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Watch: BTS’ V, Park Seo Joon, Choi Woo Shik in ‘Jinny’s Kitchen’ Spin-off Teaser

Business is open again! The cast of variety show Jinny’s Kitchen reunites in its spin-off series Visiting God of Communication: Jinny’s Kitchen. 

On Wednesday, September 27, Channel Fullmoon released the teaser for its highly-anticipated spin-off. 

In the one-minute teaser, BTS’s V, Park Seo Joon, Choi Woo Shik, Jung Yu Mi and Lee Seo Jin were seen strengthening their teamwork. The cast members participated  in a series of recreation activities and games.

For those unfamiliar, the six cast members already took part in Jinny’s Kitchen. It is a popular reality show created by producer Na Yeong Seok or Na PD.

In the said series, Lee Seo Jin acted as the CEO of the restaurant. Meanwhile, actress Jung Yu Mi was appointed as the Director while actor Park Seo Joon was the General Manager. Lastly, actor Choi Woo Shik and Kim Taehyung of BTS complete the cast as interns. 

What we know about Visiting God of Communication

First, the teaser kicked off with the production crew receiving an anonymous phone call. Then,  an undisclosed employee reported: “It seems like the boss is not interested in his employees anymore.” Notably, Na PD mentioned that the team did not seem to communicate well.

With the situation arising, CEO Seo Jin hilariously interrogates the team to know who filed the report. Intern Woo Shik adds to the tension by asking, “Who is it?”

The teaser only gets funnier as the cast tries to resolve the problem by having a team-building activity. There, Seo Jin, Yu Mi, Seo Joon, Woo Shik and V got chaotic as they played Jegi Chagi, group skipping, and some indoor games.

With Na PD’s admirable background in producing shows full of wit and entertainment, fans are excited to see what will happen in the Jinny’s Kitchen spin-off. Some of his famous works include 2 Days & 1 Night, New Journey to The West and the Youtube program Game Caterers.

More about Jinny’s Kitchen

To those unaware, Jinny’s Kitchen is a spin-off itself of Na PD’s other reality show Youn’s Kitchen which had two seasons. In the original series, only Seo Jin, Yu Mi, and Seo Joon were part of the cast.

Then for Jinny’s Kitchen, Woo Shik and V joined the culinary crew as interns. There, the cast opened a food restaurant in the city of Bacalar in Mexico, to offer Korean cuisine to the customers.

With the cast’s charming chemistry in the show, fans are much more excited for the upcoming spin-off.

Visiting God of Communication: Jinny’s Kitchen is set to premiere on October 12. As of writing, there are no specific details released yet on whether it will be a whole season or just a single episode.

Featured image: Cast members in the teaser of spin-off ‘Visiting God of Communication: Jinny’s Kitchen.’ Credit: YouTube/Channel Fullmoon

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Son Ye Jin Opens up About Marriage Life With Husband Hyun Bin

Fans are delighted to see Son Ye Jin again as she made her first guesting appearance since getting married and giving birth. 

The actress appeared in the vlog series of South Korean professional golfer Lim Ji Han, which aired on Thursday, September 20. There, Ye Jin talked about playing golf and her family life with husband, actor Hyun Bin. 

Son Ye Jin and how she’s doing lately 

Previously, Ye Jin hinted that she is currently preparing for a project where she has to play golf. “I’m nervous to meet you after a long time. But I’m filming something where I have to play golf in front of the camera,” she said earlier.

https://twitter.com/sonyejinpics/status/1700346345838788669

Fans speculated it was for her comeback drama. But it turns out, the project the actress was referring to was the vlog series Lim Jin Han Class. In the episode, she happily shared about her marriage life with Hyun Bin.

To start off, host Lim Jin Han opened up about the couple’s marriage two years ago. Being one of the guests in the wedding, the host Lim Jin Han shared how the other attendees thought of how lucky Ye Jin and Hyun Bin are to get married to one another. Upon hearing this, Ye Jin jokingly said “Didn’t they say that he is a tad luckier than I am?”

A glimpse of the couple’s golfing life

As most fans would know, Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin are avid golf players. Prior to her recent appearance, Ye Jin has already been a guest of Lim Jinhan Class two years ago.

After tying the knot, she came back on the show, still with her alluring beauty. When the host asked if the couple played golf together, Ye Jin answered that she asked Hyun Bin to play and give advice to her after deciding she wanted to be on the show again. 

