In a dazzling intersection of K-Pop stardom and cinematic elegance, Stray Kids’ Felix and renowned actress Jun Ji Hyun have been appointed as honorary ambassadors to celebrate a historic milestone.
The French Embassy in Korea officially announced the selection to commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and South Korea. As the faces of this significant diplomatic bridge, both stars are set to promote cultural exchange and friendship between the two nations.
To honor 140 years of successful ties and look toward a bright future, the two ambassadors will spearhead various promotional activities. Fans can expect to see them attending key cultural and arts events hosted by the French Embassy in Korea, bringing their global influence to the diplomatic stage.
But that isn’t the only excitement on the horizon for STAYs! In addition to his diplomatic duties, Felix and his group are gearing up for a major event. Stray Kids will hold their highly anticipated 6th official fan meeting, titled ‘STAY in Our Little House’.
Mark your calendars! The fan meeting is scheduled to take place over two weekends: March 28-29 and April 4-5. The festivities will be held at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, promising unforgettable memories for fans.
Congratulations to Felix and Jun Ji Hyun on their prestigious appointments!
It’s hard to imagine the current K-Pop landscape without the influence of Jay Park, but there was a time when his future in the industry hung by a thread. In a candid new appearance on Eyes Magazine‘s talk segment Lyrics Psychology, the multi-hyphenate artist took a walk down memory lane, opening up about his controversial departure from 2PM and the unexpected viral moment that brought him back from the brink.
During the March 5 broadcast, Jay Park identified Usher’s R&B classic "U Got It Bad" as the song that fundamentally changed his life. However, the conversation quickly turned to the pivotal moment in his history: his sudden exit from 2PM and JYP Entertainment between 2009 and 2010 following controversies over pre-debut social media posts.
When the host asked if he felt anxious during that turbulent period—transitioning from a top idol in Korea to suddenly being back in the United States—Jay gave a surprisingly zen answer. It wasn’t fear of the future that consumed him, but a sense of responsibility toward others.
"I wasn’t all that anxious at the time. I was just sorry and apologetic to everyone," Jay confessed. "All things considered, I hurt and inconvenienced many people. But I wasn’t anxious about going back. I tend to accept things as they are and go with the flow."
That "go with the flow" attitude eventually led to one of the most legendary comeback stories in K-Pop history. Long before TikTok challenges ruled the world, Jay Park utilized the burgeoning power of YouTube to reconnect with fans.
Reflecting on the digital shift, he explained, "YouTube was starting to become really popular around that time. It was kind of a trend for Asian-Americans to post covers on there." Armed with nothing but a MacBook gifted to him by a fan, Jay decided to share his voice again.
"I filmed ‘Beautiful Girls’ in the bathroom with that MacBook," he recalled. "And then in a day, that video surpassed like 3 million views. It was through those cover videos that I started receiving offers here and there again. In short, they got me back into this business."
From a controversial exit that shook the industry to rebuilding a global career starting from a grainy bathroom recording, Jay Park’s journey remains a masterclass in resilience and reinvention.
Actress Park Min Young is once again proving her title as the queen of dedication with her latest role in the tvN drama ‘Siren\’s Kiss’.
Currently airing on Mondays and Tuesdays, the thriller features Park as Han Seol Ah, a mysterious art auctioneer with a dark secret. The actress recently revealed the intense lengths she went to in order to fully immerse herself in the character, shocking fans with her discipline.
To match the character’s gritty setting—described in the script as someone who “survives her days on whiskey and water without eating proper meals”—Park Min Young completely overhauled her lifestyle. She revealed that during filming, she drank over 3 liters of water every single day to achieve the necessary weight loss and physical appearance required for the role.
But her method acting didn’t stop at dietary changes. Park Min Young also took hands-on preparation to the next level. In a standout scene where her character is seen carving a wooden bird with a sculpting knife, it was revealed that the actress performed the wood carving herself, adding a layer of authentic, eerie charm to the scene.
