The appeal hearing for former Marine Corps investigation chief Colonel Park Jeong-hoon, who was acquitted of charges related to insubordination and defamation of a superior, is scheduled to begin on April 18. Colonel Park was previously involved in the investigation of a Marine's death during a search operation following heavy rainfall in July 2023. After reporting his findings and suggesting the case be handed over to the police, he received a directive from former Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop to withhold the transfer. Park chose to proceed with the police referral, leading to his prosecution by the Ministry of National Defense's prosecution office in October 2023. However, the Central Military Court ruled in January that Park's actions did not constitute insubordination, as the orders he received were deemed unjustifiable. The court also found insufficient evidence to support the defamation claim against him.

Appeal Hearing for Former Marine Corps Investigator Set for April 18

On March 15, 2025, actor Park Hyung-sik shared several behind-the-scenes videos on his Instagram, promoting the SBS drama Treasure Island (보물섬) with the message, "Tonight is also Treasure Island." In the series, he portrays Seo Dong-joo, a character driven by a deadly ambition to rise to greater heights. In one of the clips, Park Hyung-sik humorously mimicked a scene from the film Beat (비트), where he rides a motorcycle and lets go of the handlebars to enjoy the wind, reminiscent of Jung Woo-sung's iconic performance. His playful homage brought smiles to the filming crew, showcasing his ability to create a lively atmosphere on set.

Treasure Island follows Seo Dong-joo (played by Park Hyung-sik) as he engages in a high-stakes revenge plot against the ultimate evil that killed him, all while hacking into a political slush fund worth 2 trillion won.

박형식, 정우성 오마주?..'보물섬' 대박 시청률에 신났네

Park Hyung-sik Pays Homage to Jung Woo-sung in New Drama

J-Hope (제이홉) of BTS (방탄소년단) has once again made his mark on the UK Official Singles Chart with his latest digital single, 'Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)', which debuted at number 42 on March 14 (local time). This marks the sixth time J-Hope has entered the official singles chart as a solo artist. Following his collaboration on 'LV Bag (feat. j-hope of BTS & Pharrell Williams)', 'Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)' is his second entry on the chart this year. Notably, 'Sweet Dreams' has topped three different charts, including 'Single Downloads', 'Single Sales', and 'Physical Singles', making it the first time J-Hope has achieved simultaneous number one positions across these three categories with a solo release.

Additionally, J-Hope showcased his impressive streaming power on Spotify, where both his solo and featured tracks made it onto the 'Weekly Top Songs Global' chart for the period of March 7-13. 'Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)' made its debut at number 37, while 'LV Bag' maintained its presence at number 191 for the third consecutive week.

Meanwhile, Jimin's (지민) title track 'Who' from his second solo album 'MUSE' continues to perform well on major global charts, holding steady at number 83 on the Official Singles Chart for a total of 28 weeks, setting a record for the longest chart run by a Korean solo artist since the chart's revamp in 2014. On Spotify, 'Who' is currently at number 11. Other notable entries on the chart include Jungkook's (정국) first solo single 'Seven (feat. Latto)' at number 92, Jin's (진) title track 'Running Wild' from his solo album 'Happy' at number 118, and the duet 'Winter Ahead (with PARK HYO SHIN)' by V (뷔) and Park Hyo Shin at number 141.

Jimin's 'MUSE' also made it to number 25 on the 'Weekly Top Albums Global', while Jungkook's debut solo album 'GOLDEN' is at number 52, and Jin's 'Happy - :') (Remixes)' is at number 194. BTS's anthology album 'Proof', released in June 2022, and the repackaged album 'LOVE YOURSELF 結 'Answer'', released in 2018, continue to chart at numbers 50 and 179, respectively.

Currently, J-Hope is on his 'j-hope Tour 'HOPE ON THE STAGE'', having recently completed a performance in Brooklyn, USA. He is set to perform a total of 31 shows across 15 cities, including Chicago, Mexico City, Manila, Saitama, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Macau, Taipei, and Osaka.

