On January 10, broadcaster Jo Se-ho shared glimpses of his luxurious newlywed home on Instagram, captioning it with, "Anyone up for a game of gonggi?" The photos showcase Jo Se-ho engaged in a game of gonggi, sitting comfortably on the floor, his expression filled with concentration. Fellow cast member DinDin expressed confidence, stating, "If we go as the 1 Night 2 Days team for 'Squid Game,' we could set a world record with our five-game challenge." 

The interior of Jo Se-ho's home is equally captivating, featuring a massive TV, high-end gaming consoles, figurines, and a fan that draw the eye. The decor is simple yet sophisticated, predominantly in white tones, which has garnered admiration. 

Notably, Jo Se-ho married a non-celebrity who is nine years his junior on October 9 of last year.

Broadcaster Jo Se-ho Reveals His Luxurious Newlywed Home

Singer Lee Ji-hye is set to take on the role of office manager in SBS Life's first original program, 'The Roundtable Lawyers' (원탁의 변호사들), which premieres on January 13. The show features passionate law firm head Tak Jae-hoon, along with Lee Ji-hye and Shin Gyu-jin, as they collaborate with real divorce attorneys to analyze and resolve various divorce cases in a unique entertainment format.

Lee Ji-hye expressed her excitement about joining the show, stating, "When I received the offer, I checked the synopsis and saw that it included well-known and skilled broadcasters like Tak Jae-hoon and Shin Gyu-jin. I thought the legal content would be interesting, so I decided to participate right away."

When asked about the filming atmosphere, she shared, "I expected the discussions to be serious and possibly heated due to the nature of divorce, but Tak Jae-hoon brought a lot of humor to the set. The stories we encountered were truly shocking, and everyone was surprised to learn they were real cases."

Lee Ji-hye noted that while she is not a legal expert, she found the stories to be quite distressing, especially for those who have lived through such experiences. She emphasized the importance of handling divorce rationally, saying, "Even though it can be difficult to talk about these issues, I hope viewers can take away valuable insights from the program while also enjoying it."

'The Roundtable Lawyers' will air every Monday at 8:40 PM on SBS Life and SBS Plus.

In related news, Lee Ji-hye and her husband Moon Jae-wan recently garnered attention for their appearance on SBS's 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 - You Are My Destiny,' where they sought couple's therapy. During the episode, Lee Ji-hye revealed her struggles with parenting and household responsibilities, expressing her feelings about her husband's contributions. A therapist advised them to spend quality time together weekly to improve their relationship.

Additionally, Lee Ji-hye shared her desire for a third child, stating, "I really want to have another baby. I would never consider divorce because of my children; they mean everything to me."

In a Q&A session, Lee Ji-hye discussed her role in 'The Roundtable Lawyers,' the filming experience, and her views on divorce and marriage, emphasizing the need for emotional detachment in divorce proceedings and the importance of accepting one's partner as they are.

이지혜, ♥문재완과 불화 고백후 의미심장 "7년 살아보니 사람은 안 바뀌어" ('원탁의 변호사들')

Lee Ji-hye to Star as Office Manager in SBS Life's 'The Roundtable Lawyers'

On January 9, Han Ji-min appeared as a guest on KBS Cool FM's 'It's a Good Day to Love' and discussed her recent drama, 'My Perfect Secretary' (나의 완벽한 비서). During the show, a listener praised the chemistry between Han Ji-min and her co-star, expressing curiosity about the upcoming storyline. 

Han Ji-min responded by noting the similarities between her character, Kang Ji-yoon, and herself, particularly their clumsiness, such as getting into the wrong car. She humorously mentioned how her manager's friends often remind her, 'That's not your car,' leading to amusing situations. She added that the appearance of a charming character in the drama adds an exciting element to her role.

Host Lee Geum-hee commented on a scene where co-star Lee Jun-hyuk protects Han Ji-min from bumping her head, likening it to a romantic gesture of shielding a loved one from sunlight while they sleep. Han Ji-min revealed that while female viewers loved that scene, some male viewers, including Son Seok-koo, questioned whether such actions were necessary, which brought laughter to the discussion. She concluded by stating that it was a moment that resonated with many women, making them feel excited.

손석구, 이준혁 질투했나..한지민 “‘나완비’ 꼭 그렇게까지 해야했냐고” 폭로

Han Ji-min Shares Son Seok-koo's Reaction to 'My Perfect Secretary'

The Korean entertainment community is mourning the loss of voice actor and actor Yoo Ho-han, who passed away from a heart attack on January 7 at the age of 52. Known for his work in popular series such as 짱구는 못 말려 (Crayon Shin-chan) and the Avengers franchise, Yoo's contributions to the industry were significant. His funeral is scheduled for January 11, with burial at the Hambeoksan Memorial Park in Hwaseong.

