SEOUL, June 1 — South Korea’s entertainment industry has entered a peculiar season of self-censorship. As the country gears up for major elections, K-pop stars and celebrities find themselves navigating a minefield where seemingly innocent choices—from a hair color to a hand gesture—can be perceived as political statements.

The latest controversy to engulf the industry unfolded in the final days of May 2026, just ahead of the June 3 local elections.

On May 30, popular rapper and entertainer Lee Young-ji made an innocent post on her Instagram story: "Isn't the hair color pretty?" accompanying a selfie of her freshly dyed red locks. A follow-up photo showed her paired the new hair with a matching red T-shirt. The timing, however, proved disastrous.

The post triggered immediate backlash on Korean online communities. Critics pointed out that repeatedly exposing a color associated with a specific political party during the early voting period was highly inappropriate. Adding to the fuel, Lee's post featured the song "REDRED" as background music.

What happened next became the story. Within 24 hours, Lee Young-ji had not only deleted the controversial post but also rushed to dye her hair back to black. On May 31, she issued a lengthy apology alongside a new photo showing her black hair.

"I must have startled many of you by posting such an untimely story," she wrote, explaining she received many direct messages from people concerned. "So many people DM'd me about it that I felt sorry and wanted to remedy the situation as quickly as possible, so I rushed to dye my hair. ... Even though I was well aware that this is an important time, my desire to communicate came first". She concluded: "I won't hide behind the cowardly excuse of ignorance; I will reflect and learn from this".

Lee Young-ji's experience is far from an isolated incident. During election season, the colors red and blue have become a de facto "traffic light" in the entertainment world.

Red: Off-limits, as it is the official color of the conservative People Power Party (PPP). During the early voting period, wearing red clothing or dyeing hair red can be interpreted as showing support for the party.

Blue: Also banned, as it is the color of the main liberal opposition, the **Democratic Party of Korea (DPK)**.

Yellow and green: Also associated with minor political parties like the Green Justice Party.

The scrutiny doesn't stop at colors. Hand gestures, emojis, and even numbers have become potential traps. During the recent election period, a female idol from the group ODD YOUTH accidentally flashed a "V" hand sign during a live broadcast and was instantly horrified, frantically signing numbers one through five to prove her neutrality. The "V" sign, also called the "peace" sign, can be seen as a reference to candidate numbers on the ballot.

Perhaps the most infamous example of the phenomenon occurred in May 2025, as the country prepared for a presidential election. Karina, the leader of the popular girl group aespa, posted a seemingly innocent casual photo on Instagram. The image showed her wearing a black jacket adorned with a red pattern and the visible number "2," accompanied by a simple red rose emoji.

She was quickly labeled "conservative Karina" and "No. 2 voter Karina" by critics. Her agency, SM Entertainment, issued an apology, stating she had "absolutely no other intention or purpose". Months later, a visibly shaken Karina offered an emotional apology on a YouTube show, revealing her guilt over how the scandal had affected her aespa members.

This controversy gave a name to an unspoken rule in K-pop: the "no color, no gesture" guideline during elections.

The mounting scrutiny has forced idols to evolve. With each election, a new "political survival guide" emerges, and the strategies are increasingly creative.

Some idols have taken to posting black-and-white photos to preemptively neutralize any color-related controversy, a trend that has been praised as "socially aware". Others have abandoned the "V" sign altogether, replacing it with casual hand waves or even clenched fists as a greeting. The extreme caution was demonstrated by the group B1A4, who during a recent live broadcast, chose to film the entire session using a black-and-white filter to completely eliminate the risk of any color being misinterpreted.

While the entertainment industry rushes to adopt these precautionary measures, a parallel debate has ignited online. Some observers argue that the scrutiny has crossed the line into unreasonable overreaction. They point out that unless a celebrity explicitly expresses support for a specific candidate or political party, it is unfair to infer political intentions solely based on colors or outfits. Others counter that celebrities, as public figures, have a responsibility to remain neutral and avoid controversy.

As the June 3 election approaches, the spotlight remains on every move, post, and selfie. For Korea's celebrities, the simplest acts of sharing daily life have become a tightrope walk, where the line between personal expression and political statement grows increasingly blurred.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — Eight individuals, including the parents of a nine-year-old boy who died after falling from the 13th floor of an apartment in Taman Cahaya Ampang on Sunday, have had their statements recorded to assist investigations.

According to Sinar Harian, Ampang Jaya district police chief ACP Khairul Anuar Khalid said the investigation is ongoing and the case remains under probe.

“So far, eight people have given their statements,” he said when contacted on Tuesday.

He added that the post-mortem on the victim had been completed at Ampang Hospital.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday, involved a nine-year-old boy who was found dead after reportedly being alone at home.