방탄소년단 제이홉, 英 오피셜 싱글 차트 진입..올해만 두 번째

J-Hope Makes Waves on UK Official Singles Chart with 'Sweet Dreams'

In a surprising turn of events, G-Dragon (지드래곤) recently liked and then quickly unliked a post regarding Kim Soo-hyun's (김수현) exit from the MBC variety show Good Day (굿데이). The post, shared on a Taiwanese social media account covering Korean entertainment, stated that Kim Soo-hyun's participation in the show was officially canceled due to ongoing controversies surrounding him. The network confirmed that while the recording for the episode had been completed on February 27, discussions were ongoing about whether the footage would be aired or edited. With Kim's departure now confirmed, significant changes to the broadcast content are expected.

The post sparked considerable attention when G-Dragon initially liked it, leading many to speculate on his intentions. Known for engaging with posts that pique his interest, G-Dragon's like drew significant public interest. However, after the post gained traction, he swiftly unliked it, possibly due to public reaction or a mistake in his initial action.

The original poster noted that G-Dragon's like had become a trending topic among netizens in both Korea and China, even reaching the top of real-time search rankings. They later updated that G-Dragon had canceled his like, prompting rapid coverage from both Korean and Weibo media.

Kim Soo-hyun was part of the '88 Line' cast on Good Day, which includes fellow stars born in 1988, such as Lee Soo-hyuk (이수혁), Im Si-wan (임시완), Hwang Kwang-hee (황광희), and Jung Hae-in (정해인). The group, known for their comedic chemistry, has entertained viewers under the moniker '88 Nation'.

However, the atmosphere surrounding Good Day has soured due to allegations that Kim Soo-hyun was in a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron (김새론) when she was a minor. Additionally, claims have surfaced that Kim Sae-ron, who faced financial difficulties after a drunk driving incident, borrowed 700 million KRW from Kim Soo-hyun to settle her issues, further complicating public sentiment.

Despite the swirling rumors, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, which initially denied the dating allegations, announced on March 13 that they would clarify their position with concrete evidence next week.

On the day of the recording for Good Day, Kim Soo-hyun reportedly participated, albeit with a minimized schedule, which has led to viewer backlash. Many fans expressed their discontent on social media, calling for a boycott of the program and questioning the ethical standards of the production team.

Good Day marks the return of PD Kim Tae-ho (김태호) to MBC and has garnered significant attention due to its star-studded lineup, including G-Dragon's close friends Jung Hyung-don (정형돈) and Defconn (데프콘). Since its premiere, the show has consistently ranked as the number one non-drama program in terms of viewer interest.

[SC이슈]지드래곤, 김수현 '굿데이' 하차 묻는 게시물에 '좋아요'→돌연 취소…의도였나, 실수였나

G-Dragon Reacts to Kim Soo-hyun's Departure from Good Day

On the March 14 episode of Channel A's 'My Precious Child' (요즘 육아 - 금쪽같은 내 새끼), the struggles of actress Lee Sang-in's wife, who is raising three sons, were highlighted. During the show, Dr. Oh Eun-young observed the behavior of their eldest son, Geumjok, and decided to pause the recording to meet with the family directly. After assessing Geumjok, Dr. Oh expressed concerns about communication difficulties, suggesting he may be on the autism spectrum. This diagnosis brought tears to Lee Sang-in's wife, who had previously denied such concerns.

However, the couple faces another significant challenge: the mother's depression. Lee Sang-in's wife appeared visibly exhausted from caring for their three children alone. Dr. Oh noted that her emotional and physical energy was depleted, stating, "It's as if the container is about to develop holes from being scraped clean."

Dr. Oh further explained the implications of the mother's depression on the children, warning that it could lead to difficulties in discipline and emotional responses. "When a mother is depressed, children become sensitive to her mood, and studies show that about 40% of children with depressed parents also experience feelings of sadness themselves," she said.

