Even elementary schools in Seoul face the shock of '0 new students'

SOURCE: 서울 초등학교도 '입학생 0명' 쇼크

Elementary school A in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, is surrounded by apartment complexes with more than 1,000 households, a department store, and a park. There is a middle school next door with around 600 students. There is also a high school nearby that is only 10 minutes walk away. Yet, elementary school A will begin the new school year this March with no new 1st grade students. Originally, 5 students were supposed to enroll to this school. However, they either moved overseas or chose different schools. Officials say there is no chance that any new students will enroll before the school year begins. An official from Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education explained, "Parents often choose other schools if there are only 1 or 2 children enroll in that grade in consideration of their children's school life."

As the school-age population in South Korea is declining rapidly, Seoul and Gwangju are expected to see elementary schools with 0 new students for the first time this year. According to data obtained from a member of National Assembly Education Committee, a total of 198 schools nationwide will have 0 new students this year. This is a 71% increase from 5 years ago in 2021 (116 schools). In addition, a total of 209 elementary schools nationwide will have only one 1st grade student. This is a 76% increase from 5 years ago. 

According to the Ministry of Education, the estimated number of 1st graders entering elementary school in South Korea this year is 298,178. This is the first time the number of new elementary school students has fallen below 300,000.

◇Even a 100-year-old school that once had over 4,000 students now has 0 new students

The region with the largest number of elementary schools with 0 students this year was North Gyeongsang Province (38 schools), followed by South Jeolla Province (34 schools), North Jeolla Province (12 schols), and Gangwon and South Chungcheong Province (20 schools each). Meanwhile, the region with the largest number of elementary schools with only 1 new student this year was South Gyeongsang Province (38 schools), followed by North Jeolla Province (35 schools), South Jeolla Province (33 schools), and North Gyeongsang Province (29 schools).

This year marks the first time that elementary schools with no new students will appear in Seoul (1 school) and Gwangju (2 schools). In Seoul, there had been 4-5 school each year from 2021 to 2025 with 0 students, but it was because the schools temporary closed for construction. An official from Seoul Office of Education stated, "This is the first time that a normally operating elementary school in Seoul has had 0 new students."

In Gwangju, 2 schools with histories over 100 years will have 0 new students this year. Gwangju Jungang Elementary School once had more than 4,000 students, but last year they only had 1 first grader. To attract new students, the school even used its own budget to provide school supplies worth about 300,000 KRW per student and offered unique classes such as learning traditional instruments and village tours while wearing hanbok. Despite these efforts, the school still failed to find any new student this year. Meanwhile Samdo Elementary School had 10 new students last year, so it was unexpected for them to have 0 new students this year. An official from Gwangju Office of Education stated, "While this is a nationwide phenomenon, we were still surprised to see schools in Gwangju having 0 new students. It's time to discuss consolidating and merging small schools now."

In Busan, a city with population over 3 million, elementary schools with 0 new students have appeared consistently over the past 5 years. From 2021 to 2023, there was just 1 school each year. However, the number increased to 2 in 2024 and jumped to 5 in 2025. This year, 2 schools are expected to have 0 new students. An official from Busan Office of Education stated, "Both schools are located in areas where school-age population has declined significantly. Therefore, this situation is inevitable."

Even with local communities stepping up to avoid school closures, getting new students remains difficult. For example, Gwangmyeong Elementary School, the only school in the island, offered 3 million KRW to any student who enrolled or transferred. The school also offered yacht lessons and online English classes with native speakers. Last year, the school managed in getting 2 first graders. However, this year not a single student signed up. A school official stated, "We tried out best, but there are simply no children left to come to school. Once the 6th graders graduate, the total number of students will be just 12. It's heartbreaking how we won't even be able to hold an entrance ceremony."

In North Gyeongsang Province, a school called Jungsan Elementary has 14 students who are senior citizens aged 60 to 90. However, due to the impact of low birth rate, the number of school-age population declined. This leaves the school with only 8 students last year, fewer than the number of faculty and staff. As a result, the school has been operating as a branch school since this year. Talks about turning this school into a smaller branch started in 2024. However, senior students and local residents strongly opposed it and even reported the local education office to the police last month. They argued, "If the school becomes a branch, it will eventually lead to closure. If we count the senior students, we have more students than teacher. Therefore, the decision to convert this school into a branch school should be taken back." They expressed concern that if the school closed, the senior students will no longer be able to continue their studies. The North Gyeongsang Office of Education responded, "As the school-age population continues to decline, conversion to branch schools will inevitably increase. However, we can't count the senior students as this could be used as an excuse to stop conversion to branch schools or school consolidations. Therefore, it is difficult to accept this request."

