Two Suspects Charged with Murder in Death of Director Kim Chang-min Two suspects in the death of director Kim Chang-min have been charged with murder while in custody. According to Yonhap News, the Namyangju branch of the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office announced on May 21 that Lee (32) and Lim (32) have been indicted on charges of murder and violating the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act. The prosecution determined that the severity of the crime warranted murder charges, rather than the initial charge of manslaughter applied by the police. The suspects are accused of dragging director Kim into an alley and brutally assaulting him over a noise dispute outside a restaurant in Guri, Gyeonggi Province, on October 20 of last year, leading to his death. The prosecution has also charged them with emotional abuse for assaulting Kim in front of his son, who has a developmental disability. Kim lost consciousness shortly after the assault and was transported to a hospital, where he ultimately did not recover. Seventeen days after the incident, he was declared brain dead and later donated his organs to four recipients before passing away. Initially, police applied for arrest warrants for the suspects multiple times, but the courts denied them, citing a lack of flight risk. However, public outrage grew after the incident became known and CCTV footage of the assault was released, leading to criticism of the police's inadequate investigation. According to Yonhap News, the prosecution formed a dedicated investigation team to conduct a supplementary investigation, interviewing Kim's son and searching the suspects' residences and mobile phones. They analyzed approximately 3,000 phone recordings, which included statements such as, "I thought I had to kill him" and "I had no thoughts other than to kill him," leading to the conclusion of intent to commit murder. Additionally, the prosecution consulted five medical experts regarding brain CT scans and obtained opinions indicating that Kim died from brain injuries caused by repeated and severe external forces to the head and face. Forensic analysis also suggested that Lim choked the victim, impairing his ability to defend himself. On May 11, the prosecution's citizen committee unanimously agreed that the suspects exhibited intent to kill and acted as accomplices, prompting the prosecution to proceed with murder charges. However, Lee has admitted to only striking Kim three to four times with his fists, denying some of the charges, while Lim claims he only tried to separate Lee and Kim.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 18:12:00

Jeong Cheong-rae Criticizes Starbucks Amid Daejeon Election Campaign Jeong Cheong-rae, the leader of the Democratic Party, sharply criticized Starbucks on May 21, questioning the appropriateness of its recent Tank Day event amid ongoing controversies regarding the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. Speaking at the campaign launch for Daejeon mayoral candidate Heo Tae-jeong, Jeong stated, "We must hold a grateful heart for those who lost their lives during the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement." He emphasized the need for respect and remembrance. He added, "There’s a Starbucks here too. Starbucks is not good," and highlighted that both Chun Doo-hwan, who declared martial law in Gwangju, and Yoon Suk Yeol, who issued an illegal martial law on December 3, were ultimately subdued by the people. Jeong remarked, "If the illegal martial law had succeeded, there would be no local elections, and neither Lee Jae-myung nor I would be in this world," recalling the situation as "a chilling experience." Additionally, Jeong called for support for Heo, noting his experience as both a district mayor and Daejeon mayor, as well as his work at the Blue House. He concluded by stating, "South Korea is now normalizing," urging voters to elect a capable mayor for Daejeon, similar to the current president's performance. 2026-05-21 18:09:25

From timid boy to war hero: India's wartime doctor honored in Korea SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - At the unveiling of a new memorial near the heavily fortified border with North Korea, Kalpana Prasad, an Indian woman in her 40s and the grand-niece of Lt. Col. A.G. Rangaraj, recalled how her older family members spoke about their brother, who had served on the frontline during the Korean War. “His siblings rushed to tell their mother, but she refused to believe it because she still remembered him as a shy boy who was afraid to walk alone in the dark,” she said. “But somehow, that timid boy ended up jumping out of airplanes.” The timid boy was Lt. Col. A.G. Rangaraj, an army doctor who led an Indian medical unit during the 1950-53 war. Rangaraj and fellow veterans were posthumously honored at a ceremony on Thursday at Imjingak in Paju, north of Seoul, where officials unveiled a memorial recognizing India’s contribution as part of events marking the 76th anniversary of the outbreak of the conflict. The ceremony was attended by visiting Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, who was hosted by Patriots and Veterans Affairs Minister Kwon Oh-eul. