Ok Taecyeon to marry on April 24th ... Ties the knot with girlfriend 4 years younger

SOURCE: [단독]옥택연, 4월 24일 결혼식…♥4살 연하와 웨딩마치

Ok Taecyeon (38) will tie the knot with his girlfriend, who is four years younger than him, on April 24th.

According to SPOTV News on the 25th, Ok Taecyeon will hold his wedding ceremony somewhere in Seoul on April 24 after dating for 10 years with his girlfriend, who is four years younger than him. Following Hwang Chansung, who got married in 2021, he will become the second member of 2PM to get married.

Last year, at the 2025 KBS Drama Awards, Ok Taecyeon received the Excellence Award in the Miniseries category and drew attention when he surprised everyone in his acceptance speech by saying, "Lastly, I would like to sincerely thank my bride-to-be. I love you."

Previously, in November last year, his agency 51K officially announced his marriage plans, stating, "Ok Taecyeon has promised to spend the rest of his life with someone he has been dating for a long time."

At the time, the agency added, "The wedding will be held privately in Seoul next spring with only both families, relatives, and close friends. Since the bride is not a celebrity, please understand that we will not share specific details."

Ok Taecyeon first admitted his relationship in 2020, 12 years after his debut, and has been dating publicly for about 6 years. In February last year, photos of the couple taken in Paris, France, were leaked and became a hot topic online.

Ok Taecyeon debuted in 2008 as a member of 2PM and gained popularity with hits like '10 Points Out of 10 Points,' 'Again & Again,' 'Heartbeat,' 'Hands Up,' 'Go Crazy,' and more. As an actor, he starred in dramas like, 'Cinderella's Stepsister,' 'Dream High,' 'Who Are You,' 'Wonderful Days,' 'Save Me,' 'Bring It On, Ghost,' 'Vincenzo, 'Secret Royal Inspector & Joy,' and 'Heartbeat.' Last year, he starred in the drama 'The First Night With the Duke' and the movie 'La Grande Maison Paris.'

Continue reading Ok Taecyeon to marry on April 24th ... Ties the knot with girlfriend 4 years younger

Min Heejin proposes, "Bang Sihyuk, let's meet as creators" ... Press conference ends in just 5 minutes

SOURCE: 민희진 "방시혁, 창작의 자리서 만나자" 제안…5분 만에 회견 종료 (엑's 현장)[전문]

CEO of OOAK Records (and former CEO of ADOR) Min Heejin publicly proposed to HYBE to end all disputes.

On the 25th, after winning the first trial against HYBE in the lawsuit seeking payment for her shares, Min Heejin held a press conference in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

This day, Min Heejin started by greeting the reporters and shared, "Hello. The result of this lawsuit felt like comfort that has washed away the wounds of the past two years."

She continued, "I have decided to exchange the 25.6 billion KRW I won from the trial for another value," explaining the reason for the press conference. She added, "There is something I value much more than this large sum of money. Therefore, I would like to make a meaningful proposal to HYBE."

Min Heejin proposed, "I will give up the 25.6 billion KRW. In exchange, I propose that all ongoing lawsuits be immediately halted and that all disputes to be ended immediately." She emphasized that this decision is for the sake of NewJeans' members. She noted that this proposal includes ending all legal actions not only against herself, but also NewJeans' members, external partner companies, former ADOR employees, and the fans.

She added sadly, "I can no longer bear to watch the five members who should be happily standing on stage, standing in court instead."

She ten proposed, "HYBE and Chairman Bang Sihyuk. Let us now meet as creators, not in the courtroom."

Previously, on the 12th, the Seoul Central District Court dismissed the lawsuit HYBE had filed to seek confirmation of termination of the shareholder agreement with Min Heejin. In the separate lawsuit that Min Heejin had filed regarding the exercise of her 'put option,' the court ruled that HYBE must pay her approximately 25.5 billion KRW.

However, HYBE has appealed the ruling of the first trial, which means that the legal battle is expected to continue in a second trial. Although Min Heejin applied for seizure and collection orders against HYBE's claims (bank accounts), HYBE requested the court to pause the payment until the ruling is finalized. The court accepted HYBE's request, temporarily suspending the seizure process.

Below is the full statement by Min Heejin.

Hello, this is Min Heejin.

First of all, I would like to express my deep respect and gratitude to the court for examining the essence of this case over a long period of time and making a clear decision.

From winning the injunction in 2024 to the police clearing me in 2025, and now winning this first trial in 2-26, it has truly been a long tunnel.

The court showed the claims of 'taking over management' and 'tampering' were not true and recognized that the concerns I raised about creative ethics were part of my job as a CEO.

The result of this lawsuit felt like comfort that has washed away the wounds of the past two years. At the same time, I feel bad for the stress this unintentionally caused to the public.

