K-pop girl group aespa is set to make a full-group appearance on a new variety show titled 'GD and Friends' (working title), featuring renowned artist G-Dragon and producer Kim Tae-ho. This collaboration follows their recent performance together at the '2024 MAMA', generating excitement among fans. 'GD and Friends' is a highly anticipated program that will showcase G-Dragon interacting with his celebrity friends, with the alternative title 'Good Day' hinting at the show's lighthearted theme. The lineup includes a star-studded cast, featuring comedian Jung Hyung-don, fellow comedian Jo Se-ho, BIGBANG members Taeyang and Daesung, as well as actors Kim Soo-hyun, Im Si-wan, Jung Hae-in, Kim Go-eun, and Hwang Jung-min. The meeting of G-Dragon and aespa is particularly intriguing as it represents a connection between senior and junior idols, promising musical exchanges. Their recent performances at the '2024 MAMA' received widespread acclaim, especially when aespa was seen admiring G-Dragon and BIGBANG's stage presence. Fans are eager to see how this dynamic will unfold in the variety show. 'GD and Friends' is currently in discussions for a broadcast slot on MBC in the first half of 2025.

aespa to Appear on New Variety Show with G-Dragon and PD Kim Tae-ho

In the latest episode of MBC's weekend drama 'Now, the Phone is Ringing' (지금 거신 전화는), which aired on December 13, Yoo Yeon-seok's character, Baek Sa-eon, uncovers that the blackmailer is none other than Hong Hee-joo, played by Chae Soo-bin. The fifth episode featured a surprising kiss between the couple, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. The episode recorded a nationwide rating of 5.9% and 5.3% in the metropolitan area, according to Nielsen Korea. A particularly impactful moment occurred when Sa-eon pondered how to respond to Hee-joo's heart emoji, causing the ratings to spike to 6.3%. 

During the episode, Sa-eon rushes to Hee-joo, who is precariously standing on a ledge, showing his concern for her safety. However, after receiving a report from Park Do-jae (Choi Woo-jin), he begins to suspect Hee-joo when he learns that the blackmailer is at the hotel where the 'Cheongun Ilbo' event is taking place. After the event, both Sa-eon and Hee-joo struggle to sleep for their own reasons. Hee-joo finds comfort in a phone call with Sa-eon, while he expresses disappointment over her keeping secrets for 20 years. 

In a positive turn, Hee-joo passes the final interview to become a sign language interpreter for the presidential office. Eager to share the news with her husband, she accidentally sends him a heart emoji, which brings a smile to his face during a meeting. Sa-eon, who gifts Hee-joo a dress to celebrate her success, is captivated by her beauty, but their growing closeness is observed by Hee-joo's sister, Hong In-ah (Han Jae-i), adding tension to the situation. 

Meanwhile, Ji Sang-woo (Heo Nam-jun) and Na Yu-ri (Jang Gyu-ri), who were out scouting for a broadcast program, organize a celebration for Hee-joo's new job. Sa-eon joins them, leading to a tense standoff with Sang-woo. Unable to bear the tension between the two men, Hee-joo leaves the gathering and receives a message from In-ah to meet. Conflicted, she calls Sa-eon again at 10 PM using the blackmail phone. As Sa-eon searches for her, they engage in a risky conversation, hidden from each other's view. Suddenly, a mysterious car speeds towards Sa-eon, and Hee-joo screams his name, throwing herself to save him. Sa-eon comforts her, saying, "I want to hear your voice again," creating an emotional moment. 

The episode escalates when it is revealed that the person who attempted to hit Sa-eon with a car is the kidnapper (Park Jae-yoon). The kidnapper calls Hee-joo again, stating, "I want Baek Sa-eon to be ruined. I know him better than anyone else in this world," intensifying the connection between Sa-eon and the blackmailer. 

On Hee-joo's first day at the spokesperson's office, Sa-eon begins learning sign language, showcasing their heartwarming communication. However, during a company dinner, Sa-eon learns that the blackmailer is a woman. He discreetly instructs Do-jae to compare the blackmail call audio with Hee-joo's voice captured on a black box. 

As the episode concludes, Hee-joo takes a drunken Sa-eon home, and they share a kiss as they collapse at the entrance, igniting excitement among viewers. A text from Do-jae reveals that the voice of the blackmailer matches Hee-joo's, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating the next episode. 

Following the broadcast, viewers expressed their reactions, saying, "Sa-eon finally figured out that Hee-joo is the blackmailer," "I’m always amazed by Yoo Yeon-seok's acting," and "The sign language conversation was so touching!" The sixth episode of 'Now, the Phone is Ringing' is set to air tonight, December 14, at 9:50 PM.

