Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Singer Dawn shocked everyone with his thoughts on leaving the industry.

On the 30th, Dawn made a guest appearance on the TEO Youtube show 'Salon Drip' alongside NCT127's Johnny and casually dropped a major hint about his five-year plan. When host Jang Doyeon asked if he had already planned his retirement, he straight up answered:

"I'm thinking about trying it within the next five years."

Hearing that, everyone on set was completely stunned. Jang Doyeon told him, "I'll pretend I didn't hear that. Why would you make a plan like that?" which just made Dawn laugh and ask, "Why? Is that not allowed?"

When Jang Doyeon pointed out that retirement is an incredibly major life decision, Dawn explained that he doesn't look at it that way, saying:

"I don't see it as something that heavy. Within the next five years, I might discover another new dream. I love dreaming up new things."

This whole conversation actually started when he was breaking down his stage name. He explained that he chose 'Dawn' because the Chinese character 'Hyo' (曉) in his real name, Kim Hyojong, literally means dawn.

"At first, I thought I had chosen the wrong name. Whenever I searched 'Dawn' on portal sites, so many unrelated results came up. I regretted it."

However, his persepective completely flipped because of his retirement plans. He added with a smile:

"But now, I actually like it. It means I'll disappear from searches more quickly."

He also openly admitted that when he does finally retire, he wants people to forget him quickly, noting, "Thinking that way made me feel that it would be nice for my name to disappear quickly."

Looking back, Dawn originally debuted in 2016 as a member of Pentagon, where he was active as both a rapper and a producer. He even participated in creating their massive hit song, 'Shine.' Later on, he formed the iconic project unit Triple H alongside Hui and Hyuna. After transitioning into a solo artist, he went on to release songs including 'MONEY,' 'DAWNDIDIDAWN,' and 'Dear My Light.'

Dawn reveals he may retire from the entertainment industry within five years

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2AM's Jokwon just had the most honest, unfiltered conversation about money with TVXQ's Max Changmin, 2PM's Jun.K, and GOT7's Jay B in the latest video posted on 'Saego_F5' Youtube channel on the 30th.

It all started off when Changmin asked the three former JYP artists about their very first paychecks. The contrast between how they started out vs. how the system works now is actually insane. 

Jokwon dropped the biggest shocker, revealing that his first-ever paycheck after debuting was 240,000 KRW (which is only about $154 today). He explained how brutal the old contract system was:

"I trained for about eight years. Back then, trainees had to repay the company for every single cent invested in them out of their earnings." 

He continued, "Around 2008, right after I debuted, the Korea Fair Trade Commission changed the rules so companies had to absorb those trainee investment costs. However, until Jun.K and I debuted, those costs were still our responsibility."

Because of that debt, Jokwon didn't receive his paychecks until exactly three years after his debut. During those three years, he was literally everywhere. He had become hugely popular through his iconic 'Kkap Kwon' character and 'We Got Married.' He said:

"I remember my first settlement statement perfecly because it was the first time it didn't have a minus sign. It was 240,000 KRW. Even though it was tiny, I was incredibly grateful."

He added, "The very next day, I ran straight to a mobile phone store to pay my phone bill with money I had earned myself for the first time."

Jun.K had a slightly different experience. He trained for about four years, which was the longest among the 2PM members. He said, "Thankfully, 2PM received a ton of attention right from our debut song, '10 Out of 10," but added:

"But we barely received any paychecks for about two years. I think I got my first paycheck around 'I'll Be Back' or 'Without You' promotions. It was about 5 million KRW (which is around $3,220 now)." 

Meanwhile, Jay B had a much smoother financial start because he debuted after the Fair Trade Commission rules had already changed. He recalled:

"After getting my first paycheck, I talked it over with my parents and decided to save it all in one account instead of spending it. I still manage my money the exact same way today."

 

Hearing all these stories, Changmin couldn't help but realize how different things were over at SM Entertainment. He said:

"Thinking about it now, our first paycheck was actually quite large."

He admitted that because he didn't really have anything specific he wanted to buy at the time, he simply gave all of that money straight to his parents.

Honestly, hearing them look back on those early idol days makes you realize just how much the industry has evolved. I mean, imagine being one of the biggest stars on TV and only taking home enough to cover your phone bill.

