On January 11, 2025, actress 이민정 (Lee Min-jung) expressed her hopes for a swift resolution to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles (LA) through a heartfelt post on her Instagram. She shared a photo featuring the phrase 'PRAY FOR LA,' reflecting her concern for the devastation caused by the fires that have been raging for four days. As of January 10, local authorities reported that five active wildfires were still burning in LA County, with the flames consuming an area equivalent to about a quarter of Seoul's size. The damage is escalating rapidly, with estimated losses exceeding 88 trillion KRW. Officials indicated that at least 10,000 buildings have been damaged, and this number is expected to rise significantly. According to Reuters, Wells Fargo, a major American financial institution, has projected that the economic impact of this disaster could surpass 60 billion USD (approximately 88.4 trillion KRW). Meanwhile, Lee Min-jung is currently filming for the new MBC drama '그래, 이혼하자' (Okay, Let's Get Divorced).

Lee Min-jung Sends Prayers for LA Wildfire Relief

In the latest episode of KBS2TV's The Seasons - Lee Young-ji's Rainbow, actor Song Joong-ki humorously mentioned that he came prepared for potential legal action during his appearance. The episode aired on January 10, 2025, marking Song's first appearance on a music talk show in his 17-year career. Lee Young-ji introduced him as a 'box office guarantee' known for hits like Vincenzo and The Youngest Son of a Conglomerate. 

Upon taking the stage, Song expressed his nervousness, wishing everyone a Happy New Year. When Lee mentioned that fans reportedly oppose his singing and dancing, Song joked, 'I came here ready to be sued. I believe my fans will understand, even if they might actually sue me.' 

Lee reassured him, saying, 'No one in the audience thinks they can sing well, so don’t worry. We just need you here.' Song complimented Lee's ability to put people at ease, calling her 'the Korean Oprah Winfrey.' Lee shared that she grew up reading his autobiography, which touched him. 

They also discussed Song's recent film, Bogotá, which is currently showing in theaters. When asked to create a three-line poem about the movie, Song playfully said, 'Don’t you want to see Bogotá? / Let’s go, go, go to the theater! / I’ll drive you there.' Lee praised his creativity, and Song humorously added, 'I was sweating; it was almost a disaster!' 

Lee expressed her long-time admiration for Song, calling him a 'box office guarantee' and reminisced about wanting to marry him after watching his film, A Werewolf Boy, only to realize he is married now, which made everyone laugh.

"고소 당할 각오" 송중기의 큰 결심..팬들도 깜짝 놀란 출연 ('레인보으')

Song Joong-ki Jokes About Legal Action on 'Lee Young-ji's Rainbow'

On January 11, 2025, MBC's 'What Do You Do When You Hang Out?' featured a winter song special with guests including John Park, Ailee, ENHYPEN's Haewon, and others. Upon arrival, Mi-joo remarked on the cold weather, hinting at the Christmas-themed episode that had been delayed due to a national emergency and political turmoil, pushing the broadcast from December 14 to January 11. The production team expressed their frustration, stating, 'We sang so many carols...' and encouraged viewers to enjoy the 'late Christmas story.'

During the episode, the production team prompted the members to sing winter songs, leading to the appearance of John Park and Ailee. Lee Ik-kyung asked John Park if he remembered their first meeting, to which John Park seemed clueless. Lee recounted a moment at the gym where John had thanked him as a 'hero' after helping someone, which sparked laughter among the cast.

Ailee, who recently announced her engagement to 'Single's Inferno' star Choi Si-hoon, shared her thoughts on proposals, noting the cultural differences between the U.S. and Korea regarding marriage preparations. She humorously mentioned that she simply chose a ring without a formal proposal.

As the conversation continued, Yoo Jae-suk and the cast teased John Park about his marriage, with John revealing he had a quiet wedding in 2022. The episode also featured Haewon, Seungheon, Kim Jo-han, and KCM, leading to playful banter about their past interactions.

The atmosphere turned comedic when Ailee pointed out that she had only met Lee Ik-kyung for the first time, despite his insistence that they had previously interacted. The group shared laughs over the forgetfulness, with Yoo Jae-suk trying to mediate the situation. The episode concluded with a hint of a surprise hidden member joining the group, leading to a visit to a karaoke room where actors Song Gun-hee and fencer Oh Sang-wook made unexpected appearances, much to the delight of the cast.

2주 결방끝에 방송됐는데..유재석, 집단반발에 사과→멱살까지 '위기'('놀뭐')[종합]

Yoo Jae-suk Faces Backlash for Forgetting Haewon and Ailee on 'What Do You Do When You Hang Out?'