'쇼윈도 부부' 유연석♥채수빈 첫 입맞춤 엔딩..로맨스 급물살(지거전)[종합]

Yoo Yeon-seok Discovers the Identity of the Blackmailer in 'Now, the Phone is Ringing'

In the upcoming sixth episode of MBC's weekend drama 'Now, the Phone is Ringing' (지금 거신 전화는), a critical incident occurs for the married couple Yoo Yeon-seok (유연석) and Chae Soo-bin (채수빈). The episode, airing on December 14, features Baek Sa-eon (유연석) and Hong Hee-joo (채수빈) facing an emergency during a company outing.

Previously, Sa-eon organized the outing to celebrate Hee-joo's success in passing the sign language interpreter interview at the spokesperson's office. As he learns sign language to connect with his wife, he becomes entangled in confusion upon discovering that the identity of the blackmailer, known as 406, might be linked to Hee-joo. The last episode ended with a dramatic moment where a drunken Sa-eon and Hee-joo accidentally kiss as she helps him home, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.

As their relationship deepens, the newly released stills from today's episode show Sa-eon and Hee-joo enjoying the outing with their colleagues, although no one is aware of their marital status. Sa-eon uses the pretext of team bonding to stay close to Hee-joo, who struggles to hide her awkwardness. Despite this, they manage to have a good time together.

However, another still reveals Sa-eon in shock, hinting at an urgent situation. As he sweats nervously and struggles to maintain his composure in front of rescue workers, viewers are left wondering what could cause the usually calm and collected Sa-eon to lose his cool.

The atmosphere among the spokesperson's office staff is tense, and Hee-joo's dazed expression adds to the growing sense of unease. Fans are eager to find out what has transpired between the two characters.

The production team teased, "The outing serves as a turning point for Sa-eon and Hee-joo's romance, heating up as they come closer. Especially, we invite viewers to tune in to see how Sa-eon reacts upon discovering that Hee-joo is the blackmailer 406, and to witness his passionate love story unfold on screen."

채수빈과 키스한 유연석, 위기 빠진 아내에 좌불안석 ‘초흥분’(‘지거전’)

Urgent Situation Unfolds for Yoo Yeon-seok and Chae Soo-bin in 'Now, the Phone is Ringing'

V of BTS is making waves on global music charts with his solo tracks. His collaboration with Bing Crosby on the holiday classic 'White Christmas (with V of BTS)' debuted at No. 2 on the UK Official Chart for 'Single Downloads' and 'Single Sales' on December 13. Additionally, his digital single 'Winter Ahead (with PARK HYO SHIN)' has charted at No. 57 and No. 71, marking two consecutive weeks on the charts.

Both songs are also making their mark on Spotify, with 'Winter Ahead (with PARK HYO SHIN)' and 'White Christmas (with V of BTS)' ranking at No. 54 and No. 55, respectively, on the latest 'Weekly Top Songs Global' chart (covering December 6-12). These tracks, which V prepared as winter gifts for his fans, showcase his love for jazz music through his unique vocal style.

V's solo album 'Layover,' released in September last year, features the track 'Love Me Again,' which has become his first solo song to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify. This achievement has earned it a spot in the 'Billions Club' playlist. 'Love Me Again' has been on the 'Weekly Top Songs Global' chart for an impressive 70 weeks.

Other BTS members are also finding success on the charts. Jin's title track 'Running Wild' from his first solo album 'Happy' reached No. 33, while the pre-release track 'I’ll Be There' landed at No. 177. Jimin's title track 'Who' from his second solo album 'MUSE' secured the No. 10 spot, and Jungkook's first solo single 'Seven (feat. Latto)' reached No. 86. The latest 'Weekly Top Albums Global' chart includes 'MUSE' at No. 15 and 'Happy - :') (Remixes)' at No. 41.

방탄소년단 뷔, ‘Love Me Again’ 솔로곡 최초 스포티파이 10억 재생 달성

V's Solo Tracks Shine on Global Music Charts

Selena Gomez, often referred to as 'America's Sweetheart,' made a surprising announcement regarding her engagement on December 12. She shared a heartfelt post on her social media, stating, "Forever begins now," accompanied by a photo of her fiancé, Benny Blanco, kissing her. In another image, she showcased a stunning diamond ring on her left hand's ring finger.

Celebrities quickly rallied to congratulate her, with Taylor Swift commenting, "I’ll be the girl with the flowers," and rapper Lil Nas X chiming in with a simple, "Congratulations!"

The couple, who confirmed their relationship in December of last year, are now set to tie the knot just a year later. Many fans expressed their joy, noting that this marks a significant moment for Gomez as she appears to have moved on from her past relationship with Justin Bieber.

