Latest news with #NatePann
Pink Villa
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Song Da Eun reignites BTS' Jimin dating rumors with remarks on trouble with K-pop idol boyfriend
BTS member Jimin was embroiled in an alleged romantic relationship with actress Song Da Eun back in 2022-23. The speculations died down after she clarified that the rumors were unfounded. Recently, on June 3 a post on online discussion portal Nate Pann included details of the actress' latest revelations regarding her dating a K-pop idol and the unfavourable consequences of the same. It brought renewed attention to the Jimin dating rumours. Song Da Eun's comment on her idol boyfriend As per the Nate Pann post, Song Da Eun accepted that she was currently dating a K-pop idol during a live broadcast and it was causing her and her family immense mental strain. She mentioned that the fans of her boyfriend were unhappy regarding their relationship and even made comments regarding her seducing him. The fans allegedly also harassed her family members and thus, Song Da Eun was greatly troubled due to her love life. The fan quoted her saying, "I hope you go through the same thing that you put my family through. Like, please. I hope you get the punishment you deserve. Seriously, I wish the worst upon you." She also denied claims of being the first to approach her idol boyfriend and emotionally said that she did not deserve all the hate just because of her dating choices. "Just because the idol you love loves me doesn't mean I deserve to be hated. It's not like I made the first move. So please, stop coming at me," she stated. She also probed legal action saying that netizens alleged that she would be sued for using another celebrity's name for fame, however, as per her, it was they who would get sued for defaming her. Why do fans think that Jimin was Song Da Eun's idol boyfriend? Song Da Eun faced unwanted fan rage when details of her alleged relationship with BTS' Jimin came to light in 2022-23. The issue stemmed with her sharing a post from a hotel in Jamsil on the day of the BTS' concert in the area. Her recent comments on receiving hard criticism due to her dating a beloved idol led fans to speculate that she might be talking about Jimin.
AFP
11-04-2025
- Politics
- AFP
Chinese-language poster in S.Korea reignites baseless foreign infiltration claims
"As expected, the Democratic Party and the Chinese are in cahoots," reads an April 7 post on a South Korean online forum Nate Pann. "It gives me the chills," the post goes on to say. "The Chinese say they protected our country's freedom. This is insane." It features an image showing a simplified Chinese-language poster alongside a partial Korean translation that reads: "The Constitutional Court has upheld Mr. Yoon's impeachment. We won!" "In 123 days since December 3, we have finally driven the forces that dreamed of dictatorship out of the Republic of Korea!" the poster continues. "This is not just a victory for South Korea's democracy and civil society, but also a lighthouse of hope for all nations fighting for democratisation." Image Screenshot of the Nate Pann post taken April 10, 2025 Other posts on X, Threads, Facebook and a news report from South Korean news outlet Asia Today shared similar images. They surfaced a few days after the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled to oust impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol over his disastrous martial law declaration (archived link). They also circulated against the background of a resurgence in anti-Chinese misinformation. The former leader has defended his shock move claiming external forces, North Korea, and anti-state elements were working together to threaten national security and sovereignty (archived link). He specifically accused unidentified Chinese individuals of flying a drone to photograph Seoul's spy agency building and a US aircraft carrier docked in Busan. But an AFP analysis found the Chinese-language poster was in fact created by a local group. Information for tourists AFP found the poster near Seoul's Gwanghwamun Gate, located at 12 Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, on April 9 (archived here and here). The gate is the main entrance to a royal palace from the Joseon Dynasty, Korea's last kingdom, and is popular among foreign tourists. The area served as a key site for mass anti-Yoon protests in the lead-up to his ouster. AFP confirmed the location by comparing the buildings seen behind the poster to those visible in the background of the photo shared in false posts. Image Screenshot of the Nate Pann post (left) and the Chinese-language poster located at 12 Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul taken on April 9, 2025 (right), with corresponding elements highlighted by AFP In fact, it bears a disclaimer in Korean printed in a small font that reads: "This is an informational picket voluntarily created by citizens who frequently receive questions from foreigners at the rallies." It also features a QR code in the bottom right corner, which links to a Google Forms page for general inquiries (archived link). Image Photo of the Chinese-language banner at 12 Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, taken by AFP on April 9, 2025 (left) and screenshots showing the banner and a linked Google Forms page (right) An AFP journalist fluent in Chinese analysed the poster's text and found signs it had been translated from Korean. These include a Chinese character often used as a placeholder for names in legal documents, and the phrase "lighthouse of hope", which sounds unnatural and is uncommon in standard Chinese usage. Similar posters attached to a nearby tree in other languages stated they were put up by supporters of the South Korean rally organiser "Bisang Action" (archived link). "Dear tourists, the large protest and the crowd may have surprised you!" read one of them written in Korean, Chinese, English, Japanese, Thai and German. Image Posters put up by South Korea rally organiser 'Bisang Action' offering information about mass protests in central Seoul's Gwanghwamun area in multiple languages for foreign tourists (AFP / Hailey JO) They offered brief information about the rallies in the area and included requests, such as asking visitors not to take close-up photos of protesters' faces. Scanning the QR code on the English-language poster directed readers to the same Google Forms page. AFP has debunked other misinformation surrounding the political crisis sparked by Yoon's martial law and his subsequent impeachment.
