In the entertainment industry, issues are pouring in every day. Among the ever-rising issues, we organize the events and accidents that have attracted the most attention this week.
Hwasa, TOP, Tom Cruise, Jenny. Photo courtesy of IS Photo
Even in the 5th week of June and the 1st week of July (26-1), the entertainment industry was eventful. Various issues such as the pink dating rumors of Hwasa, a member of Mamamoo, the controversy over appearances in ‘Squid Game Season 2’ by TOP, a member of the group Big Bang and an actor, and Hollywood actor Tom Cruise’s visit to Korea, continued.
Hwasa, dating rumor with a businessman 12 years older
Hwasa was caught up in dating rumors with a businessman 12 years her senior.
On the 30th of last month, a media outlet reported that Hwasa had been dating a businessman 12 years her senior for five years. According to reports, Mr. A, who is in a relationship with Hwasa, was born in 1983 and is a businessman who runs a personal business. It is said that they became lovers after Hwa-sa’s active courtship five years ago. Hwasa’s side told Ilgan Sports that they were “confirming with the person” regarding the dating rumor, and they have not yet made a statement.
Group Mamamoo Hwasa. Reporter Suh Byung-soo qudtn@edaily.co.kr
On the day the dating rumors broke out, Hwasa drew attention by revealing that she had become a P-nation artist under singer Psy’s agency. On the same day, Hwasa made a surprise appearance as a guest at Psy’s concert, ‘SummersWag 2023’ (SUMMERSWAG 2023), announcing, “I became a P-Nation singer a few minutes ago.”
Controversy over TOP’s appearance in ‘Squid Game Season 2’
Controversy arose when T.O.P was named in the cast of the Netflix drama ‘Squid Game Season 2’.
On the 29th of last month, Netflix announced the cast of ‘Squid Game Season 2’. In addition to Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Yang Dong-geun, and Park Sung-hoon, Park Kyu-young, Cho Yu-ri, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Lee Jin-wook, Choi Seung-hyun (TOP), Noh Jae-won, and Won Ji-an were introduced as additional performers.
photo courtesy of netflix
Among them, T.O.P, who received a marijuana smoking consultation, is included and is receiving strong criticism. T.O.P was sentenced to 10 months in prison and 2 years probation for smoking marijuana at home in 2016. Choi Seung-hyun, who has since stopped his entertainment activities, terminated his contract with YG Entertainment last year and left Big Bang.
Hollywood actor Tom Cruise. Reporter Suh Byung-soo qudtn@edaily.co.kr
Tom Cruise steps on Korean soil for the 11th time
Hollywood actor Tom Cruise visited Korea for the 11th time.
Tom Cruise entered Korea on the 28th of last month through the Seoul Gimpo Business Aviation Center (SGBAC). It was for the promotion of the movie ‘Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One’. Tom Cruise held events such as press conferences and red carpets with director Christopher McQuarrie, actors Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Hayley Atwell, and Pom Klementieff, and spent 2 nights and 3 days to their fullest.
Tom Cruise said at the press conference, “I moved a lot in the US and Canada, and I always dreamed of coming to Korea. He did not come to Korea as a tourist, but wanted to experience the culture while studying history. So he is grateful for the warm hospitality of Korean fans.” He also said, “I really love Korea. I am proud of being nicknamed “kind Uncle Tom.”
Actor Uhm Tae-woong. Photo courtesy of IS Photo
Uhm Tae-woong returns to the small screen… 7 years after prostitution charges
Actor Uhm Tae-woong returns to the home theater after 7 years.
According to his agency Ghost Studio on the 27th of last month, Uhm Tae-woong will appear in the drama ‘I Kill You’ and has been filming since December last year. This is director Yoo Ha’s first drama work, after films such as ‘Mean Street’, ‘Ssanghwajeom’, ‘Howling’, and ‘Pipeline’. Actors Kang Ji-young and Lee Gi-kwang have confirmed their appearances, and Uhm Tae-woong is known to play the role of the fixer in the play.
In 2016, Uhm Tae-woong was accused of sexually assaulting an employee at an entertainment establishment. Afterwards, Mr. A’s claim was found to be false and he was cleared of sexual assault charges, but he was fined 1 million won for prostitution and was sentenced to a summary indictment. After the controversy erupted, Uhm Tae-woong made a quiet comeback with ‘Fork Crane’, which was released the following year after the drama ‘Wanted’, which ended in the same year, but did not attract much attention.
Blackpink member Jennie. Photo courtesy = HBO YouTube capture
Jenny’s debut film ‘The Idol’ ends early
Jenny’s acting debut, the American HBO drama ‘The Idol’, will end early.
According to the US media deadline on the 26th of last month (local time), it was decided that the first season of ‘The Idol’ would wrap up with episode 5 on the 2nd. Originally planned as a 6-episode drama, ‘The Idol’ is effectively ending early.
‘The Idol’ is a drama depicting the industry surrounding pop idol stars and the relationships within them. Actress Johnny Depp’s daughter, Lily-Rose Depp, plays the lead role of Jocelyn, while Jenny challenges her acting skills by playing Diane, Jocelyn’s friend and backup dancer.
However, since the first broadcast on the 4th of last month, ‘The Idol’ has been sensationalized. Jennie’s size also emerged as a hot topic. Jennie performed an unconventional dance with male dancers in a revealing outfit. It was pointed out that the exposure of other performers and the bed scene were overly suggestive and contained voyeuristic views.
‘The Idol’ was initially planned until season 2, but production is currently unclear. However, HBO denied the report that Season 2 was cancelled, saying, “It has not been decided whether or not Season 2 of ‘The Idol’ will be finalized.”
Reporter Yoo Ji-hee yjhh@edaily.co.kr
