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Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Robby Soave's ex-wife breaks her silence after her conservative star husband left her for his gay lover
The ex-wife of political pundit Robby Soave has broken her silence after the Rising host publicly announced his engagement to his gay lover last week. Carrie Soave was married to Robby, her high school sweetheart, for almost a decade until they quietly divorced last year. Last week, Robby, who turns 37 next month, shocked the Washington D.C. social set when he abruptly announced that he was engaged to his new boyfriend, a Korean-American med student named Jie Jung Shih. Publicly, Carrie has kept a low profile since Robby's proclamation, but the HR specialist finally addressed the scandal in an exclusive statement to on Tuesday. Carrie, 35, shared that she's 'healing' and has been focused on her new life in Michigan since the dissolution of her nine year marriage. 'I am not as well-known as my former-husband, but I don't need to be. I know exactly who I am and what I am and am not,' she said. 'I am not someone who needs attention and external validation to prove that I am important. 'Am I loved' is a question that I stopped asking myself a long time ago and I think that says a lot about the life I have now,' she continued. 'The love I have in my life is very real, and the things in it are very fulfilling. I don't ever wonder whether I matter because that is clear to me every day.' Carrie also pushed back against some of the homophobic abuse that Robby has received online since his engagement was announced. 'I firmly believe that people should be defined by their actions and how they regard others and not by sexual preference,' she said. As for the future, Carrie admitted that her divorce had been difficult, but that she was thankful to be moving forward. 'Hurt is real. But so is healing. Divorce is a difficult thing, but it doesn't have to be devastating when you have love and strength behind you,' she said. 'Moving on with my life came with a lot of clarity about myself and I only wish the same for anyone going through it. I am happy that that chapter in my life is closed and I'm enjoying the new one I'm in,' she continued. 'I don't need anything else from the world because I already have the people and the things I need to feel whole. For me, that is a true blessing.' Carrie left Washington after her divorce was finalized last year and is now spending time with her family in her home state of Michigan, where she is rebuilding her life from scratch and has opened a consulting business. Carrie's full statement I don't know why this conversation is occurring, because it isn't important. This only registered in my life to the extent that people in it, who were there for me through my divorce, did not want to see me hurt by anything further with regard to that situation. For me, the saddest part about this story is that the conversation surrounding it was very hurtful to a lot of people who had nothing to do with it. For that pain, I am very sorry. I firmly believe that people should be defined by their actions and how they regard others and not by sexual preference. I am not as well-known as my former-husband, but I don't need to be. I know exactly who I am and what I am and am not. I am not someone who needs attention and external validation to prove that I am important. 'Am I loved' is a question that I stopped asking myself a long time ago and I think that says a lot about the life I have now. The love I have in my life is very real, and the things in it are very fulfilling. I don't ever wonder whether I matter because that is clear to me every day. Hurt is real. But so is healing. Divorce is a difficult thing, but it doesn't have to be devastating when you have love and strength behind you. Moving on with my life came with a lot of clarity about myself and I only wish the same for anyone going through it. I am happy that that chapter in my life is closed and I'm enjoying the new one I'm in. I don't need anything else from the world because I already have the people and the things I need to feel whole. For me, that is a true blessing. This comes after Carrie issued a private statement to her close friends on Instagram earlier this week, which was obtained by In the emotional post, Carrie admitted that she hadn't looked at her ex-husband's engagement photos and wanted to keep it that way 'for her own peace.' 'I have really tried to handle this with as much care and grace as I can muster,' she told her friends and family. 'Being early in the first wave of divorce for my peers, I wanted to set a tone that is respectful and dignified - two things that I believe everyone deserves, no matter what,' she continued. Taking the high road, Carrie also spoke out against the 'bigotry, cruelty and vitriol' that had been sent Robby's way online. Due to Robby's prominence in conservative media, the libertarian pundit has received waves of homophobic abuse from right wing trolls since going public with his same-sex relationship. 'The online world is not real life, but it contains real people and I am so sorry to anyone who felt hurt, unseen, or disrespected in the wake of this,' Carrie wrote. 