https://en.fannstar.tf.co.kr FANNSTAR RSS Service - All Articles copyright (c) FANNSTAR fannstar@tf.co.kr Broadcast on the 11th'LOVE ATTACK' reverse run impressions revealedGroup RESCENE will appear on a terrestrial main news program for the first time since their debut. The photo shows RESCENE LIV ZENA MAY Minami WONI (from left) receiving the 'Today's Choice' award at the '2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS(THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS, TMA)' held at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium on September 19th. /Busan Asiad Main Stadium = Reporter Nam Yoon-ho[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Soo-bin] Group RESCENE will appear on a terrestrial main news program for the first time since their debut and share special stories.SBS announced on the 8th, " RESCENE (WONI LIV Minami MAY ZENA) will appear on 'SBS 8 News' on the 11th."The five members of RESCENE will look back on their activities since their debut in 2024 with anchor Lee Hyun-young. In particular, they will reveal their honest feelings about their representative song 'LOVE ATTACK' successfully achieving a reverse run and continuing to be loved.They will also share the reason why they desperately needed a stage and the driving force that allowed them to endure difficult times. In addition, they will reveal the secret to maintaining strong teamwork and the preparation process for their fourth mini-album 'PULSE', scheduled to be released on the 3rd of next month.RESCENE, who debuted in March 2024, gained attention this year with the 'Geoje Yahoo' meme. Since then, 'LOVE ATTACK' achieved a reverse run and topped major music charts this summer. The remake song 'Pretty Girl', released in August, and 'Deja Vu', a B-side track from their second single album released in July last year, also gained popularity one after another.Thanks to this popularity, RESCENE won two awards at the '2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS(THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS, TMA)' held at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium on the 19th of last month, receiving 'Artist of the Year' and 'Today's Choice', which is decided by on-site voting.'SBS 8 News', featuring RESCENE, will be broadcast at 8 PM on the 11th.subin7134@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 'Looks Can Kill' Individual Concept Photos RevealedJang Won-young of group IVE Leeseo Liz (from top) has released concept photos for their fifth mini-album 'Looks Can Kill.' / Starship Entertainment[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Jang Won-young Leeseo Liz of group IVE has transformed into a 'girl hero.'On the 7th, their agency Starship Entertainment officially released individual concept photos for Jang Won-young Leeseo Liz for their fifth mini-album 'Looks Can Kill' on the group's IVE (An Yu-jin Gaeul Rei Jang Won-young Liz Leeseo) official social media.The members transformed into 'girl heroes' showcasing their individual personalities and charms, drawing attention. They added wit with various 'hero poses' and expressions, foreshadowing a different charm for IVE than before.Jang Won-young presented a variety of concepts, from posing with her hand in a gun shape to taking off a mask and winking. Her running pose, in particular, added a playful touch, sparking curiosity about her 'heroic abilities.' Lee Seo revealed her characteristic bright and lovely atmosphere with poses using a doll, while Liz exuded her presence with intense eyes and silhouettes.Along with the concept photos, character illustrations for each member were also released. Attention is focused on what kind of performance these characters, who fully embody their respective vibes, will showcase in the new album.IVE's fifth mini-album 'Looks Can Kill' is an album that unfolds new characters and stories through the expansion of music and visuals. While maintaining IVE's unique 'self-confidence,' they plan to show new changes with more diverse music, visuals, and content.IVE will pre-release the title track 'Looks Can Kill' on the 19th and release the mini-album 'Looks Can Kill' on music sites on the 26th.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Singer Lyn announced that she will once again sing a congratulatory song at Seo In-young’s wedding. In a video released on the 7th on Seo In-young’s YouTube channel ″Reformation Seo In-young,″ stories involving Baek Ji-young, Lyn, and Seo In-young were discussed. In the video, Baek Ji-young mentioned the reason why she had negative feelings toward Seo In-young in the past. Baek Ji-young explained that as her close acquaintance grew distant from Seo In-young, she also came to dislike Seo In-young. Baek Ji-young also recalled an incident when Seo In-young and Lyn were sharing the same waiting room, and upon seeing the two laughing, she said, ″It’s too noisy,″ targeting Seo In-young by saying, ″Seo In-young, be quiet!″ Baek Ji-young expressed regret over this remark, acknowledging it was wrong, but said that Seo In-young was popular at the time but not humble. The video also revealed a phone call with Lyn. Seo In-young said she felt embarrassed and did not contact Lyn after Lyn sang a congratulatory song at her first wedding. When Seo In-young mentioned remarriage, Lyn responded, ″Then I’ll sing again. Because I feel really bad.″ Meanwhile, Seo In-young married an older businessman in 2023 but divorced after one year. She is currently dating Choi Ji-hoon, CEO of the content creative company NP, and is preparing to remarry at the end of this year.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Broadcaster Kim So-young revealed that her health changed after giving birth to her second child. On October 7, Kim So-young shared on her social media that she received a notice for a re-examination for the first time during a health checkup. She said, ″I got a re-exam notice. For the first time ever. As I entered my late 30s, I started paying close attention to my health checkup results, and this is the first time I got a re-exam notice. It was for triglycerides. I realized that losing weight doesn’t mean I’m free from triglyceride issues.″ Additionally, Kim So-young showed that she was taking care of her health by taking supplements during a trip to Japan with Oh Sang-jin. When a netizen commented, ″Let’s have a third child today, sister,″ Kim So-young replied, ″The elder is already asleep.″ She then added, ″Wow, I’m playing alone now. I’m excited. Is this the first time in months that I’m sleeping comfortably?″ expressing her feelings about being free from childcare. Kim So-young married fellow announcer Oh Sang-jin in 2017, and they have one daughter and one son. It was also revealed that she returned to work three weeks after giving birth to her second child on April 3.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The group CORTIS is heating up the global sports festival. CORTIS is set to deliver a special performance at the ″Formula One Singapore Grand Prix 2026,″ held on the 9th at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore. This event, attracting attention from fans and sports enthusiasts worldwide, will be filled with CORTIS’s explosive energy and diverse performances. According to their agency, CORTIS has made thorough preparations for this performance and is determined to leave a strong impression on global fans by showcasing their unique music and performances on stage. They plan to elevate the festival’s excitement by creating a dynamic and sensory stage within the unique environment of the race track. In recently released photos, CORTIS members captivated attention with relaxed and confident expressions, sporting various styles such as jeans and shirts, checkered jackets, and black coats. Their natural poses and direct gazes reveal their serious attitude and passion toward the performance. Meanwhile, CORTIS, a rapidly growing rookie group gaining attention for their distinctive concept and musicality, is expected to expand their global influence even further through their stage at the F1 Singapore Grand Prix.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 IVE member Jang Wonyoung recently shared several photos taken at home on her social media. On October 7, Jang Wonyoung posted ″my place, my peace″ along with glimpses of her daily life. In the photos, Jang Wonyoung posed in a space that appears to be her residence in Hannam-dong. She showcased a comfortable yet sporty style with a sheer off-shoulder top exposing her shoulders, training pants, and a thin gray top. She also caught attention with glamorous makeup and doll-like visuals. The photos included her posing with a lip-shaped decoration in front of a mirror and lying on a sofa with a playful expression. Jang Wonyoung’s home interior also attracted interest. The photos featured audio equipment from an Italian design brand, known to be priced domestically between approximately 25.9 million won and 41.9 million won, or around 30 million won. Next to the audio was a German vase (about 220,000 won), a red sofa in the living room costing about 10 million won per module and totaling around 200 million won, a pink lamp worth about 7 million won, a sheep sculpture priced around 5 million won, and a cherry object on a black table above the sofa valued at approximately 130,000 won, among various other high-end interior items. In March of last year, Jang Wonyoung purchased a 244m2 single unit at Lucid House in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, for 13.7 billion won in full cash payment, and completed the ownership registration in October of the same year. Meanwhile, IVE, to which Jang Wonyoung belongs, is scheduled to release a new mini-album titled Looks Can Kill on October 26. Ahead of the album release, the title track Looks Can Kill will be pre-released on the 19th.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 [THE FACT | Busan=Reporter Kim Seong-ryeol] Actor Kim Go-eun attends the Actors House event held at the Shinsegae Department Store Centum City branch's Culture Hall in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th.ksr@tf.co.krphoto@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Actress Kim Go-eun is interacting with the audience at the Actors' House event held at the Shinsegae Department Store Centum City Branch Culture Hall in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol[THE FACT | Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol] Actress Kim Go-eun is interacting with the audience at the Actors' House event held at the Shinsegae Department Store Centum City Branch Culture Hall in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th.'Actors' House,' one of the main programs of the Busan International Film Festival, is a venue where actors share honest and in-depth stories about their acting and works.The Busan International Film Festival, now in its 31st year, will be held until the 15th at eight theaters and 31 screens in the Haeundae area, including the Busan Cinema Center.This year's festival will feature a total of 315 diverse films, including 246 official invited films from 59 countries around the world.Notably, this year's Busan International Film Festival was selected as an 'A-list film festival' by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), recognizing it as a film festival eligible for the Academy Award-designated International Feature Film competition, alongside the Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, and Toronto film festivals.ksr@tf.co.krphoto@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Director Kim Da-min's First Series Challenge...Open Talk Held with Kim Min-ha&Choi Hyun-wookSurprise Visit from Lee Jae-wook During Military ServiceActor Lee Jae-wook waves as he attends the 'Honey Job' open talk event held at the Busan Cinema Center's Roof Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th. /Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo[THE FACT|Reporter Kim Saet-byeol] Actor Lee Jae-wook, currently serving in the military, made a surprise appearance at the Busan International Film Festival, raising expectations for 'Honey Job.'An open talk for the new Netflix original series 'Honey Job' (written by Kyung Min-sun&Lee Shin-ji, directed by Kim Da-min), invited to the Busan International Film Festival's On Screen section, was held on the outdoor stage of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th. Director Kim Da-min, Han Jun-hee, the chief producer, and actors Kim Min-ha and Choi Hyun-wook attended and shared various stories about the work.The protagonist, Lee Jae-wook, was unable to attend the event due to his current military service, but he appeared in the audience at the end of the open talk. He briefly took the stage and said, "I am serving well in the military. I apologize for not being able to be here," and "I hope you enjoy it."'Honey Job' tells the story of a young man, Hyuk-joon (played by Lee Jae-wook), who is deployed to a nightmarish work environment at a strange employment agency that only introduces 'honey jobs' starting at 50 times the hourly wage. It depicts a work environment never seen before by adding horror, fantasy, and black comedy to realistic livelihood-related themes.Director Kim Da-min first shared her feelings after the first screening held the previous day. She said, "Even though I watched the work countless times while editing, it was a new experience to watch it with the audience," and "It was a great experience to feel the audience's reactions directly."This work is also the first series directed by Kim Da-min, who gained attention for the film 'Makgeolli Shall Tell You.' Director Kim said, "My debut film was an independent film with less than 30 shooting days, but a series physically has many times more shooting days, which was difficult," and "After overcoming that hurdle, I saw the fun and learning points. I took on new challenges, and the process of gathering ideas was also enjoyable."'Honey Job' also left a strong impression on Han Jun-hee, the chief producer, who encountered the work for the first time. He said, "I was shocked when I first read the script given by the writer," and "I felt the ambition to create such a story as a series." He added, "The director kindly explained it so that many people could understand it, but the story itself is profound. However, the way it's told is light," explaining the unique charm of 'Honey Job.'Director Kim Da-min, actors Choi Hyun-wook, Kim Min-ha, and chief producer Han Jun-hee (from left) pose at the 'Honey Job' open talk event held at the Busan Cinema Center's Roof Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th. /Busan=Reporter Park Heon-wooKim Min-ha plays Ji-yoon, Hyuk-joon's younger sister, for whom poverty is scarier than ghosts. After watching the completed work, she said, "When I first saw it, I was so scared and surprised that I covered my eyes with my hands," and "I was curious how the things I had imagined for the past few months would be realized, and I was grateful that it was depicted with such high quality and tension."Ji-yoon is a character who views the situation with a realistic perspective even amidst fantastical events. Kim Min-ha explained, "Ji-yoon is the most normal person in this work. I thought she was a child who loved her family so much that she could endure because of them," and "She is so realistic that she finds her brother Hyuk-joon frustrating. She was attractive because she is a character who makes the fantastical elements of the work more realistic."The reason for choosing the work was also special. Kim Min-ha said, "The script for 'Honey Job' was different from anything I had seen before, so I really wanted to do it," and "I was filming 'Taepung Sangsa' at the time, but Director Han Jun-hee said he would adjust the schedule for me. I was so touched and grateful that he seemed to discover a new side of me."Regarding Kim Min-ha's casting, chief producer Han Jun-hee said, "She is the opposite of Sunja in 'Pachinko,' so I thought she would be curious because she had never played such a role," and "I thought about actors who would be a good fit while having the most conversations with the director."Kim Min-ha and Lee Jae-wook are expected to show off their chemistry as realistic siblings in the drama. Kim Min-ha said, "I naturally became close with actor Jae-wook on set. I was grateful that he treated me so comfortably," and "I think many fun scenes were created," raising expectations.Director Kim Da-min, chief producer Han Jun-hee, and actors Kim Min-ha and Choi Hyun-wook (from left) attend the 'Honey Job' open talk event held at the Busan Cinema Center's Roof Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th. /Busan=Reporter Park Heon-wooThe casting behind Choi Hyun-wook, who opens the work, was also revealed. Choi Hyun-wook plays Choi Hee-dong, who makes a special appearance to open the series.Choi Hyun-wook, who visited the Busan International Film Festival four years ago with 'Weak Hero,' said, "Back then, it was my first BIFF, so I came with a more nervous and stiff heart than now," and "Today, I feel more at ease than then. It feels like I came to chat comfortably. I think it's because the reliable directors are here."Chief producer Han Jun-hee said with a laugh, "I asked Choi Hyun-wook if he could just appear three times. I asked him not to ask if he had to read the script, but if he could just appear three times and help me." He added, "He plays the role of kicking off this work, and I'm grateful that he came all the way to Busan. Please help me again next time," he joked.'Honey Job,' which also features Gong Min-si and Lee Hee-joon in addition to Lee Jae-wook, Kim Min-ha, and Choi Hyun-wook, will be released on Netflix on the 30th.sstar1204@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 On the 8th, a production presentation was held... Kim Yeon-Koung → Boo Seung-kwan attends"No thought of failure, a big picture... an aggressive stance"Boo Seung-kwan of group Seventeen, former volleyball player Kim Yeon-Koung Yang Hyo-jin, and Director Lee Jae-woo Kwon Rak-hee (from left) attended the production presentation for MBC's new entertainment program 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung' Season 2, held at MBC Golden Mouse Hall in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 8th and shared various stories. / Reporter LEE SAEROM[THE FACT | Reporter Moon Chae-young] The second directorial journey of former volleyball player Kim Yeon-Koung unfolds. As he returns as a seasoned director, he expresses a strong will to not continue to the next season if he cannot prove the possibility of becoming a professional team. It is curious to see what conclusion 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2' will reach.The production presentation for MBC's new entertainment program 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung' Season 2 (hereinafter referred to as 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2') was held at MBC Golden Mouse Hall in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 8th. Directors Kwon Rak-hee and Lee Jae-woo, former volleyball player Kim Yeon-Koung Yang Hyo-jin, and Boo Seung-kwan of group Seventeen attended the event and encouraged viewers by highlighting the unique differentiators of 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2'.'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2' is a club founding project where Kim Yeon-Koung, who has become a second-year veteran director, and the team 'Filseung Wonderdogs' move from UNDER to WONDER. While Season 1, which aired last September, depicted Kim Yeon-Koung's challenge as a director, this season captures the team's journey into a fiercer competition.Director Kwon Rak-hee said, "I am truly happy to be in the second season," and added, "We did our best to deliver profound sincerity with the passion of veteran director Kim Yeon-Koung, the grown manager Boo Seung-kwan, the new commentator Yang Hyo-jin, and all the directors, players, and staff."Director Lee Jae-woo, who is credited as a co-director, said, "Our program is raw and real," and added, "In Season 1, I was excited thinking, 'I'm grateful I can edit these scenes,' but in Season 2, everyone was so sincere that there were many scenes where I wondered, 'Is this okay to broadcast?' Please look forward to the rich stories."Former volleyball player Kim Yeon-Koung shows the aspect of a veteran director in MBC's new entertainment program 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung' Season 2. /MBCThis time again, Kim Yeon-Koung is the commander leading the 'Filseung Wonderdogs' team. Having shed the rookie label and become a veteran director, he said, "I told the production team last season, 'I was tricked. There won't be a Season 2,' but it turned into a funny situation," creating a cheerful atmosphere. He also added, "I've returned after complementing the shortcomings of last season," and confidently stated, "I've definitely grown."Boo Seung-kwan will once again serve as the team manager for 'Filseung Wonderdogs' following last season. Notably, this season, he will also concurrently serve as the head of the public relations team through a rapid promotion. He said, "I was planning my schedule with enlistment in mind since last year, but fortunately, I was able to participate in Season 2," and added, "I've adjusted my schedule to be able to participate in all the match schedules this season."Yang Hyo-jin, who is newly joining as a commentator, reflected, "I was nervous and awkward, but I enjoyed being with the 'Filseung Wonderdogs' team." As a former national team player and V-League middle blocker, and also a long-time close friend of Kim Yeon-Koung, she shared, with a mix of humor and sincerity, "Kim Yeon-Koung's passion for directing is amazing," and "I'm glad we met as fellow players."MBC's new entertainment program 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2' will begin airing on the 11th. /MBCThe key to this 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2' is the even stronger pledge. With the goal of 'founding the 8th professional volleyball team,' they have set a condition: if a corporate owner who will lead them to a professional team does not appear during the broadcast, the team will be disbanded, and Season 3 will not be produced.When asked about the feasibility, Director Kwon Rak-hee explained, "Since the end of Season 1 until now, there has been considerable interest from many companies," and "I realized the possibility of 'founding the 8th professional volleyball team.' We are making a last stand to seize the opportunity."Director Lee Jae-woo also views the 'founding of the 8th professional volleyball team' positively. He added, "We had discussions with various companies during the preparation process," and "I felt confident that we could draw up a big picture without thinking of failure. I decided to go aggressively with the director's mindset."Finally, Kim Yeon-Koung, Boo Seung-kwan, and Yang Hyo-jin touched upon the meaning of 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2'. Kim Yeon-Koung emphasized, "'Growth' is the keyword," and said, "It's a program where players who lacked opportunities and I, a rookie director, grow together."Boo Seung-kwan confessed, "It's a program that makes you think, 'I can do it'," and "It's my favorite among all the variety shows I've appeared in since my debut." Yang Hyo-jin said, "I was able to feel the passion for volleyball again after retirement. There were many overwhelming moments," and "It has value in being able to see the skills of the players who were in the background."MBC's new entertainment program 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2' will premiere on the 11th at 9:10 PM.mcy21@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Additional building purchase planned in Songnae-dong, where the current headquarters is locatedBird's-eye view of the new headquarters JYP Entertainment planned to build in Godeok-dong, Seoul. / Yoo Hyun-joon Architecture[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] JYP Entertainment has ultimately withdrawn its plan to build a new headquarters in Godeok.JYP Entertainment announced in a statement on the 8th, "We have finally decided to withdraw the Godeok new headquarters construction project."Previously, JYP Entertainment purchased land for approximately 75.5 billion won in October 2023 to build a new headquarters in Godeok Biz Valley, located in Godeok-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul. JYP Entertainment, with architect Professor Yoo Hyun-joon in charge of the design, planned for the new headquarters to be a 5-story basement and 17-story building, including not only office space and practice rooms but also a performance hall with about 800 seats and a space open to the public.However, JYP Entertainment began to reconsider the construction of the new headquarters due to concerns about the invasion of privacy of its artists and damage to the landscape, as the park that was planned to be created in front of the new headquarters at the time of land purchase was changed to a self-sufficient facility zone that could accommodate buildings up to 19 stories high.JYP Entertainment explained, "Although we have made numerous efforts to continue the project through multiple consultations with SH Corporation and Gangdong-gu Office since April 2026, when we first became aware of the change in land use in front of the Godeok new headquarters site, we received an official response from SH Corporation on August 31, 2026, stating that 'there are no procedural issues with the change in land use in front of the new headquarters site, and restoration to a park is also impossible.'"They added, "Based on our standards, as the core environment of this project has changed, we have concluded that it is no longer possible to proceed with the project. We have established a plan to secure and reinforce our work environment by purchasing a building near our current headquarters in Seongnae-dong. We will continue to achieve sustainable growth by closely cooperating with the local government, with the Seongnae-dong headquarters as our base."The following is the full statement from JYP Entertainment.JYP Entertainment (hereinafter referred to as "the Company") has made numerous efforts to continue the project through multiple consultations with SH Corporation and Gangdong-gu Office since April 2026, when it first became aware of the change in land use in front of the Godeok new headquarters site, but has ultimately decided to withdraw the Godeok new headquarters construction project.On August 31, 2026, the Company received an official response from SH Corporation stating that "there are no procedural issues with the change in land use in front of the new headquarters site, and restoration to a park is also impossible." As the core environment for the promotion of this project, according to our standards, has changed, we have extensively reviewed various circumstances, including the situation with leased buildings in addition to our current headquarters, and have reached the final conclusion that it is no longer possible to proceed with the project.Therefore, the Company has established a plan to secure and reinforce a stable work environment for its members by purchasing a building near the current headquarters in Seongnae-dong. We kindly ask for your broad understanding and consideration, as this decision was made after extensive review and careful consultation.Since relocating to Gangdong-gu in June 2018, the Company has continued to grow and will cooperate closely with the local government, with the Seongnae-dong headquarters as its base, and will continue to achieve sustainable growth in the future.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 8 Production Presentation Attendance... First Broadcast on the 11th"Appealing for my spot since the end of Season 1"Boo Seung-kwan of group Seventeen attended the production presentation for MBC's new entertainment program 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung' Season 2, held at MBC Golden Mouse Hall in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 8th, and said, "I'm proud to be able to film Season 2." / Reporter LEE SAEROM[THE FACT | Reporter Moon Chae-young] Boo Seung-kwan of group Seventeen (SEVENTEEN) expressed his gratitude for being able to join 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2' before his military enlistment.Boo Seung-kwan attended the production presentation for MBC's new entertainment program 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung' Season 2 (hereinafter referred to as 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2'), held at MBC Golden Mouse Hall in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 8th, and said, "Fortunately, I was able to finish filming before my enlistment," adding, "I'm happy to be able to appear in Season 2 of a program that received so much love."'