Jokwon reveals he didn't receive a paycheck until three years after debut: "It was 240,000 KRW (~$154)"

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Actor and singer Seo In-guk just exposed his own past relationship trauma to the entire media. 

On the morning of July 1, he attended the press conference for Season 2 of the Netflix's reality show 'Better Late Than Single' that was held at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery. He was joined by producers Kim Noeun and Won Seungjae, alongside fellow panelists Kang Hanna, Lee Eunji and Car the Garden.

When asked what makes this brand-new season unique, Seo In-guk derailed the conversation and admitted:

"I once tried confessing with a song and failed. It was one of the biggest incidents in my life."

 

Apparently, he is so traumatized by his own failed attempt that he's actively out there saving others from the same fate. He told this hilarious story about a cast member who was planning to confess by singing and playing piano. Seo In-guk said he stepped in immediately:

"I told him to leave the song out of it. You shouldn't mix singing into a confession. The chances of success are lower. That's advice based on my own experience."

Seo In-guk also admitted that he was stressed out when he saw the show's setup, saying, "When I saw that the casts had access to karaoke, I thought they'd use it as a way to confess their feelings, and that the other person would probably run away."

But the casts actually surprised him. He explained that it didn't actually turn into a cringe fest at all. Instead of using the karaoke machine to confess, they mostly used it to express their emotions or vent their frustation. Seo In-guk said, "Rather than being a tool for confession, it actually became this wholesome thing that helped people grow closer. I found that really interesting."

If you need a refresher on the show, 'Better Late Than Single' is a total makeover dating reality show. It follows a bunch of people with zero dating experience but somehow have sky-high expectations as they navigate their very first romantic relationships. The new season will premiere on July 7.

Seo In-guk opens up about the biggest mistake in his dating life

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

AOMG has officially debuted their very first girl crew, Keyveatz! 

The five members (Newy, Kang Yeseul, Um Jione, Son Juone, and Kim Yuna) just held their debut showcase on the afternoon of the 30th at Yes24 Wonderloch Hal in Seoul to celebrate their first EP, 'OXY_GEN.'

At the showcase, the girls shared exactly how they're feeling, saying, "We're nervous, but being on stage is exciting and so much fun. We're a crew that wants to create a new wave, read the scene, and make our own bold move."

When talking about what makes them different from everyone else in the industry right now, Yeseul explained, "What sets Keyveatz apart will be many things, from our music and artistry to our visuals. We believe a crew is defined by its attitude," and added:

"We'll create an unpredictable kind of individuality."

Jione also made sure to note, "We'll showcase a wide range of musical styles, not just hip-hop."

This crew is actually the next big act to come out of the label's "Make It New" rebranding project. They’re bringing a massive sense of individuality with music and performances heavily rooted in hip-hop, subculture, and underground culture, aiming to completely bridge the gap between the K-pop and hip-hop scenes.

What adds to the excitement of their debut is the star-studded lineup helping them behind the scenes. The members revealed:

"Mijoo Sunbaenim gave us a lot of advice. On top of that, Kian84 helped to plan our showcase. And Jay Park Sunbaenim took charge of the production. He helped us to make use 200% of our talents."

The EP 'OXY_GEN' itself is all about symbolizing Keyveatz as a crew that constantly moves, collides, and carves out its own unique path. 

The title track, 'OXY,' blends a variety of hip-hop sounds into a wave of explosive energy. The rest of the tracks is just as bold. It features 'SUCK IT UP,' which all five members participated in writing, composing, and arranging themselves, alongside 'SUB_ZERO' featuring rapper Punchnello, and their two previously released double-singles, 'Key Beats' and 'Catch My Breath.'

If you want to check them out, all the tracks will be dropped across major online music platforms at 6 PM (KST) today (the 30th). Right after that, they're heading straight into their fan showcase, 'OXY_GEN: MESSY ROOM,' at 8 PM (KST) of the same day.

AOMG debuts first-ever girl crew Keyveatz with EP 'OXY_GEN'

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U-KISS Eli's ex-wife Ji Yeonsoo got incredibly honest about the realities of single parenting on her Youtube channel. 

