In a remarkable episode of TV CHOSUN's trot audition program Mister Trot 3, aired on March 13, 2025, contestant Son Bin-a received an extraordinary score. During the 'Life Song Mission,' the TOP 7 contestants, including Son Bin-a, Choi Jae-myung, Kim Yong-bin, Cheon Rok-dam, Nam Seung-min, Choo Hyuk-jin, and Chun-gil, each selected a song that held significant meaning in their lives to perform on the show's final stage.

Choi Jae-myung chose to sing 'Yeonriji' by Jang Min-ho, reflecting on the friendships he formed during the competition. Overcome with emotion, he shed tears before the final verse, prompting the audience to eagerly chant, "Please, just one more word." Despite his tears, he managed to complete the song, earning a score of 100 points from the judges, with a minimum score of 95.

Son Bin-a was the last to perform, selecting 'Yeonmo' by Park Woo-cheol, a song that she dedicated to her grandmother. Her performance was so captivating that it felt like a concert.

As the judges prepared to reveal their scores, producer Kim Sung-joo announced an unexpected situation, stating, "This is the first time in the third season that we have encountered this, and we had a meeting about it. However, we will proceed as usual." The judges, filled with anticipation, looked at the scoreboards, and in a historic moment, Son Bin-a received a perfect score of 100 points across the board, leaving the studio in awe.

Son Bin-a Achieves Unprecedented Scores on Mister Trot 3

In the latest episode of MBC's Friday-Saturday drama Undercover High School (언더커버 하이스쿨), aired on March 14, the true identity of Jeong Hae-seong, played by Seo Kang-joon, was uncovered. 

During the episode, Jeong Hae-seong and Oh Soo-ah (Jin Ki-joo) were deployed on a mission that ultimately failed. Upon hearing Oh Soo-ah's real name, Jeong Hae-seong realized she was his first love and stared at her in disbelief. He asked, "Is your name Bong-ja? Oh Bong-ja?" to which Oh Soo-ah replied, "Yes, that was my original name... But why are you laughing at someone else's name? It's rude to laugh in front of someone. I was going to take you home, but never mind. Go by yourself," before turning back into the store.

Reflecting on his childhood memories with Oh Soo-ah, Jeong Hae-seong's attitude towards her changed the next day. He arrived early at the teacher's office, gazing at her with affection as she danced, and complimented her, saying, "You’re amazing. You will definitely become a great teacher."

Meanwhile, Jeong Hae-seong and the members of the domestic team 4 gathered to find clues about a ghost story related to the school anthem. When they struggled with the piano performance, Oh Soo-ah stepped in, saying, "I’ll do it."

She insisted, "The school anthem itself isn’t that difficult," but Jeong Hae-seong warned, "You could get expelled for entering the chairman's office by mistake." However, Team Leader Ahn encouraged her, stating, "You can do it. You are the unparalleled partner of our National Intelligence Service's top ace, Jeong Hae-seong, and an honorary field agent of our domestic team 4."

Flattered by the title of 'honorary field agent,' Oh Soo-ah agreed to participate, despite Jeong Hae-seong's protests. She even requested a written agreement promising that the government would support her in becoming a teacher at Byeongmun High School.

Eventually, Jeong Hae-seong pulled her aside, firmly stating, "I won’t say this twice. Don’t do it. It’s dangerous." Oh Soo-ah responded, "All the teachers at Byeongmun High are attending the event anyway. Since we’ve decided to go together, let’s focus on the mission."

Jeong Hae-seong questioned her obsession with becoming a teacher, asking, "Why are you so fixated on it? You shouldn’t take risks just because it seems obvious. Be honest with me." Oh Soo-ah replied, "There’s someone I want to show this to. I promised my first student that I would definitely become a teacher. I’m determined to do whatever it takes to achieve that. Life isn’t worth living without risks."

As the operation approached, Jeong Hae-seong was conscious of Oh Soo-ah while teaching self-defense techniques. When she unexpectedly hugged him from behind during the lesson, he awkwardly excused himself, muttering, "Get a grip, you’re acting strange today."

At the highly anticipated Byeongmun Night, Jeong Hae-seong was captivated by Oh Soo-ah, who appeared in a dress. He reassured her, placing a camera necklace around her neck, saying, "I’ll make sure nothing happens today, so don’t worry. And by the way, you look beautiful today."

After successfully infiltrating the chairman's office, Jeong Hae-seong and Oh Soo-ah sat together at the piano to play the school anthem. When nothing happened, Oh Soo-ah expressed her confusion, saying, "Nothing is happening."

After the mission failed, Team Leader Ahn instructed Jeong Hae-seong to exit, warning, "Come out, Hae-seong. It’s dangerous to stay there. Erase the entry records from the chairman's office and get out quickly." Following the order, Jeong Hae-seong announced, "I will withdraw," as he deleted the entry records from Seo Myung-joo's (Kim Shin-rok) computer. In that moment, he discovered his personnel record card and the operation plan file for Byeongmun Night, leaving him in shock. The upcoming preview hinted at Jeong Hae-seong taking independent action with Oh Soo-ah, raising questions about the plot's development.

