The K-pop group TIOT (김민성, 금준현, 홍건희, 최우진, 신예찬) is set to return after a five-month hiatus. On March 31, Redstart Entertainment announced that their third mini album, 'FLEX LINE (플렉스 라인)', will be released on April 17 at 6 PM KST.

The teaser poster shared on their official social media features the members styled in black against a junkyard backdrop, creating a striking visual. The blurred images of the members evoke a sense of mystery, enhancing the anticipation for their comeback.

The album's title, along with a logo featuring a fist, release details, and the word 'REC', suggests a theme of recording, further heightening excitement for the upcoming release.

'FLEX LINE' marks TIOT's first new music since their digital single 'Take It Slow (테이크 잇 슬로)', which was released in November of last year. Known for their innovative approach with each album, fans are eager to see what fresh sounds TIOT will bring this time.

Since their debut with the album 'Kick-START (킥-스타트)', TIOT has consistently engaged with fans through regular releases and has made a strong impression on various music shows and festivals.

Fans can look forward to the release of 'FLEX LINE' on April 17 at 6 PM KST across all major online music platforms.

TIOT to Make a Comeback with New Mini Album 'FLEX LINE'

In a recent episode of SBS Plus's 'Solo' (솔로라서), actress Hwang Jung-eum candidly shared her experiences growing up in a divorced family, a revelation that surprised many viewers. During the broadcast on April 1, she discussed her own divorce from businessman Lee Yong-don, whom she married in 2016 and with whom she has two sons. The couple announced their separation in February of last year.

While discussing her divorce, host Choi Daniel asked Hwang if she felt any guilt about the absence of one parent in her children's lives. Hwang responded, "The absence was significant during my first divorce, and I felt a lack of remorse towards my children. However, their father is always available to them whenever they need him."

Hwang also opened up about her parents' divorce, stating, "I grew up in a divorced family as well. My parents divorced, but I maintained a close relationship with both of them, and they found happiness separately. I think I started living with my grandmother from the third grade after their divorce."

She reflected on how her family dynamics worked, saying, "Whenever there was something important, my parents would come together, so no one really knew I came from a divorced family. They filled any potential gaps in my upbringing with love."

Hwang acknowledged that while her parents' divorce created some deficiencies, the love she received from both sides doubled, as they both felt a sense of guilt. "I received two to three times the love, which helped me grow up well, so I wasn't afraid of divorce," she explained.

She concluded by stating, "I know I haven't done everything right, but I chose divorce for my happiness. I will do my best to fill my children's needs with love and strive to be a better mother."

"아무도 몰랐다"..황정음, 이혼가정에서 자란 '가정史' 최초고백 ('솔로라서') [핫피플]

Hwang Jung-eum Opens Up About Her Childhood in a Divorced Family on 'Solo' 

On April 2, a production briefing for the occult action film 'Holy Night: Demon Hunters' (거룩한 밤: 데몬 헌터스) was held at Lotte Cinema in Kondae, Seoul. The event featured Ma Dong-seok, who plays the role of Bau, a dark problem-solver who uses his fists to exorcise evil, alongside Seo Hyun as Sharon, a special ability exorcist, Lee Da-wit as Kim-gun, a multi-player who tracks demons, Kyung Soo-jin as Jung-won, who seeks exorcism, and Jung Ji-so as Eun-seo, Jung-won's sister possessed by a demon. Director Lim Dae-hee also attended the event.

'Holy Night' tells the story of a city thrown into chaos by a cult that worships evil, with a team of dark problem-solvers taking on the task of eliminating the forces of evil. Following the success of last year's occult film 'The Cursed: Dead Man's Prey' (파묘) and this year's hit animated film 'The Exorcist' (퇴마록), 'Holy Night' is set to further explore the occult genre in theaters this April.

Notably, Ma Dong-seok, known for his signature fist-fighting action in the 'Crime City' series, adds an occult twist to his character in 'Holy Night.' After achieving a record of over 10 million admissions with 'Crime City 4' (범죄도시4), he faced criticism for the declining quality of the series. In response, he announced a hiatus for the 'Crime City' series to reinvent his image with 'Holy Night,' which incorporates elements of the occult.

