February Variety Star Brand Reputation Rankings Announced
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February Variety Show Brand Reputation Rankings Announced
The Korean Business Research Institute has revealed this month’s brand reputation rankings for variety shows! The rankings were determined through an analysis of the consumer participation, interaction, media coverage, community awareness, and viewership indexes of 50 popular variety programs, using big data collected from December 4 to January 4. Audition program “Miss Trot 4” held onto its spot at No. 1 on the list this month with a brand reputation index of 8,155,371, marking a 63.12 percent increase in its score since January. High-ranking phrases in the show’s keyword analysis included “viewership ratings,” “all hearts,” and “death match,” while its highest-ranking related terms included “compete,” “sob,” and “surpass.” The program’s positivity-negativity analysis also revealed a score of 93.80 percent positive reactions. “King of Active Singers 3” maintained its position at second place with a brand reputation index of 6,644,270, marking a 101.16 percent rise in its score since last month. “How Do You Play?” shot to third place after seeing a 166.97 percent increase in its brand reputation index, bringing its total score to 6,007,683 for February. “Home Alone” (“I Live Alone”) took fourth place with a brand reputation index of 5,690,479, marking a 96.69 percent increase in its score since last month. Finally, “You Quiz on the Block” rounded out the top five with a brand reputation index of 4,329,968, marking a 45.04 percent rise in its score since January. “Miss Trot 4” “King of Active Singers 3” “How Do You Play?” “Home Alone” (“I Live Alone”) “You Quiz on the Block” “My Little Old Boy” “Running Man” “Love Call Center – Seven Stars” “Radio Star” “I Am Solo” “Knowing Bros” (“Ask Us Anything”) “Whenever Possible” “2 Days & 1 Night Season 4” “Extreme84” “Gayo Stage” “Divorce Camp” “Immortal Songs” “The King of Mask Singer” “National Singing Contest” “Dad and I”
Ha Jung Woo Cautiously Responds To Reports Of July Wedding
Ha Jung Woo has responded cautiously to reports that he may be getting married this summer. On February 4, MHN Sports reported—citing multiple wedding industry officials—that Ha Jung Woo was planning to hold his wedding around July. His bride-to-be is reportedly a non-celebrity, and the ceremony is expected to be held privately at a venue in Seoul. On the same day, Ha Jung Woo’s father, actor Kim Yong Gun, shared in a phone interview with a reporter, “They are getting married because they care for each other. Thank you for the congratulations.” MHN Sports also reported that a wedding hall official revealed, “Ha Jung Woo’s side has recently been personally visiting several wedding venues in Seoul. He appeared to be carefully checking details such as guest capacity, event flow, and security.” Another industry insider added, “While the exact date has not been finalized, it is true that discussions have taken place around a timeframe near July.” However, speaking to Sports Chosun, Ha Jung Woo expressed surprise at the reports, saying, “If I were to get married, I thought it might be in the summer.” He continued, “The July wedding comment seems to have been something my father said casually. I had mentioned wanting to marry my girlfriend in the summer, but nothing has been decided yet.”
Kim Seon Ho's Agency Releases Official Statement Regarding Tax Evasion Allegations
Kim Seon Ho’s agency Fantagio has issued a new statement regarding recent tax evasion allegations. Earlier this week, a news outlet reported that Kim Seon Ho is running a family-run production agency, alleging that he may have engaged in tax evasion through this corporation. At the time, Fantagio denied the tax evasion allegations stating that there are no issues related to their exclusive contract or activities between Kim Seon Ho and Fantagio. On February 4, Kim Seon Ho’s agency Fantagio released the following official statement: Hello. This is Kim Seon Ho’s agency Fantagio. We would like to provide additional factual details and our position regarding Kim Seon Ho’s one-person corporation, which has recently been reported in the media. Establishment and operation of the corporation Kim Seon Ho established a corporation in January 2024 for his acting activities and for theater production. From the time the corporation was established in January 2024 until before his new contract with Fantagio began in February 2025, settlement payments for his activities during that period were received through that corporation. Suspension of corporate operations After recognizing that the operation of the corporation itself could lead to misunderstandings, Kim Seon Ho halted its operation. For more than the past year, there has been virtually no activity conducted through the corporation in any practical sense. Contract with Fantagio From the date the exclusive contract between Fantagio and Kim Seon Ho was signed in February 2025 up to the present, we have been making settlement payments directly to the actor as an individual. We clearly state that, in the process of contracting between Fantagio and Kim Seon Ho and in relation to his activities, the corporation has no connection whatsoever. Corporate closure procedures As a preemptive measure to correct the way the corporation was operated at the time—something he was unaware of—Kim Seon Ho returned all past items including the corporation’s card usage records, family salary payments, and the corporate vehicle. Regarding the amounts previously settled through the corporation, he has completed additional payment of personal income tax, on top of the corporate tax that had already been paid. He is currently proceeding with the procedures to close the corporation, and the administrative process is expected to be finalized soon. Kim Seon Ho is deeply reflecting on the fact that he established and maintained the corporation for about a year while lacking sufficient understanding of how corporate operation works. He sincerely bows his head in apology. We also apologize for causing confusion and concern, and we will do our utmost to ensure more thorough management of all aspects of our artists’ activities going forward. Thank you.
