A 30-something man, referred to as A, who was once a professional volleyball player, has been arrested by the Songpa Police Station in Seoul on charges of sexual assault. The police confirmed on March 14 that they apprehended A at the scene and have applied for an arrest warrant. The hearing for A's warrant began at 2:30 PM the same day. 

A is accused of forcibly propositioning a woman he had just met at an officetel in Songpa-gu around 11 PM on March 12, allegedly saying, 'Let's have sexual relations.' Reports indicate that A has a history of being investigated for sexual offenses prior to this incident. 

According to sources, A was drafted in the first round during the 2012 professional volleyball tryouts and was once considered 'the future of Korean volleyball' due to his height of over 2 meters. However, he struggled to adapt and retired in 2018. It has also been reported that A has had previous encounters with the law, including time spent in prison.

Former Professional Volleyball Player Arrested for Sexual Assault

Actor Lee Sang-in shared his parenting challenges on the show 'My Precious Child' (금쪽같은 내 새끼) airing today, March 14, at 8:10 PM on Channel A. In the episode, he appears alongside his wife to discuss their experiences raising their three sons, aged 8, 6, and 4. The couple has embraced a rural lifestyle for the past six years, which has drawn admiration from the show's panelists. 

However, they revealed their ongoing concerns about their eldest son, who has been slower to speak and struggles with social interactions compared to his peers. Two years ago, they had considered appearing on 'My Precious Child' but chose to wait, believing in their child's potential. 

Upon reviewing footage, they were shocked to see their son having difficulty communicating and exhibiting unusual behavior at school. The couple was moved to tears when Dr. Oh Eun-young, a child psychiatrist, diagnosed their son, suggesting there might be challenges in the neural circuits responsible for social interaction, indicating a possible autism spectrum disorder. 

As the episode progresses, Dr. Oh continues to provide solutions. The family's reunion at a train station, which should have been filled with joy, turned emotional as both the second son and mother were seen in tears. Dr. Oh also raised concerns about the mother's mental health, stating that her depression is currently at a critical level. 

Viewers can find out what solutions Dr. Oh recommends for this lively family of three brothers on 'My Precious Child' at 8:10 PM today on Channel A.

이상인, 소통 안되는 첫째 자폐 스펙트럼? 아내는 우울증 응급상황(‘금쪽같은’)

Lee Sang-in Opens Up About Parenting Struggles on 'My Precious Child'

On March 14, 2025, a funeral was held for the late singer Wheesung (휘성) at the Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, where numerous prominent figures from the music industry came to pay their respects. Among those who attended were Kim Tae-woo from g.o.d (지오디), Lee Hyori (이효리), Baby V.O.X (베이비복스), KCM, and IU (아이유). 

Wheesung's funeral was attended by fellow artists and colleagues who wanted to honor his memory. KCM, who had been preparing for a concert with Wheesung, and his close friend Kim Tae-woo were among the first to arrive. Other notable attendees included Lee Ji-young and Lee Young-hyun from Big Mama, as well as Song Baek-kyung from One Time, who had previously worked with Wheesung at YG Entertainment.

The girl group ICHILLIN' (아이칠린), also under the same agency as Wheesung, visited to pay their respects. Lee Hyori, along with Baby V.O.X members Shim Eun-jin and Lee Hee-jin, also made sure to say their goodbyes. Additionally, singers Ha Dong-kyun and Lee Roo, along with IU, who has been busy with her recent activities on 'Poksak Sogassuda', were present at the funeral.

Wheesung's long-standing career in the entertainment industry attracted not only music stars but also celebrities from various fields. Comedians Yoo Se-yoon and Jo Se-ho were seen at the funeral, with Jo Se-ho having a close relationship with Wheesung, often impersonating him on various shows. Prior to the news of Wheesung's passing, Jo Se-ho's appearance on MBC's 'Good Day' had teased an impersonation of Wheesung, but the production team decided to edit out the segment to avoid any insensitivity.