Now, I want to pay back that debt with a new vision for K-pop.

The reason I stand here today is to announce that I have decided to exchange the 25.6 billion KRW I have won for another value.

Among all the reasons behind this decision, the most urgent one is because of NewJeans' members.Among all the reasons behind this decision, the most urgent one is because of NewJeans' members.

I will give up the 25.6 billion KRW. In exchange, I propose that all ongoing lawsuits be immediately halted and that all disputes to be ended immediately. This proposal includes ending all legal actions not only against myself, but also NewJeans' members, external partner companies, former ADOR employees, and the fans.

Only when all these lawsuits end will the noise stop for the artists, their families, and the fans.

I can no longer bear to watch the five members who should be happily standing on stage, standing in court instead. The members on stage must also be suffering. Neither the fans or anyone else can look at this situation with happiness. We can never create a good culture with hearts that are torn apart like this.

As I have said many times, there are values more important than money to me. Now that my sincerity has been confirmed, I want to show that there are values more precious than money in this world.

I hope this decision to exchange 25.6 billion KRW for another value will help the overall development and unity within the K-pop industry.

The place where HYBE and I should be is not a court, but a stage for creation.

I had a creative vision when I launched NewJeans. I'm very sad that I couldn't finish it, but because of that, I ask ADOR to keep the promise they made in court to 'treat NewJeans well if they return.'

Please create an environment where all five members of NewJeans can be together and freely pursue their dreams.

To me, 25.6 billion KRW is not more important than estoring a healthy K-pop ecosystem and the artists' peace.

Now, I hope we all do our best in our own ways to present better stages to fans.

I propose that we adults go back to competing through music and stage, not in court. The longer this fight goes on, the more the true protagonists of this industry, which is the artists, suffer.

HYBE and Chairman Bang Sihyuk. Let us now meet as creators, not in the courtroom. In a time when company responsibility is very important, including the July 2025 revision of the Commercial Act, choosing to resolve risks in the entertainment industry and to pursue unity would be the wisest management decisions for shareholders and fans.

I will now leave behind the title of 'Former CEO of ADOR' and walk a new path as 'CEO of OOAK Records.' I will put all my energy to nurture new artists and build a new business direction that represents the K-pop industry.

Thank you to the media for coming today. I hope there are no more tiring press conferences after this.

I will now meet you on a creative stage, not in a press conference or courtroom. I will focus on what I do best, which is creative work. I hope my sincerity today becomes a turning point for the entire K-pop industry to breathe healthily again.

Today, the KOSPI surpassed 6,000. I hope HYBE will think carefully and consider this proposal so we can all succeed together.

Continue reading Min Heejin proposes, "Bang Sihyuk, let's meet as creators" ... Press conference ends in just 5 minutes

Min Heejin, trying to save Danielle? "I will give up 25.6 billion KRW, so please let the 5 members of NewJeans reunite"

SOURCE: 민희진, 다니엘 살리기? "256억 포기할테니 뉴진스 5인 모이게 해달라"

Min Heejin announced that she is willing to give up her 25.6 billion KRW 'put option' for NewJeans.

On the 25th, CEO of OOAK Records (and former CEO of ADOR) Min Heejin held a press conference in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

On the 12th, the Seoul Central District ruled in favor of Min Heejijn in the lawsuits filed by HYBE, seeking confirmation of the termination of the shareholder agreement, and Min Heejin, seeking payment for shares. The court ordered HYBE to pay Min Heejin 25.5 billion KRW for her shares.

At the press conference, Min Heejin said, "I held this press conference to make a meaningful offer to HYBE. Among all the reasons behind this decision, the most urgent one is because of NewJeans' members." She added, "I will give up the 25.6 billion KRW. In exchange, I propose that all ongoing lawsuits be immediately halted and that all disputes to be ended immediately."

She emphasized, "I can no longer bear to watch the five members who should be happily standing on stage, standing in court instead. The members on stage must also be suffering. Neither the fans or anyone else can look at this situation with happiness." She added, "We can never create a good culture with hearts that are torn apart like this."

She continued, "I had a creative vision when I launched NewJeans. I'm very sad that I couldn't finish it, but because of that, I ask ADOR to keep the promise they made in court to 'treat NewJeans well if they return.'" She proposed, "Please create an environment where all five members of NewJeans can be together and freely pursue their dreams."

NewJeans unilaterally declared the termination of their exclusive contracts in November 2024, but the court ruled in favor of ADOR. As a result, Haerin, Hyein, and Hanni returned to ADOR, while Minji is still in discussions with the agency. However, ADOR notified Danielle of the termination of her exclusive contract and announced legal action at the same time, saying, "We will hold one family member of Danielle and former CEO Min Heejin legally responsible for causing this dispute, NewJeans' departure, and delaying the members' return."