'Please hear me - you matter, you are valuable and loved and you deserve care and respect,' she continued. 'I am sorry if this reopened wounds or brought ugliness into your feed or your heart. And I mean that for the two people in the post too. I would never want to inflict anyone with that kind of pain.' Robby is best known as the co-host of The Hill's morning show Rising, as well as for his regular appearances on Fox News and his role as a senior editor at the libertarian magazine Reason. Last week, he shocked his followers when he abruptly announced his engagement to male med student Jie Jung Shih. Soave popped the question with a Tiffany and Co. ring over candles and champagne in Taormina, Sicily, while the pair were on a romantic getaway together. Announcing the news on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote, 'Some personal news from my Sicily trip earlier this month, in case anyone missed it: I got engaged!' There was no mention of Soave's longtime wife Carrie, who he celebrated his ninth anniversary with in Positano, Italy, back in October, 2023. Robby and Carrie were high school sweethearts who went on their first date back in 2004. The Rising host often posted photos with Carrie on Instagram, and was never shy when it came to gushing about their marriage. In a 2019 post, he wrote, 'Today, five years ago, @carriesoave and I got married, following just over 10 years of dating that began when we were in high school and continued through college and after. 'Despite having to spend years and years and years apart from each other, we always knew where we wanted to end up: Together. I love you so much babe!' While celebrating their wedding anniversary in 2023, Soave gushed, 'Could not be more overjoyed to celebrate nine years married to @carriesoave! 'The most wonderful woman on earth, and the love of my life. Of course it's actually been a lot longer… we fell in love as high schoolers in the early 00s. There's no one else I'd rather travel the world with. Italy is almost as beautiful as you!' The former couple were often seen out at events in Washington, D.C., and would dress up together on Halloween. Robby hasn't posted anything with Carrie since their ninth wedding anniversary in late 2023. Last fall, Carrie officially left D.C. to return home to Michigan to be with her family and to open a consulting business. Discussing her move with the Grosse Pointe News in March, Carrie said, 'My family is here and I'd been wanting to come back.' hears that the Soaves' split has been the talk of the town in D.C.'s social circles since the news got out. While some are happy to see Robby out of the closet, the overwhelming sympathy is with Carrie, who was with Robby for 17 years before fleeing D.C. for a 'fresh start' in Michigan after their divorce was finalized. Others have said that Robby's sexuality has been part of the D.C. gossip mill for years, so few people were surprised to see him end up with a man. One insider said, 'He's acting like we should all be celebrating his engagement less than a year after his breakup with Carrie!' They added, 'Everyone here in D.C. is talking about it and none of it's good.' Robby hasn't shared much about his relationship to fiance Shih, but he did tell Politico that they met at a bar on U Street in D.C. and that it was 'love at first sight.' contacted Robby and Carrie for comment. Since publicly sharing his engagement, Soave has been inundated with cruel and often homophobic comments from his followers. 'The amount of extremely homophobic comments this is getting is truly astounding and disgusting,' wrote one person. 'Why can't people just be happy for other people's happiness? The haters had no call to spew their irrational hatred like that. Very disappointed. Idiots never stop to amaze.' Despite the backlash, Soave has received support from a number of other prominent political pundits, including former Rising co-hosts Kim Iversen and Ryan Grim. 'Congratulations Robby! Wishing you both many great years ahead!' Iversen gushed. Soave is a decorated journalist who made it onto Forbes' 30 under 30 list in 2016. He's published two books, is a regular on Fox News and is currently the longest-serving co-host on Rising, which is one of YouTube's biggest political talk shows. His partner Jie Jung Shih is a student at the Georgetown University School of Medicine. Shih is active in the LGBTQ+ community, and was one of a group of med students who volunteered at Capital Pride Festival in Washington last year.


Hype Malaysia
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
(Video) The Reason Why 'K-pop Demon Hunters' Star Arden Cho Was In Malaysia Recently