Ma Dong-seok, who not only stars in but also produced and planned the film, expressed his excitement about working with director Lim Dae-hee, who specializes in horror films. He stated, "I thought it would be great to mix action and fantasy into an occult film. I watched thousands of horror films from various countries while planning this project, and I wanted to incorporate different elements that resonate with different eras."

Director Lim Dae-hee, who has even written a thesis on the occult genre, shared his gratitude for Ma Dong-seok's support during the filming process, especially since it was his directorial debut. He noted, "I still have a lot to learn, but I analyzed several occult films to write my thesis. I lacked experience in action scenes, but Ma Dong-seok helped me a lot. It was an honor to work with him."

Ma Dong-seok acknowledged the challenge of avoiding self-repetition in his character portrayal, stating, "While my character has familiar traits, there are also fantasy elements. I will be playing a dark problem-solver with hidden secrets. The film includes boxing action, wire work, and special effects, and we faced some injuries during filming. We aimed to find new aspects of the fist-fighting action that fans expect from me."

Seo Hyun, who received the casting offer and responded within two hours, shared her enthusiasm for the project, saying, "I couldn't hesitate. The script was so interesting, and I wanted to work with Ma Dong-seok. I feel like I'm dreaming. I'm grateful to be part of my first commercial film with him. I plan to watch it in theaters multiple times when it releases."

Jung Ji-so expressed her love for the occult genre and the challenges of portraying a character that instills fear, stating, "This is my first time playing a character that scares others, and it was tough. However, Ma Dong-seok was very considerate behind the scenes."

Ma Dong-seok praised the chemistry among the cast, saying, "The chemistry is fantastic. While the film has a horror element, our interactions are great. We're even working on a webtoon to build the world of the film, and I would love to work with this team again."

'Holy Night: Demon Hunters' features a talented cast including Ma Dong-seok, Seo Hyun, Lee Da-wit, Kyung Soo-jin, and Jung Ji-so, marking director Lim Dae-hee's feature film debut. The film is set to be released on April 30.

[SC현장] "'파묘'보다 내가 먼저"…마동석 뻔하다 뻔해 '거룩한 밤' 퇴마 유행 막차 통할까(종합)

Ma Dong-seok Takes on the Occult in 'Holy Night: Demon Hunters'

On the April 31 episode of Channel A's 'Close Friends Documentary - Four-Person Dining Table', actress Lee Tae-ran shared her experiences of facing challenges in her marriage during the early days. Now celebrating 12 years of marriage, she revealed that she initiated the proposal just three months after meeting her husband on a blind date.

Lee Tae-ran described the differences in their personalities, saying, "I was eager while my husband was more serious; I am emotional, and he is rational. We married because we appreciated those differences, but they also presented challenges after we tied the knot." She humorously noted, "I liked his quiet nature, but it turned out to be too quiet, and I ended up talking alone, which was not fun."

She recounted a funny moment, saying, "When I ask my husband if I look pretty, he just replies, 'Uh, sure.' I’ve come to accept that now." Lee also shared a story from their newlywed days when she spent two hours preparing a meal, only to find her husband distracted by the TV. "I even changed seats so he couldn't watch TV, but he still didn't talk," she laughed, causing the audience to burst into laughter.

Kang Rae-yeon, who observed the couple, commented, "It looks like a love quarrel to me." Lee Tae-ran admitted, "We had our share of troubles. We often fought, and our conversations felt like we were speaking different languages. I even read books on communication for couples." She mentioned that she would read to her husband from a good book before bed, which helped improve their communication.

Lee Tae-ran also revealed that she thought about creating a reading YouTube channel during the pandemic, as many people were turning to YouTube at that time. "I thought it would be great to record myself reading and share it, not just with my husband but with others too."

