Thursday, August 20, 2026

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Gunil is refuting JYP Entertainment's claims regarding his departure from Xdinary Heroes, stating he never consented to the termination of his contract.

On August 20, attorney Sung Jaehwan of Juwon Law Firm, representing Gunil, released a statement on social media to clarify the situation. The attorney stated:

"The artist deeply apologizes to Xdinary Heroes fans and the members of Xdinary Heroes for causing concern through this incident."

Gunil's legal representative acknowledged that he had used inappropriate expressions in a private setting, calling it 'a mistake that cannot be justified under any circumstances.' However, the representative explained that Gunil was under severe psychological stress due to certain online posts and invasions of privacy at the time. While venting those feelings during a private phone call, he ended up using inappropriate language, and he fully understands the weight of that responsibility. 

At the same time, Gunil's legal representative also drew a line between that incident and several other claims that have recently circulated online. After reviewing the records, the attorney stated, "Claims alleging that Gunil habitually or repeatedly used profanity toward Xdinary Heroes fans are completely false." They also denied claims that he spoke negatively about his fellow members or dated other people while in a relationship.

Furthermore, Gunil's legal representative stated:

"The artist did not voluntarily leave the group, nor did he agree to terminate his exclusive contract."

The attorney added, "Considering the circumstances and nature of the matter, it is difficult to conclude that there are valid grounds for contract termination."

This directly contradicts the official statement JYP Entertainment released on August 13. After an individual claiming to be Gunil's ex-girlfriend leaked audio recordings alleging that he had insulted fans, the agency stated that after extensive discussions with him, they concluded that continuing team activities would be difficult. The agency also noted that the exclusive contract was terminated by mutual consent.

Regarding the original online posts made by the individual claiming to be Gunil's ex-girlfriend, his legal representative noted that they contained numerous false claims and that the damage Gunil suffered was significant enough to provide grounds for legal action. However, Gunil reportedly wishes to forgive the person who posted it and does not plan to pursue legal action.

Gunil's legal representative also noted that Gunil does not want to cause fans any further distress and hopes to continue discussions with JYP Entertainment in a cooperative manner. 

Concluding the statement, Gunil's legal representative emphasized, "We once again sincerely apologize to fans and the members for causing concern and fatigue through this matter. We hope the remaining procedures can be resolved smoothly and quikcly," adding, "The artist wishes to continue doing his best by the fans' side."

Gunil Says He Never Agreed to Leave Xdinary Heroes or Terminate Contract With JYP Entertainment

Actor Hong Mingi has strongly denied additional claims made by his ex-girlfriend, A, who claimed that he pressured her into getting an abortion.

On August 20, Hong Mingi's agency, Fable Company, issued a second official statement addressing A's latest allegations. 

A previously claimed that she discovered she was pregnant while dating Hong Mingi. She alleged that when she informed him of the pregnancy in July, he ignored and blocked her. She ultimately went to an OB-GYN clinic alone to undergo an abortion procedure. She claimed to hold medical records and ultrasound photos to support her claims. 

In response, Fable Company countered her claims point by point. The agency stated that A had sent Hong Mingi an ultrasound photo along with a message reading, "Shut your mouth before I expose all of this too." According to the agency, A had never shown the actor any ultrasound photo prior to that message.

Regarding the ultrasound photo itself, Fable Company pointed out, "It is different from a typical photo used to show proof of pregnancy." They added, "We plan to have an OB-GYN medical professional to evaluate the photo and submit those findings as official evidence."

The agency also confirmed directly with Hong Mingi that A had never shown him a pregnancy test and emphasized, “Contrary to A’s claims, Hong Mingi absolutely never made any remarks to A that could be interpreted as pressuring her to have an abortion.”

Regarding July 13, the exact date A claimed she underwent the abortion, the agency revealed, "On that day, A suggested that Hong Mingi go cycling with her. When he declined, she personally sent him a video of herself riding a bicycle alone." The agency confirmed they have secured and preserved the entire chat log and video as evidence.

Furthermore, Fable Company stressed, "Pregnancy and abortion are extremely sensitive and serious matters," and accused A of publicly posting completely untrue claims that caused serious damage to Hong Mingi's reputation and image that would be extremely difficult to repair. 

Fable Company stated, "Based on the materials we have secured so far, we will immediately proceed with the necessary civil and criminal legal procedures to ensure that the facts surrounding this matter are clearly established." The agency also asked public and media to refrain from reckless speculation or spreading unverified claims to prevent further harm to everyone involved in the case. 

Hong Mingi Strongly Denies Allegations of Pressuring Ex-Girlfriend Into Abortion

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Actor Hong Mingi is facing dating violence allegations after influencer A, who claims to be his ex-girlfriend, came forward a series of allegations against him.

