On January 19, 2025, actress Ku Hye-sun addressed the recent controversy surrounding her attitude towards wearing hats and shared insights into her artistic endeavors and IQ test results. She explained, "The reason I took the IQ test for fun is that it primarily consists of patterns, and I have a keen interest in pattern research." She added, "All of my artwork is pattern-based. Art and science are interconnected. I will also share my recent work with 'Mr. Y' and my pattern paintings." 

Ku Hye-sun, who graduated from Sungkyunkwan University and later enrolled at KAIST, sparked curiosity about her academic choices, which she believes link art and science. Notably, her IQ test results revealed an impressive score of 167, qualifying her for Mensa, placing her in the top 0.26% percentile. She noted, "The test is paid." 

Recently, after appearing on MBC's 'Radio Star,' Ku Hye-sun found herself at the center of a debate regarding her attitude. She stated, "The choice to accept various opinions about me, whether they are positive or negative, is mine alone. In that sense, I consider myself 'free.' I sincerely appreciate the encouragement, advice, and guidance from those who offer it. I understand that my way of life may not be sufficient for others, and I know I must live as myself. Therefore, I welcome any absurd debates that may arise in the future and look forward to them."

K-Drama Star Ku Hye-sun Addresses Controversy and Shares Insights on Her Artistic Journey

In the latest episode of SBS's variety show My Little Old Boy (미운우리새끼), actor Jung Joon-ho made a surprising revelation about a wedding gift from an Arab prince. The episode aired on January 19, 2025, featuring Jung Joon-ho, known as the 'King of Connections' in the entertainment industry, who made a grand entrance with a handshake. He is set to return to the big screen with the film Hitman 2 (히트맨2), which is scheduled for release on January 22, 2025. When fellow cast member Seo Jang-hoon asked if his goal was to shake hands with every audience member, Jung Joon-ho humorously replied that he had become skilled at handshakes and could manage thousands.

During the show, Jung Joon-ho pulled out a large bag, claiming it weighed about 20 kilograms. He explained that it contained everything from a multi-tap to a wallet for foreign currencies, ensuring he never had to worry about cash. The bag included various currencies such as yen, dollars, and Malaysian ringgit. In a comedic moment, he even sprayed a mouthwash-like bottle filled with soju, leaving everyone in stitches, including Shin Dong-yup, who exclaimed, 'That's real soju!'

Jung Joon-ho also shared a story about how he became friends with the Arab prince through soccer and attended his wedding. He even showed a photo from the event, confirming, 'He really came.' When asked about the amount of the wedding gift, Jung Joon-ho joked that it was less than he expected, saying, 'I thought he would give me a big bill, but it turned out to be a small one.'

As Jung Joon-ho prepares for the release of Hitman 2, fans are eagerly anticipating his return to the screen.

정준호 "아랍왕자 결혼식 초대.. 축의금 액수는" 솔직 ('미우새')

Jung Joon-ho Surprises with Arab Prince's Wedding Gift on 'My Little Old Boy'

On January 19, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon addressed the violent incident that occurred at the Seoul Western District Court, stating that expressing anger through violence is unacceptable. In a Facebook post titled 'No Anger Can Justify the Collapse of Law and Principles,' he expressed deep concern over the collective violence that erupted after the court issued an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk-yeol around 3 AM. Protesters opposing the arrest reportedly broke windows and assaulted police officers as they entered the court premises. Mayor Oh described the actions as a serious challenge to the rule of law, stating that such behavior is incomprehensible to the public and undermines legal order. He further emphasized that the 'street violence' directed at the judiciary poses a threat to democracy, akin to the Democratic Party's 'judge targeting' tactics. He warned that if the law collapses in the face of violence, it would signify a major crisis for South Korea. Oh reiterated that no circumstances should allow individuals to express their anger through violent means.

오세훈, 법원 난동에 “폭력 용인돼선 안 돼”

Seoul Mayor Condemns Violence Following Court Incident

On January 17, the comedy show THE 맛있는 녀석들 (THE Delicious Guys) aired a special episode featuring a food challenge centered around 옻오리백숙 (herbal duck soup) and 생골뱅이 (live whelk). During the segment, cast members Kim Jun-hyun, Moon Se-yoon, Hwang Je-sung, and Kim Hae-jun participated in a game to determine who would be the 'one bite' member. 

The game involved a claw machine containing five balls, each with different images. The person who picked a different image would be selected as the 'one bite' member. If all four members drew the same image, they would all enjoy the food benefits. Hwang Je-sung expressed confidence, saying, "I really picked well," but ended up drawing three balls at once, leading to playful teasing from the others. 

As the first image revealed was Kim Jun-hyun's face, it sparked curiosity among the group. Following that, several images of pigs were shown, prompting Kim Jun-hyun to comment, "This feels a bit strange," with a puzzled expression. 

