FTISLAND’s Choi Min Hwan Says He Is Recovering After Fainting on Stage FTISLAND drummer Choi Min Hwan has updated fans on his health after collapsing on stage. On Monday, Choi wrote on a fan community platform that he had never fainted since his debut and said he was surprised by what happened. “You must have been really shocked. I was, too,” he said. He said he had not been feeling well but did not realize it was that serious. “I’m recovering well now, eating well and resting, so I don’t think you need to worry too much,” he added. Choi said he would return to his usual self soon and show fans him playing drums again. He apologized to fans and audience members who were startled and thanked festival staff for their concern. Choi previously collapsed after losing consciousness during the “2026 First Music Station” performance on Jan. 31 at KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang, south of Seoul. His agency, FNC Entertainment, said on a fan platform that he showed signs of temporary exhaustion during the show and was checked by medical staff. The company said no major health issues were found and that he is resting while his recovery is monitored. It apologized for causing concern and said it would more closely monitor the artist’s condition going forward.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-04 16:24:22

Singer Bada Offers Support to DJ Koo After Death of Actress Barbie Hsu Singer Bada shared a message of support for Koo Jun-yup. On Monday, the S.E.S member posted on social media, “I can’t begin to understand that pain, but I’ll pray with you in my heart,” and shared a video showing Koo mourning the late Seo Hee-won.  Koo and Hsu, also known as Barbie Hsu, dated in the late 1990s, then reunited more than 20 years later and married in 2022. Hsu died Feb. 3 last year at age 48 after catching the flu during a trip to Japan and developing pneumonia complications. Taiwan’s Central News Agency and other local outlets, along with Yonhap News Agency, reported Monday that Koo attended an unveiling ceremony the previous day for a statue honoring Hsu at the Jinbaoshan cemetery in New Taipei City, along with her mother, younger sibling, relatives and friends. Kang Won-rae, who performed with Koo in the group Clon, attended in a wheelchair. Choi Si-won of Super Junior was also there.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-04 09:39:00

Lee Seong Ho Says He Married Yoon Yoo Sun After 98 Days of Dating Lee Seong Ho made blunt remarks about his wife, actor Yoon Yoo Sun, on SBS’ “Same Bed, Different Dreams 2.” On Tuesday’s broadcast, Yoon, a 52-year veteran actor, appeared with Lee, a former judge who now works in the legal field. Asked about his first impression, Lee said Yoon “wasn’t the look I was looking for.” He added that she is short and that he had wanted a more Western-style appearance, saying she did not match his ideal type. Yoon responded that she does not focus on looks. She said she liked people who are funny and honest, adding that Lee used to speak in short, offhand lines that made her laugh. She also joked that he was not the kind of appearance that stood out when she was younger. Lee said they met every day for 98 straight days and held their wedding after 98 days. “I must have really liked her,” he said, adding that she could have refused but did not and ended up marrying him.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-04 08:03:00

Fire breaks out at confectionery factory in Siheung SEOUL, February 3 (AJP) - A fire broke out at confectionery company SPC Samlip's factory in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province on Tuesday. According to fire authorities, the blaze broke out at around 3 p.m., prompting over 500 workers to evacuate immediately. About 70 firefighters, along with approximately 50 vehicles including pump trucks and other equipment were deployed to extinguish the fire. Three workers including a woman in her 40s were treated for minor symptoms after inhaling smoke. Another worker became trapped on the roof but was rescued by firefighters. The fire reportedly started on the factory's production line, where about a dozen employees were on shift. Police are conducting a search for any potential victims and plan to investigate the exact cause of the fire once the flames are under control. 2026-02-03 16:05:14

Koo Jun-yup Wore Coat Gifted by Late Wife Barbie Hsu 27 Years Ago, Singer Says Koo Jun-yup, a member of the group Clon, attended the first anniversary of the death of actor Barbie Hsu (Seo Hee-won), and the coat he wore drew attention. On Sunday, Taiwanese singer Tao Ching-ying wrote on social media, “Early in the morning, we left Taipei for Jinshan,” adding that wind and rain battered the route and the sea was rough. She said it was hard to imagine “how Hsu’s husband, Koo Jun-yup, traveled this lonely and difficult road every day.” She said family and friends gathered to see a statue, describing it as “a pure young girl” looking toward Taipei. Tao also said the coat Koo wore for Hsu’s first anniversary was one Hsu gave him 27 years ago, and that Hsu’s mother showed off shoes her daughter had given her. Koo previously mentioned the coat on tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block” in 2022, saying it was hanging at home and that Hsu had given it to him for an awards ceremony. “I couldn’t throw away anything she gave me,” he said. Koo and Hsu dated in the late 1990s, broke up, then reunited more than 20 years later and married in 2022.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-03 14:36:00

Fire at Recycling Company in Incheon Extinguished; No Injuries Reported A fire at a recycling company in Gajwa-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon, was extinguished in about an hour after breaking out at about 5:56 a.m. on the 9th. No injuries were reported. Fire authorities deployed about 30 pieces of equipment and about 80 personnel and finished putting out the blaze at about 7 a.m. Authorities are investigating the cause and the extent of the damage.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-29 07:39:00

Fire Reported in Incheon’s Seo District; Heavy Smoke Reported Near Gajwa-dong A fire broke out in Incheon’s Seo District, officials said. In a disaster alert text message sent on the 29th, the district office said a fire near 173-222 in Gajwa-dong was producing heavy smoke as of 6 a.m. It urged nearby residents to move farther from the site and drivers to detour. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-29 06:39:00

Fed Holds Key Rate at 3.50%-3.75%, Keeping U.S.-South Korea Gap at 1.25 Points On Jan. 28 local time, the Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate at 3.50% to 3.75%. The Fed said after its first regular Federal Open Market Committee meeting of the year that it decided to keep the rate unchanged. The decision keeps the interest-rate gap between South Korea (2.50%) and the United States at 1.25 percentage points, based on the upper end of the U.S. range.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-29 06:12:00

Factory Fire in Siheung’s Geumi-dong Sends Up Thick Black Smoke A fire broke out in Geumi-dong in Siheung, Gyeonggi province. On Tuesday, the Siheung city government said in a disaster safety text alert, "A factory fire has occurred at 554-4, Geumi-dong, and a large amount of black smoke is being generated." It urged nearby drivers to detour and asked residents in the area to close their windows and take other safety precautions. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 16:13:28

Former PM sentenced to 23 years in prison over martial law involvement SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison on Wednesday for his involvement in disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle in December 2024. In a nationwide televised trial, the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul handed down the sentence, ruling that the Dec. 3 declaration of martial law constituted an insurrection. The court said, ", as prime minister, had a duty to comply with the Constitution, uphold laws and democratic values, and take every effort to protect them." The court added, "Despite this, he neglected his duties and chose to take part in the debacle, thinking it could succeed." It also warned that Han's actions could have risked returning the country to its "darkest past," when democracy and civil rights were suppressed under authoritarian and military rule. The court further criticized Han for hiding and fabricating documents to make the martial law declaration appear lawful, despite his responsibility to uncover the truth and take accountability for the short-lived, late-night fiasco. The punishment was heavier than the 15 years prosecutors sought at Han's final hearing in November last year, who had accused him of aiding Yoon's martial law bid rather than preventing it, despite his duty to check abuses of presidential power. Han denied all allegations, claiming he had no prior knowledge of the debacle and never agreed with or aided it, even after becoming aware of it. Wednesday's ruling is expected to have implications for Yoon's own trial on charges of insurrection and abuse of power, with a verdict likely to be handed down next month. 2026-01-21 15:20:24