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2' is a club founding project where Kim Yeon-Koung, who has become a director with two years of experience, and the team 'Fil Seung Wonderdogs' move from UNDER to WONDER. While Season 1, which aired in September last year, depicted Kim Yeon-Koung's challenge as a director, this season captures the team's journey into fiercer competition.Boo Seung-kwan, who was active as a team manager in the last season, will also serve as the head of the PR team this season. He said, "I wanted to participate in Season 2 right after Season 1 ended. I kept appealing for my spot," and added, "My affection for the program has grown even stronger."Notably, 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2' is his last fixed entertainment program before his military enlistment. Boo Seung-kwan, who was finally accepted into the Army Band and is scheduled to enlist this year, explained, "I was organizing my schedule thinking about my enlistment this year since last year, and I'm fortunate to be able to do 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2' before I go."Although he does not wish for a successor, he also expressed his opinion that he would take a mock manager exam if Season 3 were to be produced during his absence. Boo Seung-kwan emphasized, "It's not enough to just like it. I will use my vacation to test my affection and knowledge for the players and our program."He did not recommend any members of Seventeen. Boo Seung-kwan said, "My members absolutely cannot be my successor. I can't stand to see other members succeed. It's a mean thought," making the audience burst into laughter.He debuted as a member of Seventeen in 2015 and has received much love for songs such as 'Very NICE', 'Don't Wanna Cry', 'Super', 'Pretty U', and 'CLAP'. He has also actively participated in entertainment programs as a regular cast member, including MBC's 'Unexpected Q', tvN's 'Hogul's Chamber of Secrets', JTBC's 'Odd Brothers', tvN's 'Racket Boys', and Netflix's 'Devil's Plan'.MBC's new entertainment program 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2' will premiere on the 11th at 9:10 PM.mcy21@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The highest government award in the field of popular culture and arts, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Korea Creative Content Agency.The '2026 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards,' hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Korea Creative Content Agency, will be held on the 29th. / Korea Creative Content Agency[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] The '2026 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards,' hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Korea Creative Content Agency, has confirmed its event date.The Korea Creative Content Agency announced on the 8th, "The '2026 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards' will be held on October 29th at the Haeoreum Theater of the National Theater in Jung-gu, Seoul. The MCs will be announcer Kang Ji-young and actor Hwang In-youp."Now in its 17th year, the 'Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards' is the 'highest government award in the field of popular culture and arts' to honor individuals who have enhanced the social status of popular culture and contributed to its development and dissemination in various fields, including actors, singers, comedians, directors, writers, voice actors, and producers.Candidates were selected through a public call and expert recommendations, and the final awardees will be determined through a comprehensive review of their service period, career achievements, and social contributions. This year's ceremony will present the Cultural Merit, Presidential Commendation, Prime Minister's Commendation, and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation.Kang Ji-young, who will host the ceremony, is a former JTBC announcer who has consistently been loved by viewers for her innate sense and stable hosting skills across various genres, including entertainment, culture, and news. Her partner, Hwang In-youp, is a rising star who gained popularity through appearances in KBS 2TV's 'The Tale of Nokdu,' JTBC's '18 Again,' and tvN's 'True Beauty.' The red carpet event, held prior to the ceremony, will be hosted by comedian Yoo Jae-pil.The final awardees of the '2026 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards' and detailed information will be announced later through the official channels of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Desk | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 'Sapiens' Open Talk Held at BIFF Outdoor Stage on the 8thJeong Seong-il, who took on multiple roles, and Yoo Jae-myung and Ryu Hyun-kyung, who embraced the challengeDirector Lee Ho-bin and actors Jeong Seong-il, Ryu Hyun-kyung, and Yoo Jae-myung (from left) attend the 'Sapiens' open talk event held at the Busan Cinema Center's Loop Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 8th. /Busan=Park Heon-woo Reporter[THE FACT|Busan=Kim Saet-byeol Reporter] One suspect, but a different person sits in the interrogation room each time. 'Sapiens' adds the setting of multiple personalities to a familiar crime mystery, posing questions about 'a person's identity' beyond the identity of the culprit.The open talk for the film 'Sapiens' (directed by Lee Ho-bin), invited to the 'Today's Korean Cinema - Special Premiere Section' at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), was held on the outdoor stage of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th. Director Lee Ho-bin and actors Jeong Seong-il, Yoo Jae-myung, and Ryu Hyun-kyung attended the event to share various stories about the film.'Sapiens' tells the story of a multiple-personality individual, Na Do-han (played by Jeong Seong-il), who becomes the prime suspect in the kidnapping of a third-generation chaebol heir, and lawyer Seo Hee-jae (played by Yoo Jae-myung), who must find the missing heir, beginning a suspicious collaboration. There is only one suspect, but the personality entering the interrogation room is different each time. The film poses another question, 'Who is Na Do-han?', in the process of finding the real culprit.Director Kim Ji-hyun, who visited BIFF with his first feature film, first shared his feelings after the first screening the previous day. He said, "Yesterday was the first screening, so I watched it with the audience, and I was so nervous. It only felt real after the movie ended," adding, "I was grateful that many audience members liked it and asked many meaningful questions."Director Lee's reason for choosing the mystery thriller genre for his first feature film was also clear. He said, "I've been interested in genre films since I was young, and among them, I was particularly interested in mystery thrillers. I also gained experience in similar genres while working as an assistant director," and "When I decided to make my first film, I thought I wanted to work in a genre I liked and found interesting, and that's when I came across this project."He continued, "The point that goes one step further from 'Who is the culprit?' to 'Who is that person?' was the biggest charm," and "Through the setting of dissociative identity disorder, a multiple-personality disorder, I thought I could create tension about whether the protagonist is unable to speak because they know, or because they truly don't know."Actor Jeong Seong-il attends the 'Sapiens' open talk event held at the Busan Cinema Center's Loop Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 8th to introduce the film. /Busan=Park Heon-woo ReporterJeong Seong-il played Na Do-han, the suspect who has no memory of the incident. It was a difficult challenge for the actor, as he had to portray multiple personalities with different genders, ages, and personalities.Jeong Seong-il confessed, "At first, it was a very burdensome project. Expressing multiple personalities, and the fact that there are excellent references in existing works, made me constantly question whether I could achieve more than that."However, he added, "Despite that, it was a great project, and I had strong pillars of support to lean on," and "I decided to participate because I felt like it was something I wanted to challenge myself with at least once in my life."Actor Yoo Jae-myung attends the 'Sapiens' open talk event held at the Busan Cinema Center's Loop Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 8th to give greetings. /Busan=Park Heon-woo ReporterYoo Jae-myung played Seo Hee-jae, the legal team leader of Sanghyun Construction, who must cover up the incident. He is a lawyer exclusively for a chaebol family who must distinguish the real culprit among Na Do-han's various personalities.He said, "Actors have their own reasons for choosing a project, and for me, it was a challenge. There were difficult parts, and it was different from existing works, so it required courage," adding, "It was possible because of the other actors."He continued, "I have a desire to work on fresh and cool projects, but I also have a desire to solve difficult puzzles," and "Ultimately, I think it was a good experience as I learned how to film and communicate through another process."Ryu Hyun-kyung transformed into a detective team leader. Notably, Director Lee changed the gender of this role, which was originally male, for Ryu Hyun-kyung.Ryu Hyun-kyung said, "The script was good, and when I heard the senior actors were participating, I thought I could just tag along," and "There aren't many films where a woman is a detective team leader. This role was originally male, but the director changed it to a female role so I could participate."She added, "I wanted to express how she has lived well as a woman in a male-dominated society, and on the other hand, what negative thoughts she has lived with."Director Lee Ho-bin and actors Jeong Seong-il, Yoo Jae-myung, and Ryu Hyun-kyung (from left) attend the 'Sapiens' open talk event held at the Busan Cinema Center's Loop Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 8th. /Busan=Park Heon-woo ReporterAs the film deals with the subject of multiple personalities, there were also concerns about portraying mental disorders. Director Lee emphasized that he did not want to simply exploit Na Do-han as a 'character with a disorder.'He said, "The term 'disorder' is often attached to dissociative identity disorder. However, when developing the character of Na Do-han, I wanted to portray him not just as someone with a disorder, but as a product of the trauma and narrative he experienced in his childhood."He continued, "I wanted him to be a character that evokes empathy through his past, rather than being a foreign presence, and to be able to sympathize with his pain and trauma."The actors also posed their own questions to the audience through the film. Jeong Seong-il said, "'Sapiens' is the film that is closest to the questions I always want to ask," and "I hope the audience will tell me many answers to the question, 'What would I have done if I were in that situation?'"Finally, Yoo Jae-myung requested, "Please remember our film 'Sapiens' and also watch many other films, and I hope you leave with many good memories."Ryu Hyun-kyung also emphasized, "The film is scheduled to be released early next year, and I hope many people will watch it," adding, "I heard that all screenings at the Busan Film Festival are sold out. Please enjoy it."For Director Lee, who premiered his first feature film in Busan, this film festival held special significance. He said, "I am deeply moved myself," and "Everyone worked hard on the project with one heart and one mind during filming. So, please watch it with a warm heart."sstar1204@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 [THE FACT|Busan=Reporter Park Hun-woo] Actor Lee Jae-wook (first from right) attends the 'Honey Job' open talk event held at the Cinema Center's Roof Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th and is giving a greeting.'Honey Job' is a horror series that depicts the story of a young man, Hyuk-jun (played by Lee Jae-wook), being deployed to a nightmarish labor site, set against the backdrop of a strange employment agency that only introduces 'honey jobs' starting at 50 times the hourly wage.The Busan International Film Festival, now in its 31st year, will be held for ten days until the 15th at eight theaters and 31 screens in the Haeundae area, including the Cinema Center.Meanwhile, Lee Jae-wook enlisted in the Army as an active-duty soldier in May and is currently serving, with his discharge scheduled for around November 2027.cjg05023@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Actor Lee Jae-wook (right) is giving a greeting at the 'Honey Job' open talk event held at the Roof Cinema of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th. /Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo[THE FACT|Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo] Actor Lee Jae-wook (right) is giving a greeting at the 'Honey Job' open talk event held at the Roof Cinema of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th.'Honey Job' is a horror series that depicts the story of a young man, Hyeok-jun (played by Lee Jae-wook), being deployed to a nightmarish workplace, set in a peculiar employment agency that only introduces 'honey jobs' starting from 50 times the hourly wage.The Busan International Film Festival, celebrating its 31st anniversary this year, will be held for ten days until the 15th at eight theaters in the Haeundae area and 31 screens, including the Busan Cinema Center.Meanwhile, Lee Jae-wook enlisted in the active military service in May and is currently serving, with his discharge scheduled for around November 2027. cjg05023@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Director Kim Da-min and actors Choi Hyun-wook, Kim Min-ha, and Han Jun-hee (from left), the general planner, pose at the 'Honey Job' open talk event held at the Cinema Center's Roof Cinema in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th. /Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo Lee Jae-wook takes the stage to give a greeting.[THE FACT|Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo] Director Kim Da-min and actors Choi Hyun-wook, Kim Min-ha, and Han Jun-hee (from left), the general planner, pose at the 'Honey Job' open talk event held at the Cinema Center's Roof Cinema in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th.'Honey Job' is a horror series that depicts the story of a young man, Hyuk-jun (played by Lee Jae-wook), being deployed to a nightmarish work environment and the unfolding events, set against the backdrop of a strange employment agency that only introduces 'honey jobs' starting from 50 times the hourly wage.The Busan International Film Festival, now in its 31st year, will be held for ten days until the 15th at eight theaters in the Haeundae area, including the Cinema Center, on 31 screens.Meanwhile, Lee Jae-wook enlisted in active duty in the Army in May and is currently serving, with his discharge scheduled for around November 2027. cjg05023@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Actor Lee Jae-wook attends the 'Honey Job' open talk event held at the Cinema Center's Rooftop Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th. /Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo[THE FACT|Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo] Actor Lee Jae-wook attends the 'Honey Job' open talk event held at the Cinema Center's Rooftop Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th.Lee Jae-wook enlisted in the army as an active duty soldier in May and is currently serving, with his discharge scheduled for around November 2027. cjg05023@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Yang Hyo-jin and Kim Yeon-Koung, Boo Seung-kwan (from left) pose at the production presentation of MBC's new entertainment program 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung' Season 2 (hereinafter referred to as 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2') held at MBC Golden Mouse Hall in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 8th. / Reporter LEE SAEROM[THE FACT|Reporter LEE SAEROM] At the production presentation of MBC's new entertainment program 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung' Season 2 (hereinafter referred to as 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2') held at MBC Golden Mouse Hall in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 8th, Kim Yeon-Koung, Yang Hyo-jin, Boo Seung-kwan, and PD Kwon Rak-hee, along with the production crew, are posing.'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2' is a club founding project where Kim Yeon-Koung, who has become a 'director with two years of experience', and 'Fil Seung Wonderdogs' move from UNDER to WONDER.Volleyball Emperor Kim Yeon-Koung, who took his first step as a 'rookie director' in Season 1, which aired last September, now leads 'Fil Seung Wonderdogs' as a 'director with two years of experience' and challenges a bigger goal of 'founding the 8th professional club'.'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2' will premiere on the 11th at 9:10 PM. saeromli@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Director Lee Hoo-bin and actors Jung Sung-il, Ryu Hyun-kyung, and Yoo Jae-myung (from left) attend the 'Sapiens' open talk event held at the Roof Cinema of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th. /Busan=Park Heon-woo reporter[THE FACT|Busan=Park Heon-woo reporter] Director Lee Hoo-bin and actors Jung Sung-il, Ryu Hyun-kyung, and Yoo Jae-myung (from left) attend the 'Sapiens' open talk event held at the Roof Cinema of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th.The Busan International Film Festival, now in its 31st year, will be held for ten days until the 15th at eight theaters and 31 screens in the Haeundae area, including the Busan Cinema Center. cjg05023@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 'Volleyball Empress' Kim Yeon-Koung (left) and Boo Seung-kwan of SEVENTEEN are posing at the production presentation of MBC's new entertainment program 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung' Season 2 (hereinafter referred to as 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2') held at MBC Golden Mouse Hall in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 8th. / Reporter LEE SAEROM[THE FACT|Reporter LEE SAEROM] Boo Seung-kwan of SEVENTEEN is posing and jumping with Kim Yeon-Koung at the production presentation of MBC's new entertainment program 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung' Season 2 (hereinafter referred to as 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2') held at MBC Golden Mouse Hall in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 8th.'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2' is a club founding project where Kim Yeon-Koung, who has become a 'veteran director' in his second year, and 'Winning Wonderdogs' move from UNDER to WONDER.Volleyball Emperor Kim Yeon-Koung, who took his first step as a 'rookie director' in Season 1, which aired last September, now leads 'Winning Wonderdogs' as a 'veteran director' in his second year and challenges the bigger goal of 'founding the 8th professional club.''Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2' will premiere on the 11th at 9:10 PM. saeromli@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Former national volleyball player Kim Yeon-Koung poses at the production presentation of MBC's new entertainment program 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung' Season 2 (hereinafter referred to as 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2') held at MBC Golden Mouse Hall in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 8th. / LEE SAEROM Reporter[THE FACT|LEE SAEROM Reporter] Former national volleyball player Kim Yeon-Koung poses at the production presentation of MBC's new entertainment program 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung' Season 2 (hereinafter referred to as 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2') held at MBC Golden Mouse Hall in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 8th.'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2' is a club founding project where Kim Yeon-Koung, who has become a 'veteran director' in his second year, and 'Winning Wonderdogs' move from UNDER to WONDER.Volleyball emperor Kim Yeon-Koung, who took his first step as a 'rookie director' in Season 1, which aired last September, now leads 'Winning Wonderdogs' as a 'veteran director' in his second year and challenges a bigger goal of 'founding the 8th professional club'.'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-Koung2' will premiere on the 11th at 9:10 PM. saeromli@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 'FANNSTAR' Theme Ranking Commemorates 1st Place in 'Star I Want to Spend a Bountiful Chuseok With'... 150kg of Rice DeliveredA rice donation for elderly people living alone was made in the name of BTS Jin's fandom. /FANNSTAR[THE FACT | Reporter Son Hae-ri] Weekly idol ranking site 'FANNSTAR' practiced warm sharing for elderly people living alone in the name of group BTS Jin's fandom.This donation was prepared to commemorate Jin's 1st place in the 'FANNSTAR' theme ranking for 'Star I Want to Spend a Bountiful Chuseok With'. The results, created through enthusiastic fan voting, led to neighborly sharing ahead of the holiday, adding a heartwarming meaning. As a special benefit, 'FANNSTAR' donated 150kg of rice in the name of Jin's fandom through the social welfare organization 'The Together Hope'. The donated rice is expected to be used as a precious item for a warm meal, delivered to neighbors in need, such as elderly people living alone.Previously, 'FANNSTAR' conducted a theme ranking vote from August 15 to September 12 on the theme of 'Star I Want to Spend a Bountiful Chuseok With'. Jin overwhelmingly took first place in the vote, receiving a whopping 26,999,507 votes. Lee Chan-won came in second with 8,565,421 votes, and Lim Young Woong ranked third with 1,401,211 votes. Jin proved the immense support power of his global fandom once again by reaching the top with an unrivaled number of votes.This sharing took place during the Chuseok holiday, in line with the theme of 'Star I Want to Spend a Bountiful Chuseok With'. /FANNSTARIn particular, this donation, made in the name of Jin's fandom, serves as a good example of how fan participation voting can lead to meaningful social value beyond simple ranking competition. Fans enthusiastically supported Jin through the theme ranking vote, and the meaningful results translated into practical support for elderly people living alone in need.The 'FANNSTAR' theme ranking is a fan participation voting content conducted with a new theme each month, allowing fans to directly highlight the diverse charms of the stars they support. The 1st place star receives a congratulatory article and special benefits tailored to the theme.150kg of rice was donated through the social welfare organization 'The Together Hope'. /FANNSTAR Meanwhile, 'FANNSTAR' is a weekly idol ranking site operated by , serving as a participatory platform where fans can directly support artists through idol voting and billboard support. The theme ranking vote begins on the 15th of each month, and anyone who likes idols can participate.arulhr@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Director Kenta Takemura and actors Shunsuke Michieda and Seira Anzai (from left) attend the press conference for "Beautiful Evening Moon" at the BIFF Hill of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th, as Shunsuke Michieda answers questions from reporters. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol[THE FACT | Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol] Director Kenta Takemura and actors Shunsuke Michieda and Seira Anzai attend the press conference for "Beautiful Evening Moon" at the BIFF Hill of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th, as Shunsuke Michieda answers questions from reporters.The movie "Beautiful Evening Moon" tells the story of Yoichi, a high school girl who is called a 'prince' by everyone but is treated as a 'cool guy' by boys rather than girls, and Kohaku, a senior who is another 'prince', meeting and finding true love through each other.The Busan International Film Festival, now in its 31st year, will be held for ten days until the 15th at eight theaters in the Haeundae area and 31 screens, including the Busan Cinema Center.This year's festival will feature a total of 315 diverse films, including 246 official selections invited from 59 countries around the world, meeting with audiences.In particular, this year's Busan International Film Festival was selected as an 'A-list film festival' by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), and was recognized as a film festival eligible for the Academy Awards' International Feature Film award, along with the Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, and Toronto film festivals.ksr@tf.co.krphoto@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 CORTIS is set to take the stage at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2026, held at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore. CORTIS (Martin, James, Juhun, Seonghyun, Gunho) will perform for about 50 minutes on the 9th (local time) at the Padang Stage. The Padang Stage is a large outdoor venue with a capacity of approximately 60,000 people. This event will also feature global artists such as JJ Lin from Singapore, Janet Jackson, Lana Del Rey, and Zara Larsson. CORTIS is the only K-pop group included in this year’s lineup. The F1 Singapore Grand Prix is Asia’s largest motorsport and entertainment event, combining a city night race with large-scale music performances. Last year, the total global audience for F1 Grand Prix events reached approximately 6.7 million. On the 8th, through their agency BigHit Music, CORTIS expressed, ″This is our first visit to Singapore, and we are very excited to showcase CORTIS’s music and performance at this grand festival gathering audiences from around the world. We will pour out explosive energy worthy of the intense heat of F1.″ They have been performing at various global sports and cultural events this year. In February, they took the stage for the halftime show at the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, and they headlined the Crossover Concert Series. In June, based on a global partnership with the energy drink brand Red Bull, they also participated in the Red Bull Dance Your Style Korea stage. Their music achievements are also remarkable. Their second mini-album, GREENGREEN, released in May, surpassed 4.3 million cumulative sales as of the Circle Chart tally on September 26. The title track, REDRED, ranked number one on major domestic and international music platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and Melon. It also maintained its position on the Billboard Global (excluding U.S.) chart at number 122 for 23 consecutive weeks as of the October 10 issue.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Stray Kids will live stream the 7th day of their November Tokyo Dome concert to theaters worldwide through live viewing. This live viewing is being conducted in collaboration with the global event cinema distributor Trafalgar Releasing and targets the 7th day performance out of the three Tokyo Dome shows held from November 6 to 8. Trafalgar Releasing is also officially promoting the live viewing project. Fans who cannot attend in person can watch the concert live on theater screens. Live viewing tickets will be available for reservation on the official ’StraykidsLiveViewing’ website starting at 11 PM KST on the 14th. Stray Kids began their new world tour, Stray Kids World Tour , this year. The tour kicked off with five sold-out solo shows at KSPO DOME in Songpa-gu, Seoul in July, and then expanded to Japan, Latin America, and other regions. On August 29 and 30, they held solo concerts at the Tokyo National Stadium, becoming the first overseas male artist to do so, attracting a total audience of 140,000. In September, they performed five shows across three Latin American locations and headlined the large-scale music festival Rock in Rio in Brazil. ’RUN IT’ is a world tour that started about eight months after Stray Kids concluded their Stray Kids World Tour -dominATE- in October 2025. The digital single of the same name, ’RUN IT,’ was released on June 24. The song was produced by the producing team 3RACHA, consisting of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, and is also included in the mini-album THIS & THAT, released in August. Before the Tokyo Dome concerts, Stray Kids will perform at the Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka on the 24th and plan to continue their Asia tour after the three Tokyo Dome shows in November.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 ZEROBASEONE is expanding its activities beyond team performances to include individual and unit activities for each member. SUNG HANBIN is active as an MC on various programs such as Mnet’s Street World Fighter: Director’s War and is set to release their first solo album on the 12th. KIM JIWOONG has been releasing solo singles every month and has confirmed an acting role in the film Siren (working title). KIM TAE RAE has participated in various OSTs and the 50th anniversary project of Sanulrim’s debut, and serves as the MC of the music podcast Su-seok Research Society and DJ of MBC FM4U’s ZEROBASEONE’s Close Friend. SEOK MATTHEW runs a personal YouTube channel called Hey Bye Thew and is also active as a promotional ambassador for the Seoul Tourism Foundation’s Visit Seoul. PARK GUNWOOK works as an MC on Mnet’s M Countdown and included their first self-composed song, Customize, on the sixth mini-album Ascend-. SEOK MATTHEW and PARK GUNWOOK also formed ZEROBASEONE’s first unit, EMP. ZEROBASEONE released their sixth mini-album Ascend- in May and promoted the title track TOP 5. Recently, they released their second Japanese EP and carried out various promotions including local live performances and broadcasts. Meanwhile, ZEROBASEONE was formed through Mnet’s Boys Planet and debuted in 2023. The team name symbolizes the members’ beginning from zero (0) to one (1), representing their journey from an unfinished zero to one, which they intend to share with their fans.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 BTS RM expressed difficulties regarding some fans waiting in front of the hotel and emphasized a mature fan culture. On the 8th, RM shared through the fan community Weverse, ″We are currently in Peru. It’s my first time coming to Peru, so I’m very excited and happy.″ He went on to say that the members and staff are all feeling fatigued due to fans continuously staying in front of the hotel, and that noise is reaching inside the rooms, making it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. He also mentioned that it is causing inconvenience to other guests staying at the same hotel. He said, ″We appreciate the warm welcome and passion, but if we cannot rest and get enough sleep, it will affect our performances with you. Therefore, we ask that you please do not wait in front of the hotel not only in Lima but also in Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and several Asian countries afterward.″ RM concluded his message by saying, ″Since ARMYs are the coolest fans in the world, I believe you will understand and will not do this. I hope we can have a more mature and proud relationship with each other. We will do our best at today’s performance as well. Always thankful and love you.″ BTS members have repeatedly requested fans not to wait in front of hotels. V and Jungkook mentioned their experience last August after a U.S. concert when they encountered about 20 fans at the hotel late at night and asked for privacy protection. Meanwhile, BTS is currently holding their world tour concert ’ARIRANG’ and will hold the ’BTS WORLD TOUR ’ARIRANG’ IN LIMA’ at Estadio San Marcos in Lima, Peru on the 7th and 9th-10th (local time).]