Continue reading Min Heejin, trying to save Danielle? "I will give up 25.6 billion KRW, so please let the 5 members of NewJeans reunite"

'Shinsegae Family' Annie, "The truly wealthy kids are even more frugal" ... Past stories from her school days in the U.S. revisited

SOURCE: '신세계 家' 애니, "있는 애들이 더해"…미국 유학생 모임 과거 소환

Song Jaho, CEO of Pica Project, shared stories from Annie’s high school days.

Last month, a video titled 'Gathering of South Korea's 3rd-Gen Chaebols (Real Review)' was posted to Song Jaho's Youtube channel.

During a tea time, he mentioned Annie from the group ALLDAY PROJECT. As the granddaughter of Shinsegae Chairwoman Lee Myunghee and also the eldest daughter of Chung Yookyung, Annie drew attention since her debut.

In the video, Song Jaho shared, "I went to high school in the U.S. International students often know each other even if they don't go to the same school. I had a close group of friends back then, and Annie was in it. We would hang out and have meals together."

Song Jaho said there was no talk of Annie preparing to be an idol at that time. He said, "Of course we knew what kind of family she came from. She's the daughter of the Shinsegae family. All the friends friends knew about it through rumors."

Song Jaho continued, "Of course, she lived better than I did. But how well-off can most international students really be? Children of mid-sized company owners like me are usually the one who spend the most money." He added, "I was the one who paid for meals back then. The real 3rd-Gen Chaebol kids don't have much money when they are students."

Song Jaho then shared a story about how modest Annie was during her school days, saying, "I remember the new AirPods came out while we were having a meal. Even though we were high school students and it cost only about 200,000 KRW, she was thinking hard whether to buy it or not. She jokingly said to me, 'Oppa, can't you buy them for me?' and I thought to myself, 'The truly wealthy kids are even more frugal when it comes to money.'"

Meanwhile, Song Jaho is the eldest grandson of Song Seungheon, the former chairman of Dongwon Construction. He is an art curator and businessman who publicly dated Kara’s Park Gyuri for about two years from 2019 to 2021. In July 2021, news of their breakup was reported after he was caught driving under the influence. He later went to trial for charges including violations of the Capital Markets Act and fraud related to Pica Coin.

Continue reading 'Shinsegae Family' Annie, "The truly wealthy kids are even more frugal" ... Past stories from her school days in the U.S. revisited

Taemin paid staff salaries with his own money ... Was 'broken trust' the reason for ending the contract with Cha Gawon?

SOURCE: 태민, 사비로 스태프 월급 지불…차가원과 계약 해지 '신뢰 파탄' 원인이었나 [엑's 이슈]

It has been revealed that Taemin paid some staff members’ monthly salaries with his own money. Amid this, there are claims that 'breakdown of trust' was the reason behind his split with CEO Cha Gawon.

On the 24th, Big Planet Made shared an official statement saying, "We inform you that our exclusive contract with Taemin has ended. We ask for your continued support and interest in his future activities."

With this, their short 1-year and 10-months journey came to an end. According to the music industry, there was still time remaining on Taemin’s exclusive contract with Big Planet Made. However, it is reported that Taemin strongly requested termination of the contract, and after discussions, both sides agreed to part ways.

Taemin’s side has not disclosed specific reasons for the separation. However, some media reports claim that CEO Cha Gawon failed to settle payments and committed a major mistake in the process of signing contracts with external companies without Taemin's consent. Reports further claim that Taemin used his own money to pay some staff members so he could keep working with them. As a result, many believe that 'breakdown of trust' caused by money issues was the main reason for the split.

CEO Cha Gawon, who leads One Hundred, Big Planet Made Entertainment, and INB100 recently has been suspected of failing to pay tens of billions of KRW to various companies involved in album production for their artists. Coincidentally, after transferring to Big Planet Made in March 2024, Taemin released his 5th mini-album, ETERNAL, that same year. However, last year he only released a special single 'Veil' rather than a physical album. Some have speculated that unpaid production costs may be the reason the album production did not go smoothly.

Additionally, there were reports that CEO Cha Gawon purchased multiple luxury items on credit from a department store and failed to pay for them, resulting to a legal freeze of a villa she owns in Hannam-dong. Regarding this, Cha Gawon's side stated, "The report contains incorrect facts and could hurt the reputation of the company and individuals," but doubts continue to grow as money problems are constantly mentioned.

Meanwhile, Big Planet Made Entertainment is a subsidiary of One Hundred, which CEO Cha Gawon and MC Mong founded in December 2023. Artists under this label include Lee Seunggi, Lee Soogeun, Lee Mujin, Ha Sungwoon, NU'EST's Ren, and VIVIZ's Eunha, SinB, and Umji.

Continue reading Taemin paid staff salaries with his own money ... Was 'broken trust' the reason for ending the contract with Cha Gawon?