The actress also shared that she encouraged Hyun Bin to appear on the vlog series but the actor refused as he wanted to practice more. “You know he is a perfectionist. He said that he would practice hard and get better,”  she said.

On her personal Instagram account, Ye Jin has also been sharing photos of her in golf outfits. The actress’s captions also entertainingly highlights Hyun Bin’s photography skills.

The couple who developed real-life romance after starring in the globally admired drama Crash Landing On You, welcomed their firstborn in November 2022.

Featured image: Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin tied the knot. Credit: VAST Entertainment

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Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’-Inspired Reality Show Sets Premiere Date

Netflix has set a premiere date for the reality television spin-off of their hit series, Squid Game. Titled Squid Game: The Challenge, the show is set to drop on November 22. The show’s teaser unveiled the date. This one-minute video offers fans a peek at the competition, featuring familiar scenes, sets, and outfits from the record-breaking South Korean series.

Squid Game: The Challenge | Official Teaser | Netflix

The biggest Netflix competition series

“The biggest Netflix show ever becomes the biggest competition series,” the teaser proclaimed. Netflix first teased this version of Squid Game in June 2022. It’s not a life-or-death competition like its fictional counterpart, but there’s still a lot on the line. The stakes? The largest cash prize in reality television history. A total of 456 players will compete to take home a whopping $4.56 million. As the teaser aptly put it, “People do a whole lot worse for a whole lot less.”

Squid Game: The Challenge retains the competitive and ruthless spirit of the original. “Through a series of games, each player will be pushed to their limits and forced to ask themselves just how far they’ll go to win,” Netflix elaborated. They also teased “cutthroat strategies, opportunistic alliances, and timely betrayals” among the contestants.

For those unfamiliar with it, the original Squid Game is a nine-part fictional survival drama released in September 2021. It explores the lives of individuals facing dire circumstances, competing for a life-changing sum of money in a perilous game. In January 2022, Netflix confirmed a second season for the series. Unlike the cast, the release date remains undisclosed.

Squid Game: Season 2 | Cast Announcement | Netflix

Collaborations and adaptations

The 10-episode reality competition will feature games inspired by the original show, along with some new additions. This venture is a co-production between Studio Lambert (The Circle) and The Garden (24 Hours in A&E).

Interestingly, one of YouTube’s top US creators, MrBeast, previously recreated aspects of the South Korean drama’s set and hosted games featured in the show, such as “Red Light, Green Light.” In lieu of the lethal element, all 456 players wore a special device. It simulated the effect of a bullet shot upon their elimination.

Squid Game: The Challenge will be available exclusively on Netflix. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: We at K-Pop Life will definitely tune in. How about you? Source: YouTube/@Netflix.

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Netizen Breaks Down Park Gunwook’s Impressive Rapping on ‘Knowing Bros’

On September 23, the popular variety show Knowing Bros aired its Chuseok special. The episode featured a star-studded lineup, including ZEROBASEONE’s Kim Jiwoong and Park Gunwook. It was filled with laughter and entertaining moments, but Gunwook stole the show with his rapping.

형님들의 마음을 뒤흔드는 건욱의 아형 헌정 자작 랩💙 | 아는 형님 402회 | JTBC 230923 방송

An entertaining and relevant rap

Gunwook, visibly flustered while dancing with Seo Janghoon, looked significantly more relaxed as he performed a freestyle rap about Knowing Bros. It was evident that Gunwook had put considerable effort into crafting his rap, ensuring it was entertaining and relevant to the show. 

Netizen @dearpgw made a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) about how much they enjoyed Gunwook’s rap. They believed it showcased the rookie idol’s great talent, incredible efforts, and his sense to seize the opportunity and make himself shine.

Gunwook’s rap included references to various members of the show, such as Heechul, Kang Hodong, Kim Youngchul, Lee Jinho, Lee Sangmin, Lee Soogeun, Min Kyunghoon, and Seo Janghoon. He cleverly incorporated their catchphrases, characteristics, and notable achievements into his rap, earning admiration and respect from fans and viewers.

Gunwook takes his craft seriously

For instance, Gunwook acknowledged Kang Hodong‘s time as a top Korean traditional wrestler. He likened the comedian to kaisendong, a donburi dish made of a variety of seafood, as a way to show that Hodong is a man of many talents. He also mentioned Seo Janghoon‘s admirable basketball career and association with Yonsei University, showing deep respect for his achievements.

