Journalist

Lee Keon-hee
  • Kim Seon-tae’s New YouTube Channel Nears Chungju City’s ChungTV Subscriber Count
    Kim Seon-tae’s New YouTube Channel Nears Chungju City’s ChungTV Subscriber Count Kim Seon-tae, who became widely known as “Chungju Man” while working as a public official, is seeing rapid growth for his newly launched YouTube channel and is closing in on the subscriber count of Chungju City’s official channel, “ChungTV.” News spread on March 3 that Kim opened the channel “Kim Seon-tae” on March 2, drawing attention online. As of the morning of March 3, it had not yet reached 10,000 subscribers. By about 1:20 p.m. on March 4, the channel had about 720,000 subscribers. Viewers are now watching to see whether Kim’s channel will overtake ChungTV, which has about 774,000 subscribers. ChungTV is a channel Kim planned and built himself. After news of his retirement, ChungTV’s subscriber count, which had topped 900,000, fell sharply. In a video posted the previous day, Kim said, “The fundamental reason I started thinking about leaving was that I’d done what I could,” adding, “1 million was the original goal, and I felt I’d done my duty.” He said, “In the end, I started YouTube because I wanted to try things freely,” adding, “This is the only thing I can do. I wanted to make more money.” Kim also said he is 40 and wanted to show what he can do before getting older. “Even if it doesn’t work out, I’m not the type to have regrets, so I want to establish myself as a YouTuber,” he said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 13:30:10
  • Braves’ Jurickson Profar Tests Positive for PEDs Again, Facing 162-Game Ban
    Braves’ Jurickson Profar Tests Positive for PEDs Again, Facing 162-Game Ban Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar, a teammate of infielder Kim Ha-seong, has tested positive for a banned substance for the second time in his career. ESPN reported that a performance-enhancing drug was detected in Profar’s drug test on March 4 (Korean time). Profar previously tested positive last year and was suspended for 80 games. With a second violation, he now faces a 162-game suspension. Profar became the sixth player to be caught twice in MLB drug testing since the league strengthened penalties in 2014, according to the report. Before the 2025 season, Profar signed a three-year, $42 million contract with Atlanta. If the suspension is finalized, he would forfeit his $15 million salary for this season. Profar, who is from Curacao in the Netherlands, had been expected to play for the Netherlands in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, but his participation is now in doubt. Profar and Kim have been close friends, playing together with the San Diego Padres and again in Atlanta. 2026-03-04 09:30:55
  • Wolves Beat Liverpool 2-1 as Hwang Hee-chan Returns to Bench After Injury
    Wolves Beat Liverpool 2-1 as Hwang Hee-chan Returns to Bench After Injury Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan, sidelined by injury, was back in the matchday squad, raising expectations he could return to action soon. Wolverhampton beat Liverpool 2-1 in a 2025-2026 English Premier League Round 29 home match at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, England, on Tuesday (Korean time). The win was the club’s second straight and cut the gap to last place, narrowing the deficit to Burnley (16 points), which has played one fewer match, to three points. Hwang was named among the substitutes. He started the club’s Round 25 home match against Chelsea on Feb. 8 but was substituted in the 43rd minute of the first half after complaining of calf muscle pain. He was then left out of the squad for four straight matches. With Hwang back on the bench, his on-field return appears close. The development could also be a boost for Hong Myung-bo’s national team ahead of the North American World Cup, as Hwang’s speed and physical play can add another attacking option.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 08:42:16
  • Arrest warrant issued for Ex-DP lawmaker over bribery allegations
    Arrest warrant issued for Ex-DP lawmaker over bribery allegations SEOUL, March 4 (AJP) - Kang Sun-woo, a former lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) was arrested on Tuesday over alleged bribery and breach of trust. The Seoul Central District Court issued arrest warrants for Kang, along with Kim Kyung, a former Seoul city official, citing concerns that they might destroy evidence. Their arrest comes about two months after the allegations surfaced late last year, prompting the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to launch an investigation. Kang has been accused of receiving 100 million Korean won (US$68,500) from Kim in return for the DP's candidate nominations for the 2022 local elections. In South Korea, lawmakers are immune from arrest during a parliamentary session unless the National Assembly votes to lift that protection, but it passed a motion earlier last week allowing Kang's arrest. For now, Kang and Kim are being held at a police station in Mapo, Seoul while the investigation continues. Police should hand suspects over to prosecutors within 10 days after an arrest, so the case is expected to be sent to prosecutors next week. 2026-03-04 08:33:07
  • Actress Ku Hye-sun Earns Engineering Master’s Degree at KAIST
    Actress Ku Hye-sun Earns Engineering Master’s Degree at KAIST Actress Ku Hye-sun has received a master’s degree in engineering. Ku posted photos on her social media account on the 4th with the message, “Thank you.” The images showed her diploma and Ku wearing a graduation cap after earning a master’s degree in engineering through the Science Journalism program at KAIST’s Moon Soul Graduate School of Future Strategy. Online commenters responded with messages including “Congratulations” and “So lovely.” In January, Ku said she had completed her KAIST master’s program early. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 08:09:16
  • Park Ji-hoon Teases Next Role in TVING Series as Film Nears 10 Million Viewers
