Less than 300,000 kids enter elementary school this year ... Total number of elementary, middle, and high school students fall below 5 million

SOURCE: 올해 초등 1학년 30만명도 안된다…초중고 전체는 500만명 붕괴

The number of children entering elementary school this year is expected to drop below 300,000 due to the impact of low birth rates.

According to the '2025 Estimates of Student Numbers for Elementary, Middle, and High Schools (2026-2031)' that was recently released by the Ministry of Education on the 13th, the total number of first-grade elementary students across the country is estimated to be 298,178.

These statistics are predicted based on data from the Korean Educational Development Institute's basic education statistics, the National Data Office's population predictions, and the Ministry of Interior and Safety's resident registration data.

In an estimation from January last year, the Ministry of Education predicted that the number of first-grade elementary students would not fall below 300,000 until 2027. However, after reviewing variables such as resident registration and school enrollment rates, they moved that timeline up by one year.

The number of first-grade elementary students clearly shows the steep decline in the school-age population.

According to the Korean Educational Development Institute's Statistical Yearbook of Education, the number of first-grade elementary students (as of April 1) fell from 703,112 in 2000 to 694,256 in 2001 due to low birth rates and other factors, breaking below 700,000.

After dropping from 534,816 in 2008 and 468,233 in 2009, the numbers hovered in the 400,000 range for a while, then declined sharply in recent years to 401,752 in 2023, 353,713 in 2024, and 324,040 last year.

Comparing the estimates for 2023 and this year, this shows that the population has shrunk by 25.8% (103,574 students) in just three years.

In this projection, the Ministry of Education expects the number of first-grade elementary students to continue declining to 277,674 in 2027; 262,309 in 2028; 247,591 in 2029; 232,268 in 2030; and 220,481 in 2031.

The estimate for 2031 is approximately 32% lower compared to last year.

The total number of elementary, middle, and high school students is estimated to fall from 5,015,310 last year to 4,836,890 this year.

It is expected to continue declining to 4,661,385 in 2027; 4,488,023 in 2028; 4,280,164 in 2029; and 4,056,402 in 2030, before falling below 4 million to 3,811,087 in 2031.

The fast decline in the school-age population is a major challenge for the education sector.

Due to a lack of students, schools are closing one after another, and some universities, especially those outside the Seoul metropolitan area, are struggling to fill their freshman enrollment quotas.

Conflicts are also arising as teacher unions protesting the Ministry of Education's plan to reduce teaching positions, calling it as 'nothing more than a declaration that they are giving up on public education.'

An education official stated, "The decline in the school-age population due to low birth rates is an unavoidable phenomenon. The education sector must work together to minimize the shock and reduce conflicts among stakeholders."

1. [+93][-3] The population decline is an extremely serious problem, but the elderly leaders of this country are too busy protecting their own interests🤙👍

2. [+73][-6] Lower prices a bit. Prices should sometimes go down depending on global conditions, but because of corporate profits and advertising costs, the backs of people are getting broken.

3. [+62][-3] Even animals don't reproduce if the environment isn't suitable.

4. [+12][-1] Cut the number of education universities.

5. [+12][-3] Honestly, people are not having kids because everything is too expensive. It's hard enough just to survive on your own.

Continue reading Less than 300,000 kids enter elementary school this year ... Total number of elementary, middle, and high school students fall below 5 million

Former Teen Top member Byunghun rebrands as 'Shin Seongha' ... Cast as lead in movie 'Yeonjak'

SOURCE: [단독] 틴탑 출신 병헌, 신성하로 새 출발… 영화 '연작' 주연

Byunghun, a former member of the group Teen Top, has changed his stage name to 'Shin Seongha' and is starting a new chapter with a new project.

According to our exclusive report on the afternoon of the 12th, Byunghun recently changed his stage name to Shin Seongha and has been cast as the lead role, Kyungseok, in the movie 'Yeonjak.' The name change is seen as a sign of his intention to mark a new turning point in his acting career.

'Yeonjak' tells the story of Serin, who loses her husband, Kyungseok, in an accident during their newlywed life. She then faces the reality of loss as she reads the novel he left behind.

Shin Seongha plays the role of Kyungseok, a 32 year old columnist, husband to Serin, and also an aspiring novelist. Even though he longs to write, he struggles with self-doubt and lacking of self-confidence. He lives with self-pity but possesses a soul purer than anyone else.

This movie marks Shin Seongha's first lead role under his new stage name. It is expected to serve as an opportunity to expand the acting range he has developed over the years.