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on international veterans affairs cooperation aimed at strengthening exchanges in honoring and remembering those who served. One of six countries that provided non-combat support to South Korea during the conflict, India’s contribution came largely in the form of medical and humanitarian aid. The country’s 60th Parachute Field Ambulance, one of the largest medical units sent by a supporting nation, deployed 627 medical personnel. One of the unit’s best-known operations came during Operation Tomahawk on March 21, 1951, near Munsan, north of Seoul, when members attached to the U.S. Army’s 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team parachuted into enemy territory as part of a combat airborne operation. Amid intense frontline fighting, they established medical facilities and treated wounded soldiers. Led by Rangaraj, the Indian unit treated 200,000 patients and performed 2,500 surgeries. For South Korea, the new memorial carries symbolic weight not only because of India’s wartime role, but also because of its location. Just south of the Demilitarized Zone, Imjingak has long served as a site of remembrance for the war and hope for peace on the still-divided peninsula. The presence of Rangaraj’s family added a personal dimension to Thursday’s ceremony, turning the memorial from a diplomatic event into a reminder of the individual lives behind wartime history. Rangaraj, who completed his medical degree in 1941 before joining the army, became India’s first paratrooper doctor. He was honored in Seoul as the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs’ Korean War Hero of the Month in March this year. “It is an honor for all of us to know that he has been nominated as a Korean War hero by the government of the Republic of Korea,” Prasad said. In addition to the medical unit, India also played a major postwar role through the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission. A 5,230-strong Custodian Force of India helped carry out the peaceful repatriation of some 2,000 prisoners. The memorial features busts of Rangaraj and another Indian figure closely associated with the Korean War, Gen. K.S. Thimayya, who chaired the U.N. Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission at the time of the armistice. The memory of the unit’s Korean War service remains alive in Agra, the northern Indian city that is home to the Taj Mahal. The city also hosts the 50th Independent Parachute Brigade, one of the Indian Army’s elite airborne formations, under which the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance continues its medical support mission. During AJP’s visit to the brigade in March, Col. Jagneet Gill, the current commanding officer of the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance, said the unit’s deployment to Korea remains an important part of its identity. “The 60th Parachute Field Ambulance is a key medical support unit under the Indian Army’s 50th Independent Parachute Brigade, and we supported wounded people during the Korean War,” Gill said. “It was really nice to have the chance to visit South Korea last November at the invitation of the Korean government.” Decades later, the legacy of the Korean War continues to resonate in the hearts of both nations. 2026-05-21 18:05:00

Krafton's PUBG Mobile Celebrates 8th Anniversary with Kia Collaboration Krafton has launched an online game and offline experiential pop-up in collaboration with Kia to celebrate the 8th anniversary of PUBG Mobile. The initiative aims to strengthen direct communication with users and expand the long-term service foundation of PUBG Mobile. On May 21, Krafton opened PUBG Seongsu and Kia Unplugged Ground in the Seongsu area of Seoul. The concept, dubbed 'Zone 8,' combines the core element of the game, the magnetic field, with Kia's EV mobility in a collaborative project. PUBG Mobile, launched in 2018, is Krafton's mobile adaptation of the original PC game, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). The PUBG intellectual property (IP) has become a significant revenue source for Krafton. The company has been actively expanding the PUBG IP through various game versions, including PUBG Mobile and PUBG Mobile India. According to Krafton's first-quarter results, revenue from PUBG's PC, console, and mobile IP grew by 14% and 30%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. A Krafton marketing representative at the PUBG Seongsu event stated, "As we celebrate eight years since the launch of PUBG Mobile, we recognize the importance of communicating with long-time players. This offline experience zone was prepared to enhance that communication with our users." Krafton's collaboration with Kia for the 8th anniversary of PUBG Mobile reflects this focus. The PUBG games, including PUBG Mobile, fall under the open-world shooting genre. In PUBG Mobile, players navigate vehicles such as cars, buses, and motorcycles into a shrinking magnetic field, which is a key gameplay element. Krafton has brought this experience outside the game by incorporating vehicles into the offline pop-up. This marks the first collaboration between PUBG Mobile and a domestic automotive brand. The Kia vehicles featured in the offline experience zone include the EV3, EV4, and PV5 models. These vehicles represent Kia's EV lineup and serve as key objects in the collaboration, showcasing vehicle skins from the game. Previously, PUBG Mobile collaborated with global automotive brands like Porsche. This partnership allows Kia to present its electric vehicle lineup to a younger gaming audience, while PUBG Mobile integrates real vehicles into its game world, enhancing the realism of the collaborative content. Located near Ttukseom Station, the Kia Unplugged Ground is designed with a 'combat zone' concept. The