Thursday, July 16, 2026

Kim Soohyun has reportedly been flooded with various drama and film offers after officially resuming his entertainment activities for the first time in 16 months.

On the 14th, he quietly stepped back into the spotlight by filming a commercial for the Philippine fashion brand BENCH. He followed it up the very next day on the 15th with his first social media update since February of last year. Even though he didn't write a caption, he shared BENCH's official post featuring himself as the brand's model, signaling his official return to the public eye. 

Then, on the 16th, various Korean media outlets reported that Kim Soohyun has received offers for approximately 40 different film and drama projects, and he is currently carefully considering his next role. In addition to these acting offers, he has reportedly been receiving numerous collaboration proposals as well.

However, legal proceedings surrounding a controversy involving him are still ongoing. Between March and May of last year, Kim Se-ui, the person behind the Youtube channel Garo Sero Research Institute, repeatedly claimed through broadcasts and press conferences that Kim Soohyun had been in a relationship with the late actress Kim Saeron while she was a minor, presenting alleged audio recordings and KakaoTalk chat logs as evidence. 

Police investigations later concluded that the audio files had been fabricated using AI and that the chat logs had also been manipulated. As a result, Kim Se-ui was recently indicted and detained on multiple charges, including defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, violating the Anti-Stalking Act, violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, attempted coercion, and intimidation.

Following the conclusion of the police investigation, Kim Soohyun's agency released an official statement, saying, "We sincerely thank all the fans who have supported and stood by Kim Soohyun throughout this long period."

Meanwhile, the civil lawsuits filed against him by various advertisers, including Frombio, Cuckoo Electronics, Trendmaker, Classys, Eider, and Mido, are all still ongoing. Recently, Eider lowered its demand by dropping its initial 2.5 billion KRW claim for damage to its reputation. Instead, the company cut the amount down to around 400 million KRW, asking only for the return of the remaining model fees. With the court recommending that both sides reach a mutual settlement, everyone is now focused on the third court hearing, which is officially scheduled for August 26.

Kim Soohyun reportedly receives 40 acting offers following his return to the entertainment industry

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Youtuber Potato Turtle (whose real name is Song Jiyoon) just issued a public apology after uploading a highly controversial video where she showed up completely unannounced at BLACKPINK Jennie's agency building in an attempt to meet her.

As soon as the video was uploaded, the comment section was flooded with criticism. Netizens pointed out that showing up at a celebrity's private workplace unanounced is incredibly inappropriate and could make them feel unsafe. Many also said it resembles dangerous sasaeng fan behavior.

As the controversy grew, Potato Turtle quickly set the video to private and posted a formal apology on her social media on the 14th. She wrote:

"I sincerely apologize to everyone who felt uncomfortable because of the video I recently uploaded. I've read every single comment and have been deeply reflecting on how thoughtless my actions were."

For context, the deleted video showed Potato Turtle documenting her attempt to check off one of the goals from her bucket list, which is to have coffee with Jennie.

To pull this off, she went straight to the headquarters of Jennie's one-person agency, OA Entertainment, where she repeatedly rang the building's doorbell without any kind of appointment, before finally leaving behind a letter and a bouquet of flowers. She also went to Jennie's concert while holding up a sign that read, "Jennie Unnie, would you like to have coffee with me?"

In her apology, she addressed both of these actions directly. She admitted, "I failed to realize that showing up at the company unannounced to deliver a letter and flowers could be perceived as sasaeng behavior," and explained that she was just trying to share her sincere feelings, but her approach was wrong. She added, "I was far too ignorant about idol fan culture. I will be much more careful in the future."

She also apologized for the sign at the concert, saying, "It was my first time attending a concert, so I didn't fully understand the proper concert etiquette," and promised to respect the rules moving forward and never repeat the mistake.

Potato Turtle also went on to explain the broader concept behind her Youtube channel, noting that she's currently taking on a challenge to complete 100 bucket list goals, stating, "While some goals like seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland are relatively achievable, other goals, like having coffee with Jennie, are realistically very difficult to accomplish." She continued:

"I wanted to challenge myself by attempting something that seemed impossible. I wanted to knock on the door and find my own way. Of course, I never actually believed that visiting the company or attending a concert would result in me having coffee with Jennie."

She also mentioned that the direction of her videos was heavily influenced by international content creators. She explained, "I often reference overseas content when making videos. It's pretty common to see creators making content where they give celebrities a shout-out, so I wanted to express my sincere feelings as well," and added, "However, I was shortsighted. I truly apologize for making so many people so uncomfortable."

She also shut down the accusations that she only did this for the views. She emphasized, "It's absolutely not true that I used Jennie just to create content. I simply wanted to express my sincere feelings as a fan who genuinely likes Jennie. I hope my true intentions aren't completely overshadowed by my poor judgment."

Youtuber Potato Turtle issues an apology after controversial attempt to meet BLACKPINK's Jennie

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

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Ningning is proving once again why she's an absolute angel by making a generous donation for senior citizens in Seoul.