The case is being investigated under Section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — Former Damansara MP Tony Pua said today he is likely to be charged in court over his Facebook post regarding the Rukun Negara, after police recorded an additional statement from him at Bukit Aman this morning.

Pua said he was called in for further questioning after the investigation papers were returned by the Attorney General’s Chambers to Bukit Aman for additional questions.

“I am fully prepared to defend my innocence, and more importantly, rigourously defend spirit of the Rukun Negara, and the sanctity of the Federal Constitution in Court of Law,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Pua said he attended the 11.30am meeting with his lawyer, Sangeet Kaur Deo, and described the session with the police officers as courteous, cordial and professional.

He said the questioning lasted no more than 30 minutes, but noted that his latest statement classified him as a suspect, unlike his previous statement where he was interviewed as a witness.

“So it appears that the balance of probabilities have shifted, where I’m likely to be charged in Court within the next couple of weeks,” he added.

Pua said the additional questions mostly concerned the definition of the word “decree” and other matters linked to his Facebook post.

“My response was that the meaning of the post is per what I wrote, but I’ll be happy to provide additional elaboration if required, in Court,” he said.

Pua had previously been called by police over the Facebook post linked to the Rukun Negara and the Federal Constitution, after police reports were lodged against him.

In May, police said the case was being investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which concerns statements conducing to public mischief, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which covers improper use of network facilities or services.

JOHOR BARU, June 1 — All eyes are on Johor today amid speculation that the state assembly could be dissolved.

According to the New Straits Times, Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi is scheduled to hold a special press conference at his official residence at 5pm.

The announcement, eagerly awaited across the political divide, is expected to pave the way for state polls.

MORE TO COME

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — PAS yesterday endorsed Parti Wawasan Negara’s bid to join Perikatan Nasional (PN), as party president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia was free to decide whether it wanted to remain in the Opposition coalition.

According to Harian Metro, Hadi said PAS was open to accepting Parti Wawasan Negara into PN and that the majority of the coalition’s component parties had agreed to the move in line with its constitution.

“PAS supports and accepts Parti Wawasan Negara joining PN.

“The cooperation between PAS and Parti Wawasan Negara is not a new alignment; rather, we are strengthening what already exists. We will further energise PN,” he told reporters after the RESET Convention in Tanah Merah, Kelantan, yeserday.

Also present were Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau, Reset movement founder Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, PN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.

Hadi added that PAS remained committed to strengthening PN, noting that the coalition’s current chairman was from the Islamist party.

“PAS agrees to accept Parti Wawasan Negara into PN because PAS is open. It is after the majority of component parties, in accordance with the constitution, agreed to accept Parti Wawasan Negara.

“The process is that when a party wishes to apply to join PN, it must submit an application and we will bring the matter to a meeting,” he said, as reported by the national daily.

Asked about Bersatu’s position in PN, Hadi said the matter was for the party itself to decide.

“We have already parted ways with Bersatu and it is up to that party whether it wants to leave or walk away because that is its own matter,” he said.

The development comes after PAS officially decided to end its political cooperation with Bersatu on June 8.

Speaking at the same convention earlier, Hamzah, who is the Larut MP, announced that he and the RESET movement would operate under Parti Wawasan Negara, describing it as a platform for cooperation with PAS and other like-minded parties.

“Many people have asked me which party I, together with RESET, will be under. Here, I wish to announce that I will be with Parti Wawasan Negara.

“The name was given by Ayah Chik (Abdul Hadi).

“This party has just been born and is still taking its first steps. We want to work together with PAS, Gerakan and other parties. Insya-Allah, we will come together to build a consensus,” he said.

SEOUL, June 2 — Pickleball is gaining momentum across South Korea, with participation rising among both younger and older players and public facilities struggling to keep up with demand.

According to reporting by The Korea Herald, the sport has shifted from a niche pastime for seniors to a fast‑growing recreational activity attracting office workers, foreign residents and former tennis players. The trend has become visible enough that Seoul opened a 14‑court pickleball complex at Gwangnaru Hangang Park in April, one of the city’s largest dedicated facilities.

Coaches say pickleball’s accessibility is a major driver of its growth. Cho Min‑jung, a former Korea Tennis Association board member who converted her indoor tennis centre into a pickleball venue, told the Herald that worsening economic conditions have pushed more people toward sports that require less time, money and physical strain than tennis. She noted that beginners can rally almost immediately, making the sport easier to pick up.

Google Trends data cited by Korea Herald shows Korean search interest rising through 2024 and surging sharply toward the end of 2025, reflecting the sport’s growing visibility.

Celebrity mentions have helped fuel interest, mirroring trends seen in the US.

Variety‑show personalities such as Jun Hyun‑moo and martial artist Choo Sung‑hoon have featured the sport on television, while BTS members Jin, V and RM recently discussed playing pickleball during a livestream. Videos of the group playing overseas circulated widely online, drawing attention from younger fans.