Eventually, the results displayed three pig images, one of Kim Jun-hyun, and one of whelk. Realizing the situation, Kim Jun-hyun jumped up and requested a meeting with the production team, humorously stating, "Come out! You know I've never lost a fight with a woman, right?" which elicited laughter from the cast. 

In the opening segment, despite the members' attempts to dissuade him, Kim Jun-hyun complied with the production team's requests, earning the title of 'the obedient older brother.' However, his sudden change in demeanor during the game provided comedic relief for viewers.

김준현, ‘맛녀석’ 합류 6개월만에 제작진과 불화설 터졌다

Kim Jun-hyun Requests Meeting with Production Team on 'THE Delicious Guys'

On the January 19 episode of KBS2's 1 Night 2 Days (1박 2일) Season 4, broadcaster Kim Jong-min was seen preparing for his wedding in a humorous segment. The six cast members were engaged in a photoshoot for the 2025 calendar, with the losing team donning hiking gear for a mountain trek. They filmed at the renowned Gamak Mountain in Gyeonggi Province. The losing team, dubbed the 'Yeraengnara' team, embraced a hiking club theme for their shoot.

As the members made their way to a suspension bridge, Kim Jong-min lagged behind, as usual. His fellow cast members, Moon Se-yoon and Yoo Seon-ho, playfully shook the bridge, prompting Kim Jong-min to exclaim, "I’m going to fall! Seriously, stop it. I’m going home!" showing his nervousness.

In a light-hearted moment, Moon Se-yoon encouraged him, saying, "Think of it as the virgin road. Here comes the groom!" This playful banter led Kim Jong-min to bravely step forward, despite his screams, as he remarked, "I wonder if a day like this will come for me too someday," eliciting laughter from the group.

In related news, Kim Jong-min is set to marry his 11-year-younger partner on April 20, with comedian Yoo Jae-suk officiating the ceremony, marking a new chapter in his life.

'4월 결혼' 김종민, ♥11세 연하와 버진로드 연습 벌써? "신랑 입장!" (1박 2일)[순간포착]

Kim Jong-min Practices for His Upcoming Wedding

On the January 18 episode of MBC's variety show, Jeon Ji-gyeong's Perspective (전지적 참견 시점), anchor Kim Soo-ji shared insights into her demanding work schedule as the current host of MBC's News Desk. She revealed, "Recently, I've been in almost a state of emergency work. There were times I stayed at the office until late at night after the News Desk ended, just in case something unexpected happened."

In response, fellow host Jeon Hyun-moo humorously remarked, "It must have been a 24-hour emergency work system," recalling how he observed his seniors handling similar situations.

Yang Se-hyung inquired about Kim's journey to becoming MBC's leading anchor, to which she reflected, "I prepared to be an announcer for about 5 to 6 years and took countless exams." She noted, "If we count all the applications, it must have been over 100 times," which surprised the audience, although Jeon Hyun-moo calmly acknowledged, "That's about the norm."

Kim shared that she began to receive signs of success as she progressed through the interview stages, stating, "Once you reach the final interviews, you can't give up anymore." Jeon Hyun-moo empathized, saying, "Even if you apply to 100 places, the finalists are often the same. You think, 'I lost to that person,' and it motivates you to try again."

In addition to her anchoring role, Kim Soo-ji is also recognized for her work as a lyricist and writer. She is currently credited as a lyricist for popular idol groups like Red Velvet, NMIXX, and NCT DREAM, and she once sold 2,400 copies of a romance novel during her middle school years.

Jeon Hyun-moo commented on MBC's flexibility regarding external activities, noting Kim's dream of retiring from her position. He playfully suggested that she might have ambitions of becoming a freelancer, referencing fellow anchor Kim Dae-ho.

Towards the end of the broadcast, Kim shared a charming story about how she fell in love with her husband at first sight during a performance where she was an audience member. She recounted, "I found him on social media and liked his post, which prompted him to reach out to me with a 'Hello.' Later, he sent a message to my radio show saying he had someone on his mind, and I realized it was me," sparking excitement among viewers.

'MBC 앵커' 김수지, 보도국 일상 공개 "시국 따라 24시간 비상 근무 체제" ('전참시')

MBC Anchor Kim Soo-ji Discusses Her Busy Work Life and Personal Journey

Actor Robert Pattinson has made his first trip to South Korea, arriving at Incheon International Airport on January 19, 2025. The visit is part of the promotional activities for Bong Joon-ho's upcoming film, 'Mickey 17'. Sporting sunglasses and a casual outfit, Pattinson drew attention as he greeted numerous fans at the airport. He warmly interacted with them, offering autographs and handshakes, showcasing his appreciation for their support.

