On March 14, 2025, actress Nam Bora appeared on KBS2TV's 편스토랑 (Newly Released Menu) and shared a distressing story about being scammed. During the episode, she was seen contemplating the main wedding photo for her mobile invitation, which sparked a lively chat among her family members. They humorously commented, 'This photo is a hit, not something you just see at home.' 

Later, Nam Bora sent a message in the family group chat asking, 'Who wants to come over for a tteokbokki party today?' As her siblings arrived one by one, they included her younger siblings, Se-bin, So-ra, and the youngest, Young-il. The siblings enjoyed a feast of Korean street food while engaging in cheerful conversation.

Amidst the light-hearted banter, Nam Bora revealed that she had recently fallen victim to a significant scam, losing a staggering 1.45 million won. She explained that the incident was related to her preparation for a volunteer event where she intended to make 800 rolls of kimbap. To make the process easier, she purchased a kimbap cutter but found it too expensive at retail prices, prompting her to search for a second-hand option.

Nam Bora recounted, 'I found a decent item and transferred the money, but the seller ghosted me. I realized too late that I had been scammed. I was upset not only about the money lost but also about the thought of having to cut 800 rolls by hand.'

Nam Bora Reveals Shocking Scam Experience on 편스토랑

The Garo Sero Research Institute (가로세로연구소) has suggested that they possess additional photographs related to actor Kim Soo-hyun, who has denied allegations of a romantic relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron during her minor years. On March 14, during a live broadcast on YouTube, the institute continued to criticize and make claims against Kim Soo-hyun. They stated, "We have a photo of Kim Soo-hyun washing dishes at Kim Sae-ron's house while undressed. However, the family has earnestly requested that we do not release it today, so we will not. We have no intention of baiting anyone with false promises of a reveal today." They reiterated, "We have a photo of Kim Soo-hyun washing dishes at Kim Sae-ron's house, and there is also another video. But we will not disclose them today. This is not about Zlatan Ibrahimović; it’s about Kim Soo-hyun." The institute has raised suspicions of 'grooming' crimes, claiming that Kim Soo-hyun was in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since her minor years. They also alleged that Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, pressured Kim Sae-ron with a legal notice regarding a compensation claim of 700 million KRW, suggesting that Kim Soo-hyun turned a blind eye to the situation. In response, Gold Medalist issued an urgent statement denying these allegations, clarifying that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were in a relationship from the summer of 2019, when Kim Sae-ron was an adult, until the fall of 2020. They also explained that the legal notice was related to a penalty stemming from Kim Sae-ron's drunk driving incident and was not an attempt to demand repayment.

"김수현, 故김새론 집에서 옷 벗고 설거지 사진 있어"...'가세연' 또 무차별 폭로하나

Garo Sero Research Institute Hints at Additional Revelations Regarding Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron

On March 15, 2025, fans were eagerly anticipating a long-awaited performance by Wheesung (휘성). However, the beloved artist was not present among them. Instead, fans were met with his bright smile in a portrait, unable to hold back their tears in grief.

Wheesung debuted in 2002 with his first album 'Like A Movie' and quickly gained popularity with numerous hits such as '안되나요', '전할 수 없는 이야기', 'With Me', '다시 만난 날', '일년이면', 'I’m Missing You', '결혼까지 생각했어', '가슴 시린 이야기', '너라는 명작', '불치병', '주르륵', and '사랑은 맛있다'. His music resonated with fans of all ages.

In addition to his solo work, Wheesung showcased his songwriting and composing talents on albums for various artists, including Gummy (거미), Ailee (에일리), Ali (알리), Wax (왁스), and TWICE. He was recognized as a leading R&B artist in South Korea and a trusted singer-songwriter, creating many beloved songs. He also demonstrated his versatility by performing in musicals.

However, in 2020, Wheesung was found unconscious after taking a sleep-inducing drug, leading to a police investigation. He was charged with purchasing and habitually using propofol 12 times over three months, resulting in a one-year prison sentence, two years of probation, a fine of 60.5 million won, 40 hours of community service, and 40 hours of drug treatment lectures.

This news shocked his fans deeply. In response, Wheesung held a Christmas concert in December 2021, just two months after his sentencing, and participated in drama OSTs to give back through music. He also organized a fan meeting and concert to celebrate his 20th debut anniversary, showcasing his fight against depression through his art.

In February, he held a birthday fan meeting titled 'HAPPY 휘's DAY', which sold out immediately, proving his enduring popularity. He was scheduled to perform at a joint concert 'The Story' with KCM on March 15 at the Daegu EXCO Auditorium.

