ultimately, she left the group in July of the same year and her exclusive contract was terminated. Meanwhile, LE SSERAFIM continued their activities as a five-member group and achieved major success.

Recently, speculation about Kim Garam's return arose after she opened a personal social media account. There were also reports that she was in discussions with another agency, but those reports were later denied as 'groundless.' Now, her upcoming re-debut as an actress through Management Koo is drawing significant public attention.

Continue reading Former LE SSERAFIM member Kim Garam returns as an actress 4 years after school bullying controversy ... Signs exclusive contract with Lee Yowon and Ha Seokjin's agency

Kwon Eunbin shares thoughts ahead of her final performance: "I can't wait to see my fans"

According to a recent report by Maeil Business Newspaper, Kwon Eunbin, an actress and also a member of CLC who recently announced her retirement from the entertainment industry, shared her thoughts ahead of her final performance.

Recently, CLC released a video ahead of their 11th debut anniversary concert, which will be held at Zepp New Taipei in Taiwan on July 19th.

In the video, the members expressed their excitement for the upcoming concert, saying, "We are so happy and excited to be able to greet everyone as CLC again after such a long time. We hope you enjoy it with us and leave feeling energized."

In particular, Kwon Eunbin greeted fans by saying:

"We are busy preparing to meet you all. It's been such a long time since I've seen the fans, so I'm both excited and nervous. I really want to see you soon. Let's meet soon."

 

Previously on the 16th, Kwon Eunbin announced on her social media that she would be retiring from the entertainment industry following CLC's 11th debut anniversary concert.

She wrote, "Looking back on the time that has passed, I realized that most of it was spent struggling with feelings of emptiness and anxiety about the present and the future, rather than with affection and love for my work." She continued:

"I have now decided to leave all of those negative times and emotions behind and spend my time pursuing a better and happier future."

Meanwhile, Kwon Eunbin debuted in 2016 as a member of CLC and later expanded her career into acting as well.

Continue reading Kwon Eunbin shares thoughts ahead of her final performance: "I can't wait to see my fans"

DAY6 Dowoon invites girlfriend to a fan event? ... Controversy over Youtuber Yoo Jiyoo visiting a restaurant

According to a recent report by Star News, allegations regarding DAY6's Dowoon inviting Youtuber Yoo Jiyoo, who has been involved in dating rumors, to a fan event are spreading online.

Recently, a vlog that Yoo Jiyoo uploaded on her Youtube channel in the past has resurfaced across online communities. The video in question was posted about eight months ago and showed Yoo Jiyoo dining at a Chinese restaurant.

The restaurant happened to be the venue of a limited-time collaboration event held to celebrate DAY6's 10th debut anniversary. In the video, the name of DAY6's fandom, MyDay, was written on the table. The interior was also decorated with DAY6-related phrases and displays.

At the time, the event was known to be highly competitive even among fans. However, after it became known that Yoo Jiyoo attended this event, dating rumors involving her and Dowoon have reignited once again.

Previously, dating rumors between Dowoon and Yoo Jiyoo had surfaced in online communities. Netizens raised suspicions that the perfume and keyrings Dowoon recently revealed in a Youtube video were couple items. Furthermore, some also alleged that the dog featured in photos posted on Dowoon's acquaintance's social media account belonged to Yoo Jiyoo.

In particular, rumors spread that the two had even consulted with a wedding planner, leading to speculation about a possible marriage. However, Dowoon's agency, JYP Entertainment, declined to comment and stated:

"We have no separate statement."

Meanwhile, Dowoon debuted in 2015 as the drummer of DAY6 and has been active with the band ever since. Yoo Jiyoo is the younger sister of influencer Yoo Hyejoo, who gained fame through 'Ulzzang Generation.'

Continue reading DAY6 Dowoon invites girlfriend to a fan event? ... Controversy over Youtuber Yoo Jiyoo visiting a restaurant

'Teach You a Lesson' star Jin Kijoo's remarkable career path revisited: Samsung SDS → Journalist → Actress

The unusual career journey of actress Jin Kijoo, who starred in the Netflix series 'Teach You a Lesson,' is being highlighted by Sports Chosun.