Foreign residents familiar with pickleball from abroad have also contributed to early growth. Korean American players interviewed said expat groups created spreadsheets and community guides to help people find courts, which later drew in more local players.

The sport’s rapid rise has created pressure on public courts. Lee Chul‑hee, former president of the Seongdong‑gu Pickleball Association, told the Herald that overcrowding is now common, especially in areas like Seoul Forest where multiple clubs share limited space.

Some groups have begun renting private gymnasiums to secure playing time, raising concerns about unequal access.

Lee also noted that some outdoor hard courts are tough on seniors’ knees, even though older players remain a significant part of the community.

Despite questions about whether pickleball might be another short‑lived lifestyle trend, players and coaches interviewed by The Korea Herald believe the sport has staying power. They point to its affordability, social nature and suitability for casual exercise — factors that align with broader shifts in how younger Koreans approach leisure.

Community estimates cited in the article suggest there were roughly 5,000 players in 2023, but participation has risen steadily as more courts and clubs appear nationwide.

SEOUL, June 2 — More couples will soon be able to hold weddings at Korea’s royal palaces, with the Korea Heritage Service set to expand its outdoor wedding program to Deoksugung next year.

The agency told The Korea Herald that the initiative, launched in April at Gyeongbokgung Palace, was designed to ease wedding costs for young couples while opening historic palace spaces to the public. The response was immediate: 293 couples from 15 countries applied for just 16 available slots.   

Following the strong demand, the Heritage Service increased the number of participating couples from 16 to 28 and extended the program by two weeks. The fall season will now run across six weekends from October to early November, with two ceremonies held each Saturday and Sunday near the ginkgo tree at the National Palace Museum of Korea inside Gyeongbokgung.

Each wedding can host around 100 guests, and couples may choose either a modern ceremony or a traditional Korean one. The museum provides the venue, an indoor reception hall and up to 1 million won (US$660) in event support.   

Beginning next year, the program will operate in both spring and fall. As part of the expansion, the agency is considering the lawn in front of Seokjojeon Hall at Deoksugungas an additional venue, marking the first time the program will extend beyond Gyeongbokgung.   

KUANTAN, June 14 — The Pahang Department of Environment (DOE) said no acid contamination had been detected in Sungai Cherating following a hydrochloric acid spill from an overturned tanker near the Cherating Bridge yesterday.

The department said the accident site was about 100 metres from the river.

Water samples taken at three locations within the surrounding mangrove area recorded a normal pH level of six.

“Meanwhile, pH monitoring using YSI equipment in Sungai Cherating recorded a reading of 9.4, indicating that no acid contamination had occurred in the river,” the DOE said in a statement today.

DOE enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of the accident involving a tanker carrying hydrochloric acid at about 8.45am yesterday to assess any potential environmental impact.

Initial investigations found that the tanker, which had been transporting nearly 25 tonnes of hydrochloric acid from Pasir Gudang in Johor to Kemaman in Terengganu, had overturned.

“The Fire and Rescue Department successfully sealed the air vent at the rear of the tank to prevent a larger spill.

“An estimated 1,000 litres of the chemical was released and subsequently neutralised using soda ash, with no further leakage detected,” the statement said.

The DOE said any release of pollutants found to be in breach of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 would be thoroughly investigated, with enforcement action taken where necessary.

It added that regular monitoring would continue at the site and surrounding areas to ensure there were no delayed environmental effects and that clean-up measures were fully implemented.

JOHOR BARU, June 1 — Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi has accused DAP of using government‑linked company (GLC) positions as political bargaining chips, following controversy over a purported offer involving Skudai assemblyman Marina Ibrahim.

Puad claimed the matter came to light when Marina allegedly rejected a proposal to contest the Tiram state seat in exchange for a GLC post. He said DAP had frequently criticised other parties for making political appointments in GLCs, describing such practices as unethical and unprofessional, yet was now guilty of the same.

“DAP is worse. The offer was made even before winning an election. It would be different if an appointment came after the polls, to recognise someone’s position as an assemblyman who was not made an Exco member or minister,” he wrote.

Puad further alleged that Johor DAP chairman Teo Nie Ching’s assurance to Marina demonstrated the party’s influence over Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, adding that similar issues could arise in Selangor and Penang.

He challenged DAP to disclose the names of its assemblymen and leaders — including those without elected positions — who hold GLC posts at federal and state level.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — Five men have been arrested over an alleged robbery scheme in which victims were lured through fake profiles on the dating app Grindr before being threatened and relieved of their valuables, Johor police said today.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the suspects, aged between 21 and 28, were believed to have targeted men by posing as potential romantic partners and arranging meetings through the social media platform.

According to The Star, the group is suspected of carrying out at least nine such robberies in Johor Bahru between January and May this year.

