Choi Byeong-hak, a renowned voice actor and actor, has sadly passed away. According to his family, he died from acute myocardial infarction on February 8, at the age of 85. Choi began his career in 1961 with Korean Broadcasting (now EBS) and joined the MBC Voice Acting Troupe in 1965. He lent his voice to popular animations such as 'Mazinger Z' and 'Ultra Exploration Team.' Additionally, he portrayed Professor Kingsfield in the foreign film 'Harvard's Study Bugs' and served as a narrator for the radio drama 'Following the Legend Across the Land.' In 1992, he received the Male Voice Actor Award at the 19th Korean Broadcasting Awards and appeared in dramas including 'The Third Republic,' 'Love and Ambition,' 'Reeds,' and 'Love and War.' His funeral is being held at the Seoul Catholic University Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Funeral Hall, with the burial scheduled for 7 AM on February 11.

Voice Actor and Actor Choi Byeong-hak Passes Away at 85

Recently, speculation has arisen regarding Choi Seung-hyun (최승현), known as TOP, potentially rejoining BIGBANG. Discussions on various online communities have highlighted that his name has appeared on BIGBANG's official YouTube account, where 'TOP' is listed. Fans are buzzing with excitement, asking, 'Is the full BIGBANG lineup coming back?' alongside the names of G-Dragon (지드래곤), Taeyang (태양), and Daesung (대성). 

Adding to the speculation, TOP's personal social media also features the name 'TOP,' reminiscent of his rapper persona from his BIGBANG days, which has delighted fans. This comes nearly two years after he officially announced his departure from the group. 

In 2016, TOP was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, due to charges related to marijuana use. After his exclusive contract with YG Entertainment ended in 2022, he confirmed his exit from BIGBANG in 2023. 

Recently, TOP has been active on his personal social media, sharing a series of stylish profile photos showcasing various suit styles. Notably, these black-and-white images were revealed during an interview with domestic media last month, where he expressed his desire to continue acting. With his name appearing on both BIGBANG's official channel and his own social media, fans are eagerly awaiting confirmation of his status. 

Additionally, TOP recently made an appearance as Thanos in the Netflix original series Squid Game Season 2.

빅뱅 탈퇴 2년만에 'TOP' 재합류? 최승현 SNS+빅뱅 공식계정 '눈길' (Oh!쎈 이슈)

TOP's Possible Return to BIGBANG Sparks Excitement Among Fans

In the upcoming episode of tvN's weekend drama 'Ask the Stars' (별들에게 물어봐), airing on February 9, 2025, Lee Min-ho's character, Gongryong, finds himself in a precarious situation. While the romantic tension between Gongryong and Eve Kim (played by Gong Hyo-jin) begins to blossom, an unexpected visitor disrupts their moment. The doorbell rings, and it’s none other than Choi Go-eun (Han Ji-eun), who immediately takes Eve to a bar, questioning her drinking skills and suggesting a drinking game that leaves Eve bewildered.

As the night unfolds, Choi Go-eun expresses her frustrations, leading to a heated exchange where Eve apologizes for her feelings towards Gongryong. Choi Go-eun retorts that Gongryong is only interested in the glamorous life she represents, having risked everything to reach the stars, while Eve insists that her feelings are genuine.

The tension escalates as both women confront their feelings for Gongryong, with Choi Go-eun revealing her past with him, contrasting it with Eve's more recent connection. Their drunken escapades lead to a humorous scene where they both end up asleep in Gongryong's bed.

Meanwhile, Eve receives advice from Kang Tae-hee (Lee El), who warns her against pursuing a personal relationship with Gongryong, emphasizing the competitive nature of their environment. As the drama unfolds, Gongryong is questioned about his feelings, leading to a deeper discussion about love and life.

The episode also features a light-hearted date between Gongryong and Eve, where they share their thoughts on life and death, revealing their vulnerabilities. Gongryong expresses his desire to live a full life with Eve, while she contemplates the idea of dying happily in the moment.

As the plot thickens, Kang Kang-soo (Oh Jung-se) reveals Gongryong's feelings for Choi Go-eun, leading to a confrontation that puts Gongryong's career at risk. Despite the chaos, Choi Go-eun defends Gongryong, insisting that their relationship is not what it seems.

In a shocking twist, Kang Tae-hee discovers the truth about Eve and Gongryong's secret romance, raising the stakes for the couple as they navigate their feelings amidst external pressures.

이민호, 공효진과 ♥비밀열애+수정란 발각..인생 최대 위기 ('별들에게')[종합]

Lee Min-ho Faces Major Crisis in Latest Episode of 'Ask the Stars'

The highly anticipated film <첫 번째 키스> (First Kiss), written by Sakamoto Yuji and directed by Tsukahara Ayuko, premiered in Japan on February 7, 2025, and quickly claimed the top spot at the weekend box office, signaling a new wave of success for Japanese cinema this year. 