Previously, it is reported that Byunghun chose not to renew his contract with IHQ after it expired. Byunghun had joined IHQ in November 2022. After his contract ended, he carefully considered his next move and ultimately decided to return with a new name and a new project.

Born in 1993, Shin Seongha debuted as a rapper in the boy group Teen Top in 2010. He began his acting career in 2014 through the tvN drama 'Flower Grandpa Investigation Unit,' and has since built his filmography through various works such as 'Let's Eat 3,' 'Nokdu Flower,' 'Class of Lies,' 'When My Love Blooms,' and 'Joseon Attorney.' He also appeared in the tvN Monday-Tuesday drama 'Shin's Project' in last September and the web drama 'My Bias is Showing!' in last August. He has also broadened his activities to hosting, serving as the main MC on DongA TV’s 'Style Me 11.'

Continue reading Former Teen Top member Byunghun rebrands as 'Shin Seongha' ... Cast as lead in movie 'Yeonjak'

Idol missing from Hanlim Arts High School's graduation album: "I'm a little bit upset"

SOURCE: 한림예고 졸업앨범에서 누락된 아이돌 “좀 속상하다”

Won Jimin, a member of girl group CLASS:y, recently revealed that her name and photo were missing from her high school graduation album.

According to online communities and Won Jimin's social media on the 12th, she personally shared her graduation photos on a fan communication platform, saying, "This is my graduation picture."

She wrote, "My picture was missing from the graduation album, so I'll just send it to you all myself. I'm a little bit upset. There's not a single photo or mention of my name in the album."

Won Jimin graduated from Hanlim Arts High School in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the 8th. However, her name and photo were not included in the yearbook of the 14th graduating class.

As the controversy grew, the school belatedly posted Won Jimin's graduation photo on their official social media account on the 10th. The school said, "We have reposted the graduation album photos of Won Jimin from the 14th class of the Hanlim Arts High School's Practical Music Department," adding, "We send our congratulations to Jimin as she moves towards a bigger stage, using her 3 years at Hanlim Arts High School as a stepping stone."

Continue reading Idol missing from Hanlim Arts High School's graduation album: "I'm a little bit upset"

Go Kyungpyo misses 'Undercover Miss Hong' due to health issues ... "Resting after getting a treatment in the hospital"

SOURCE: 고경표 컨디션 난조, ‘언더커버 미쓰홍’ 불참…“병원치료후 안정”

On the 12th, Go Kyungpyo's agency, CLN Company, stated, "Go Kyungpyo visited the hospital early this morning for some health reasons and received treatment. His symptoms have since improved. He is currently resting."

Go Kyungpyo was originally scheduled to attend the drama's press conference today but decided to cancel his appearance due to a sudden health issue.

The press conference was attended by Park Shinhye, Ha Yoonkyung, Jo Hangyul, and Park Seonho PD. It was also reported that Go Kyungpyo missed other promotional schedules for the drama due to the same reason.

'Undercover Miss Hong' is a retro office comedy set in the late 1990s. The drama follows the story of Hong Geumbo, a 30-something elite securities supervisor who goes undercover as a 20-year-old junior employee at a securities firm where suspicious funds have been detected.

Go Kyungpyo plays the role of Shin Jungwoo, a corporate raider with hidden dark ambition who returns to Yeouido as the new president of Hanmin Securities. The drama will air its first episode soon.

Continue reading Go Kyungpyo misses 'Undercover Miss Hong' due to health issues ... "Resting after getting a treatment in the hospital"

TWS Jihoon's father passes away ... "Condition worsened rapidly during illness"

SOURCE: 투어스 지훈, 부친상.."투병 중 급격히 병세 악화"[공식][전문]

TWS Jihoon is mourning following the death of his father.

On the 12th, TWS' agency, PLEDIS Ent. announced via Weverse, "We share the sad news that Jihoon's father passed away on the evening of the 11th after his condition worsened rapidly during his battle with illness."

The agency continued, "We ask for your warm condolences and consideration so that Jihoon can spend sufficient time to mourn with his family."

They added, "We send our deepest condolences to Jihoon and his family. May the deceased rest in peace."

According to the agency, Jihoon is currently at the wake and the funeral will be held quietly with family and close relatives just like the family's wishes.

Continue reading TWS Jihoon's father passes away ... "Condition worsened rapidly during illness"

'Moon Heejun's daughter' Jamjam shows growth spurt in her school uniform ... Looks just like her mom, Soyul

SOURCE: '문희준 딸' 잼잼이, '교복 차림' 폭풍성장..母 소율 빼닮았네

On the 9th, Soyul shared an update on her eldest daughter, Heeyul, saying, "Our Jam-ie's Christmas concert. This time was also so touching and beautiful. She performed so well and looked so pretty. I'm so proud of you. I love you."

