Friday, July 24, 2026

,

Fromis_9's Lee Chaeyoung has finally addressed misunderstandings that led some people to believe she was a smoker.

On July 23, fromis_9's Lee Chaeyoung and Lee Nakyung appeared on 'The Truman Show,' a segment on the Youtube channel 'oOo_blahblah,' where guests take a lie detector test while answering questions.

During the episode, Lee Chaeyoung brought up the smoking rumors herself. When host Lee Yongjin asked if there was anything she wanted to clear up using the lie detector, she immediately answered, "I'm not a smoker," making everyone laugh.

Explaining how the rumor started, Lee Chaeyoung said, "If you search my name, 'cigarettes' pops up as a related search term. I wasn't a smoker back then, and I'm still not one now. I have never smoked in my life." She added:

"I once uploaded a photo, and an e-cigarette happened to appear in the picture. It was actually far away from me. Since I don't smoke, I didn't even realize it was an e-cigarette."

The smoking rumors first started in 2023, when people online noticed what looked like an e-cigarette in a photo Lee Chaeyoung posted and quickly deleted. While many fans defended her, saying, "She's an adult, so what's the problem?", it was still a sensitive matter for an idol. Since then, 'cigarettes' has remained tied to her search results.

Talking about how people reacted, she added, "Nobody even doubted for a second that I was a smoker. Some people even said, 'I'd be disappointed if you didn't actually smoke.'"

When Lee Yongjin jokingly asked, "Don't people ask you to recommend good e-cigarette flavors?" Lee Chaeyoung replied:

"No. But an e-cigarette company actually reached out to me and offered to sponsor me for life."

To clear up the rumor for good, when asked, "Are you a non-smoker?" Lee Chaeyoung answered, "Yes," and the lie detector proved she was telling the truth. She then pleaded, "Please remove those related search terms now. I've never smoked a cigarette in my life."

Lee Yongjin then joked, "It's funny that so many people think, 'Yeah, you definitely look like you'd smoke.' Maybe you just have the look of a smoker." Lee Chaeyoung laughed and shared her frustration, saying, "I think that's what bothered me the most. You'd think people would at least question it a little, but maybe because my voice is a bit husky, everyone just assumed I smoked."

Fellow member Lee Nakyung backed her up, saying, "Chaeyoung always felt so unfairly accused. But she never really had a chance to explain herself." Feeling thankful, Lee Chaeyoung replied, "I feel so relieved now. Thank you so much."

Meanwhile, Fromis_9 recently made a comeback on July 21 with their second full album, 'Glow ME,' marking their first album release in nearly three years. They are currently promoting the title track, 'Vitamin ME.' What makes this album special is that every member participated in writing and producing the songs, showing off their own style while keeping the group's signature bright energy.

fromis_9’s Lee Chaeyoung Addresses Smoking Controversy From 2023

Kim Soohyun's international fans partnered with a big fashion brand to donate clothes to children in need across South Korea in celebration of his 19th debut anniversary.

On the 24th, the child welfare organization ChildFund Korea announced that 'BENCH x Kim Soo Hyun Korea & Global Fan Union' donated a total of 3,800 clothing items under the actor's name. The donation consisted of 1,900 matching sets, each containing a children's T-shirt and a hat.

Kim Soohyun's fan union originally prepared 1,000 clothing sets to celebrate his 19th debut anniversary. Then, BENCH, the fashion brand that recently renewed its deal with Kim Soohyun, joined in by donating 900 more sets to support the fans' project.

ChildFund Korea confirmed that the clothing items will be sent to children from low-income families across South Korea, so they have them ready to wear in the coming season.

Representatives from the 'BENCH x Kim Soohyun Korea & Global Fan Union' stated, "It's meaningful to be able to provide practical support to children in need while celebrating Kim Soohyun's 19th debut anniversary. We hope this donation will help them grow up warm and healthy."