The story follows Kanna (played by Matsu Takako), who faces a marital crisis after losing her husband Kakeru (Matsumura Hokuto) in an accident. In a twist of fate, she unexpectedly reunites with him 15 years later. 

Sakamoto Yuji, known for winning the Best Screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival for <괴물> (The Host), has once again captivated audiences with <첫 번째 키스>, which outperformed several strong competitors to secure the number one position. The film surpassed the animated foreign film <와일드 로봇> (Wild Robot) and achieved the highest ratings among newly released Japanese films, garnering both box office success and critical acclaim. 

Notably, <첫 번째 키스> has outstripped the opening weekend earnings of South Korea's highest-grossing Japanese melodrama, <오늘밤, 이 세계에서 사랑이 사라진다 해도> (Even If Love Disappears from This World Tonight), as well as Sakamoto's previous work, <괴물>. 

The film's success can be attributed to its universal appeal, with audiences praising it as a must-see for all ages. Comments such as "The combination of Sakamoto Yuji's writing and Tsukahara Ayuko's direction is exceptional!" and "Watching this film feels like reading a novel" highlight the enchanting performances of Matsu Takako and Matsumura Hokuto, as well as the unique directorial style of Tsukahara Ayuko. Viewers have expressed a desire to watch it multiple times with loved ones. 

In addition to its success in Japan, <첫 번째 키스> will hold a special preview screening in South Korea before its official release. On February 14, 2025, coinciding with Valentine's Day, the film will be showcased, raising anticipation for how it will resonate with South Korean audiences on this special occasion. 

Having topped the Japanese box office in its opening weekend, <첫 번째 키스> is set to hit theaters across South Korea on February 26, 2025.

'첫 번째 키스', '괴물' 오프닝 수익 넘었다..日 박스오피스 정상 [공식]

First Kiss Dominates Japanese Box Office with Record Opening

On the February 9 episode of KBS2's Boss's Ear (사장님 귀는 당나귀 귀), host Jun Hyun-moo addressed rumors about his wedding, initially speculated to take place in March, and clarified that it would actually be in May. During the show, fellow cast members including Shin Jong-chul, Park Myung-soo, and Eom Ji-in discussed various topics, leading to a revelation by Eom Ji-in about Jun Hyun-moo's alleged meetings with Kim Jin-woong, Lee Kwang-yeop, and Hong Joo-yeon. Park Myung-soo and Lee Kyung-kyu humorously suggested that the two men were merely distractions to help Hong Joo-yeon. They joked about the existence of a common-law marriage and even mentioned that there might be a child involved, eliciting laughter from the audience. When Shin Jong-chul appeared on the show, Park Myung-soo brought up the wedding rumors, prompting Jun Hyun-moo to express his disbelief, saying, 'What’s this March wedding rumor? My mom called me asking if I’m getting married in March, and even Chu congratulated me. There’s so much misinformation.' Park Myung-soo then suggested moving the wedding to May, to which Jun Hyun-moo responded positively, but quickly added, 'Then another article will come out saying I corrected it to May.'

"5월로 연기" 전현무, 母도 몰랐던 3월 결혼설…예식장·뷔페는 '5성급' (사당귀)[순간포착]

Jun Hyun-moo Clarifies Wedding Rumors, Shifts Date to May

The Netflix series Squid Game 2 (오징어 게임2) has won the award for Best Foreign Language Series at the 30th Critics Choice Awards held in Santa Monica, California, on February 7. The show triumphed over other nominees including Acapulco (Apple TV+), Citadel: Honey Bunny (Prime Video), La Maquina (Hulu), Lydia Poet's Law Season 2 (Netflix), My Brilliant Friend Season 4 (HBO), Pachinko (Apple TV+), and Sena (Netflix).

The first season of Squid Game (오징어 게임) previously made history at the 2022 Critics Choice Awards, winning three awards including Best Action Series, Best Actor, and Best Actress in the TV category.

In the film category, the Best Picture award went to Sean Baker's Anora, while Demi Moore won Best Actress for Substance, and Adrien Brody took home Best Actor for The Pianist. In the TV category, FX's Shogun won Best Series, with Hiroyuki Sanada winning Best Actor, Tadanobu Asano winning Best Supporting Actor, and Moeka Hoshi winning Best Supporting Actress.

Squid Game 2 premiered on December 26, 2024, and fans can look forward to Squid Game 3 (오징어 게임3), which is set to be released on June 27, 2025. The Critics Choice Awards are organized by the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA).

