IU x Byun Wooseok hit 7.8% from the first episode ... Will they follow the path of 'Knight Flower' as the #1 MBC Fri-Sat drama?

SOURCE: 아이유X변우석, 첫방부터 7.8%…MBC 금토극 1위 '밤피꽃'길 걸을까 [엑's 이슈]

The drama 'Perfect Crown,' starring IU and Byun Wooseok, has drawn strong attention after gaining impressive ratings from its very first episode.

The MBC Friday-Saturday drama 'Perfect Crown,' which premiered on the 10th, recorded viewer ratings of 8.2% in the Seoul Metropolitan Area and 7.8% nationwide according to Nielsen Korea. It ranked No. 1 among Friday-Saturday dramas and No. 1 among all Friday programs in the metropolitan household category, marking a strong start.

This is No. 3 highest premiere rating in MBC Friday-Saturday drama history, following 'Chief Detective 1958' (10.1%) in the 1st place and 'Knight Flower' (7.9%) in 2nd. In particular, it fell just 0.1% short of 'Knight Flower.'

What makes this result even more remarkable is that its previour drama, 'In Your Brilliant Season,' suffered from significantly poor performance, peaking at only 4.4% in ratings.

IU has already proven herself as 'Ratings Goddess' through dramas like 'Dream High,' 'You're the Best, Lee Soonshin,' and 'The Producers.' MEanwhile, Byun Wooseok generated massive buzz with 'Lovely Runner.' Therefore, the combination of the two received a lot of attention even before the drama aired.

As a result, with the very first episode already surpassing the previous drama's performance, there is growing interest in what kind of records this drama will set in the future.

Interestingly, the drama that holds the all-time highest ratings among MBC Friday-Saturday dramas is 'Knight Flower' (18.4%), ranked 2nd in premiere ratings. Meanwhile, the second highest ratings is 'The Red Sleeve' (17.4%), didn't even make it to the top ranks for its premiere episode.

On the other hand, 'Chief Detective 1958,' which holds the highest premiere rating, didn't see significant growth afterward and peaked at 10.8%, ending up at No. 7.

Therefore, attention is now focused on whether 'Perfect Crown' will follow in the footsteps of 'Knight Flower' or take the path of 'Chief Detective 1958.'

Continue reading IU x Byun Wooseok hit 7.8% from the first episode ... Will they follow the path of 'Knight Flower' as the #1 MBC Fri-Sat drama?

Byun Wooseok lived a kind and hardworking life ... Countless heartwarming stories surface: "I'm glad you succeeded"

SOURCE: 변우석, 착하게 열심히 살았다..“네가 잘돼서 기쁘다” 미담 수두룩

On the 4th, a video featuring IU and Byun Wooseok was released on the Youtube channel 'Ddeun Ddeun.'

In the comment section of the video, there are numerous heartwarming stories about Byun Wooseok. Someone who claimed to have worked as a manager on the set of the drama 'Live Up to Your Name,' in which Byun Wooseok had a minor role in, commented, "At the time, Byun Wooseok hadn't made it big yet. I was about to quit my job as a manager to start something else. After the schedule, we had a coffee at a cafe and he told me, "Hyung, I hope you do well. Let's meet again when we've both succeeded.' He was such a kind actor. I'm really happy to see him succeed now."

The person continued, "Wooseok-ah, even though I failed and probably can't keep the promise to meet again after succeeding, I'm so glad you made it. I will keep rooting for you to become an even more successful actor in South Korea! Fighting!"

Another person who claimed to be Byun Wooseok's junior from the military also shared a story. The commenter, identified himself as Byun Wooseok's junior from the 37th Division Headquarters, recalled, "At the time, I was a private first class and he was a sergeant. On the day he was discharged, I was going through a difficult time in the second-floor shower room, and even though we were in different platoons, he said something to me that I still remember."

He added, "He told me, 'Don't overthink things right now. I know how hard you're working, so things will get better soon. Hang in there, I'm heading out.' Those words were a huge source of strength throughout my military service. I was truly grateful then. I hope he becomes even happier. Salute."

As these stories flood in, netizens are reacting with comments like, "He must've really lived a good life," "He seems like a genuinely good person," and "There's a reason he succeeded. As expected, things will turn out good for people who are kind."

Meanwhile, Byun Wooseok will meet viewers through the new MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Perfect Crown,' which premieres on the 10th.