Throughout the episode, Lee Sang-in's wife expressed her overwhelming feelings, saying, "There were times when the reality of waking up to the same day felt suffocating. I came to Miryang believing in you, but I often wonder, 'What did I do wrong? Why am I here?' I sometimes just want to run away. If there were a resignation letter for housewives, I would want to submit it."

Dr. Oh encouraged her to seek professional help, asking if she had ever visited a hospital for her mental health. The wife admitted, "I wanted to go about two years ago, but I felt ashamed. In a small town, just going to the hospital felt embarrassing, and I didn't like myself."

She shared that she had recently visited a doctor who prescribed medication due to her deteriorating condition. However, she stopped taking the medication after three days, feeling it made her too lethargic to care for her children. "I thought, 'This is my problem; I just need to get it together,'" she explained.

Dr. Oh reassured her that struggling with such extreme parenting challenges does not reflect a lack of love for her children or personal weakness. She emphasized the importance of maintaining mental health, stating, "Taking medication won't solve everything, but it can help stabilize your mental health so you can cope better. Remember, being a mother doesn't mean you have to endure everything alone. It's crucial to take care of yourself too."

이상인 아내, 삼형제 육아→극심한 우울증..“주부 사표 내고파” 절규 (‘금쪽’)[종합]

Actress Lee Sang-in's Wife Shows Signs of Depression on 'My Precious Child'

On March 14, 2025, the YouTube channel '가로세로연구소' (Garo Sero Research Institute) shared a statement purportedly from the mother of the late actress Kim Sae-ron. This announcement came during a live broadcast where the channel continued to criticize actor Kim Soo-hyun. The statement was read using AI voice technology, as Kim Sae-ron's mother preferred to remain anonymous.

Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on February 16, 2025, at the age of 25. Reports indicate that a friend discovered her unresponsive and called for help. Authorities have stated that there were no signs of foul play.

In recent discussions, '가로세로연구소' has accused Kim Soo-hyun of engaging in a 'grooming' relationship with Kim Sae-ron during her teenage years. They also claimed that Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, pressured Kim Sae-ron with a 700 million won compensation demand related to a drunk driving incident, alleging that Kim Soo-hyun ignored the situation.

However, Gold Medalist issued a statement denying these allegations, clarifying that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were in a relationship from the summer of 2019 until the fall of 2020, when Kim Sae-ron was an adult. They also explained that the legal documents sent were standard procedure related to the financial implications of Kim Sae-ron's incident, not a demand for payment.

The following is the full statement from Kim Sae-ron's mother:

"Hello, we are the family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron. After much contemplation, we decided to release this statement as we have seen our family's intentions distorted and misrepresented. Our goal is to restore the honor of our child, which has been tarnished by numerous false articles. We also wish to establish a legal foundation to hold accountable the malicious YouTubers and cyber bullies who continue to perpetrate these crimes.

Sae-ron never lied to the media, nor did she engage in any deceptive behavior. She was not a girl who only enjoyed nightlife with friends, nor did she create false dating rumors through manipulated photos. However, individuals like Lee Jin-ho and cyber bullies have fabricated stories that dragged a promising young actress and her family into hell. Gold Medalist has also misrepresented her intentions, labeling her as a deceitful girl.

Now that Sae-ron is gone, there are outrageous claims that she was a breadwinner for her family and that they squandered her earnings. The public is witnessing how a few photos provided to '가세연' have been manipulated to escalate this situation.

While powerful companies and skilled lawyers can respond to such allegations, Sae-ron had no one but her family during her struggles. The sharp arrows of false articles targeted our young daughter, who had just turned twenty, and she bore the brunt of the vicious insults alone.

