On March 14, 2025, the media showcase for LE SSERAFIM's (르세라핌) fifth mini album, 'HOT,' took place at the YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. The album encapsulates a heartfelt dedication to love and passion. The group, consisting of Kim Chae-won (김채원), Sakura (사쿠라), Heo Yoon-jin (허윤진), Kazuha (카즈하), and Hong Eun-chae (홍은채), performed their new tracks during the event, showcasing their vibrant energy and musical growth.

LE SSERAFIM Unveils New Mini Album 'HOT' at Media Showcase

Numerous colleagues have gathered to pay their respects to the late singer Wheesung (고 휘성), who passed away recently. Fellow artists including Kim Tae-woo (김태우), Lee Hyori (이효리), Baby V.O.X, KCM, and IU (아이유) have all come to honor his memory.

Wheesung's funeral was held on March 14 at the Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, where a steady stream of visitors came to express their condolences. A banner reading, "Artist Wheesung, he will forever be a star in our hearts," was displayed alongside a portrait of him smiling brightly.

KCM and Kim Tae-woo arrived at the funeral home with solemn expressions. KCM had been scheduled to perform alongside Wheesung on March 15, but the sudden news of his passing led to the cancellation of the event. The group ICHILLIN' from the same agency also visited to say their final goodbyes to their senior.

Other notable attendees included Lee Ji-young and Lee Young-hyun from Big Mama, former One Time member Song Baek-kyung, Lee Hyori, Baby V.O.X members Shim Eun-jin and Lee Hee-jin, comedians Yoo Se-yoon and Jo Se-ho, as well as singers Ha Dong-kyun and Lee Ru, and IU.

Outside the funeral home, floral tributes were sent by Brown Eyed Soul's Naul, Deuce's Lee Hyun, singer Jung Joon-il, and groups TWICE and BTS (방탄소년단).

Wheesung was found deceased in an apartment in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on March 10. An autopsy revealed that the cause of death remains undetermined, as the National Forensic Service reported an initial finding of "unknown cause" to the Gwangjin Police Station.

Initially, the family planned a private funeral for close relatives and friends, but after careful consideration, they decided to open the memorial to those who cherished and remembered Wheesung. His brother expressed, "If anyone has fond memories of my brother's songs and music, please feel free to visit the funeral home and help us ensure he doesn't leave this world alone."

Wheesung's burial is scheduled for March 16, with a farewell ceremony taking place at 6 AM that day. He will be laid to rest at the Gwangneung Memorial Park.

KCM→이효리·아이유, 故 휘성 마지막 길 배웅.."마음 속 별로 영원히 함께"

Tributes Pour in for Late Singer Wheesung as Colleagues Bid Farewell

The popular girl group LE SSERAFIM has achieved a remarkable feat with their latest mini-album, 'HOT', which was released on March 14 at 1 PM KST. According to the sales tracking site Hanteo Chart, the album sold an impressive 567,735 copies on its first day, securing the number one spot on the domestic album charts.

The excitement surrounding this comeback is also reflected on iTunes, where the album debuted at number three on the Worldwide iTunes Albums chart. As of 9 AM KST on March 15, 'HOT' has made its way into the top album charts in 34 countries and regions, including Japan, the United States, France, and Russia. Notably, it has reached the top ten in 27 countries, including Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia.

The title track, which shares the same name as the album, has entered the iTunes 'Top Songs' chart in 25 countries, including Sweden, Canada, France, and the United States. Additionally, all five tracks from the new album dominated the real-time rising chart on Japan's AWA music platform, taking the top five spots as of 6 PM KST on March 14, showcasing their immense popularity in the region.

The music video for the title track has also gained significant traction, ranking in the top trending videos on YouTube in 21 countries, including Canada (2nd), the United States (5th), and the United Kingdom (9th) as of 9 AM KST. It is currently holding the top positions on YouTube's Worldwide Trending and Music Video Trending charts. The 'HOT' music video captivates viewers with its bold direction, synchronized choreography, and unique set design.

LE SSERAFIM is set to continue the momentum with a live performance on MBC's 'Show! Music Core' at 3:15 PM KST on March 15.

르세라핌, 'HOT' 컴백 첫 날에만 57만 장 팔았다

LE SSERAFIM's New Album 'HOT' Tops Korean Charts

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'

March 14, 2025, marks the one-year anniversary of the passing of voice actress Lee Woo-ri (이우리), known for her roles in popular series such as Detective Conan (명탐정 코난) and the game Genshin Impact (원신). Lee Woo-ri tragically passed away on March 14, 2024, at the young age of 24. 

The news of her death was revealed a day later by fellow voice actor Lee Dal-rae (이달래), who expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating, "We mourn the passing of our beloved junior, Lee Woo-ri, who left us on March 14. It is difficult for all her colleagues and associates to hide their grief over this sudden and heartbreaking news. In accordance with the wishes of her family, we share this final message from someone who cherished and loved her fans."

Lee Dal-rae continued, "We ask all fans who loved Lee Woo-ri and remember her performances to join us in praying for her peaceful rest."

Born in 2000, Lee Woo-ri joined the CJ E&M Voice Acting Academy as part of the 11th class in 2021, quickly gaining attention as the youngest voice actor at just 21 years old. She rose to prominence for her role as Cyno in Genshin Impact and contributed her voice to various animations, including Crayon Shin-chan (짱구는 못말려) and Detective Conan (명탐정 코난), as well as games like Cookie Run: Kingdom (쿠키런:킹덤) and Dungeon & Fighter (던전 앤 파이터).

Her passing was particularly poignant as it occurred just before she was set to transition from being a contracted voice actor at Tooniverse to a freelance artist. Fellow voice actor Nam Do-hyung (남도형) paid tribute with a heartfelt comment, saying, "Thank you, truly," while Alejandro Saab, the North American voice of Cyno, expressed his sadness, stating, "This is so heartbreaking." The official Genshin Impact social media accounts also shared a tribute, thanking Lee Woo-ri for her beautiful voice work and extending condolences in her memory.

'명탐정 코난' 성우 이우리, 프리랜서 전환 앞두고 돌연 사망…최연소 성우 비보 '1주기' [Oh!쎈 이슈]

Remembering Voice Actor Lee Woo-ri on the First Anniversary of Her Passing

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 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

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

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 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.

LE SSERAFIM Unveils New Mini Album 'HOT' at Media Showcase

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Dinto Terminates Contract with Kim Soo-hyun Amid Controversy

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