On August 18, A posted the document, titled 'Notice of Intent to Take Legal Action Over Illegal Criminal Acts,' which was dated July 28 and sent via her law firm to Hong Mingi and his agency. She also shared photos of Hong Mingi posted on his agency's social media to publicly confirm his identity.

A alleged that Hong Mingi threw dangerous objects, including a soju bottle, at her on the street. She also alleged that he repeatedly called her dozens of times out of jealousy, made remarks implying he could kill her, and physically assaulted her by striking her shoulder and shoving her. Furthermore, A accused him of invading her privacy by secretly checking her phone and KakaoTalk messages and causing her injury while riding an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol.

A's allegations didn't stop there. In another statement released that same day, she described what happened during and after their relationship.

According to A, Hong Mingi frequently made misogynistic and sexist remarks about women, including "Women are most delicious in their early 30s. Once they pass that age, they're ahjummas," "Women should also serve in the military," and "Men are the sky, women are the ground."

A further claimed that Hong Mingi belittled his ex-girlfriend, who is currently active as an actress, and verbally abused fellow actors, staff members, directors, and others he worked with.

She also alleged that he had a negative attitude toward fans who supported him, claiming he referred those who traveled to see him as 'broke people who act like sasaengs just to get their money's worth.' After attending a birthday party organized by fans, she alleged he complained, "I didn't want to go. I went because I had to. I was so tired, I wanted to just walk out."

A also accused Hong Mingi of abusing his pet dog. She claimed that despite posting the dog on his social media, he would curse at it and kick it. She also alleged that after receiving her legal notice, he cut off contact and left the dog alone at home for several days. 

Regarding her own relationship with him, A stated that she suffered continuous verbal abuse and gaslighting. She alleged that Hong Mingi made manipulative statements to her, including, "My mental illness came back because of you," "I want to die," "Let's die together," and "I'm an idiot for dating you."

A also stated, "Even after the relationship ended, I lived with guilt because I mistakenly believed that Hong Mingi's panic disorder had been caused by me." A claimed that she visited his home several times. 

During this process, she alleged that Hong Mingi verbally abused her and acted violently for around 20 to 30 minutes, including kicking nearby objects. She further claimed that he forced her onto a bed, attempted to have sex with her, and inappropriately touched her body without consent despite the relationship already being over. She said:

“It wasn’t until three weeks after the breakup that I realized what I had experienced was not love, but clear violence and exploitation."

 

A explained that she became so terrified that she could no longer function in her daily life, eventually telling her parents what had happened and taking legal action, including sending a legal notice.

On the other side, Hong Mingi's agency has officially responded to the controversy. On August 19, a representative of Fable Company told Ilgan Sports:

"There are parts that are different from the facts. We are currently reviewing and organizing the situation internally."

 

Meanwhile, Hong Mingi was born in 2002 and made his acting debut in 2020. He has starred in various projects including 'To My Beloved Thief,' 'Love Your Enemy,' 'Study Group,' 'Crushology 101,' and 'Trigger.' He recently completed filming for 'Study Group Season 2.'

Hong Mingi Faces Dating Violence Allegations From Ex-Girlfriend

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

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APRIL member-turned-actress Yoon Chaekyung recently opened up about being betrayed by someone she trusted the most.

On August 17, Yoon Chaekyung held a Q&A session on her personal Instagram account. When a follower asked, "Unnie, how have you been lately?" she gave a surprising response, revealing:

"I was deeply stabbed in the back by the person I trusted the most in the world."

She continued, "I still haven't been able to get over the aftermath of being betrayed. I can't believe someone like that actually exists in this world." 

Furthermore, Yoon Chaekyung also expressed her shock at the person’s behavior, saying, “I’m honestly shocked that every single word that comes out of their mouth is a lie," and added:

"They don’t even have the decency to say sorry. Someday, everything will come back to them.”

When another follower reassured her that her life is too precious to waste being sad over a bad person, Yoon Chaekyung responded, “I guess it’s Lucky Vicky that I found out now.”

This isn’t the first time Yoon Chaekyung has sparked rumor and interest surrounding her love life. She previously reposted a message that read, “You should never take back someone who cheats on you. It’s not that they stop cheating; they just get better at hiding it.”

For broader context, Yoon Chaekyung was caught up in dating rumors with a former national badminton player Lee Yongdae in November 2025. At the time, her agency stated, "Because it concerns her private life, it is difficult to confirm."

Lee Yongdae married actress Byun Soomi in 2017 after six years of dating, but the couple divorced about a year later. He has since been raising their daughter on his own.