The actions of Lee Jin-ho and cyber bullies have trampled on our fallen child. Media outlets irresponsibly spread the false narratives created by these individuals without verifying the facts. Despite our pleas for help, no media outlet offered assistance during our time of grief. Instead, we faced intrusive YouTubers at our daughter's funeral and received calls from Lee Jin-ho during our mourning period. Can these people be considered human? Can you forgive such individuals?

If it weren't for Professor Kwon Young-chan from the Korean Celebrity Suicide Prevention Association and Kim Se-yi from '가세연' reaching out to us, our family would have been left as scapegoats, carrying the burden of Sae-ron's tarnished reputation for life.

The behavior of Lee Jin-ho and his associates constitutes a crime. While it is difficult to hold them legally accountable for murder under current laws, we, the family, hope to restore the honor that Sae-ron had as an actress and correct the false narratives that have emerged. We wish to establish legal and institutional measures to ensure that such incidents do not happen again and that the media fulfills its responsibilities."


故 김새론 엄마 "딸 거짓말 한 적 없어...전국민에게 집단 따돌림 당해" [전문]

Mother of Late Actress Kim Sae-ron Releases Statement Amid Controversy

On March 15, 2025, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Goldmedalist, issued a statement refuting the recent claims made by the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (commonly known as 가세연) during a live broadcast on March 14. The agency emphasized that the photos shared by 가세연 were taken on December 14, 2019, and argued that there is no justification for the indiscriminate release of images related to Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron's private lives. They urged for an end to the dissemination of personal information.

Goldmedalist also acknowledged the statement made by Kim Sae-ron's mother, expressing deep sympathy for her unimaginable pain following the loss of her daughter. They conveyed their sorrow over the hardships Kim Sae-ron faced during her life and expressed their understanding of the concerns raised by her mother regarding media coverage.

While the agency agreed with some of the points made by Kim Sae-ron's mother, they noted that there are aspects of her claims that differ from their perspective. They suggested that there may be information that she is not yet aware of and stated that publicly debating these issues would not be appropriate for honoring Kim Sae-ron's memory. Goldmedalist expressed a desire to meet with her mother to provide a thorough explanation and invited her to contact the agency at any time.

Recently, Kim Soo-hyun has faced allegations from 가세연 regarding a supposed 'grooming' crime, claiming he had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor. The agency clarified that while Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron did have a past relationship, they only dated from the summer of 2019, when she was an adult, until the fall of 2020. They also refuted claims that they pressured Kim Sae-ron regarding a compensation demand related to her DUI incident, stating that the legal documents were part of a process to address losses incurred by her former agency. Goldmedalist has announced plans for strong legal action against the false allegations made by 가세연.

Kim Soo-hyun's Agency Responds to Allegations and Seeks Communication with Kim Sae-ron's Family

Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, has publicly criticized the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소) for spreading personal information about the actor. The channel recently alleged that Kim Soo-hyun had a romantic relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor, claiming they dated for six years since her third year of middle school and raising suspicions of 'grooming' behavior. They also accused Gold Medalist of pressuring Kim Sae-ron regarding a 700 million KRW penalty related to her drunk driving incident, suggesting that Kim Soo-hyun was complicit in this situation.

In response, Kim Sae-ron's family, including her mother and aunt, expressed their desire to restore her reputation, stating that Kim Soo-hyun portrayed her as a liar. Gold Medalist confirmed that while Kim Soo-hyun did date Kim Sae-ron, their relationship only occurred after she turned 18, from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020. They clarified that the legal documents sent to Kim Sae-ron were part of a process to address losses incurred by her previous agency due to her drunk driving incident, and they did not pressure her for payment.

On March 15, Gold Medalist condemned the release of a private photo of Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron, taken on December 14, 2019, stating there is no justification for such an invasion of privacy. They also acknowledged the immense pain Kim Sae-ron's mother is experiencing after her loss, expressing their condolences while also empathizing with her concerns regarding media coverage of her daughter.