layout includes EV landing, item farming, EV4 RC car racing, and a laser battle zone, allowing visitors to experience in-game activities such as parachuting, shooting, and item hunting. Kia's EV3, EV4, PV5 vehicles, RC cars, and parachute figures are arranged like game objects to seamlessly expand the experience of Kia's EV lineup. The pop-up zone at PUBG Seongsu, located about a seven-minute walk away, features a realistic representation of the magnetic field, allowing for an immersive PUBG Mobile experience. It includes a large blue dome air dome, an in-circle challenge, a direct play zone for PUBG Mobile, a puzzle zone (8UZZLE), and a message wall. Visitors to the experience zone enjoyed activities such as navigating obstacles to avoid the magnetic field or test-driving Kia vehicles set up within the air dome. While the Kia Unplugged Ground focuses on in-game content experiences like shooting and farming, PUBG Seongsu emphasizes creating a photo zone where visitors can explore the game environment and take pictures. According to Krafton, the primary user demographic for PUBG Mobile is in their teens and twenties, which is younger compared to the 2030 age group that predominantly plays the PC version of PUBG. The decision to operate an experiential zone in Seongsu reflects the preferences of this younger audience. At the PUBG Seongsu craft zone, users could create maps directly on their smartphones. In the actual PUBG Mobile game, players can create their own maps, a feature that was not available at the game's launch in 2018 but has been introduced by Krafton to enhance user-generated content (UGC) for long-term engagement. A representative at the site explained, "As the service period for PUBG Mobile has extended, we have attempted to expand the in-game experience through UGC content." A Krafton spokesperson stated, "This collaboration is designed to allow users to experience PUBG Mobile not only through in-game content but also through community events and offline pop-ups. We hope that users will continue to engage with PUBG Mobile through these immersive experiences."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 18:01:52

Korea's Small Business Agency Partners with POSCO for Supply Chain Support The Korea Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Agency (KOSME) has established a supply chain cooperation system with POSCO and will provide production funds to small businesses in the steel and secondary battery sectors. KOSME announced on May 21 that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with POSCO, POSCO Future M, N2B, and POSCO HY Clean Metal at POSCO's headquarters in Pohang. About 20 officials attended the signing ceremony, including Ban Jeong-sik, KOSME's Director of Regional Innovation; Lee Seung-ki, Head of Equipment and Material Purchasing at POSCO; Jo Eun-gu, Head of Purchasing Contracts at POSCO Future M; Yoon Jin-soo, Head of Equipment Purchasing at N2B; and Park Ji-yoon, Head of Management Support at POSCO HY Clean Metal. This agreement aims to strengthen the cooperative framework with small businesses amid increasing global supply chain uncertainties in the steel and secondary battery industries. Major affiliates of the POSCO Group are participating jointly for the first time. The key elements of the agreement include: support for cooperative small businesses through the Cooperative Growth Network Loan; recommendations for outstanding companies and linkage with policy projects; expanded information exchange in industrial fields; and the establishment of a cooperative system to enhance supply chain competitiveness. Currently, approximately 90 companies are participating in the Cooperative Growth Network Loan program, which is in its third year. KOSME plans to expand participation from major corporate groups to broaden support for small businesses and actively respond to global supply chain restructuring. The Cooperative Growth Network Loan is designed to foster a collaborative ecosystem between large and small businesses. When a large or mid-sized company that has signed an agreement with KOSME recommends a small business, KOSME prioritizes providing low-interest production funds based on the order. This financial product supports up to 80% of the order amount as short-term funding within 365 days. Ban Jeong-sik, KOSME's Director of Regional Innovation, stated, "This agreement with the POSCO Group, which leads the domestic steel and secondary battery industries, will serve as a meaningful example of cooperation between large and small businesses. We will lead stable funding for cooperative small businesses and the stability of various industrial supply chains through the expansion of the Cooperative Growth Network Loan support."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 17:58:54