Before becoming an actress, Jin Kijoo worked as an employee at Samsung SDS, a broadcast reporter, and a supermodel. As her unique career path is drawing attention once again, an email she sent to colleagues when resigning from the major corporation is also becoming a hot topic again. At the time, she wrote:

"I consider it a huge blessing to have met so many wonderful people at my very first job. Because it was such a great place, deciding to leave wasn't easy. However, I found the courage to do it because I have a dream that I felt I would regret not chasing 10 or 20 years from now if I didn't try it now."

In particular, the line, "They say adapting can lead to a scary resignation. That's why I drew my sword before it was too late," has resonated deeply with many office workers. It reflected her determination to leave a stable job and pursue a new path.

In 2021, Jin Kijoo appeared on tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block,' where she opened up about her journey from working as Samsung SDS employee, becoming a reporter at Gangwon Minbang, a supermodel, and ultimately actress.

She revealed that her father, who worked as a journalist, inspired her to become a media professional from a young age. She recalled, "Since I was little, the stories about the world that my father told me were always faster than the news. He looked like an incredibly cool adult to me."

After graduating from Chung-Ang University with a degree in Computer Science, she joined Samsung SDS. Recalling her corporate life, she said, "The new employee orientation and the training sessions with my colleagues were more fun than the job itself." However, as time passed, she realized she couldn't give up her dream of becoming an actress and eventually decided to resign.

Jin Kijoo shared, "My facial expression before and after work must have gradually gotten worse. My mom told me, 'If there's something you want to do, then you should give it a try.' But it was a time when finidng a job was extremely difficult, so I couldn't easily gather the courage." She added:

"In the email I sent to my seniors and colleagues when I resigned, I wrote, 'I drew my sword because if I kept hesitating, it would be too late.' The truth was that I wanted to become an actress, but I couldn't tell anyone around me. I was afraid people would laugh at me."

After leaving the company, she followed in her father's footsteps and pursued journalism. She worked as a reporter for Gangwon Minbang and experienced the profession she had long dreamed of, but the reality was far from easy. She recalled:

"As a trainee reporter, the only personal time I had was when I was washing my hair. It was so exhausting that sometimes, I felt like I was going to throw up while washing my hair."

After leaving journalism, Jin Kijoo entered a supermodel contest at her older sister's suggestion. She passed the preliminary screening using profile photos she had taken while preparing for the journalism exams and received positive evaluations during the talent portion because of her experience perfroming in a company arts group during her days at Samsung SDS. She finally achieved her dream of becoming an actress when she passed the audition for the 2015 drama 'Second 20s.'

Even after her debut, she was rejected in numerous auditions because she was considered older than others. She shared:

"I gained confidence from a comment made by the director of 'Second 20s,' who asked me: 'You have talent. So why are you concerned about what others think?"

She expressed her affection for acting, saying, "Being an actress is more unstable and bruises my pride more than any job I've had before, but it's also the most interesting and the work I love the most."

She also shared her personal life philosophy, saying:

"I think changing careers is only possible when you are able to let go of something. It's important to ask yourself whether it's something you truly want to do, even if there is no guarantee that things will get better than what you currently have, even if it means losing what you already have."

Meanwhile, Jin Kijoo has been receiving praise from viewers for her portrayal of investigator Im Hanrim in Netflix's 'Teach You a Lesson,' where she showcases intense action scenes and stable acting skills.

COMMENTS:

1. [+314][-11] She was hired at Samsung through the open corporate recruitmentㄷㄷ..

2. [+252][-36] I don't think it was her acting that's bad, it's the directing. They kept showing scenes of her shouting. Not only did my ears hurt, but I'm also worried about her vocal cords. But still, I really enjoyed watching the drama.

3. [+209][-13] She must've been very smart too. You can tell she's intelligent from the way she speaks.

4. [+32][-19] I truly enjoyed watching 'Teach You a Lesson.' Her acting didn't bother me at all. Didn't she do a good job at bringing the character to life?

5. [+31][-22] I haven't read the original webtoon, but I don't think her acting was excessive.