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

BTS (방탄소년단) member Jimin has demonstrated his global popularity by making a remarkable leap on the UK Official Singles Chart. As of January 10, 2025, Jimin's title track 'Who' from his second solo album 'MUSE' surged an impressive 59 spots to reach 5th place. This marks the largest jump on this week's chart and is his highest ranking since debuting at 4th on August 1 of the previous year.

The success of 'Who' continued across various sub-charts, climbing 22 positions to 8th in 'Audio Streaming' and moving up to 11th in 'Single Streaming' from last week's 34th position.

Additionally, the collaboration 'White Christmas (with V of BTS)' featuring V and Bing Crosby also performed well, re-entering the 'Physical Singles' chart at 71st, while maintaining positions in 'Single Sales' at 74th and 'Single Downloads' at 80th.

On Spotify, Jimin's 'Who' ranked 5th in the 'Weekly Top Songs Global' for the period of January 3-9, marking an impressive 25 weeks on the chart. Other notable entries included 'Winter Ahead (with PARK HYO SHIN)' by V at 48th, Jin's 'Running Wild' from his solo album 'Happy' at 71st, and Jungkook's debut single 'Seven (feat. Latto)' at 79th.

In the 'Weekly Top Albums Global', Jimin's 'MUSE' secured the 15th spot, while Jungkook's solo album 'GOLDEN' was at 43rd, and Jin's 'Happy - :') (Remixes)' made it to 91st. BTS's anthology album 'Proof' reached 34th, and their repackage album 'Love Yourself 結 'Answer'' re-entered at 193rd.

In other news, BTS's fourth studio album 'MAP OF THE SOUL : 7', released in 2020, was recognized by Rolling Stone on January 10 as one of the '250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far'. BTS is the only Korean artist featured on this prestigious list. Rolling Stone praised the group's global phenomenon, noting their ability to maintain their unique sound and style while successfully penetrating the American market. The album is inspired by the psychology of Nietzsche and Jung, featuring key tracks such as 'Interlude : Shadow', 'Black Swan', 'Friends', and 'Moon'.

방탄소년단 지민 ‘Who’, 英 오피셜 차트 역주행..최대 상승폭 기록

Jimin's 'Who' Climbs to 5th Place on UK Official Singles Chart

On January 11, Pungja shared a heartfelt message on her social media, saying, "Let's meet again," while tagging the late Lee Hee-cheol's account. She also posted images from her visit to his memorial, where she smiled brightly in front of his portrait, offering her final goodbyes. The images of his urn were also shared, showcasing a poignant farewell.

Lee Hee-cheol passed away unexpectedly on January 7 at the age of 39. Pungja, known to be a close friend, announced the news through her account, expressing disbelief and sorrow. She wrote, "I can’t believe I’m writing this, but for those who loved my brother and for friends who haven’t heard the news yet, my beloved brother Lee Hee-cheol from Seoul Salon has become a star in the sky today. Please pray that he goes to a good place."

The family revealed to OSEN that the cause of death was a heart attack, stating, "He hadn’t been feeling well recently, but he was still healthy. It happened overnight...".

Lee Hee-cheol was the head of the cosmetic brand Seoul Salon and maintained a YouTube channel titled 'Lee Hee-cheol's Bheulog' to connect with fans. He gained attention for his appearance on KBS2's variety show 'Salim Namja-deul 2' from August to November 2023, where he was featured as Pungja's older brother.

풍자, 故이희철 영정사진 앞에서 ‘활짝’… “우리 또 만나자” 마지막 인사

Pungja Bids Farewell to Close Friend Lee Hee-cheol

The start of 2025 has brought heartbreaking news as beloved figures in the Korean entertainment industry have passed away unexpectedly. On January 7, Lee Hee-cheol (이희철), known for his vibrant personality and contributions to the cosmetic brand Seoul Salon, died at the age of 39. His close friend, comedian Pungja (풍자), shared the news on social media, expressing disbelief and sorrow over his sudden departure. She wrote, "I can't believe I'm writing this, but my dear brother has become a star in the sky. Please pray he finds a good place."

The family revealed that Lee's cause of death was a heart attack, stating, "He had not been feeling well recently, but he was still healthy. It’s hard to believe he’s gone just like that." In a heartfelt message posted on his account, they described him as someone who cherished his family and friends, urging everyone to remember him fondly.

The news shocked fans and colleagues alike, especially since Lee had shared a hopeful New Year’s message just a week prior, reflecting on the challenges of 2024 and expressing gratitude for the lessons learned.