Ab Rahaman said victims were persuaded to meet the suspects for dates before being brought into a vehicle.

He said other members of the group would then allegedly appear and identify themselves as security personnel, accusing the victims of engaging in inappropriate activities in public places.

“The victims were threatened and assaulted before their personal belongings, including debit and credit cards, jewellery and cash, were taken from them,” he told a press conference in Johor Bahru.

Investigators also believe the victims were coerced into disclosing the PIN numbers to their bank cards, which were allegedly used to withdraw cash and purchase gold items.

Police said nine men aged between 25 and 40 had lodged reports over incidents that took place in the Taman Pelangi and Kampung Melayu Majidee areas, with total losses estimated at RM315,220.

Ab Rahaman said officers from the Johor Bahru South district police headquarters tracked down the suspects and arrested them in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, at about 11.30am on May 30.

Several items believed to be linked to the case were seized during the operation, including five mobile phones, a car, debit cards, jewellery and documentation relating to gold purchases.

The police chief said all five suspects had previous records involving robbery and drug-related offences, although urine tests conducted on them returned negative results.

He added that investigation papers had been submitted to the Johor prosecution office and that three of the five suspects were expected to be charged at the Johor Bahru Sessions Court tomorrow.

Police are also seeking another local man to assist in the investigation.

TAIPEI, June 12 — When two of Mandopop’s biggest names casually decide to share a microphone, the internet doesn’t exactly stay calm.

Fans were sent into meltdown mode this week after Jay Chou and JJ Lin teased — and swiftly delivered — an unexpected musical collaboration.

It all started when Jay, 46, posted a photo with the Singaporean singer on Instagram on Tuesday, revealing that JJ would be covering one of his latest songs.

“Which of my new songs would everyone like to hear JJ Lin cover? Stay tuned tomorrow at noon!” Jay wrote, referring to JJ by his fan-bestowed nickname, the “walking CD” — a nod to his reputation for sounding just as flawless ‘live’ as he does on record.

The cryptic post immediately triggered a wave of speculation, with fans trying to guess which track would get the JJ treatment.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jay Chou 周杰倫 (@jaychou)

Some eagle-eyed followers pointed out that JJ had previously hummed part of Jay’s recent release It Rained That Day during a livestream, fuelling suspicions that the duo had been planning something behind the scenes.

Others wondered if the photo had been snapped during filming for Jay’s travel variety series J-Style Trip, given the pair’s long-standing friendship and habit of popping up in each other’s projects.

As it turned out, fans didn’t have to wait very long for answers.

Later that same evening, JJ uploaded a video of the two stars singing a portion of It Rained That Day together.

“Lovin’ the duet vibes – jamming with the GOAT,” JJ captioned the clip.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by JJ Lin (@jjlin)

The short video was enough to send fans into overdrive, with many praising the effortless harmonies between the Mandopop heavyweights.

But admiring the vocals quickly turned into demands for something bigger.

Calls for a proper collaboration flooded the comments section, with fans pitching everything from an original duet to a full-blown joint concert.

“When can we see them perform together again?” one fan asked, while another joked: “When are you two releasing a song together? I’ve waited so long my hair has turned white.”

A third summed up the collective mood with a simple request: “Give us a JJJay concert!”

Others were just excited by the prospect of seeing more of the duo’s chemistry on the upcoming season of J-Style Trip.

The surprise appearance was so unexpected that one fan admitted to spending “five seconds checking if they were the real ones”.

In fairness, that’s not entirely unreasonable. The singers’ celebrity lookalikes had previously gone viral online for staging their own unofficial “collaboration”.

This time, though, the real Jay and JJ showed up — and fans are already hoping it’s only the opening act.

SEOUL, June 2 — Singer Psy has been referred to prosecutors on allegations that he received prescriptions for psychotropic medication without undergoing required in‑person medical examinations.

According to Chosun Ilbo, police said the artist — whose real name is Park Jae‑sang — was among six individuals sent to prosecutors without detention on suspicion of violating the Medical Service Act. Those referred include a university hospital professor who issued the prescriptions and Psy’s manager, who allegedly collected the medication on his behalf.

Police said Psy is suspected of receiving prescriptions for the psychotropic drugs Xanax and Stilnox from February 2022 to July 2024 without face‑to‑face consultations. Under Korean law, only patients who have been directly examined by a doctor may receive such prescriptions, and only the patient themselves may collect them.

Authorities noted that exceptions exist for patients who are unconscious or unable to move, but said Psy does not fall under those categories. Violations of the Medical Service Act carry penalties of up to one year in prison or fines of up to 10 million won.

Xanax and Stilnox are commonly used to treat anxiety, sleep disorders and depression, and are classified as medications requiring strict oversight due to their dependency risks.