Additionally, she shared a nostalgic moment by unveiling a photo from the 1997 Top Talent Selection Contest, where she won the grand prize. "It was an audition program, and I was so grateful just to be among the top 20. I wasn't even a drama major; I was just an office worker. Winning first place felt unreal," she said.

Reflecting on her journey to becoming an actress, Lee Tae-ran mentioned, "I was inspired by Kim Ji-hoo, who was really popular at the time. I saw a scene from an advertisement and thought it looked fun. I felt like I could do it too."

Yoo Sun, another guest, shared her own struggles, stating, "I dreamed of being an actress since fifth grade but kept failing auditions. I finally debuted at 26, but I never got to play roles that matched my age, so I started with villain roles."

이태란, ♥사업가 남편과 불화 고백? "나 혼자만 대화, 소통 안 돼" ('4인용식탁') [종합]

Lee Tae-ran Opens Up About Early Marital Troubles with Her Entrepreneur Husband

On the April 1 episode of TV Chosun's 'Dad and Me' (아빠하고 나하고), actress Park Han-byul opened up about her struggles over the past six years, a story she had not even shared with her family. She revealed that her father suffered from depression and social anxiety, describing her daily life as hellish. Park Han-byul's father expressed his feelings of hopelessness, stating, 'When I got home, I didn't even watch TV. There was no fun in anything. You know that feeling of being numb?' He also shared that he often had thoughts of ending his life, wandering around their neighborhood late at night, contemplating jumping from a high place.

In a surprising revelation, Park Han-byul mentioned that her mother-in-law had called her, suggesting that she should consider divorce for her own well-being, stating that it seemed like she was causing harm. 'Did she talk to my mom about it? At that time, many people were telling me to break up,' she recalled. Park Han-byul reflected on the pressure she felt, saying, 'Isn't that crazy? How could I not get a divorce? There were many people saying that. But I have a young child. As a mother, I made the best choice I could for my child.' She emphasized that she could not choose divorce for the sake of her child.

박한별, 남편 버닝썬 논란 터지고…"시母도 전화와서 이혼 권해" ('아빠하고') [순간포착]

Park Han-byul Reveals Mother-in-Law Suggested Divorce on 'Dad and Me'

NMIXX has made waves in the K-pop scene by clinching three music show trophies with their latest track 'KNOW ABOUT ME' from their mini-album 'Fe3O4: FORWARD', released on March 17. The group celebrated their victories on MBC M's Show Champion, KBS 2TV's Music Bank, and SBS's Inkigayo on March 26, 28, and 30, respectively, showcasing their impressive 'hexagonal' talents and responding to the unwavering support from their fandom, NSWER.

Following their trophy wins, NMIXX delivered an encore performance that thrilled K-pop fans both domestically and internationally. Their unique vocal tones and the live singing abilities of all six members left a strong impression, captivating viewers online. Fans expressed their admiration, stating, "The vocals are soothing and make you want to replay it," and "NMIXX's live performances always keep me coming back for more. I hope to see more encore stages in the future."

In addition to their music show appearances, NMIXX's live performances across various platforms have also garnered attention. Notably, on March 28, they captivated audiences on KBS 2TV's The Seasons - Park Bogum's Cantabile with their performance of 'KNOW ABOUT ME' and impressed viewers with a live cover of Beyoncé's 'Love On Top'. They also showcased their versatility with unique interpretations of DAY6's 'HAPPY' and Rosé's 'toxic till the end', solidifying their reputation as a 'masterful group'.

Continuing their momentum, NMIXX will resume their tour with the second fan concert 'NMIXX 2ND FAN CONCERT 'NMIXX CHANGE UP: MIXX LAB'' in Taipei on April 19-20. They are also set to perform at the renowned iHeartRadio Wango Tango festival in Huntington City Beach, USA, on May 10, local time.

엔믹스, 'KNOW ABOUT ME'로 음방 3관왕..'정육각형' 역량 빛났다

NMIXX Achieves Triple Crown with 'KNOW ABOUT ME'

On April 1, global beauty brand Y.O.U BEAUTY GLOBAL announced the termination of its partnership with actor Kim Soo-hyun amid ongoing controversies surrounding his personal life, including grooming allegations related to the late Kim Sae-ron. 