Yoo Ho-han joined KBS as a voice actor in 2002 and lent his voice to numerous animated series including 명탐정 코난 (Detective Conan), 원피스 (One Piece), and 유희왕 GX (Yu-Gi-Oh! GX). He also appeared in films like 청년경찰 (Midnight Runners) and the Netflix series 사냥개들 (The Hunt). 

In addition to his voice acting, Yoo was a strong advocate for the rights of fellow voice actors. He served as the 31st president of the KBS Voice Actors Association for three years, promoting unity among colleagues. As the senior vice president of the Korean Voice Actors Association and a delegate for the Korean Broadcasting Actors Labor Union, he actively participated in negotiations to protect voice actors' rights.

Lee Yeon-hee, director of the Korean Voice Actors Association, expressed deep sorrow over Yoo's passing, stating, "He was an irreplaceable voice actor who showed strong camaraderie with all his colleagues. Losing him feels like losing my right arm. His absence will be profoundly felt."

Yoo's death follows the recent passing of entrepreneur and influencer Lee Hee-cheol, who also died on January 7. Lee's close friend, broadcaster Pungja, shared the news on social media, expressing disbelief and sadness over the sudden loss. Lee Hee-cheol was known for his role on KBS2's 살림하는 남자들2 (Salim Nam) and was a prominent figure in the influencer and restaurant industry.

The unexpected deaths of both Yoo and Lee have left fans and colleagues in shock, with many taking to social media to express their condolences and share memories of the beloved figures.

‘살림남’ 이희철→’짱구’ 성우 유호한, 심근경색 사망..새해부터 이틀째 비보 충격 [종합]

Beloved Voice Actor Yoo Ho-han Passes Away at 52

Yoo Ho-han, a beloved voice actor and actor, has passed away at the age of 52. According to the Korea Voice Acting Association, he died from a heart attack on the night of January 7. Yoo was known for his work in popular series such as 짱구는 못 말려 (Crayon Shin-chan) and the Avengers franchise. He joined KBS as a voice actor in 2002 and lent his voice to numerous animated shows including 명탐정 코난 (Detective Conan), 원피스 (One Piece), 유희왕 GX (Yu-Gi-Oh! GX), and 이누야샤 (Inuyasha), as well as dubbing roles in films like 마이너리티 리포트 (Minority Report) and the 닥터 후 (Doctor Who) series. In addition to his voice work, he appeared in the film 청년경찰 (Midnight Runners) and the Netflix series 사냥개들 (The Hunt). Yoo was also a familiar voice on home shopping broadcasts. Beyond his performances, he was dedicated to advocating for the rights of fellow voice actors, serving as the 31st president of the KBS Voice Acting Association for three years and participating in negotiations to protect their rights. Lee Yeon-hee, the director of the Korea Voice Acting Association, expressed deep sorrow over his passing, stating that Yoo was an irreplaceable figure who showed strong camaraderie among his peers. His absence will be profoundly felt. The funeral is scheduled for January 11, with the burial site at the Hambeoksan Memorial Park in Hwaseong.

'짱구는 못말려'·'어벤져스' 성우 유호한, 심근경색 사망..향년 52세[공식]

Voice Actor Yoo Ho-han Passes Away at 52

Global artist Jennie has made headlines by appearing on the cover of Billboard magazine. On January 9, Billboard released an article titled 'A Battle with Myself: Jennie’s In-Depth Reflection on Creating Her Solo Album' on their official website, showcasing her photoshoot and interview for the January issue.

Billboard highlighted Jennie, stating, 'While the world knows BLACKPINK's Jennie, her upcoming solo debut album will reveal her true self.' In the interview, Jennie shared her journey, saying, 'I started listing what I wanted in life and figuring out what the next steps were. It hit me that I hadn’t yet fulfilled my dream of releasing a solo album. I wanted to achieve that goal for my own satisfaction.' She candidly discussed her experiences in establishing ODDATELIER and partnering with Columbia Records.

Jennie expressed her desire to complete herself as Jennie Ruby Jane, stating, 'Once the album is out, you will understand what I mean. I’ve incorporated various genres and elements, from rapping to singing and harmonizing, ensuring that I love every track on the album.' She confirmed that she has completed preparations for her new album.