    Park Ji-hoon Teases Next Role in TVING Series as Film Nears 10 Million Viewers Singer-actor Park Ji-hoon, whose film “The Man Who Lives With the King” is closing in on 10 million moviegoers, is drawing attention to whether his next project will also be a hit. Park posted a photo on social media on March 3 with the message, “You worked hard, Kang Seong-jae.” In the image, he wears a military uniform and looks off into the distance. The post was a tease for his upcoming role in the TVING original series “Becoming a Legendary Army Cook,” set to air this year. The series is based on a web novel of the same name. Park plays Kang Seong-jae, a private newly assigned to the Gangrim outpost who works as an army cook. After falling from top trainee to a soldier of concern, he follows an unfamiliar voice and accepts a quest to change jobs as a cook. The original author, J. Robin (real name Oh Jong-pil), wrote on social media on March 2 about Park’s casting: “I’ve used up all my luck for life. He stepped right off the novel cover. I’m really looking forward to his acting.” Meanwhile, “The Man Who Lives With the King,” starring Park, has surpassed 9 million admissions, moving closer to the 10 million mark. Park plays Danjong (Lee Hong-wi) in the film.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 07:27:16
  • Kim Seon-tae’s New YouTube Channel Nears 586,000 Subscribers in Two Days
    Kim Seon-tae’s New YouTube Channel Nears 586,000 Subscribers in Two Days Kim Seon-tae, who gained prominence as “Chungju Man,” is drawing explosive attention after launching a new YouTube channel following his retirement. Kim opened the channel, titled “Kim Seon-tae,” on March 2. News of the launch spread more widely on March 3, and subscriber numbers surged after he uploaded his first video. As of 6:45 a.m. on March 4, the channel had about 586,000 subscribers. The figure is notable given that only two days had passed since the launch and the channel had just one video. After Kim signaled his intention to leave public service, speculation circulated about possible offers, including from the Cheong Wa Dae, a move into politics, or recruitment by major companies and entertainment agencies. Kim instead chose to pursue YouTube. In the channel’s first video, he said he had received “more offers than I deserve,” but started YouTube because he wanted to work “a bit more freely.” He also said he “wanted to make more money,” speaking candidly about his decision. The official YouTube channel of Chungju City, his former workplace, drew attention by commenting on the first video, “Seon-tae, my Seon-tae.” After news broke that Kim had submitted his resignation, Chungju City also posted a “chasing” video that became a talking point.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 06:54:23
  • Park Bom Deletes Post Alleging Sandara Park Drug Use After Backlash, Citing Health Issues
    Park Bom Deletes Post Alleging Sandara Park Drug Use After Backlash, Citing Health Issues Singer Park Bom raised allegations that Sandara Park, who promoted with her in the same group, used drugs, but later quietly deleted the post after criticism.  At about 5:40 p.m. on the 3rd, the post targeting Sandara Park was no longer visible on Park Bom’s social media account.  Earlier that day, Park Bom wrote, “Park Sandara got caught for drugs, and to cover that up they made Park Bom into a drug addict,” adding that she only has attention deficit disorder (ADD).  She also wrote, “YG Entertainment and Yang Hyun-suk, Teddy Park and Lee Chae-rin (CL), please don’t do the kind of thing where you report to the country that Park Bom used more than the prescribed amount of drugs that none of you have used for nearly 30 years.”  A person close to Park Bom told OSEN, “I just became aware of the content,” and said it happened because “Park Bom’s health is unstable.”  2026-03-03 17:51:15
  • Travel YouTuber Pani Bottle Draws Profile Image for Kim Seon-tae’s New Channel
    Travel YouTuber Pani Bottle Draws Profile Image for Kim Seon-tae’s New Channel Kim Seon-tae, known as “Chungju Man” during his time as a public official, has launched a new YouTube channel, and the person behind its profile illustration has been revealed as travel YouTuber Pani Bottle, who has about 2.54 million subscribers. Pani Bottle wrote on social media on the 3rd, “I tried making the profile drawing for ‘ex-Chungju Man’ Kim Seon-tae’s new channel.” He added, “I support Kim Seon-tae, now a private citizen, as he makes a fresh start.” Kim opened his YouTube channel, titled “Kim Seon-tae,” on the 2nd. The channel description says, “Promoting everything in the world.” It has already surpassed about 10,000 subscribers. After Kim signaled his intention to resign, speculation circulated about a possible offer from Cheong Wa Dae, a move into politics, or recruitment by a major company or an entertainment agency. Kim instead chose to pursue YouTube. Kim joined the civil service in 2016 as a ninth-grade official and oversaw the city of Chungju’s official YouTube channel, “ChungTV,” which drew attention after surpassing 900,000 subscribers. 2026-03-03 16:58:16
  • Actress Yang Mi-ra Says Japan Trip Video Controversy Was Not Her Channel
    Actress Yang Mi-ra Says Japan Trip Video Controversy Was Not Her Channel A Japan travel video posted by actress Ji So-yeon ahead of March 1 Independence Movement Day has drawn backlash that also spilled over to actress Yang Mi-ra, who said she was being misunderstood. Yang wrote on social media on Monday that many people seemed worried or confused after seeing news reports that used her photo and name. “I only went to film in early February,” she wrote, adding, “It’s not my channel.” She said she struggled to accept the sudden situation and felt she could do nothing as stories poured out. “It made me realize this can happen even when you haven’t done anything,” she wrote, calling it unfair and frustrating. She added that she decided to speak up because staying silent felt like it would make her sick. The controversy began after a video titled “From today I’m a free woman!! (Japan trip with unni Yang Mi-ra)” was uploaded to Ji’s YouTube channel on Feb. 28. Some online commenters criticized the timing, saying it was posted a day before March 1. As criticism grew, Ji posted on social media on Sunday that the video documented a trip taken Feb. 11, but she failed to think deeply enough about what the posting date could mean. She said she felt heavy-hearted that criticism was also being directed at Yang, and said the upload schedule and decision to make it public were entirely her own.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 16:00:20