NongHyup Accepts Direct Election for Members, Maintains Stance on Audit Committee The NongHyup (National Agricultural Cooperative Federation) has announced its acceptance of a direct election system for its members as part of ongoing reforms, which also include the establishment of an audit committee. However, the organization maintains that the audit committee will serve to enhance internal auditing functions. Kang Ho-dong, Chairman of NongHyup, made this announcement on May 21 during a statement titled 'A Letter to Agricultural Members and the Public' at the NongHyup headquarters. This followed an emergency meeting of the joint emergency response committee, attended by over 60 members, including the committee chair, committee members, and executives from across NongHyup. Kang stated, "We will actively accept the direct election system with an open mind and a sense of responsibility," adding that NongHyup recognizes the need for a more democratic and accountable electoral system. However, he expressed concerns about potential regional conflicts, politicization of NongHyup, and the adverse effects of money-driven elections that could arise from implementing the direct election system. He emphasized the urgent need for institutional support, such as a public election system, to mitigate excessive election costs, which could reduce funding for member support. Regarding the establishment of the audit committee, Kang voiced apprehension, stating, "There are concerns that overlapping regulations and increased personnel and operational costs could undermine the overall autonomy and stability of management." He asserted that NongHyup would thoroughly enhance its internal auditing functions and seek effective measures that align with public expectations, while also engaging in public discussions involving academia, farmers' organizations, and stakeholders. Kang also indicated that improvements in governance and fairness in executive nominations would be addressed internally. He pledged to implement 13 self-innovation tasks recommended by the NongHyup Reform Committee to create tangible changes that agricultural members and the public can feel. The NongHyup Reform Committee serves as an official forum for discussions on structural reforms and improvements within NongHyup. Kang positioned NongHyup as a partner in the government's push for agricultural policy transformation, stating, "We will introduce a basic income for farmers and fishermen, expand solar income villages, and innovate agricultural product distribution, while also addressing labor shortages in rural areas to bring hope to agriculture and rural communities." He further committed to investing 93 trillion won in productive finance and 15 trillion won in inclusive finance over the next five years to support economic growth and assist low-income households. He also announced plans to expand the number of subsidized smart farms, which cover 75% of project costs, to 2,000 locations to establish a profitable agricultural foundation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 17:57:00

Safety Concerns Rise Amid Ongoing Deep Underground Construction Issues Concerns over safety have intensified following the discovery of rebar omissions in the GTX-A line construction and repeated ground subsidence near the Naeseong Underpass in Busan, which opened just three months ago. Both construction sites involve deep underground work, with depths exceeding 40 meters. As urban congestion increases, the frequency of deep underground projects has risen, yet the regulatory framework has not kept pace with international standards. As of May 21, the construction progress of the Yeongdong-daero underground complex development project is at 57.91%. This large-scale underground infrastructure project has a total budget of 1.7 trillion won. Errors in construction were identified late at the Samsung Station site, where rebar omissions were confirmed on the fifth underground level. Out of 218 columns in the entire platform, 80 were found to be missing rebar, with 50 of those failing to meet design standards. The primary rebar was supposed to be installed in two rows but was incorrectly placed in one. The issue is compounded by the fact that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport only confirmed the omissions last month, despite Hyundai Engineering's initial report to the Seoul city government in November. The city explained the delay by stating, "We finalized the reinforcement plan in April after checking the applicability on-site." The city reported the issue to the Korea National Railway Authority six times, but the authority claimed it was not fully aware of the situation. An official stated, "While some related information was included in the reports by section, it was not considered a separate report." The GTX-A Samsung Station section is being constructed under the authority's oversight. In Busan, ground subsidence has occurred multiple times at the entrance of the Naeseong Underpass within a month. The city is investigating the possibility of inadequate backfilling after deep underground construction using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) but has not found any direct signs of abnormalities. Concerns about construction errors and insufficient post-construction management are being raised simultaneously. Experts point out that the current regulatory gaps are increasing the risk of accidents. The Seoul Institute published a report in September 2022, stating, "There is a general absence of regulations and standards related to deep underground construction." Since the GTX project began, the demand for underground urban rail and deep roads has surged due to a lack of available land and challenges in expanding surface infrastructure, making deep underground utilization an unavoidable choice. However, legal and regulatory frameworks remain in their infancy. A special law on deep underground construction proposed in 2020, which included penalties for safety and environmental violations, was not passed and has since been discarded. Currently, related laws are scattered, with only partial adherence to the Integrated Development of Underground Railways Act and the Underground Safety Act. Deep