Heeyul drew attention for her facial features that closely resemble her mother. Dressed in school uniform, she appeared much more mature. Especially at her school performance, she radiated an 'idol-like' vibe, inheriting both her mother and father's charm. She danced with relaxed, confident movements and didn't seem nervous at all in front of the audience.

Heeyul previously received a lot of love while appearing on KBS2's 'The Return of Superman' with Moon Heejun. She even earned the nickname 'Jamjam' for her charming personality. Now that she has grown into an elementary school student, her appearance makes fans realize how much time has passed.

Netizens reacted enthusiastically, saying, "She totally has the look of an idol," "She was cute as a baby, she's still lovely as usual," "She looked exactly like Moon Heejun when she was a baby, but now that she's older, she looks exactly like her mom," and "Watching her dance, you really can't hide those genes."

Meanwhile, Moon Heejun married Soyul, a former member of the group Crayon Pop, in 2017. They have one son and one daughter.

Continue reading 'Moon Heejun's daughter' Jamjam shows growth spurt in her school uniform ... Looks just like her mom, Soyul

"Never follow them" - Women in their 20s 'lured' near Gangnam Station ... The reality behind 'free skin care'

SOURCE: "따라가면 절대 안돼" 강남역서 20대 여성 '유혹'…무료 피부관리의 실체

Advice warning people to absolutely ignore and not respond to offers for free skin-care treatment trials near Gangnam Station in Seoul is gaining attention online.

Recently, a viral post on social media advised women in their early 20s, especially those who just became adults or recently moved to Seoul, stating, "If someone near Gangnam Station asks if you want to try free skincare treatments, ignore them no matter what and just keep walking." A user on X noted, "They'll say things like 'Only for students' or 'Special offer for our grand opening,' but in the end they'll force you to pay," adding, "They drag you into a consultation room in an instant, making it very easy for newly adults to become victims."

Other netizens shared their experiences, saying, "I got caught too. I usually ignore strangers on the street, but since it was a middle-aged woman, I let my guard down without realizing it. Once I responded, she wouldn't let go of me," "This has been going on for a long time, but it feels like they're dragging people more aggressively these days," and "I was walking through the Gangnam underground shopping mall when someone grabbed my arm. Before I knew it, I was sitting in a dermatology clinic consultation room. I got away without paying because I kept on saying 'I have no money' and 'I'll come back with my mom tomorrow.' In the end, they resorted to personal attacks and even insulted my appearance."

In most cases, these aggressive sales tactics involve middle-aged women approaching women who look to be in their early 20s near Gangnam Station, offering things like 'coupons for free skincare.' If the target doesn't refuse firmly, they will be dragged to a dermatology clinic. Once there, the staff will encourage them to pay extra to receive 'better' treatments or give them the free treatment first before pressuring them into pre-paying millions of KRW for skincare packages.

The main target is usually women in their early 20s. They usually lower the target's guard by saying, "My daughter is a college student, too," or "Can I ask for directions?" They reportedly ask the age of those who appear to be not able to purchase, such as those in their late teens, and refuse to give them coupons by saying "Students are not allowed."

Those who were targeted by this sales tactics said, "They only approach specific groups like women in their 20s or brides-to-be. The atmosphere makes it impossible not to pay, especially if you have a timid personality. Since this happens inside private aesthetic clinics, it seems hard to crack down on," and "I don't usually respond to this thing. I only stopped because they asked for directions. Using someone's kindness to drag them into clinics is morally wrong."

However, experts state that it is difficult to classify such acts as criminal coercion unless there is physical violence or explicit threats. A police official said, "For coercion to be recognized, there must be violence or threats, which is hard to prove. For intimidation to be recognized, it must go beyond a pressuring atmosphere and there must be a notice of harm serious enough to induce actual fear." Refunds, however, are possible. Skin care treatments can be canceled at any time during the contract period by paying a penalty. If products were purchased, they must remain unopened. Products bought through door-to-door sales can be canceled within 14 days and online purchases within 7 days.

1. [+1,138][-36] These ahjummas in insurance, loans, and things like this... They cause huge damage to others just to make a few pennies for themselves.

2. [+1,035][-8] Do people like that still exist?

3. [+837][-12] These scammers... Why do they even live???ㅋ

4. [+49][-0] got scammed like that a long time ago, and it's still happening;;; Why can’t stuff like this be completely wiped out???

Continue reading "Never follow them" - Women in their 20s 'lured' near Gangnam Station ... The reality behind 'free skin care'