Korea Herald
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Stars give back to fans in 'reverse tribute' trend
'Does being a K-pop fan put food on the table?' is a common phrase in Korea, often used to criticize fans for being overly absorbed in their favorite idols. But these days, some fans can confidently answer, yes -- sometimes it literally does. It's becoming increasingly common for K-pop stars to bring meals, coffee and small gifts for fans who show up to their events and performances. There's even a new term for it in Korea: 'Yeokjogong,' which roughly translates to "reverse tribute." While jogong — a k-pop slang term — refers to fans giving gifts to stars, yeokjogong has it reversed: stars giving back to their fans. Even industry insiders aren't sure exactly when this tradition began. Kim Hee-jin, a k-pop fan in her 30s, remembers noticing the trend around 2017. 'At first, it was coffee trucks and hand warmers,' she said. 'Then groups started handing out sandwiches, doshirak (boxed meals) and even products they were endorsing. It started with food, but then it expanded to beauty products and more. I remember when HyunA's gifts of beauty products went viral.' She was referring to HyunA's generous gifts to fans, including coffee, cardholders, luxury-brand lipsticks and puffer jackets, which became a sensation in 2019. In a 2022 interview on a YouTube channel, HyunA said, 'I feel more love when I'm giving gifts than when I'm receiving them.' 'I don't worry about the money when giving to my fans. I want to do it while I can afford it. I know I won't be earning this much forever,' she added. Another K-pop fan, Song Min-joo, 30, believes that MBC's Idol Star Athletics Championships, a TV show that debuted in 2010, played a key role in shaping this culture. 'The filming lasts all day and usually happens in gymnasiums outside Seoul. Stars began offering snacks and lunches to fans who traveled so far to support them,' Song said. 'It also gave fans an opportunity to compare what each star gave -- or didn't give.' An official from a local entertainment company explained that the cost of these gifts is usually covered by the stars themselves. 'If it's a smaller entertainment company, the artist might just hand their credit card to the manager and pay for the gifts directly. For larger agencies, it might later be calculated as part of their overall spending," the insider said. "In most cases, the artist covers the cost, but there are times when the agency splits it as well. It's hard to generalize because it varies so much." However, what started as a thoughtful gesture has recently sparked controversy. On Dec. 31, a post titled 'A summary of the currently controversial Gayo Daejejeon reverse tributes' went viral on Nate Pann, a popular online forum. The post listed the gifts that K-pop artists prepared for fans at the year-end Gayo Daejejeon music festival hosted by MBC. For example, the girl group NewJeans provided hot packs, cookies, water, doshirak (including sandwiches, inari sushi and tarts), juice and blankets. Meanwhile, boy group Stray Kids offered three kinds of fruit sandwiches, cookies, hot packs and photo cards. Those artists who did not prepare anything had a blank next to their names on the list. This detailed list made it easy for fans to compare the gifts, sparking mixed reactions. Some criticized stars who didn't offer anything, calling them inconsiderate, while others pointed out that it's not mandatory for stars to bring something for their fans. One fan commented, 'These idols make a lot of money, and their careers rely on fan support. Stars have been preparing small gifts for fans for a while now. If I were an idol, I'd want to do something for my fans to lift their spirits.' Another countered, 'Reverse tributes weren't always a thing, so why are they suddenly treated like a requirement? Sure, waiting in line all day for a performance is exhausting, but fans shouldn't expect something every time. The culture of comparison is really toxic.'