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 'Today's Korean Cinema - Panorama' Section Official InvitationOutdoor stage greeting to be held today (8th)... Opening on the 21stActress Kim Hye-ja attends the outdoor stage greeting event for 'Still Shining' held at the Outdoor Theater of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th, and is giving a greeting. /Busan=Park Heon-woo Reporter[THE FACT|Busan=Park Ji-yoon Reporter] Actress Kim Hye-ja not only returns to the screen after a long time but also graced the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) with her presence. Now, she touches the hearts of the audience with 'Still Shining,' which has changed her mind about wanting to take a break from her activities.An outdoor stage greeting for the film 'Still Shining' (Director Song Il-gon), which was officially invited to the 'Today's Korean Cinema - Panorama' section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, was held at the Outdoor Theater of the Busan Cinema Center on the afternoon of the 8th. Director Song Il-gon, along with actors Kim Hye-ja, Park Seo-kyung, Choi Ju-eun, Moon Sung-hyun, and Lee Se-young, attended the event and had various conversations with the audience.'Still Shining' is the latest work by director Song Il-gon, who gained global attention by winning the Grand Prix for Short Film at the Cannes Film Festival for his short film 'Picnic' and the Young Critics Award at the Venice International Film Festival for his feature debut 'Flower Island.'Director Song described 'Still Shining' as "a film about longing and memory." He added, "It captures how much one person can miss another through the eyes of Kim Hye-ja, how they endure this time, and how they try not to forget those memories filled with love."Director Song Il-gon, who had previously written and directed films himself, is now bringing a rough script in the form of a reading play to the screen. He explained his directorial approach, saying, "The play's script was so upright, beautiful, and moving. I started with the desire for this to be made into a film so that many audience members could empathize with that upright heart."The film 'Still Shining,' featuring director Song Il-gon and actors Park Seo-kyung, Kim Hye-ja, Choi Ju-eun, Moon Sung-hyun, and Lee Se-young (from left), met with audiences at the 31st Busan International Film Festival and will be released nationwide on the 21st. The photo shows them posing at the outdoor stage greeting event for 'Still Shining' held at the Outdoor Theater of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th. /Busan=Park Heon-woo ReporterAbove all, 'Still Shining' is drawing significant attention as it marks the return to the screen of Kim Hye-ja, who is celebrating her 65th year in acting, after 9 years since 'The Road' (2017). She plays Soon-ok, who cherishes the special friendship with a friend she can never forget, and delivers a passionate performance.Earlier, at the opening ceremony on the 6th, concerns about Kim Hye-ja's health arose as she was seen being assisted by director Song Il-gon and covering her mouth with her hand while coughing multiple times. In response, a film official dismissed the health concerns, stating it was merely a cold. Kim Hye-ja then appeared on stage as scheduled that day, meeting the audience and easing their worries.Kim Hye-ja expressed confidence in the unique charm of 'Still Shining,' saying, "I hesitated a lot because I don't do films often, but I decided to appear. The work is so good. I hope this film touches your hearts."Indeed, director Song Il-gon had a difficult time casting Kim Hye-ja. He had to persuade Kim Hye-ja, who had finished the drama 'More Beautiful Than Heaven' in 2025 and wanted to live like an unnamed flower, blooming in front of her house, to change her mind about taking a break from her activities.Recalling that time, Director Song said, "I visited her home about six times, had meals, and talked with her to convey why she had to do this project. Fortunately, it moved her heart. She said she would appear if the resonance of the work could be conveyed to the audience through her. It was the most difficult but dramatic casting, so I was very grateful, happy, and honored. Being able to capture her close-ups was a wonderful thing."The 31st Busan International Film Festival, attended by director Song Il-gon and actors Kim Hye-ja, Park Seo-kyung, Choi Ju-eun, Moon Sung-hyun, and Lee Se-young (from left), will be held until the 15th at the Busan Cinema Center and various locations in Busan. /Busan=Park Heon-woo ReporterIn addition, Park Seo-kyung plays the 17-year-old Soon-ok, Choi Ju-eun plays the 17-year-old Jeong-im, and Moon Sung-hyun plays the young boy Doo-young, who becomes friends with Soon-ok and Jeong-im in their childhood, adding vitality to the film.Park Seo-kyung explained her acting focus, saying, "Our film deals with the story of comfort women, but it's not the main focus. It shows how beautiful the shining girls were. So, I tried to exist in a way that the characters don't live with the burden of history."Choi Ju-eun added, "The director told me that Jeong-im is a country girl, so I shouldn't wear makeup and should get tanned. I felt that the character's heart ached because of that. We talked a lot about how Jeong-im should be portrayed."Moon Sung-hyun, who recently successfully completed the play 'Dead Poets Society,' is now appearing on screen, continuing his busy schedule. He recalled the working process, saying, "Since the setting is Gyeongsang Province, I tried to capture the emotions and dialect of a man from Gyeongsang Province. I also tried to create a reliable atmosphere among the actresses."Lee Se-young plays Soon-ok's granddaughter Jian, adding strength to the film. She described working with Kim Hye-ja as a Christmas gift, saying, "I was a fan of hers and really wanted to appear in a project together and learn a lot. So, when I received the casting offer, I was very grateful to the director. We had fun filming."'Still Shining' will be released in theaters nationwide on the 21st after meeting audiences at the 31st Busan International Film Festival.Finally, Director Song said, "This film had many miraculous moments where things that seemed impossible came true. All the staff worked with tears, and we worked together until the end, so I hope our sincerity reaches you." Choi Ju-eun said, "I was happy while filming this movie. I think the audience can fully feel this emotion." Park Seo-kyung encouraged many to watch, saying, "It's a brilliant work by the 17-year-old girls who were so pure and the incredibly beautiful Kim Hye-ja."The 31st Busan International Film Festival will be held until the 15th at the Busan Cinema Center and various locations in Busan.jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 [THE FACT|Busan=Reporter Park Hun-ku] Actress Kim Hye-ja is giving a speech at the outdoor stage greeting event for 'Still Shining' held at the Cinema Center's Rooftop Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th.The film depicts the story of Sun-ok (played by Kim Hye-ja), who reunites with her best friend with whom she shared the most brilliant moments of her life after 60 years.The Busan International Film Festival, now in its 31st year, will be held for ten days until the 15th at eight theaters and 31 screens in the Haeundae area, including the Cinema Center.cjg05023@tf.co.krPhoto&Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Director Song Il-gon and actors Park Seo-kyung, Kim Hye-ja, Choi Ju-eun, Moon Sung-hyun, and Lee Se-young (from left) pose at the outdoor stage greeting event for 'Still Shining' held at the Roof Cinema of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th. /Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo Director Song Il-gon and actors Kim Hye-ja, Park Seo-kyung, Lee Se-young, Moon Sung-hyun, and Choi Ju-eun (from top left, clockwise)[THE FACT|Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo] Director Song Il-gon and actors Park Seo-kyung, Kim Hye-ja, Choi Ju-eun, Moon Sung-hyun, and Lee Se-young pose at the outdoor stage greeting event for 'Still Shining' held at the Roof Cinema of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th.The film depicts the story of Sun-ok (played by Kim Hye-ja), who reunites with her best friend, with whom she shared the most brilliant moments of her life, after 60 years.The Busan International Film Festival, now in its 31st year, will be held for ten days until the 15th at eight theaters and 31 screens in the Haeundae area, including the Busan Cinema Center. cjg05023@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Director Hong SungMin (left) and actor Jung Sung-il pose at the outdoor stage greeting event for 'Handwritten' held at the Cinema Center's Roof Cinema in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th. /Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo[THE FACT|Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo] Director Hong SungMin (left) and actor Jung Sung-il pose at the outdoor stage greeting event for 'Handwritten' held at the Cinema Center's Roof Cinema in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th.The film depicts the story of Seok-gyu (played by Jung Sung-il), a candidate for Minister of Justice, as he approaches the truth by unraveling a past incident related to the letters of Sun-hwa (played by PARK JI HYUN), the last death row inmate in Korea, while preparing for a hearing.The Busan International Film Festival, now in its 31st year, will be held for ten days until the 15th at eight theaters and 31 screens in the Haeundae area, including the Cinema Center. cjg05023@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 They are maintaining a good colleague relationship.Actors Yoo Seung-ho (left) and Lim Se-joo, who were embroiled in dating rumors, revealed that they were a couple in the past but have since broken up. /THE FACTDB, Moving Pictures Company[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Actors Yoo Seung-ho and Lim Se-joo have released their statements regarding dating rumors.A representative from Yoo Seung-ho's agency, 333 Entertainment, told on the 8th, "It is true that Yoo Seung-ho and Lim Se-joo were in a relationship in the past, but they have since broken up."Earlier, Edaily reported on the morning of the 8th that Yoo Seung-ho and Lim Se-joo met through the tvN drama 'Memorist,' which aired in March 2020, developed into a relationship, and have been dating for six years.In response, an agency representative stated, "They are not in a romantic relationship now and are maintaining a good colleague relationship," indicating that the dating rumors were from the past.Yoo Seung-ho, who debuted in the 2000 MBC drama 'Gashigogi,' gained widespread recognition for his leading role in the 2002 film 'The Way Home.' He has since continued a solid career, appearing in dramas such as 'Warrior Baek Dong-soo,' 'My Strange Hero,' and 'When Flowers Bloom, I Think of the Moon,' and films like 'The Magician' and 'Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River.'Lim Se-joo first debuted as a singer under the stage name Haeora in 2011 but transitioned to acting in 2014. Since her acting debut, she has appeared in numerous works, including the films 'Salut d'Amour' and 'Watching,' and the dramas 'The Return of the Lucky,' 'Woman with a Suitcase,' 'Our Gap-soon,' 'My Golden Life,' 'A Killer Paradox,' and 'Riding Life.'laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Alfonso Cuarón&Jonás Cuarón Hold Press Conference Today (8th)From Explaining Film Philosophy to Introducing New WorksDirector Alfonso Cuarón (left) and Director Jonás Cuarón attend a press conference held at the BIFF Hill of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 8th and pose for photos. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol[THE FACT|Busan=Reporter Park Ji-yoon] World-renowned director Alfonso Cuarón and his son, director Jonás Cuarón, are gracing the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). Visiting Korea for the first time, they, as father and son and colleagues, showed each other infinite support and justified trust.A press conference with director Alfonso Cuarón and his son, director Jonás Cuarón, was held on the morning of the 8th at the BIFF Hill of the Busan Cinema Center. Alfonso Cuarón, visiting Korea for the first time, opened the conversation by saying, "I'm so happy to be in Busan and glad to be able to talk here," and shared various stories with reporters.Alfonso Cuarón, who cemented his name at the pinnacle of world cinema by winning the Best Screenplay Award at the 2001 Venice International Film Festival for 'Y Tu Mamá También' (2001) and the Golden Lion at the 2018 Venice International Film Festival for 'Roma' (2018). Furthermore, he achieved a legendary feat by winning the Academy Award for Best Director twice for 'Gravity' (2013) and 'Roma,' etching his name in history.Director Alfonso Cuarón, who attended the opening ceremony of the 31st Busan International Film Festival on the 6th to greet the audience, held a special talk after the IMAX screening of his representative work 'Gravity.' He is also scheduled to conduct a separate master class and fulfill various other engagements.Director Alfonso Cuarón, visiting Korea for the first time, explained his film philosophy: "So I always think about what kind of film I want to watch and what I can make." /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeolFirst, director Alfonso Cuarón revealed his film philosophy. He said, "Before I made films, I was a cinephile, and I still have moments when I become an audience member," adding, "I make the films I want to watch, but sometimes I feel that the films I want to watch are not suitable for me to make. So I always think about what kind of film I want to watch and what I can make."Director Jonás Cuarón, who accompanied director Alfonso Cuarón to Busan, is his son and participated in the screenplay for 'Gravity.' Subsequently, director Jonás Cuarón has built his own filmography by directing films such as 'Desierto' (2015) and 'Chupa' (2023), and his film 'The Garbage Champion' was selected for the World Cinema section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival.Regarding his new film, director Jonás Cuarón said, "It was a project that inspired me a lot. Unlike typical immigrant stories, I wanted to show the appearance and faces of immigrants," and added, "Although there is hardship, adversity, and violence, I wanted to convey that there are poetic aspects like desire, dreams, and love."Director Jonás Cuarón (right) said about 'The Garbage Champion,' "It was a project that inspired me a lot. Unlike typical immigrant stories, I wanted to show the appearance and faces of immigrants." /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeolHowever, director Alfonso Cuarón candidly confessed that he had opposed his son becoming a director, despite watching many films together, drawing attention.In this regard, director Alfonso Cuarón recalled, "I wanted him to have a broad perspective on the world. I wanted him to be someone who could observe life, not just live it." He continued, "As I walked the path of a director myself, I experienced moments of failure and having my dreams crushed, yet I had to keep moving forward. Perhaps as a father, I didn't want my son to go through such feelings."Nevertheless, he praised, "Jonás Cuarón is a director who values the audience. He makes films that focus on themes and excels at visualizing them. He is moving forward as a director with his own unique language. There are aspects that influence my own films."Upon hearing this, Jonás Cuarón recalled, "Thanks to my father, film has always been a part of my life, and it was naturally absorbed. As a child, I watched various films from classics to action, and found the genres I liked, which led to 'Gravity.' It's no exaggeration to say that my father was the nourishment for everything I am and the foundation of my principles."He added with a smile, "However, my father didn't want me to study film, so at first, I focused on photography instead of film. I even shot stills for French films, but in the end, because I loved film so much, I became a film director."The 31st Busan International Film Festival, attended by director Alfonso Cuarón (left) and director Jonás Cuarón, will be held until the 15th at the Busan Cinema Center and various locations in Busan. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeolIn particular, director Jonás Cuarón finds elements he wants to incorporate into his films in Korean cinema. Mentioning films such as 'The Host,' 'Parasite,' 'Hope,' and 'The Day I Died,' he emphasized, "The reason I love Korean films is that they maintain a strong thematic consciousness and don't lose humor while connecting with the audience. I respect Korean works because many of them excel at storytelling through genre devices and incorporating humor."Finally, news about the duo's next projects was also shared. Director Jonás Cuarón, who just finished 'The Garbage Champion,' replied, "I think this film is about connecting with the audience, so I want to communicate with them. I have several potential projects in mind and am considering the approach." To this, director Alfonso Cuarón hinted, "To speak cautiously, there is a horror story that (Jonás Cuarón) is slowly writing," raising anticipation.The 31st Busan International Film Festival will be held until the 15th at the Busan Cinema Center and various locations in Busan.jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Actor KIM DOYEON waves as he attends the 'Discovery of BIFF, Shining Newcomer' outdoor stage greeting event held at the Cinema Center's Roof Cinema in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th. /Busan=Park Heon-woo Reporter[THE FACT|Busan=Park Heon-woo Reporter] Actor KIM DOYEON waves as he attends the 'Discovery of BIFF, Shining Newcomer' outdoor stage greeting event held at the Cinema Center's Roof Cinema in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th.The Busan International Film Festival, now in its 31st year, will be held for ten days until the 15th at eight theaters and 31 screens in the Haeundae area, including the Cinema Center. cjg05023@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 [THE FACT | Busan=Reporter Kim Seong-ryeol] Director Alfonso Cuarón attends a press conference held at BIFF Hill, Cinematheque Busan, Haeundae-gu, Busan on the morning of the 8th, and points to the Busan International Film Festival logo with his hand while taking a commemorative photo.ksr@tf.co.krphoto@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 A time-attack thriller by the internet broadcasting crew 'Killing Time'The movie 'Killing Time', starring actors Ryu Hye-young (left) and Nam Yun-su, will be released on the 21st. / The Title Co., Ltd.[THE FACT | Reporter Moon Chae-young] Actors Ryu Hye-young and Nam Yun-su struggle to survive in a closed hospital.Distributor The Title Co., Ltd. released 8 stills from the movie 'Killing Time' (directed by Jang Jun-yeop) on the 8th. The stills capture the moment the crew 'Killing Time' faces an unexpected incident and their desperate struggle for survival.'Killing Time' is a time-attack thriller film that depicts the process of the internet broadcasting crew 'Killing Time', who lost everything in an instant accident, struggling to survive the ruthless attacks of a mysterious entity after being attacked in a closed hospital they visited to make a comeback.The movie 'Killing Time' has released 8 stills containing thriller suspense. / The Title Co., Ltd.The stills show streamer Yeon-woo (played by Ryu Hye-young) receiving a phone call with an anxious expression, and PD and leader Joo-won (played by Nam Yun-su) looking at the monitor. The tense atmosphere heightens curiosity about the events the two will face.The stills of Yeon-woo hiding in the dark and Joo-won, injured and tied up, explain the extreme situation the two are in. Also, a two-shot of Yeon-woo and Joo-won sitting side-by-side reveals the tense relationship they will create.Finally, Yeon-woo's desperate run towards somewhere foreshadows the suspense that cannot be missed even for a moment in this life-or-death survival game.Ryu Hye-young and Nam Yun-su's time-attack thriller 'Killing Time' will be released on the 21st.mcy21@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Director Kim Jeong-hoon and actors Cho Yi-hyun, Kim Jaewon, Kang Yu-seok, and Bae Kang-hee (from left) pose at the outdoor stage greeting event for 'The Final Interview' held at the Roof Cinema of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the morning of the 8th. /Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo[THE FACT|Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo] Director Kim Jeong-hoon and actors Cho Yi-hyun, Kim Jaewon, Kang Yu-seok, and Bae Kang-hee (from left) pose at the outdoor stage greeting event for 'The Final Interview' held at the Roof Cinema of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the morning of the 8th.'The Final Interview' is a film that depicts the story of six applicants gathered for a final interview who discover mysterious envelopes containing their own revelations, leading them to suspect each other and fall into confusion.The Busan International Film Festival, now in its 31st year, will be held for ten days until the 15th at eight theaters and 31 screens in the Haeundae area, including the Busan Cinema Center. cjg05023@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Director Alfonso Cuarón (left) and Director Jonás Cuarón pose at a press conference held at the BIFF Hill of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the morning of the 8th. /Busan=Reporter Kim Seong-ryeol[THE FACT | Busan=Reporter Kim Seong-ryeol] Director Alfonso Cuarón (left) and Director Jonás Cuarón pose at a press conference held at the BIFF Hill of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the morning of the 8th.Director Alfonso Cuarón, who has twice received the Academy Award for Best Director for the films 'Gravity' and 'Roma', visited Korea for the first time through the Busan International Film Festival.Meanwhile, this year's film festival, celebrating its 31st edition, will be held for ten days until the 15th at eight theaters in the Haeundae area and 31 screens, including the Busan Cinema Center.A total of 315 diverse films, including 246 official invited films from 59 countries around the world, will meet with audiences at this film festival.Notably, this year's Busan International Film Festival was selected as an 'A-list film festival' by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), recognizing it as a film festival eligible for submission for the Academy Award-designated International Feature Film Award, alongside the Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, and Toronto film festivals. ksr@tf.co.krphoto@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Director Jung Ju-ri (left) and actor KIM DOYEON pose at the outdoor stage greeting event for 'Dora' held at the Busan Cinema Center's Roof Cinema in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the morning of the 8th. /Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo[THE FACT|Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo] Director Jung Ju-ri (left) and actor KIM DOYEON pose at the outdoor stage greeting event for 'Dora' held at the Busan Cinema Center's Roof Cinema in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the morning of the 8th.The film depicts the story of a family who leaves Seoul for a summer beach villa, and as they stay there, Dora (KIM DOYEON), who had been suffering from an unknown illness, experiences love for the first time, and everything begins to slowly unravel.The Busan International Film Festival, now in its 31st year, will be held for ten days until the 15th at eight theaters and 31 screens in the Haeundae area, including the Busan Cinema Center. cjg05023@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Second solo concert in Korea held at Goyang Stadium on the 7thApproximately 54,000 attendees per showShowcased 'unprecedented scale' from live performance to stage productionCanadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd held his second concert in Korea on the evening of the 7th at the main stadium of Goyang Stadium in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province. / Sebastian Nagy[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] The Weeknd, the artist behind 'the most hit song in the history of popular music,' delivered a performance that will go down in history in South Korea as well.On the evening of the 7th, The Weeknd's concert in Korea, 'Hyundai Card Super Concert 28 The Weeknd,' was held at the main stadium of Goyang Stadium in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province.This marks The Weeknd's second concert in Korea, with his first held at Guro-gu, Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome in December 2018.Even during his first concert, The Weeknd was already immensely popular worldwide, and the show was a complete sell-out, achieving great success. However, this second concert has escalated several times in scale compared to the previous one.The reason for this is, of course, his fourth studio album, 'After Hours.' Released on March 20, 2020, this album garnered approximately 220 million streams in its first week, breaking his own record for 'most streamed R&B album in a single week' set with his third studio album, 'Starboy,' in 2016.Furthermore, the album topped the list of best-selling albums in the U.S. in the first half of 2020, produced three No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and all 14 songs on the original version charted on the same list.Notably, 'Blinding Lights,' featured on this album, ranked first on the 'All-Time Charts,' which ranks all songs that have entered the Hot 100 from its inception in August 1958 up to 2021. This made The Weeknd the artist behind 'the most hit song in the history of American popular music.'Given that The Weeknd is arguably the most popular singer globally in the 2020s, the response from domestic music fans was fervent as soon as the news of his concert was announced.According to Hyundai Card's estimates, 'Hyundai Card Super Concert 28 The Weeknd' attracted approximately 54,000 attendees per show, totaling 108,000 over two days. This is considered an unprecedented scale for a single concert since the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System (KOPIS) began its comprehensive survey on June 25, 2019.While the exact attendance figures will be known after the final tally, the numbers are substantial enough to potentially surpass Coldplay's record (54,378 attendees) for the highest single-show attendance recorded by KOPIS.Approximately 54,000 fans attended each performance of The Weeknd's concert in Korea, according to the organizer's estimate. This is a crowd size that could contend for the 'all-time ranking' since the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System began its comprehensive data collection in 2019. / Sebastien NagyThe subsequent performance also showcased an immense scale. The Weeknd, with his signature falsetto, continuously moved between a cross-shaped extended stage reaching out from the main stage and a B-stage, captivating over 50,000 attendees single-handedly. In response, the audience erupted in cheers and sang along, creating a truly majestic spectacle.What particularly caught the eye was the lavish stage production. The show could be described as a 'feast of light and fire.' LEDs and lasers installed not only on the stage but also on the sides of Goyang Stadium illuminated the venue in sync with the music, creating a fantastical scene. Flames and fireworks erupted from various parts of the stage, transforming Goyang Stadium into an entirely different space.The highlight was undoubtedly 'Blinding Lights.' After all the lasers and LEDs that had been firing non-stop were turned off, the performance began with lights blinking to the synthesizer's melody. As the intro kicked in, the sequential lighting of the LEDs at a rapid pace was a production that reached the pinnacle of artistry.The use of backup dancers was also intriguing. Typically, backup dancers perform around the main artist to highlight them. However, on this night, dozens of backup dancers, clad in red robes, moved independently, creating a unique aesthetic.This made the entire performance feel like a meticulously crafted variety show, not just focusing on The Weeknd and his live vocals.Also captivating was the presence of the 'Golden Sexy Robot' installed at the center of the cross-shaped extended stage. Designed by renowned Japanese illustrator Hajime Sorayama, this sculpture stands 12 meters tall and featured various gimmicks, such as rotating, emitting lasers from its eyes, and releasing steam from its hands, playing a significant role as a highlight of this 'grand show.'The Weeknd's concert in Korea offered a wealth of visual spectacles, not only through his live performance but also through stage production. The photo shows The Weeknd singing in front of the concert mascot, the 'Golden Sexy Robot.' / Sebastien NagyFurthermore, the numerous lasers reflecting chaotically off the golden surface of the 'Golden Sexy Robot' created the illusion that it was dancing in the center of the stage.Watching The Weeknd's performance that day, the phrase 'overwhelmed by sheer scale' came to mind. 'Unprecedented live performance,' 'unprecedented stage production,' 'unprecedented performance,' and 'unprecedented scale' all converged in one place, delivering an experience that overwhelmed the eyes, ears, and all senses. It was so magnificent that anyone, even those unfamiliar with The Weeknd or not his fans, could immediately recognize its greatness.The approximately 54,000 attendees present that day gained a 'memory they will never forget.'laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 "Seoul Performance D-2" Singer Haru, Fan Concert Sold Out... Speeding Up Expansion into Japan and TaiwanBTS's Power Reconfirmed Worldwide... The 'Class' Shown by Jimin and Jungkook"Why Did It Get So Small?" The Real Reason Behind the Reduced Fan Event Size for Black Pink&TWICE[THE FACT|Reporter Kang Il-hong] This week's hottest entertainment issue is undoubtedly the historical distortion controversy surrounding the movie 'Assassins'. The controversy surrounding 'Assassins', released on the 23rd of last month, has spread beyond the popular culture scene to political and social debates. The controversy has intensified, especially with the opening of the Busan International Film Festival.Initially, director Huh Jin-ho and the cast of 'Assassins' were scheduled to meet audiences at the opening ceremony of the Busan International Film Festival and outdoor stage greetings. However, as the controversy spread, all official schedules were completely canceled. Nevertheless, discussions surrounding 'Assassins' continued among the audience who visited the film festival.Chinese master director Zhang Yimou was also asked about the matter. When asked how to view the boundary between creative freedom and truth in films dealing with historical facts, director Zhang Yimou cautiously stated, "Creation is creation, and it may not be exactly the same as the truth."He added that he had not yet seen the film but had heard about the situation, and that it was difficult to answer in a short time about the relationship between historical truth and creation. Director Jung Ju-ri also expressed her dismay, saying, "I feel so intimidated" by the situation where the controversy extends beyond the film itself to threats.The repercussions of the controversy also extended to the actors. 