More of Jennie's photos and interview can be found on the Billboard website.

블랙핑크 지수 이어 제니까지, 솔로 컴백 예고 "나 자신과의 싸움"

Jennie Graces the Cover of Billboard Magazine

The rising girl group aespa has reaffirmed its status as a powerhouse in the music industry, according to the 2024 year-end results from the Circle Chart (formerly known as Gaon Chart), operated by the Korea Music Content Association. On January 10, Circle Chart announced that aespa's pre-release track 'Supernova' from their first full album 'Armageddon' topped both the annual digital and streaming charts, earning them two prestigious titles.

In addition to 'Supernova', aespa placed eight songs on the annual digital chart, including 'Drama' at 20th, 'Armageddon' at 29th, 'Spicy' at 52nd, 'Whiplash' at 60th, 'UP' (KARINA Solo) at 66th, 'Next Level' at 169th, and 'Live My Life' at 183rd, showcasing their dominance in the public's playlists this year.

On the album chart, SEVENTEEN's mini album 'SPILL THE FEELS' achieved remarkable success with 3,183,338 copies sold, securing the top spot. SEVENTEEN also claimed second place with their best album '17 IS RIGHT HERE', which sold 3,153,616 copies, marking them as the top artist on the annual album chart for two consecutive years. In the Circle Certified Album category, their mini album 'SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN', released in 2023, reached 5 million certifications.

Stray Kids also made waves with their mini album 'ATE', released in July last year, which recorded retail sales of 859,437 copies, earning them the top position on the annual retail album chart. They achieved four weekly number ones and a total of 2,880,052 album sales for 'ATE' on the annual album chart. Their mini album '樂-STAR', released in 2023, also reached 4 million certifications this year.

BLACKPINK member and solo artist Rosé's pre-release single 'APT.' featuring American pop star Bruno Mars topped both the global K-pop chart and the V Color Ring chart, making her a double winner.

Top artist Im Young-woong dominated the download chart with 'Warmth' at number one and 'Home' at number two, maintaining his position at the top of the annual download chart for four consecutive years since 2021.

Girl group FIFTY FIFTY continued their success by securing the number one spot on the Social Chart 2.0 for two years in a row, following their achievement last year.

aespa Dominates Circle Chart's 2024 Year-End Rankings

On January 10, 2025, KBS2TV's 'The Seasons - Lee Young-ji's Rainbow' featured the long-awaited reunion of GFRIEND, marking their first full group performance in four years. The members opened the show with their hit song 'From Today On,' expressing their excitement about reuniting. Lee Young-ji remarked that hearing the group greeting was an emotional moment. 

This year also marks GFRIEND's 10th anniversary since their debut, making their reunion even more special. The members clarified that despite rumors of disbandment, they had simply completed their contract and emphasized, 'We have never disbanded.' 

GFRIEND has released a total of 93 songs, and when asked about their most meaningful tracks, they highlighted 'Glass Bead,' 'From Today On,' and 'Time for the Moon Night,' referring to them as their signature songs. 

Additionally, they announced a special project song titled 'In Our Gentle Season,' inspired by their fans, known as Buddies. The members expressed their eagerness to connect with fans during their upcoming Asia tour, stating, 'We want to see our fans' faces and communicate with them.'

GFRIEND Reunites After Four Years on 'The Seasons - Lee Young-ji's Rainbow'

(G)I-DLE has made a significant impact on the 2024 music charts, according to the annual rankings released by South Korean streaming platforms Genie Music and Melon. The track '나는 아픈 건 딱 질색이니까' (Fate) from their second studio album '2' (Two) secured the top two spots on the charts, reaffirming the group's powerful presence in the K-pop scene. 

In addition to 'Fate', other songs from the album, including '퀸카' (Queencard), '클락션' (Klaxon), 'Super Lady', and 'Wife', also made it into the top 100 of the annual charts, marking a successful end to 2024 for the group. 

'Fate' features a refreshing band sound reminiscent of an anime soundtrack. Despite being a B-side track, it gained popularity through word of mouth, showcasing (G)I-DLE's diverse musical range. 

Earlier, (G)I-DLE received the Digital Song Award at the 39th Golden Disc Awards for 'Fate'. They also won the Best Album Award for their million-selling album '2' and were honored with the Grand Record Award at the 2024 KGMA, along with the prestigious 'Record of the Year' at the 2024 MMA.