In the wake of his passing, fellow entertainers expressed their grief. Yoo Min-sang (유민상), who worked with Lee on SBS Love FM's "Yoo Min-sang's Hungry Radio," shared his sorrow on air, reminiscing about Lee's bright smile and kind demeanor.

Additionally, actress Lee Yoon-hee (이윤희), known for her roles in various dramas, also passed away unexpectedly at the age of 64. Her agency, Bome Entertainment (범엔터테인먼트), announced her death, expressing deep condolences to her family and fans. Lee had recently signed with a new agency and was set to continue her active career, making her loss even more tragic.

Moreover, voice actor Yoo Ho-han (유호한), aged 52, died from a heart attack on January 7. He was well-known for his work in popular series like "Crayon Shin-chan" and the "Avengers" films. Yoo was also a dedicated advocate for the rights of fellow voice actors, having served as the president of the KBS Voice Actors Association.

The entertainment community mourns these significant losses, remembering the joy and talent each of these individuals brought to their craft.

Tragic Losses in the Korean Entertainment Industry: Remembering Lee Hee-cheol, Lee Yoon-hee, and Yoo Ho-han

On January 11, KBS2 aired the '2024 KBS Acting Awards,' hosted by Jang Sung-kyu, Girls' Generation's Seohyun, and Moon Sang-min. During the ceremony, actor Kim Jung-hyun received the Best Actor award for his role in 'The Iron Family.' 

Upon accepting the award, Kim expressed his gratitude, stating, "I am well aware of my shortcomings. Despite that, I am thankful to be standing here today. Just a few years ago, I thought I would never act again due to various reasons, including my own doubts. I am truly grateful to be in this position now." 

He continued, "While it is customary to express gratitude when receiving an award, I believe that true appreciation cannot exist without reflecting on the past. When I started acting, I engaged in behavior that hurt many people and caused discomfort. I sincerely apologize for that and bow my head in remorse, receiving applause from the audience."

Kim emphasized that his apology is not the end of the matter, stating, "I do not seek forgiveness, but I see this as a necessary step in moving forward with my life."

He added, "I have shared some heavy thoughts from my heart, but I will keep my remarks brief. I want to thank the 'Iron Family,' KBS, writer Seo Suk-hyang, KeyEast, Monster Union, and all the staff who have supported us. I am grateful to my seniors Kim Young-ok and Park In-hwan, as well as my parents and fellow actors Park Ji-young and Shin Hyun-joon, who are all working hard. I know it’s a tiring time, but I hope to be a source of strength for everyone."

Kim concluded by expressing his heartfelt thanks to his fans, saying, "I want to sincerely thank the fans who have allowed me to stand here today. Lastly, to my family, who have shared my burdens and pain, I have always wanted to be a proud son, brother, and sibling, but I feel I have not lived up to that. I hope this moment can be remembered as a small but meaningful step towards that. Thank you, I love you all."

Kim Jung-hyun Apologizes for Past Controversies at KBS Acting Awards

On January 11, 2025, during the MBC show 'How Do You Play?' (놀면 뭐하니?), singer Ailee shared her love story with Choi Si-hoon from Single's Inferno (솔로지옥). The episode featured a winter song special, with Ailee and singer John Park as the first guests. Host Yoo Jae-suk mentioned Ailee's exciting news, stating, "Ailee has good news. She is getting married in April next year." Surprised, fellow cast member Haha congratulated her, while Yoo clarified that she would be marrying the contestant from Single's Inferno. Ailee responded with a smile, saying, "That's right. I escaped from Single's Inferno!" 

When asked if she received a proposal, Ailee explained, "I didn't get a proposal, but I find it a bit strange. In the U.S., proposals happen before wedding preparations, but here, we start dating with marriage in mind, so receiving a proposal feels different." Fellow guest Joo Woo-jae agreed, noting that proposals in Korea often feel like a performance. Ailee added, "For me, it felt a bit foreign, so when we went ring shopping, I just said, 'I want this one.'" 

Joo then inquired about their pet names, to which Ailee revealed, "I saw an official statement where he said he would take good care of 'Princess Ye-jin,' which was quite surprising!" 

Ailee recounted how they met through a friend, initially without any romantic interest. They later attended a concert together, where she noticed his tall stature and broad shoulders. Their relationship began to blossom when they attended a g.o.d concert, where Ailee felt cold and he offered her his jacket. As they shared the jacket, their hands touched, leading to a moment where she didn't want to pull away, marking the start of their relationship. Joo humorously remarked that they probably didn't hear any of the concert due to their distraction, to which Ailee joked about feeling hot and sweaty. 

