Tuesday, April 14, 2026

, ,

Lim Yoona x Lee Chaemin 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' nominated for Best Drama at Baeksang following nomination at one of the world's TOP 3 Broadcasting Awards

SOURCE: 임윤아X이채민 ‘폭군의 셰프’ 세계 3대 방송 시상식 이어 백상 작품상 후보

The most talked-about K-Drama of 2025, 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,' has proven both its quality and popularity by being nominated for Best Drama at prestigious award ceremonies both domestically and internationally.

According to the final nominee list for the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards announced on April 13, 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' has been nominated for Best Drama, Best Actress (Lim Yoona), and Best New Actor (Lee Chaemin).

This follows its nomination at the 2026 Banff Rockie Awards in the 'Drama Series: Non-English Language' category in March. Started in 1979, the Banff Rockie Awards anually select the most outstanding and innovative TV and digital content worldwide. It is considered one of the world's TOP 3 Broadcasting Awards, alongside the U.S. Emmy Awards and Monaco's Monte-Carlo Television Festival.

'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' features a unique storyline combining food and time-slip elements with fresh direction, recording a peak viewer ratings of 20% for its final episode on tvN. It also received strong global reactions. As of the second half of 2025, it recorded 588.3 million viewing hours on Netflix, ranking 3rd globally among all series on the platform during that period. Major international media outlets such as The New York Times and Forbes also praised it as 'a Korean drama that captivated fans worldwide,' stating that 'the chemistry between the two leads, stunning visuals, and mouthwatering culinary scenes are enough to fascinate viewers around the world.'

At this year's Baeksang Arts Awards, Studio Dragon drew attention by securing nominations across 15 categories for their six works, including Best Drama nominations for 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' and 'Our Unwritten Seoul.'

In particular, 'Our Unwritten Seoul' was nominated in major categories including Best Drama, Best Director (Park Shinwoo), Best Screenplay (Lee Kang), Best Actor (Park Jinyoung), Best Actress (Park Boyoung), and Best Supporting Actress (Won Mikyung), raising expectations.

tvN's 'Typhoon Family' was nominated for Best Actor (Lee Junho), the Netfix series 'The Price of Confession' for Best Screenplay (Kwon Jongkwan), KBS' 'To My Beloved Thief' for Best Screenplay (Lee Sun) and Best New Actor (Hong Minki), and tvN's 'Undercover Miss Hong) for Best Supporting Actress (Ha Yoonkyung) and Best New Actress (Choi Jisoo). Additionally, the TVING original 'Study Group' was nominated in the 'Comedy Series: Non-English Language' category at the 2026 Banff Rockie Awards.

The winners of the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards will be announced on May 8. The 2026 Banff Rockie Awards ceremony is scheduled to be held on June 16 (local time) in Banff, Canada.

Continue reading Lim Yoona x Lee Chaemin 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' nominated for Best Drama at Baeksang following nomination at one of the world's TOP 3 Broadcasting Awards
,

IU admits she sometimes finds Byun Wooseok (190cm) a bit annoying: "He sometimes wears shoes with heels"

SOURCE: 아이유, 190㎝ 변우석 얄미운 적 있었다 “가끔 굽 있는 신발 신고 와”(엘르코리아)

IU and Byun Wooseok talked about moments when they felt grateful toward each other and times they found each other slightly annoying.

On April 13, IU and Byun Wooseok, stars of the MBC Friday-Saturday drama 'Perfect Crown,' appeared as guests on the 'Chemistry Lab' segment of the Elle Korea Youtube channel.

When asked about 'a moment you were grateful to the other person and a moment you were slightly annoyed by them,' Byun Wooseok replied first, "First of all, for a moment I was grateful... You know how we shoot scenes separately, right? When it was my turn, she acted her heart out from the other side to help me perform better. I was really, really thankful for that. I even said that's when I became her fan." When IU asked, "Wait, so you weren't a fan before?" he clarified, "I liked your songs, but I wasn't a fan."

Regarding the moment he found IU a bit annoying, he said, "When she leaves the set first before me, I guess? She teases me a lot before she leaves. On the other hand, if I joke, 'You're not leaving first, right?' she would wait a bit for me. She's just too kind."

IU answered, "There are so many moments I was grateful for him, but the most memorable one was when we first started filming. You tend to have a lot of worries at the beginning, you know? You need to get close quickly and immerse yourself in the role. When Wooseok walked onto the set, he was just like a prince himself. He was the embodiment of Grand Prince Yian. So I didn't even have to try to immerse myself. I felt that way from the very first scene," praising him.