Gold Medalist emphasized that some of the claims made by Kim Sae-ron's mother differ from their perspective and suggested that there may be information she is not yet aware of. They expressed a desire to meet with her in person to provide a thorough explanation, inviting her to contact their office at any time.

As Kim Soo-hyun faces ongoing scrutiny from the allegations made by Garo Sero Research Institute, his agency's request for a meeting with Kim Sae-ron's mother has drawn significant attention. Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyun continues to participate in his scheduled activities, including filming for the MBC variety show 'Good Day' (굿데이).

Kim Soo-hyun's Agency Responds to Controversy Surrounding Kim Sae-ron

Beauty brand Dinto has decided to terminate its advertising model contract with actor Kim Soo-hyun, who has recently been embroiled in allegations regarding his past relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron, who was a minor at the time. On March 15, Dinto announced, "We have decided to end our advertising model contract with Kim Soo-hyun. Given the recent controversies, we believe it is important to uphold the principles of good faith and integrity in our partnership. Therefore, we could not proceed with an official statement or contract termination until we received a position statement from Kim Soo-hyun and his agency." 

According to Dinto, the contract with Kim Soo-hyun was set for one year and was valid until August 2025. The company further stated, "After confirming the agency's position, we have determined that there are significant reasons that make it difficult to fulfill the advertising model contract. We are currently in the process of officially terminating the contract through our legal counsel." 

Dinto emphasized that this decision was made to protect the values of the brand and consumer trust. They added, "We will continue to make careful and responsible decisions that align with consumer trust and pursue more meaningful projects to realize our values." 

Recently, Kim Soo-hyun has faced allegations from the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소) and Kim Sae-ron's family, claiming that he was in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since she was in middle school, starting from when she was 15 years old and continuing for six years. 

On March 14, Gold Medalist, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, released a second statement addressing the allegations. They confirmed that while Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were indeed former lovers, their relationship began after Kim Sae-ron turned 18, specifically from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020. 

In a statement through 'Garo Sero,' Kim Sae-ron's mother asserted, "Sae-ron has never lied to the media. She has never pretended to be someone else for attention, nor was she a child who only enjoyed nightlife with friends. She did not create dating rumors through manipulated photos. However, Lee Jin-ho and Cyber Leakers have fabricated false articles that dragged the life of an ordinary and promising actress and her family into hell. Furthermore, Gold Medalist has portrayed Sae-ron as a crazy girl who lies about her intentions regarding the photos she posted."

Dinto Terminates Contract with Kim Soo-hyun Amid Controversy

The mother of the late actress Kim Sae-ron has finally broken her silence, asserting that her daughter never lied about working at a coffee shop and was subjected to bullying by the public. She expressed a desire for her daughter's honor to be restored.

On March 14, the 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소), claiming to represent Kim Sae-ron's family, released a statement purportedly from her mother. The institute noted that Kim's mother preferred not to reveal her voice, so they used AI technology to present her statement.

In her statement, Kim Sae-ron's mother said, "Sae-ron has never lied to the media. She never pretended to work part-time or was just a girl who enjoyed nightlife with friends. She did not create false dating rumors with manipulated photos. However, Lee Jin-ho and the cyber reporters have fabricated false articles that dragged the life of a promising actress and her family into hell. Furthermore, Gold Medalist labeled her as a 'crazy girl' who lied about her intentions in the photos she posted. Now that Sae-ron is gone, there are outrageous false articles claiming she was a breadwinner for her family and that they squandered hundreds of billions earned from her. These articles are not worth seeing or reading."

She continued, "The ones who trampled on my fallen child and kicked her while she was down are Lee Jin-ho and the cyber reporters. There were also irresponsible media outlets that spread the false narratives written by Lee Jin-ho and the cyber reporters, along with various malicious commenters who supported them. Sae-ron endured this for three years, sleepless and lonely. This is akin to the collective bullying she faced from the public due to the false articles triggered by Lee Jin-ho."

