Saturday, February 14, 2026

'I didn't go because I overslept' Song Mino missed 102 days of work ... Faces 'up to 3 years in prison' instead of re-enlistment

SOURCE: "늦잠자서 안 가요" 송민호, 102일 무단결근…재입대 대신 '최대 징역 3년'

Song Mino, a member of the group WINNER, has been sent to trial for being absent without leave for a total of 102 days while serving as a public service worker, drawing attention to the potential level of punishment.

On the 13th, according to legal sources, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office stated in the indictment that while working as a public service worker, Song Mino was absent for a total of 102 days without valid reason.

The total service period for a public service worker is 1 year and 9 months, with approximately 430 working days. If the prosecution's claims are true, it means that Song Mino was absent for about 1/4 of his total service days. In particular, the data showed that the number of his absences increased sharply as his discharge date got closer.

From March to May 2023, Song Mino was absent for only one day. However, in July 2024, he was absent for 19 days. In November 2024, just one month before his discharge, the investigators found that he was absent for 14 days without permission.

Prosecutors believe that whenever Song Mino said he wouldn't come to work because he 'overslept' or was 'tired,' the supervisor in charge, identified as Mr. A, approved the absences and processed false documents to make it look like he had actually come to work. The supervisor has also been charged with a crime.

Under the Military Service Act, if a public service worked is absent for eight or more days without valid reason, they can be sentenced up to 3 years in prison. It is also possible to receive an extension of service, which means serving five extra days for every one day missed.

However, legal experts are saying it is unlikely for Song Mino to 're-enlist.' Laywer Kim Kangho, who appeared on YTN's radio program 'Lawyer Lee Wonhwa's Case X File,' explained, "Since Song Mino has already been officially discharged from his service, it is legally impossible to convert him to active-duty soldier."

In the past, PSY had to serve again as an active-duty soldier after his status as an industrial technical personnel was revoked. However, experts say that case involved a different institutional structure. Unlike industrial technical personnel, there is no legal basis to change the type of military service for public service workers.

Previously, Song Mino's side stated, "The sick leave was just an extension of medical treatment he had been receiving before his service. Other leave days were also used according to the rules." Song Mino's first trial is scheduled to be held on April 21.

Depending on the result of his trial, the social standards for how celebrities complete their military service are expected to come under scrutiny once again.

Continue reading 'I didn't go because I overslept' Song Mino missed 102 days of work ... Faces 'up to 3 years in prison' instead of re-enlistment
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'Single's Inferno 5' PD: "We told Choi Mina Sure not to worry, we're sorry ... We did a full bow at the company dinner"

SOURCE: '솔로지옥5' PD "최미나수에 걱정 말랬는데 죄송…회식 때 큰절했다" [MD인터뷰①]

The production team of 'Single's Inferno 5' expressed their gratitude toward cast member Choi Mina Sue.

On the 13th, producers Kim Jaewon, Kim Junghyun, and Park Suji from the Netflix dating show 'Single's Inferno' did an interview at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

'Single's Inferno 5' is a bold and honest dating show where singles look for love on a remote island called 'Inferno' and can only leave by becoming a couple. Each season has generated significant buzz and this season was a massive hit, reaching No. 2 in Netflix's Global TOP 10 (Non-English TV category). On the final episode on the 10th, five couples were formed: Kim Mingee-Song Seungil, Choi Mina Sue-Lee Sunghun, Park Heesun-Lim Subeen, Lee Jooyoung-Kim Jaejin, and Kim Goeun-Woo Sungmin.

Above all, the PDs expressed special gratitude to Choi Mina Sue, who was the most-talked about cast member this season. Producer Kim Jaewon said, "I'm so happy that people felt this season was more sincere than any other seasons. Many say, 'It's all thanks to Choi Mina Sue,' and Iagree. A few days ago at a company dinner, I met Choi Mina Sue, thanked her sincerely, and even gave her a full formal bow to show my appreciation."