'Assassins' completely canceled the stage greetings scheduled for the third week of its release this week. The production company stated that the decision was made with the utmost consideration for the safety of the audience.Actor Yoo Hae-jin also did not appear in public. Although he won the Best Actor award at the Buil Film Awards, he did not attend the ceremony, and the production company representative accepted the award on his behalf. Furthermore, the controversy intensified with the suspension of movie screenings in some regions.So, what are the reactions of ordinary viewers who have actually seen the movie? Audience reviews are mixed. While there are positive responses regarding the film's artistic completeness and the actors' performances, there are also voices pointing out discomfort with the content and expression, as it is a work dealing with historical facts.Ultimately, the debate surrounding 'Assassins' goes beyond a simple like or dislike of a movie, extending to questions of how much historical facts can be reinterpreted by film, and how to balance creative freedom with historical responsibility.Attention is focused on what repercussions this controversy will leave in the film industry and how audience reviews will continue in the future."Finally, the first meeting with fans" Anticipation for the first fan concert... Launching overseas expansionSinger Haru's first solo fan concert is just two days away. This concert, where he will meet fans directly in two cities, Seoul and Busan, has already recorded sold-out tickets, proving the immense interest.In particular, starting with the first fan concert, movements to expand the scope of activities beyond domestic activities to overseas markets such as Japan and Taiwan are also accelerating, drawing even more attention.Singer Haru will hold his first solo fan concert under his name on the 10th at 5 PM at the Daehan Hall, Sejong University, Seoul. The concert is titled '2026 Haru First Fan Concert - Today, Haru: Stories Told for the First Time'. A week later, on the 17th, he will meet fans again at the Busan BEXCO Auditorium.The Seoul and Busan concerts are already completely sold out, and the anticipation of fans who have been waiting for the first solo fan concert is reaching its peak two days before the performance. This stage is not just a simple concert. It is a place where Haru's stories, which could not be fully shown on broadcast, will be told to fans for the first time.In addition to live performances of his representative songs, there will be unreleased stages, stories from his trainee days to his debut, and behind-the-scenes stories from backstage. In particular, there is a stage that cannot be missed at this concert. It is the stage for an unreleased new song that will be heard by fans for the first time before its official release. To be precise, it is a remake song.The first stage of the special remake song 'Winter Sonata' OST, which has not yet been officially released as a sound source, is also scheduled. 'Winter Sonata', the best drama that pioneered K-dramas, is an immortal masterpiece that everyone knows when they hear it. Since the recording, it has already garnered keen interest in Southeast Asian countries, including Japan. Above all, this song is considered the core stage of this concert as it will be the first song to be performed for the fans.Haru also expressed his intention, "I have always greeted fans with songs on stage, but this time I wanted to tell my story from beginning to end." This is considered the core stage of this concert, signifying the creation of the first moment with the fans. However, the reason why Haru's first fan concert is drawing attention is not only due to the concert itself.Recently, it is known that Taiwanese promoters visited Korea, followed by Japanese entertainment investment officials. In particular, interest is growing as Japanese entertainment industry investment officials are expected to visit the fan concert venue in person to present specific directions for Haru's overseas expansion.Above all, while preparing for the first fan concert, movements to expand the next stage both domestically and internationally are also gaining momentum. Haru's first fan concert, starting in Seoul and continuing to Busan, and his next move could extend beyond Korea to Japan, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, drawing attention.Singer Haru, who is telling his story in front of fans for the first time since his debut, will be the focus of fans' attention on the first scene that will unfold on October 10th at Sejong University's Daehan Hall.From 'PERU LOVES JIMIN' to Platinum in the UK... Power ReconfirmedOne of this week's big issues is BTS, whose global influence continues to expand. BTS is currently on their South American tour, and fans' interest in the members is growing as much as the group's tour fervor.First, ahead of Jimin's first visit to Peru, local fans' birthday celebration projects are unfolding on a massive scale. BTS will hold world tour concerts at the San Marcos Stadium in Lima, Peru, on the 7th, 9th, and 10th local time. This is the first time BTS will perform in Peru since their debut in 2013.In particular, this concert is of even greater interest to local fans as it marks Jimin's first visit to Peru and his upcoming birthday on the 13th. LED advertisements celebrating Jimin's birthday have already begun in various parts of Lima, with wrapping trains decorated with photos and messages, large billboards, and street lamp banners appearing.During the concert period, LED trucks displaying videos of Jimin will be operated, and birthday celebration banners using paragliders will also appear in the sky. Notably, on the 9th, as many as 350 drones will be mobilized to adorn the night sky of the Costa Verde coast with images symbolizing Jimin.On the 10th, the final concert, an event is planned where 40,000 fans will sing together while holding birthday celebration slogans. Meanwhile, Jungkook's solo song 'Seven' has set another record in the UK music market.'Seven' has sold over 600,000 copies in the UK and received Platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in the single category. Following the Gold certification received after its release in 2023, it has now reached Platinum.It debuted at number 3 on the UK Official Singles Chart and remained on the chart for 14 weeks, and debuted at number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It has also continued its global influence with over 3.1 billion cumulative streams on Spotify.In this way, on one hand, Peruvian fans are making the entire city buzz to welcome Jimin, and on the other hand, Jungkook is steadily accumulating records in the global music market, including the UK, as a solo artist.In addition, with the recent controversy surrounding the careless remarks and actions of some players on the Asian Games men's football national team escalating into a debate over the abolition of military service exemptions, the presence of BTS, whose members have all completed their military service, is being newly highlighted. Of course, discussions about the military service system and the evaluation of contributions to the popular culture scene are separate matters, but the fact that all members of BTS have fulfilled their military obligations while enjoying global popularity is once again drawing attention.BTS, who have responded with music on the global stage, sincerity to their fans, and responsibility for their duties, JIMIN and JUNG KOOK's latest news once again demonstrate BTS's ongoing global presence.Blackpink 40 people · TWICE 750 people... What happened at the global group's fan event?These are representative K-pop girl groups with global fandoms. Black Pink and TWICE, but for both groups celebrating their debut anniversaries this year, fans are expressing common disappointment. The reason is the 'scale of the meeting with fans'.First, TWICE. TWICE will hold a fan party on the 17th to celebrate their 11th debut anniversary. However, it will be held three times a day, with 250 people per session, for a total of 750 people. Last year, for their 10th anniversary, they held a fan meeting that could accommodate about 6,500 people, and even then, there were discussions that the venue was too small for the size of the fandom. But this year, the scale has actually decreased significantly.It was even more so for Black Pink. Only 40 fans were invited to the 10th-anniversary event in August. The event announcement came out only two days in advance, and it was not clear whether the full group would attend at first.From the fans' perspective, it's natural to have questions. Why do teams that fill stadiums on world tours meet only a small number of fans on their debut anniversary? The biggest reason cited is that the 'structure of full group activities' has changed for both groups compared to the past.For Black Pink, members are pursuing individual activities at their respective agencies. TWICE is also entering a phase of balancing group and individual activities as members' individual activities have become more active. In other words, it has become much more difficult to align the schedules of nine or four members as before.Another important factor is the analysis that the nature of debut anniversary events itself has changed. Large-scale concerts can be planned considering ticket sales, tour schedules, and revenue structures, but debut anniversary events are relatively symbolic and event-oriented.Therefore, it is possible that they chose small-scale invitation events or special fan events. In fact, not all long-running groups choose small events.Seventeen met about 58,000 fans over two days at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium this year to celebrate their 11th anniversary, and BTS met 4,000 fans directly during their 11th debut anniversary. Ultimately, what fans are disappointed about is not just 'how many people were admitted'. This is because the debut anniversary is a special day for fans as well.Although the entertainment industry is strictly driven by business logic on a daily basis, the debut anniversary is the day when the sentiment of "We were able to come this far thanks to the fans" can be most directly expressed.That's why fans feel disappointed when global superstars who fill stadiums meet only 40 or 750 fans on their debut anniversary.Ultimately, the core of this controversy is not that the fandom has shrunk, but that the way top stars and fans meet is changing. And how K-pop's representative long-running groups will maintain their distance from fans in this era of 'together yet apart' will also be an important task going forward.eel@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Funeral hall set up at Korea University Anam Hospital Funeral HallFilm director Cho Cheol-hyeon passed away on the 8th./THE FACTDB[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Director Cho Cheol-hyeon, who directed the movie 'Malmo: The Secret Mission', has passed away. He was 67 years old.According to the Korea University Anam Hospital Funeral Hall on the 8th, Director Cho Cheol-hyeon passed away this morning, and his funeral hall was set up in Room 303 of the funeral hall. The deceased had been battling bile duct cancer since being diagnosed in February of this year.Born in 1959, Director Cho Cheol-hyeon worked as the CEO of film production and import company Tiger Pictures, producing films such as 'Hwangsanbul', 'Pyongyangseong', 'Dalma, Let's Go to Seoul', 'The Happy Life', 'Sado', and 'The World of Us'. He also imported foreign films like 'Seven Swords', 'Perfect Wedding', and 'Crash'.In 2019, he debuted as a film director by writing and directing the movie 'Malmo: The Secret Mission', starring Song Kang-ho and Park Hae-il.Director Cho Cheol-hyeon's funeral procession will be held at 7 AM on the 10th, and his burial site will be at the Seoul Memorial Park.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 New album 'Still' to be released at 6 PM on the 8thIncludes 7 songs, including the title track 'Still'Band N.Flying will release their ninth mini-album 'Still' at 6 PM on the 8th. / FNC Entertainment[THE FACT|Choi Hyun-jung Reporter] Band N.Flying is back with deeper and richer emotions.Their agency FNC Entertainment announced on the 8th that N.Flying (Lee Seung-hyub, Cha Hun, Kim Jae-hyun, Yoo Hwe-seung, Seo Dong-sung) will officially release their ninth mini-album 'Still' at 6 PM on various music sites.'Still' is an album that tells the story of what remains even as time passes. It features a total of 7 songs, led by the title track 'Still', followed by 'My Dearest', 'Wake Up', 'The Way We Were', 'Hongsil', 'Our Ending', and 'Fading Away'.Lee Seung-hyub participated in writing and composing all songs, and Yoo Hwe-seung is credited on 'Wake Up'.The title track 'Still' is a rock song that stands out with its lyrical sensibility, heavy rhythm section, and guitar riffs. The lyrics convey the message of holding onto an unchanging, burning heart. This content, which began with a real conversation between Lee Seung-hyub and Seo Dong-sung, embodies the sincere feelings of N.Flying.The following is the full Q&A with N.Flying.Q. How do you feel about making a comeback with 'Still'?Lee Seung-hyub: "We're making a comeback with a mini-album after a long time. I'm happy to be promoting with our N.Fia (fandom name)."Cha Hun: "We've come back with warm songs that will comfort you in your daily lives, so please look forward to it."Kim Jae-hyun: "It feels great. I'm so nervous to be promoting on music shows again after a long time. I hope many people can rediscover their forgotten passion by listening to N.Flying's 'Still'."Yoo Hwe-seung: "I'm happy to be able to share good music with our N.Fia and everyone else."Seo Dong-sung: "This is an album that expresses things everyone can relate to with N.Flying's sensibility. I'm so happy to be back. I hope you listen to it a lot."Q. What are the highlights of this album?Cha Hun: "Since each track has its own charm, I think you'll enjoy listening to each song."Kim Jae-hyun: "The 'message' is one of N.Flying's greatest strengths. I hope you'll reconfirm your own small embers, especially in the title track 'Still'. Also, please feel the messages of each of the B-side tracks."Yoo Hwe-seung: "This album could be our story, or it could be stories that anyone can experience at least once. I think it's an album that people can relate to."The new album 'Still' includes 7 songs, including the title track 'Still'. / FNC EntertainmentQ. Please introduce the title track 'Still'.Lee Seung-hyub: "There's a line in the lyrics that says, 'The sky is red today.' I wrote the lyrics with the thought that after the moment you're feeling now passes, the hottest moment will come. I hope you fully feel the present, just like these lyrics."Cha Hun: "I'm particularly attached to 'Still' because it opens and closes with guitar solos. At first, it felt a bit melancholic, but in the end, the guitar expresses the embers reigniting. I hope it resonates well with you."Seo Dong-sung: "I hope the song 'Still' can be a catalyst for reigniting passions that have cooled down without you realizing it."Q. We're also curious about your favorite B-side tracks besides the title track.Lee Seung-hyub: "I like 'Fading Away' and 'My Dearest'. I like 'Fading Away' because of the energy the song itself gives, and 'My Dearest' because it feels like it's comforting me."Cha Hun: "'Fading Away' is my favorite song on this album. The chord progression and melody line in the chorus make it feel undeniably like a N.Flying song, which is why I like it even more."Kim Jae-hyun: "It's really hard to choose between 'Fading Away' and 'My Dearest'. This is the hardest question."Yoo Hwe-seung: "'Wake Up'. I wrote it myself, but the entire process, from working with Seung-hyub hyung to the song's release, was so much fun. The message to myself, who doesn't love myself, to snap out of it, could be empowering to me and to anyone listening to this song."Seo Dong-sung: "'Fading Away'. I love the part where Hwe-seung hyung sings alone at the beginning of the song."Q. You pre-released the title track 'Still' and the B-side track 'Fading Away' during your tour. What were your thoughts and the audience's reactions?Lee Seung-hyub: "I always get nervous when I first reveal new songs. As I sing both songs more, I feel my emotions deepening. I feel a particularly precious connection to these songs this time."Kim Jae-hyun: "There's a part in 'Still' where Hwe-seung sings 'It's embers.' When we first played it for N.Fia, even after the song ended, the silence that followed felt like everyone was holding their breath for a long time. In that moment, I thought, 'Ah, our sincerity has reached them.'"Yoo Hwe-seung: "When I sang and showed the emotions I put into the song in front of N.Fia, I felt even more overwhelmed and emotional."Q. Are there any memorable episodes from the album production process?Lee Seung-hyub: "During the production, 'Fading Away' was particularly difficult to arrange. The sounds in my head and the sounds we created kept not matching. I left it for a long time, then revisited it, and I was so happy to come up with a great idea."Cha Hun: "As always, I paid a lot of attention to the recording tone. I was especially invested in 'Fading Away' because it's my favorite song. I remember trying hard to express floating dust in space with the guitar."Kim Jae-hyun: "There were many beautiful spontaneous moments during the music video shoot. The director quickly captured them and suggested, 'Let's try to use this,' which led to the final video. I feel like this music video is a work of art created by everyone burning their own embers brightly."Yoo Hwe-seung: "For the music production, recording, and music video, all the members felt like, 'Yes, this is it. This is what we love.' So, we proceeded happily. We have many beautiful memories of the filming locations with the members."Seo Dong-sung: "During the music video shoot, there was a scene where Seung-hyub hyung was driving a classic car, and he kept failing to start it, which was funny."N.Flying plans to engage in various activities with the release of 'Still'. / FNC EntertainmentQ. What are your goals for this album's promotions?Lee Seung-hyub: "I hope we can be a source of strength and energy for N.Fia and everyone who listens to our music."Cha Hun: "Our unchanging goal is to bring comfort and happiness to many people through our music. Personally, I'd like to achieve first place, of course."Kim Jae-hyun: "I just hope people recognize the sincerity of our N.Flying."Yoo Hwe-seung: "Rather than major achievements, I want to safely and healthily build precious memories with N.Fia, one by one."Seo Dong-sung: "My goal is to become like gasoline for those who are currently in the state of embers."Q. Lastly, is there anything you'd like to say to N.Fia?Lee Seung-hyub: "Our ninth mini-album is finally out. I'm so happy to be releasing this album with you all. We'll be N.Flying that sings passionately in your hearts. Fighting!"Cha Hun: "Thank you and I love you always. You must have been looking forward to this as much as we were, so I hope this album makes your day a little happier. I love you."Kim Jae-hyun: "Thank you always, and your constant support allows me to sing and play with all my heart. Drums and drumsticks are very important to me, but without N.Fia, none of it would mean anything. You've become that important to my life. Thank you for always adding fuel to the embers within me."Yoo Hwe-seung: "N.Fia! I hope you listen to this album a lot and find comfort. Please look forward to this promotion as well."Seo Dong-sung: "Just as N.Fia is our strength, we want to be N.Fia's strength. Thank you always."[Entertainment Department | THE FACT]laugardagr@tf.co.krssent@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The Growth Story of Imperfect YouthsScript Reading Scene RevealedActors Kang Hoon, Lee Yi-dam, Yoon Ga-yi, Moon Hee, Kim Jeong-jin, and Jo Hyun-chul (from left) will work together in tvN's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Hot Goodbye'. /tvN[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Soo-bin] Actors Kang Hoon and Jo Hyun-chul will portray the passionate growth story of imperfect youths.tvN announced on the 8th, "The new Friday-Saturday drama 'Hot Goodbye' (written by Ahn Ah-reum, directed by Jung Ji-hyun) will premiere on November 6th." Along with this, the script reading scene of the main actors, including Kang Hoon and Jo Hyun-chul, was revealed, raising anticipation.'Hot Goodbye' tells the story of a growth journey where a 'trio of unknown comedians' who were running towards their dreams meet an 'unidentified mysterious woman' and find their own tomorrows. It is expected to unfold the process of youths who have fiercely run for their dreams, overcoming failures and frustrations to move towards a new tomorrow, with cheerful laughter and deep empathy.Kang Hoon plays Kang Tae-gu, the leader and breadwinner of the comedy trio Asura. Kang Tae-gu has endured 10 years of obscurity with passion and responsibility for comedy, but he faces a reality he can no longer ignore, marking a turning point in his life.Jo Hyun-chul transforms into Kim Nam-il, the witty member of Asura. Kim Nam-il, who has been in a long-term relationship with his beloved girlfriend Lee Na-yeon (played by Moon Hee) for 10 years, struggles between comedy and love.'Hot Goodbye,' featuring actors Kang Hoon, Jo Hyun-chul, Kim Jeong-jin, Yoon Ga-yi, Moon Hee, and Lee Yi-dam (from top left, clockwise), will meet viewers on November 6th at 10:30 PM. /tvNKim Jeong-jin meets viewers as Han Jun-seo, the frugal and 'stingy' member of Asura. Han Jun-seo is infinitely kind to Kang Tae-gu and Kim Nam-il, who are like family, but he rarely opens his heart to others.Lee Yi-dam plays Go Eun-young, a passionate fan of Asura. Go Eun-young, who had lived shut off from the world, unknowingly gets drawn into the increasingly strange comedy trio Asura and undergoes changes.Moon Hee plays Lee Na-yeon, Kim Nam-il's girlfriend, and will have a romantic chemistry with Jo Hyun-chul. Yoon Ga-yi plays Go Ji-young, Go Eun-young's younger sister and a free spirit, adding vitality to the drama.The production team stated, "'Hot Goodbye' is a story of youths overcoming failures and frustrations together. The story of youths who fiercely chase their dreams, hurt wholeheartedly, and prepare for their new tomorrows in their own ways will provide unique fun and realistic empathy."'Hot Goodbye,' consisting of a total of 12 episodes, will premiere on November 6th at 10:30 PM.subin7134@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 November 13 at 2 PM, 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.6' to be releasedAnnouncing the start of new musicGroup ATEEZ will make a comeback on November 13 with 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.6'. The photo shows ATEEZ YUNHO SEONGHWA San YEOSANG HONGJOONG WOOYOUNG JONGHO Mingi (from left) attending the blue carpet at the '2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS(2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS, TMA)' held on September 19. / Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol[THE FACT| Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Group ATEEZ will decorate the end of 2026 with a new album.KQ Entertainment announced on the 8th that ATEEZ (HONGJOONG SEONGHWA YUNHO YEOSANG San Mingi WOOYOUNG JONGHO) confirmed their comeback on November 13 by releasing a spoiler video for their new album 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.6' on their official social media.The video captured attention with surreal scenes centered around a ship, the symbolic object of ATEEZ, with a skull reflected on a monitor in an frozen space and a giant ship appearing in an everyday space, creating an unfamiliar landscape and leaving a strong impression.In particular, the scenes after the crash sparked curiosity about what happened before. The image of a ship moving through giant waves then hints at the future of ATEEZ, embarking on a new voyage after overcoming upheaval.The phrase 'CRASH TO BEGIN' was also inserted into the video, adding to the anticipation for ATEEZ's new music.ATEEZ reached the top of the Billboard 'Billboard 200' chart for the third time with their fourteenth mini-album 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5', released in June. The album set a new personal record for first-week album sales in the U.S. with 223,000 copies and achieved first-week sales of 1.88 million copies.ATEEZ has announced the start of new music with 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.6'. / KQ EntertainmentIn addition, the album's title track 'BAD' has been ranking high on various music charts and is continuing its long-term success, topping SBS 'Inkigayo' for two consecutive weeks in September, about three months after its release.ATEEZ will release their fifteenth mini-album 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.6' on November 13 at 2 PM on various music sites.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 2nd teaser released... Confrontation surrounding the truthThe first broadcast will be on the 30th at 9:50 PM.The second teaser video for MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Liar' has been released. /MBC[THE FACT|Choi Soo-bin Reporter] Actor Yoo Yeon-seok and Seo Hyun-jin's sweet first meeting turns into a nightmare.The production team of MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama 'The Liar' (written by Baek Jae-young, directed by Jo Young-min) released the second teaser video of Min Joon-ho (played by Yoo Yeon-seok) and Kang Ji-sun (played by Seo Hyun-jin) on the 8th.'Lie' is a story about a man and a woman who make completely opposite claims about a single memory, clashing fiercely in pursuit of the truth. It is also drawing attention as a work that reunites Yoo Yeon-seok and Seo Hyun-jin, who co-starred in the 2016 SBS drama 'Dr. Romantic' and are now working together after 10 years.The teaser video begins with Kang Ji-sun looking at the crashing waves. Then, Min Jun-ho and Kang Ji-sun enjoy their first date in a romantic atmosphere. However, the mood takes a sudden turn when Kang Ji-sun says, "I can't breathe." On the other hand, Min Jun-ho pleads, "You're trying to push all the responsibility for impulsive actions onto me," raising questions about what happened between the two.Then, the real clash between Min-jun-ho and Kang Ji-sun begins. Kang Ji-sun, with a confident tone, says, "It's all a lie," and Min-jun-ho, with unwavering eyes, insists, "I have never lied," creating a stark contrast.Min Jun-ho explodes, "What on earth do you want from me?" and Kang Ji-sun quietly murmurs, "I wanted to put everything back in its place," adding to the tension. In particular, the subtitle "The hidden truth and lies of that night, one of them is lying" appears, sparking curiosity about whose words are true."Liar," consisting of a total of 12 episodes, will premiere on the 30th at 9:50 PM.[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]subin7134@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Released new album 'file. 07' on the 14thParticipated in writing and composing all songsSinger YUJU has released concept photos for her new album 'file. 07'. /At Area[THE FACT|Choi Hyun-jung] Singer YUJU is heating up her comeback by showing off a completely changed visual.Her agency, At Area, released concept photos for her fourth mini-album 'file. 07' on YUJU's official social media on the 6th and 7th.YUJU maximized her visual with smoky makeup and a blue satin dress, boasting a graceful silhouette. The dark lighting and blue background created a cool yet dreamy atmosphere, delivering a powerful image.Along with this, various objects such as tangled red threads, various forms of flowers, and masks appeared in the concept photos, adding to the curiosity about the narrative contained in this new album.'file. 07' is an album completed with the theme of unfinished emotions that remain the longest and deepest. The album includes a total of six tracks with diverse moods, including the title track 'Mise' (Unresolved), 'Without Knowing How Scary It Will Be After That', 'Love Gamer', 'SOS', 'Rock Bottom', and 'P.S.'. YUJU is credited with writing and composing all songs.YUJU will release her fourth mini-album 'file. 07' on music sites at 6 PM on the 14th.