On December 14, 2024, Son Yeon-jae took to her personal channel to share a series of photos showcasing her life as a mother. The images reveal her enjoying a weekend outing with her son. Dressed in a comfortable all-black outfit and wearing a cap, Son Yeon-jae's natural beauty shines through with her makeup-free look and casually tied hair, enhancing her fresh and simple vibe. In one of the photos, she is seen cradling her son with a joyful expression, highlighting the significant shift in her life from being a 'gymnast fairy' to embracing her role as a mother. 

Since retiring from the national team, Son Yeon-jae has successfully opened a rhythmic gymnastics studio, where she serves as CEO. She married her husband, who is nine years her senior and works in finance, in 2022, and welcomed their son in February of this year, receiving warm congratulations from many. Additionally, it was reported that last November, she and her husband purchased a standalone house in Itaewon, Seoul, for 7.2 billion won, which garnered considerable attention.

Son Yeon-jae Shares Heartwarming Moments of Motherhood

On December 13, EXO's Kai made his usual appearance for fans on the Weverse official channel, keeping his promise as he does every month. This time, however, he shared a glimpse into his daily life a day earlier, seemingly aiming to comfort those who might be feeling anxious on a Friday.

Kai, known for his warm demeanor, showcased his enduring good looks while also displaying a quirky charm. He posted an honest photo of himself gazing at his adorable nephew, who bore a striking resemblance to him, with a round face and a pouty expression. This candid moment reflected Kai's genuine connection with his fans.

As winter is often associated with Kai, he looked particularly cute wearing a beanie featuring a well-known brand's pig character, bundled up in a scarf. His charming features, highlighted by his uniquely shaped eyes, added to his appeal during the chilly season.

Fans reacted with excitement, commenting, "Just one more appearance and we’re free from the wait!", "Come back soon and bring some K-pop discipline, Kai!", "I can’t wait for your solo album number four!", and "Why is watching you look at your nephew so funny?".

In related news, Kai's mini solo album 'ROVER', released in March last year, topped various charts and he became the most streamed artist on Spotify among SM Entertainment singers. Additionally, EXO made a comeback with their seventh studio album 'Cream Soda' after a hiatus of three years and six months, and although Kai was not actively promoting, his contributions to the album's jacket photos were well-received.

엑소 카이, 꽁꽁 싸매도 귀여워 美치겠다 별들아···똑 닮은 조카 공개까지

EXO's Kai Comforts Fans with Early Update on Weverse

Actress 고민시 expressed her excitement on December 14, 2024, as the impeachment motion against President 윤석열 was approved. Without any special comments, she shared a short video and clapping emojis on her social media. The posted images included a news alert confirming the approval of the impeachment motion, while the video featured a flag proclaiming 'The people are the masters' waving energetically, subtly showcasing her stance. Previously, on December 7, when the first impeachment motion was voted on, Go Min-si had posted a simple message saying '3 PM' along with a candle emoji against a dark background. This was in reference to a nationwide candlelight vigil held in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, urging for the vote on the impeachment of President 윤석열. Go Min-si is known for her role as nurse 김명희 in the KBS2 drama '오월의 청춘' (Youth of May), which is set against the backdrop of the Gwangju Uprising in May 1980. With the recent declaration of a state of emergency in South Korea after 45 years, her outspoken views have garnered significant attention.

고민시, '오월의청춘' 주연답네..탄핵 가결에 박수갈채 "국민이 주인"

Actress Go Min-si Celebrates Impeachment Vote Approval

On December 14, actress Hwang Jung-eum shared a series of photos on her social media, showcasing her radiant smile in what appears to be behind-the-scenes shots from a recent shoot. The actress, who has recently adopted a new hairstyle featuring a chic short cut, looked vibrant in a deep purple turtleneck, dispelling any notions of distress amid her ongoing divorce proceedings. Fans flooded the comments with compliments, expressing sentiments like, "You look so comfortable," "You look great," and "I love your smile." Hwang Jung-eum has been active this year, appearing in the SBS drama '7인의 탈출' and currently serving as a host on the SBS variety show '솔로라서' alongside Shin Dong-yup.