On July 15, the Seoul Chapter of the Korean Red Cross officially announced that Ningning has donated a generous 20 million KRW to their 'Helping Vulnerable Communities Overcome Extreme Summer Heat' campaign. 

Thanks to Ningning's contribution, the project now has a total budget of 27 million KRW. This fund will be used to support 600 households under the Seoul Red Cross 'Warmth for Every Home' program, which specifically helps seniors at risk of dying alone. 

The care packages will include portable neck coolers to help them lower their body temperature during the heatwave, and three types of high-quality ready-to-eat traditional meals to keep their strength up: samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), galbitang (beef short rib soup), and doganitang (ox knee cartilage soup). These supplies are going to be distributed in two separate rounds throughout this month. 

What makes this program even better is that they aren't just shipping the items through a courier. Instead, local Korean Red Cross volunteers will be personally visiting each household to deliver the supplies. During these visits, the volunteers will also check on the recipients' living conditions and health, and provide safety guidance on how to survive the extreme heat safely. 

The story behind how this donation came together makes it even more special. Ningning actually made the donation after appearing on the Youtube variety show 'No Prepare,' where she and host Lee Youngji made a bet over a word-chain game. Even though Ningning actually won the bet, she voluntarily donated the same amount herself, earning major praise for her generous act of kindness.

Park Myungsook, the president of the Seoul Volunteer Council, put out a statement to express her gratitude, saying, "We sincerely thank Ningning for so willingly extending a helping hand. Together with our Red Cross volunteers, we will carefully carry out this project so that her kindness reaches those who need it most."

Aespa's Ningning Donates 20 Million KRW to Support Vulnerable Senior Citizens During Heatwave 

Kim Sejeong is officially a homeowner.

On July 15, her agency, BH Entertainment, confirmed the news, letting fans know that Kim Sejeong did indeed just buy her very first property. But almost immediately, the media started running wild with details. 

A media outlet reported that she bought a luxury penthouse in Seoul's Gwangjin District worth approximately 3 billion KRW. The agency was quick to clear the air, firmly denying the reports. They stated:

"The claim that she bought a penthouse worth around 3 billion KRW is not true. The exact price and related information concern her private life, so it is difficult for us to comment."

 

Despite the false rumors, fans are absolutely thrilled for Kim Sejeong. Anyone who has followed her journey knows that she's always had a reputation for being financially responsible and hardworking.

This moment is incredibly meaningful for her, especially since she's always been open about growing up in a modest rental home and making it her dream to buy a house in her mother's name once she became successful. She already checked that off her list like the incredibly devoted daughter she is, and now, she finally bought a place of her own under her own name. 

Born in 1996, Kim Sejeong first stole everyone's hearts back in 2016 when she finished in second place on Mnet's 'Produce 101' and debuted with the iconic project group I.O.I. She later promoted with Gugudan before launching her solo music career. 

She officially made her acting debut with 'School 2017' and has since lined up massive hit dramas like 'The Uncanny Counter,' 'Business Proposal,' 'Moon River,' and more. To top it all off, she just reunited with I.O.I members for the first time in nine years to drop their anniversary song, 'Suddenly.' 

BH Entertainment Clarifies Reports of Kim Sejeong Purchasing 3 Billion KRW Luxury Penthouse

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Jung Haein is drawing attention for showing his support for Kim Soohyun, who is resuming his entertainment activities after being completely out of the spotlight for 16 months. 

On July 14, the Philippine clothing brand BENCH posted a photo of Kim Soohyun on its official account along with the caption, "Back with the BENCH family." In the photo, Kim Soohyun is seen smiling and holding a giant bouquet of flowers. This campaign marks his first entertainment activity since he went on a sudden hiatus over the controversy surrounding his private life. 

Almost immediately after the photo went up, fans noticed that Jung Haein had already liked the post. Even though it was posted by the brand and not Kim Soohyun himself, the public is viewing this as Jung Haein loudly expressing his support for his friend's comeback. 

This is drawing so much attention because it recalls how tense things got when the controversy first surfaced last year. If you didn't know, both actors were born in 1988 and are part of the industry's famous '88z' circle. They even appeared together on MBC's 'Good Day.' But when the scandal first broke and public backlash was at its peak, netizens aggressively pressured Jung Haein to unfollow him. However, he completely ignored the demands, kept following him the entire time, and now he's publicly interacting with posts related to Kim Soohyun's comeback. 

All of this intense attention traces back to March last year, when Kim Soohyun's career came to a sudden halt. He suspended all entertainment activities after allegations surfaced claiming he had dated the late actress Kim Saeron for six years, starting back when she was still a minor. It immediately turned into a massive public battle with her bereaved family over whether it was true or not. 

Kim Soohyun's side firmly denied everything through a press conference. He even filed a massive 12 billion KRW damages lawsuit against the bereaved family and a few others. He also filed a defamation complaint against Kim Se-ui, the person behind the Youtube channel Garo Sero Research Institute, who originally pushed the story out there. 

The controversy also took a heavy toll on his upcoming projects. Disney+ was almost done filming Season 2 of the highly anticipated series 'Knock-Off,' but they had to completely halt production. Even worse, they also postponed the release of Season 1 indefinitely. 