Tragically, just five days before the concert, on March 10, Wheesung was discovered in cardiac arrest at his home in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, at the age of 43. An autopsy was conducted on March 12 at the National Forensic Service, with preliminary results indicating 'unknown cause of death'. Further detailed results are expected to take about two weeks.

Initially, Wheesung's family planned a quiet funeral without a public viewing, but they later decided to hold a memorial service due to the encouragement of fellow artists. The memorial was set up on March 14 at the Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, with the funeral scheduled for March 16 at the Gwangneung Memorial Park.

The family expressed, "We believe it is respectful to provide a time and place for many who loved and remembered our brother, the singer Wheesung, and the person Choi Wheesung, to pay their respects. We invite everyone who knew him and those who found happiness in his music to visit the memorial and accompany him on his final journey."

As planned, Wheesung was supposed to take the stage with KCM today, but he is no longer with his fans. Heartbroken fans rushed to the memorial, shedding tears in front of his portrait, where only his radiant smile could offer them solace.

故휘성, 오늘 공연인데..콘서트 대신 영정으로 마주하다니 '오열 추모' [Oh!쎈 이슈]

Fans Mourn the Loss of Wheesung Ahead of Scheduled Concert

Actress Lee Eui-jeong recently opened up about her life after battling a brain tumor, which she was given a terminal diagnosis for three months. Despite the challenges, she has successfully maintained her health and shared her emotional journey on the MBN show, 'Al-yakbang' (알약방), aired on March 13. 

Lee Eui-jeong gained fame through the sitcom 'Three Men, Three Women' (남자 셋 여자 셋) but had to pause her entertainment career after being diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2006. After a long fight, she has now fully recovered, receiving immense support from fans along the way. 

During the show, she recounted her struggles with persistent headaches, stating, "I kept experiencing severe headaches, and despite visiting various clinics, I was told nothing was wrong, but I was in so much pain." She revealed that what she initially dismissed as fatigue turned out to be a serious warning sign for her brain health. 

Lee shared a poignant memory from her diagnosis, saying, "I was filming a drama when I had to go to the hospital due to the pain, and I was told I had only three months to live because my brain was blocked." 

The aftermath of her diagnosis brought significant changes to her life. She faced complications from surgery, including gallbladder and hip joint necrosis, which led to a weight gain of 30 kg. 

"My white blood cells were unstable. They said it was a brain tumor, but it was also related to blood cancer. It took 15 years to fully recover," she explained. Fortunately, she now reports no swelling and good blood circulation. 

To maintain her health, Lee Eui-jeong has committed to regular exercise, stating, "I exercise to avoid pain, which makes my approach different from others. For me, exercise is life."

이의정 "뇌종양 시한부 선고..쓸개·고관절 괴사→체중 30kg 증가"(알약방)[순간포착]

Lee Eui-jeong Shares Her Journey After Overcoming Brain Tumor

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'

Choi Min-hwan (33) of FTISLAND and former LABOUM member Yulhee (real name Kim Yul-hee, 28) have not succeeded in their attempts to modify custody arrangements and settle alimony and property division. On March 12, the Seoul Family Court's Judge Kang Yoon-hye declared a failure to reach an agreement during the mediation session initiated by Yulhee against Choi Min-hwan regarding custody changes and financial claims. As the two parties could not come to a consensus, it is anticipated that they will proceed with formal litigation.

Yulhee filed for mediation in November of last year, seeking changes in parental rights and custody, as well as alimony and property division. In a previous appearance on TV Chosun's 'Now I'm Alone,' she expressed her determination to rectify the situation, stating, "It's late, but I need to make it right."

She explained her circumstances, saying, "I transferred custody of our three children to my ex-husband. During the divorce mediation, we verbally agreed that I would not pay child support, and property division would be set at zero, while visitation rights for the children would be flexible."

In a YouTube appearance last year, Yulhee also accused Choi Min-hwan of engaging in prostitution in areas like Gangnam. However, the Gangnam Police Station announced in November that they would not pursue charges against Choi Min-hwan due to insufficient evidence regarding the allegations of prostitution and sexual assault. A police official stated, "We investigated the establishments where Choi Min-hwan was alleged to have engaged in prostitution, including reviewing security footage, but found no clear evidence."

Yulhee married Choi Min-hwan in 2018 and they have three children together, but they divorced in 2023. Following the divorce, Choi Min-hwan has been seen caring for their children alone on KBS 2TV's 'The Return of Superman.'

최민환·율희, 양육권·재산분할 조정 실패…정식소송 진행하나

FTISLAND's Choi Min-hwan and Former LABOUM Member Yulhee Fail to Reach Custody Agreement

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.

Nam Bora Reveals Shocking Scam Experience on 편스토랑

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

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