Even those who could not attend in person sent their condolences. BTS (방탄소년단) and TWICE (트와이스) sent wreaths, along with Naul from Brown Eyed Soul (브라운아이드소울), Lee Hyun from Duo Deuce (듀스), and singer Jung Joon-il, who also contributed wreaths to the memorial.

Wheesung was found in a state of cardiac arrest on March 10, 2025, in an apartment in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Emergency responders attempted CPR but were unable to revive him. An autopsy conducted by the National Forensic Service has so far yielded an initial finding of 'cause of death unknown'. 

The family initially planned a quiet funeral with only close friends and family, but ultimately decided to hold a public memorial to honor Wheesung's legacy as a singer. His brother expressed, "If anyone has fond memories of my brother's songs and music, please feel free to visit the funeral home and accompany him on his final journey."

The farewell ceremony is scheduled for 6 AM on March 16, 2025, followed by the burial on the same day at the Gwangneung Memorial Park (광릉추모공원).

故 휘성 빈소, 아이유·조세호 조문→BTS·트와이스 근조화환...연예계 함께 울었다 [종합]

Stars Pay Respects at Late Singer Wheesung's Funeral

On March 14, 2025, actress Song Ji-hyo shared a heartfelt post on her personal account, expressing gratitude for a delightful date with Ji Ye-eun, stating, "Thanks to Park Eun-tae, I had a healing date with Ye-eun..♥" Along with her message, she posted several photos capturing their outing. 

The images feature Song Ji-hyo and the youngest member of their cast, Ji Ye-eun, enjoying a day out to see the musical 'The Man Who Laughs,' starring Park Eun-tae, who recently appeared on the show Running Man (런닝맨). The duo can be seen flashing peace signs and smiling brightly at the camera. 

They also visited Park Eun-tae's waiting room to express their appreciation. Their continued friendship after filming has garnered a warm response from fans, with comments like, "This combination is so cute, I love it!", "You both look so beautiful!", and "I fully support this friendship!" 

Currently, Song Ji-hyo and Ji Ye-eun are both cast members of the SBS variety show Running Man (런닝맨).

“데이트♥”송지효·지예은, ‘런닝맨’ 촬영 밖에서도 만나요..찐자매 케미

Song Ji-hyo and Ji Ye-eun Showcase Their Strong Chemistry

Jennie (제니), a member of the iconic K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, is receiving rave reviews for her debut solo album 'Ruby' (루비), which has also seen remarkable sales figures. According to Hanteo Chart, 'Ruby' sold 661,130 copies in its first week following its release on March 7. This achievement marks the highest first-week sales for a K-pop female solo artist in 2025.

In terms of first-week sales among K-pop female solo artists, Jennie's record ranks third overall. Previously, her BLACKPINK bandmate Jisoo's single 'ME' (미) (2023) topped the chart with 1.17 million copies sold, while another member, Lisa, followed with her single 'LALISA' (라리사) (2021) at 736,000 copies. However, both Jisoo's and Lisa's singles featured two tracks, and the years 2021 and 2023 saw a surge in album sales due to post-pandemic recovery spending.

Thus, Jennie's first-week sales stand as the highest for a full-length solo album by a K-pop female artist.

Additionally, 'Ruby' has made significant strides on music charts, reaching the highest position for a K-pop solo artist at number 9 on the Apple Music 'Top Albums' chart in the U.S. It also secured the number 2 spot on the European Apple Music 'Top Albums' chart, marking a significant achievement for K-pop female solo artists.

The title track 'Like Jennie' is also climbing the charts steadily, ranking 6th on Melon's Top 100 as of 11 AM today, and maintaining a strong presence across major domestic music platforms. On Spotify's 'Daily Top Songs Global' chart, it debuted at number 12 and quickly rose to number 7. Other tracks from 'Ruby,' including 'Handlebars' (feat. Dua Lipa), 'ExtraL' (feat. Doechii), and 'Love Hangover' (feat. Dominic Fike), are also receiving widespread acclaim.