Her performance is already garnering praise for its chilling duality. Playing opposite Wi Ha Joon, who stars as the tenacious insurance investigator Cha Woo Seok, Park seamlessly shifts her expression from elegant composure to trembling instability and sudden hostility.
You can witness Park Min Young’s dramatic transformation in ‘Siren\’s Kiss’, airing Mondays and Tuesdays at 8:50 PM KST on tvN.
For years, staggering rumors have circulated claiming that the late, legendary actress Choi Jin Sil left behind a massive inheritance worth nearly 300 billion KRW (approximately 225 million USD). However, a recent deep-dive investigation has shattered these myths, revealing a much more complex and difficult financial reality for her surviving family.
On March 5, YouTuber and reporter Lee Jin Ho released a video titled “Shocking Exclusive: ‘My grandmother took my money’—The Full Story of Choi Jin Sil’s 30 Billion KRW Inheritance.” The report serves as a definitive fact-check, debunking the astronomical figures often cited in tabloids and clarifying exactly what was left behind for her children.
According to Lee’s investigation, at the time of her tragic passing in 2008, Choi Jin Sil’s actual cash assets stood at approximately 1.5 billion KRW (approx. 1.1 million USD)—a fraction of the rumored amount. Tragically, even this liquidity was rapidly depleted. Following her death, the estate faced immediate and significant financial burdens, including massive penalties for advertising contract breaches, ongoing lawsuits, and heavy comprehensive income taxes. These costs, combined with the living and education expenses for her two children, Choi Hwan Hee (rapper Z.flat) and Choi Jun Hee, effectively drained the cash reserves.
Despite the depletion of liquid cash, significant real estate assets remained. The primary holdings—a family home in Jamwon-dong, Seoul, and a separate officetel—were inherited 50/50 by her son and daughter. These properties remain unsold and are currently operated as rental units, generating a steady monthly income of approximately 15 million KRW (approx. 10,127 USD) for the heirs.
In addition to their mother’s estate, the siblings also inherited real estate valued at roughly 2 billion KRW from their late father, former baseball player Jo Sung Min. While the liquidation of these assets incurred further taxes and fees, the remaining proceeds were reportedly split equally between the brother and sister.
The children’s maternal grandmother, Jeong Ok Sook, who raised them, provided a sobering perspective on the burden of managing such a high-profile estate. “Inheritance doesn’t just bring money; it also comes with debts and lawsuits,” she stated, reflecting on the hardships of the past. “Raising the children while handling taxes and various costs wasn’t easy. I thought the children’s future was more important than money. No matter the circumstances, I was determined to see their education through to the end.”
Decades later, Choi Jin Sil remains an unforgettable icon in Korean entertainment. With recent headlines surrounding her daughter Choi Jun Hee’s marriage, public interest in the family’s history and well-being has once again surged, bringing these financial truths to light.
The team behind the massive action franchise The Roundup is stepping up to protect actors from a wave of predatory scams.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming blockbuster The Roundup 5, directed by Heo Myung Haeng, production company B.A. Entertainment has issued an urgent warning regarding individuals impersonating staff members to conduct fake auditions.
On March 5, the studio released an official statement addressing recent reports of fraudsters approaching aspiring actors under the guise of casting directors. According to the notice, these scammers have been soliciting money and requesting meetings in unofficial, inappropriate locations.
How to Spot a Fake Audition
B.A. Entertainment issued clear guidelines to verify legitimacy. They emphasized that official casting processes never involve monetary requests. If someone asks for payment to secure an audition or role, it is a scam. Additionally, all legitimate meetings and auditions are conducted strictly within official offices.
"We do not request individual meetings at inappropriate locations," a representative stated. While the production team may contact actors directly, such communications are always accompanied by official verification documents and signatures.
The studio has vowed to take "strong legal action" against anyone caught impersonating staff or defrauding actors, urging the community to exercise extreme caution.
Meanwhile, The Roundup 5 is currently in the pre-production phase. Filming is scheduled to begin later this year, with a theatrical release planned for next year.