Additionally, Gunwook chose the instrumental of “Nas Is Like” by Nas for his rap, reflecting his admiration for the hip-hop legend. Nas, known for his album Illmatic, is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. During his time on the survival show Wild Idol, Gunwook referred to Nas as his “textbook.” This highlighted Gunwook’s sincerity and dedication to rap, as well as his extensive study of hip-hop history, from old school to new.

Park Gunwook‘s appearance on Knowing Bros was delightful. Aside from showcasing his charms, it also allowed him to prove how seriously he takes his craft. His ability to merge talent and wit sets him apart in the K-pop world. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Gunwook stole the show with his rapping. Source: X/@haobinha.

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Holland Calls Out Mnet for the 18+ Rating of Its Gay Dating Program

K-pop idol Holland, who’s a known member of the LGBTQ+ community, expressed his disappointment about MNet’s 18+ rating for its first gay dating program Provocative Dating Z.

On Wednesday, September 2, Holland, who also stars in the show, criticized the television network. In his series of social media posts, the openly gay singer deemed the age restriction was unnecessary. Since there was no provocative or explicit content, the idol shared that the rating shows Mnet’s unwillingness to allow more access to the program.

“The Mnet dating program ‘Provocative Dating Z’ in which I appeared, has been changed to an age restriction of 18+. I have doubts about it being classified as age-restricted content when it’s a pure same-sex dating program without any provocative scenes,” he said. 

 

Additionally, he wrote: “It deeply saddens me that in Korea, the love of gay individuals is considered unfit for minors to watch.”

Hosted by comedian Lee Eun Ji, the dating program released its first episode on September 6. Said show featured six queer contestants, including Holland, and their journey in the game of romance.

Netizens react, lobby for Holland and LGBTQ+ representation

Upon Holland’s statement, netizens shared their opinions and thanked the idol for speaking up on the matter.

“Thank you for always speaking up about this. Visibility matters and I’m glad you’re in this space to remind others we are enough as we are. Sending love and strength your way,” one wrote.

Known as the first openly gay idol in K-pop, Holland has long been advocating for LGBTQ+ representation and equality. In one of his previous tweets, the idol even mentioned his desire to give dreams and hope to young LGBTQ+ kids. 

For his part, Holland has exhibited pride in promoting queerness as a celebrity. Using his platform, he has presented ideas such as genderless dressing in his artistic endeavors, fulfilling his dreams for the LGBTQ+ community little by little.

Unfortunately, his journey hasn’t been easy. Since coming out, Holland has shared several accounts where he was met with backlash and discrimination.

Featured image: Holland attends a fashion event of Louis Vuitton in Seoul. Credit: Instagram/Holland

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BTS’ V Soars to New Heights on Billboard Charts

After a remarkable solo debut on the Billboard 200, BTSV continues to make waves in the music industry. On September 19, Billboard announced that V had made a triumphant return to its Artist 100 chart, securing the No. 3 spot. This marks his third week on the chart. He’s tied with fellow BTS member SUGA for the second-highest rank achieved by a Korean in Artist 100 history. Jimin, who clinched the No. 1 spot in April, is the only other member to surpass this.

V‘s title track, “Slow Dancing,” made its debut at No. 51 on the Hot 100, Billboard’s weekly ranking of the most popular songs in the U.S. This achievement is particularly notable as it’s V‘s third solo entry on the chart, surpassing his previous releases “Christmas Tree” (which peaked at No. 79) and “Love Me Again” (No. 96).

V‘s solo album Layover also garnered significant attention, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and the Top Album Sales chart. This means Layover was the second best-selling album of the week in the U.S., only behind Olivia Rodrigo‘s Guts. Furthermore, every track from Layover found its place on Billboard’s Digital Song Sales chart, Global 200, and Global Excl. U.S. chart this week.

Congratulations to BTS’ V

“Slow Dancing” secured the No. 2 spot on the Digital Song Sales chart. Meanwhile, his B-side track “Blue” entered at No. 12. His earlier singles “Love Me Again” and “Rainy Days” made a comeback, re-entering the chart at No. 34 and No. 35 respectively. Another B-side, “For Us,” debuted at No. 49. On the Global Excl. U.S. chart, “Slow Dancing” debuted at No. 3, with “Love Me Again,” “Rainy Days,” “Blue,” and “For Us” also making notable appearances.

On the Global 200 chart, “Slow Dancing” marked its presence at No. 4. It was joined by “Love Me Again” at No. 39, “Rainy Days” at No. 59, “Blue” at No. 89, and “For Us” at No. 113.

