TV Chosun is set to broadcast 'Mr. Trot TOP7 Begins' tonight at 10 PM. The show will feature Kim Yong-bin, the third winner (진) following Lim Young-woong and Ahn Sung-hoon, alongside Son Bin-ah and Cheon Rok-dam. The episode will reveal behind-the-scenes stories from the previous competition. Joining them on stage will be the TOP10 contestants from 'Mr. Trot 3': Chun-gil, Choi Jae-myung, Choo Hyuk-jin, Namgoong Jin, Park Ji-hoo, and Yoo Ji-woo.

Attention is drawn to Kim Yong-bin's poignant story. As a seasoned performer with 22 years of experience, he has faced numerous challenges on his journey to the top. He shared, "I experienced panic attacks and depression, but I couldn't talk to anyone about it," revealing the struggles that kept him off the stage for the past seven years.

His motivation to participate in 'Mr. Trot 3' stems from the recent passing of his grandmother. He revealed that he joined the competition to fulfill her last wish: "I want to see you sing one last time." Kim Yong-bin expressed a deep realization, saying, "I didn’t understand it when she was alive, but I now see that her entire life was about me." In response, Jang Yoon-jung encouraged him, saying, "How happy and proud your grandmother would be to see you now."

TV Chosun to Air 'Mr. Trot TOP7 Begins' Featuring Heartfelt Stories

Singer and actress IU (real name Lee Ji-eun) shared her thoughts on the rumors and misunderstandings surrounding her during a wrap-up interview for the Netflix series 'My Name is Na Ae-soon' held at a hotel in Seoul on April 2. 

Reflecting on the criticism she faced for pre-purchasing drinks for fans attending a rally calling for President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment last year, which led to the label 'Left IU' (좌이유), she stated, "It's not entirely wrong to say I feel upset, but I haven't actually seen the videos or criticisms directly. I've never thought, 'Why is it only me?'

IU expressed that she believes it's part of the territory that comes with being in the public eye. "In a way, it shows that there is a lot of interest in me," she noted. However, she emphasized that when expressions cross the line or when there are movements that create significant misunderstandings, action is necessary from her agency's perspective.

When asked if she feels wronged by the rumors, IU admitted, "It would be a lie to say I've never felt wronged in my life, but there are also times when people view me more positively than I actually am. I never expected to receive such great love for this long while doing this work."

Regarding the global success of 'My Name is Na Ae-soon,' she expressed her happiness, saying, "I'm really happy. I've received many supportive messages from those around me. It's heartwarming to see people from various generations and professions resonate with the show."

IU also shared that her family's reaction was overwhelmingly positive, stating, "This was the most enthusiastic response I've received for any of my works. My dad has very specific tastes, and if he doesn't find something convincing, he won't watch it. But it was surprising to see him engrossed in the show."

'My Name is Na Ae-soon' is a Netflix series that narrates the adventurous life of a rebellious girl named Na Ae-soon and her father, Kwan-sik, through the four seasons. IU plays dual roles as young Ae-soon and her daughter, Geum-myeong.

아이유 “‘좌이유’ 논란 속상하지만 감당해야 하는 부분”

IU Opens Up About Rumors and Misunderstandings in Netflix Series Wrap-Up Interview

A new controversy has emerged in South Korea involving foreign BJ Black Dave, a rapper and skateboarder from New York, who was caught on video attacking a pedestrian while live streaming on the Australian platform Kick. The incident occurred on March 31, when Dave approached a man trying to enter a vehicle and suddenly threw a punch while hurling insults. 

While it is speculated that the attack was a reaction to the man parking on the sidewalk, the exact context remains unclear. The victim, standing by the passenger door, was caught off guard and left the scene without retaliating. When the man attempted to defend himself, Dave shouted, "Don’t touch my body!" while continuing to curse. 

The incident was broadcast live, leading to widespread outrage online as viewers questioned why a foreigner would behave this way in Korea. Many expressed that such actions should not be overlooked. 

This incident has drawn comparisons to Johnny Somali, a Somali-American YouTuber who is currently facing trial for disruptive behavior in Korea, including playing loud music in a convenience store and causing disturbances on public transport. Somali's trial began on March 7, where he displayed a lack of remorse, arriving late and mocking the court. His next hearing is scheduled for April 9. 