Y.O.U BEAUTY had appointed Kim Soo-hyun as a beauty ambassador in 2022, praising him as one of the most successful actors in Korea and expressing confidence that he would inspire others to pursue their dreams with positivity and confidence. However, following recent scandals, the brand released a statement on its official account regarding the partnership. 

The statement emphasized Y.O.U's commitment to prioritizing the well-being and interests of all women, stating, "We encourage women to step forward with newfound confidence and a radiant life, and we do not tolerate any actions that undermine our brand values." 

After careful consideration, Y.O.U BEAUTY decided to end its partnership with Kim Soo-hyun and is taking immediate action to remove all materials related to him from their platforms, stating they will pursue all necessary legal actions if required. The brand has already deleted all photos and posts featuring Kim Soo-hyun from its accounts. 

Meanwhile, the family of the late Kim Sae-ron has made claims through the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, alleging that Kim Soo-hyun had a relationship with Kim Sae-ron from 2015, when she was a minor, for six years. They have demanded compensation of 700 million KRW for damages related to a drunk driving incident and have sent two legal notices, claiming Kim Soo-hyun was negligent in addressing the situation. They also released alleged intimate photos, videos, letters, and messages exchanged between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron, demanding an apology and acknowledgment from Kim Soo-hyun's side. 

In response, Kim Soo-hyun held a press conference on March 31, tearfully denying the allegations, stating, "We dated for about a year, five years ago, before 'Queen of Tears' aired four years ago. I did not have a relationship with her when she was a minor." He also refuted claims regarding messages exchanged during Kim Sae-ron's minor years, asserting that the individuals in the conversations from 2016 and 2018 were different people. 

Kim Soo-hyun's legal representative, attorney Kim Jong-bok from LK Partners, announced that they have filed a defamation lawsuit against the family and the operators of Garosero Research Institute, claiming violations of the Information and Communications Network Act and seeking 12 billion KRW in damages.

Kim Soo-hyun Denies Grooming Allegations as Y.O.U BEAUTY Ends Partnership

On April 2, 2025, the K-pop group BABYMONSTER departed from Incheon International Airport to Osaka, Japan, for their overseas schedule. The group is currently on their debut world tour, '2025 BABYMONSTER 1st WORLD TOUR,' which has already seen successful concerts in cities like Seoul, Newark, Los Angeles, Kanagawa, and Aichi. They are set to continue their performances in Japan, starting with Osaka on April 3. Overall, the tour will cover 20 cities across Asia and newly added North American dates, totaling 32 shows to connect with fans worldwide.

BABYMONSTER Depart for Osaka as Part of Their First World Tour

The Netflix film 'Revelation' (계시록), starring Ryu Jun-yeol, has claimed the number one spot in the global top 10 non-English films for two consecutive weeks. The film tells the story of a pastor who believes that punishing the perpetrator of a missing person case is a divine revelation, and a detective haunted by the spirit of his deceased brother, as they each pursue their own beliefs.

In the film, Ryu Jun-yeol portrays Seong Min-chan, a pastor leading a small church who receives a divine message to punish the culprit behind a sudden disappearance, leading to a dramatic transformation in his life. Ryu skillfully builds emotional depth as his character undergoes significant changes, showcasing a powerful performance that captivates audiences with its intensity.

Ryu Jun-yeol's portrayal of Seong Min-chan has been described as exceptional, with many viewers expressing that no one else could have delivered such a performance. This acclaim has helped 'Revelation' maintain its position at the top of the global non-English films chart even in its second week of release.

Additionally, from March 24 to March 30, 'Revelation' recorded a total of 6,900,000 views (calculated by dividing total viewing hours by the film's runtime) and has appeared in the top 10 lists of 65 countries, including Japan, France, and Mexico, drawing worldwide attention.