Despite a busy filming schedule for his next project, Pattinson expressed a strong desire to visit South Korea, the home country of director Bong Joon-ho. His arrival marks the beginning of global promotional efforts for 'Mickey 17'. On January 20, he will participate in a footage screening of the film, followed by a press conference with Korean media, where he will discuss various aspects of 'Mickey 17' and engage with fans during a stage greeting.

'Mickey 17' is Bong Joon-ho's first directorial project since the acclaimed 'Parasite'. The film follows a disposable character named Mickey, who is sent on dangerous missions and is printed anew each time he dies. The story unfolds as Mickey faces his 17th death, leading to the unexpected emergence of Mickey 18. Pattinson plays two contrasting versions of Mickey, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

Originally, 'Mickey 17' began production in the summer of 2022, with a release date set for March 29, 2023. However, Warner Bros. shifted the release of 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire' to that date, resulting in 'Mickey 17' being rescheduled for a Korean release on January 28, 2025, and a global release on January 31, 2025. Following further adjustments, the North American release has been moved up to March 7, 2025, with a worldwide premiere in South Korea on February 28, 2025.

Robert Pattinson Makes His First Visit to South Korea to Meet Fans

In the latest episode of tvN's weekend drama 'Ask the Stars' (별들에게 물어봐), Lee Min-ho's character, Gong-ryong, successfully creates an embryo in secret from Eve Kim, played by Gong Hyo-jin. Earlier, Kang Kang-soo (played by Oh Jung-se) had informed Choi Jae-ryong (Kim Eung-soo) about the successful embryo fertilization, but Eve Kim caught wind of it. Kang Kang-soo lied, claiming he had obtained the eggs from a frozen egg center for experimental purposes, but Eve Kim declared, 'I will dispose of it immediately and report it to the MCC.' 

Gong-ryong argued, 'That is a life. From the moment the sperm and egg meet, it is life. Morula is a person. It is already a created life form.' However, Eve Kim countered, 'Even if it is a life, no one knows how its cell division will proceed. How can we predict if it will become a tumor? It is exposed to unpredictable risks. It must be discarded. There is no buffer like a mother's womb.' 

Gong-ryong insisted that facing such risks is part of the life’s destiny, stating, 'We should not decide this.' Yet, Eve Kim maintained, 'Obsession has violated the ethics of the universe. This morula will soon become a blastocyst, and an unverified blastocyst can never enter Earth,' before disposing of it in a shredder. 

Furious, Gong-ryong exclaimed, 'You murderer! I regret ever feeling excited and thrilled about you. I should have just let it die. I will never save you again. I didn’t know you were this heartless. My question about whether I could like you is canceled.' He further expressed his disillusionment, saying, 'I believed the universe was like a womb, but it turns out it’s a grave. Is it a place to return to after death, not where we are born?' 

Meanwhile, Gong-ryong decided to create an embryo without Eve Kim's knowledge, enlisting the help of Lee Seung-jun (Heo Nam-jun), Santi (Alex Haffner), and Mina Lee (Lee Cho-hee). After two failed attempts, they began their final challenge, but Eve Kim started searching for Gong-ryong, putting them at risk of being discovered. Fortunately, thanks to Mina Lee, they managed to avoid the crisis and worked together to create the last embryo. Gong-ryong successfully inserted the sperm into the center of the egg, declaring, 'I will definitely save you.' Mina Lee was impressed, saying, 'You are really amazing,' to which Gong-ryong replied, 'Now it’s up to you. Hang in there.' 

After the embryo's success, Gong-ryong sought out Eve Kim. When the combination of the lab mice he recommended worked, a thrilled Eve Kim asked, 'Shall we have sex now?' leaving Gong-ryong stunned. Once again captivated by her, he couldn't take his eyes off her.

Lee Min-ho's Character Faces Off Against Gong Hyo-jin in 'Ask the Stars'

In a recent episode of SBS's variety show My Little Old Boy (미운우리새끼), Lee Sang-min shared his ongoing battle with panic disorder. During the broadcast on January 19, 2025, he expressed his concerns, stating, "I need to sleep well tonight," revealing that his condition often disrupts his sleep. He mentioned, "I find it more comfortable at home or in the car due to my panic disorder," and noted that while medication helps, he is currently trying to reduce his reliance on it after over a decade of use due to high dependency. His close friends, Shin Dong-yup and Seo Jang-hoon, acknowledged his struggles, saying, "He has suffered from panic disorder for more than ten years." 

The episode depicted Lee visiting a mental health clinic, where he shared his efforts to minimize his use of sleeping pills. He recounted that his panic disorder began after a breakup in late 2013, compounded by financial pressures from wage garnishments that led to increased anxiety. Initially starting with two pills, he now finds himself taking eight to ten pills before bed. Lee explained, "I drink two cups of coffee before going on air because the medication makes me drowsy," which in turn exacerbates his condition, leading him to take more medication. He expressed a desire to venture outside without relying on medication, to which the hosts remarked, "Panic is a warning alarm system for danger," as they discussed the various aspects of his mental health challenges.

