On March 15, Taeyeon (태연) from Girls' Generation (소녀시대) shared a stunning selfie on her personal account, accompanied by a waving emoji. Earlier that day, she departed for Taiwan as part of her overseas tour schedule. The photo captures her taking a selfie inside the airplane, where she exudes a magazine-cover-worthy charm with her striking features and doll-like beauty, captivating her fans. 

In addition to her travels, Taeyeon is currently appearing on the tvN variety show 'Amazing Saturday' (놀라운 토요일). Recently, she successfully wrapped up her solo 10th-anniversary concert titled 'The TENSE' (더 텐스) from March 7 to 9. Following her concert in Seoul, she is set to continue her Asia tour with performances in Taiwan on March 16, the Philippines on March 29, Indonesia on April 12, and Japan on April 19-20.

Taeyeon of Girls' Generation Showcases Doll-like Beauty in Latest Selfie

Just three days before their highly anticipated comeback, the girl group Candy Shop (캔디샵) has released an audio film for their new track 'TIP TOE'. The group, consisting of members Soram (소람), Sui (수이), Sarang (사랑), and Julia (줄리아), shared the audio film on their official social media and YouTube channel at midnight on March 15. 

The video showcases various scenes of the members filming the music video for 'TIP TOE' in different locations. The audio film features a highlight of the song, which combines dreamy synths with rhythmic guitar, heightening excitement among fans. 

'TIP TOE' is a city pop genre song that delicately expresses the emotional moment of wanting to approach someone while feeling hesitant, capturing a thrilling yet cautious excitement. The track samples the intro of Sistar19's 'Ma Boy', generating buzz among K-POP fans both domestically and internationally. 

In the lead-up to the release, Candy Shop has been actively teasing their comeback with various content, including a coming soon video, concept photos, and a music video teaser. The new single 'TIP TOE' is set to be released on March 18 at 6 PM through various online music platforms.

‘Ma Boy’ 인트로 샘플링한 캔디샵..'TIP TOE' 오디오 필름 공개

Candy Shop Unveils 'TIP TOE' Audio Film Ahead of Comeback

The family of the late Kim Sae-ron has reiterated their demand for a public apology from actor Kim Soo-hyun. On March 15, they released a statement via the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소), outlining their requests. They are seeking acknowledgment from Kim Soo-hyun regarding his alleged relationship with Kim Sae-ron during her minor years, as well as an official apology for claims made by his agency, Gold Medalist, that they had not dated in the past three years. Additionally, they want recognition of Kim Sae-ron's contributions as a founding member of the company and an apology for the pressure related to a 700 million won compensation demand stemming from her DUI incident. The family emphasized that their focus is solely on obtaining a formal apology from Kim Soo-hyun and his agency, clarifying that the omission of his name in previous statements was to concentrate on warnings regarding Lee Jin-ho and cyber harassment. 

The ongoing dispute has escalated, with Kim Sae-ron's family alleging that she was groomed by Kim Soo-hyun during her teenage years. They claim that Gold Medalist pressured them with legal documents related to Kim Sae-ron's DUI, which they argue Kim Soo-hyun ignored. In response, Gold Medalist has denied the allegations, stating that Kim Soo-hyun only dated Kim Sae-ron from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, and that the legal documents were merely procedural and not a demand for payment. Despite these denials, the family continues to counter these claims through 'Garo Sero Research Institute', leading to public scrutiny of both Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron's private lives. Kim Soo-hyun's representatives expressed concern that publicly airing these disputes is inappropriate for both the deceased and her family. Nevertheless, the family has stated that they had no choice but to release photos of Kim Soo-hyun taken during their relationship to substantiate their claims against Lee Jin-ho, further intensifying the situation.

故김새론 측, 노출사진 공개 됐는데 "김수현 사과 말곤 바라는 것 없어" [Oh!쎈 이슈]

Kim Sae-ron's Family Demands Public Apology from Kim Soo-hyun

The popular girl group LE SSERAFIM has achieved a remarkable feat with their latest mini-album, 'HOT', which was released on March 14 at 1 PM KST. According to the sales tracking site Hanteo Chart, the album sold an impressive 567,735 copies on its first day, securing the number one spot on the domestic album charts.

The excitement surrounding this comeback is also reflected on iTunes, where the album debuted at number three on the Worldwide iTunes Albums chart. As of 9 AM KST on March 15, 'HOT' has made its way into the top album charts in 34 countries and regions, including Japan, the United States, France, and Russia. Notably, it has reached the top ten in 27 countries, including Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia.