Ryu Jun-yeol's 'Revelation' Tops Netflix Global Non-English Films for Two Weeks

The highly anticipated film 'Lobby' has officially premiered today, April 2. As of this morning, it has secured the top spot in pre-sales for newly released films, alongside 'Victory', marking the beginning of a vibrant spring for Korean cinema.

Just three days prior to its release, 'Lobby' achieved the highest pre-sale rate among all films, and it continues to lead the pre-sales for films debuting in the first week of April. Critics, including renowned film reviewer Lee Dong-jin, have praised 'Lobby' for its rare ensemble of major stars in Korean cinema and highlighted the growth of actor-director Ha Jung-woo, contributing to the film's explosive word-of-mouth buzz.

Audience screenings and VIP previews have generated enthusiastic responses, with viewers commenting on the film's humor, calling it "incredibly fun! I hope to see more comedies like this," and noting how the rapid-fire dialogue made the time fly by. Many have also remarked on the strong appeal of the characters, particularly praising Lee Dong-hwi's comedic performance, and applauding the cast's exceptional acting skills.

Currently, 'Lobby' is in a tight race for box office supremacy with 'Victory'. The two films feature Ha Jung-woo and Lee Byung-hun, who previously collaborated in 'Ashfall', making their joint return to theaters this spring particularly noteworthy. Fans are eager to see if the camaraderie between these two leading actors can bring a warm spring to the box office.

The plot of 'Lobby' follows Chang-wook (played by Ha Jung-woo), a startup CEO who knows little beyond research, as he embarks on his first-ever lobbying golf game to secure a 4 trillion won national project. The film is currently enjoying a successful run in theaters.

Film 'Lobby' Premieres Today, Topping Box Office Pre-Sales

On April 2, 2025, actor Kim Soo-hyun has officially filed a complaint against Kim Se-yeol, the operator of the YouTube channel ‘가로세로연구소’ (Garo Sero Research Institute), for violating stalking laws. Kim Soo-hyun's legal representatives from LK Partners announced that both he and a gold medalist have taken this action due to ongoing harassment.

The complaint follows a series of broadcasts by Garo Sero, which began on March 10, 2025, with a sensational title claiming that Kim Soo-hyun was involved in the death of actress Kim Sae-ron, alleging a six-year relationship that started when she was just 15. The channel has reportedly aired content about Kim Soo-hyun daily, except for one day, spreading false information.

Kim Soo-hyun's team stated that Garo Sero has indiscriminately shared images and videos of the actor, including private letters and messages, on their YouTube channel. They emphasized that the only way to stop such 'cyber harassment' is through strict investigation and punishment.

Furthermore, the gold medalist has refuted all claims made by Garo Sero regarding the alleged relationship with Kim Sae-ron, asserting that the accusations are entirely false and based on manipulated evidence. They plan to continue to respond firmly to any further dissemination of false information by Garo Sero.

In related news, Kim Sae-ron was found deceased at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on February 16, 2025. Following her funeral, her family claimed through Garo Sero that she had been in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun since she was 15 years old.

TIOT to Make a Comeback with New Mini Album 'FLEX LINE'

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Kim Soo-hyun Denies Grooming Allegations as Y.O.U BEAUTY Ends Partnership

BABYMONSTER Depart for Osaka as Part of Their First World Tour

Ryu Jun-yeol's 'Revelation' Tops Netflix Global Non-English Films for Two Weeks

Film 'Lobby' Premieres Today, Topping Box Office Pre-Sales

Kim Soo-hyun Files Stalking Charges Against YouTuber Kim Se-yeol

More

Hwang Jung-eum Opens Up About Her Childhood in a Divorced Family on 'Solo'

Ma Dong-seok Takes on the Occult in 'Holy Night: Demon Hunters'

Lee Tae-ran Opens Up About Early Marital Troubles with Her Entrepreneur Husband

Park Han-byul Reveals Mother-in-Law Suggested Divorce on 'Dad and Me'

NMIXX Achieves Triple Crown with 'KNOW ABOUT ME'

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