In response, ChildFund Korea expressed their gratitude to the fans for sharing kindness and promised to keep helping children in need. An official stated, "We sincerely appreciate the fans for practicing such heartfelt generosity on the meaningful occasion of Kim Soohyun's 19th debut anniversary. ChildFund Korea will continue to stand by children and support them so they can grow up smiling and happy."

BENCH x Kim Soohyun's Global Fan Union Donate 3,800 Clothing Items to Children for His 19th Debut Anniversary

Thursday, July 23, 2026

An influencer with 140,000 followers is shocking social media after being accused of causing 10 billion KRW (~6.8 million USD) in damages through a 'half-price luxury' scheme.

Set to air on August 23 at 9:00 PM (KST), MBC's 'True Story Investigation' will expose the full details of the luxury scam involving the influencer 'Shuni.'

Shuni first became popular on social media by showing off a flashy lifestyle filled with supercars and high-end designer brands. Once followers started to trust her, Shuni allegedly began offering selected followers the exclusive opportunity to buy authentic luxury items at about 50% off retail prices. To make the offer look real, Shuni even ran an online group full of fake positive reviews from 'buyers.' Tricked by these reviews, victims sent over large amounts of money. However, after waiting several months, many reported that their luxury items never came. 

According to the 'True Story Investigation' team, over 100 victims have been identified so far, with total losses reaching nearly 10 billion KRW (~6.8 million USD).

To keep the scam going and build trust, Shuni allegedly used several clever tactics. She pushed a 'combined shipping' rule, claiming that buyers who placed additional orders would get their previous orders delivered faster. If anyone became suspicious, Shuni would either give them an immediate refund or invite them into private group chats to reassure them. On top of that, Shunialso frequently donated part of the profits to charity, creating a kind, trustworthy image that kept buyers from suspecting a thing. 

The entire scheme fell apart in March when Shuni suddenly vanished with all the money. However, during their investigation, the production team received a shocking tip that Shuni, whom everyone believed to be a woman, is actually a man. 

In the upcoming episode, the investigative team plans to reveal Shuni's real identity, track down where the money went, and explain how some real luxury items were actually delivered early on to trick buyers. 

Influencer with 140K Followers Accused of Scamming 10 Billion KRW with Fake Luxury Deals

,

Singer-songwriter WOODZ (Cho Seungyoun) is set to make his big-screen debut in the upcoming film 'Nambeol' (working title), directed by Lee Mogae.

On July 23, production company Hive Media Corp officially announced the casting, stating:

"WOODZ, one of K-pop's leading icons, will join 'Nambeol' under his real name, rookie actor Cho Seungyoun, bringing a fresh energy and dynamic presence to the project."

 

Set in the early Joseon Dynasty, 'Nambeol' tells the story of nine warriors from diverse social backgrounds who each possess unique skills as they set off for Tsushima Island on a dangerous mission to rescue captives taken by Japanese pirates. Cho Seungyoun joins the movie alongside other famous actors like Lee Byunghun, Go Younjung, and Lee Dohyun.

Cho Seungyoun plays the role of Cheot-nom (NB: meaning First Guy), an expert archer who never misses a shot. He joins the dangerous mission to Tsushima Island to earn money for his family back home. With a deep sense of duty to his loved ones and teammates, Cheot-nom brings emotional depth to the story as he risks everything to protect his team on the battlefield.

While 'Nambeol' marks his debut in major movies, it is actually not his first acting role. He previously starred as the lead character in a short mystery film called 'Slide Strum Mute.' In that movie, he played the role of Woojin, a complex young man who fails an audition, receives a broken guitar from a mysterious stranger, and gets stuck in a cursed timeline. As he continues to take on new and exciting projects, many are excited to see the fresh energy and depth he will bring to the big screen.

Adding to the excitement, 'Nambeol' also marks the directorial debut of famous camera director Lee Mogae. He is famous for his incredible visual work on major hit movies like '12.12: the Day,' 'Exhuma,' 'Hunt,' 'Yadang: The Snitch,' 'Emergency Declaration,' and more. He has won several major awards for his work, including a Baeksang Arts Award and multiple Blue Dragon Film Awards. 