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Top players from previous seasons to competeBroadcaster Jang Dong-min, actor Ha Seok-jin, Super Junior SHINDONG, and rapper Nucksal (from top left, clockwise) will appear in Netflix's new variety show 'Devil's Plan 3'. /Netflix[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Soo-bin] 'Devil's Plan' is returning for its third season with an even stronger lineup.Netflix announced on the 8th, "The new variety show 'Devil's Plan' Season 3 (hereinafter 'Devil's Plan 3') will be released in the fourth quarter," and revealed the player lineup.'Devil's Plan,' which premiered in 2023 with its first season, is a brain survival variety show where players from various professions live together to determine the ultimate brain. Each season has delivered thrilling entertainment to viewers with intense brain battles, as well as alliances and betrayals for victory, and unpredictable twists.This season, a total of 16 players will compete, from previous winners to strong contenders in brain survival. With the largest number of participants in the series' history and a gathering of exceptionally skilled individuals, a more intense competition is expected.First, Jang Dong-min, the 'God of Survival,' is diving back into the game. Following his record of five consecutive survival wins starting with 'The Genius: Black Garnet' and continuing with 'Betting on Fact,' there is much anticipation for his performance this season.Hong Jin-ho, who transformed from a world-class professional gamer into a top professional poker player with accumulated prize money of 3 billion won, has also thrown his hat in the ring. Furthermore, the reunion of Jang Dong-min and Oh Hyun-min, known as the 'Legendary Alliance' of brain survival, is set to heighten expectations.Players who performed well in 'Devil's Plan' are also returning to compete. Ha Seok-jin, a previous winner, along with Kim Dong-jae and Jeong Hyun-gyu, will join to prove their skills. Rapper Seo Chul-gu, a prodigy who entered university early at the age of 16, and Yuri Sa, with an IQ of 156 and in the top 1% of Mensa, will also appear.In addition, Super Junior SHINDONG, Google employee and Seoul National University Ph.D. graduate Hyun Kyung-ryeol, singer John Park, broadcaster Jae Jae, rapper Nucksal, Seoul National University alumnus and star instructor Lee Do, singer-songwriter Stella Jang, and hidden strong contender Jeong Won-young will join to engage in fierce brain battles.Director Jeong Jong-yeon stated, "We are back with the most powerful cast in the franchise's history," adding, "I hope you look forward to the performances of the players who are appearing in a survival show for the first time amidst competitors who are full of previous winners."'Devil's Plan 3' will be released on Netflix in the fourth quarter of this year.subin7134@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 A live-action film based on the manga of the same name by Tatsuki FujimotoA story of friendship, separation, and moving forward despite it all"Look Back," opening on the 8th, is a work that depicts the beautiful friendship of two girls connected by their passion for drawing. /Megabox JoongAng(주)[Reporter Park Ji-yoon] I encountered the live-action film "Look Back" without having seen the original manga or animation. As I followed the beautiful scenery and delicate visuals, I found myself slowly drawn into the two girls as they expanded each other's worlds. Their journey, as they grow together and face an unexpected separation, then move forward while carrying the pain of loss, makes one feel why this story has been loved for so long.The film "Look Back" (directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda), opening today (the 8th), is a work that depicts the beautiful friendship of two girls connected by their passion for drawing, and is based on the manga of the same name by the genius Japanese manga artist Tatsuki Fujimoto."Look Back," which was previously adapted into an animation and grossed 2.04 billion yen worldwide, now meets audiences once again as a live-action film. The work unfolds the process of Fujino (played by Nanase Furi), who serializes four-panel comics in the elementary school newspaper and is confident in her drawing skills, feeling inferiority after encountering the manga of her classmate Kyomoto (played by Okada Luka), who is absent from school, and dedicating herself to improving her drawing skills."Look Back" is based on the manga of the same name by the genius Japanese manga artist Tatsuki Fujimoto, and was adapted into an animation last year, grossing 2.04 billion yen worldwide. /Megabox JoongAng(주)However, Fujino eventually quits drawing as the gap in skill between herself and Kyomoto fails to narrow. Time passes, and at the request of a teacher, she visits Kyomoto's house to deliver her graduation certificate, only to discover for the first time that her friend, who admired her but was afraid to venture out into the world, had been confined to her room.Fujino, who gets along well with friends and goes out often, and Kyomoto, who is isolated from the world and stays in her room, influence each other while working on manga together, each focusing on what they do best. Thus, the two build precious memories and grow, but Kyomoto, wanting to study art more professionally, goes to art school, while Fujino enters society, and they each walk their own paths.Then, one day, a tragic event occurs to Kyomoto, and Fujino begins to attach "what ifs" to all her actions, imagining different endings, and falls into deep loss and guilt. After briefly looking back, she accepts reality and moves forward again, cherishing the time spent with Kyomoto and the meaning of that encounter in her life.The story, centered around two budding girls, deals with innate talent and the effort to catch up, the admiration for someone, and an irreplaceable friendship.Director Hirokazu Kore-eda vividly portrays the friendship of the two girls with beautiful visuals and child and adult actors who boast an astonishing resemblance. /Megabox JoongAng(주)It explores how meeting someone can change a person's life, and it delves into the passion for one's favorite work through efforts that surpass mere jealousy of innate talent, easily handling the complex emotions that everyone has likely felt at some point in their lives.And it is director Hirokazu Kore-eda who beautifully captures this with his unique sensibility. Filming on location for a year in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, the hometown of original author Tatsuki Fujimoto, he delicately portrays the emotional lines of Fujino and Kyomoto, which are all the more brilliant because they represent the unrepeatable time of youth, with an analog sensibility. In particular, he captures the changes of the four seasons, which seem to breathe with life, quickly and vividly, completing the protagonists' brilliant yet poignant moments with a heightened sense of immersion.Furthermore, the child and adult actors who play Fujino and Kyomoto convey the characters' various emotions in detail through subtle facial expressions and deep gazes. They also boast an astonishing resemblance, naturally depicting the passage of 13 years and the changes in their relationship.Although the meaning of the title was not easily discernible at first glance, after watching the film, the meaning embedded in the title naturally resonates with the audience. "Look Back," which leaves a lasting, gentle impression even after the end credits roll, is rated for all audiences and has a running time of 100 minutes.jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Best Actor Award for 'The King and the Man'... Production Company CEO Accepts on His Behalf'Assassins' Faces Historical Distortion Controversy and Threats to Personal Safety... Busan Schedule CanceledActor Yoo Hae-jin received the Best Actor Award for the film 'The King and the Man' at the 35th Buil Film Awards ceremony held on the 7th. / Reporter Seo Ye-won[THE FACT|Reporter Kim Saet-byeol] Actor Yoo Hae-jin received the Buil Film Awards Best Actor trophy for the movie 'The King and the Man'. This honor comes amidst his recent decision to completely cancel his Busan schedule due to controversies surrounding historical distortion in his latest film and threats to his personal safety.The 35th Buil Film Awards ceremony took place on the 7th at Signiel Busan in Jung-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, during the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). On this day, Yoo Hae-jin was selected as the Best Actor winner for 'The King and the Man'.However, Yoo Hae-jin was unable to attend the awards ceremony as he had canceled his Busan International Film Festival schedule due to the historical distortion controversy surrounding his current film 'Assassins' and threats to his personal safety.Consequently, the award was accepted on his behalf by Im Eun-jeong, CEO of Ondaworks, the production company of 'The King and the Man'.On stage, CEO Im stated, "Actor Yoo Hae-jin could not be here today due to his filming schedule," and expressed gratitude, "I would like to thank the Buil Film Awards jury for this precious award, Director Jang Hang-jun, all the staff and cast, and the distributor Showbox. Most importantly, I want to send my deepest thanks to the audience who loved the movie. I will deliver this award to actor Yoo Hae-jin."'The King and the Man', which brought Yoo Hae-jin this honor, is a story set in Cheongnyongpo in 1457, depicting the young King Danjong Lee Hong-wi (PARK JI HOON), who was exiled after being ousted from the throne, and the village chief Um Heung-do (Yoo Hae-jin), who stays by his side. Directed by Jang Hang-jun, the film was released in February and became a box office sensation, drawing 16.92 million viewers.Meanwhile, Yoo Hae-jin is currently facing difficulties due to external controversies surrounding the recently released film 'Assassins'. Released on the 23rd of last month, 'Assassins' is a story that traces the mastermind behind the assassination of First Lady Yuk Young-soo on August 15, 1974. However, after its release, criticisms arose that the reconstructed events distorted historical facts, leading to a heated controversy.The controversy escalated to threats against the actors' personal safety. Starting from the 4th, a protest was held in front of Yoo Hae-jin's home by conservative groups demanding a halt to the screening, and threatening remarks followed online. In response, the Seoul Seongbuk Police, at the request of Yoo Hae-jin's agency, provided him with a smart watch and increased patrols around his residence on the 6th as part of personal protection measures.As a result of these repercussions, Yoo Hae-jin and the production staff, including the director, canceled all their scheduled events in Busan, including the opening ceremony and outdoor stage greetings of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), for safety reasons.sstar1204@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 '256th Note' sells 710,000 copies in the first week of releaseAlso stands out on music chartsGroup CLOSE YOUR EYES has broken its own record by selling 710,000 copies of its fourth mini-album, '256th Note,' in the first week of release. The photo shows Kenshin SONG SEUNGHO JEON MINWOOK MA JINGXIANG KIM SUNGMIN JANG YEOJUN SEO KYOUNGBAE attending the '256th Note' release showcase held on September 30. / Reporter Park Sang-min[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Group CLOSE YOUR EYES has once again broken its own record.According to its agency Uncore on the 8th, CLOSE YOUR EYES (JEON MINWOOK MA JINGXIANG JANG YEOJUN KIM SUNGMIN SONG SEUNGHO KENSHIN SEO KYOUNGBAE) sold 710,000 copies of its fourth mini-album, '256th Note,' released on September 30, in the first week of release.This surpasses the previous record of 570,000 copies sold in the first week of its predecessor 'blackout.''256th Note' is also making waves not only in album sales but also on various domestic and international charts. '256th Note' ranked 62nd on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart, and the pre-release track 'Open Your Eyes' reached 35th on the Melon Latest Release Chart.The title track 'Drop That!' is also showing its power on music charts, ranking 26th on the Melon Latest Release Chart, 78th on the HOT100 chart, 3rd on the Bugs Real-time Chart, and 56th on the Daily Chart.Having achieved 710,000 copies in the first week of sales and writing a new chapter in the group's history, CLOSE YOUR EYES is set to continue its active promotions with 'Drop That!'laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Son Ho-young will release the new song ″Go Around″ through various online music sites at 6 PM on the 14th. This song is a solo new release after about five years, with Son Ho-young personally participating in the lyrics writing. On the 7th and 8th at midnight, Son Ho-young revealed two lyric posters of ″Go Around″ through official SNS. The posters included some lyrics such as ″Find my love,″ ″Finding my way again, going further,″ and ″Accustomed to the silence that has become familiar.″ This new song is a track in which Son Ho-young, celebrating the 20th anniversary of his solo debut, sincerely expresses his experiences and feelings in the lyrics. Rather than finding a perfect answer or a predetermined path, it conveys a message to find one’s own way, offering warm comfort and encouragement to those tired of everyday life. Son Ho-young captured moments of spending leisurely time away from the noise of the world in the lyric posters. With a bright smile, he took in the scenery for the camera or leaned by the window to create a calm atmosphere, delivering healing that matches the autumn season. As a member of the national group god, a solo artist, and an all-around entertainer active in various fields such as music, performances, broadcasting, and musicals, Son Ho-young plans to embody freedom and confidence in himself through music and stage after 20 years of journey. Son Ho-young is scheduled to meet fans by holding the 2026 solo concert ″HORIZON″ at KBS Arena in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on October 31 and November 1.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The unit JX, consisting of KIM JAEJOONG and Kim Junsu, will hold the JX 2026 TOUR CONCERT at Incheon Inspire Arena from the 9th to the 11th. JX returns with their second tour in about two years, showcasing a deeper ’JX Core’ in this concert. The two artists are preparing a concept and composition distinct from their first solo concert ’IDENTITY,’ held in 2024 to celebrate their 20th debut anniversary. They have hinted at intense visuals and chemistry through posters and pre-teasers. This tour was made possible by the continuous requests from fans, and KIM JAEJOONG and Kim Junsu are responding to fans’ expectations by expanding the scale of the performances. The Incheon concerts sold out all seats for every show, proving JX’s ticket power. JX plans to add new energy to familiar hits through live performances with a band session. The two artists will reminisce with fans through a stage that condenses their respective musical journeys and deliver unique emotions with a diverse setlist. The JX 2026 TOUR CONCERT will continue after the Incheon shows with performances in Kobe on November 3rd and 4th, Macau on the 7th and 8th, Osaka on the 14th and 15th, Taipei on the 21st, and Yokohama on December 4th, 5th, and 6th.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 In response to allegations of staging related to Kim Min’s episode of living in an old house on ’I Live Alone,’ both Kim Min and MBC have issued separate clarifications. The production team of MBC’s ’I Live Alone’ stated to Xportsnews on the 7th that Kim Min is indeed living in the house featured in the broadcast, and that the production team did not set up or stage any situations. They also explained that regarding questions about the use of the generator, the footage shows the actual use of the generator in accordance with the housing environment, and there was no staging for the broadcast. On the broadcast on the 2nd, Kim Min revealed his daily life living in an approximately 90-year-old old house in Dongducheon. He attracted attention by showing how he uses a generator to supply electricity and repairs the house himself. After the broadcast, some viewers raised suspicions of staging based on differences between the house seen on road view and the broadcast footage, as well as the presence of nearby utility poles. In response, Kim Min denied the allegations in an interview with Star Today on the 6th, saying, ″There was absolutely no manipulation or setup.″ While expressing gratitude for viewers’ various curiosities, he also said he felt heavy-hearted due to unexpected stories that emerged. Previously, ’I Live Alone’ also faced authenticity controversies over Jun Hyun-moo’s impromptu trip to Kazakhstan. The production team explained that although they received cooperation from the Almaty Tourism Board in Kazakhstan at the time, there was no financial sponsorship or production funding support.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Fin.K.L member Sung Yuri shared an update on social media on October 7. Sung Yuri posted a photo with the caption, ″The stick is more flexible than expected.″ The released photo shows LEE HYO RI stretching, while Lee Jin and Ok Joo-hyun are seen teasing LEE HYO RI from beside and behind. Sung Yuri added the phrase, ″Another peaceful close-up coverage scene today,″ to the photo. Fin.K.L is preparing for a full-group comeback after 21 years. Debuting in 1998, Fin.K.L is a representative first-generation K-pop group loved for songs like ″Eternal Love,″ ″To My Boyfriend,″ ″Blue Rain,″ and ″Now.″ Group activities will resume for the first time in 21 years since the release of the digital single ″Forever Fin.K.L″ in 2005.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Han Ga-in revealed the reading habits and daily life of her two children. In a video posted on the YouTube channel ’With Sean,’ Han Ga-in stated that when she creates a routine, her children follow it exactly, and that they ask detailed questions about their schedule every morning. Han Ga-in said that her hobby is checking diaries, and explained that her children also look at and check their diaries every day. Because of this, she said they live a predictable life, which is comfortable. However, she added that she does not get stressed by unexpected situations related to her children. She revealed that she talks with her eldest daughter, who is approaching puberty, like friends and that they respect each other, mentioning that there might not be a significant puberty phase. She also said that both of her children are smarter than she is, and although she did nothing special, she wanted to give them the habit of loving books. Han Ga-in explained that when her children are bored, they read books, and they also read in the morning or at night. Reading books to her children is part of their daily routine, and when she scolds them, if she says, ″I won’t read a book to you today,″ the children sometimes cry. Han Ga-in said, ″Books contain much more knowledge than I do, and the children already know that when they read books when they are bored, there are enjoyable and fun things.″ Han Ga-in married actor Yeon Jung-hoon in 2005 and has one son and one daughter. It has been revealed that both children were diagnosed as gifted in the top 1% and enrolled in a gifted education center.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 JTBC’s ″Tokpawon 25si″ showcased childhood photos of the cast members in the October 7th broadcast. In the episode, Yang Se-chan drew attention by mentioning a past photo of Jeon Hyun-moo, saying he resembled Son Ye-jin. Jeon Hyun-moo expressed confidence about his appearance, saying, ″At that time, I could compete. The girls were jealous of me. They pinched me and ran away.″ Lucky also commented that Jeon Hyun-moo’s face has changed a lot after seeing the photo. Jeon Hyun-moo joked that his face started to change when environmental pollution became a social issue in the second year of middle school, and Lee Chan-won added, ″Along with rapid economic growth and environmental pollution.″ Sun Kim’s kindergarten photo showed him wearing a tie and attending a private kindergarten. When Sun Kim asked for compliments on his childhood appearance, Jeon Hyun-moo and Yang Se-chan responded that he looked wealthy rather than handsome. When asked if the person in the photo was a bodyguard, Sun Kim explained it was a teacher. Chuu revealed a childhood photo with a smile similar to her current one. The cast members said Lucky’s appearance had changed after seeing his childhood photo, and Lucky mentioned the influence of the air in India. Kim Sook shared a photo from when she was 16, reminiscent of a horror movie poster, and confessed she had many complaints during puberty.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Actors Discover a Body in a Snowstorm at Seol-o Station... Opening in NovemberThe movie 'Snowstorm' has released its first press stills ahead of its November release. /Distributor: Showbox[THE FACT | Reporter Chae-young Moon] Actors Kim Yun-seok and Koo Kyo-hwan encounter a mysterious body at a remote train station isolated by snow.Distributor Showbox released the first press stills for the movie 'Snowstorm' (directed by Hong Eui-jeong&Park Sun-woo) on the 8th. The stills capture a variety of scenes, from the first meeting of Gap-su (played by Kim Yun-seok) and Hyeon-taek (played by Koo Kyo-hwan) to the moment they discover an unknown body during the handover.The film is a mystery drama that unfolds when a body is discovered in front of Gap-su, a stationmaster nearing retirement at a rural train station isolated by heavy snow, and Hyeon-taek, his new replacement.In the stills, Gap-su is preparing for his last day at Seol-o Station, which he has managed his whole life, when he meets Hyeon-taek, a new station attendant who arrives through the snow, and begins the handover. Gap-su looks at Hyeon-taek with a sharp gaze while holding documents, and Hyeon-taek, observing his demeanor, hands over a radio.Gap-su and Hyeon-taek continue the handover on the snow-covered tracks, isolated from the outside world, with a subtle tension. However, when the two discover an unknown body lying on the tracks, an unexpected storm hits the peaceful Seol-o Station.Stills showing Chief Choi (played by Park Soo-young), who has worked at Seol-o Police Box for a long time and is close with Gap-su, and Officer Yang (played by Noh Yoon-seo), who has recently been assigned, having a serious conversation also hint at unusual changes coming to Seol-o Station.'Snowstorm' will be released in November.mcy21@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Desk | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Singer Soyou recently shared daily photos and videos on social media. On October 6, Soyou posted a photo on her social media without any special explanation. The photo showed Soyou spending time alone in a swimsuit at an outdoor swimming pool. Then, on October 7, she posted a video with the caption ″Getting along well.″ In the video, Soyou was seen playing a game with an acquaintance, and the scene where the person who lost the game gets drenched with prepared water was included. The video also showed Soyou’s expression after being hit with the water bag. Considering that there might be criticism about making a mess at the location, Soyou stated that she cleaned up all the trash with the caption, ″I cleaned up neatly.″ Meanwhile, Soyou announced through her channel ’Soyougi’ last February that she had lost a total of 20 kg.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 EXO’s Suho appeared as the protagonist of rapid promotion on SBS’s ’The Listen: The Season We Stayed.’ On the broadcast of ’The Listen’ on the 7th, Lee Young-hyun, Tey, Chuu, EXO’s Suho, DK, PARK JI HYUN, ATEEZ Jongho, Shin Ye-young, and others appeared. On this day, Tey, as the entertainment deputy manager, arrived at work first and placed snacks on the employees’ desks, saying, ″Eating is power.″ Then, employee Chuu arrived and said, ″I even went to a shop in Cheongdam.″ Chuu revealed that she recently had a herniated cervical disc and moved, and she shared that she received manual therapy. Shin Ye-young, PARK JI HYUN, and DK also arrived one after another. DK mentioned Tey, saying, ″Since I am an original member, I find it annoying to see someone with a higher rank than me,″ and Tey replied, ″I’m not a strict boss; I accept everything.″ DK added, ″There is someone even more severe than Deputy Manager Tey. It feels like a super parachute.″ After department head Lee Young-hyun arrived, ATEEZ Jongho explained that he arrived later than the department head because he went to the hospital due to a leg injury. Then, when EXO’s Suho appeared with a rapid promotion, DK immediately stood up to welcome him. Seeing this, Tey said to Jongho, ″Didn’t you say your leg hurts?″ which caused laughter. Tey said to Manager Suho, ″I have something to say,″ but added, ″These are snacks I bought myself. You must have been very anxious coming here.″ The business trip destination of The Enter was the Korea Water Resources Corporation, and the cast performed a busking stage. The first stage was opened by Lee Young-hyun with ’Tukhamyeon,’ and DK admired, ″Today’s busking ended with this.″ Tey said, ″It’s been a while since I heard it, and every time I listen, I’m amazed. It’s so marvelous.″ DK performed an impromptu parody stage with ’Miracle Warning,’ and Tey performed with ’Last Love.’ Chuu expressed her feelings, saying, ″My mouth was so wide open that my jaw joint hurt. It felt like listening to a drama. It was an honor and so ecstatic,″ and Lee Young-hyun also said, ″I felt the same way. It didn’t feel like a workplace but like coming to watch a performance.″]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 It has been revealed that PARK JI HYUN and Jung Won-kyu, who continued their romantic relationship after appearing on the TVING dating reality show ″Transit Love 4,″ have broken up. On the 7th, PARK JI HYUN personally announced the breakup by releasing a video titled ″Tokyo 2 Nights 3 Days Vlog and a Message I Want to Share″ on her YouTube channel ″I’m Jihyun.″ In the video, PARK JI HYUN stated, ″Won-kyu oppa and I have decided not to see each other anymore.″ She said, ″It seems many people have been curious about my relationship with Won-kyu oppa in recent weeks,″ and added, ″Since there were many fans who supported us, I thought it was right to speak directly.″ She did not mention the reason for the breakup, saying, ″I believe not talking about the reason for the breakup is a consideration for the other person and a courtesy to the time we loved each other.″ Additionally, PARK JI HYUN said, ″I think we were a couple who received a lot of attention through the program ’Transit Love,’″ and added, ″I hope Won-kyu oppa does not suffer any harm or get hurt because of this video.″ She expressed, ″Although our relationship as lovers has ended, I hope he lives well, happily, and healthily as a person,″ and said, ″We won’t be together going forward, but I hope everyone supports and looks kindly upon us individually.″ PARK JI HYUN also expressed her apologies to the fans. She said, ″If I say I’m okay after breaking up, that would probably be a lie. There were difficult times and painful moments, but I will really try hard to live the rest of my life well.″ She continued, ″I want to sincerely apologize to the fans,″ and said, ″While saying this, I thought I shouldn’t cry in case it causes unnecessary misunderstandings, but honestly, my heart feels very heavy. However, I have been doing well and will continue to do so.″ Meanwhile, PARK JI HYUN and Jung Won-kyu appeared on ″Transit Love 4″ as ex-lovers and chose to reunite in the final episode. After the show ended, their relationship developed into a romantic one. They received great attention from fans as they appeared to be dating with marriage in mind, but this video officially confirmed their breakup.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Yang Chi-seung recently spoke about his experience with fraud and the support he received from those around him on a broadcast. He appeared on the 984th episode of MBC variety show ″Radio Star,″ revealing the fraud he encountered while running a gym and the resulting financial difficulties. Yang Chi-seung said that in July 2024, he took out a 400 million won mortgage loan to operate the gym but received an eviction notice from the district office. He claimed that he signed a lease contract believing Company A was the building owner, but in reality, the land belonged to the district office, and the company did not inform him of this fact. As a result, he had to close the gym on July 25 of last year, and the damages, including facility costs, refund expenses, and attorney fees, amounted to about 2 billion won. On the broadcast, Yang Chi-seung shared that after closing the gym, he has been working as a community facility manager at an apartment complex in Gangnam and also runs a restaurant. He said, ″I didn’t even receive key money. Refunding members, paying attorney fees, and all that comes to 1.5 billion won. If you include the lost revenue over the years, it’s even more. I also took out a mortgage loan on the apartment and continue to pay the interest. I even sold my car to refund the gym members.″ He added that his current income is about one-tenth of what it was before. Yang Chi-seung also revealed anecdotes about the encouragement and help he received from those around him. He said that when he visits his restaurant, some people say, ″Aren’t you the one who got scammed? You have to stay strong,″ and bring him a lot of food. He explained that although he received offers to open stores in buildings, the costs of equipment and interior work made it difficult to actually move in. On the other hand, he mentioned that some people asked him for financial help. Additionally, he confessed that he feels deeply indebted to actors Choi Kang-hee, Park Ha-na, Sung Hoon, and broadcaster Kim Sook. Choi Kang-hee prayed for him, Park Ha-na suddenly called to offer financial help, Kim Sook helped him find a gym, and Sung Hoon took care of his meals. Yang Chi-seung said, ″I feel sorry to break down like this because of such kindness. To myself and to these people. I want to succeed and show all of this to them.″ Meanwhile, Yang Chi-seung attracted attention for his changed eye appearance during the broadcast. He explained that he visited a shop after a long time, and the director applied heavy eye makeup to give a strong impression.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Yoojung personally announced her marriage news. Yoojung (34), a singer and broadcaster formerly of Laboum, revealed on her SNS channel on the 8th that she is planning to get married this winter by sharing a handwritten letter and wedding photos. She introduced her fiancé as ″a good person who cherishes me like a daughter, makes me feel every day how much I am loved, and whose presence brings comfort and reassurance.″ She added, ″Over the past year, we have been slowly and steadily preparing for our wedding at our own pace,″ and ″I am happy to share this joyful news with you all.″ She also asked, ″I would be truly grateful if you could warmly support my new life.″ Yoojung debuted as a member of Laboum in August 2014 and was active with various songs such as ″Aro Aro,″ ″Imaginary Plus,″ and ″Hwi Hwi.″ After leaving the group in September 2021, she is currently working as an MC on Defense TV’s ″慰問列車″ and TBN Traffic Broadcasting’s ″TBN Project.″ Yoojung said, ″I left a handwritten letter when I finished activities with Laboum in September 2021, and now I am writing a letter again after five years,″ adding, ″Thanks to the support of many people, I was able to courageously start a new chapter in my life. I will continue to work hard to show you a better side of myself in the future.