Continue reading Byun Wooseok lived a kind and hardworking life ... Countless heartwarming stories surface: "I'm glad you succeeded"

Hyoyeon confesses to feeling hurt by a popular SNSD member ... "I felt hurt because of Taeyeon"

SOURCE: 효연, 소녀시대 인기 멤버에게 서러운 감정 고백했다…태연 때문에 긁히고 상처받아 ('놀토')

Kim Hyeyoon, Kim Junhan, and Hyoyeon will apear on the next episode of tvN's 'Amazing Saturday.'

On the episode of 'Amazing Saturday' airing tonight (11th) at 7:40 PM (KST), Kim Hyeyoon and Kim Junhan, who are returning with a chilling horror movie, will show off their hidden variety show skills. Meanwhile, Hyoyeon raises expectations as she steps in as a special MC, filling in Young K, who is absent due to a concert schedule.

Kim Junhan brings laughter by picking one of the cast members in a scary costume and saying that he wants to invite them to the movie's premiere. Kim Hyeyoon shares eerie behind-the-scenes stories from the filming set that she claims to be 100% real, even revealing a mysterious video that gives the studio chills. Meanwhile, Hyoyeon draws attention by sharing a story about feeling hurt because of Taeyeon, a popular member of SNSD. She explained that she formed a unit called 'Hyorisoo' (Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung) and took on Taeyeon's role, but felt hurt because Taeyeon from the rival unit 'Taetiseo' (Taeyeon, Tiffany, Seohyun) showed no interest. She jokingly vowed to keep the unit active until Taeyeon finally shows interest.

In the appetizer game, the 'Yeon-ie Yeon-ie' team led by Hyoyeon and Taeyeon faces off agains 'Yoon-i Yoon-i' team led by Hyeyoon and Seyoon. It is reported that an unpredictable battle unfolds, with Shin Dongyup showing his strongest competitiveness than ever and Taeyeon transforming into a genius strategist. There is also a growing curiosity about 'SNSD's hidden gem' Hyoyeon and Kim Donghyun's comedic performances as his feet were stepped on(?) countless times while trying to get the answers right.

In the main game, the cast members show their top-tier chemistry. Not only Kim Hyeyoon captures the key words, Moon Seyoon, Hanhae, and Taeyeon also actively contribute their ideas to quickly fill in the blanks. Kim Donghyun, who won first place in last week's 8th-anniversary special, continues his momentum, joking, "Maybe it's because I have the first place energy, it makes sense." Meanwhile, Kim Junhan competes with Moon Seyoon in a facial expression battle and surprised everyone with his 'hyena-like' competitiveness during the dessert game. The dessert game also features many difficult questions, leading to chaotic 'alien language' moments as the cast members desperately struggle to earn even silly points.

'Amazing Saturday' airs every Saturday at 7:40 PM (KST).

Continue reading Hyoyeon confesses to feeling hurt by a popular SNSD member ... "I felt hurt because of Taeyeon"

CBX parts way with their agency again ... Notify contract termination to INB100 after SM Ent.

SOURCE: 첸백시, 또 소속사와 결별…SM 이어 INB100도 계약 해지 통보

EXO's sub-unit, CBX (Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin) has notifies their agency, INB100, of the termination of their exclusive contracts.

According to a report by The Fact on the 10th, CBX sent a notice of contract termination to INB100's CEO Cha Gawon at the end of March. The group requested payment of unpaid earnings and an explanation regarding the alleged contract violations, but stated that they have not received a satisfactory answer even after two weeks. In response, CEO Cha Gawon's side stated, "We will resolve the issue of unpaid earnings, even if it means we have to receive additional investment or use personal funds."

INB100 is a label established by Baekhyun as he prepared to become independent from SM Entertainment. In May 2024, it became a subsidiary label under One Hundred, led by CEO Cha Gawon.

Prior to CBX's departure, a broader wave of artists have left One Hundred. Starting with Taemin, followed by nine members of THE BOYZ (excluding New), VIVIZ, Lee Mujin, BE'O, and Lee Seunggi, multiple artists have successively notified the company of contract terminations, citing reasons such as unpaid earnings, lack of support for entertainment activities, and unpaid payments to external vendors.

This also marks the second agency dispute for CBX. Previously in 2023, they were in a conflict with SM Entertainment over the failure to provide settlement data and unfair contract terms. Afterward, Baekhyun established INB100 and pursued independent activities. However, after mostly losing in legal battles and now facing another dispute with INB100, they are assumed to have suffered both financial losses and damage to their image.

A full-group comeback for EXO remains uncertain. While CBX expressed their desire to participate in EXO's activities in last October, SM Entertainment stated, "The agreement to end the dispute and group activities are separate matters," drawing a clear line.

Continue reading CBX parts way with their agency again ... Notify contract termination to INB100 after SM Ent.