V‘s solo endeavors have resonated with fans worldwide, leading to these outstanding achievements on the Billboard charts. As the K-pop scene grows, great artists like V are at the forefront, pushing boundaries and setting new records. Congratulations to V on these exciting milestones! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: BTS’ V’s numbers are quite impressive. Source: Twitter/@thvspretty.

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‘Magic Lamp’ Featuring Seventeen’s Jeonghan and Dino Unveils Official Teaser

Get ready for another exciting show, CARATs! SEVENTEEN members Jeonghan and Dino are about to showcase their variety skills in the new travel series titled Magic Lamp.

But what makes the show even more exciting is they’ll be joined by several other Hallyu stars. Other cast members include Kim Jaejoong, Kanghee, Choi Seok Woon, Junpi, and Lee Joo Ahn. 

On Monday, September 18, the show unveiled the official teaser for Magic Lamp. In the 30-second teaser, fans are given a glimpse of how the seven celebrities bonded. 

For those unfamiliar, Magic Lamp is a travel reality program which follows the cast members on their “good-looking” drinking trip. The filming took place in Montpellier, France, which is known to be one of the best vacation spots in Europe. 

Moreover, Magic Lamp will have a total of 10 episodes and it will premiere on September 25. 

Meet the Magic Lamp cast

Prior to the trailer, the show has also been releasing individual posters for each character member. 

First is former TVXQ member Kim Jaejoong, who will lead his castmates as he’s the eldest in the group. In 2023, The 37-year old singer celebrated his 20th debut anniversary.

Another star who will take part in the show is actor Kanghee. He showed his charm in his appearances in the dramas Sky Castle, True Beauty, and Snowdrop. However, for Magic Lamp, he plans to showcase the entertainer side of him.

Meanwhile, SEVENTEEN’s Jeonghan and Dino are already known for their humor in their own web series Going Seventeen. Unsurprisingly, the two idols are expected to showcase more of their skills in their first appearance in a travel reality program.

Also joining the team is singer-actor Choi Seok Won, who goes by the stage name Tan. In 2021, he debuted as a member of CIIPHER but left the group in August 2023. After that, he also kicked off his acting career with his guest appearance in the drama Ghost Doctor.

Lastly, musician and pianist Junpi and rising actor Lee Joo Ahn complete the cast.

With this unique lineup of cast, fans are already anticipating how the chemistry between the members will be in Magic Lamp. In Jaejoong’s Idol Radio appearance, he talked about how he got closer to Jeonghan and Dino while filming. Despite being awkward and unfamiliar at first, they said the cast members kept in touch even when the show wrapped up. 

As proof of their growing friendship, some of the Magic Lamp cast members also attended SEVENTEEN’s Follow concert in Seoul to support Jeonghan and Dino. 

Variety Gods SEVENTEEN

For CARATs, Magic Lamp is another addition to the growing list of variety shows they’ll have to keep track of in 2023. On top of the weekly Going Seventeen episodes. 

First was the already-concluded Bro Marble, which saw members Joshua and Hoshi. 

Then, Seungkwan is set to star in the Netflix survival show The Devil’s Plan. Its first episode will air on September 26.

Lastly, SEVENTEEN has also finished shooting Youth Over Flowers with the well-known producer Na Yeong-seok or Na PD. The 13-member group earned the opportunity to star in the travel variety show after winning a chance on Na PD’s Youtube program Game Caterers. As of writing, details about its release are yet to be announced.

Featured image: The cast members of Magic Lamp. Credit: Twitter/Magic Lamp

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EVNNE’s Keita and Park Hanbin Drop Truth Bombs on The K-Star Next Door

The K-pop scene is no stranger to the rollercoaster of emotions and challenges that budding artists face. Recently, Boys Planet alums Keita, Lee Jeonghyeon, Park Hanbin, and Yoo Seungeon sat down with television personality Jonathan Thona on The K-Star Next Door. This episode was filled with candid confessions, raw emotions, and a glimpse into the world of these talented artists.

On August 1, the K-pop community buzzed with excitement when it was announced that these boys, along with Ji Yunseo, Mun Junghyun, and Park Jihoo, would debut as EVNNE. This project group, formed and managed by Jellyfish Entertainment, promises to bring a fresh wave of talent and music to the industry. During their appearance on The K-Star Next Door, the members opened up about being eliminated from Boys Planet.