She continued, "As for when he was a bit annoying... Well, he's really tall, isn't he? But sometimes, he shows up wearing shoes with heels. Even though they're very low, but still... I even said, "Can't you just wear socks?' But he's so kinds that he actually came back wearing shoes so thin, I wondered if they even had soles. One more thing: his face is already so small. So it's kind of annoying when he puts his bangs down. And sometimes, he would do both. Slightly heeled shoes and bangs." Byun Wooseok joked back, "That was on days when you left early the day before."

Continue reading IU admits she sometimes finds Byun Wooseok (190cm) a bit annoying: "He sometimes wears shoes with heels"
,

Bae Jinyoung's younger brother becomes a national short track athlete ... Bae Seochan: "It used to be stressful getting attention because of my brother"

SOURCE: 배진영 친동생, 쇼트트랙 국가대표 됐다…배서찬 "형 때문에 관심받는 게 스트레스였는데"

The younger brother of former Wanna One member Bae Jinyoung has been selected for the national short track team.

At the national short track team trials held at the Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul on the 12th, Bae Seochan (Goyang City Hall) placed 3rd overall in the men's division and was selected as a member of the relay team. Previously, he won one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal at the Universiade. This marks his first selection for the senior national team.

Bae Seochan shared his thoughts, saying, "Since this is my first time being selected for the national team, it still feels unbelievable. I struggled because my results weren't good before, so I'm happy to achieved this good outcome. The other athletes selected with me are close friends I've known for a long time, so I think I'll be able to work even harder. I want to feel the same sense of pride I felt at the Universiade again."

Born in 2000, Bae Jinyoung is known to have a younger brother, athlete Bae Seochan, and a younger sister born in 2007. He debuted as a member of Wanna One through Mnet's 'Produce 101 Season 2' in 2017, and after the group's official activities ended, he re-debuted as the center of the group CIX in 2019. After his contract with C9 Entertainment expired in August 2024, he wrapped up group activities and announced a new start as a solo artist last October. He is also set to reunite with fans through Mnet's reality show 'Wanna One Go' at the end of April.

Bae Seochan is the younger brother of Bae Jinyoung, who was active in Wanna One and CIX. He shared, "When I was younger, getting attention becuse of my brother felt stressful att imes, but now I like it. I mostly spend my time together at his place." He added, "My brother was even happier than me and congratulated me, so I was really excited. It might be hard to become as famous as him, but I'll do my best."

Continue reading Bae Jinyoung's younger brother becomes a national short track athlete ... Bae Seochan: "It used to be stressful getting attention because of my brother"

AKMU reveals the 'real reason' for leaving YG Entertainment ... Lee Chanhyuk: "It's not betrayal, our musical colors just changed"

SOURCE: 악뮤, YG 떠난 ‘진짜 이유’ 밝혔다…이찬혁 “배신 아냐, 음악 색깔 달라졌을 뿐”

Sibling duo AKMU honestly shared the reason why they left YG Entertainment and became independent.

On the 13th, a video titled "AKMU guest appearance returning with their 4th album" was posted on the Youtube channel 'Chimchakman.' In the video, Lee Chanhyuk and Lee Suhyun appeared as guests and showed off their signature playful sibling chemistry.

During the episode, Chimchakman asked the two, who recently left YG Entertainment and established their own agency, "Why did you start your own company?" to which Lee Chanhyuk calmly replied, "It was the time to do so."

When Chimcakman jokingly asked, "The time to betray them?" Lee Chanhyuk laughed awkwardly and trailed off, saying, "That wording..." causing everyone to laugh. After Chimcakman rephrased it as 'graduation,' Lee Chanhyuk responded, "We did renew our contract once before," adding, "We learned so much during that time," expressing his gratitude toward YG Entertainment.

However, he explained, "As my scope in producing expanded, my own color became clearer. As the things I wanted became more detailed, there came a point where the company's direction and my musical color started to diverge."

Lee Chanhyuk especially emphasized, "They even cheered on us, saying, 'AKMU will likely do well on their own now.' It's the complete opposite of betrayal."

Meanwhile, AKMU parted ways with YG Entertainment last December after 12 years and established their independent label 'Cemter of Inspiration,' and released their 4th full-length album on the 7th.