When asked about her reaction, Kim Jaewon said, "When I bowed, Choi Mina Sue shyly tried to bow back. Every time I meet her, I'm impressed by how polite and bright she is. She made a great first impression during her interview."

He continued, "After editing the show, we realized she has many different sides that are different from her first impression. She is very multidimensional. I don't think it's easy for people to show their different sides on TV. Most people only try to show their best side on camera. If most people only show one side of the moon, Choi Mina Sue makes you realize that the moon is actually a sphere. She is that kind of multidimensional character. Most people are somewhat contradictory and emotionally vulnerable at times, and we are very grateful and respectful that Choi Mina Sue showed those sides more honestly than anyone else in front of the camera."

Regarding some viewers who commented, "The editors must've had fun editing Choi Mina Sue's scenes," Park Suji PD laughed and said, "Honestly, it was enjoyable. On the island, it's hard to fully hear every conversation. Not to mention that Choi Mina Sue spoke in English a lot. So we didn't always know exactly what was being said, but when we heard the conversations in the editing room, it was very exciting."

She added, "I'm not saying this in a negative way, obviously... But Choi Mina Sue is a very fascinating person. Having the opportunity to witness someone who has so many different sides was the most interesting part for us. However, we didn't intentionally edit her in a way to make her look like the 'villain' character."

Kim Jaewon PD explained, "By the time you've filmed up to Season 5, you realize that everyone says or does something that could become controversial. I mean, if you record ordinary people 24 hours for 10 days, I think everyone, including myself, would have moments like that. Our only rule when it comes to editing is just one thing: to focus on the romance. In Choi Mina Sue's case, she has very diverse emotions when it comes to dating. Since we're a dating show, she may have been portrayed that way. However, the Choi Mina Sue we know personally is very social, friendly, adorable, and bright."

What was their first impression of Choi Mina Sue? Kim Junghyun PD said, "Since she had lived abroad, she was very expressive. We knew she would have good chemistry with the male cast members, but we didn't expect it to be this much. We could already see her character during our first meeting." Kim Jaewon PD added, "Our meetings are typically social interactions. But in private emotional exchanges, Choi Mina Sue was extremely interesting. She has many ironic elements. I felt she was a participant who showed her most 'dishonest' moments in the most 'honest' way, which is why people couldn't stop watching her."

Despite her popularity, Choi Mina Sue also received many malicious comments. Kim Jaewon PD said, "I talked to her on the phone often. She was very worried, so I told her, 'Don't worry, it will get better by week 3. So, you can check the internet then.' But even in week 3, the comments were still bad. So, at the company dinner, I told her, 'I'm sorry. I made a mistake. It'll get better by week 4.'" He added, "At the dinner, it seemed like her mental state had recovered. She thanked us now that she has gained many supportive fans. The other cast members also said they were grateful to her."

They also addressed the buzz about MC Hong Jinkyung appearing to bow apologetically to Choi Mina Sue at the recent company dinner. Park Suji PD said, "Since she had a lot to say about Choi Mina Sue, it seemed like she had already imagined the scene beforehand." Kim Jaewon PD added, "In reality, Hong Jinkyung hugged and apologized to Choi Mina Sue as soon as she arrived. Later, she even suggested to film something fun and lighthearted so viewers wouldn't misunderstand their relationship."

Finally, Kim Jaewon PD revealed that he plans to treat Choi Mina Sue a very expensive meal to thank her. He said, "I told her we should have a meal together. Maybe I should look into a really expensive, Michelin-star restaurant and pay out of my own pocket."

Continue reading 'Single's Inferno 5' PD: "We told Choi Mina Sure not to worry, we're sorry ... We did a full bow at the company dinner"
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Yoo Seonho reveals his feelings about dating Shin Eunsoo for the first time ... "Falling in love isn't a crime, right?"