In her video that was posted on the 29th, she sat down to talk about what it's really like trying to balance everything on your own. 

While listening to their stories, she opened up about her own situation, revealing exactly how much child support she gets from her ex-husband, Eli (formerly of U-KISS):

"I receive 850,000 KRW (around $550) a month in child support (from Eli).The legal minimum child support amount is 640,000 KRW (around $413)."

 

Ji Yeonsoo pointed out how broken the system is, saying, "The cost of living keeps rising, but the child support standards haven't kept up with reality. It's nowhere near enough." She explained:

"Rather than relying solely on child support, it's more realistic for me to find part-time work."

To make ends meet, she revealed that she's been working part-time as a server at a Seollongtang (Ox bone soup) restaurant, and it's taken such a toll on her body that she's suffering from severe wrist pain.

On top of the physical pain, she explained that simply keeping a job as a single parent is incredibly hard, saying, "But when your child is young, the daycare can suddenly call because they're sick or have a fever, and you have to pick them up immediately. You can't take your child to work with you, so who would hire you easily? That's the reality for single mothers."

For a little bit of context, Ji Yeonsoo married Eli (who is 11 years younger than her) back in 2014. They had their son, Minsoo, in 2016, but ended up getting a divorce in 2020. The two actually appeared together later on TV Chosun 'We Got Divorced 2' to show what their relationship looked like post-divorce.

Meanwhile, Eli recently announced that he is getting remarried to a non-celebrity woman who he has been dating for about three years since December 2022. 

U-KISS Eli's ex-wife Ji Yeonsoo reveals how much child support she receives

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Former PRISTIN member Jung Eunwoo just cleared up a huge mystery for fans. 

On the 29th, Jung Euwnoo posted a Reel to her Instagram with the caption, 'I'll finally talk about the question I've been asked the most: The disbandment!!' and she did not hold back on why the group actually disbanded.

For anyone who needs a quick refresher on how crazy their career was, PRISTIN debuted back in 2017 as a 10-member group, including Eunwoo alongside I.O.I members Lim Nayoung and Zhou Jieqiong. They completely dominated the rookie scene right away, living up to all the early hype by winning Best New Female Artist at the 2017 MAMA Awards and snagging another Rookie Award at the 27th Seoul Music Awards. But out of nowhere, they ended up disbanding on May 24, 2019. 

In the video, Eunwoo started from the beginning, sharing, "I started training when I was in the third year of middle school. PLEDIS was the first agency for both me and the other members." After surviving the trainee days, she participated in 'Produce 101' before officially debuting with PRISTIN. She admitted:

"At the time, we were considered one of the industry's most anticipated groups, so I had high expectations too."

Eunwoo pointed to the company's multi-label system as the biggest factor behind the group's disbandment:

"I can't tell you everything that happened, but our company had other groups besides us, and there were so many things they had to take care of. As we gradually got pushed further down the priority list, I don't think many opportunities came our way anymore."

 

Thankfully, Eunwoo has a healthy perspective on it now. She explained, "At the time, it was really difficult, but looking back now, it was an incredibly valuable and meaningful experience." She also stated that she has zero regrets about her time with PRISTIN, saying:

"Even if I could go back in time, I'd choose the same career, join the same company, and do it all over again. I have no regrets."

Her journey is honestly incredible, especially considering how much she went through even before her debut, having participated in multiple audition programs like 'Superstar K4,' 'Voice Kids,' and 'Produce 101.'

She didn't give up after PRISTIN disbanded. In November 2019, she actually re-debuted in the girl group HINAPIA alongside former PRISTIN members Kyungwon, Minkyung, and Yebin, though that group unfortunately disbanded as well in August 2020.

Since then, she has completely started fresh. Recently, she updated fans to let them know that she has moved on to a regular job and is currently working as a consultation manager at a plastic surgery clinic.

Jung Eunwoo reveals the reason behind PRISTIN's disbandment

Monday, June 29, 2026

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Former LABOUM member Haein just shared a movie-like story about how she met her husband.

On the 29th, Haein posted a video toher personal channel sharing the story of how she first met and fell in love with her husband, and it turns out that he was actually an idol trainee too.