The repeated inappropriate actions of foreign internet personalities in Korea have sparked calls for stricter penalties. Professor Seo Kyung-duk from Sungshin Women's University stated on Facebook that the increasing number of foreign YouTubers causing chaos in Korea is a significant issue. He emphasized the need to prevent such individuals from mocking the country and threatening its citizens, suggesting that strong punishments for Somali could set a positive precedent. He also advocated for the deportation of disruptive YouTubers. 

As incidents involving foreign BJs continue to raise concerns, the public is calling for action to ensure the safety and respect of local citizens.

차 타려는 행인에 다짜고짜 주먹질… 한국서 행패 부린 외국인 BJ 논란 

Controversy Erupts as Foreign BJ Black Dave Assaults Pedestrian in Korea

Bill Murray, the 75-year-old American actor, is under fire after forcibly kissing British actress Naomi Watts, 57, during a live talk show. The incident occurred on April 1, 2025, while promoting their film 'The Friend' on Bravo's 'Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen'. 

When the host asked Watts to share her 'best kiss' moment, Murray unexpectedly grabbed her face and kissed her, shocking the audience. He then looked at the camera with a nonchalant expression and gave a thumbs-up. 

Watts, visibly uncomfortable, pointed out the pink lipstick smudged on Murray's lips and asked, "Is my face red?" to which he dismissively replied, "That's too easy of an answer." 

After regaining her composure, Watts stated, "My best kiss is obviously my husband, Billy Crudup." 

Following the incident, social media erupted with criticism directed at Murray, with many women labeling his actions as "rude," "disgusting," and "unacceptable." 

This marks the first time in nearly a decade that Murray and Watts have co-starred together since their 2014 film 'St. Vincent'. Murray, known for his work on 'Saturday Night Live' and the 'Ghostbusters' series, has a storied career, while Watts has received acclaim for her performances in films like 'Mulholland Drive' and 'Birdman'.

75세 유명 男배우, 생방송 중 女배우 강제 성추행 논란

Bill Murray Faces Backlash for Unwanted Kiss on Naomi Watts During Live Show

On April 2, during the MBC program Radio Star (라디오스타), attorney Yang Na-rae shared insights on the increasing occurrences of newlywed divorces. Responding to host Kim Gu-ra's mention of a recent report from the National Statistical Office indicating a decline in divorce rates, Yang expressed her personal observation that the rates seem to be rising. She noted that the statistics only account for couples who have officially registered their marriage, while many couples today choose to live together without formal registration and often separate after a short period.

Yang explained that divorces occurring within a short timeframe often stem from negative emotions between partners, leading one party to seek alimony by attributing blame to the other. She highlighted a common sentiment among lawyers that pursuing a 30 million won alimony case can be more challenging than dividing assets worth 3 billion won.

The attorney pointed out that while there has been a historical prevalence of late-life divorces, a notable increase in newlywed divorces—defined as those occurring within four years of marriage—has emerged. She remarked that divorce is no longer viewed as a stigma, with some individuals advocating for quicker separations.

Yang also mentioned a shift in parental attitudes, with some parents suggesting that they would support their children after three years of marriage, and even being open to delaying marriage registration. Additionally, she noted that assets acquired before marriage can still be divided based on each partner's contributions.

In discussing divorce litigation, Yang explained that attorneys typically receive both a retainer fee and a success fee upon winning a case.

이혼 변호사 양나래, "신혼 이혼 악감정, 재산 30억 분할보다 위자료 3천이 더 어려워" ('라스')

Attorney Yang Na-rae Discusses Rising Trend of Newlywed Divorces

On April 3, SBS confirmed that production for Season 2 of Good Partner (굿파트너) is officially underway. However, a representative from the network noted that the project is still in its early stages, with no set timeline or casting decisions made yet. 

Good Partner is a human legal office drama featuring star lawyer Cha Eun-kyung (played by 장나라), who specializes in divorce, and rookie lawyer Han Yu-ri (played by 남지현), who is navigating her first divorce case. The series garnered significant attention, achieving a peak viewership rating of 17.7%. 

The first season earned several accolades, with 장나라 winning the Grand Prize at the SBS Drama Awards, while 남지현 received the Best Acting Award, and both 김준한 and 표지훈 were recognized with Excellence Awards.