Continue reading Even elementary schools in Seoul face the shock of '0 new students'

'Marry to Match' Alleged mistress warned of legal action, but faces potential lawsuit from production team instead

SOURCE: ‘합숙 맞선’ 상간녀 의혹女, 법적대응 경고했는데 제작진에 손배소 위기

A contestant on SBS' 'Match to Marry' is being accused of having an affair with a married man. While she announced plans for legal action, attention is now focused on whether SBS might sue her for damages or not.

On a recent broadcast of JTBC's 'Crime Chief,' an informant claimed hat a woman who had an affair with her ex-husband is now starring in a dating show. That show was later identified as SBS' 'Match to Marry.'

Kim Taein, the woman that is named as the person of the affair allegations, posted on her social media on January 22, saying, "As incorrect information continues to spread and people are attacking me and my mother excessively, I'm releasing this statement after much deliberation."

Kim Taein claimed that the reports broadcasted by 'Crime Chief' were 'distorted and exaggerated.' She warned, "As excessive criticism continues and it's harming me and my mother mentally, my legal team will take action if hateful comments are not voluntarily deleted."

The production team of 'Match to Marry' stated, "To make sure viewers can watch the show comfortably, we have decided to completely remove her scenes from the remaining episodes." In the recent episodes, Kim Taein was almost entirely edited out and only appeared in wide shots. 

In particular, the production team explained that they conducted pre-interview questionnaires and interviews while casting participants to make sure that there were no issues in the contestants' past or present backgrounds. They also noted that the consent form explicitly required contestants to state and guarantee that they hadn't been involved in crimes, drugs, adultery, school violence and similar matters. The contract also states that they have to pay penalties in the event of violations. As a result, the production team is now reportedly considering a lawsuit against Kim Taein.

Continue reading 'Marry to Match' Alleged mistress warned of legal action, but faces potential lawsuit from production team instead

'5 years in prison?' Can Cha Eunwoo escape the '20 billion KRW tax evasion allegations?' ... What are the key issues?

SOURCE: "징역 5년?" 차은우, '200억 탈세 혐의' 벗어날 수 있나…"핵심 쟁점은?"[MD이슈]

As Cha Eunwoo faces allegations of tax evasion totaling up to 20 billion KRW, attention is now shifting toward the potential severity of legal punishment. While the National Tax Service views this case as using a paper company to avoid tax, Cha Eunwoo's side firmly pushes back, stating that its management was conducted through lawful procedures. 

Cha Eunwoo’s suspicious income structure

Last year, Cha Eunwoo underwent a tax audit by Investigation Division of the Seoul Regional Tax Office. Recently, he was ordered to pay around 20 billion KRW in additional taxes, including income tax. 

The National Tax Service is taking issue with Cha Eunwoo's income structure. The company established by his mother, Company A, entered into a service contract with his agency to distribute profits. However, the National Tax Services judged Company A is a 'paper company' with no actual business operations. The allegation is that income that should've been taxed at the individual rate of 45% was instead directed into a company to avoid higher tax bill. 

Denying: "It's a legitimate management done amid an unstable environment"

Regarding this, Company A stated, "With the agency's CEO constantly changing, (Cha Eunwoo's) mother personally stepped into the management to stabilize his entertainment activities. Company A is legally registered as a pop culture and arts planning business."

Fantagio also stated, "The main issue of this investigation is whether Company A should be taxed as a real business. As this matter hasn't yet been settled, we will actively explain our position through lawful procedures regarding the interpretation and application of the law."

Possibility of heavy sentence if the Aggravated Punishment Act applies .. The key is the burden of proof

Legal experts are paying close attention to the possible application of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes because the unpaid tax amount reaches around 20 billion KRW. Under this law, if the amount of tax evaded is 1 billion KRW, the penalty can be life imprisonment or a prison sentence of 5 years or more.