팀에 배신자 있나..서강준, 김신록에 정체 발각→작전 유출 ‘충격’ (‘언더커버’)

Identity of Seo Kang-joon Revealed in Undercover High School

The new special unit of SEVENTEEN, HoshiXWoozi, set the stage ablaze with their 'true friend vibe' during their performance on Mnet's 'M Countdown' on March 13. They showcased their debut single's title track '동갑내기' (Same Age) and the B-side 'STUPID IDIOT' for the first time. 

As Woozi mentioned in an interview, fans could truly feel the 'true friend vibe' as the duo displayed an incredible synergy and unique presence. Their performance, characterized by confidence and swagger, was complemented by flawless live vocals, highlighting HoshiXWoozi's true talents as performers who know how to entertain on stage.

The contrasting atmospheres of the two songs showcased the limitless spectrum of HoshiXWoozi's artistry. While 'STUPID IDIOT' radiated a lively party vibe, '동갑내기' featured self-loving lyrics and a polished performance that drew attention to their enhanced charisma. The live stage also included engaging calls like "Everybody jump!" which added to the excitement of the performance.

HoshiXWoozi's debut single 'BEAM' symbolizes the light they emit together. The new release quickly climbed to the top of the Hanteo Chart on its release day and reached second place on the latest Oricon Daily Single Ranking as of March 12, continuing to gain popularity. The title track also entered the 'Worldwide iTunes Song' chart for four consecutive days right after its release.

Today (March 14), HoshiXWoozi will appear on KBS2's 'Music Bank' and 'The Seasons - Park Bo Gum's Cantabile', delivering more performances of their new songs and further fueling the 'BEAM' craze.

“찐친 바이브”..세븐틴 호시X우지, 신곡 ‘동갑내기’ 무대 최초 공개

SEVENTEEN's New Unit HoshiXWoozi Ignites Music Show with 'True Friend Vibe'

On March 15, 2025, actor Park Hyung-sik shared several behind-the-scenes videos on his Instagram, promoting the SBS drama Treasure Island (보물섬) with the message, "Tonight is also Treasure Island." In the series, he portrays Seo Dong-joo, a character driven by a deadly ambition to rise to greater heights. In one of the clips, Park Hyung-sik humorously mimicked a scene from the film Beat (비트), where he rides a motorcycle and lets go of the handlebars to enjoy the wind, reminiscent of Jung Woo-sung's iconic performance. His playful homage brought smiles to the filming crew, showcasing his ability to create a lively atmosphere on set.

Treasure Island follows Seo Dong-joo (played by Park Hyung-sik) as he engages in a high-stakes revenge plot against the ultimate evil that killed him, all while hacking into a political slush fund worth 2 trillion won.

박형식, 정우성 오마주?..'보물섬' 대박 시청률에 신났네

Park Hyung-sik Pays Homage to Jung Woo-sung in New Drama

On the March 13 episode of MBC's 'Home Alone' (구해줘! 홈즈), comedian Park Na-rae reminisced about her past relationship with a foreign boyfriend while exploring the vibrant neighborhood of Hannam-dong in Yongsan, Seoul. Park described Hannam-dong as a truly charming and fun area, sharing that she lived there for a total of seven years before moving to Itaewon. Co-host Pungja also chimed in, revealing she had spent seven years in Itaewon and has now been living in Hannam-dong for two years.

As they strolled through the redeveloping streets of Hannam-dong, Park Na-rae spotted an Islamic center currently under construction and reflected on her romantic past. "This mosque makes the area feel incredibly exotic," she said, recalling how she used to date her boyfriend in the vicinity. Pungja, surprised, asked, "Did you date someone from the Islamic community?" to which Park clarified, "I dated a foreign friend who is a Korean-American." When Pungja inquired if it was the Australian guy, Park laughed and corrected her, saying, "No, that's a different person."

박나래, 외국인 전남친이 몇 명이야 "교포男+호주男 만나봤다" (홈즈)[어저께TV]

Park Na-rae Remembers Her Foreign Ex-Boyfriend on MBC's 'Home Alone'

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.

[사진]신곡으로 돌아온 르세라핌

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

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.

Son Bin-a Achieves Unprecedented Scores on Mister Trot 3

What do you think?

Trending

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

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

Kim Sae-ron's Mother Speaks Out for Justice

Dinto Terminates Contract with Kim Soo-hyun Amid Controversy

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

More

Identity of Seo Kang-joon Revealed in Undercover High School

SEVENTEEN's New Unit HoshiXWoozi Ignites Music Show with 'True Friend Vibe'

Park Hyung-sik Pays Homage to Jung Woo-sung in New Drama

Park Na-rae Remembers Her Foreign Ex-Boyfriend on MBC's 'Home Alone'

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

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