‘오징어게임2’ 크리틱스초이스 외국어 시리즈 상 받았다

Squid Game 2 Wins Foreign Language Series at Critics Choice Awards

It has been 18 years since the beloved actress Jeong Da-bin, often referred to as the 'Second Choi Jin-sil' for her vibrant charm, tragically passed away. On February 10, 2007, she was found dead in her boyfriend's apartment in Samseong-dong, Gangnam, Seoul. While the police and the National Forensic Service concluded that her death was a suicide based on the autopsy, her family and agency have consistently argued that there was no reason for her to take her own life. To this day, the reasons behind Jeong Da-bin's death remain unclear.

Jeong Da-bin made her debut in 2000 with the SBS sitcom Don.com. She rose to fame with her role in the sitcom Nonstop 3 and showcased her adorable charm alongside Kim Rae-won in the 2003 drama Rooftop Room Cat. Her lovely visuals and refreshing acting style led many to anticipate her as the next 'Romantic Comedy Queen' following Choi Jin-sil.

However, after her appearance in the 2005 SBS drama The Summer's Hurricane, her career saw a decline. In 2007, she suddenly left her loved ones, shocking the entertainment industry. Even after 18 years, fans continue to remember her as a versatile actress capable of excelling in both comedy and romance.

Her colleagues share similar sentiments. In a 2018 MBC special titled 'Again, Twenty - New Nonstop,' Jo In-sung expressed his difficulty in attending her funeral, stating, 'It was hard to go to the mortuary. My heart was too pained. I felt so sorry that I wondered if I had the right to go. But I thought I should at least say goodbye on my way there.' 

Similarly, Jung Tae-woo reflected on the disbelief surrounding her death, saying, 'Everyone must have felt it was unbelievable. It was so hard to accept that Da-bin was gone. She had family and colleagues around her. We had good memories together. I still find myself talking to the air every time articles about her come out.'

Remembering Jeong Da-bin: 18 Years Since Her Untimely Passing

The popular K-pop group NewJeans has announced their independent activities under the new name NJZ. On February 9, they shared a group selfie on their official account, stating, "It's been a while since we took a group selfie." The photo features members Minji, Hani, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein striking V poses and smiling brightly.

The members expressed their satisfaction with their day, saying, "We feel like we had a very fulfilling day. We hope our fans, Bunnies (the official fan club), are enjoying good music and staying warm."

On February 7, NewJeans revealed their new team name, NJZ, and changed their previously established account 'Jins for Free' to 'NJZ Official.' They also announced plans for their upcoming activities, including a performance at the 'Complex Live' event at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong in March. They will debut their new song on March 23, the last day of ComplexCon, and mentioned that they will soon have an agent.

In response, Ador expressed disappointment over the members' unilateral decision to pursue this path before any legal judgment was made. Last November, NewJeans declared the termination of their exclusive contract with Ador, citing contract violations. They stated that they would not be liable for any penalties and would continue to use the NewJeans name. However, due to potential trademark issues, they have refrained from using the name since then.

Ador, on the other hand, maintains that the contract with NewJeans is valid until July 2029 and has filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the contract, along with a request for a temporary injunction to prevent the group from entering into advertising contracts.

As NJZ embarks on their independent journey, they face challenges ahead. A legal battle with Ador is set to begin in March, with a hearing scheduled for March 7 regarding the injunction. The first hearing for the contract validity lawsuit will take place on April 3.

Additionally, member Hani faces visa issues. As a dual citizen of Australia and Vietnam, she has been working under an E-6 (Artistic Performance) visa issued through Ador, which is set to expire soon. To renew this visa, she needs to submit various documents, including an exclusive contract, a business registration certificate, and a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Ador has stated they are preparing the necessary documents for Hani's visa extension, but if she does not return to Ador, they are unlikely to assist her.

Moreover, NewJeans must navigate public fatigue outside their core fandom, Bunnyz, allegations against former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, and industry backlash.

The future of NewJeans as NJZ remains a topic of great interest as they chart their new course.

NewJeans Launches Independent Activities as NJZ

The general ticket sales for 2NE1's 15th anniversary encore concert in Seoul will begin today, February 10, at 8 PM through Interpark Ticket. The concert, titled '2025 2NE1 CONCERT [WELCOME BACK] ENCORE IN SEOUL', is set to take place on April 12 and 13 at the KSPO DOME in Olympic Park, Bangi-dong, Seoul.

This event marks the group's reunion with domestic fans approximately six months after their last performance in Seoul last October, which saw overwhelming demand with all tickets selling out. Many fans who missed out on tickets have been eagerly requesting additional shows, making the competition for tickets this time around expected to be fierce.