Meanwhile, Yoon Chaekyung debuted in 2012 as a member of the girl group Puretty. After appearing on 'Produce 101' in 2016, she joined APRIL. Following APRIL’s disbandment in 2022, she transitioned into acting.

APRIL's Yoon Chaekyung Sparks Speculation About Her Relationship With Recent Instagram Story

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Soyou recently opened up about a past relationship, revealing that she only learned her ex-boyfriend had cheated on her after they had already broken up.

On August 17, Soyou talked about relationships and marriage in a video uploaded to her YouTube channel 'SOYOUGI.' When asked to choose between a partner who honestly admits to cheating and one who hides it until the very end, she surprisingly picked the latter. She stated:

“I always say, ‘Go ahead and cheat. Just don’t let me catch you.’”

 

Soyou explained that if she finds out her partner is having an affair, she tends to end the relationship right away. She revealed that her perspective comes from personal experience, recalling:

“There was one time when my ex-boyfriend cheated on me. I had a feeling that something was off, but I only found out after we broke up.”

She continued, "We broke up for another reason, but later I found out that he had actually cheated on me a lot."

Looking back on the relationship, Soyou made it clear that she has no lingering feelings for him. What bothers her more is the time she feels she wasted. She bitterly said:

“He wasn’t a good person. When I think about that time, I feel like it was such a waste. Why did I waste the best years of my youth on him?"

She then added with a laugh, “Not even ‘him.’ That bastard.”

Soyou Reveals She Only Learned Her Ex-Boyfriend Had Cheated After They Broke Up

Sunday, August 16, 2026

Kim Jaejoong recently revealed a darker side to growing up handsome.

On August 15, Kim Jaejoong made a guest appearance on the Youtube channel 'Kkondaedaehee.' During the episode, when Kim Daehee asked, "You've been handsome since you were young, right?" Jaejoong replied, "No," and added, "I was cute as a baby, but I became kind of ugly in middle school."

Jaejoong continued, "My face started looking better after I entered high school. I never really went through any particularly noticeable changes during puberty," before recalling:

"Life was too hard for me to even notice puberty." 

 

Jaejoong shared that his teenage years were filled with struggles and targeted bullying from older students. He recalled, "I kept wondering, 'Why did they hit me so much?'," and added:

"During my school years, the older kids would always pick on kids who were pale or looked different from them. If you didn't look down, they would drag you into back alleys."

Furthermore, Jaejoong shared a specific incident when older students targeted him: "They tricked me by saying that a pretty girl liked me. They told me to follow them to the rooftop."

These experiences eventually affected the way Jaejoong carried himself. He revealed, "I have a forward-head posture because I spent so much time walking around while looking at the ground to avoid making eye contact," and added, "I would even take long detours between home and school to avoid running into them."

Because of the trauma he went through while growing up due to his noticeable appearance, Jaejoong admitted:

"I really root for people who are naturally good-looking. There are a lot of difficult things that can come with it. It can be inconvenient."

He added, "People around you are constantly taking photos. You can't always eat however you want, and you have to manage your facial expressions while eating." 

Kim Jaejoong Opens Up About the Dark Side of Growing Up Handsome

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Former NewJeans member Danielle recently made a rare public appearance in South Korea by participating in a marathon charity run held to commemorate Liberation Day.

On August 15, posts and videos of Danielle running near World Park in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul for the '2026 815 Run' quickly spread across social media. One fan who shared a video wrote, "Danielle crossed the finish line at today's run."

The 815 Run is an annual charity run organized by Habitat for Humanity Korea to mark Liberation Day while raising money to improve the living conditions of descendants of Korean independence activists. Participants run an 8.15 km course, with all registration fees and corporate sponsorships going directly toward housing projects for these families.

This marks Danielle's second time joining the event, following her participation in the event last year. Singer Sean previously revealed that Danielle reached out to him the day before the run to express her support for the cause before completing the 8.15 km course.

Danielle has also taken part in international running events. Last month, she competed in the China Airlines Half Marathon in Australia, finishing the 21.0975 km race with an impressive time of 1 hour, 49 minutes, and 13 seconds.

Her rare appearance comes amid an ongoing legal dispute with her former agency, ADOR. Back in December 2025, ADOR officially terminated Danielle's exclusive contract while filing a damages lawsuit against her, one of her family members, and former ADOR CEO Min Heejin, seeking approximately 33 billion KRW (around $23 million) in compensation.

During the fourth hearing held on July 23, the two sides continued to clash over how damages from the group's hiatus should be calculated. ADOR argued that revenue losses caused by all five members pausing their activities should be included in the claim. On the other hand, Danielle's side argued that she should not be held responsible for losses caused by the other members' inactivity.

