The popular K-pop group aespa has achieved a remarkable feat as their upcoming encore concert in Seoul has sold out completely. The '2024-25 aespa LIVE TOUR – SYNK: PARALLEL LINE – ENCORE' is set to take place on March 15-16 at the KSPO DOME in Olympic Park, Seoul. 

The ticket sales, conducted through Melon Ticket, saw intense competition, resulting in both days of the concert being fully booked. This overwhelming response highlights the global interest and affection fans have for aespa. 

The concert series, which began in June of last year in Seoul, has garnered explosive reactions across Asia and Australia, with sold-out shows and additional performances being added. The tour has now expanded to North America and Europe, with cities like Seattle, Oakland, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt already reporting sold-out statuses, showcasing aespa's significant local popularity. 

Following the success of their first full album, which featured double title tracks 'Supernova' and 'Armageddon,' along with the hit 'Whiplash,' aespa has swept various music awards, marking a career-high season. Fans are eagerly anticipating what the group will showcase during this encore concert.

aespa's Seoul Encore Concert Sells Out

In a groundbreaking event for South Korea, President Yoon Seok-yeol has become the first sitting president to be arrested. On January 19, 2025, Chief Judge Cha Eun-kyung of the Seoul Western District Court issued a detention warrant for Yoon, citing concerns over potential evidence tampering following a pre-arrest interrogation regarding charges of insurrection and abuse of power.

Yoon is accused of conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to incite a riot in the National Assembly on December 3, 2024. The allegations include declaring an unconstitutional state of emergency without any signs of a national crisis, issuing an illegal martial law proclamation that prohibited political activities in the National Assembly, and deploying military and police forces to block the Assembly and obstruct the vote to lift the emergency.

The period from the declaration of the emergency to Yoon's arrest has seen intense protests and rallies, with citizens both condemning and supporting the president. Among those voicing their opinions are notable figures from the entertainment industry, who have expressed their views despite not being directly involved.

Writer Heo Ji-woong sharply criticized the situation following Yoon's arrest, pointing out the presence of specific religious groups among the president's supporters during protests near the courthouse. He emphasized the need for thorough investigations into these affiliations.

He further elaborated on the political climate, stating, "The moment the ruling party embraced the far-right instead of seeking repentance and reform, the decline began. The far-right cannot be controlled once it enters the system; it will burn everything down until it becomes its own kindling."

Conversely, celebrities who previously opposed impeachment have shown their discontent. Singer JK Kim Dong-wook lamented, "The rule of law in South Korea has collapsed. Cry later, but be angry now," while actor Choi Jun-yong expressed strong support for Yoon, claiming that all actions taken against him were illegal.

Amidst the turmoil, MBC anchor Park So-young clarified her absence from any protests, addressing the spread of false information online that implicated her in the demonstrations. This clarification came after reports indicated that some of Yoon's supporters had threatened MBC reporters during the court proceedings.

President Yoon will remain in custody for up to 20 days while investigations continue, marking a significant moment in South Korean history.

'비판' 허지웅, '옹호' JK김동욱, '해명' 박소영…윤석열 대통령 구속에 연예계도 들썩 [종합]

Historic Arrest: South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol Detained

On January 18, a memorial service was held at Muan International Airport to honor the victims of the December 29 Jeju Air tragedy. During the ceremony, Yoon Na-ri, daughter of the late Yoon Seok-ho, expressed her disbelief over her father's passing, recalling their last conversation where he invited her to visit. She lamented, 'If I had known it would be our last call, I would have gone to see him.' 

Kim Da-hye, who lost her father Kim Young-jun in the accident, also shared her grief, stating, 'I pressed the call button over 100 times, praying to hear my dad's voice again, only to face his cold body the next morning.' 

Kim Sung-cheol, who lost both his wife Park Hyun-ra and daughter Su-rim, read a heartfelt letter, saying, 'I lost my everything. Please hold hands in heaven and wait for me.' The emotional atmosphere was palpable as family members struggled to contain their tears. 

The memorial took place in the second-floor lounge of Muan Airport, a site that had previously served as a hub for updates on the search and recovery efforts following the tragedy. The incident occurred when Jeju Air flight 7C2216, arriving from Bangkok, collided with the runway's outer wall during landing, resulting in the deaths of 179 out of 181 passengers. 

The service was attended by over 700 family members, along with dignitaries including Acting President Choi Sang-mok and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik. The event began with a traditional Jindo Shikim-gut performance to soothe the spirits of the deceased. 

As the ceremony progressed, family members took turns laying flowers in memory of their loved ones, while a large LED screen displayed the names of the victims and heartfelt messages left by mourners. 