Even a month after its release, 'K-pop Demon Hunters' remains Netflix's most-streamed animated film on the platform. On top of that, the soundtrack made history by outperforming actual K-pop idols, including BTS and BLACKPINK, on several US music charts. The voice cast and singing voices behind the characters have also been actively promoting the film, making special appearances, giving interviews, sharing behind-the-scenes insights, and even collaborating with fellow idols and content creators. However, no one quite expected Arden Cho (아덴 조), the film's lead star, to be in Malaysia recently, and it turns out her visit wasn't necessarily to promote 'K-pop Demon Hunters'. Here's why she was here: Over the weekend, Korean-American actress Arden Cho revealed on Instagram that she had recently attended an event in Kuala Lumpur. The voice of Rumi, the main character in 'K-pop Demon Hunters', was apparently invited as a special guest to the inaugural Malaysia Bridal Fashion Week. As seen in the photos she shared, the actress wore a stunning, sparkly, feathered white gown by luxury brand The Gown Atelier, completed with jewellery from Tiffany & Co. According to Malay Mail, she recently got engaged to her unnamed fiancé, so the timing of her appearance at the fashion event seemed perfect, offering her a preview of some exquisitely crafted wedding dresses to consider for her big day. The 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' live-action star also posted a video showcasing a sneak peek of what went down on the day she attended the show. Shortly after posting on social media, Malaysian fans were both thrilled and surprised by Arden Cho's unannounced visit to Kuala Lumpur. Many praised how stunning she looked at the event, while others expressed their hope that she enjoyed her stay in the country. In other news, Arden Cho also teamed up with singer-actor Cha Eun-woo (차은우) for a special cover of 'Free', a duet between Rumi and Jinu from 'K-pop Demon Hunters'. The collab instantly went viral, especially since the ASTRO member was one of the character design inspirations for Jinu. Here's how Arden Cho's day in Malaysia went: A preview of her and Cha Eun-woo's cover of 'Free': Sources: Instagram (1)(2), MalayMail


Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Roaring back: Kevin Woo finds new fame as the voice behind K-Pop Demon Hunters' Lion Boyz
Kevin Woo, a K-pop veteran from U-KISS, is experiencing a career resurgence through the animated film 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' where he voices the lead singer of Lion Boyz. Their single, "Your Idol," impressively reached #14 on Billboard's Hot 100. Woo is also preparing a solo single, a U-KISS reunion, and acting roles in U.S. films, including Anderson . A Familiar Lion with a Brand-New Roar Kevin Woo 's listeners have exploded from barely ten thousand to over 2.1 crore since he lent his velvet falsetto to "Mystery," the charismatic lead singer of the animated group Lion Boyz in the upcoming film K-Pop Demon Hunters . The movie's first single, "Your Idol," even clawed its way to #14 on the Billboard Hot 100-a feat that would make many fourth-gen idols green with envy. For Woo, who debuted with U-KISS back in 2008, voice-acting an idol felt less like a detour and more like a homecoming: "I saw my old self in every frame," he quips, half-proud, half-nostalgic. Studio Sessions, Subway Sandwiches & Sleepless Nights Recording took the Korean-American singer ping-ponging between New York and L.A., powered by cold brews and way too many foot-long subs. Under the watchful ears of vocal director Lee Jae and musical overseer Ian Eisendrath, Woo experimented with everything from hushed whispers to rock-opera belts to give Mystery dimensional swagger. Unlike a concert where a wink or a dab can rescue a shaky note, studio booths demand pure vocal storytelling. "Every syllable had to hit like a killer choreo move nobody sees," he laughs-perhaps a gentle nod to every trainee currently sweating through monthly evaluations. Why Gen Z Can't Get Enough Gen Z stans aren't just streaming; they're dissecting Easter eggs. Many recognize Woo as part of K-pop's early international push-U-KISS toured Manila and Jakarta when passports were still rare flexes among Seoul idols. In 2025, however, his comeback feels fresh , not retro. The Lion Boyz concept taps into the same cinematic universe now occupied by Across the Spider-Verse and Arcane : stylized animation, hyper-catchy OSTs, and lore deep enough to spawn fan theories longer than a Tolstoy chapter. For desi fans posting stan art from Bengaluru dorm rooms, Woo's journey frames K-pop not as a monolith but as a playground where music, anime aesthetics and global identity collide. What's Next on Kevin's Playlist Woo is readying a solo digital single, plotting a U-KISS sub-unit reunion, and polishing lines for two U.S. features: K-POPS! (helmed by Anderson .Paak) and the indie horror flick Death Name . If rumors hold, a small-venue tour could follow, with ticket prices expected to hover around ₹4,500-a sweet spot for college wallets that already scrape together ₹999 for official lightsticks. Industry insiders whisper that the Lion Boyz soundtrack might spawn a deluxe EP; Woo simply drops a sly emoji when asked. About Kevin Woo Kevin Woo is a Korean-American singer born in 1991 who debuted as a member of U-KISS in 2008 and remained active for over a decade. Originally from California, his fluent English and Korean skills played a crucial role in K-pop's global expansion, and he's now expanding his career into solo music, voice acting, and film roles. He's currently experiencing a renaissance through the animated film 'K-Pop Demon Hunters.'


Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kevin Woo reacts to 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' success: 'I saw my old self in every frame'
Kevin Woo 's Spotify monthly listeners have exploded from barely ten thousand to over 2.1 crore since he lent his velvet falsetto to "Mystery," the charismatic lead singer of the animated group Lion Boyz in the new film ' K-Pop Demon Hunters '. For Woo, who debuted with U-KISS back in 2008, voice-acting an idol felt less like a detour and more like a homecoming. "I saw my old self in every frame," he quiped. Studio Sessions, Subway Sandwiches and Sleepless Nights Recording took the Korean-American singer ping-ponging between New York and L.A., powered by cold brews and way too many foot-long subs. Under the guidance of director Lee Jae and musical overseer Ian Eisendrath, Woo experimented with everything from hushed whispers to rock-opera belts to give Mystery dimensional swagger. "Every syllable had to hit like a killer choreo move nobody sees," he laughs-perhaps a gentle nod to every trainee currently sweating through monthly evaluations. Why Gen Z Can't Get Enough Gen Z stans aren't just streaming; they're dissecting Easter eggs. Many recognize Woo as part of K-pop's early international push-U-KISS toured Manila and Jakarta when passports were still rare flexes among Seoul idols. In 2025, however, his comeback feels fresh, not retro. The Lion Boyz concept taps into the same cinematic universe now occupied by 'Across the Spider-Verse' and 'Arcane'. What's Next on Kevin's Playlist Hot on the film's buzz, Woo is readying a solo digital single, plotting a U-KISS sub-unit reunion, and polishing lines for two U.S. features - 'K-POPS!' helmed by Anderson Paak and the indie horror flick 'Death Name'. If rumours hold, a small-venue tour could follow. Industry insiders whisper that the Lion Boyz soundtrack might spawn a deluxe EP; Woo simply drops a sly emoji when asked. About Kevin Woo Kevin Woo is a Korean-American singer born in 1991 who debuted as a member of U-KISS in 2008 and remained active for over a decade. Originally from California, his fluent English and Korean skills played a crucial role in K-pop's global expansion, and he's now expanding his career into solo music, voice acting, and film roles. He's currently experiencing a renaissance through the animated film 'K-Pop Demon Hunters.'


Business Wire
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
PCB Bancorp Announces Extension of Stock Repurchase Plan
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PCB Bancorp (the 'Company') (NASDAQ: PCB), the holding company of PCB Bank, announced that on July 23, 2025, its Board of Directors extended the term of the Company's stock repurchase program for an additional year, to expire on July 31, 2026. The stock repurchase program, which was first adopted on August 2, 2023, authorizes the repurchase of up to 720,000 shares of the Company's outstanding common stock and, as previously extended, was scheduled to expire on August 1, 2025. As of July 23, 2025, the Company has repurchased and retired 291,527 shares of its common stock, leaving an aggregate of 428,473 shares authorized for repurchase under the stock repurchase program. Under the stock repurchase program, the Company may purchase shares of its common stock through various means such as open market transactions, including block purchases, and privately negotiated transactions. The number of shares repurchased and the timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases will be determined at the Company's discretion. Factors include, but are not limited to, stock price, trading volume and general market conditions, along with the Company's general business conditions. The program may be suspended or discontinued at any time and does not obligate the company to acquire any specific number of shares of its common stock. As part of the stock repurchase program, the Company intends to enter into a trading plan adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The 10b5-1 trading plan would permit common stock to be repurchased at a time that the Company might otherwise be precluded from doing so under insider trading laws or self-imposed trading restrictions. The 10b5-1 trading plan will be administered by an independent broker and will be subject to price, market volume and timing restrictions. About PCB Bancorp PCB Bancorp is the bank holding company for PCB Bank, a California state chartered bank, offering a full suite of commercial banking services to small to medium-sized businesses, individuals and professionals, primarily in Southern California, and predominantly in Korean-American and other minority communities. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent plans, estimates, objectives, goals, guidelines, expectations, intentions, projections and statements of our beliefs concerning future events, business plans, objectives, expected operating results and the assumptions upon which those statements are based. Forward-looking statements include without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and are typically identified with words such as 'may,' 'could,' 'should,' 'will,' 'would,' 'believe,' 'anticipate,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'aim,' 'intend,' 'plan,' or words or phases of similar meaning. We caution that forward-looking statements are based largely on our expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond our control, including but not limited to the health of the national and local economies including the impact on the Company and its customers resulting from any adverse developments in real estate markets, inflation levels and interest rates; the impacts of the restatement of our consolidated financial statements at and for the quarter ended March 31, 2025; material weaknesses in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that we have identified or may identify; the impacts of sanctions, tariffs and other trade policies of the United States and its global trading partners and tensions related to the same; the Company's ability to maintain and grow its deposit base; loan demand and continued portfolio performance; the impact of adverse developments at other banks, including bank failures, that impact general sentiment regarding the stability and liquidity of banks that could affect the Company's liquidity, financial performance and stock price; changes to valuations of the Company's assets and liabilities including the allowance for credit losses, earning assets, and intangible assets; changes to the availability of liquidity sources including borrowing lines and the ability to pledge or sell certain assets; the Company's ability to attract and retain skilled employees; customers' service expectations; cyber security risks; the Company's ability to successfully deploy new technology; acquisitions and branch and loan production office expansions; operational risks including the ability to detect and prevent errors and fraud; the effectiveness of the Company's enterprise risk management framework; litigation costs and outcomes; changes in laws, rules, regulations, or interpretations to which the Company is subject; the effects of severe weather events, pandemics, wildfires and other disasters, other public health crises, acts of war or terrorism, and other external events on our business. These and other important factors are detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other filings the Company makes with the SEC, which are available without charge at the SEC's website ( and on the investor relations section of the Company's website at Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements presented herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise, except as required by law.