A flurry of entertainment headlines hit over the weekend. Actor Lee Yi-kyung addressed a wave of rumors about his private life. RM, the leader of BTS, opened up to fans about where the group is headed. On top of that, comedian Park Na-rae faced mounting controversy over alleged power abuse toward former managers, keeping social feeds buzzing all weekend.
◆ Lee Yi-kyung directly addresses private-life rumors
Actor Lee Yi-kyung spoke up about the recent "private-life rumors" swirling around him.
Accepting a Best Choice award at the 'Asia Artist Awards 2025' on the 6th, he brought up the issue in his speech. "Lately it felt like I was getting pelted by hail that wasn't in the forecast," he said, adding that his company received emails asking for an apology and leniency. He vowed to "see this through and hold them accountable."
He also thanked Haha and Joo Woo-jae, his fellow castmates on the MBC variety show How Do You Play?, but did not mention Yoo Jae-suk. That omission sparked chatter online such as "Is there something between them?" and "What junior takes a shot at a senior?"
On the 7th, Lee's agency Sangyeong ENT responded: "There was no jab at Yoo Jae-suk, and there would be no reason for that. Please take the acceptance speech at face value."
◆ BTS's RM: "I even thought about disbanding"
With a spring comeback on deck, RM shared candid thoughts with fans about the group's direction.
Going live on Weverse on the 6th, RM admitted he feels the weight of the comeback and the new album. "We're in the final stretch of production, but there's still work to do to reach a level that will satisfy our fans," he said.
RM also revealed he once even considered disbanding the group, adding, "Even so, out of love for the team and our fans, we decided to keep going together."
◆ Singer Lee Jung-seok draws fire for appearing to defend actor Jo Jin-woong: "Did you all live that well?"
Singer Lee Jung-seok sparked backlash with a post that seemed to defend actor Jo Jin-woong, who announced his retirement from show business.
On the 6th, Lee wrote on Facebook, "Retire from the industry? Why force it that far. Did you all live so well and are you living so well now? It's a sad and dirty world."
Commenters took the post as a reference to Jo Jin-woong's situation and criticized Lee. As the controversy grew, he deleted the post, but the blowback has not died down.
That same day, Jo Jin-woong acknowledged wrongdoing tied to a crime from his high school years, calling it "a mistake I cannot deny," and officially announced his retirement from the entertainment industry.
◆ Park Na-rae of 'I Live Alone' faces ex-managers' allegations of power abuse and unlicensed medical acts
Comedian Park Na-rae landed at the center of controversy after former managers accused her of "power abuse" and illegal medical practices.
Park's side flatly denied the claims as groundless and said they plan to release an official statement on the 8th.
Her ex-managers previously alleged workplace bullying and unlicensed medical procedures, among other issues, and signaled legal action. Park's agency reportedly countered that the managers were demanding a substantial sum and called it an unreasonable ask.
As the dispute escalated, some viewers argued she should step down from programs she appears on, including I Live Alone. In response, the production team said, "Given the string of negative headlines involving Park Na-rae, we are taking the matter seriously and discussing it internally."
With claims and rebuttals trading punches, public attention is now on what Park Na-rae will say in her official statement.