'이혼 소송' 황정음, 나날이 예뻐지는 미모···역시 솔로가 답인가

Hwang Jung-eum Shows Off Her Natural Smile Amidst Personal Challenges

In Gwangju, South Korea, a group of individuals with ties to organized crime has been indicted for laundering approximately 260 billion KRW (around $260 million) in illegal gambling funds. The Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office announced on December 13, 2024, that 15 members of the money laundering organization, led by a 28-year-old identified as A, have been charged without detention, while one member has been detained. 

From July 2022 to August 2023, A and his associates allegedly established a criminal organization to launder funds from illegal gambling sites. They transferred the 260 billion KRW into proxy accounts and subsequently delivered around 46.2 billion KRW in cash to the operators of these gambling sites. 

This group is part of a larger network of 34 individuals previously indicted for laundering 10.7 billion KRW in December 2023. Among the 15 recently indicted, 13 are currently serving prison sentences ranging from 8 months to 2 years and 6 months for related charges, while the remaining two received suspended sentences. The detained member was recently apprehended. 

The prosecution clarified that while A and his group had already faced charges for operating gambling spaces, their organization and activities as a criminal group warranted additional charges. 

The money laundering operation began in July 2022 when they set up their first office in the Gwangju area, laundering around 10 billion KRW by September of that year. Over the next year, they processed a total of 260 billion KRW from over 20 gambling sites. To evade law enforcement, they frequently changed offices and utilized virtual private networks (VPNs) to hide their IP addresses, maintaining a 24-hour shift system at their offices. 

The group reportedly took a commission of 1-2% from the laundered funds. During a raid in August 2023, authorities seized 345 million KRW in cash, along with luxury items worth around 700 million KRW from the residences of the group's leaders. 

Additionally, a gambling site operator, identified as B (38), who had contracted the group for money laundering, has also been arrested. B was found to be operating two to three gambling sites. The prosecution is currently pursuing other gambling site operators who sought the group's laundering services. 

A prosecution official stated, 'We will thoroughly recover the criminal proceeds from the defendants to spread the message that crime does not pay.'

檢, 2600억 규모 도박자금 세탁조직 기소…금송아지‧명품 등 범죄수익도 압수

Gang Involved in Money Laundering of Illegal Gambling Funds Indicted

In the latest episode of Channel A's 'Yoosum Parenting - Precious My Child' (요즘 육아 - 금쪽같은 내 새끼), which aired on December 13, a dramatic story unfolded featuring a mother struggling with her late-born son, who displayed extreme anger when denied access to her phone. The child, known as 금쪽이, lashed out violently, kicking his mother and hurling profanities, saying, "What the hell, you XX?" and continued with shocking insults. 

As the mother tearfully pleaded, "You promised me, please stop," 금쪽이 responded harshly, questioning why he was born to her. The situation escalated when he brandished a bat menacingly and physically restrained his mother. 

The mother shared that she returned to work at a hair salon just a month after giving birth. She recounted how, starting from age five, her child would roam the streets after kindergarten. She admitted to struggling with discipline, stating, "I hit him for about two years when he didn’t listen. I think I lost my temper for two to three hours at a time. I realized I was out of control and promised myself never to do it again, and I have kept that promise since."

“이 씨XX아” 금쪽이, 엄마에게 몽둥이 들고와 목 조르기까지 ‘충격’ (‘금쪽같은’) [어저께TV]

Intense Outburst on 'Yoosum Parenting - Precious My Child' Shocks Viewers

On December 12, 2024, actor Ryu Seung-beom expressed his deep affection for his 4-year-old daughter during an appearance on the YouTube channel 'Myeongmyeong Teukgyeop'. He joined fellow cast members Bae Doona, Ryu Seung-beom, Roman, and Lee Soo-hyun to discuss their latest project, the Coupang Play series 'Family Planning'. 

Ryu revealed that he chose to participate in the series because of Bae Doona's involvement, stating, "I really admire Bae Doona as an actress. When I heard that Baek Yoon-sik would also be in it, I was even more eager to join." Bae Doona reciprocated the sentiment, saying, "I was pleasantly surprised that Ryu Seung-beom agreed to participate; it felt like a stroke of luck." 

