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

The funeral arrangements for the late singer Wheesung (휘성) have been established approximately four days after his passing, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the entertainment industry. 

Wheesung was found in a state of cardiac arrest in an apartment located in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on March 10, at the age of 43. Authorities reported no signs of foul play or external intrusion, leading them to request an autopsy from the National Forensic Service. 

On March 12, his agency, Tajo Entertainment, confirmed to OSEN that the preliminary autopsy results indicated the cause of death was undetermined. They have since requested further toxicology tests to investigate potential drug use, with results expected to take about two weeks. 

Amid concerns about the family's emotional distress and the potential impact on funeral proceedings, the family ultimately decided to hold a memorial service today (March 14) to honor Wheesung's memory alongside his fans and loved ones. 

The agency stated that while the family initially intended for a private ceremony due to the health concerns of Wheesung's mother, they felt it was important to include those who cherished and remembered him. They expressed gratitude for anyone who wishes to join in commemorating Wheesung's final journey. 

Following the news of his passing, many colleagues from the entertainment industry, including Solar from MAMAMOO, Seven, Ailee, Jessi, Hwanhee from Fly to the Sky, and others, have expressed their sorrow and condolences. The wave of tributes has continued for three days since his death. 

Wheesung's funeral is scheduled to take place on March 16 at the Gwangneung Memorial Park.

故휘성, 사망 4일 만에 열린 빈소..유가족 "마지막 함께 해주길" [Oh!쎈 이슈]

Tributes Pour in for Late Singer Wheesung as Funeral Arrangements Begin

On March 14, KBS 2TV launched its new music talk show, The Seasons - Park Bo-gum's Cantabile, featuring a star-studded lineup including singers No Young-sim, Sunwoo Jung-a, Jung Joon-il, Seventeen's Hoshi and Woozi, and actors Kim Yoo-jung, Jin-young, and Kwak Dong-yeon. 

The Seasons is notable for being the first KBS late-night music program to adopt a seasonal format, having previously featured various hosts like Jay Park, Choi Jung-hoon, AKMU, Lee Hyori, Zico, and Lee Young-ji, each bringing their unique style to connect musicians with the audience. 

This seventh season marks a milestone as it is hosted by Park Bo-gum, the first actor to take on this role. He opened the show with a heartfelt performance of Melomance's "Shall We Take a Break?" and later sang along with No Young-sim, reflecting on the lyrics of "Photo Album," a song recommended by his co-star IU from the series My Dearest. 

After his performance, Park Bo-gum shared his emotional thoughts, stating, "When I think of my precious people, I realize I need to take many photos and cherish this moment," visibly holding back tears. 

Supporting him were his long-time friends from the KBS drama Love in the Moonlight, including Kim Yoo-jung, Jin-young, and Kwak Dong-yeon. Additionally, singer Jung Joon-il and Seventeen's Hoshi and Woozi, who had just debuted two days prior, showcased their new song live for the first time on the show. 

As the show concluded, Park Bo-gum selected IU's "Let's Meet on Friday" as his final song, surprising fans by descending from the stage during the lyrics of "Close By" to distribute White Day candies, showcasing his thoughtful gesture. 

Meanwhile, the Netflix series My Dearest, featuring both Park Bo-gum and IU, has gained significant attention, ranking fourth in Netflix's Global Top 10 Non-English Series. Following the successful release of its first act, the second act premiered on March 14, receiving praise from both domestic and international audiences.

아이유 또 감동각..박보검, '금요일에 만나요'로 '칸타빌레' 엔딩 장식

Park Bo-gum Shines in New Music Talk Show with IU's Song

K-pop group TREASURE has captivated global fans with their vibrant 'TREASURE-style youth sentiment' during their first music show performance since their comeback. On March 13, they appeared on Mnet's 'M Countdown,' showcasing the title track 'YELLOW' from their special mini-album, along with the song 'SARURU.' Anticipation was high for their debut stage, especially after they warmed up the atmosphere with teasers on YouTube's 'It's Live' and performance videos.

Opening with 'SARURU,' TREASURE instantly elevated the energy with their refreshing vibe. The upbeat rhythm combined with the members' bright vocal tones created an exhilarating experience, while their dynamic choreography kept viewers glued to the screen.

The performance of 'YELLOW' featured a set reminiscent of a warm spring garden, with the members dressed in casual yellow and navy outfits that highlighted their youthful visuals. They delivered a unique musical color with stylish vocals and rap over a sweet melody, enhanced by playful choreography, including the lively 'ball poke' hand gesture.

Their solid live singing with handheld microphones and relaxed stage presence drew admiration at every moment. Notably, during the song's highlight sing-along section, the members exuded carefree swag with cheerful expressions and gestures, bringing smiles to the audience.