″]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Singer Rosé has continued her collaboration with global sports brand Puma, unveiling a new sneaker collection infused with her unique sensibility. Recently, Rosé posted photos on her SNS featuring the official Puma account, showcasing the Speedcat sneakers in soft tones of brown and red. The shoes in the photos stand out with thickly tied laces and the inscription ″ROSIE,″ reflecting Rosé’s identity. Notably, the flowers and butterflies placed beside the shoes create a warm and emotional atmosphere. This collection targets the fall season, harmonizing Rosé’s distinctive sophisticated mood with Puma’s sporty style. Prior to this, Rosé released her new single ″new trick″ and unveiled a music video for the Apple ″Shot on iPhone″ campaign, actively engaging in both music and fashion. Meanwhile, Rosé continues to solidify her position as a global artist by consistently communicating with fans through various projects and collaborations at home and abroad. This collaboration with Puma is also highly anticipated for showcasing her unique sense that encompasses fashion, music, and lifestyle.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Black Pink Lisa recently shared a special update on her SNS. Lisa, wearing an off-shoulder dress adorned with blue and purple floral decorations, lay on a bed and revealed several photos. In the indoor space with a bed and pillows, she smiled facing forward while holding a white rose, creating a soft and elegant atmosphere. The styling, highlighted by a necklace, added a touch of sophistication, showcasing Lisa’s calm yet refined charm. The scenes where she naturally posed in the quiet space gave fans a sense of closeness and warmth. Lisa has been actively communicating with her global fandom, ’LILIES,’ while displaying elegant charm at photo shoots and official events recently held in Paris. Notably, as the first K-pop singer to surpass 100 million followers on her personal SNS, she continues to maintain worldwide popularity through consistent self-care and a unique style. In the released photos, Lisa captivated viewers with images filled with delicate sensibility, accompanied by the ″🌹🤍″ emojis. Through her unchanging grace and beauty amid a busy daily life, she makes fans look forward to her diverse future activities and endeavors.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 After completing the four consecutive matches of the South Korean national soccer team following the 2026 World Cup, Son Heung-min shared his thoughts on social media. He said, ″Honestly, there was a lot of pressure and worry in my heart during the call-up,″ but also described it as ″a valuable time where I learned a lot while working with the new coach and teammates.″ Recently, the atmosphere of the national team has been one of continuous change and challenge. The series of matches under the leadership of coach Robert Moreno presented various tasks to players including Son Heung-min, while also providing opportunities for growth. Son reflected that although there were many shortcomings, he gained much more in return. The unwavering support of the fans also seemed to be a great source of strength for Son Heung-min. He expressed sincere gratitude, saying, ″Thanks to the fans who came to the stadium and cheered even during difficult times, it was truly a happy time.″ Meanwhile, on the 6th, in a friendly match against Uzbekistan, Son Heung-min achieved a remarkable feat by scoring his 59th goal in A matches with a free kick, surpassing former coach Cha Bum-kun, who held the record for the most goals in South Korean soccer history. That day, he started the match and played for about 71 minutes, showcasing his outstanding skills. In this way, Son Heung-min has established himself as a unique presence within the national team, leading the team. Many soccer fans are expected to continue focusing on his future performances.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Since the controversy over the release of the KTX CCTV footage, family anecdotes and past broadcast content related to Park Wi have been revisited online. Recently, the YouTube channel ’WeeRacle’s 2024 video titled ’First Chuseok Celebrated at the In-Laws’ has been gaining renewed attention on online communities and social media. The video features Song Ji-eun, formerly of the group Secret, spending the holiday at her in-laws’ home for the first time after marriage. Some netizens focused on the tableware arrangement during the meal scene. While Park Wi’s parents, Park Wi himself, and his younger sibling-in-law, actress Yoon So-hee, used the same type of tableware, Song Ji-eun was seen using different dishes. Additionally, online discussions highlighted Park Wi mentioning Yoon So-hee before Song Ji-eun during the pre-meal prayer, the family repeatedly praising Yoon So-hee, who graduated from KAIST, and Park Wi greeting only Yoon So-hee after a video call. In response, opinions such as ″I’ve always found it strange″ and ″Song Ji-eun might have felt hurt″ have emerged, sparking various reactions. A past anecdote Song Ji-eun shared on MBC’s variety show ’Radio Star’ about her mother-in-law also resurfaced. On the show, Song Ji-eun revealed that her future mother-in-law prepared pajamas for her and offered her cherished clothes to take as she wished. While this story was originally received as a warm family gesture, it has been revisited in light of the recent Park Wi controversy. Among netizens, opinions are divided between ″Wouldn’t it have been better to give new clothes as a gift?″ and ″Passing down treasured clothes can be a form of affection,″ as well as ″Criticizing the family over an issue separate from the Park Wi controversy is excessive.″ Meanwhile, last month, Park Wi faced criticism for releasing CCTV footage of an incident during his disembarkation from the KTX, raising concerns about the exposure of a social service worker’s personal information and a lack of consideration. He later issued an apology and deleted the video. He also voluntarily resigned from his position as a Seoul city ambassador.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 It has been revealed that Jihyun and Wonkyu broke up just before their wedding. The two reunited through the TVING variety show ″Transit Love 4,″ became the final couple, and had been publicly dating since then. On the 7th, Jihyun posted a video titled ″Tokyo 2 Nights 3 Days Vlog | And a Story I Want to Tell..″ on her YouTube channel ″I’m Jihyun,″ personally announcing the breakup. The video was filmed at a hotel in Tokyo, Japan. Sitting in front of the camera, Jihyun stated, ″I have decided not to continue dating Wonkyu oppa.″ She said she would not disclose the reason for the breakup, explaining that it was out of respect and consideration for each other. Jihyun expressed, ″Just as there are meetings, there are also farewells. We have each gone our separate ways,″ and apologized to her fans. She added, ″I hope Wonkyu oppa lives happily, and I will live well too.″ Furthermore, she said, ″Although our relationship as lovers has ended, I hope that as a person, oppa will live happily and well.″ Jihyun confessed that she had a difficult time after the breakup and said she would strive to live her life well going forward. ″I still believe I am a person full of love. In the future, whoever I meet, I want to love freely and wholeheartedly,″ she shared. She also apologized to her fans for raising hopes of marriage and showed a moment of emotional overwhelm. The two became known to the public through the ″Transit Love″ series and had revealed they were dating with marriage in mind. However, with this breakup, they have gone their separate ways.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Park Myung-soo expressed his disappointment while mentioning memories with former ’Infinite Challenge’ members on KBS Cool FM’s ’Park Myung-soo’s Radio Show’ on his birthday. On the broadcast of ’Park Myung-soo’s Radio Show’ on the 7th, the segment ’Monthly Park Seul-gi, Beat Park Myung-soo’ was held. On that day, Park Seul-gi sang a congratulatory song, and Park Myung-soo responded, ″Not that kind of thing, do something material. I really hate this kind of thing. I prefer someone who buys me even just a candy. I really hate empty talk,″ expressing his honest wish. Park Seul-gi replied, ″I will send you a gifticon as a present. Anyway, congratulations. I won’t just do it empty-handed.″ A quiz related to an episode where the members of MBC’s ’Infinite Challenge’ celebrated Park Myung-soo’s birthday was featured on the show. Hearing this, Park Myung-soo said, ″It reminds me of the old days. I want to go back to that time. I really miss our Infinite Challenge members back then.″ Regarding the recent birthday greetings he received, he said, ″Jung Joon-ha contacted me to wish me a happy birthday. The other losers didn’t contact me. Still, Jung Joon-ha’s message touched me the most.″ Park Myung-soo and Jung Joon-ha collaborate on various content through their YouTube channel ’Hawasu.’ Park Myung-soo confessed about their ’Hawasu’ activities, ″On one hand, I wondered if we were just digging up too many old memories while doing Hawasu,″ and revealed an anecdote where PD Kim Tae-ho said, ″Brother, having old memories to sell is something. People without them can’t even sell anything.″ Meanwhile, Park Myung-soo was born in 1970 and debuted as a comedian in MBC’s 4th public recruitment in 1993. On May 30th, when the production team of the channel ’Hal Myung-soo’ mentioned that his house was worth 20 billion won, he denied it, saying, ″That’s crazy talk. They always spread strange rumors. If it were 20 billion won, you should disappear.″ Currently, Park Myung-soo communicates with fans through his YouTube channel ’Hawasu,’ which has about 220,000 subscribers.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 A road named after the group BTS was temporarily designated for one week in Lima, Peru. The Santiago de Surco district named Sacramento Street in the Surco area ’Avenida BTS’ from October 5 to 11 and installed signs to announce it. This event was part of the ’Road To 7’ project promoted by the local BTS fan club ’BTS Perú’ to commemorate BTS’s first concert in Peru. BTS will hold their world tour ’ARIRANG’ concerts at Estadio San Marcos in Lima on the 7th and from the 9th to the 10th. This is their first performance in Peru since their debut in 2013. Earlier, on the 2nd and 3rd, they began their South American tour at Estadio El Campín in Bogotá, Colombia, attracting about 100,000 spectators. Various events welcoming BTS were also held throughout downtown Lima. The Arco Morisco, a landmark structure in Surco Friendship Park, was decorated with purple lights symbolizing BTS from the 5th to the 11th, with special light shows every day. At the Fountain Park’s Fantasy Fountain, a BTS-themed event using music, lighting, and water screens was held during the same period. ’Avenida BTS’ is located near 8 blocks of Las Nazarenas Street in Santiago de Surco and is being used as a place where fans can take commemorative photos. The official Peruvian tourism site ’Peru Travel’ introduced that BTS’s Lima concert would provide overseas visitors with opportunities to experience Peru’s food, culture, and natural scenery. It also mentioned the possibility of fans visiting other tourist destinations such as Paracas and Machu Picchu after attending the concert in Lima. Meanwhile, on the 6th, BTS released ’Run BTS 2.0,’ enjoying an autumn picnic in Toronto during their world tour, through the team’s official YouTube channel and the fan platform Weverse. Spanish media Rolling Stone en aespan described the Colombia concert as ″the concert an entire generation has been waiting for the most,″ stating, ″BTS always met expectations and even showed more than that.″]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 SUNG HANBIN will appear as a daily weathercaster on JTBC’s news program ’Morning&’. On the 7th, the agency The Live Label announced that SUNG HANBIN will deliver nationwide weather information directly through the broadcast of ’Morning&’ airing on the morning of the 8th. SUNG HANBIN has demonstrated stable hosting skills and witty remarks as an MC on music shows and variety programs. This broadcast marks SUNG HANBIN’s first challenge as a weathercaster. In particular, SUNG HANBIN will showcase a new challenge in daily life ahead of a solo debut. After three years since debut, SUNG HANBIN will release the first solo EP ’DEAD:ALIVE’ on the 12th at 6 PM through various music streaming sites. The album ’DEAD:ALIVE’ captures the process of ’self-transcendence,’ growing into a new self by breaking limits and not stopping in the face of fear.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Lee Kyung-kyu expressed a critical stance on the remarks and actions related to military service by some players of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games men’s soccer team. On the 7th, in a video released on his YouTube channel ’God Kyung-kyu,’ Lee Kyung-kyu said regarding the controversy over the soccer team players’ military service, ″That is something the players should discuss among themselves,″ and added, ″Even if that is the case, it should not be talked about in interviews.″ He emphasized, ″They should say they played for honor and for the country.″ Referring to player Lee Young-jun, who was discharged from Gimcheon Sangmu, Lee Kyung-kyu said, ″He was discharged but came running from Europe to win a gold medal. The pinnacle of sports is the medal.″ He also added, ″To say that players won such medals to avoid the military...″ He pointed out, ″It doesn’t matter whether they are young or old. It is very wrong.″ Lee Kyung-kyu stated, ″How do the Gimcheon Sangmu players watching the interviews feel? They are currently playing while receiving a salary of 1.5 million won in the military; how envious must they be?″ He said, ″There are several areas in our country that should not be touched. The military is a sensitive matter.″ Regarding the opinion that players should receive interview training, Lee Kyung-kyu said, ″If training worked, it would have been done already,″ and added, ″I think it is a matter of attitude. I am not qualified to say this, but attitude is the most important. The young players who played in this Asian Games made mistakes, but I hope it becomes a lesson for them to think, ’Ah, I need to be careful.’ They must be reflecting a lot.″ Earlier, team captain Lee Ki-hyuk said immediately after winning the gold medal, ″If we didn’t win the gold medal, I had only 9 days left before enlistment,″ and declared, ″I am not going to the military.″ Yang Min-hyuk said, ″Since there was a reward of military exemption, I think I played the game just focusing on that.″ Park Seung-soo posted a photo wearing a discharge cap on social media and was criticized. All three players later apologized for their reckless remarks and actions. Meanwhile, in the men’s soccer final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, South Korea defeated Japan 1-0 to win the gold medal. Following this, public opinion on the military service special exemption system for the arts and sports fields continued, and on the 7th, Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul stated at the National Assembly Defense Committee audit, ″The Ministry of National Defense’s goal is to gradually reduce and ultimately abolish the military service special exemption system.″]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Singer T.O.P will hold his first solo concert in Bangkok, Thailand. His agency, TOPSPOT PICTURES, announced that T.O.P will hold ″T.O.P PRE-STUDIO 2026 in BANGKOK″ on the 24th. This Bangkok concert is a newly added stop on the tour, marking T.O.P’s first solo performance in Thailand. T.O.P began the ″T.O.P PRE-STUDIO 2026″ tour last August in Hong Kong and Taipei. After the Taipei concert sold out, an additional show was scheduled. Following the Bangkok concert, he will continue meeting fans in Tokyo on November 6 and Kaohsiung on December 19. The tour poster includes the phrase ″AND MORE,″ hinting at the possibility of additional performances. ″T.O.P PRE-STUDIO 2026″ is designed as an interactive stage where the audience helps decide and fill the content of the performance. Fans selected the songs to be performed and fan-created works to be featured on stage through pre-voting. There is also a ″TOPSX Archive″ segment where fans can enjoy arrangements and artwork created by fans together with T.O.P. The title ″PRE-STUDIO″ reflects this style of performance. Meanwhile, on the 2nd, T.O.P officially confirmed his relationship with Nana, an actress and former member of the group After School. The two met during the filming of the music video for the title track ″Completely Crazy!″ from T.O.P’s first solo full-length album ″ANOTHER DIMENSION″ and became a couple in June. In relation to this, T.O.P’s domestic fan page, Choi Seung Hyun.com, announced on the 4th the cancellation of the ″OFF GRID: NEW GROUND″ exhibition that was scheduled. This exhibition was planned to reinterpret the 11 songs included in the album ″ANOTHER DIMENSION″ with different concepts and spaces, allowing the audience to experience them directly. According to the fan page, the event was prepared for a total of 300 people over two days, but the actual number of applicants was only about 25% of the expected scale, and as cancellation requests continued, it was deemed difficult to proceed with the event. The fan page apologized to the reservists and those who were looking forward to the exhibition, saying, ″As this exhibition was prepared over a long time, this decision is very disappointing and heavy-hearted for us as well.″]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 In the 34th season of ″I am SOLO,″ which aired on ENA and SBS Plus, the ″Large Family Special″ featuring contestants with three or more siblings began. As a result of the first impression selection, Sunja and Hyunsook each received three votes, drawing attention among the contestants. In this 34th season, Youngsoo appeared first and revealed that he is the youngest of eight siblings with seven older sisters, sharing that there is an 18-year age gap between him and his eldest sister. Youngsoo talked about growing up in a large family, saying, ″There are seven sisters, two parents, and me, making ten people.″ He added, ″Since I was a baby, I constantly heard things like ’You have to succeed’ and ’You must be filial to your parents,’″ and ″With seven sisters and one son, I was like a servant, a servant! I worked in the fields since elementary school.″ Among the single men, Youngho is the eldest of three siblings, while Youngsik and Kwangsoo are the youngest with two older sisters each. Youngchul, who grew up between two older sisters and a younger sister, said, ″It feels like being pulled up from above and lifted from below,″ and added, ″Because I was close with my sisters, I think I understand better where women get upset or hurt.″ Sangcheol, the second child with an older brother and a younger sister, revealed that he works at an S semiconductor manufacturing company. The family backgrounds of the single women also attracted attention. Youngsook is the youngest of eight sisters, with more than a 20-year age gap from her eldest sister. She mentioned that her niece is about to get married and have a baby, saying, ″I haven’t even gotten married, but I’m going to become a great-aunt.″ She also shared a story about preparing for marriage in the past but breaking up with her partner because her parents opposed it, saying, ″You have to follow the order.″ Jungsook visited the hospital on the day of her entry due to a hand fracture but still participated in the filming. She said, ″The doctor said it needs surgery to fix it, but I really wanted to participate, so I came.″ Jungsook is the second child between an older sister and a younger brother, describing herself as ″the ’Reply 1988 Duk-seon’ position at home,″ explaining, ″I wear my sister’s hand-me-down clothes, and my younger brother gets new clothes...″ Sunja is the eldest of four siblings, with a 10-year age gap from the youngest. She shared her experience of taking care of her younger siblings, saying, ″I changed diapers and took them to kindergarten.″ Youngja is also the eldest with two younger brothers, revealing that she is a sixth-year Korean medicine doctor and has dated a college student 10 years younger. Oksun is the second child with an older sister and a younger brother, while Hyunsook is the eldest with a younger sister and brother. After all the contestants gathered, the production team announced that this season is the ″Large Family Special.″ Youngsook said, ″I said I didn’t want to participate if it was the ’Large Family Special,’″ adding, ″If the person in charge is here, I might file a slight complaint later...″ However, as dormitory life began, Youngho showed thoughtful behavior by bringing water to the single women and adjusting the air conditioner temperature, leading Youngsook to say, ″At first, I wanted to complain because it was the ’Large Family Special,’ but now that I’m here, it seems okay. I think I can try.″ In the first impression selection, Youngsoo, Youngsik, and Kwangsoo, all youngest siblings with older sisters, chose Sunja, the eldest daughter, while Youngho, Youngchul, and Sangcheol voted for another eldest daughter, Hyunsook. Meanwhile, Youngsook, Youngja, and Oksun did not receive any votes. Jungsook was absent during the first impression selection due to her hospital visit for her hand injury. Upon arriving at the dormitory, Sunja took the lead in room assignments and grocery shopping, carefully checking items and prices at the market with Youngchul and Kwangsoo. Youngho showed a caring side by bringing water to the single women and adjusting the air conditioner temperature. Toward the end of the broadcast, five single women—Youngsook, Oksun, Sunja, Youngja, and Jungsook—named Youngho as their top choice among the men they liked. The following preview showed the contestants introducing themselves and hinted at changing relationships centered around Youngho and Youngchul. Meanwhile, the broadcast recorded viewership ratings of 2.0% on the ENA channel and 1.8% (1.780%) on SBS Plus, based on Nielsen Korea’s nationwide paid platform household ratings.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 TWS (Shinyu, Dohun, Youngjae, Hanjin, Jihoon, Kyungmin) has temporarily concluded the journey of their self-produced variety show ″TWS″ and begun preparations for a comeback. On the 6th, TWS released behind-the-scenes footage of their self-produced variety show ″TWS″ on their official YouTube channel. This video includes unaired content from the show that met with fans every Tuesday since June, showcasing the members’ cheerful chemistry and variety skills. The released behind-the-scenes video introduced various moments from the filming set that were not seen in the main episodes. It featured several episodes such as the freestyle five-line acrostic poem in the ″Cy Company″ segment, mafia game deduction in the ″Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom″ segment, and flirting scenes in the ″Transfer Roommate″ segment. Through this video, TWS shared their thoughts: ″We were happy to try experiences we wouldn’t have easily attempted through ’TWS.’ We always looked forward to the moments of filming.″ They added, ″We are proud to have well-executed the concepts we wanted to try and the appearances that 42 (our fandom name) wanted to see.″ They also stated, ″We look forward to the future of ’TWS.’ We hope viewers and 42 will continue to watch over us.″ Covering various themes such as ″Flying Yoga,″ ″Personal Color Diagnosis,″ ″Short Drama Challenge,″ and ″Horror Experience,″ ″TWS″ showcased TWS’s unique style by challenging new concepts each episode, including situational skits set in a company and school, highlighting the members’ natural variety skills and chemistry. Additionally, at the end of the videos, the members participated in a campaign to find missing children, contributing to social value. Meanwhile, after spending about five months with fans through ″TWS,″ TWS will take a short break and resume music activities by releasing their second single album ″TO US″ on November 2.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 BTS is presenting its own variety content, ’Run BTS 2.0,’ in connection with the world tour. At 8 p.m. on the 6th, BTS released the episode ’BTS in Toronto’ through its official YouTube channel and Weverse. This episode is a new video released about four months after the company dinner in San Jose, California, last June. Various behind-the-scenes stories related to the tour schedule of ’BTS WORLD TOUR ’ARIRANG’’ will be featured in ’Run BTS 2.0’ going forward. ’BTS in Toronto’ shows the members enjoying an autumn picnic in Toronto during the world tour schedule. The members shared memories of picnics in the park and spent a relaxing time eating sushi pizza, which can only be tasted locally. The members also played a game of passing a towel while singing ’Hooligan,’ ’Daechwita,’ and ’Seven (feat. Latto).’ In the balance game, they showcased their variety skills by acting out and debating topics such as ’Getting bitten by a mosquito between the eyebrows VS on the soles of the feet.’ Meanwhile, BTS began its South American tour on the 2nd and 3rd at Estadio El Campín in Bogotá, Colombia, performing for about 100,000 spectators over two days.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Bak Chang Geun appeared on stage at the ’2026 Korea Geochang Garden Healing Expo’ held in Geochang, Gyeongnam. On the 7th, Bak Chang Geun posted photos of the expo performance on their SNS. The photos showed Bak Chang Geun holding a microphone and singing on stage. They performed a congratulatory stage at the opening ceremony of the expo held on the 2nd at the Geochang Changpo Garden lawn square. The ’2026 Korea Geochang Garden Healing Expo’ took place from the 2nd to the 6th at the Geochang Changpo Garden area. This expo, themed ’Re : Bloom Geochang,’ featured various contents such as the Korea Garden Show, Garden Industry Exhibition, conferences, flea markets, and garden healing programs. Meanwhile, Bak Chang Geun was the final winner of TV Chosun’s ’Tomorrow’s National Singer.’]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 ATEEZ(ATEEZ, Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, Jongho) will make a comeback on November 13 with their new album ″GOLDEN HOUR : Part.6.″ KQ Entertainment announced ATEEZ’s comeback schedule by releasing a spoiler video on their official SNS channels at midnight on October 8. The video attracted attention by featuring surreal scenes centered around a ship, a symbol of ATEEZ. The video showed a ship reflected on a frozen monitor, a skull placed in front of it, and a giant ship appearing in an everyday space, creating a unique atmosphere. The phrase ″CRASH TO BEGIN,″ released along with the video, was impressive. This phrase conveyed a mood suggesting that a powerful collision will lead to a new beginning. ATEEZ’s 14th mini-album ″GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5,″ released last June, achieved their third No. 1 on the US Billboard main album chart, the ″Billboard 200.″ It set a personal record with 223,000 album sales in its first week in the US and entered the ″Billboard 200″ top 10 for the ninth time overall. The title track ″BAD″ took first place without any music show appearances even after official promotions ended. Additionally, it topped SBS’s ″Inkigayo″ for two consecutive weeks in September, continuing its long-term success. ATEEZ’s new album ″GOLDEN HOUR : Part.6″ is scheduled to be released at 2 PM on November 13.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Lim Young Woong and the fan club ’Hero Era’ have completed the first phase of the creation of ’Lim Young Woong Forest No. 3’ through Melon’s eco-friendly project ’Sootrimming.’ This third forest was established following Forest No. 1 on October 18, 2023, and Forest No. 2 on September 23, 2024. The first phase of Forest No. 3 was carried out from April 6 to April 10, 2026, using the second round of donations. The entire forest will be developed sequentially from the second to the fifth rounds of donations, depending on the available land area. Forest No. 3 is larger in scale than the previous Forests No. 1 and No. 2 and will be completed through the first and second phases of work. After the first phase, structures and trees will be reinforced to establish it as a representative forest.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 BTS V is actively experiencing local culture in Peru, attracting attention from local media and government agencies. V revealed in communication with fans that ″the place I want to see the most is Machu Picchu,″ which was extensively covered by Peru’s leading daily newspaper El Comercio. V’s interest in Machu Picchu dates back to 2020 when he answered a fan’s question saying he definitely wanted to visit, and it was also mentioned in the past on the BTS reality program. Upon arriving in Peru, V interacted with local fans and posted the Peruvian greeting ″Qué fue, causa?″ on social media, drawing attention. This expression is a local greeting used among friends, and Latina Television separately reported on V learning Peruvian slang from Peruvian fans. Additionally, V tasted ceviche, seafood dishes, and Peruvian desserts, sharing that the sweet potatoes served with ceviche were especially delicious. This news was reported by Peru’s state news agency Andina and radio broadcaster RPP. Content utilizing BTS and V’s visit to Peru was also released on official SNS accounts of government agencies such as the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC) and the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation (MIDAGRI). Ahead of BTS’s first concert in Peru, the Santiago de Surco district in Lima named a local road ’BTS Avenue’ until the 11th, and purple lights were turned on at major landmarks. BTS will hold world tour ’ARIRANG’ performances at Lima’s Estadio San Marcos on the 7th and from the 9th to the 10th.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 SUNG HANBIN has revealed some tracks from his first solo album, ’DEAD:ALIVE.’ The Live Label showcased a highlight medley video of SUNG HANBIN’s first EP, ’DEAD:ALIVE,’ on their official YouTube channel on the 7th. The video is approximately 3 minutes and 23 seconds long and features parts of a total of eight tracks. It includes various songs such as the title track ″Undead,″ ″Killin Me,″ ″Insidious,″ and ″Flash.″ ’DEAD:ALIVE’ is an album that depicts the process of growing into a new self by breaking the limits that confined oneself despite fear. The title track ″Undead″ centers on strong willpower and conveys the message in its lyrics: ″No matter what pain and trials, if it is for you and me, I will gladly accept them.″ SUNG HANBIN’s first solo album, ’DEAD:ALIVE,’ will be released on the 12th at 6 PM.]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Singer Seo In-young once again denied the ’IU assault allegation’ surrounding her. Recently, Seo In-young released a video on her YouTube channel ’Reformed Seo In-young’ featuring singer Baek Ji-young. In the video, Baek Ji-young mentioned the time when the two were perceived as having strong images, saying, ″We never bullied juniors.