After the memorial, the families returned to the crash site, where Acting President Choi promised to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and ensure transparency in the ongoing inquiries.

“한 번 더 사랑한다 말할 걸…” 슬픔으로 가득 찬 제주항공 참사 추모식

Memorial Service Held for Victims of Jeju Air Tragedy

On January 16, the online channel 'Epik High' released a video titled 'Ranking the Most Disrespectful Anime Characters in the World.' The description under the video humorously warned viewers not to be surprised by the length, stating, "If we get serious, we could go for 1 night and 2 days. The benchmark for ranking is Kim Jung-sik (DJ Tukutz)."

In the video, Tablo explained, "When we say a character is disrespectful, it doesn't necessarily have a negative connotation. For instance, in Epik High, the two rappers featured prominently might seem like the main characters."

He added a humorous note, saying, "However, some fans are actually fans of DJ Tukutz." Following this, Tablo and Mithra Jin joked, "Let’s use Kim Jung-sik (DJ Tukutz) as our standard. Finding a character like him isn’t easy; you’d need about 2,000 characters to find one with a similar personality," which elicited laughter from the audience.

'데뷔 22년 차' 에픽하이, 또 시작이다... "우리 팀 빌런은 DJ투컷" ('에픽하이')

Epik High Ranks the Most Disrespectful Anime Characters

On January 17, during an episode of Comedy TV, comedian Hwang Je-seong openly shared his longing for a third child. While enjoying a traditional dish called 옻오리백숙 (herbal duck soup), he praised it as a health food and remarked, "I wonder if this means a third child is on the way. Lately, I've really been wanting a third baby." He added, "Shh, it's a secret. I almost got into trouble after mentioning it to my wife a while ago." In a light-hearted moment, fellow cast member Kim Hae-jun suggested ordering another herbal duck to support Hwang's wish for a third child, to which Hwang humorously responded, "I really miss having a third child." In another segment, Hwang was selected as a member for a tasting challenge at a second restaurant featuring 생골뱅이 (live sea snail), but unfortunately, he did not succeed in the challenge.

"셋째 너무 갖고 싶어"..황제성, 아내 들으면 큰일 날 고백 (맛있는 녀석들)

Hwang Je-seong Expresses Desire for Third Child on Comedy Show

On January 17, during an episode of MBC's popular variety show 'I Live Alone' (나 혼자 산다), Code Kunst (코드쿤스트) revealed that his younger brother, Jo Sung-yoon (조성윤), is set to get married. The episode featured Jo Sung-yoon, who was seen learning how to peel fruit from his brother. Code Kunst shared that they had returned to their family home to celebrate the New Year and to spend time with family, adding, 'My brother is getting married next week.' 

In a nostalgic moment, Code Kunst opened a mysterious black box containing old photographs. He read a poem he had written about his brother during their childhood, prompting laughter from the cast, with Jeon Hyun-moo (전현무) questioning, 'Is that a poem?' and Park Na-rae (박나래) jokingly calling it a 'diss track' aimed at his brother. 

As they reminisced over childhood photos, Code Kunst recalled, 'Our family was doing well until the IMF crisis. I can’t forget the time my dad cried after collapsing from the shoe rack.' Lee Jang-woo (이장우) commented on their close relationship, noting that they seemed to have fought very little. Code Kunst confirmed, 'We didn’t fight much. My brother didn’t do anything to deserve it. I never hit him. Even though we had separate rooms, we always slept together.' He humorously added that they would argue over computer usage. 

Reflecting on the photos, Code Kunst remarked, 'My dad is hardly in any of the pictures because he was always behind the camera. I still remember him holding the camera.' 

In a surprising twist, Code Kunst revealed that he had a girlfriend in elementary school, sharing a love letter from his second-grade crush, which amused everyone. He quipped, 'Someone must have loved me back then.'

코드쿤스트 엄친아 남동생, 결혼 발표…옛 사진에 前여친 러브레터까지? ('나혼산') [순간포착]

Code Kunst's Brother Announces Upcoming Marriage on MBC's 'I Live Alone'

Actress Kim Min-hee is reportedly six months pregnant with director Hong Sang-soo's child, as confirmed by recent sightings shared with OSEN. On January 18, it was noted that the couple affectionately calls each other '여보' (yeobo), a term of endearment, even in public settings. Witnesses have spotted them shopping together at a supermarket in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, where Kim Min-hee was seen asking Hong Sang-soo, '여보, 이건 어때요?' (Yeobo, how about this?). Their interaction was described as casual, mixing informal and formal speech comfortably.