Lee Sang-min Opens Up About His Struggles with Panic Disorder on 'My Little Old Boy'

In the latest episode of SBS's Running Man, which aired on January 19, 2025, Jeon So-min's jealousy took center stage, bringing plenty of laughs. After a 14-month hiatus, Jeon made her much-anticipated return, with the cast welcoming her back enthusiastically, exclaiming, "The lost So-min has returned!"

Upon seeing the new cast member, Ji Ye-eun, Jeon expressed her excitement, saying, "I wanted to meet Ji Ye-eun because I'm a fan of SNL," showcasing her admiration. However, she humorously noted, "But she seems to have low stamina," to which Ji Ye-eun agreed, eliciting laughter from the group. Fellow member Choi Daniel chimed in with a surprise compliment, stating, "But Ji Ye-eun is really tall!"

As the games commenced, Jeon So-min began to warm up, prompting the others to joke, "So-min is warming up, but there's still some leftover energy!" When she remarked, "I haven't used my brain in a while," the members playfully retorted, "When did you ever use it?" This banter continued as they faced a quiz challenge, with Haha expressing his hopes for Ji Ye-eun to showcase Jeon So-min's skills, only for Jeon to impress everyone by answering questions correctly.

In a surprising twist, Yang Se-chan declared, "I want to team up with Ji Ye-eun," which visibly upset Jeon So-min. Yang then teased her, saying, "You should be jealous!" and asked, "Why are you jealous?" Jeon playfully responded, "I saw on the show that you treat Ye-eun really well. Do you really like her that much?" This sparked a humorous skit that had everyone laughing.

Later, Jeon So-min and Ji Ye-eun teamed up. Ji Ye-eun, reflecting on her own stamina issues, apologized to Jeon, who humorously took on a mentor role, asking, "Why are you so weak?" Ji Ye-eun then declared, "I won't fill up on tasteless food; I'd rather starve!" She successfully charmed Yang Se-chan into giving her food with her acting skills. Jeon So-min, feeling left out, exclaimed, "Why is only Ye-eun getting food?" to which Haha quipped, "It's because I only love Ye-eun!" Jeon then shouted, "Do you love her? Do you really love this girl?" adding to the comedic atmosphere.

Jealousy Sparks Laughter on Running Man as Jeon So-min Returns

On January 19, following the issuance of an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk-yeol, pro-Yoon supporters gathered in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, holding an unauthorized rally and chanting slogans. The police announced plans to significantly enhance security at the Constitutional Court, as well as at other judicial and correctional facilities, due to concerns that the recent disturbances at the Western District Court were not isolated incidents. A police official stated, "If there are attempts to disrupt the impeachment trial and related proceedings with violence, we will respond strictly according to the law." 

Around 1,300 protesters gathered near the Constitutional Court, displaying signs that read "Invalidate the Impeachment, Arrest Lee Jae-myung" and "Verify Election Fraud," while chanting for President Yoon's immediate release. The gathering was deemed illegal, and police warned that participants could face penalties. 

During the protests, one man was apprehended for trespassing after climbing the court's wall, and another was caught with a crowbar, suspected of carrying a concealed weapon. Earlier in the day, approximately 1,500 people clashed with police outside the Western District Court in Mapo-gu, with some holding photos of Chief Judge Cha Eun-kyung, who issued the arrest warrant for President Yoon. One man was arrested for obstructing police duties during the scuffle. 

A document titled "Declaration of the 1.19 Democratic Uprising" circulated rapidly on social media, authored by a group identifying themselves as "Citizens of Free Republic of Korea." They claimed that the judiciary and constitutional institutions could no longer represent the people after the arrest of the sitting president and declared the start of the "1.19 Democratic Uprising" to eradicate what they termed as treasonous forces. 

The police expressed concern that such declarations signify a direct challenge to state authority, raising the possibility of further disturbances similar to those at the Western District Court. In response, the National Police Agency convened an emergency meeting to reinforce security measures at key public institutions and prepare for a strict response to any future illegal gatherings. The Southern Gyeonggi Police Agency has deployed additional riot police units to the Seoul Detention Center, where President Yoon is held, and plans to double the personnel starting January 20.

K-Drama Star Ku Hye-sun Addresses Controversy and Shares Insights on Her Artistic Journey

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Robert Pattinson Makes His First Visit to South Korea to Meet Fans

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Lee Sang-min Opens Up About His Struggles with Panic Disorder on 'My Little Old Boy'

Jealousy Sparks Laughter on Running Man as Jeon So-min Returns

Police Increase Security Amid Protests Related to President Yoon's Impeachment

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