The title track, which shares the same name as the album, has entered the iTunes 'Top Songs' chart in 25 countries, including Sweden, Canada, France, and the United States. Additionally, all five tracks from the new album dominated the real-time rising chart on Japan's AWA music platform, taking the top five spots as of 6 PM KST on March 14, showcasing their immense popularity in the region.

The music video for the title track has also gained significant traction, ranking in the top trending videos on YouTube in 21 countries, including Canada (2nd), the United States (5th), and the United Kingdom (9th) as of 9 AM KST. It is currently holding the top positions on YouTube's Worldwide Trending and Music Video Trending charts. The 'HOT' music video captivates viewers with its bold direction, synchronized choreography, and unique set design.

LE SSERAFIM is set to continue the momentum with a live performance on MBC's 'Show! Music Core' at 3:15 PM KST on March 15.

르세라핌, 'HOT' 컴백 첫 날에만 57만 장 팔았다

LE SSERAFIM's New Album 'HOT' Tops Korean Charts

The girl group LE SSERAFIM (르세라핌), consisting of Kim Chaewon (김채원), Sakura (사쿠라), Heo Yunjin (허윤진), Kazuha (카즈하), and Hong Eunchae (홍은채), held a showcase on March 14 at YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, to celebrate the release of their fifth mini album, 'HOT'. 

During the event, Heo Yunjin expressed her excitement, stating, "We have now reached the final album of our trilogy following 'EASY' and 'CRAZY'. We have prepared this album based on the diverse experiences and lessons we learned last year. We will give our all in this comeback."

Kim Chaewon added, "This is our first album of the year, and I am grateful for all the wonderful experiences from last year. I will work hard with a joyful heart for this comeback." Kazuha mentioned, "We have a variety of music prepared that showcases our unique sides, including lyrical performances."

The mini album 'HOT' encapsulates a passionate approach to love, featuring five tracks. The title track 'HOT' blends rock and disco elements, while other songs include 'Born Fire', which features impressive narration in Korean, English, and Japanese; 'Come Over', which encourages listeners to embrace their feelings and enjoy the moment; 'Ash', which speaks to finding beauty in pain; and 'So Cynical (Badum)', co-written by Kim Chaewon, Heo Yunjin, and Hong Eunchae, urging listeners to boldly dive into love.

Sakura remarked, "'CRAZY' received so much love that it even made a comeback on the charts. To meet our fans' expectations, we have worked hard for this comeback. We will show you a hot and cool side of us."

Finally, Hong Eunchae shared, "This is my first album of 2025, and I prepared it with a fresh mindset as I turn twenty. I have challenged myself with new genres, so I hope you look forward to seeing a new side of me."

LE SSERAFIM's new album 'HOT' will officially be released at 1 PM today.

'컴백' 르세라핌 "'핫'하고 멋진 모습 많이 보여드릴 것" [Oh!쎈 현장]

LE SSERAFIM Promises a Hot Comeback with New Mini Album 'HOT'

The family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron has reiterated their stance through the YouTube channel 가로세로연구소 on March 15, 2025. They are calling for Kim Soo-hyun to acknowledge their past relationship, which reportedly began during their teenage years, and to issue a formal apology. They expressed dissatisfaction with the claims made by his agency, Gold Medalist, stating that they had not been in a relationship for the past three years, and demanded a retraction of these statements made just three days prior.

Furthermore, the family requested recognition of Kim Sae-ron's contributions as a founding member of the agency and an apology regarding a claim for 700 million won that was made against her. They clarified that mentioning Kim Soo-hyun was intended to focus on addressing cyberbullying and that they seek nothing but an official apology from his agency.

The family also plans to file a complaint against a person named Lee Jin-ho next week and is asking for a sincere public apology from him. They expressed their discomfort over Lee's actions during their mourning period, which they felt were mocking rather than fact-checking.

In response, Gold Medalist confirmed that the photos released by 가세연 were taken on December 14, 2019, and emphasized that there is no justification for the indiscriminate release of private images. They expressed sympathy for Kim Sae-ron's mother, acknowledging the profound pain she has experienced since her daughter's passing, and stated that they would like to meet with her to provide further explanations regarding the situation.

The agency also noted that while they empathize with the concerns raised by Kim Sae-ron's mother, there are differing views on some of her claims, and they believe that public disputes would not honor the memory of the deceased. They encouraged her to reach out to their office for a discussion.

[전문] 故김새론 유족 "김수현, 미성년자 열애 인정하길..사과만 원한다"

Family of Late Kim Sae-ron Demands Apology from Kim Soo-hyun and His Agency

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 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.

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

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.

Taeyeon of Girls' Generation Showcases Doll-like Beauty in Latest Selfie

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