'Nambeol' is now in pre-production and is set to start filming later in 2026.

WOODZ to Make Movie Debut in 'Nambeol' Alongside Lee Byunghun, Go Younjung, and Lee Dohyun

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Renowned film poster designer Park Siyoung drew attention online after harshly criticizing NewJeans' newly released video.

On the 22nd, Park Siyoung voiced his deep disappointment on social media, writing, "I heard NewJeans reelased something new, so I watched it as soon as I woke up, and it was completely tacky. It feels like something straight from the Gayo TOP 10 era." He sharply added:

"Untalented people just came in with a spoon and scraped up everything that others had built."

Addressing the group's shift to a four-member structure, Park Siyoung stated, "What is NewJeans with four members? It's like taking the 'Attack' out of 'Attack on Titan.'" 

Furthermore, he directed his criticism at HYBE, writing, "The root of the problem is that someone with zero sense, yet full of ego, established a company and secured huge investment."

The object of Park Siyoung's criticism is '2026 Summer of NewJeans,' a special anniversary film released on the group's official Youtube channel on July 22 to mark their fourth debut anniversary.

This video marks the first update on NewJeans' official channel in roughly 16 months since their performance in Hong Kong in March 2025. The appearance of the four members in the video is widely viewed as a clear signal of the group's return as a four-member lineup. 

Addressing the rising speculation over the group's future, ADOR clarified in an official statement:

"This is special content prepared for fans to celebrate NewJeans' fourth debut anniversary. Details regarding the timing and format of their official comeback will be announced once all discussions have been completed."

What makes Park Siyoung's harsh criticism surprising to many is that he heavily supported the group during their conflict with management back in 2024. 

When the members first notified ADOR of their contract termination after former CEO Min Heejin left, Park Siyoung publicly defended them, writing, "Whenever I hear middle-aged men my age saying young people don't know how society works, I want to smack them on the head. To me, they seem to be confusing real life with slavery." Because he had previously stood up for the members, his blunt critique of their new video has shocked many fans and industry insiders.

For background, designer Park Siyoung first became famous for making the poster for the 2006 film 'The City of Violence.' Since then, he has created posters for many popular movies, including 'Mother,' 'The Housemaid,' 'The Face Reader,' 'The Wailing,' 'The King's Warden,' and 'Hope.'

Film Poster Designer Park Siyoung Criticizes NewJeans' New Anniversary Video

,

Block B’s P.O (Pyo Jihoon) was reportedly involved in a traffic accident while on vacation in Jeju, where he was hit by a passenger car.

According to a July 22 report by Newsis, P.O was crossing the street in Jeju around 9:56 PM (KST) on July 19 when he was hit by a vehicle driven by Mr. A. 

First responders quickly rushed him to the emergency room of a local general hospital. Although he suffered injuries to his arm and knee, officials confirmed there were no life-threatening conditions. 

Police are investigating the exact cause, though initial findings show the driver was not under the influence or running a red light.

As reports began to circulate, his agency, Artist Company, stepped in to reassure concerned fans in a statement to Star News, confirming, "P.O recently traveled to Jeju Island for a vacation with friends and was involved in a traffic accident. Fortunately, he was not seriously injured." They added, "His injuries are minor, so he plans to participate in his scheduled filming next week as planned."

Meanwhile, P.O recently gained global attention for his role as Bong Geundae in the Netflix original series 'Teach You a Lesson.' The hit show currently ranks as the fourth most successful Netflix Korea original series of all time.

Block B's P.O Involved in Traffic Accident During Jeju Vacation

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

,

TVXQ’s U-Know Yunho shocked fans by revealing that he was rejected four times by the very same woman.

On the latest episode of SBS's variety show 'AGJ' that aired on July 20, U-Know Yunho made a guest appearance with Sunmi and Jonathan, where he candidly opened up about his past relationships.

On this episode, Yunho completely shocked everyone by revealing that he almost got married over a decade ago. He confessed:

"When I was 27, I told my company that I was going to get married."