Ailee Reveals Love Story with Choi Si-hoon from Single's Inferno

Renowned actor Lee Yoon-hee (이윤희), known for her exceptional supporting roles, has sadly passed away at the age of 64. According to her agency, Bome Entertainment (범엔터테인먼트), she died unexpectedly on the morning of January 11, 2025, with no known chronic illnesses reported.

Bome Entertainment expressed their sorrow, stating, "It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of Lee Yoon-hee's untimely passing. We extend our deepest condolences as she embarks on her final journey."

Born on January 28, 1960, Lee made her acting debut in 1985 with the play '국물 있사옵니다' (Do You Have Soup?). She gained recognition in 2007 for her role as Elder Kang in the film '밀양' (Secret Sunshine), marking the beginning of her film career. Over the years, she appeared in notable films such as 'The King of Affection' (아부의 왕, 2012), 'Confidential Assignment' (극비수사, 2015), 'Citizen K' (특별시민, 2017), and 'Harodongseon' (하로동선, 2022).

In addition to her film work, Lee was a familiar face on television, featuring in dramas like 'Save Me 2' (구해줘2, 2019), 'Black Dog' (블랙독, 2019), 'Convenience Store Saetbyeol' (편의점 샛별이, 2020), 'Taxi Driver' (모범택시, 2021), 'The Great Shaman Ga Doo-shim' (십시일반, 2020), 'The Killer's Shopping List' (살인자의 쇼핑목록, 2022), 'Thief: Sound of the Sword' (도적, 칼의 소리, 2023), 'Seonsan' (선산, 2024), and 'Sejak: The Enchanted Ones' (세작, 매혹된 자들, 2024).

Just last month, she signed an exclusive contract with Bome Entertainment and was set to continue her active career.

Her funeral will be held at Ulsan Hospital (울산병원) with the burial scheduled for January 13, 2025, at 8 AM at Ulsan Sky Park (울산하늘공원).

Veteran Actor Lee Yoon-hee Passes Away at 64

The beloved actress Lee Yoon-hee has sadly passed away on January 11, 2025, at the age of 64. Her funeral is being held at the VIP room 1 of Ulsan Hospital. Survived by her spouse and two sons, the family is mourning deeply as they receive visitors at the funeral home.

The cause of her death has not been disclosed, but it is reported that she had no known chronic illnesses, leading to a sudden passing.

Her agency, 범엔터테인먼트 (Bum Entertainment), expressed their sorrow through an official statement, stating, "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the unfortunate passing of our actress Lee Yoon-hee. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and to all who loved and cherished her."

They further honored her legacy, saying, "Lee Yoon-hee was a precious individual who contributed to popular culture for many years and was loved by many. Her absence is a significant loss for us all. She has touched audiences with her heartfelt performances and warm emotions through numerous works. We will cherish her memories and achievements and strive to honor her life and values."

Born in 1960, Lee Yoon-hee began her acting career in 1985 with the play '국물 있사옵니다' (Do You Have Soup?). From 2007 onwards, she appeared in various films such as '밀양' (Secret Sunshine), '범죄와의 전쟁: 나쁜놈들 전성시대' (The Drug King), '러브픽션' (Love Fiction), '7번방의 선물' (Miracle in Cell No. 7), '감기' (Flu), '더 킹' (The King), '특별시민' (Citizen Kane), and '보안관' (The Sheriff), as well as dramas like '자이언트' (Giant), '참 좋은 시절' (What’s So Wrong with Secretary Kim), '구해줘2' (Save Me 2), '블랙독' (Black Dog), '킹덤 시즌2' (Kingdom Season 2), '편의점 샛별이' (Convenience Store Saet-byul), and '모범택시' (Taxi Driver).

Last year, she was seen in Netflix's '선산' (The Silent Sea) and tvN's '세작, 매혹된 자들' (The Tale of Nokdu) in the roles of Kim Mu-sun and Choam Kim Je-nam, respectively.

Her funeral will take place on January 13 at 8 AM, with her final resting place at Ulsan Sky Park.

Lee Min-jung Sends Prayers for LA Wildfire Relief

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Tragic Losses in the Korean Entertainment Industry: Remembering Lee Hee-cheol, Lee Yoon-hee, and Yoo Ho-han

Kim Jung-hyun Apologizes for Past Controversies at KBS Acting Awards

Ailee Reveals Love Story with Choi Si-hoon from Single's Inferno

Veteran Actor Lee Yoon-hee Passes Away at 64

Actress Lee Yoon-hee Passes Away at 64

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