The court has also started a formal financial appraisal process, with the first report scheduled to be submitted by September 10.

Former NewJeans Member Danielle Spotted at the Liberation Day Charity Run


Actress Hayoung, who has recently been identified as a descendant of a pro-Japanese collaborator, is reportedly facing a difficult situation while filming SBS' upcoming drama 'There Is a Chance of Winning.'

According to a report from MyDaily on the 16th, Hayoung is continuing to film the drama set to air next February despite the contorvesy surrounding her great-grandfather's alleged pro-Japanese ties.

The situation escalated during filming on August 13, when Hayoung reportedly broke down in tears and was unable to control her emotions on set. Ultimately, filming was forced to pause temporarily. She had to take several hours to rest and compose herself before returning to finish filming.

The controversy first surfaced on August 10, just one day before Hayoung’s birthday. The production team had originally prepared a birthday cake for her on August 11, but the celebration was quietly canceled following the controversy. 

This naturally leaves SBS in a difficult spot. With nearly 90% of filming complete and ten of billions of KRW already invested in the drama, replacing the lead actress is nearly out of the question. Accordingly, SBS has not changed its decision regarding her casting. The broadcasting station previously stated:

"We are aware of the issue and are closely monitoring how the situation develops. If there are any developments to share in the future, we will let you know."

However, SBS cannot simply ignore the public sentiment either. The drama is scheduled to premiere in February 2027, around the time of March 1st Independence Movement Day. Furthermore, because 'There Is a Winning Chance' is a remake of a Japanese drama, there are concerns that the controversy surrounding Hayoung's great-grandfather could draw more criticism and pottentionally affect advertising deals.

Moreover, reports that Hayoung 'cried on set' and 'was emotionally shaken' might backfire. While the public can understand her emotional distress, forcing a high-budget production to halt creates new issues. Rather than generating sympathy, these reports could spark further backlash for causing trouble for the crew.

The controversy itself centers on her great-grandfather, Ahn Sangho, who worked as a doctor during the Japanese colonial era and has been accused as a pro-Japanese collaborator.

Things became even more controversial after attention was turned to Kim Yongsook's 1983 historical book, 'A Study of Court Customs in the Joseon Dynasty.' The book describes Ahn Sangho's wife as 'the daughter of a Japanese general serving under the Japanese Government-General of Korea at the time.'

Meanwhile, some of Hayoung's commercial endorsements and media appearances are already taking a hit. Promotional videos featuring the actress for an electronics brand and a clothing brand have been set to private, while an episode of KBS' 'Problem Child in House' where she discussed her great-grandfather has also been removed from its VOD services. Pre-shot promotional content for her upcoming Netflix series 'Our Sticky Love' is also reportedly unlikely air.

Hayoung Reportedly Breaks Down in Tears on Set Amid Great-Grandfather Controversy

Saturday, August 15, 2026

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EXID's Hyelin has revealed that she is currently running a taco restaurant in Anguk, Seoul.

On August 14, the Youtube channel 'Human Story' uploaded a video titled 'Why EXID's Hyelin, a Former Top Girl Group Member, Now Works at a Restaurant."

In the video, she introduced herself, saying, "I'm Hyelin, the lead vocalist of EXID. These days, I'm working as a DJ and doing musicals. I'm also the owner of a taco restaurant in Anguk." 

When the production team asked whether she had quit being an idol, Hyelin simply replied, "No, I haven't." She revealed that she is still active in the entertainment industry while taking on the restaurant business as a side venture.

Hyelin explained that the idea came partly due to the unstable income that comes with working in the entertainment industry. She shared:

"With broadcasting, there are seasons when you're active, but it's not a job where you can always work. The income isn't consistent either, so it made me feel anxious."

She added, "While looking for a way to have a more stable life, I naturally got into the restaurant business because I've always liked food and restaurants." She also explained why she chose tacos, saying, "I didn't know anything at first, so I couldn't just start on my own. I got connected with a taco brand owner through a gathering. That's how we ended up starting this business together."

Hyelin was also pretty open about the numbers. She revealed, "The sales fluctuate, but on average, we make around 140 million KRW (around $98,800) a month." She continued, "After taking out all expenses, I get about 40 million KRW (around $28,200). But it's too much for me to manage everything alone, so I'm running the restaurant with help."

But for Hyelin, this is not just about having another source of income. She admitted, "Honestly, all I've ever done until now is dance and sing. I was worried, thinking, 'What am I gonna do for a living if I can't be an idol anymore?'". She continued, "So this challenge gives me hope that says, 'Hyelin-ah, you can do other things too.' It feels like I'm discovering something new about myself, and that makes me happy."

EXID's Hyerin Opens Up About Her New Career as a Taco Restaurant Owner