underground construction occurs at much greater depths than typical underground projects, necessitating a more precise approach due to varying ground conditions, groundwater flow, and hydrogeological characteristics. However, existing underground environmental impact assessments and safety management plans are primarily designed to prevent ground subsidence and do not adequately reflect the characteristics of deep underground construction. Comparing with international practices highlights a significant gap. Japan enacted the "Special Measures Law on Public Use of Deep Underground" in 2000, establishing systematic standards. During the construction of the Tokyo Outer Ring Road, they implemented a system for public disclosure of progress and long-term safety monitoring. The Seoul Institute recommends that project owners regularly check whether monitoring plans established during the design phase are being implemented as intended on-site, and take corrective actions as necessary. Suggested measures include establishing a real-time monitoring data sharing system, regular verification by third-party experts, and the introduction of a resident participation monitoring committee.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 17:54:30

CJ Olive Young to open first US store in Pasadena next week SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - CJ Olive Young is set to open its first U.S. store next week, tapping into the world's largest beauty market. Located on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena's main shopping district in California, the store is scheduled to open on May 29, along with the launch of its U.S.-only online mall. The South Korean version of America's multi-brand beauty retailer Sephora will carry more than 5,000 beauty products from about 400 health and cosmetics brands. More than 80 percent of them will be South Korean brands. Facing stiff competition from local rivals and global brands including Apple, Lululemon, and Tiffany & Co., it will refresh its product lineup and store layouts as often as every two weeks to keep pace with fast-changing trends. The sprawling single-story store, covering 803 square meters, will also have an in-store space where customers can test devices, receive free skin consultations, and get personalized tips. Separately, its U.S. online store will be run through a new logistics center in Bloomington, California, which was built in March and is expected to cut delivery times from five to seven days to three to five days, while also reducing shipping costs compared with international delivery. "We will introduce South Korean beauty products to local customers including those unfamiliar with them, in a market long dominated by a handful of large foreign brands," said Olive Young CEO Lee Sun-jung. 2026-05-21 17:53:26

Former mimiirose member Hyori releases duet single 'Neutron Star' SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Hyori, former member of K-pop girl group mimiirose, has released a new duet single, "Neutron Star," with rookie vocalist Yuni, her agency Pocket7 Entertainment said Thursday. The digital single was released on major streaming platforms on May 16. Neutron Star is a ballad that uses images of the night sky and outer space to describe longing for someone who has grown distant but still exerts an emotional pull. The track pairs Hyori’s delicate vocals with Yuni’s deeper tone, focusing on the contrast between the two female vocalists. The single marks Hyori’s first major release as a solo artist since mimiirose disbanded in April, signaling a shift in musical direction from her girl group era. Pocket7 Entertainment said Hyori is currently working on a solo album targeted for release in June. Neutron Star is available on major music streaming platforms. 2026-05-21 17:50:35

Director Lee Sang-yeob and Kim Jae-won Discuss 'Yumi's Cells' and Shin Sun-rok Every work contains numerous perspectives. Although the director and actors share the same space and time, their experiences may differ. 'Choi Song-hee's B-Cut' focuses on the vivid behind-the-scenes moments that go beyond the 'A-Cut' captured on screen. It reconstructs the 'B-Cut' moments that were even more intense than the completed frames through interviews with the director and actors. <Editor's Note> TVING's original series 'Yumi's Cells 3' (written by Song Jae-jung and Kim Kyung-ran, directed by Lee Sang-yeob) depicts the romance between Yumi (played by Kim Go-eun), now a star writer, and Sun-rok (played by Kim Jae-won), who unexpectedly enters her mundane life. Based on the webtoon of the same name, 'Yumi's Cells' has captured Yumi's life, love, and growth from its first season in 2022 to its third season in 2026.Director Lee Sang-yeob, known for his work on dramas such as 'Mr. Baek,' 'Shopping King Louie,' 'Revenge of Others,' 'A Wife Knows,' 'My Solo Love,' 'Half and Half,' and 'My Youth,' has guided 'Yumi's Cells' through all three seasons. The third season serves as the final chapter of Yumi's growth and love story, with Shin Sun-rok at its center. Kim Jae-won portrays Shin Sun-rok, Yumi's last love and the culmination of her long journey."It would be a lie to say I felt no pressure. It felt like being introduced as 'my boyfriend' by a precious daughter during a holiday gathering. Sun-rok is like a unicorn, a younger man without flaws. So, there was some pressure. But thinking back, it's an opportunity to play a fantasy-like role. I've always given my best in every project, but this time, I feel like I poured