SOURCE: 유선호, ♥신은수와 열애 심경 최초 공개…"사랑에 빠진 게 죄가 아니잖아"(1박)

Yoo Seonho shares his thoughts for the first time on the show '2 Days 1 Night' since revealing his relationship.

On the 15th, '2 Days 1 Night' cast members start the first part of their trip to Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province.

During the opening, the members shower Yoo Seonho with questions as he recently made headlines with the news of his relationship. In particular, Kim Jongmin and Moon Seyoon tease the youngest member about his first public relationship with questions like, "Does the whole world look pink to you now?", "How did you two meet?", and "Falling in love isn't a crime, right?" They seem to be even more excited about the news than Yoo Seonho himself.

Since all the attention focused on him from the start of filming, Yoo Seonho appears to be flustered and unable to hide his shy expressions. Still, he reportedly told the viewers, "I'm still a bit overwhelmed, but thank you for your support," expressing gratitude to viewers who warmly responded to his relationship news."

Meanwhile, the '2 Days 1 Night' team begins their trip to Pohang as a 'family of five brothers' for the Lunar New Year holiday. Starting with the oldest brother Kim Jongmin, followed by Moon Seyoon, Lee Joon, DinDin, and the youngest, Yoo Seonho, the five members even wear matching outfits and promise to show strong brotherly bonds.

However, as missions unfold, their 'brotherly love' faces several crises. Viewers are curious to see if the members can maintain their teamwork and successfully complete their family trip. 

Continue reading Yoo Seonho reveals his feelings about dating Shin Eunsoo for the first time ... "Falling in love isn't a crime, right?"

'Single's Inferno' Real-life couple = Only Lim Subeen♥Park Heesun? "There are actually quite a few! We will share the truth"

SOURCE: '솔로지옥' 현커=임수빈♥박희선뿐? "꽤 있다! 솔직하게 공유할 것" [MD인터뷰②]

Kim Jaewon PD from 'Single's Inferno 5' talked about whether there are any 'real-life couples.'

On the 13th, producers Kim Jaewon, Kim Junghyun, and Park Suji from the Netflix dating show 'Single's Inferno' did an interview at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

In Season 5, five final couples were formed: Kim Mingee-Song Seungil, Choi Mina Sue-Lee Sunghun, Park Heesun-Lim Subeen, Lee Jooyoung-Kim Jaejin, and Kim Goeun-Woo Sungmin. How many of these are dating in real life?

Kim Jaewon PD hinted, "Regarding real-life couples, we asked all the questions in the 'Reunion' episode. The cast members answered honestly about whether they are together or not. You can check it there."

He continued, "Personally, I want to reveal the full list of real couples, including the ones from this season. I have all the information and I'd like to share it. However, we have to protect their private lives now that the show has ended. It's a bit frustrating for us, too."

He explained that the spin-off program, 'Single's Inferno: Reunion,' was planned for this exact reason.

Kim Jaewon PD emphasized, "Many people said there are no real-life couples from 'Single's Inferno. What I can clearly say is that, including the ones from this season, there are actually quite a few real-life couples."

He added, "However, some of them hesitate to go public with their relationships. Personally, I don't really understand that since they had appeared in a dating show anyway. I think public dating is part of the package, so I wish they wouldn't hesitate. I felt that it's the right thing to share the truth, whether they're dating or not, to the fans who loved the show. That is exactly why we planned the 'Reunion' episode. We asked all the couples, 'What is your relationship status now?' Since they all answered, I think fans will finally get the answers they want."

Meanwhile, 'Single's Inferno: Reunion' will be released on the 14th. 

Continue reading 'Single's Inferno' Real-life couple = Only Lim Subeen♥Park Heesun? "There are actually quite a few! We will share the truth"

Friday, February 13, 2026

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Choo Youngwoo's brother Cha Jungwoo follows his brother's path as an actor ... Bold move with debut one-man play

SOURCE: 추영우 동생 차정우, 형과 함께 배우 길로…데뷔 첫 1인극 파격 행보 [공식]

Cha Jungwoo (real name Choo Jungwoo), who is gaining attention as a rising star, will continue his bold career after being cast in the play 'Jekyll and Hyde.'