Reflecting on his long hiatus from acting, Ryu commented, "Everyone's life is different. My wife once said that on a snowy day, each snowflake finds its place as it falls. Ultimately, we all have our own paths to follow." 

He also shared a filming anecdote, recalling, "After shooting a scene where I was bleeding, I couldn't go straight home and ended up walking around Garosu-gil twice." Ryu expressed joy in being called 'Funny Guy' by his daughter, emphasizing his efforts to be a fun and friendly dad. 

Ryu Seung-beom married a Slovakian artist in 2020 and they have a 4-year-old daughter together.

Ryu Seung-beom Shares Heartfelt Love for His 4-Year-Old Daughter

Four classic Korean films, including Kim Ki-young's 'The Housemaid' (하녀), are set to be registered as national cultural heritage. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on December 12 that the films 'Nakdong River' (낙동강) by director Jeon Chang-geun, 'Money' (돈) by Kim So-dong, 'The Housemaid' (하녀) by Kim Ki-young, and 'Seong Chun-hyang' (성춘향) by Shin Sang-ok will be officially recognized as part of the national heritage.

The film 'Nakdong River' (1952), produced during the Korean War, features actual footage of the Nakdong River battle, giving it significant historical value. The original footage was rediscovered in 2022 after being lost for 70 years. 'Money' (1958) is a representative work of Korean realism, depicting the tragic realities of rural life during the industrialization period. 'The Housemaid' (1960) explores themes of human desire and oppression through the story of a maid aspiring for social mobility, highlighting the contradictions within Korean society. Lastly, 'Seong Chun-hyang' (1961) is notable for being Korea's first color Cinemascope film and was a major box office success in the 1960s, earning recognition both domestically and internationally. The Cultural Heritage Administration emphasized that these films are important resources for understanding the social conditions and lifestyles of modern and contemporary Korea.

Four Classic Korean Films to be Registered as National Cultural Heritage

On December 13, Baek Ji-young appeared on KBS2TV's The Seasons: Lee Young-ji's Rainbow, where she talked about her latest title track, "Yeah, That's Right," and the buzz surrounding its music video. Recently, reports surfaced about actress Nana and model Chae Jong-seok being in a romantic relationship. On December 5, Nana's agency, Sublime, stated, "It's difficult to confirm due to the actor's private life," while Chae Jong-seok's agency, Esteem, echoed similar sentiments, asking for understanding regarding the model's personal matters. This ambiguous stance has led to increased public interest in their relationship.

During the show, Baek Ji-young humorously noted that the kiss scene in the music video lasts for 41 seconds out of a total of five minutes, prompting Lee Young-ji to blush and remark, "It sounds like a 19+ story." Baek Ji-young clarified, "When you kiss someone you love, it’s all pecks here," emphasizing that the scenes are more about affectionate pecks than actual kisses.

Nana, who also appeared on Baek Ji-young's channel, reflected on a scene where she was lying on a sofa with her mouth open, saying, "I didn’t even realize I was doing that. I thought, 'Why am I lying there with my mouth open?' It was almost a one-take shot, so I think I expressed my feelings naturally at that moment." 

She added about the kiss scenes, "We ended up doing so many pecks that my sister jokingly named the teaser 'A Million Pecks.'" Baek Ji-young reiterated, "Think about it; there isn’t a single shot of a kiss. They’re all pecks," to which comedian Byun Ki-soo quipped, "That explains why Nana’s lips looked swollen and moist in the middle of it all!"

Nana debuted in 2009 as a member of the girl group After School before transitioning to acting. She has appeared in dramas such as The Good Wife, The Last Empress, Glitch, and Mask Girl, as well as films like The Swindlers and Confession. Chae Jong-seok made his modeling debut at the 2022 S/S Beyond Closet fashion show.

Baek Ji-young Discusses Music Video Kiss Scene on The Seasons: Lee Young-ji's Rainbow

On December 12, TV Chosun inaugurated its new production center, the largest of its kind in Seoul, located near the Gasan Digital Complex subway station in Geumcheon-gu. The Gasan Production Center features a basement level and five floors, encompassing approximately 1,984 square meters (600 pyeong) with a ceiling height of 25 meters, making it the largest single studio space in the city.