February Rookie Idol Group Brand Reputation Rankings Announced
The Korean Business Research Institute has revealed this month’s brand reputation rankings for rookie idol groups! The rankings were determined through an analysis of the consumer participation, media coverage, interaction, and community awareness indexes of various rookie idol groups, using big data collected from January 4 to February 4. “BOYS II PLANET” group ALPHA DRIVE ONE shot to the top of this month’s list after seeing a massive 196.30 percent increase in their brand reputation index since January, bringing their total score to 1,226,510. High-ranking phrases in ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s keyword analysis included “EUPHORIA,” “ALLYZ,” and “music show,” while their highest-ranking related terms included “skilled,” “powerful,” and “youthful.” The group’s positivity-negativity analysis also revealed a score of 89.48 percent positive reactions. ILLIT held onto their spot at second place with a brand reputation index of 1,206,568, marking a 16.74 percent rise in their score since last month. TWS came in at a close third with a brand reputation index of 1,124,412, marking a 4.75 percent increase in their score since January. CORTIS maintained their position at fourth place with a brand reputation index of 1,013,718, marking a 9.95 percent rise in their score since last month. Finally, Hearts2Hearts climbed to fifth place with a brand reputation index of 713,816, marking an 8.83 percent increase in their score since January. ALPHA DRIVE ONE ILLIT TWS CORTIS Hearts2Hearts KiiiKiii BABYMONSTER KickFlip izna idntt XLOV eite SAY MY NAME MEOVV KATSEYE RESCENE ARTMS UNIS A1 IDID BE BOYS AHOF NEXZ SPIA tracer CLOSE YOUR EYES NOWZ (formerly NOWADAYS) Geenius HORI7ON Baby DONT Cry
2026 Actor Fan Meeting Tour Masterlist
If you want to see stars from your favorite K-dramas and films, actor fan meetings provide great opportunities to meet them. *Tour criteria: at least one stop located outside of Korea, Japan, or China.*Updated February 3 January 2026 January 10 Kang Tae Oh "O'Hour" - Seoul (Sungshin Women's University Woonjung Green Campus Grand Hall)Yuri "YURIVERSE" - Taipei (Zepp New Taipei) January 17 Lee Dong Wook "MY SWEET HOME" - Shanghai (JIXI Show Hall)Lee Junho "Typhoon Family" Drama Fan Meeting - Macau (Broadway Theatre) January 18 Kang Tae Oh "O'Hour" - Bangkok (KBank SiamPic Hall) January 30 Lee Jong Suk "With:Just Like This" FINAL ENCORE - Tokyo (NHK Hall) January 31 Lee Chae Min "Chaem-into you" - Tokyo (NHK Hall)Lee Dong Wook "MY SWEET HOME" - Taipei (Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium)Lee Je Hoon "Our 20th Moment" - Tokyo (Nissho Hall)Lee Junho "Typhoon Family" Drama Fan Meeting - Bangkok (Chaengwattana Hall ) February 2026 February 1 Lee Je Hoon "Our 20th Moment" - Osaka (Matsushita IMP Hall) February 7 Kim Young Kwang "Pages of Glory" - Tokyo (Yurakucho Asahi Hall) February 12 Lee Dong Wook "MY SWEET HOME" - Osaka (Grand Cube Osaka) February 13 Kang Tae Oh "O'Hour" - Tokyo (Zepp Haneda) February 14 Lee Dong Wook "MY SWEET HOME" - Tokyo (International Forum Hall A) February 21 Kang Tae Oh "O'Hour" - São Paulo (Vibra São Paulo) February 23 Kang Tae Oh "O'Hour" - Santiago (Teatro Caupolicán) February 27 Kang Tae Oh "O'Hour" - Mexico City (Centro Banamex) February 28 Lee Je Hoon "Our 20th Moment" - Seoul (COEX Artium) March 2026 March 7 Keum Donghyun "Our Golden Time" - Seoul (Gabin Art Hall)Lee Je Hoon "Our 20th Moment" - Shanghai March 14 Keum Donghyun "Our Golden Time" - Hangzhou March 21 Keum Donghyun "Our Golden Time" - Tokyo (TIAT SKY HALL) March 27 Lee Je Hoon "Our 20th Moment" - Taipei April 2026 April 11 Lee Dong Wook "MY SWEET HOME" - São Paulo (Vibra São Paulo)Lee Je Hoon "Our 20th Moment" - Kuala Lumpur April 14 Lee Dong Wook "MY SWEET HOME" - Mexico City (Teatro Metropólitan) May 2026 May 10 Keum Donghyun "Our Golden Time" - Qingdao
Comedienne Ahn Young Mi Expecting Her Second Child
Comedienne Ahn Young Mi has shared the happy news that she is pregnant with her second child! On February 2, a representative of Ahn Young Mi shared, “Ahn Young Mi is pregnant with her second child. She is due to give birth to a baby boy in July.” Ahn Young Mi also personally announced the pregnancy that day through MBC FM4U’s “2 O’Clock Date with Ahn Young Mi.” On the show, she expressed her excitement and also opened up candidly about her worries ahead of the birth of her second child. Ahn Young Mi said, “I started to worry because I feel like I’m not even taking proper care of my first child.” She continued, “I grew up lonely, so I really wanted to give my first child a younger sibling. And since I’m also of advanced maternal age, I decided because I thought if it wasn’t now, it wouldn’t happen.” Ahn Young Mi married her non-celebrity husband, who is an office employee of a foreign company, in February 2020, and the couple has a son. Congratulations to the happy family!