To give you a quick timeline check, Haein married her non-celebrity husband back in November 2023. When she got married, she also announced that she was expecting their first child, and later gave birth in May 2024. Then, she welcomed a son in April 2025. So, the couple officially has two children now.

But their history together goes all the way back. Haein debuted as a member of LABOUM in 2014, but she recalled that she actually met her husband when she was just 19 years old while she was still a trainee. She shared:

"I had joined the company first. At the time, there was already a separate debut lineup, so I was the only trainee. Then a new trainee joined. That was my husband."

Haein went on to explain that the company had a super strict rule prohibiting male and female trainees from talking to each other, so they barely got any chances to actually talk inside the company's building.

But of course, they found a way around it. Haein explained that they eventually started talking while commuting on public transportation, saying, "We had a lot in common. Rather tahn conversations between a guy and a girl, we mostly talked about our dreams and our future. We gradually became close," and added:

"Although we never made it obvious, I think we liked each other."

 

Just when things were getting good, the story took a crazy turn. Haein revealed:

"One day, he suddenly stopped showing up. He disappeared."

She later found out that he had completely quit being a trainee and enlisted into the military. She said, "At that point, I thought I'd never see him again. But then, I received a message from him completely out of the blue," leaving everyone curious about what happened next.

Unfortunately, Haein concluded the video by leaving us on a total cliffhanger. She teased, "If you're curious about the rest of the story, leave a comment asking for Part 2. I'll bring you the next chapter of our love story."

In case you need a quick refresher, Haein debuted in 2014 as a member of LABOUM. Over the years, the group became famous for delivering bops like 'Hwi Hwi,' 'Aalow Aalow,' and their ultimate signature hit, 'Journey to Atlantis' (which saw a massive resurgence on the music charts years after its release). While the members have transitioned into solo paths and family life in recent years, their legendary discography still holds a special place in the hearts of 2nd Gen K-pop fans.

LABOUM's Haein reveals she met her husband while they were idol trainees

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DAY6's Young K just shared stories about his band's latest massive concerts, his huge list of songwriting credits, and how he ended up singing an OST for 'My Royal Nemesis' in the episode of MBC's 'Best Peak' that aired on the 28th.

First of all, DAY6 is currently on a world tour celebrating their 10th debut anniversary, and their success right now is truly on another level. Sharing the big news, Young K announced, "We will be holding our encore concert at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena." Yang Sehyung was impressed, pointing out, "That's basically the top concert venue in South Korea," which led Young K to add:

"For our concert in Goyang, we had a total audience of 80,000 over just two days."

 

Naturally, when you hear '80,000 people,' you think about the paycheck. Jang Dongmin asked what we were all thinking, "With that many people coming to see you, how much do you actually make? I'm really curious." Young K jokingly replied:

"I made enough to order good food. I get to eat delicious meals."

 

However, Jang Dongmin didn't let him off that easily. He teased, "Don't you ever think, 'This tastes great,' then look at your bandmates on stage and think, 'Why am I sharing this delicious food with them? Maybe I should just do it all by myself?'" Young K burst out laughing and rolled with the joke, saying:

"That's why I'm preparing for a solo comeback. So I can order even better food."

 

The impressive stories kept coming. Boom brought up Young K's songwriting credits, sharing a surprising fact, "From what I know, you actually have more copyright registrations than G-Dragon. You write and compose most of your songs." Young K nodded and shared:

"I became a full member of the Korea Music Copyright Association this year. I currently have 219 songs registered."

 

To top the whole episode off, he treated everyone to the very first live performance of his new OST for the drama 'My Royal Nemesis,' which starts Lim Jiyeon and Heo Namjun. He revealed:

"Heo Namjun is a friend of mine. We're the same age. He reached out to me, and that's how I ended up doing the OST."

Looking back at where it all started, Young K debuted in 2015 as a member of DAY6 with their iconic debut track 'Congratulations.' Since then, they've become absolute legends in the Korean band scene, dropping a massive lineup of unskippable hits like 'You Were Beautiful,' 'Time of Our Life,' and 'Zombie.' Right now, DAY6 is celebrating their 10th debut anniversary with 'THE DECADE' world tour. 

DAY6's Young K revealed to have 219 copyrighted songs under his name