She added, "If Professor Kwon Young-chan from the Korean Celebrity Suicide Prevention Association had not reached out to us, and if Kim Se-yi from Garo Sero had not offered help, our family would have been scapegoats to Lee Jin-ho and the cyber reporters, carrying the burden of Sae-ron's tarnished reputation for life."

In conclusion, she stated, "The actions of Lee Jin-ho and his associates are criminal. It is difficult to hold them accountable for murder within the outdated legal framework. We, the bereaved family, wish to restore the honor that Sae-ron had as an actress during her lifetime, correct the false articles that are entirely untrue, and hope that legal and institutional measures are established to prevent such incidents from happening again, ensuring that the media fulfills its responsibilities."

Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on February 16, at the age of 25. A friend who was supposed to meet her discovered her unresponsive and reported it. Police stated that there were no signs of foul play.

In connection with this, the Garo Sero Institute alleged that actor Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since her minor years, raising suspicions of 'grooming.' They also claimed that Gold Medalist pressured Kim Sae-ron with a 700 million won compensation notice and that Kim Soo-hyun turned a blind eye to it.

In response, Gold Medalist issued an urgent statement on March 14, denying the allegations and clarifying that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were in a relationship from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, when Kim Sae-ron was an adult. They also refuted claims regarding the compensation notice, stating it was merely a legal procedure related to a penalty from Kim Sae-ron's DUI incident and not a demand for payment.

Kim Sae-ron's Mother Speaks Out for Justice

The mother of the late actress Kim Sae-ron has publicly addressed the media regarding the false narratives surrounding her daughter. In a statement released on March 14 through a YouTube channel, she expressed that their goal is to restore the tarnished reputation of her daughter, who was unfairly affected by numerous misleading articles. She emphasized the need to hold accountable malicious YouTubers and cyber bullies who have contributed to this situation.

A stated, "Sae-ron never lied to the media. She did not engage in gambling or pretend to work part-time. She was not a girl who only enjoyed nightlife with friends, nor did she create false dating rumors through manipulated photos." She lamented that since Sae-ron's passing, there have been outrageous claims about her being a 'girl head of the household' and that her family squandered her earnings, leading to a plethora of baseless articles that are not worth reading.

A further elaborated on the impact of these false articles, stating that they targeted her young daughter, who had just turned twenty, and that Sae-ron bore the brunt of vicious personal attacks alone. She described the three years of suffering that Sae-ron endured, likening it to being bullied by the public due to the false reports initiated by a figure named Lee Jin-ho.

The family hopes to restore the honor that Sae-ron had as an actress during her lifetime and wishes for legal and institutional measures to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.

The family has also claimed that Kim Sae-ron was in a relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun since she was 15 years old, a statement that Kim Soo-hyun's side has denied as false. However, the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' has released letters and photos allegedly sent by Kim Soo-hyun during his military service, further complicating the narrative. They also claimed that a gold medalist demanded compensation from Kim Sae-ron following her DUI incident.

Appeal Hearing for Former Marine Corps Investigator Set for April 18

What do you think?

Trending

Kim Soo-hyun's Agency Responds to Allegations and Seeks Communication with Kim Sae-ron's Family

Kim Soo-hyun's Agency Responds to Controversy Surrounding Kim Sae-ron

Dinto Terminates Contract with Kim Soo-hyun Amid Controversy

Kim Sae-ron's Mother Speaks Out for Justice

Mother of Late Actress Kim Sae-ron Speaks Out Against False Reports

More

Park Hyung-sik Pays Homage to Jung Woo-sung in New Drama

J-Hope Makes Waves on UK Official Singles Chart with 'Sweet Dreams'

G-Dragon Reacts to Kim Soo-hyun's Departure from Good Day

Actress Lee Sang-in's Wife Shows Signs of Depression on 'My Precious Child'

Mother of Late Actress Kim Sae-ron Releases Statement Amid Controversy

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