The couple appeared relaxed while selecting items and checking out, resembling any typical couple grocery shopping. However, they seemed to be mindful of their surroundings, walking slightly apart and avoiding typical displays of affection like holding hands or linking arms. Despite this, they completed their shopping quietly, with Hong Sang-soo reportedly not speaking much during their outing.

Another sighting at a café revealed that Kim Min-hee was dressed in a loose-fitting coat, indicating a change in her style since her pregnancy began. Although she is six months along, her baby bump was not very pronounced, leading some to overlook her pregnancy.

On January 17, Dispatch reported that Kim Min-hee is indeed pregnant, having conceived naturally and is due to give birth this spring. The couple has been seen together at a gynecologist's office, with Hong Sang-soo accompanying her for all appointments. Photos released show Kim Min-hee covering her belly with her coat.

This news marks a significant development in Hong Sang-soo's personal life, as he now has a child with Kim Min-hee in addition to his daughter from his marriage. Interestingly, Hong Sang-soo's wife claimed she was unaware of Kim Min-hee's pregnancy.

Kim Min-hee and Hong Sang-soo's relationship began in 2015 during the filming of 'Right Now, Wrong Then.' While Hong Sang-soo has initiated divorce proceedings from his wife after 30 years of marriage, she has shown resistance to the divorce, refusing to accept any court documents. The couple's divorce case has been ongoing for over two years, with the court dismissing Hong Sang-soo's divorce request in June 2019, citing his primary responsibility for the marriage's breakdown.

Despite the ongoing legal issues, Kim Min-hee and Hong Sang-soo have maintained their relationship, which has now taken a new turn with the announcement of their impending child, shocking both the film industry and the public.

Kim Min-hee and Hong Sang-soo Expecting a Child: Recent Sightings Reveal Their Affectionate Relationship

In the latest episode of tvN's weekend drama 'Ask the Stars' (별들에게 물어봐), Lee Min-ho's character, Gong-ryong, openly reveals his feelings for Eve Kim, played by Gong Hyo-jin. During the episode aired on January 18, Gong-ryong receives a call from Choi Go-eun (Han Ji-eun), where he informs her of his decision to break off their engagement. After confessing his love to Eve, Gong-ryong expresses regret to Choi Go-eun, who apologizes for announcing their engagement. He responds, 'I'm sorry. I'm a foolish man,' to which she reassures him, 'Why do you think you're foolish? You're doing well, even succeeding in surgery. I feel unworthy to face you.' Gong-ryong then states, 'I don't deserve you. It's not because of Kang Kang-soo (Oh Jung-se), but because of me. I won't marry you. I'm sorry,' before ending the call. Choi Go-eun is left in shock, seemingly unable to process the news.

Lee Min-ho Confesses His Feelings for Gong Hyo-jin in 'Ask the Stars'

In the latest episode of SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'My Perfect Secretary' (나의 완벽한 비서), which aired on January 18, 2025, the relationship between 강지윤 (Han Ji-min) and 유은호 (Lee Jun-hyuk) deepens significantly. 

During the episode, 강지윤 finds herself falling asleep at 유은호's home, where she dreams of her late father and wakes up in tears. In a moment of comfort, 유은호 holds her hand tightly. After spending the night, 강지윤 hurriedly packs her things and leaves. 

The two characters are also seen trying to resolve a conflict at work regarding a controversy over counterfeit luxury bags presented by a luxury appraiser from Careerway. Amidst this chaos, 유은호's daughter 별 (기소유) has an accident after meeting 강지윤, leading to her hospitalization. 

As the story unfolds, 강지윤 begins to develop feelings for 유은호, displaying unusual curiosity about him by asking 서미애 (이상희) about his character. She also shows a willingness to trust people rather than just relying on cold logic when addressing workplace issues. 

Her change in demeanor does not go unnoticed by 우정훈 (김도훈), who teasingly remarks on their apparent closeness and encourages 강지윤 to ask him anything about 유은호, whom he claims to know well. Although 강지윤 dismisses the notion by saying, "What do you mean, what kind of person? He’s my secretary," her gaze betrays her true feelings. 

Ultimately, during a date where they attend a performance together, 강지윤 realizes her feelings when she spots 유은호 among a crowd. In a preview for the next episode, she is seen trying to avoid him but ultimately confesses, "I have a problem. I like you, 유은호."