″ Seo In-young then addressed the rumor that she had taken IU to the bathroom and assaulted them, expressing her frustration by saying, ″Why would I hit them?″ She also emphasized that she was ″not close with IU,″ denying the assault allegation. This rumor has been mentioned several times in the past on various broadcasts. In 2011, on MBC’s variety show ’Radio Star,’ the host directly asked IU about the rumor, and IU replied, ″That never happened.″ IU explained that early in their career, they were shy and had trouble greeting seniors properly, which caused misunderstandings. In 2013, Seo In-young stated on MBC’s ’Knee-Drop Guru,’ ″I never called IU to the bathroom,″ adding, ″I swear I never dragged them to the bathroom, and I didn’t see IU much at that time. We didn’t have many conversations.″ She further explained, ″IU was a very young junior, and I had no reason to scold them.″ Seo In-young also denied the rumor in broadcasts in 2021 and 2022, saying, ″I never took IU to the bathroom, nor did I hit them.″ Recently, she reiterated through her YouTube channel that there was no assault incident between her and IU. Meanwhile, Seo In-young debuted in 2002 as a member of the group Jewelry and also pursued a solo career. She paused her activities after a controversy involving profanity during the filming of a JTBC variety show in 2017, but has recently been communicating with fans by sharing stories from her Jewelry days and past activities through her YouTube channel. In May, she attended the YouTube FanFest Korea event, and in August, she performed her hit songs on the stage of ’Waterbomb Sokcho 2026.’]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 CLOSE YOUR EYES(CLOSE YOUR EYES, Clua·JEON MINWOOK, MA JINGXIANG, JANG YEOJUN, KIM SUNGMIN, SONG SEUNGHO, Kenshin, SEO KYOUNGBAE) recorded their highest first-week sales with over 710,000 copies of their fourth mini-album ’256th Note.’ The album entered the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart at number 62, ranking third highest among K-pop artists on the chart. The pre-release track ’Open Your Eyes’ peaked at number 35 on the Melon Latest Release Chart, while the title track ’Drop That!’ achieved a higher position at number 26 on the same chart. ’Drop That!’ reached number 78 on the Melon HOT100 chart and climbed to number 3 on the Bugs real-time chart. This marked CLOSE YOUR EYES’s first entry into the top 5 of the Bugs real-time chart since their debut. On the Bugs daily chart, it peaked at number 56. The music video ranked 24th on YouTube’s daily popular music video chart, and the dance practice video reached 28th place. Meanwhile, CLOSE YOUR EYES’s cumulative album sales surpassed 1.9 million copies according to Hanteo Chart. Currently, CLOSE YOUR EYES is continuing promotions with ’Drop That!’]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Singer Jang Min-ho’s fan club, ’Minho Special Forces,’ donated 30 million won to Good Neighbors to support children from at-risk families in Korea. On the 8th, Good Neighbors announced that the fan club of Jang Min-ho, the MC of ’Trot Champion,’ had delivered a donation to help children from at-risk families. This donation was made following the introduction of stories about children from at-risk families in Korea during the Chuseok special episode of ’Trot Champion’ aired on the 24th of last month. At that time, Jang Min-ho said on the broadcast, ″Please show much interest and support so that children can freely dream and grow up healthy.″ Following Jang Min-ho’s message, fan club members voluntarily participated in fundraising, collecting 30 million won and delivering it to Good Neighbors. The donation will be used to support children from at-risk families in Korea, including those introduced on the broadcast. The special episode also featured Namjin, Park Ji-hoo, Choi Soo-ho, Lee Suyeon, Yoo Ji-woo, and others who participated in sharing. Park Ji-hoo supported Bo-jeong, who has a rare disease and disability, through the ’White Whale’ stage, while Choi Soo-ho performed ’Old Photo Album’ for Seong-jun. Choi Soo-ho urged viewers to ″become strong guardian angels for the children.″ Additionally, in the donation special ’Plus Stage,’ combining pre-votes from Celeb Champ and judges’ scores, Choi Soo-ho took first place, and 1 million won was donated to Good Neighbors in his name. Lee Tae-heon, Head of Sharing Marketing at Good Neighbors, expressed gratitude to Jang Min-ho’s fan club Minho Special Forces and the fans, stating, ″We will do our best to ensure that children can grow up as healthy members of society in a safe environment.″]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 November 26&27: Presenting Hit Songs Like 'Bonfire' and 'Endless Road'Yonsei University Concert in 2024 Sold Out... Tickets Open October 8Park In-hee will meet fans who have loved her music for a long time by holding a solo concert at Ewha Womans University ECC Samsung Hall in November. The concert, titled 'Singing Poet Park In-hee,' will be held at Ewha Womans University ECC Samsung Hall on November 26 at 7 PM and November 27 at 6 PM. /Concert Garden[THE FACT|Reporter Kang Il-hong] Singer Park In-hee will meet fans who have loved her music for a long time by holding a solo concert at Ewha Womans University ECC Samsung Hall in November.Park In-hee will hold the concert 'Singing Poet Park In-hee' at Ewha Womans University ECC Samsung Hall on November 26 at 7 PM and November 27 at 6 PM. This performance will feature a stage where songs and poems blend, presenting Park In-hee's representative songs such as 'Bonfire,' 'Dear Person,' 'Wanderer,' 'Endless Road,' and 'Poplar Tree,' along with her poems.Debuting in 1969 as part of the co-ed folk duo Two A Mua, Park In-hee established herself as a representative voice of 1970s Korean folk music, working as a solo singer, singer-songwriter, and radio DJ. She gained public affection under the name 'Singing Poet' by presenting songs and poems together.After leaving for the United States in 1981 and disappearing from the public eye for a long period, Park In-hee returned to the stage in 2016 after 35 years. Since then, she has continued to communicate with fans and hold performances. Her 2024 Yonsei University concert recorded a sold-out status, receiving enthusiastic attention.This concert is an opportunity to re-listen to Park In-hee's representative songs while also encountering stories of the past and present through her poems and music. Concert Garden, the organizer of the performance, stated, "This is a concert where you can experience Park In-hee's songs and poems, loved for a long time, on one stage," adding, "It will be a meaningful time for the audience who remember Park In-hee's music beyond the years."Tickets for the 'Singing Poet Park In-hee' concert will be available on October 8 at 1 PM through Ticketlink.eel@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 'T.O.P PRE-STUDIO 2026 in BANGKOK' AddedFirst Solo Concert in BangkokSinger and actor T.O.P will hold the brand tour 'T.O.P PRE-STUDIO 2026 in BANGKOK' in Bangkok, Thailand on the 24th. / TOPSPOT PICTURES[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Singer and actor T.O.P is continuing the heat of his brand tour in Bangkok, Thailand.His agency TOPSPOT PICTURES announced on the 8th, "T.O.P will additionally hold 'T.O.P PRE-STUDIO 2026 in BANGKOK' in Bangkok, Thailand on the 24th. This is the first time T.O.P is holding a solo concert in Thailand."The 'T.O.P PRE-STUDIO 2026', which began in Hong Kong and Taipei in August, is receiving high support from global fans, with the Taipei concert selling out and an additional performance being scheduled. T.O.P plans to continue this momentum by holding an additional concert in Bangkok.Furthermore, T.O.P has included the phrase 'AND MORE' on the tour poster that was released along with the announcement, raising expectations for potential performances in more countries and cities.'T.O.P PRE-STUDIO 2026' is an interactive stage where the audience actively participates in deciding and shaping the content of the performance, rather than simply watching the artist's prepared stage as is common. The process of T.O.P and fans exchanging ideas and creating results together becomes the core of the performance.The title 'PRE-STUDIO' also reflects this direction. In previous performances, the audience directly chose the songs they wanted to hear and fan-created content to be featured on stage through pre-voting, and the 'TOPSX Archive' corner, where fans' created arrangements and artwork were appreciated with T.O.P, received great acclaim.After the Bangkok concert, T.O.P will continue to meet with fans in Tokyo on November 6th and Kaohsiung on December 19th. Details about 'T.O.P PRE-STUDIO 2026' can be found on T.O.P's official social media.Meanwhile, T.O.P began a public relationship with actress Nana, a former member of the group After School, on the 2nd. The two grew closer while filming the music video for the title track 'OMG!' from T.O.P's first solo full-length album 'ANOTHER DIMENSION' and developed into a couple.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The 'Mi' in Kyungmi, Youngmi, and Jeongmi... 'Emotional Ballad' inspired by familiar names'Jongihak' 'Amor Fati' Lyrics by Lee Kun-woo, Composition by Cocktail Sarang, Kim Sun-minJang Hanbyul is once again targeting fans' hearts with the new song 'Miya' ahead of their first solo concert. 'Miya' is a title inspired by the friendly way of calling 'Mi', the last syllable of names commonly found around us like Kyungmi, Youngmi, and Jeongmi, and it is an emotional ballad song. /THE FACT DB[THE FACT|Reporter Kang Il-hong] Singer Jang Hanbyul is once again targeting fans' hearts with the new song 'Miya'.Jang Hanbyul will release the new song 'Miya' at noon on the 12th. 'Miya' is a title inspired by the friendly way of calling 'Mi', the last syllable of names commonly found around us like Kyungmi, Youngmi, and Jeongmi, and it is an emotional ballad song. The new song, released ahead of their first solo concert, holds special meaning for Jang Hanbyul.In particular, this song was completed through the collaboration of a production team that raises anticipation with their names alone. Lee Kun-woo, Kim Sun-min, and Choi Jae-eun joined forces through the project team 'Magic Flute' for the lyrics. Lee Kun-woo is considered one of Korea's leading hit lyricists, having created numerous hit songs such as 'Jongihak', 'Nalgae Irheun Cheonsa', and 'Amor Fati'. Kim Sun-min was in charge of composition. Kim Sun-min is also a composer who has created hit songs, including 'Cocktail Sarang' by 'Maronnier' and recently 'Hu' by Jo Hang-jo.Above all, Kim Sun-min is known to have recognized Jang Hanbyul's potential from the time he competed on MBN's 'Moomyeong Legend'. The connection from that time eventually led to the new song 'Miya' for Jang Hanbyul, further increasing anticipation for this song.Jang Hanbyul's recent activities have been on a steep upward trend, to say the least. He garnered attention as a strong dark horse on MBN's male vocal survival show 'Moomyeong Legend', finishing in the TOP3 and firmly establishing his name and talent in the public eye.The upward trend did not stop after the competition. After expanding his presence through various broadcasts and stages, he even won first place on KBS2's 'Immortal Songs', proving both his vocal prowess and public appeal. Recently, he also confirmed his public influence numerically by ranking 10th in the singer brand reputation for September 2026.Most notably, the growth of his fandom is remarkable. His fan meeting in July sold out all tickets within one minute of release, and his first solo concert under his own name also sold out all seats within two minutes of ticket opening. 'THE STAR IS BORN', originally scheduled for two performances on October 31st, was expanded to a total of three performances, including an additional show on November 1st, due to strong requests.The dark horse who showed potential in 'Moomyeong Legend' has now grown into a star filling concert halls with his own name.At the center of this is the new song 'Miya'. Vocalist Jang Hanbyul, discovered through the competition, is now entering a phase of meeting fans and the public with his own music. Attention is focused on whether the ballad 'Miya', created by hit lyricists and composers for Jang Hanbyul's voice, will become another turning point in his musical journey ahead of his first solo concert.From a dark horse in 'Moomyeong Legend' to a star with a strong fandom, and finally the protagonist of his first solo concert under his own name, Jang Hanbyul's next chapter unfolds with 'Miya'.eel@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Announcing wedding news via handwritten letterSinger and broadcaster Yujeong, formerly of the group LABOUM, is getting married. / Yujeong's social media[THE FACT|Choi Hyun-jung] Yujeong, a singer and broadcaster formerly of the group Laboum, is getting married.Yoo Jung announced her wedding news this winter on the 8th, sharing wedding photos along with a handwritten letter on her social media.Through this, Yujeong said, "I left a handwritten letter when I finished my LABOUM activities in September 2021, and I am writing a letter again after 5 years," and "I am getting married this coming winter." In addition, the released wedding photos show her happy with her future husband, and she is receiving many congratulations from fans.He added, "I met a wonderful person who makes me feel loved every day, someone who makes me feel comfortable and secure when I'm with them. Now, I plan to spend the rest of my life with them. We've been preparing for our wedding at our own pace over the past year, and I'm happy to share this news."Yoo Jung added, "Thanks to the support of many people, I was able to bravely start a new chapter in my life. I would be very grateful if you could support my new life with warm hearts. I will also work hard to show you a better side of myself. I look forward to your continued support."Yujeong, who debuted in the music industry in 2009 as a member of the female ballad duo Avenue, rejoined the group LABOUM in 2014 after the duo disbanded, making her debut again. LABOUM also produced hit songs such as 'Imagination Plus' and 'Hwi Hwi,' and Yujeong, as a member, received much love.After his contract ended, he embarked on a solo career and is currently active as an MC on the Defense TV show 'Wimoon Yeolcha' and TBN Korea's 'TBN Project'.Yoo Jung personally announced her marriage news to fans via a handwritten letter. / Yoo Jung social mediaHere is the full statement from Yoo Jung.Hello. It's Yujeong.In September 2021, after concluding my 7-year contract and ending my activities with 'LABOUM', I left you a handwritten letter. It's already been 5 years since I'm writing to you again like this.How have you all been?Five years passed by surprisingly quickly.Since 2022, I have continued my precious connection with our soldiers by hosting the TV show 'Wimoon Yeolcha,' which is like a family program to Laboum, and I have also met listeners as a radio special DJ, released music, traveled a lot, which I couldn't do in my 20s, and had time to learn to relax by achieving my small dream of living alone.As I accumulated new experiences one by one, I was gradually building a more solid life for myself.And today, I have another piece of news to share with you all.This coming winter, I'm getting married.Now, I've met a wonderful partner with whom I'll spend the rest of my life, and I plan to move forward together.I met a wonderful person who cherishes me like a daughter, makes me feel loved every day, and makes me feel comfortable and secure when I'm with them, even though I always thought I was living bravely on my own.Over the past year, we have been slowly and steadily preparing for our wedding at our own pace, and now we are happy to share this news with you.The sincere and warm words from many of you, "I hope you meet a good person now and become even happier," have remained in my heart for a long time.Thanks to that support, I feel like I was able to bravely start a new chapter in my life.I would be truly grateful if you would support my new life with your warm hearts, just as you supported my new beginning five years ago.I will also live diligently as I am now and strive to meet you with an even better appearance. I look forward to your continued support.Wishing you good health always, and may your days be filled with happiness.Thank you.[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]laugardagr@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Original member of the heavy metal band that flourished in the 80sPark Young-chul, the vocalist of the heavy metal band Black Syndrome, has passed away at the age of 61. / Black Syndrome Facebook[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Park Young-chul, the vocalist of the heavy metal band Black Syndrome, has passed away at the age of 61.According to the Hanil Hospital Funeral Hall in Dobong-gu, Seoul, on the 8th, Park Young-chul passed away on the night of the 6th, and his wake has been set up in Room 2 here.Park Young-chul was an original member who formed Black Syndrome in 1986 with guitarist Lee Byung-doo, bassist Lee Sung-yeol, and drummer Kim Wook.Black Syndrome began its activities by releasing its first full-length album 'Fatal Attraction' in 1988 and led the golden age of domestic heavy metal in the 1980s along with Sinawe, Boohwal, Baekdusan, and H2O.Park Young-chul, who had left the band for a while in the 90s, rejoined Black Syndrome in 2000 and resumed his activities. He also released the ninth full-length album '9th Gate' in 2001 and the tenth full-length album 'Episode', which was also the 30th-anniversary album of the band's formation, in 2018.The funeral will be held at 2 PM on the 8th, and the interment will be at the Seoul Metropolitan Crematorium.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 2nd, 'Uncommon Girl' released.. Block B remakeExpanding 'Yena-core' smartly instead of repeatingYENA released the digital single 'Uncommon Girl' on the 2nd. It reinterpreted the song of the same name, included in boy group Block B's fourth mini-album 'HER' released in 2014. The photo shows her attending the '2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS' in September. /Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol[THE FACT | Reporter Jung Byung-geun] As difficult as it is to create one's own color is not to be trapped by that color. YENA completed the so-called 'Yena-core' through 'Nemo Nemo' and 'Catch Catch' this year. And the moment she showed what she does best, she took a step in a slightly different direction.The digital single 'Uncommon Girl' (Feat. Nauen Young), released by YENA on the 2nd, is therefore interesting. Compared to YENA's recent image, which seemed to have jumped out of a cartoon or animation, she has toned it down considerably. Many of the devices of 'Yena-core', which densely filled the music and visuals, have also been removed. Yet, when you listen to the song, it's strangely YENA. The familiar YENA is wearing unfamiliar clothes.'Uncommon Girl' reinterprets the song of the same name, included in boy group Block B's fourth mini-album 'HER', released in 2014. The original song was a sweet pop rap that contained a man's active courtship of an attractive woman. The YENA version flips that gaze. The person who was described as an 'uncommon girl' by someone now becomes the narrator and defines herself as such.If the original song had the male saying, "You're not an ordinary girl," this time YENA says, "I am not an ordinary girl." The chorus, which in the original song complained about being tired while looking at the attractive woman, has also changed subjects to something like, 'You're tired because I'm pretty.''Uncommon Girl' differs from the starting point of a simple remake where a man's song is sung in a woman's key. As a result, despite being a remake, there is a wide scope for YENA to play.With rapper Nauen Young, who gained attention on Mnet's 'Show Me The Money 12', participating as a featured artist, the original song's one-sided courtship has turned into a push-and-pull conversation between a man and a woman. YENA knows her charm well but playfully steps back from cheesy expressions, while Nauen Young is the younger man who actively approaches her. At this point, YENA's strengths shine.YENA's weapon is her ability to turn characters into songs. This continues in 'Uncommon Girl'. However, the difference is that while 'Nemo Nemo' and 'Catch Catch' were new worlds filled with all sorts of devices, 'Uncommon Girl' is much closer to an everyday romantic comedy. The photo shows her at the '2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS'. /Reporter LEE SAEROMThe most powerful weapon YENA has built up through her solo activities is her ability to turn characters into songs, more so than any specific genre. In 2022, she showed bright, playful, and confident energy with 'SMILEY' and has since explored her range across rock, pop, and emotional music. The process of this taking a clear form was 'Nemo Nemo' in 2024.Intuitive lyrics expressing the rough edges of each other discovered through love as 'nemo' (square) shapes, millennium-inspired electronic sounds, and cartoon-like visuals combined with hand gestures forming squares, all merged music and character.'Catch Catch' refined this further. Repetitive melodies, instantly memorable point choreography, high-saturation colors, and a world closer to animation than reality moved together. Thus, 'Yena-core' is not just a cute concept, but YENA's unique way of embodying exaggerated expressions, fast energy, and quirky, confident attitudes through music, performance, and visuals.This method exploded. 'Catch Catch' connected the heat generated from short-form content to the music charts, reaching a monthly high of 7th on the Circle Digital Chart, and surpassed 100 million cumulative streams on Spotify on the 30th of last month. She expanded the scale of her activities with an Asian tour that started in Seoul in April and went through Macau, Taipei, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, followed by an encore concert in August.It would have been natural to use 'Yena-core', which created this momentum, once more. However, YENA chose a B-side track from a boy group from 12 years ago. This is where the value of 'Uncommon Girl' lies.In the new version, YENA's signature bright and light tone, and her playful way of delivering words, are still present. Her cheeky attitude of declaring "I am an uncommon girl" also aligns with the character YENA has shown in 'Nemo Nemo' or 'Catch Catch'. Making cheesy lines shameless yet lovable is an area where YENA particularly excels.On the other hand, the way it is packaged is distinctly different. While 'Nemo Nemo' and 'Catch Catch' were new worlds filled with all sorts of devices, 'Uncommon Girl' is much closer to an everyday romantic comedy. Instead of a character dominating the entire screen alone, she converses and plays push-and-pull with the other person. Therefore, YENA's brightness, rather than exploding as before, works by reacting to the other person's words.What YENA needs now is not just to deepen her own color, but to confirm how far that color can spread, and 'Uncommon Girl' is a rather clever choice for that first experiment. The photo is a scene from the music video. /YH EntertainmentThe new version, compressed to 2 minutes and 29 seconds, is much shorter than the original 3 minutes and 11 seconds. While keeping the familiar chorus of the original song at its center, it quickly exchanges new lyrics and Nauen Young's parts. The arrangement using guitar, bass, and synthesizer was also re-composed to fit today's short and upbeat pop grammar, rather than restoring the original song.The music video also focuses on the relationship and chemistry created by the two people, rather than showing YENA's exaggerated world alone. The fact that she pre-released this song with Nauen Young at the encore concert in August already shows that character well. It's more of a continuation of the enjoyable synergy that began at the concert, rather than a next chapter.Therefore, the format of a digital single is appropriate. A single-song remake single allows for trying out different aspects without pressure. There is no reason to discard the color, nor is there a need to stay in it.Above all, this song conversely shows the essence of 'Yena-core'. Even when the high-saturation sets, animated settings, and relentlessly fast-paced concepts are removed, YENA's unique tone, expressions, cheeky confidence, and her ability to digest a song like a character are felt. This proves that YENA herself, not the various devices, is the center of 'Yena-core'.What YENA needs now is not just to deepen her own color, but to confirm how far that color can spread, and 'Uncommon Girl' is a rather clever choice for that first experiment. In the light format of a digital single, she took a well-known song by Block B and tried out a different tone without pressure. And she did so without losing her core strengths.Viewed in this light, 'Uncommon Girl' is a song that confirms the boundaries of 'Yena-core'. At a time when 'Catch Catch' was gaining strong momentum this year, YENA did not rush to create another 'Catch Catch', but instead showed that she can utilize her established color in different genres and relationships. It is a smart expansion of 'Yena-core'.kafka@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Jang Gyu-ri, who plays Jae-in, brings vitality... delicate control of tempo from teens to twentiesNext project is occult film 'Perfect House', to be released within the yearActress Jang Gyu-ri met with and held a wrap-up interview for the tvN Saturday-Sunday drama 'Four Hands', which ended on the 4th. / Namoo Actors[THE FACT|Reporter Kim Saet-byul] Actress Jang Gyu-ri has grown once again. In 'Four Hands', she portrayed Jae-in, who spans her teens and twenties, expressing her bright and lovely side as well as a more mature manager. The experience of playing multiple ages and emotions of one character was a new challenge for Jang Gyu-ri as well.Jang Gyu-ri recently met with at the Namoo Actors building in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, for an interview ahead of the finale of the tvN Saturday-Sunday drama 'Four Hands' (written by Shin Yi-won, directed by Park Hyun-seok). In the drama, she played Hong Jae-in, who grew from a violist to a manager, and shared various stories about the work and her character.'Four Hands', which ended on the 4th with its 12th episode, is a story about the friendship, love, competition, and growth of young people who meet at an arts high school filled with musical prodigies.Jang Gyu-ri played Jae-in, who stayed by Bio's (played by Song Kang) side for a long time. While the surrounding characters acted in a realistic tone, Jae-in had a uniquely bright disposition, which made her a character that carried some pressure. Jang Gyu-ri confessed, "The fact that I was the only one standing out made it more burdensome. Everyone else was realistic, but I felt like a cartoon character."Therefore, the process of matching the tone with the director was important. She explained, "The director would tone me down if it was too much, and tell me to raise it if it needed more." She also clearly differentiated between her teenage and twenties portrayals. For her teenage self, she created a cute and bright image using hairpins, while for her twenties self, she expressed a manager-like aura with suits, watches, neat hairstyles, and subtle makeup."In my teens, I had to act with a bright tone, but as I entered my twenties, I switched to a more realistic tone. I wanted to look like I belonged in the drama rather than appearing separate. Thanks to that, I think I was able to show a variety of acting in 'Four Hands'."Actress Jang Gyu-ri played Hong Jae-in in the tvN Saturday-Sunday drama 'Four Hands', who grew from a violist to a manager, portraying both the teenage and adult versions of the character. / tvNIn understanding Jae-in, music was important to Jang Gyu-ri. She saw Bio's music, a childhood friend, as having a meaning beyond just music for Jae-in. She filled in the character's emotions by imagining backgrounds not explicitly stated in the script.Jang Gyu-ri interpreted, "Bio's music must have been music that enveloped and comforted Jae-in," adding, "She must have wanted to make others feel the comfort she received by protecting Bio's music." She viewed Jae-in's desire to discover Jeong-yo's talent early on and publicize his potential in the same light.She also did not easily define the relationship between Bio and Jae-in. Jang Gyu-ri said, "I didn't know even while acting. I kept wondering what Bio's feelings were and what (Song Kang) oppa was thinking while acting," and added, "I think Jae-in felt the same way. She doesn't seem to know exactly what her feelings are."She saw Jae-in's reaction to Bio, who spoke of parting, as closer to avoidance than certainty. She thought, "She knew it wasn't (love), but she asked while avoiding it," and continued, "Perhaps she continued the relationship thinking Bio's feelings might change. Even until the end, it might have been a feeling of avoidance."Jae-in's feelings were most clearly revealed in the scene where she angrily tells Jeong-yo to protect Bio. Jang Gyu-ri explained, "Isn't that the only scene where Jae-in gets angry? In that situation, protecting Bio was the priority, so I thought it was an action she could take," and added, "No matter how much of a conductor Jeong-yo is, I thought, 'How much must Jae-in have been to act like this?'"Regarding the much-talked-about kiss scene between Bio and Jae-in, she also shared her interpretation. Jang Gyu-ri said, "Jae-in is a character who has liked Bio for a long time," and expressed her hope, "I wanted it to be seen more as a form of CPR than a kiss between a man and a woman." Therefore, she hoped that in their relationship, more attention would be paid to Jae-in's growth rather than Bio's regret."Regardless of whether Bio regrets it or not, I think the experience of Jae-in liking someone for a long time is precious. Jae-in will also grow in her own way, so I hope people focus on that part. Whether Bio regrets it or not, Jae-in will be the same."Actress Jang Gyu-ri revealed that in the tvN Saturday-Sunday drama 'Four Hands', while the relationship between Jae-in and Bio was important, she tried to focus a little more on Jae-in's growth. / tvNAs Jang Gyu-ri said, Jae-in's growth is not limited to love. Jang Gyu-ri cited her process of finding her own life and work as growth, saying, "There were times when Jae-in acted as if Bio was her whole life, but now she's not like that and works harder in her management job." Regarding the ending, she smiled and said, "Personally, I like happy endings, so I'm satisfied."In this work, she also took on the challenge of playing the viola herself. Although she was initially offered a double, she had a strong desire to perform it herself. She said, "I thought a scene where I play it myself, even if it's short, was essential, so I asked to get a viola and receive lessons," and revealed that she learned everything from how to hold the instrument to playing a song naturally over about two months.Her familiarity with music was also influenced by her mother. Jang Gyu-ri, whose mother was a music teacher in high school, learned piano, violin, and guitar from a young age. She shared, "She always created an environment where I could play when I was having a hard time or needed comfort," and admitted that she has actually been comforted through music.Therefore, when she first received the script for 'Four Hands', she was drawn to the story of young people growing through music, as she believed in the power of music. Above all, she was attracted to the fact that Jae-in looked at Jeong-yo's and Bio's talents without jealousy or misunderstanding and helped them be loved by the world.'Four Hands' is also significant for Jang Gyu-ri in that she experienced the various ages and emotions of a single character. She said, "That process itself feels like I've grown a little as a person," and added, "Before, I had only shown one period or one aspect of a character, but this time I showed various sides. I think I'm doing well step by step."Actress Jang Gyu-ri bid farewell to the tvN Saturday-Sunday drama 'Four Hands' with a three-line poem. / Namoo ActorsAlthough she is steadily rising as an actress who leads projects, Jang Gyu-ri still doesn't confidently say, "I'm ready." She confessed, "I always worry and doubt if I can do well," but added, "If I'm given a role, I seem to do my best. So I hope I'm given roles," she said with a smile.She remains open to new roles in the future. Jang Gyu-ri said, "I want to try everything I haven't done before," and expressed her desire to "challenge historical dramas and roles related to my father's profession as a soldier."Her next project is already set. The movie 'Perfect House', which was filmed early on, is scheduled to be released within the year. It is particularly drawing attention as Jang Gyu-ri's first film debut and her foray into the occult genre.Finally, Jang Gyu-ri expressed her regret at parting with 'Four Hands' and her feelings for the viewers who watched it through a three-line poem. At first, she shyly said, "It's so embarrassing. Please don't use it if it's awkward," but in the end, she directly conveyed her greetings to the viewers who loved Jae-in and the drama."When watching Four Hands, I tooHeld my breath and watched, putting down my phone.Thank you for your love until now."sstar1204@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Director Kim Jong-kwan and actors Kim Min-ha, Ju Jong-hyuk, Han Sun-hwa, Shim Eun-kyung, Jeon So-young, and Kim Dong-hwi (from left) pose at the 'Day and Night for Each Other' open talk event held at the Roof Cinema of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 7th. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol[THE FACT | Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol] Director Kim Jong-kwan and actors Kim Min-ha, Ju Jong-hyuk, Han Sun-hwa, Shim Eun-kyung, Jeon So-young, and Kim Dong-hwi (from left) pose at the 'Day and Night for Each Other' open talk event held at the Roof Cinema of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 7th.'Day and Night for Each Other,' which premiered as the opening film at the 31st Busan International Film Festival, deals with the relationships of people who stay in a cafe at different times.The film depicts the chance encounter between Eugene and Hyeon-oh, the quirky and sudden reunion of middle school friends Sang-mi and Young-min, the laughter-filled, sparks-flying first meeting between web novel writer Hye-jin and film director Dong-nam, and the poignant moment between idol trainee Na-kyung and her lover Jong-soo.Meanwhile, the Busan International Film Festival will be held for ten days until the 15th at eight theaters and 31 screens in the Haeundae area, including the Busan Cinema Center.This year's film festival will feature a total of 315 diverse films, including 246 official invited films from 59 countries around the world, meeting with audiences.ksr@tf.co.krphoto@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, and Woo Do-hwan to meet with fans at BIFF outdoor stage event on the 7thSeason 3 set in the early 1990s confirmedDirector Woo Min-ho and actors Hyun Bin, Woo Do-hwan, and Jung Woo-sung (from left) pose at the outdoor stage event for 'Made in Korea Season 2' held at the Busan Cinema Center's Roof Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 7th. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol[THE FACT|Busan=Reporter Kim Saet-byeol] 'Made in Korea' is returning with Season 3. Director Woo Min-ho has officially announced the production of the next season, hinting that the story will continue with a backdrop set in the early 1990s. Hyun Bin, who has lived as Baek Ki-tae for about three years, also expressed his special affection for the character, saying, "I still can't let go of Baek Ki-tae."On the 7th, the second day of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), an open talk and outdoor stage greeting event for the Disney+ original series 'Made in Korea Season 2' was held at the Busan Cinema Center's Roof Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan. Director Woo Min-ho and actors Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, and Woo Do-hwan attended the event to discuss the work.'Made in Korea Season 2,' which concluded its 6-episode run on the 23rd of last month, is a noir drama depicting the journey of Baek Ki-tae (played by Hyun Bin), who goes on a rampage towards greater ambition 9 years later. Season 1 was released in 2025, and Season 2 depicted a deeper and more intense story with a time lapse of 9 years.Notably, Season 1 recorded the highest number of viewers among Disney+ Korean original releases worldwide and won major awards at various ceremonies, including the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Global OTT Awards, proving both its critical acclaim and popularity.What drew the most attention on this day were Director Woo Min-ho's remarks about Season 3. Director Woo, who previously likened Season 1 to "a fight between children" and Season 2 to "a fight between adults," said, "We tried to come back with a grander scale and even bigger desires," adding, "We filmed intensely with the actors and staff, but there's still a slight sense of regret. We are continuously looking towards an even bigger Season 3."Director Woo particularly heated up the venue by officially announcing the production of 'Season 3,' which fans have been eagerly awaiting. He emphasized, "A movie ends when it's released in theaters, but a series can be created in dialogue with the public, which is quite interesting. We will definitely do Season 3," drawing cheers.While being tight-lipped about specific plot details, he did hint at the historical setting. Director Woo said, "I cannot reveal the events that will occur in Season 3," but he foreshadowed, "It seems like it will be set in the early 1990s," raising curiosity about the next installment.He also shared his thoughts on the reactions of international viewers. Director Woo stated, "'Made in Korea' deals with Korea's specific political situation, and I am grateful that international viewers understood it well and found it enjoyable," adding, "I believe the essence of human desire is similar whether in Korea or abroad. I feel proud of that aspect."Actor Hyun Bin speaks at the outdoor stage event for 'Made in Korea Season 2' held at the Busan Cinema Center's Roof Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 7th. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeolHyun Bin reflected on his time playing Baek Ki-tae for about three years. He explained, "'Made in Korea' began filming in July 2024 and finished in March of this year. For an actor, it doesn't matter if it's a series or not; the joy comes from the character itself being attractive and offering room for research, even if it's just one project."He continued, "The time spent researching and playing the very attractive character of Baek Ki-tae for nearly three years felt like a dream. I still can't let go of Baek Ki-tae. It was a time when I played a good, attractive character."He also spoke about his chemistry with the other actors. Hyun Bin said, "Because we spent so much time together, I felt much freer and more comfortable while acting. I feel like they would accept anything."Jung Woo-sung emphasized the deepened emotional connection between characters in Season 2. He said, "We entered filming Season 2 with the conflict structure between characters established in Season 1. It was a time when we could comfortably build up the density and tension in emotional communication with each other."He added, "'Made in Korea' seems to be telling a story about how much individuals sacrifice in that era, and how personal freedom and thoughts operate and are sacrificed. I tried to capture how the character Jang Geon-young's values are broken down."Actors Woo Do-hwan (left) and Jung Woo-sung (from left) pose at the outdoor stage event for 'Made in Korea Season 2' held at the Busan Cinema Center's Roof Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 7th. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeolWoo Do-hwan shared his feelings about playing the more mature Baek Ki-hyun in Season 2. He said, "I felt both pressure and anticipation, but I had fun filming, trusting the director, seniors, and staff. It's thanks to the 'Made in Korea' team that Ki-hyun could grow so much."He also expressed gratitude for the global K-content craze. Woo Do-hwan said, "I am so grateful that not only our work but also K-content in general is loved so much these days. As a junior, I am thankful for the foundation laid by my seniors. I am grateful to be able to meet more audiences."Concluding the event, Hyun Bin said, "It was a happy time to make eye contact and meet with the audience," and Jung Woo-sung added, "I am glad to have had a chance to communicate. I hope you enjoy the remaining programs of the Busan International Film Festival." Woo Do-hwan, who finished his last official schedule, said, "It was meaningful to be able to make eye contact and greet you in person," concluding the stage greeting with a sense of regret.'Made in Korea,' which has set a milestone for 'K-noir,' can be watched in its entirety on Disney+.sstar1204@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 [THE FACT | Busan=Reporter Kim Seong-ryeol] Actor Hyun Bin is greeting the audience after finishing the outdoor stage greeting event for 'Made in Korea Season 2' at the Cinema Center's Roof Cinema in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 7th.ksr@tf.co.krphoto@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Director Woo Min-ho and actors Hyun Bin, Woo Do-hwan, and Jung Woo-sung (from left) pose at the outdoor stage greeting event for 'Made in Korea Season 2' held at the Roof Cinema of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 7th. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol[THE FACT | Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol] Director Woo Min-ho and actors Hyun Bin, Woo Do-hwan, and Jung Woo-sung (from left) pose at the outdoor stage greeting event for 'Made in Korea Season 2' held at the Roof Cinema of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 7th.'Made in Korea Season 2' is a noir drama that depicts the story of Baek Ki-tae, who moves toward greater desires, set nine years after the story of Season 1, which was released in December last year.The Busan International Film Festival, now in its 31st year, will be held for ten days until the 15th at eight theaters and 31 screens in the Haeundae area, including the Busan Cinema Center.A total of 315 diverse films, including 246 official invited films from 59 countries around the world, will meet with audiences at this film festival.ksr@tf.co.krphoto@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Kim So-hee, formerly of the group Alice, announced that she is pregnant with her second child. On the 7th, Kim So-hee posted on her social media account, ″I’m having a second baby! By the way, I’m already five months along. Now we are a family of four,″ along with several photos and videos. The released photos and videos showed her revealing her baby bump outdoors, enjoying golf, and daily life during a trip to Japan. She also shared a shadow photo of herself and her husband, who is 15 years older, making a heart shape. Kim So-hee announced her retirement from the entertainment industry after marrying a non-celebrity businessman 15 years her senior in May 2024. The following year, she gave birth to her first daughter, and now, two years after marriage, she shared the news of her second pregnancy. Kim So-hee gained recognition as the runner-up on SBS audition program ″K-pop Star Season 6 - The Last Chance″ in 2017 and debuted the same year as a member of the girl group Alice. She has also worked as an actress.]]> FANNSTAR Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 "Beyond Warmth, a Fiery Film"... Director Kim Ji-hyun Talks About 'Jeonggane'Calf Seller Also a Focus... Theatrical Release on December 2ndDirector Kim Ji-hyun and actors Ryu Seung-ryong, Park Hae-joon, Ong Seong-wu, and Lee Sang-hee (from left) pose at the open talk event for the film 'Jeonggane' held at the Busan Cinema Center's Loop Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on the afternoon of the 7th. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol[THE FACT|Busan=Reporter Kim Saet-byeol] An open talk for the film 'Jeonggane' (directed by Kim Ji-hyun), invited to the 'Korean Cinema Today' section at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), was held on the outdoor stage of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on the afternoon of the 7th. Director Kim Ji-hyun, along with actors Ryu Seung-ryong, Park Hae-joon, Ong Seong-wu, and Lee Sang-hee, attended and shared various stories about the work.'Jeonggane' is a story about brothers Man-su (Ryu Seung-ryong) and Byeong-su (Park Hae-joon), who have lived without speaking a word to each other for 30 years, joining forces to protect the calf seller amidst a contagious disease crisis that engulfs the village.Regarding the film, Director Kim Ji-hyun introduced it as, "Family members bicker and fight when they are together, but isn't there a nobility in living together and protecting each other's sides? It's a film that subtly captures that meaning."However, the film is not entirely calm. Director Kim said, "There is more action and spectacular scenes than expected. We filmed chase scenes throughout the winter," and added, "At first, I considered the title 'Jeonggane Ranch,' but because it's not a static film, I didn't want to limit the work with a pastoral word like 'ranch'."He continued, "The family's appearance and atmosphere shown on set are also memorable. I believe those aspects are the fundamental strength of our film," and urged, "Please look forward to the scenes within the space of home, where we eventually return."Ryu Seung-ryong plays Man-su, the older brother who is gruff towards his younger brother. He introduced the character as, "A person who lives like a brother, with a deep and steadfast sincerity despite being gruff."Ryu Seung-ryong, who recently watched the film himself, said with a laugh, "My beard is noticeable and it's mine. The actors said it looked like it was filmed five years ago."Director Kim described Ryu Seung-ryong as, "An actor who embodies both fun and wit, as well as weight and seriousness. He has played various roles, but in this film, he has few lines and is taciturn, yet his presence itself evokes curiosity and intrigue."Actor Ryu Seung-ryong (left) poses at the open talk event for the film 'Jeonggane' held at the Busan Cinema Center's Loop Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on the afternoon of the 7th. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeolPark Hae-joon plays Byeong-su, the younger brother who is prickly towards his older brother. He said, "Byeong-su is an interesting character who holds many things within him. He's someone who has never been number one and has always been in his brother's shadow. He respects his brother but also harbors a complex because of him."He recalled, "He's good at his job and has good relationships with people around him, but he's a troublemaker who feels inferior solely because of his brother. I remember acting with a carefree attitude on set."Director Kim described Park Hae-joon's charm as "quirkiness." He said with a laugh, "The actor already had a rebellious spirit within him. I think we designed the costume together to bring out that aspect."Ong Seong-wu plays Jeong-hoon, a new veterinarian in Hoengsan-gun who is sensitive to the dynamics between the two brothers. As the only outsider in the village, he is a character who observes the unfamiliar scenery along with the audience.Ong Seong-wu introduced his character as, "The only outsider who meets the villagers for the first time. So, I think I can share the feeling of seeing fresh sights with the audience through my somewhat clumsy portrayal."He also described the film as, "When I first read the script, it felt like reading a fairy tale. It had the scent of earth, warmth, richness, and a sense of longing. It was a work that made me want to become a resident of this village and be a part of it."Director Kim described Ong Seong-wu as "like a calf in our film." He praised, "This is my first time attempting dialect acting in this film. I needed bright energy, and Ong Seong-wu handled it well. He acts as a mediator between Man-su, Byeong-su, and Gyeong-eun, and he provided that bright energy on set as well."Actors Ryu Seung-ryong (left) and Park Hae-joon smile as they answer questions at the open talk event for the film 'Jeonggane' held at the Busan Cinema Center's Loop Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on the afternoon of the 7th. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeolLee Sang-hee plays Gyeong-eun, the younger sister of Man-su and Byeong-su, adding vitality between the brothers. She explained their relationship as, "I love my two older brothers, but in different ways. I think our relationship is like a triangle, which is why it doesn't break."Director Kim described Lee Sang-hee as "an actress I can trust and use." He said, "As a director, there are parts where expressing certain lines is difficult, but when I gave those lines to Lee Sang-hee, she returned them with surprising wit and rich texture. I felt like I wanted to work with her again as an actress I can trust."The discussion at the open talk also touched upon the calf seller in the film. Ryu Seung-ryong said, "Aren't there a lot of AIs these days? However, the calf seller in our film is a real baby cow born around the time of filming. We called Jangsu a gift-like child. He's better than most actors."Park Hae-joon also added with a laugh, "The director liked it more when Jangsu appeared than when the actors did. Seeing him caress the monitor, I naturally thought, 'I'm less than a cow.'"Director Kim also shared an update on Jangsu's well-being. He said, "After filming, we went back, and the owner and his son who raised Jangsu came. They said he's living longer than a cow's natural lifespan and is living up to his name, Jangsu (meaning longevity)."Actor Ong Seong-wu (left) and Lee Sang-hee look at the audience at the open talk event for the film 'Jeonggane' held at the Busan Cinema Center's Loop Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on the afternoon of the 7th. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeolTalk then moved to memorable scenes in the film. Ryu Seung-ryong said, "There's a scene where Man-su and Byeong-su, who were fighting so much, embrace each other completely naked. That scene is memorable."Park Hae-joon then piqued curiosity by saying, "Besides the scene where the two hug, there's also a scene where the senior actor is naked alone." He added, "The image of steam rising from his body in the cold weather was so cool. Of course, the senior actor must have suffered, but his bold performance of throwing himself into it and splashing water resulted in a visually pleasing scene."When asked what kind of film he hopes 'Jeonggane' will be for the audience, Director Kim replied, "I think it's a film that goes beyond warmth to become fiery. We all live in relationships, don't we? I hope that by watching the film, people will reflect on the meaning of 'companionship' with everyone around them, including their family."Finally, Park Hae-joon urged, "Some might wonder what's interesting about two brothers raising cows in the countryside, but this film is very spectacular and tightly paced. It's a film you can enjoy thoroughly, so please show it a lot of interest. Please come and see it a lot on December 2nd."Ryu Seung-ryong said, "This is a film we've been eagerly anticipating for a long time. I think many people will encounter a precious story where cows resolve conflicts that cannot be expressed in words. I believe it's a beautiful poem and a fairy tale. I hope you will definitely watch the movie and take many precious and beautiful things to heart."Director Kim Ji-hyun stated, "It's a film with various flavors. It contains bromance, cute and precious beings, fun, and meaning. I believe you can experience a variety of experiences that you can get at the cinema. We ask for your love for 'Jeonggane,' which was made with sincerity by good people."'Jeonggane' will be released in theaters on December 2nd.sstar1204@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Desk | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Asian Cinema Competition Section InvitationDirector: "I want to discuss various forms of happiness through my work."Shuhua, who is making her screen debut with "All We Imagine as Light," said, "It's an honor to be at a major film festival with my first work. I'm curious to see how the audience will watch the film and what their reactions will be." The photo shows her walking the red carpet at the "31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)" held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on the afternoon of the 6th. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol[THE FACT|Busan=Reporter Park Ji-yoon] SHUHUA visited the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) not as a member of the group (G)I-DLE, but as an actress. She is filling pages with unforgettable first moments, discussing happiness with the audience through her screen debut film, "All We Imagine as Light."A press conference for the film "All We Imagine as Light" (Director Pema Tseden), officially invited to the Asian Cinema Competition section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), was held on the afternoon of the 7th at the BIFF Hill of the Busan Cinema Center. Director Pema Tseden, along with (G)I-DLE member and actress SHUHUA, Jin Sun, Chae Beom-hee, producer Clipper de Miu, and Lin Han Zhang, attended the event to answer reporters' questions and share various stories."All We Imagine as Light" is a film that depicts the story of a peaceful daily life being shaken when a stray cat appears one day to two sisters with completely different personalities. Pema Tseden, who received the Best New Director Award, the FIPRESCI Award, and the Audience Award for her first feature film "American Girl" (2021) at the Golden Horse Awards, a Chinese-language film festival, directed the film.Director Pema Tseden, who visited Busan as a tourist three years ago, expressed her unique feelings about returning as a filmmaker. She continued, "The word 'happiness' appears repeatedly in the film. I paid attention when translating it into English, but there was no perfect equivalent, so I used 'joy,' 'happy,' and 'happiness.' I wanted to discuss various forms of happiness. I believe it includes not only positivity but also contemplation, fear, and bewilderment."This is Pema Tseden's second film, released five years after "American Girl." She stated, "Many women around me are contemplating whether to get married or have children. They are intelligent and excel at their jobs, but they falter when faced with important life questions. Therefore, I wanted to portray women through the two sisters." She confidently highlighted the film's unique charm, saying, "While my previous film conveyed emotions directly, this one deals with subtle and indirect emotions.""All We Imagine as Light" is a film that depicts the story of a peaceful daily life being shaken when a stray cat appears one day to two sisters with completely different personalities. The photo shows Director Pema Tseden, actresses Shuhua, Jin Sun, and Chae Beom-hee (from left) posing at an outdoor stage greeting event for the film "All We Imagine as Light" held at the Outdoor Theater of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on the afternoon of the 7th. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeolThis film is also drawing significant attention as the debut work of (G)I-DLE member SHUHUA. She expressed her excitement, saying, "I was really nervous at first, but I felt more anticipation than nervousness. It's an honor to be at a major film festival with my first work. I'm curious to see how the audience will watch the film and what their reactions will be."In the film, Kitty is the youngest daughter with a bright and innocent personality. After encountering a stray cat, she experiences various emotions in her relationship with her sister and gradually changes. Shuhua, who plays Kitty, explained her acting focus: "I think her brave personality is similar to mine. As she was a character searching for happiness, I contemplated what happiness is, with both anticipation and concern."We were also curious about what charm of Shuhua attracted Director Pema Tseden to cast her as Kitty. She, who has been asked this question frequently, replied, "Actually, Shuhua has been acting for a long time. I believe the time she has spent with cameras is longer than the time we have spent with our families. I think she chose this role herself."Director Pema Tseden added, "Most protagonists are positive, proactive, and driven, but Kitty is not. Therefore, I thought Shuhua's personal charm could offset Kitty's wandering nature." She also mentioned, "The fact that she is actually the second of three sisters also aligns well with the film."The 31st Busan International Film Festival will be held until the 15th at the Busan Cinema Center and various locations in Busan. The photo shows Shuhua delivering remarks at an outdoor stage greeting event for the film "All We Imagine as Light" held at the Outdoor Theater of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on the afternoon of the 7th. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeolUpon hearing this, Shuhua said, "As the director mentioned, I have been acting for a long time. Therefore, being conscious of the camera is not difficult. However, on stage, I have to show myself, but on screen, I have to convey many emotions through subtle expressions, so I had many concerns."Jin Sun said, "I shed tears in many scenes while reading the script. The character's situation and the problems she faced were similar to my past concerns and challenges, so I could empathize with her situation." She explained her reason for choosing the project.What was her acting chemistry like with Shuhua, with whom she played sisters? Jin Sun commented, "I didn't know much about Shuhua's idol image, so I had no preconceived notions and was able to get to know her anew. We grew closer by sharing our concerns and challenges, and this relationship further developed during rehearsals. I'm grateful that Shuhua trusted me."The 31st Busan International Film Festival, where you can see Shuhua's screen debut film "All We Imagine as Light," will be held until the 15th at the Busan Cinema Center and various locations in Busan.jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Jungsook from the 20th season of ″I am SOLO″ revealed that she spent over 10 million won on a marriage information company. On the 6th, Jungsook posted a video titled ″Story about spending over 10 million won on a marriage information company″ on her SNS. In the video, she explained the reason for spending over 10 million won by saying, ″It’s because I did it twice. Twice, so 10 million won.″ When asked if there were many decent people, she replied, ″Surprisingly, there are quite a lot. Many people are really busy working and have no place to meet women, so they want to be introduced to women efficiently. Wealthy people find it awkward to be introduced through their acquaintances, so they join. People who have lived abroad for a long time also join a lot because they have no one to be introduced to in Korea anymore.″ Regarding her experience with the marriage information company, Jungsook said, ″The experience itself was okay, but I regret not trying other marriage information companies. (The one I used) was structured so that I had to meet mainly people introduced by the managers. It was hard to be introduced to the kind of person I wanted.″ She added, ″I think I have to use (a marriage information company) now. If this continues, I might get older and not be able to meet men.″ When asked if she had developed the ability to find good men since she had tried it before, she said, ″There are hidden gems who are hard to meet in society. I think I could say, ’Please introduce me to such people.’″ Born in 1987, Jungsook formed a love line with Youngho during her appearance on the 20th season of ″I am SOLO″ in 2024. She earned the nickname ″Kiss Girl″ by showing a kiss without caring about other contestants on the show. She became a couple with Youngho in the final selection and continued as a real-life couple but broke up after appearing together on ″I am SOLO, Love Continues After.″ Afterward, Jungsook quit the large company she had worked at for 13 years and transitioned to being an influencer. She is taking a new path by directly engaging in group purchases and working as an advertising model. In July, she attracted attention by revealing, ″I quit the large company and earned as much as LG’s annual salary in just three days with one group purchase.″]]> FANNSTAR Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900