Cha Jungwoo will take on his very first one-man play through 'Jekyll and Hyded.' As a solo performer portraying multiple characters by himself, he is dedicating himself to intensive rehearsals to present a high-quality performance and is getting ready to meet the audience.

This play is based on the novel 'Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson, but creatively tells the story from the perspective of Utterson, Dr. Jekyll's friend, rather than Dr. Jekyll himself.

As a rising and promising newcomer, the news that Cha Jungwoo chose a challenging 85-minute solo play for his next project has sparked both surprise and anticipation among people in the industry and fans.

In 2025, Cha Jungwoo played the lead role of Kim Soohyun in the drama 'Secret Relationships.' He gained enthusiastic love from both domestic and international fans for his emotional acting and distinctive visuals.

Since then, he has established himself as a top rookie through various projects such as 'My Boyfriend is 600 Years Old.' His decision to take on a stage play, especially a one-man performance that requires a lot of energy, shows his serious attitude toward acting and willingness to challenge himself.

The character Cha Jungwoo portrays is a character who observes Dr. Jekyll's transformation through Utterson's perspective and searches for the truth behind the events.

He is expected to show the psychological anguish and 'duality of a human' while uncovering the secrets of Jekyll and Hyde. Beyond the charm he showed on TV, Cha Jungwoo is expected to show explosive live-stage energy and acting, raising anticipation among audiences.

'Jekyll and Hyde,' drawing attention for rookie Cha Jungwoo's bold transformation, will be performed from March 16 to June 7 at Link The Space Hall 2 in Daehak-ro.

Continue reading Choo Youngwoo's brother Cha Jungwoo follows his brother's path as an actor ... Bold move with debut one-man play
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‘4Minute’ Kwon Sohyun shares a surprising update… “I found the courage again”


SOURCE: '포미닛' 권소현, 깜짝 놀랄 근황 전했다…"다시 용기 내"

Kwon Sohyun, a former member of the group 4Minute and now an actress, announced that she has graduated from university.

On the 12th, Kwon Sohyun posted several photos on her Instagram along with the caption that said, "Graduation. Class of 2015, graduated in the spring of 2026."

She first entered university in 2015, but temporarily paused her studies. She later returned to school and graduated after 11 years.

The released photos show her smiling brightly while wearing a graduation cap and gown at Dongguk University. She took commemorative photos around the campus to remember the moment.

She shared, "I found the courage to go back to school and graduate because my mom once said her wish was to see me wear a graduation cap."

She added, "This year has been full of new beginnings and connections right from the start, so I'm filled with gratitude and a positive sense of responsibility. It's an even happier New Year in 2026 because I was able to fulfill my mom's wish."

Kwon Sohyun debuted as a member of 4Minute in 2009 and received love for numerous hit songs such as 'Hot Issue,' 'Muzik,' and 'Volume Up.' After the group disbanded in 2016, she became an actress and appeared in movies including 'My Last Love,' 'Birthday,' 'Through My Midwinter,' and 'Delivery.'

Last year, she reunited and signed an exclusive contract with the same agency she was with during her time in 4Minute, Cube Entertainment. 

Continue reading ‘4Minute’ Kwon Sohyun shares a surprising update… “I found the courage again”

'Single's Inferno 5' PD: "Rumors that Lee Sunghun is former President Lee Myungbak's grandson is false, they're not even distant relatives"


SOURCE: '솔로지옥5' PD "이성훈=이명박 전 대통령 외손자설 사실무근, 먼 친척도 아냐" [DA:인터뷰③]

The producers of Netflix's 'Single's Inferno 5' shared behind-the-scenes stories about the cast and filming on the 'Inferno.'