“제작 초기 단계”..장나라X남지현 ’굿파트너’ 시즌2 나온다 [공식입장]

Good Partner Season 2 in Production

On April 3, 2025, G-Dragon's agency, Galaxy Corporation, announced that they are taking a strong stance against the spread of false information and malicious posts targeting the artist on online communities and social media. The agency expressed serious concern over these harmful actions, stating that they will pursue legal action against those responsible. They emphasized that spreading false information, defamation, insults, and invasion of privacy are clear illegal acts that could lead to legal consequences under the Information and Communications Network Act and criminal law.

Galaxy Corporation is currently monitoring online platforms closely and collecting relevant evidence, with plans to utilize fan reports as crucial support for their legal actions. They urged fans to report any malicious posts they encounter.

The agency confirmed that they will thoroughly review any harmful content directed at G-Dragon and will proceed with necessary legal measures without any settlements or leniency regarding the dissemination of false information and defamation. They assured fans of their commitment to protecting the artist's rights through diligent monitoring and ongoing responses.

In related news, G-Dragon recently kicked off his 'G-DRAGON 2025 WORLD TOUR [Übermensch] IN KOREA, presented by Coupang Play' with concerts held on March 29 and 30 at the Goyang Sports Complex.

G-Dragon Takes Legal Action Against Online Trolls

Former BIGBANG member Seungri (real name Lee Seung-hyun), a central figure in the Burning Sun scandal, has reached out to the media to refute rumors about pursuing business opportunities in China. On April 3, he contacted Ilgan Sports, stating, "I want to correct the misinformation. I am not leaving Korea; I currently reside here. My overseas trips are mostly for friends' weddings or personal vacations, and I have no business meetings planned."

Seungri emphasized, "Despite claims that I am still interested in the entertainment or cultural sectors, I have no such plans. My recent meetings with industry contacts were simply casual dinners with former colleagues."

He further clarified, "I am not conceptualizing any other business ventures, and I do not know anyone from a major corporation as has been suggested."

After serving a 1.5-year prison sentence for charges related to prostitution and facilitating prostitution, Seungri was released in February 2023. He shared that since his release, he has not engaged in any economic activities and is primarily spending time with family, living a quiet life.

Reflecting on his continued presence in the news despite his retirement from the entertainment industry, he remarked, "It seems people find it entertaining to criticize me. They even refer to me as 'Defeat' instead of Seungri, as if it's a meme."

Seungri expressed his desire to clarify the false narratives surrounding him, acknowledging that the ongoing discussions may be causing fatigue for many. He sincerely apologized for any distress caused by the noise surrounding his personal life and pledged to act more responsibly to avoid further controversies.

Seungri Denies Business Rumors Amid Ongoing Controversy

Stray Kids has successfully wrapped up their concert in Rio de Janeiro as part of their world tour 'Stray Kids World Tour 'dominATE''. On April 1st (local time), the group held their first-ever solo concert at Estádio Nilton Santos, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of over 55,000 fans, showcasing their immense popularity in the region.

The concert kicked off with the powerful track 'MOUNTAINS' from their mini-album 'ATE'. The audience was treated to a parade of hit songs infused with the group's unique energy, including '소리꾼', 'Back Door', 'Chk Chk Boom', '神메뉴', '특', and 'MANIAC', all of which received an overwhelming response from fans.

Highlights of the performance included the intense rapping of Han and Felix in 'Truman', the powerful energy of Changbin and I.N in 'Burnin' Tires', the captivating mood of Bang Chan and Hyunjin in 'ESCAPE', and the sweet vocals of Lee Know and Seungmin in 'CINEMA'. The stage also featured a grand and unique rendition of 'GIANT (Korean Ver.)', elevating the atmosphere to new heights.

The setlist, filled with self-composed songs, was complemented by rich band sounds, explosive stage energy, and mesmerizing performances, creating an electrifying experience. A stunning 360-degree fireworks display lit up the night sky, providing unforgettable moments for both Stray Kids and their fandom, STAY. After the concert, the eight members expressed their gratitude, reflecting on their seven-year journey and the joy of connecting with fans. They hope to receive the same warm welcome upon their next meeting.