In the end, the severity of punishment will depend on whether Company A truly did the work of a management company or not. If they fail to present evidence of real business activities such as contracts, work logs, payroll records, or office lease agreements, it will be difficult to shake off allegations of tax evasion.

As Cha Eunwoo has been widely loved for his 'upright and clean' image, both the entertainment and legal industry are watching closely to see how he handles and overcomes this 'tax evasion risk.'

Continue reading '5 years in prison?' Can Cha Eunwoo escape the '20 billion KRW tax evasion allegations?' ... What are the key issues?

'Beenzino♥' Michova eventually seeks psychiatric help … “I wondered if it was supposed to be this hard”

SOURCE: ‘빈지노♥’ 미초바, 결국 정신과 찾았다..“이렇게 힘든 게 맞냐고” [핫피플]

Stefanie Michova, a model and the wife of rapper Beenzino, has opened up about her postpartum depression and her journey through treatment.

On the 22nd, a video was uploaded to the YouTube showing Lee Jihye visiting Beenzino and Stefanie Michova at their home in Seongbuk-dong.

In the video, they naturally shared stories about childbirth and parenting, which led into a conversation about postpartum depression.

During the episode, Lee Jihye mentioned Michova’s previous confession, saying, "It broke my heart to see you crying while talking about postpartum depression in the previous video." Michova responded honestly, saying, "The major changes that happen during the newborn stage were truly difficult. It wasn’t easy losing my old self and finding a new version of myself."

She continued, "I thought I was going crazy. I kept wondering, ‘Am I the only one having such a hard time?’ At the time, I missed my mother so much that I cried every day." She also talked about the deep sense of loneliness she felt while giving birth and raising a child in a foreign country, saying, "I missed my mom, my family, and even German food. When things get hard, you end up missing the things you love even more."

Michova eventually went to the hospital and said, "I went to a psychiatrist and asked, 'Is it supposed to be this hard?' and they told me it was postpartum depression." She emphasized, "Going to the hospital isn’t something to be ashamed of. I believe asking for help when you need it makes you stronger." She added, "I've felt much better after starting treatment."

Listening to this, Lee Jihye offered words of comfort, saying, "It gets a little better once the baby turns one. The fact that you gave birth and are raising a child while living away from your family to be with the person you love is truly an incredible thing."

Meanwhile, Stefanie Michova married Beenzino in 2022 and became a mother after giving birth to their son, Rubin, in November 2024.

Continue reading 'Beenzino♥' Michova eventually seeks psychiatric help … “I wondered if it was supposed to be this hard”

'20 billion KRW tax evasion allegations' Cha Eunwoo ... Suspicious address changes suggest deceptive tactics

SOURCE: [단독]'200억 탈세 의혹' 차은우, 꼼수 의심 수상한 주소 이전(종합)

While Cha Eunwoo is facing allegations of 20 billion KRW in tax evasion, he has failed to provide clear explanations regarding suspicious changes to the registered business addresses.

According to an investigation of the Pop Culture and Arts Information System on the 23rd, the management company established by Cha Eunwoo’s mother, 'Cha's Gallery,' was registered on June 15, 2022. However, the address was not in Ganghwa as previously known, but rather a building with 7 floors above ground and 2 underground levels located in Tongjin-eup, Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province.

The company later moved its registered address from Gimpo to Ganghwa-gun, Incheon. While its standard industrial classification is listed as 'management business,' the listed address in Ganghwa Island, is actually an eel restaurant that Cha Eunwoo's parents had operated for a long period until August of last year. This restaurant closed in August and relocated to Gangnam, Seoul. This means the eel restaurant had served as the registered address for Cha Eunwoo’s one-man agency. In September 2024, the company also changed its status from a joint-stock company to a limited liability company and changed its name.

Despite more evidence are surfacing, Cha Eunwoo’s agency has been unable to confirm any specific details. The agency says it is difficult to confirm matters with Cha Eunwoo because he is currently serving in the military, and that it is also difficult to confirm them with his mother.

Continue reading '20 billion KRW tax evasion allegations' Cha Eunwoo ... Suspicious address changes suggest deceptive tactics