On the morning of the 13th, Kim Jaewon PD talked about the first-appearance outfits of the cast that drew many attention. He laughed and said, "Since it's a memory that stays on Netflix forever, everyone seems to prepare their outfits very ambitiously."

Because first impressions leave a strong impact not only on fellow cast members but also on viewers, the cast reportedly put a lot of thought into it. Although many wore luxury dresses, the production team clarified that the outfits were not sponsored but prepared individually by the cast.

Kim Junghyun PD explained, "For those who have difficulty preparing, we help with styling in advance. But we only give advices like, 'this type of outfit might be suitable.' The hairstyle, makeup, and clothings are all chosen by the cast themselves. We just make sure their outfit colors don't overlap during the first appearance. Some of them brought 2 or 3 suitcases each." Regarding Park Heesun, who wore many luxury brands, he added, "It wasn't sponsored. As far as we know, she obtained everything herself. We suggested a different look, but she really wanted to wear those."

Regarding the 'Truth Game' early in the season that became a hot topic, Kim Jaewon PD said, "We made a rule that there are 'no passes' and 'you must answer.' We thought it was a risky decision, but after seeing the results, we were so happy and we even applauded. The effects of that game lasted until the final episode."

Kim Jaewon PD mentioned that Song Seungil was the perfect fit of the show, saying, "If we had to put a man's face into the 'Single's Inferno' planning proposal, it would've been his. He's not exactly the 'standard' handsome man, but he has the Gen Z vibe and slightly edgy charm that we really like."

The producers also emphasized that rumors claiming Lee Sunghun is the grandson of the former President Lee Myungbak are completely false. Kim Junghyun PD said, "Even we were surprised. He resembles him, and even his voice is similar, so we were suspicious too. When we asked him, he seemed flustered. It's absolutely not true. They aren't even distant relatives."

Regarding claims that while there are 'final couples,' there are no 'real-life couples,' the producers hinted that some real couples do exist, but they are dating privately. Kim Jaewon PD said, "Including this season, there are quite a few real couples. It seems to be a matter of whether they choose to go public or not. The cast members seem hesitant about public dating. We don't really understand why they hesitate about dating publicly after starring in a dating show. We even consulted a lawyer about possibly adding a clause about public dating into the contract for this season, but they said it was against the law. For Season 6, we are going to ask very strictly if they are willing to date publicly." He added, "We planned a reunion to hear honest answers from the Season 5 cast. Since they spoke candidly, viewers will be able to confirm through the broadcast." The reunion episode featuring behind-the-scenes stories will be released on the 14th.

'Single's Inferno 5' is a bold and honest dating reality show set on a remote island called 'Inferno,' where singles can only leave if they become a couple. From 'Queen' Choi Mina Sue and Lee Sunghun, to 'Team Kim Goeun' Jo Yigeon, Woo Sungmin, Shin Hyunwoo, 'Textbook Dating Show Couple' Kim Jaejin♥Lee Jooyoung, Lim Subeen♥Park Heesun, and 'Alpha Girl' Kim Mingee♥'Younger Man' Song Seungil, the sharp tensions between participants along with the diverse couple chemistry drew attention. The five MCs including, Hong Jinkyung, Lee Dahee, Kyuhyun, Hanhae, and Dex, also added fun with their bold and honest reactions.

The 'Single's Inferno' series began with Season 1 in late 2021, becoming the first Korean variety show to enter Netflix's Global TOP 10 (Non-English). Season 2 stayed in the same category for four consecutive weeks. Season 3 dominated the Global TOP 10 for five weeks and ranked in the TOP 10 in 31 countries, while Season 4 recorded the highest first-week viewing hours in the series. Season 5 also sparked record-breaking buzz, ranking No. 2 in the Global TOP 10 (Non-English). With Season 6 officially confirmed, previous seasons of 'Single's Inferno' are available to watch on Netflix.

Continue reading 'Single's Inferno 5' PD: "Rumors that Lee Sunghun is former President Lee Myungbak's grandson is false, they're not even distant relatives"