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  Comedian Lee Hwi-jae’s TV Return on KBS Draws Chilly Online Reaction Entertainer Lee Hwi-jae’s return to television has drawn a cool response from some online commenters, according to reactions shared after his appearance. Lee appeared on the March 28 broadcast of KBS2’s ‘Immortal Songs’ for a special titled ‘2026 Entertainment King of Kings.’ After performing Choi Ho-seop’s ‘As Time Goes By,’ Lee spoke about his recent life. Asked whether his twin sons, Seo Eon and Seo Jun, are now in middle school, Lee replied they are first-year students. When asked if March 29, 2026
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  BTS Releases 'SWIM' Live Clip Filmed at Seonhyewon BTS has released a live clip for “SWIM.” The group posted the video at midnight on the 29th on its official YouTube channel. It was filmed at Seonhyewon, pairing a traditional setting with the modern choreography of “SWIM.” Instead of elaborate stage effects, the clip relies on lighting to highlight the group’s dance lines and the space itself. Lighting designed to evoke flowing water adds to the sense of immersion, and the members’ live vocals — down to audible breathing — are captured March 29, 2026
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  Han Kang’s ‘We Do Not Part’ sales surge after NBCC award Han Kang’s novel We Do Not Part won the National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) award on March 27, fueling renewed interest in the author and a sharp jump in sales. Online bookseller Yes24 said sales of the title rose 407% from 9 a.m. to noon after the award news broke, compared with the previous day’s total. Kyobo Book Centre reported sales were up 4.4 times as of 2 p.m., compared with the day before. The surge also reshaped bestseller lists. On Yes24, the book climbed to No March 29, 2026
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  South Korea routed 4-0 by Ivory Coast in World Cup-year friendly, hits post three times Hong Myung-bo’s South Korea opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup year with a lopsided loss, falling 4-0 to Ivory Coast in a friendly at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England, on March 28 (Korea time). South Korea, ranked 22nd by FIFA, had won three straight friendlies last year — beating Paraguay 2-0 in October, then Bolivia 2-0 and Ghana 1-0 in November — but struggled throughout against Ivory Coast’s pressure and conceded four times. Ivory Coast is ranked 37th. The all-time series between the t March 29, 2026
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  Fire Near Gyeongbokgung’s Sambimun Gate Put Out in 15 Minutes; Minor Damage Reported A small fire near Jaseondang Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace damaged parts of a nearby doorway, including a pillar and door, but did not spread further. The Korea Heritage Service said the fire started around 5:35 a.m. March 28 at a side door near Sambimun Gate in front of Jaseondang Hall. A safety officer on patrol spotted smoke and used a fire extinguisher and a hydrant to put out the flames in about 15 minutes. No injuries were reported. Officials said the fire was contained before it co March 28, 2026
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  Chef Son Jong-won draws buzz with crisp first pitch at SSG home opener Son Jong-won, head chef at Eatanic Garden and La Mange Secrete and a cast member of Netflix’s “Culinary Class Wars 2,” drew attention after taking the mound for a KBO season opener. SSG Landers selected Son as the ceremonial first-pitch thrower for its 2026 home opening game against the KIA Tigers on Friday at Incheon SSG Landers Field. The ballpark hosted fan events and cheering programs that added to a festive atmosphere. Son drew cheers with what spectators described as a sharp March 28, 2026
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  Jungkook’s TikTok Follow of aespa Rekindles Rumors Linking Him to Winter Reports that BTS member Jungkook followed girl group aespa on TikTok have resurfaced online rumors linking him to aespa member Winter.  On social media and online communities, users said they spotted Jungkook following aespa’s official TikTok account. The activity prompted renewed discussion of earlier dating rumors involving Winter. The two previously faced speculation that they were dating. Online posts claimed they wore matching fashion items such as shoes and even got couple tattoos, March 28, 2026
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  KBO League Opens 2026 Season With Sellouts at All Five Ballparks Marking its 45th anniversary, South Korean professional baseball opened the 2026 season with strong turnout from the first day. The KBO League said 105,878 fans attended the season openers held March 28 at five ballparks nationwide. It was the third-largest opening-day total on record, behind 2019 (114,021) and 2025 (109,950). All five stadiums sold out. The first sellout came at Incheon SSG Landers Field for the KIA Tigers-SSG Landers game, where all 23,000 seats were gone by 10 a.m. Th March 28, 2026
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  BTS to Tour South America in October With 11 Shows in Five Cities BTS will launch a South American leg of its world tour in October, with 11 concerts across five cities, its agency said. According to the detailed schedule released on the 28th for the “World Tour ‘ARIRANG’ in Latin America,” the group will open in Bogota, Colombia, on Oct. 2-3, then play Lima, Peru, on Oct. 9-10; Santiago, Chile, on Oct. 16-17; Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Oct. 23-24; and Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Oct. 28 and Oct. 30-31. The agency said it will be the first time BT March 28, 2026
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  Drugmakers Expand Portfolios Through Co-Promotion Deals Co-promotion deals between multinational drugmakers with branded medicines and South Korean companies with local sales networks are continuing, as partners combine strengths to speed market penetration and lift revenue. Industry officials said March 27 that co-promotion has long been used in South Korea’s pharmaceutical sector. Multinationals gain access to the domestic market, while local firms broaden their presence in specific therapeutic areas by selling established products. Huons s March 27, 2026