With the opening of the Gasan Production Center, TV Chosun can now accommodate large-scale productions for its flagship audition programs, such as Miss Trot and Mr. Trot. The highly anticipated program, Mr. Trot 3, is set to premiere on December 19, with recordings scheduled to take place at the new center starting in January. This development allows TV Chosun to produce content in-house rather than relying on external studio rentals. The center will also support the production of popular entertainment and variety shows like 'The Love of Joseon' (조선의 사랑꾼), 'Dad and Me' (아빠하고 나하고), and 'Strong Opponents' (강적들).

The opening ceremony was attended by TV Chosun Chairman Hong Du-pyo, along with executives, Geumcheon District Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon, CJ Logistics Construction Division CEO Min Young-hak, and Chosun Ilbo President Bang Jun-ho and Publisher Hong Jun-ho.

TV Chosun Unveils Largest Production Center in Seoul

On December 12, Jo Guk, the leader of the Justice Party (조국혁신당), received a confirmed two-year prison sentence from the Supreme Court for charges related to his children's college admission fraud and the suppression of a Blue House investigation. This ruling marks the final judicial decision five years after his indictment in December 2019.

The Supreme Court's third division, led by Justice Eom Sang-pil, upheld the original sentence, which also included a fine of 6 million won. As a result, Jo immediately lost his parliamentary seat and, under party law, his membership in the party, necessitating his resignation as party leader. Following his prison term, he will be barred from running for office for five years.

The prosecution announced plans to execute the sentence swiftly, instructing Jo to report to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office by December 13. He is expected to be incarcerated within a day, although his legal team has requested a delay for logistical reasons related to the transition of party leadership. According to regulations, a postponement of up to three days is permissible, suggesting he could be imprisoned by December 16 at the latest. In the meantime, Baek Seon-hee, the party's special committee chair, will take over Jo's proportional representation seat during the upcoming National Assembly vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol scheduled for December 14.

Despite receiving prison sentences in both the first and second trials, Jo was not immediately detained, allowing him to continue his political activities, including founding a new party and running for the National Assembly. This has drawn criticism from legal experts, who describe it as a case of 'delayed justice.'

After the ruling, Jo held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "I humbly accept the verdict. I will take a brief pause, but this does not signify a retreat for the Justice Party."

Additionally, Choi Kang-wook, a former member of the Democratic Party (더불어민주당), was also sentenced to a fine by the Supreme Court for issuing false internship confirmation letters to Jo's son during the 2020 general election.

The Supreme Court's ruling was delivered in courtroom number two at 11:45 AM on December 12, where Justices Eom Sang-pil, Oh Seok-jun, and Lee Suk-yeon confirmed the sentence. The court stated that there were no errors in the original guilty verdict regarding the principles of evidence, presumption of innocence, abuse of prosecutorial authority, and misinterpretation of legal principles concerning the crimes.

The 'Jo Guk incident' began in August 2019 when Jo was nominated as Minister of Justice, leading to allegations of college admission fraud and private equity fund irregularities. Despite the controversies, President Moon Jae-in appointed him as Minister of Justice in September 2019. Jo resigned after 35 days, claiming he would reform the prosecution, and was subsequently indicted in December 2019.

Jo's trial faced significant delays, with the first trial taking over three years to conclude. The presiding judge, Kim Mi-ri, was criticized for allegedly prolonging the proceedings. The first trial concluded in February 2023, with the court finding Jo guilty of most charges related to his children's admission fraud and abuse of power.

Following the second trial's ruling in February 2024, Jo announced his intention to run in the general elections, despite already facing a loss of parliamentary privileges. He founded the Justice Party in March 2024 and was elected as a proportional representative in April.

With the Supreme Court's ruling, Jo will lose his parliamentary seat immediately and is expected to begin serving his sentence soon. Observers note that this situation may lead to the Justice Party being absorbed into the Democratic Party, as the political landscape shifts without Jo as a central figure.

Son Yeon-jae Shares Heartwarming Moments of Motherhood

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Ryu Seung-beom Shares Heartfelt Love for His 4-Year-Old Daughter

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Supreme Court Confirms Two-Year Sentence for Jo Guk, Immediate Loss of Parliamentary Seat

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