Han Ji-min Realizes Her Feelings for Lee Jun-hyuk in 'My Perfect Secretary'

Ailee and Choi Si-hoon recently expressed their deep affection for each other on MBC's 'How Do You Play?' as they prepare for their wedding in April. During the January 18 broadcast, Ailee shared her thoughts on proposals, stating, "I was already preparing for the wedding, so receiving a proposal felt strange and I didn't like it. But my boyfriend had everything planned after a trip, and we ended up keeping it simple."

She continued, "I was monitoring some YouTube content, and it turned into a video letter. My family and friends from the U.S. appeared, and my boyfriend thanked me for agreeing to marry him. It was so my style that I cried. My single life is officially over," proudly showing off her diamond ring.

Ailee and Choi Si-hoon, who gained fame from the Netflix reality show 'Single's Inferno' (솔로지옥), will tie the knot on April 20 after a year of dating. While Choi Si-hoon has previously acted, he is currently focused on his F&B and MCN businesses.

As a wedding gift, Yoo Jae-suk and the 'How Do You Play?' team presented the couple with matching mugs, slippers, and pajamas. Ailee expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying she was deeply moved by the gifts, especially as she joined the Winter Song project.

However, the biggest surprise came from her fiancé, Choi Si-hoon, who shared a heartfelt video message: "I’m happy to have the chance to do a small event. As we start our second chapter in life, I promise to protect you forever and be by your side. No matter who bothers you, I’ll take care of it. You know I’m a real man, right? Thank you for starting this new life with me, I love you."

In an impromptu call, he added, "I’m sending our dog to puppy kindergarten. I’m nervous but happy. My wife is an amazing person. I want to protect her and start a life together. I hope we can be happy for a long time while taking care of our health."

Hearing Choi Si-hoon’s sincere words brought Ailee to tears.

Ailee and Choi Si-hoon Showcase Their Love on MBC's 'How Do You Play?' Ahead of Their Wedding

Big Bang's leader G-Dragon and renowned producer Kim Tae-ho are set to launch their new variety show, '굿데이 (Good Day)', which will be available not only on MBC but also on Disney+, reaching a global audience. The announcement was made on January 18, revealing that 'Good Day' will premiere on February 16 as a Sunday variety program. This marks a significant opportunity for international fans to engage with the show.

'Good Day' is a music project where G-Dragon collaborates with various artists to create the song of the year. After resuming his solo career last year for the first time in eight years, G-Dragon proposed this idea during his break, aiming to bring together his childhood inspirations and memories of performing with fellow artists.

Reflecting on the show's inception, G-Dragon shared, "I remember the joy of watching my favorite singers perform together and the fun moments I had singing with my brothers during the '무한도전 (Infinite Challenge)' music festival. I thought, why not create a platform for that day everyone longs for?" 

Adding to the excitement, Kim Tae-ho, who previously directed 'Infinite Challenge', will helm 'Good Day'. The long-standing friendship between Kim and G-Dragon, forged through numerous special episodes like '무한상사 (Infinite Company)' and the '무도 가요제 (Infinite Challenge Music Festival)', raises anticipation for the synergy they will create in this new venture.

The show will feature a star-studded lineup, including familiar faces from 'Infinite Challenge' and other prominent celebrities. The first guest announced is broadcaster Jung Hyung-don, followed by notable appearances from Jo Se-ho, Big Bang members Taeyang and Daesung, as well as former ZE:A member Hwang Kwang-hee and actor Im Si-wan. Additionally, actors Kim Go-eun, Kim Soo-hyun, Jung Hae-in, Hwang Jung-min, and popular idol groups like aespa and the Seventeen unit BSS are also set to join.

With such an impressive roster, 'Good Day' promises to deliver a unique blend of entertainment that is rarely seen even at award shows. The decision to air on Disney+ further amplifies the show's potential to resonate with both domestic and international fans alike.

aespa's Seoul Encore Concert Sells Out

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Kim Min-hee and Hong Sang-soo Expecting a Child: Recent Sightings Reveal Their Affectionate Relationship

Lee Min-ho Confesses His Feelings for Gong Hyo-jin in 'Ask the Stars'

Han Ji-min Realizes Her Feelings for Lee Jun-hyuk in 'My Perfect Secretary'

Ailee and Choi Si-hoon Showcase Their Love on MBC's 'How Do You Play?' Ahead of Their Wedding

G-Dragon and Kim Tae-ho's New Show 'Good Day' to Air on MBC and Disney+

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Historic Arrest: South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol Detained

Memorial Service Held for Victims of Jeju Air Tragedy

Epik High Ranks the Most Disrespectful Anime Characters

Hwang Je-seong Expresses Desire for Third Child on Comedy Show

Code Kunst's Brother Announces Upcoming Marriage on MBC's 'I Live Alone'

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