The 'dominATE' world tour, which is the group's largest to date with 55 performances across 34 regions, will continue in São Paulo on April 5th and 6th, before heading to major stadiums across Latin America, North America, Japan, and Europe until the end of July. Stray Kids is expected to attract a total of 2.2 million fans, setting a new record for the highest attendance in a single K-pop tour.

Stray Kids Concludes Successful Concert in Rio de Janeiro as Part of World Tour

On April 3, 2025, the Seoul Central District Court held its first hearing regarding Ador's lawsuit against the five members of NewJeans, seeking confirmation of the validity of their exclusive contract. While NewJeans previously attended a hearing related to Ador's request for a temporary injunction to prevent the group from signing contracts with other agencies, they did not appear for this session.

Ador maintains that the exclusive contract signed with NewJeans in April 2022 is still valid and expressed a willingness to negotiate or reach a settlement. However, NewJeans asserts that they terminated the contract in November 2023 and stated, "We cannot consider any form of negotiation."

A significant point of contention during the hearing was the differing views on former CEO Min. Ador acknowledged Min's contributions to the group's success but argued that NewJeans could exist without him. They emphasized that as a subsidiary of the leading company HYBE, they could support NewJeans through other producers. They also pointed out that NewJeans successfully completed a recent concert in Hong Kong without Min's assistance, suggesting inconsistencies in NewJeans' claims.

In response, NewJeans expressed distrust towards Ador, citing the complete change in management and a lack of communication regarding alternatives following Min's departure. They stated, "The fundamental trust has been broken, making collaboration impossible."

Ador countered that Min left voluntarily, not as a result of being ousted. They claimed that even after the court deemed the management change legal, they offered Min a chance to continue as a director and producer, which he declined, leading to a breakdown in communication and NewJeans' unilateral declaration of contract termination.

NewJeans announced their contract termination with Ador in November 2023, prompting Ador to file for both a temporary injunction and a formal lawsuit against the members. On March 21, the court granted Ador's request for a temporary injunction, leading NewJeans to announce a halt in their activities.

The next court date is set for June 5, 2025, at 11:10 AM. The judge noted the unusual nature of the case, stating, "There have been instances where contracts were terminated without any settlements, but this is a unique situation. I will consider how to assess the trust relationship."


NewJeans Declares Legal Battle Against Ador

The popular SBS drama 'Good Partner' (굿파트너), which delves into the real-life courtroom experiences of divorce attorneys, is set to return for a second season. On April 3, an SBS representative announced that while the production of 'Good Partner' Season 2 has been confirmed, it is still in the early stages. Details regarding the broadcast schedule, filming timeline, and cast have yet to be finalized, with discussions ongoing to explore various possibilities.

Originally aired from July to September last year, 'Good Partner' follows the journey of star attorney Cha Eun-kyung (장나라) and rookie lawyer Han Yoo-ri (남지현) as they navigate the complexities of divorce cases, showcasing their conflicts and growth. The series tackled the realistic theme of divorce with a sharp yet empathetic narrative, resonating with viewers.

The show's success is reflected in its ratings, achieving a peak nationwide viewership of 17.7% according to Nielsen Korea, securing the top spot in its time slot. Additionally, 장나라 received the Grand Prize at the 2024 SBS Acting Awards, highlighting both the show's artistic merit and popularity.

With the anticipation surrounding the return of 'Good Partner' Season 2, fans are eager to see what new stories will unfold and whether 장나라 and 남지현 will reprise their roles.

TV Chosun to Air 'Mr. Trot TOP7 Begins' Featuring Heartfelt Stories

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G-Dragon Takes Legal Action Against Online Trolls

Seungri Denies Business Rumors Amid Ongoing Controversy

Stray Kids Concludes Successful Concert in Rio de Janeiro as Part of World Tour

NewJeans Declares Legal Battle Against Ador

SBS Drama 'Good Partner' Confirms Season 2 Production

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Controversy Erupts as Foreign BJ Black Dave Assaults Pedestrian in Korea

Bill Murray Faces Backlash for Unwanted Kiss on Naomi Watts During Live Show

Attorney Yang Na-rae Discusses Rising Trend of Newlywed Divorces

Good Partner Season 2 in Production

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