Renowned American music publication Pitchfork rated 'Ruby' 7.1 out of 10, praising Jennie's versatility and charm, noting her ability to transform girl sound into a powerful new style. This score is notably high, especially when compared to Ariana Grande's 'Eternal Sunshine' (2024) and Billie Eilish's 'HIT ME HARD AND SOFT' (2024), which received scores of 7.2 and 6.8, respectively. Jennie's album ranks as the eighth highest-rated K-pop album of all time.

To celebrate the release of 'Ruby,' Jennie will hold a special event titled 'The Ruby Experience' (더 루비 익스피리언스) at the Inspire Arena in Incheon on March 15.

제니 '루비' 초동 66만장…K팝 女솔로 역대 정규 최다 

Jennie's Solo Album 'Ruby' Achieves Impressive Sales and Critical Acclaim

On March 15, 2025, KBS2's variety show Salim Namja-deul 2 (살림하는 남자들2) kicked off a new project titled 'Chueok Salim Nam' featuring former One Time member Song Baek-kyung as its first guest. The episode highlighted Song as a devoted father to his two sons, 9-year-old Song Ru-bin and 8-year-old Song Ru-an. Since marrying in 2016 and welcoming his first child in 2017, Song has been on a fast-paced journey through fatherhood.

He explained his absence from the entertainment scene, stating, "I felt that I wasn't living as a celebrity, so I declined offers to appear on shows." He also mentioned that he had instructed his children not to discuss his past as a singer and entertainer, emphasizing that he wanted to keep that part of his life private.

After dropping his kids off at taekwondo class, Song visited KBS, where he had previously worked as a voice actor for two years. He shared that his first child was conceived during his honeymoon, and both of his sons are part of his journey with One Time. As he transitioned into fatherhood, he sought a stable income that would allow him to utilize his skills, leading him to enroll in night classes to become a voice actor.

When asked if he had completely stepped away from broadcasting, Song clarified, "I avoid shows that require me to be on camera, but I continue to work as a voice actor, recording for major brand advertisements, including fast-food and bank commercials."

He expressed his motivation for joining Salim Namja-deul, stating, "As my children start learning Hangul, they search for me online and find videos of me performing on stage. They ask why I’m not on TV anymore, and I wanted to show them that even though I’m not a singer now, I’m still working hard in a different way."

Regarding his former One Time bandmates, Song mentioned that they still keep in touch, although their paths have diverged. He noted that Danny is now a father of two in the U.S., and he last heard that Oh Jin-hwan is running a café in Jeju Island. He also spoke about Teddy, the leader of One Time, who has become a significant figure in K-pop, producing hits for groups like BIGBANG, 2NE1, and BLACKPINK. Song remarked, "Teddy and I are on completely different paths now, and I felt awkward reaching out. I last saw him at my wedding."

In addition to his voice acting career, Song has recently opened a chicken skewer business, which he has been running for four months. He stated, "My family is my source of strength. I live for them."

‘연예계 은퇴’ 송백경, KBS 성우+자영업자로 변신 “두 子 위해 출연” (‘살림남’)[종합]

Song Baek-kyung Transitions to Voice Acting and Entrepreneurship on 'Salim Nam'

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

Former Professional Volleyball Player Arrested for Sexual Assault

What do you think?

Trending

Dinto Terminates Contract with Kim Soo-hyun Amid Controversy

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

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

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

Kim Sae-ron's Mother Speaks Out for Justice

More

Lee Sang-in Opens Up About Parenting Struggles on 'My Precious Child'

Stars Pay Respects at Late Singer Wheesung's Funeral

Song Ji-hyo and Ji Ye-eun Showcase Their Strong Chemistry

Jennie's Solo Album 'Ruby' Achieves Impressive Sales and Critical Acclaim

Song Baek-kyung Transitions to Voice Acting and Entrepreneurship on 'Salim Nam'

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