in 200% instead of 100%." (Kim Jae-won)Director Lee Sang-yeob noted that he saw Kim Jae-won's effort to manage that pressure. Rather than focusing on achieving perfect synchronization, he recognized Sun-rok's potential in Kim's attempt to maintain composure despite the tension."When Jae-won walked in, I thought, 'Oh? It's Sun-rok.' Being a rookie actor, he couldn't help but feel nervous. His efforts to hide that nervousness reminded me of Sun-rok. When I saw him sitting neatly, I thought, 'That's how Sun-rok would be,' and I found that endearing. I thought, 'If it's Jae-won, he can do it.'" (Director Lee Sang-yeob)The tone of the romance was crucial. Sun-rok needed to be youthful but not frivolous, affectionate but not overly sentimental. Kim Jae-won carefully calibrated Sun-rok's excitement while being mindful of this delicate balance."I thought it shouldn't be overly sentimental. As a younger man, he needs to convey love, but he must still appear masculine and evoke excitement without crossing into sentimentality. I determined that there's a fine line between sentimentality and excitement." (Kim Jae-won)What did Director Lee and Kim Jae-won find appealing about Sun-rok? Director Lee identified the character's core as 'twists,' while Kim Jae-won highlighted 'straightforwardness' as a key aspect of the character."I think the fundamental aspect is 'twists.' Even when there are twists, if there's no charm, it falls flat, but Sun-rok is genuinely honest and healthy. He has no prejudices. He is a wonderful young man who loves someone steadfastly and runs toward them, making him admirable as a man." (Director Lee Sang-yeob)"Sun-rok's greatest charm is his straightforwardness. Like the 'one-track general' cell in the series, once he decides, 'I love this woman,' and 'I will protect her for life,' he charges ahead without calculation. That's why he ends up marrying Yumi, right?" (Kim Jae-won)When did Sun-rok first develop feelings for Yumi? Kim Jae-won believes the answer lies in the second confession scene in the series. Despite trying to suppress his feelings due to the principle of maintaining a professional relationship, Yumi had already become an integral part of Sun-rok's life."In my interpretation, Sun-rok's journey is revealed when he says during the second confession, 'I think I liked the writer from the beginning.' That seems accurate. His feelings for Yumi grew, but due to the principle of not dating someone related to work, he forced himself to cut off his feelings. Perhaps he had a crush from the start and gradually became fond of Yumi through Kim Joo-ho. What began as curiosity turned into affection, and he may not have even realized how deep his feelings for Yumi had grown." (Kim Jae-won)Thoughts on the age difference between Yumi and Sun-rok were also discussed. Director Lee believes that the age gap enhances the dynamics of their relationship and adds to the drama's appeal, while Kim Jae-won noted that he focused on the romance without worrying about the age difference."Through seasons one and two, Yumi has matured, and in the original work, there aren't many conflicts in her relationship with Sun-rok. A drama needs conflict, but since there isn't any, we ultimately decided to introduce the keyword 'age gap.' The age difference was intended to add fun when Yumi has a crush on Sun-rok." (Director Lee Sang-yeob)"I didn't pay any attention to the age difference. Although I'm younger than Go-eun noona, she's such a lovely person that I approached the role with a mindset of loving her in reality. I was able to immerse myself in that feeling." (Kim Jae-won)'Yumi's Cells 3' consists of eight episodes, shorter than the previous seasons, which had 14 episodes each. While this brevity may be disappointing, the production team opted for a more concise conclusion to Yumi's growth, life, and love story."Seasons one and two had 14 episodes each, and I thought, 'Wow, that was long.' Haha. When we decided to conclude Yumi's story about growth and life, it raised many questions. We debated how many episodes to have. The final conclusion from the production team was, 'Even if it's disappointing, let's go with eight episodes.' We aimed to wrap up Yumi's story in an enjoyable way." (Director Lee Sang-yeob)"I can't control the number of episodes in the project. Haha. I also wondered why it was shorter than the previous series, but I think it's because Sun-rok, unlike previous characters, charges ahead once he is certain. Of course, a longer format would be great, but even in a shorter format, I believe I must give my best performance as Sun-rok." (Kim Jae-won)'Yumi's Cells' has been a series that follows not just a love story but also Yumi's journey to becoming the protagonist of her own life. For Director Lee, season three represents the conclusion of a work and a farewell to the viewers who have supported Yumi for so long."I am truly grateful. 'Yumi's Cells 3' would not have been possible without the love and support of the fans. The fans raised Yumi. Thank you for supporting, cheering, and applauding until the end. Every time I read comments saying, 'I was moved by the last scene,' I felt, 'The viewers share my feelings.' Thank you for being with us until now." (Director Lee Sang-yeob)"I believe 'Yumi's Cells' has taken a long journey from seasons one to three. I feel proud to have been part of it until the end. As a viewer who followed Yumi's perspective, I hope she lives happily." (Kim Jae-won)* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 17:49:07