Gomez and Bieber had a tumultuous on-and-off relationship from 2010 to 2018, officially parting ways in 2018, the same year Bieber became engaged to Hailey Bieber. Despite their breakup, Gomez struggled to forget Bieber for a long time.

In a recent interview with TIME, Gomez revealed, "I was alone for five years. I got used to being by myself. After my breakup with Justin, I tortured myself for two years and slowly accepted being alone. I planned my life alone and even considered adopting a child if I was still single by 35."

Benny Blanco is a well-known producer who has collaborated with major artists like Kanye West, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Britney Spears, and Maroon 5.

Gomez began her career at the age of seven on a children's TV show and has since amassed significant wealth through her music, acting, and cosmetics business. According to Bloomberg, her net worth is currently estimated at $1.3 billion (approximately 1.74 trillion KRW).

Additionally, Gomez has been nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture and Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Series at the upcoming Golden Globe Awards next year.

[SCin스타] 셀레나 고메즈, 깜짝 결혼발표…드디어 '구남친' 저스틴 비버 잊었다

Selena Gomez Surprises Fans with Engagement Announcement

In the latest episode of Channel A's 'Yoosum Parenting - Precious My Child' (요즘 육아 - 금쪽같은 내 새끼), which aired on December 13, a dramatic story unfolded featuring a mother struggling with her late-born son, who displayed extreme anger when denied access to her phone. The child, known as 금쪽이, lashed out violently, kicking his mother and hurling profanities, saying, "What the hell, you XX?" and continued with shocking insults. 

As the mother tearfully pleaded, "You promised me, please stop," 금쪽이 responded harshly, questioning why he was born to her. The situation escalated when he brandished a bat menacingly and physically restrained his mother. 

The mother shared that she returned to work at a hair salon just a month after giving birth. She recounted how, starting from age five, her child would roam the streets after kindergarten. She admitted to struggling with discipline, stating, "I hit him for about two years when he didn’t listen. I think I lost my temper for two to three hours at a time. I realized I was out of control and promised myself never to do it again, and I have kept that promise since."

“이 씨XX아” 금쪽이, 엄마에게 몽둥이 들고와 목 조르기까지 ‘충격’ (‘금쪽같은’) [어저께TV]

Intense Outburst on 'Yoosum Parenting - Precious My Child' Shocks Viewers

In the latest episode of ENA and SBS Plus's 'I Am SOLO, Love Continues After' (나는 SOLO, 그 후 사랑은 계속된다), Mr. Hwang opened up about his aversion to physical intimacy during a date with contestant 10th Yeongja. He shared that he has been divorced for a year after a ten-year marriage, describing their relationship as merely sharing a home. When Yeongja asked if he married for love, Mr. Hwang recounted how he jokingly proposed during a year-end gathering, leading to a swift engagement six months later. He admitted that their initial compatibility issues stemmed from his severe cleanliness obsession, which caused frequent arguments in the early months of their marriage. Despite having affection for each other, he felt their relationship lacked normalcy, leading to their eventual divorce after ten years. Mr. Hwang also expressed his discomfort with sweat and sticky sensations, likening physical contact to a snake touching his body, which left Yeongja and the panel visibly surprised.

Mr. Hwang Reveals His Discomfort with Physical Affection on 'I Am SOLO, Love Continues After'

Four classic Korean films, including Kim Ki-young's 'The Housemaid' (하녀), are set to be registered as national cultural heritage. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on December 12 that the films 'Nakdong River' (낙동강) by director Jeon Chang-geun, 'Money' (돈) by Kim So-dong, 'The Housemaid' (하녀) by Kim Ki-young, and 'Seong Chun-hyang' (성춘향) by Shin Sang-ok will be officially recognized as part of the national heritage.

The film 'Nakdong River' (1952), produced during the Korean War, features actual footage of the Nakdong River battle, giving it significant historical value. The original footage was rediscovered in 2022 after being lost for 70 years. 'Money' (1958) is a representative work of Korean realism, depicting the tragic realities of rural life during the industrialization period. 'The Housemaid' (1960) explores themes of human desire and oppression through the story of a maid aspiring for social mobility, highlighting the contradictions within Korean society. Lastly, 'Seong Chun-hyang' (1961) is notable for being Korea's first color Cinemascope film and was a major box office success in the 1960s, earning recognition both domestically and internationally. The Cultural Heritage Administration emphasized that these films are important resources for understanding the social conditions and lifestyles of modern and contemporary Korea.

Four Classic Korean Films to be Registered as National Cultural Heritage

On December 12, 2024, actor Ryu Seung-beom expressed his deep affection for his 4-year-old daughter during an appearance on the YouTube channel 'Myeongmyeong Teukgyeop'. He joined fellow cast members Bae Doona, Ryu Seung-beom, Roman, and Lee Soo-hyun to discuss their latest project, the Coupang Play series 'Family Planning'. 