Continue reading AKMU reveals the 'real reason' for leaving YG Entertainment ... Lee Chanhyuk: "It's not betrayal, our musical colors just changed"
, , ,

NewJeans' Hanni spotten in Copenhagen with Haerin and Hyein ... Possibility of resuming activities

SOURCE: 뉴진스 하니, 해린·혜인과 코펜하겐 동행…활동 재개 가능성

While Haerin and Hyein were spotted in Copenhagen, Denmark, it has been confirmed that fellow member Hanni was also with them.

On the 14th, a representative from NewJeans' agency, ADOR, told Maeil Business Star Today, "It is true that NewJeans members, including Hanni, visited Copenhagen, Denmark together with staff members."

Previously, posts on various social media platforms about Haerin and Hyein being seen in Copenhagen drew attention. A netizen who wrote one of the posts said, "I happened to see Haerin and Hyein in Copenhagen. When I told them they were beautiful, they smiled and said thank you. They even waved goodbye to us when they left."

The photos shared alongside the post showed the two of them browsing items in a store in Copenhagen.

When the news first broke, it was reported that only Haerin and Hyein were there, but it was later revealed that Hanni was also with them.

Meanwhile, as the members were seen holding professional filming cameras, there are speculations about the possibility of them resuming group activities.

Last year, NewJeans lost their lawsuit against their agency, ADOR, regarding the validity of their exclusive contracts. Following this, Haerin, Hyein, and Hanni returned to the agency, while Danielle was removed from the group. Minji is currently in discussions with ADOR regarding her return.

Continue reading NewJeans' Hanni spotten in Copenhagen with Haerin and Hyein ... Possibility of resuming activities

Lee Hyori's father passes away, Fin.K.L reunits amidst the sorrow ... "Our leader, you've been through a lot"

SOURCE: 이효리, 부친상 슬픔 속 핑클 '완전체' 모였다…"우리 리더 고생했어"

All the Fin.K.L members reunited following the passing of Lee Hyori's father, showing their unchanging friendship.

On the 14th, Ock Joohyun posted several videos and photos with the caption, "The weather is so nice. I should go on a date," adding, "Spending a long time with someone I missed so much. We'll share both sadness and joy together."

She also shared footages of her visiting the funeral hall of Lee Hyori's father with Lee Jin and Sung Yuri.

Lastly, Ock Joohyun wrote, "Being together all day felt like a bittersweet, but warm date," adding, "Our leader, you've been through a lot," expressing her comfort and friendship.

The shared photos included a shot of Sung Yuri eating Yukgaejang at the funeral hall. Ock Joohyun also tagged all the members' social media accounts and added heart emojis on a photo of their backs to show her affection.

Meanwhile, Lee Hyori's father, the late Lee Jungkwang, passed away on the 12th. Lee Hyori is listed as a chief mourner alongside her husband Lee Sangsoon and is looking after the funeral hall.

The funeral hall is set up in Room 1 of the Chung-Ang University Hospital Funeral Hall in Seoul, and the funeral procession will be held at 7 AM (KST) on the 14th. The burial site is the family plot in Eumsong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do.

Continue reading Lee Hyori's father passes away, Fin.K.L reunits amidst the sorrow ... "Our leader, you've been through a lot"

'Choi Taejoon♥' Park Shinhye expects her second child after 4 years ... 'Due to give birth this fall'

SOURCE: '최태준♥' 박신혜, 4년 만에 둘째 생긴다…"올 가을 출산 예정"

Park Shinhye has shared the news of her second pregnancy.

On the 14th, Park Shinhye's agency, Salt Entertainment, told Xports News, "Park Shinhye is currently pregnant with her second child. She is expected to give birth this fall. Please send your warm blessings."

Park Shinhye debuted in the entertainment industry in 2003 through Lee Seunghwan's 'Flower' MV, and received much love for starring in dramas like 'Stairway to Heaven,' 'You're Beautiful,' 'The Heirs,' and 'Memories of the Alhambra.'

Recently, she has continued to showcase her strong acting skills by leading hit projects like 'Doctor Slump,' 'The Judge From Hell,' and 'Undercover Miss Hong.'

Park Shinhye married Choi Taejoon in 2022 and gave birth to a son in May of the same year. Now, four years later, she is expecting her second child.

Continue reading 'Choi Taejoon♥' Park Shinhye expects her second child after 4 years ... 'Due to give birth this fall'