(G)I-DLE Dominates 2024 Music Charts with 'Fate'

Former Big Bang member TOP is set to break his silence as he prepares for an interview on January 15 regarding his role in Netflix's Squid Game 2 (오징어게임2). The series continues the intense rivalry between Seong Gi-hun (이정재) and the Front Man (이병헌), with TOP portraying Thanos, a retired drug-addicted rapper. 

While other cast members, including director Hwang Dong-hyuk, Lee Jung-jae, Park Gyu-young, Yang Dong-geun, Lee Seo-hwan, Wi Ha-jun, Lee Byung-hun, Im Si-wan, Jo Yu-ri, and Park Sung-hoon, have actively promoted the show through interviews, TOP has remained largely silent. 

His silence is understandable given his controversial past, which began in 2016 when he was sentenced to two years of probation for marijuana use with trainee Han Seo-hee. Following this, he lost his position as a police officer and served as a social service worker, facing allegations of receiving preferential treatment. He was discharged in July 2019 but faced backlash for parking in a disabled spot on his last day. 

Afterward, he publicly stated he had no intention of returning to the entertainment scene, even declaring he would not make a comeback in Korea. This led to his departure from Big Bang, leaving many fans disappointed by his lack of remorse. 

Recently, without any explanation or apology, TOP announced his return through Squid Game 2, erasing all references to Big Bang from his profile and adopting his real name, Choi Seung-hyun. While fellow Big Bang members celebrated their 18th anniversary with fans, TOP blocked those who mentioned the group, further fueling public discontent. 

As speculation arises about whether his casting in Squid Game 2 is due to connections with Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun, concerns about his acting skills have also emerged, with critics pointing to his unclear pronunciation and exaggerated expressions. 

TOP's upcoming interview is highly anticipated, as many wonder whether his attempt to re-enter the spotlight will be beneficial or detrimental to his career.

TOP from Big Bang to Speak Out Ahead of Squid Game 2 Release

Despite facing numerous controversies, the K-pop group NewJeans has solidified their popularity. For two consecutive years, they have achieved the highest album sales among female K-pop artists, and they have successfully completed their official debut in Japan, further confirming their global appeal.

In 2023, NewJeans sold a total of 3,098,275 albums, marking them as the top-selling female K-pop artist with a market share of 11.4% according to the Circle Chart 2024 album sales review. Their double single 'How Sweet,' released in May, sold over 1.24 million copies, while their Japanese debut single 'Supernatural,' released in June, surpassed 1.3 million copies. Additionally, their earlier releases 'NewJeans,' 'OMG,' and 'Get Up' continued to sell well, contributing to their record-breaking sales.

Their digital music power is equally impressive, with 13 songs including 'How Sweet,' 'Super Shy,' 'Ditto,' 'OMG,' 'ETA,' and 'Hype Boy' making it onto the Circle Chart 2024 global K-pop section. They placed 11 songs in the digital category and 10 in the streaming category. Notably, eight of their tracks ranked on the 2024 Melon annual chart, with 'Supernatural' catching attention by ranking second on the Melon overseas annual chart. While K-pop artists often appear on international charts, NewJeans stands out as the only artist in the top tier, according to Melon.

Their debut in Japan was also remarkable. NewJeans officially debuted in Japan with 'Supernatural' in June 2023, which topped the Oricon chart on its release day and received a Gold Disc certification from the Japan Record Association for exceeding 100,000 copies shipped. They also set a record for being the fastest overseas artist to perform at the Tokyo Dome within just 1 year and 11 months. This success led to them winning the Excellent Work Award at the prestigious 66th Japan Record Awards for 'Supernatural.' Furthermore, they secured the second position in the 'New Artist Ranking' of the Oricon annual ranking 2024 sales category, the highest rank for any overseas artist. The ranking is based on the total sales of singles, albums, streaming, and music DVDs. Oricon reported that NewJeans generated sales of 2.09 billion yen (approximately 193.12 million won) during the counting period from December 11, 2023, to December 8, 2024.

As of November 29, 2023, NewJeans has claimed that their exclusive contract with Ador has been terminated. Their last official schedule with Ador was at the Golden Disc Awards held in Fukuoka, Japan. Although the members have announced their intention to pursue independent activities, Ador has filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the contract.

Broadcaster Jo Se-ho Reveals His Luxurious Newlywed Home

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aespa Dominates Circle Chart's 2024 Year-End Rankings

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(G)I-DLE Dominates 2024 Music Charts with 'Fate'

TOP from Big Bang to Speak Out Ahead of Squid Game 2 Release

NewJeans Confirms Global Popularity with Record Sales and Successful Japanese Debut

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Voice Actor Yoo Ho-han Passes Away at 52

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