Jung Haein shows support for Kim Soohyun's first project since the controversy

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Actor Kim Soohyun is officially making his return to the entertainment industry after being out of the spotlight for about a year and four months.

On July 14, he is scheduled to film a commercial and participate in a promotional photo shoot in South Korea for the Philippine clothing brand BENCH. This campaign will air exclusively in the Philippines and won't be released in South Korea, marking his very first public activity since his hiatus. BENCH, which first signed Kim Soohyun as its model back in 2024, decided to stand by him and renew its partnership despite the past controversy, drawing significant attention.

To understand why his return is gaining a lot of attention, let's take a look back at the major controversy surrounding him from March last year. Kim Soohyun ended up pausing all of his public activities after allegations surfaced claiming he had dated the late actress Kim Saeron when she was still a minor. His agency, Gold Medalist, did confirm that the two had dated in the past, but they strongly maintained that the relationship only started after she became an adult.

This controversy ultimately affected his advertising deals. Because of his sudden hiatus, the outdoor clothing brand Eider filed a 2.5 billion KRW lawsuit against Kim Soohyun and his agency, claiming the scandal ruined their brand image. 

However, the Seoul Central District Court recently recommended a settlement. Following this suggestion, Eider lowered its damages claim from 2.5 billion KRW to 400 million KRW. The brand also withdrew its claim for damages regarding the public controversy itself, and is now only asking for the return of the remaining modeling fees left on the contract. 

Moving forward, Kim Soohyun will likely focus on a slow return to the industry, starting with overseas markets where he has a massive, loyal fanbase. 

The ultimate question now is what happens to the highly anticipated Disney+ original series 'Knock-Off.' Production was halted and its release was put on hold indefinitely due to the controversy, but word on the street is that Disney+ is closely monitoring the situation and actively coordinating its release schedule. Everyone in the industry is now watching to see if this overseas ad campaign with BENCH will help pave the way for a domestic comeback, or if public sentiment in South Korea will continue to impact his career.

Kim Soohyun officially returns to the entertainment industry after 16-month hiatus

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TWICE's Tzuyu is drawing attention as she enters official contract renewal discussions with JYP Entertainment. 

On July 14, JYP Entertainment released an official statement, confirming:

"TWICE is currently in the contract renewal discussion period. We will provide an update once any decisions have been finalized."

This news comes after all nine members renewed their contracts back in 2022. Now that they are entering another contract renewal period, everyone is watching closely to see what the members are going to do next. 

The attention on Tzuyu's future grew even more after recent reports that her fellow member Jeongyeon met with Varo Entertainment (which is the acting agency that represents her older sister, Gong Seungyeon), putting fans on high alert as they wait for the next updates. 

Meanwhile, Tzuyu debuted in 2015 with TWICE. Thanks to massive hits like 'Like Ooh Ahh,' 'Cheer Up,' 'TT,' and more, the group quickly cemented themselves as the blueprint for 3rd Gen K-pop. As a lead dancer and visual member, Tzuyu instantly won over hearts worldwide. 

In 2024, Tzuyu officially made her solo debut by releasing her first mini-album, 'AbouTZU.' She also showed off her songwriting skills by writing lyrics for both her solo music and TWICE's songs. 

Most recently, TWICE just wrapped up their sixth world tour, 'THIS IS FOR.' The group traveled for about a year, hitting 44 cities worldwide for a total of 81 shows, marking the largest tour they have ever pulled off in their entire history.

JYP Entertainment addresses rumors surrounding TWICE's Tzuyu contract renewal status

Monday, July 13, 2026

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Aespa's Karina recently opened up about an extreme weight loss method she used during her trainee days. 

On the episode of JTBC's 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator' that aired on the 12th, Karina made a guest appearance alongside fellow member Winter. When the show revealed her fridge, it was packed with various ingredients, leading her to confess her huge love for food. She shared, "I'm the type who gains weight quickly and loses it quickly," and added:

"I've gained 4kg in a day before and I've also lost 4kg in the same day."

That is when she shared the most intense story from her trainee days. She recalled, "I ate everything I could, and when I checked my weight, I had gained 4kg overnight." She revealed that she was scheduled to weigh herself the very next day, meaning she had to shed all of that weight as quickly as humanly possible.

"I turned on the heater in the practice room, put on leggings, a sweat suit, a zip-up hoodie, and even a padded jacket. Then I played the TOP 100 songs and ran nonstop for five to six hours. After I got home, I soaked in a half-body bath for an hour."

Hearing this, host Ahn Junghwan commented, "That's similar to how professional athletes dehydrate themselves before competitions." Karina agreed, saying, "I've heard UFC fighters do that too."

However, Karina was quick to clarify that she has completely abandoned the dangerous routine. She laughed it off, saying, "It completely drains you," and added, "Now that I'm older, I can't eat like that or exercise like that anymore. These days, even when it rains a lot, my body starts to ache."

Aespa's Karina shares shocking story of losing 4kg in one day