Continue reading 'Teach You a Lesson' star Jin Kijoo's remarkable career path revisited: Samsung SDS → Journalist → Actress

Airport Corporation responds to Jang Wonyoung's 'special treatment' controversy: "We will strengthen our procedural guides"

In response to the recent controversy surroinding the identity verification method used during IVE Jang Wonyoung's departure from Gimpo International Airport, MyDaily reported that the Korea Airport Corporation has announced they will significantly strengthen procedural guides for passengers.

On the 16th, the corporation announced that they would further strengthen passenger guidance on identity verification procedures through its official website and various channels. This measure serves as the corporation's official response to both the recent controversy surrounding Jang Wonyoung's attitude during identity verification while departing for Shanghai, China, and the related civil complaint filed by a citizen.

Previously, while departing through Gimpo Airport on May 30, Jang Wonyoung was asked by a security officer to verify her identity. Rather than completely removing her mask, she appeared to lower it slightly while keeping it hooked over her ear. Videos and photos of the moment quickly spread across online communities and social media, sparking debate among netizens whether her behavior was appropriate.

As the controversy grew, a formal civil complaint was filed with the Security Management Department of Gimpo Airport's Operations Divisions on the 15th, requesting for the identity verification standards at the international departure terminal to be clarified and that official guidelines for passengers to be made more specific.

In response, the Korea Airports Corportaion clarified that all 14 airports it manages nationwide, including Gimpo Airport, strictly follow the government's Aviation Security Standard Procedures and implement identity verification procedures at the same exact level as Incheon Internation Airport. 

The corporation stated: 

"During security screening and identity verification, passengers are verbally instructed to remove all items that may cover their faces, including hats, masks, and sunglasses."

They added:

"However, if a passenger only partially lowers their mask, they can still be cleared if the staff determined that matching with the ID photo and visual identification can be performed without difficulty. If identification is difficult to do or unclear, passengers are strongly requested to remove their mask completely."

Continue reading Airport Corporation responds to Jang Wonyoung's 'special treatment' controversy: "We will strengthen our procedural guides"

'Olympic Park Jeanne d'Arc' ... Who is this woman who single-handedly blocked the entry into the vote-counting center?

According to a recent report by Yeonhap News, a woman who single-handedly blocked sports organizations under the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee from entering their offices at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium is now under police investigation.

On the 17th, the Seoul Songpa Police Station announced that they plan to launch an investigation into a woman identified as A for blocking access to the Handball Gymnasium, which had been designated as a vote-counting center in Jamsil, the previous day.

After protesters blockading the counting center and People Power Party Reps. Jang Donghyuk came to an agreement to enter the gymnasium, A physically held onto the gymnasium doors and prevented people from entering for about two hours.

Although Reps. Jang Donhyuk and others tried to persuade her, A refused to move, insisting that procedures to preserve ballots and ballot boxes inside the counting center had to be completed first. As a result, their entry fell through.

Police had previously stated that they would respond firmly to anyone causing harm to sports organizations. Charges such as obstruction of business are expected to be applied. However, a police official stated:

"We cannot disclose specific details."

The previous day, after the sports organizations and the People Power Party gave up on entering the counting center, A left the scene under police protection. She was reportedly not seen at the protest site the following morning.

In conservative online communites, A is now being praised and referred under the name 'Oldarc,' short for 'Olympic Park Jeanne d'Arc.'

An online community user claiming to have spoken directly with A posted that she had traveled to Seoul from another region to participate in the protests. She had also taken part in a blockade protest at the No. 2 polling station in Jamsil 7-dong. However, these claims have not been verified.

COMMENTS:

1. [+1,108][-284] She's definitely one of the brainwashed followers of Shincheonji, the Unification Church, or some other cult. It's so sad to see someone so young already like this. 'Oldarc' my assㅋㅋㅋ

2. [+1,010][-212] The fact that she wrapped herself in an American flag says it all...

3. [+975][-218] She's sick in the head.

4. [+38][-11] Just arrest her already.

5. [+36][-12] Who else could it possibly? She's probably from Shincheonji.

Continue reading 'Olympic Park Jeanne d'Arc' ... Who is this woman who single-handedly blocked the entry into the vote-counting center?

yap thread #10

 

we're finally on our 10th yap thread!!

anw, happy tuesday!

what is everyone up to these days?

Continue reading yap thread #10