Explaining his reason, he shared, "My parents got married when they were 27, so I always thought I wanted to get married at that age too." He also shared how Lee Sooman, who was SM Entertainment's executive producer at the time, reacted to the news. Yunho recalled:

"Lee Sooman told me, 'Getting married is fine, but it would be better to have a children a little later.'"

Even though those plans didn't end up happening, Yunho shared his thoughts on marriage today. He stated, "If the opportunity comes, I'd like to get married someday. Seeing my nieces and nephews these days has been making me think about it more."

That wasn't even the biggest surprise. Yunho also confessed, "There was one woman who rejected me four times." He explained that being an idol was the main reason things never worked out:

"I think the worst kind of man is a busy man."

 

He continued, "As an idol, I had so many overseas schedules that even when something happened to the other person, it wasn't realistically possible for me to be by her side, even if I wanted to."

When comedian Lee Suji asked, "So were you a bad guy too, Yunho?" he laughed and agreed, replying, "I really was a bad guy." He explained how much harder it was to stay in touch back then, saying, "These days, video calls are so easy, but back then, even that wasn't possible."

Naturally, Tak Jaehoon immediately tried to dig deeper and asked if this mystery woman was a fellow celebrity, but Yunho kept his cool, just smiled, and said, "I'll leave that to your imagination."

TVXQ's U-Know Yunho Reveals He Was Rejected Four Times by the Same Woman

IU is pushing back her Goyang Stadium concert and new album to focus on her health.

On the 20th, IU's agency, EDAM Entertainment, released an official statement to explain the decision, stating, "After careful consideration, both the company and IU concluded that her current ear condition makes it difficult for her to perform," and added:

"Putting her health first, we have decided to reschedule her Goyang Stadium concert, future performances, and the release of her sixth full-length album."

 

IU also personally reached out to fans on the fan communication platform, Berriz, opening up about her condition:

"Recently, my chronic ear condition, Patulous Eustachian Tube, has gotten worse."

For context, Patulous Eustachian Tube (PET) is a medical condition that happens when the small tube connecting the middle ear to the back of the nose stays open when it should be closed. Usually, this tube only opens briefly when swallowing or yawning to balance ear pressure. When it stays open, sounds like your own voice or breathing echo loudly inside your head, causing an uncomfortable full or stuffed feeling in the ear.

While PET isn't life-threatening and doesn't usually disrupt everyday life, it makes it really tough for a singer to control their pitch and breathing on stage. It is believed that this condition is triggered by severe fatigue and stress, leading some to speculate that the intense online harassment IU faced earlier this year affected her health.

IU candidly opened up about her frustration, saying, "Looking back, I think I've pushed myself too hard over the past few years without paying enough attention to my physical condition because I was so focused on work." She added:

"Recently, the symptoms have continued day and night for several days at a time, and I keep finding it difficult to regain my normal condition when I sing."

IU explained, "For my sixth full-length album, not only has the recording been finished, but the jacket photos and most of the post-production work have also been completed. However, because the promotional schedule was centered around the concert and tour, I had no choice but to postpone the release."

She expressed how heartbroken she feels about the sudden pause, adding, "I was able to complete the studio recordings safely, but medical experts advised that it would be too much for me to perform concerts for the time being, especially since they involve extensive movement and heavy sweating." She continued:

"I'm heartbroken and sorry that I can't keep my promise to my fans. I feel like I've ruined all of our plans for the second half of the year."

She promised fans she will focus on treatment and recovering her condition during the second half of the year, stating, "I'll do my best to make sure the wait isn't too long and return as soon as possible with both a new album and concerts... I promise to be back with my fans no later than the beginning of 2027."

Meanwhile, IU has continued taking legal action against malicious commenters. On the 15th, she filed a legal request to Meta in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to track a Threads account identified as @7h****. According to her side, this anonymous user has posted 52 defamatory and false statements between March and October of last year. Previously, her agency also filed both civil and criminal lawsuits against 96 individuals accused of posting malicious comments last year.

IU Postpones Goyang Stadium Concert and New Album Due to Health Issues