Ryu revealed that he chose to participate in the series because of Bae Doona's involvement, stating, "I really admire Bae Doona as an actress. When I heard that Baek Yoon-sik would also be in it, I was even more eager to join." Bae Doona reciprocated the sentiment, saying, "I was pleasantly surprised that Ryu Seung-beom agreed to participate; it felt like a stroke of luck." 

Reflecting on his long hiatus from acting, Ryu commented, "Everyone's life is different. My wife once said that on a snowy day, each snowflake finds its place as it falls. Ultimately, we all have our own paths to follow." 

He also shared a filming anecdote, recalling, "After shooting a scene where I was bleeding, I couldn't go straight home and ended up walking around Garosu-gil twice." Ryu expressed joy in being called 'Funny Guy' by his daughter, emphasizing his efforts to be a fun and friendly dad. 

Ryu Seung-beom married a Slovakian artist in 2020 and they have a 4-year-old daughter together.

Ryu Seung-beom Shares Heartfelt Love for His 4-Year-Old Daughter

Chae Jung-an and Jang Nara's graduation photos from their school days have been unexpectedly unveiled. On December 12, a video titled 'Nara, were you really this character? You're just so lovable!' was posted on Chae Jung-an's channel. In the video, Chae expressed her affection for Jang, stating, 'Thinking of Nara has made me study and love more,' and shared that they became close while working on the drama 'Family.' 

The two actresses, who had to practice many action scenes together, reminisced about their time in action school. Jang Nara mentioned, 'It was tough to practice at action school, but it was fun.' She added, 'I was anxious because my action scenes weren't coming out well, and I practiced hard, worried that they might not come together in time.' 

Jang Nara also shared her first impression of Chae Jung-an, noting, 'Her face is small compared to her height, but her limbs are so long.' She admired Chae's ballet background, saying, 'She can stretch her legs beautifully, and seeing her on screen made me realize her physical advantages.' 

The production team highlighted their shared background as graduates of Yeil Girls' High School. Jang Nara humorously recalled her struggles to adapt during her school years, saying, 'My father would take me to movies or performances instead of focusing on attendance.' She also shared a funny memory about her love for cookies from the school cafeteria, revealing that she gained weight quickly, going from 48 kg to 55 kg in just a week after starting high school. 

The production team surprised the two with their school photos, prompting a flustered reaction from them as they marveled at their unchanged beauty. They also mentioned their schoolmates, including announcer Kim Joo-hee and actors Choi Yeo-jin, Jung Yu-mi, and Yoo In-young, expressing joy at seeing familiar faces on screen.

Chae Jung-an and Jang Nara's Adorable School Photos Revealed

On December 12, during an episode of MBN's 특종세상 (Exclusive World), singer 진시몬 (Jin Simon) shared a deeply personal and tragic story about the loss of his youngest son. He revealed that several months ago, he had to say goodbye to a beloved family member. Jin Simon recounted a visit to his mother, where he brought her a delicious meal, reflecting on the success he achieved as a singer, which allowed him to gift her an apartment.

He shared poignant memories of his father passing away when he was in elementary school, expressing how he once thought 32 was a young age. Now, as a father himself, he realizes just how early his father left this world. Jin Simon stated, "My mother had to endure so much after becoming a widow at such a young age."

During their meal, the conversation turned somber as he disclosed that his youngest son had tragically passed away from a heart attack at the tender age of 26 while abroad. Jin Simon expressed the overwhelming nature of the situation, saying, "I couldn't even think about organizing his belongings; I just didn't want to deal with it right now," as he wore a pained expression.

aespa to Appear on New Variety Show with G-Dragon and PD Kim Tae-ho

What do you think?

Trending

Mr. Hwang Reveals His Discomfort with Physical Affection on 'I Am SOLO, Love Continues After'

Four Classic Korean Films to be Registered as National Cultural Heritage

Ryu Seung-beom Shares Heartfelt Love for His 4-Year-Old Daughter

Chae Jung-an and Jang Nara's Adorable School Photos Revealed

Jin Shimon's Heartbreaking Loss of His Youngest Son

More

Yoo Yeon-seok Discovers the Identity of the Blackmailer in 'Now, the Phone is Ringing'

Urgent Situation Unfolds for Yoo Yeon-seok and Chae Soo-bin in 'Now, the Phone is Ringing'

V's Solo Tracks Shine on Global Music Charts

Selena Gomez Surprises Fans with Engagement Announcement

Intense Outburst on 'Yoosum Parenting - Precious My Child' Shocks Viewers

Korea Guides

Common Visas for Foreigners in South Korea

Working Holiday visa in South Korea

K-ETA visa in South Korea

E-7 visa in South Korea

E-2 visa in South Korea