Unlike the pre-sale for temporary fan club members, this general sale will be open to everyone. Fans can look forward to a comprehensive showcase of 2NE1's musical journey, as this concert will serve as the grand finale of their tour.

In a video released today, 2NE1 expressed their excitement, stating, "We are coming back to Seoul. We will meet you at the much larger KSPO DOME. The first concert in Seoul was truly moving, so we are even more thrilled for this encore performance. Let's all jump together one last time!"

Currently, 2NE1 is successfully navigating their 15th anniversary Asia tour, '2024-25 2NE1 ASIA TOUR [WELCOME BACK]', having already completed concerts in cities such as Seoul, Manila, Jakarta, Kobe, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Taipei. They are now set to perform in Ho Chi Minh City and Macau, aiming to achieve a record of 27 shows across 12 cities, attracting a total audience of 220,000, including the Seoul encore.

2NE1 to Hold Encore Concert in Seoul for 15th Anniversary

Recent changes to TOP's (최승현) social media and official YouTube profiles have led to speculation about his potential return to BIGBANG. However, a representative for TOP clarified on February 11 that the name 'TOP' on his social media has not been altered and has always been listed that way. The representative also stated that TOP's stance regarding BIGBANG remains unchanged from what he expressed in a recent interview.

The speculation arose after fans noticed that the official BIGBANG YouTube account listed the members in the order of G-Dragon, Taeyang, TOP, and Daesung, and that TOP's profile referred to him as 'TOP 최승현' instead of 'Actor 최승현'. Despite these observations, the information is not new; the YouTube profile has been consistent since the release of their song '봄, 여름, 가을, 겨울' (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter).

TOP, who was sentenced to 20 months in prison with a two-year probation in 2016 for marijuana use, officially left YG Entertainment in 2022 and subsequently announced his departure from BIGBANG the following year. In a recent interview regarding his role as Thanos in the Netflix original series 'Squid Game Season 2', he reflected on the possibility of reuniting with BIGBANG, stating, 'I considered '봄 여름 가을 겨울' to be my last project.' He expressed that while fans still hope for a reunion, he feels a sense of guilt towards the other members and believes he will carry that regret for life.

TOP's Profile Update Sparks Speculation About BIGBANG Return

On February 11, KBS2's show Celebrity Soldier's Secret (셀럽 병사의 비밀) aired its eighth episode, delving into the identity of the 'Purple Killer,' a figure that instilled fear in many celebrities, including Kim Gu (김구), Walt Disney, and Edvard Munch (에드바르 뭉크). The episode explored the mysterious deaths surrounding the famous painter Gustav Klimt, known for his iconic kiss scene, who passed away suddenly in 1918 shortly before his hospital discharge due to a stroke. Following his death, his protégé and rival, Egon Schiele (에곤 실레), also died, leading to a series of unexplained deaths where victims exhibited a purple discoloration of the face and pneumonia symptoms before dying within days. This led to rumors in Europe that the German army had released poison gas during World War I.

The fear of death spread rapidly beyond Europe, reaching Korea during the Japanese occupation in 1918, where notable figures like Kim Gu, Walt Disney, Mahatma Gandhi, and Edvard Munch also contracted the Spanish flu.

Interestingly, the first recorded outbreak of the Spanish flu was reported in the United States, not Spain. This led to a heated discussion on the show, with guest Jang Do-yeon expressing outrage over the naming of the virus, comparing it to being unjustly labeled as the 'Jang Do-yeon virus.'

ENT specialist Lee Nak-jun (이낙준), known for his work on the Trauma Center, provided medical insights into the various rumors and treatments surrounding the flu at that time. Lee Chan-won (이찬원) humorously questioned whether mixing soju with chili powder could actually cure a cold, leading to a light-hearted moment where he publicly apologized to friends who had tried this remedy instead of taking proper medication.

The episode also featured Professor Song Dae-seop (송대섭) from Seoul National University, who developed the world's first MERS diagnostic kit in 2015. He emphasized the importance of the broadcast, revealing shocking facts about the Spanish flu and its current implications, including research suggesting that up to 300 new viruses could emerge each year over the next 50 years, equating to a new infectious disease potentially appearing almost every day.

The secrets of the 'Purple Killer' that swept the globe in 1918 will be revealed in the Spanish flu episode of Celebrity Soldier's Secret, airing on Tuesday, February 11, at 8:30 PM. Meanwhile, Lee Chan-won has disclosed that he has over 30 events scheduled in a month, with his fee reportedly around 28 million won.

Voice Actor and Actor Choi Byeong-hak Passes Away at 85

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