Following their appearance on 'M Countdown,' TREASURE will continue their active promotions with performances on MBC's 'Show! Music Core' on March 15 and SBS's 'Inkigayo' on March 16. They are also set to kick off their global fan concert tour, starting with the [SPECIAL MOMENT] concert at Kyung Hee University's Peace Hall in Seoul on March 28, 29, and 30, covering a total of nine cities across North America and Japan in 17 shows.

트레저, 'YELLOW'로 물들인 컴백 첫 무대..완벽 라이브 각인

TREASURE Makes a Splash with Their Comeback Performance on Mnet's 'M Countdown'

Yuseonsu Entertainment has officially been appointed as the management partner for the Top 7 contestants of Mister Trot 3. On March 14, CEO Yoo Byung-jae announced that the agency will oversee the careers of Kim Yong-bin, Son Bin-ah, Cheon Rok-dam, Chun Gil, Choi Jae-myung, Nam Seung-min, and Choo Hyuk-jin.

Yoo expressed his excitement about working with the talented Top 7 members, stating, "I am thrilled to collaborate with such skilled and gifted artists. We will actively support them in showcasing their full potential."

To achieve this, Yoo emphasized a structured management approach that includes providing the best stage experiences for the artists, creating optimal conditions for individual activities, and ensuring close communication between the agency and the artists for comprehensive support.

Mister Trot 3, aired on TV Chosun, has captivated audiences with its heartfelt stories, thrilling competitions, and high-quality performances, consistently achieving high viewership ratings. The show has maintained the number one spot in ratings across all channels, including terrestrial, general programming, and cable, for 12 consecutive weeks, proving its popularity among viewers.

Yuseonsu Entertainment is a newly established management company by Yoo Byung-jae, who previously led successful management at JJ Entertainment, representing artists like Koyote and Na Sang-do from Mister Trot 2. With years of experience in artist development, Yoo has built a strong network and expertise in the industry. Industry insiders anticipate that his systematic planning and practical experience will lead to new trends in the K-trot market.

The agency aims to not only invigorate the domestic trot market but also to cultivate artists with global competitiveness through professional management, leveraging the opportunity presented by managing the Top 7 from Mister Trot 3.

김용빈·손빈아·천록담 등 ‘미스터트롯3′ 톱7 매니지먼트사에 ’유선수엔터테인먼트’ 

Yuseonsu Entertainment Takes Charge of Mister Trot 3 Top 7 Management

Jennie (제니), a member of the iconic K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, is receiving rave reviews for her debut solo album 'Ruby' (루비), which has also seen remarkable sales figures. According to Hanteo Chart, 'Ruby' sold 661,130 copies in its first week following its release on March 7. This achievement marks the highest first-week sales for a K-pop female solo artist in 2025.

In terms of first-week sales among K-pop female solo artists, Jennie's record ranks third overall. Previously, her BLACKPINK bandmate Jisoo's single 'ME' (미) (2023) topped the chart with 1.17 million copies sold, while another member, Lisa, followed with her single 'LALISA' (라리사) (2021) at 736,000 copies. However, both Jisoo's and Lisa's singles featured two tracks, and the years 2021 and 2023 saw a surge in album sales due to post-pandemic recovery spending.

Thus, Jennie's first-week sales stand as the highest for a full-length solo album by a K-pop female artist.

Additionally, 'Ruby' has made significant strides on music charts, reaching the highest position for a K-pop solo artist at number 9 on the Apple Music 'Top Albums' chart in the U.S. It also secured the number 2 spot on the European Apple Music 'Top Albums' chart, marking a significant achievement for K-pop female solo artists.

The title track 'Like Jennie' is also climbing the charts steadily, ranking 6th on Melon's Top 100 as of 11 AM today, and maintaining a strong presence across major domestic music platforms. On Spotify's 'Daily Top Songs Global' chart, it debuted at number 12 and quickly rose to number 7. Other tracks from 'Ruby,' including 'Handlebars' (feat. Dua Lipa), 'ExtraL' (feat. Doechii), and 'Love Hangover' (feat. Dominic Fike), are also receiving widespread acclaim.

Renowned American music publication Pitchfork rated 'Ruby' 7.1 out of 10, praising Jennie's versatility and charm, noting her ability to transform girl sound into a powerful new style. This score is notably high, especially when compared to Ariana Grande's 'Eternal Sunshine' (2024) and Billie Eilish's 'HIT ME HARD AND SOFT' (2024), which received scores of 7.2 and 6.8, respectively. Jennie's album ranks as the eighth highest-rated K-pop album of all time.

To celebrate the release of 'Ruby,' Jennie will hold a special event titled 'The Ruby Experience' (더 루비 익스피리언스) at the Inspire Arena in Incheon on March 15.

제니 '루비' 초동 66만장…K팝 女솔로 역대 정규 최다 

Jennie's Solo Album 'Ruby' Achieves Impressive Sales and Critical Acclaim

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

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 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

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

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