EVNNE declares war on ZEROBASEONE! Revealing ‘TROUBLE’ for the first time

Park Hanbin, who’s signed to the same agency as ZEROBASEONE, revealed that he often crossed paths with the members after the show. He admitted to chatting with them individually but said he found interacting with them as a group challenging. 

In a heart-wrenching moment, he confessed that he blocked ZEROBASEONE on social media after the show ended. Why? It broke his heart to see them following his elimination. Of course, now that Hanbin is set to debut in his own group, he feels better about the whole thing.

Why Keita changed his plans

Keita‘s revelations were equally compelling. According to him, he was surprised when he didn’t make the final lineup for ZEROBASEONE. After all, he consistently made the top nine in the first three ranking announcements. 

This unexpected turn of events led Keita to contemplate selling songs he wrote to ZEROBASEONE. However, fate (and Jellyfish Entertainment) had other plans. Upon learning that he had been picked to join EVNNE with other Boys Planet alums, the Japanese producer and rapper decided not to sell his compositions. With a hint of humor, Keita added, “If they want those songs now, they’ll have to call me.”

@kim_caramell_127

#kconsaudiarabia #كيكون2023 #كيكون_الرياض #كيكون #كيكون

♬ original sound – ❤️ (김 카랴밀) ❤️

In other exciting news for K-pop enthusiasts, EVNNE is set to join KCON in Saudi Arabia, which is scheduled for October 6 and 7. Aside from Keita, Park Hanbin, and their bandmates, big names like Oh My Girl and Super Junior will participate in this event too. The convention will take place at the Boulevard Riyadh City, while the concert will light up the Mohammed Abdu Arena. 

Keita and Park Hanbin may not have made the final lineup of ZEROBASEONE, but they’re on their way to great success anyway as part of EVNNE. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Keita and Hanbin were very forthcoming on the show. Source: YouTube/@Diggle.

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Watch: ‘The Devil’s Plan’ Starring Seventeen’s Seungkwan Releases Character Teasers

Netflix Korea has recently released the official trailer for The Devil’s Plan, giving fans a glimpse on their upcoming survival show. Aside from some of the familiar faces, fans are more looking forward to a whole new chapter of brain competition. 

In the two-minute trailer, the 12 participants were  filled with emotions as the contenders battled it out for survival.

For the first part of the clip, the players warmly welcomed each other. “There seems to be a lot of nice people,” one said while another stated: “It feels like I have 11 new friends.”

As the host instructs them to battle only for victory, the participants’ real motives begin to show. Which is why they started to form alliances while some seemed to have betrayed the other contenders.

“I have to eliminate those who are eager to be the winner,” one confidently expressed. Another participant declared: “If you attack me, I’ll attack you”.

In one of the trailer’s cuts, SEVENTEEN’s main vocalist and “variety king” Seungkwan looked tearful as he uttered “I felt the cruelty of man once again.”

Meet the 12 contenders in The Devil’s Plan

Alongside the trailer, The Devil’s Plan also released a Character Teaser to give a glimpse of the 12 individuals. These participants will be contending for the grand prize of 500 million Korean won.

In The Devil’s Plan, the contenders consist of a wide range of professionals from different fields. And given their life experiences, all 12 individuals shared their thoughts on winning the show. 

First among the list is SEVENTEEN’s Seungkwan who is widely known for his intelligence and experience in variety shows. “I’m quick-witted, I didn’t survive in this field by luck”, he said confidently. Also known for her wit, South Korean actress and comedian Park Kyeong Rim said that she will show the viewers what it means to be an entertainer.

Meanwhile, youtuber Kwak Joon Bin mentioned that he has been a pioneer his whole life. Which gives him the confidence to survive the show. Moreover, reporter Lee Hye Sung also declared: “I hate losing, I’ll give as good as I get.”

Another anticipated celebrity who will be joining the cast is Problematic Men actor Ha Seok Jin. Compared to the fierce declarations of the other contenders, Seok Jin just playfully said: “I want to ask people who overestimate their intelligence to please not eliminate me.”

Additionally, the participants who will compete in the show are: actress Lee Si Won, professional Go player Cho Yeon Woo, ex-pro gamer Guillaume Patry, Lawyer Seo Dong Joo, and science communicator Kwedo.

And the lineup will be completed by two non-celebrity contestants: orthopedic surgeon Seo Yoo Min, and professional Go player Kim Dong Jae. They were selected through open recruitmen. 

Created by The Genius director Jung Jong Yeon, The Devil’s Plan is set to premiere on September 26.

Featured image: ‘The Devil’s Plan’ releases official series poster. Credit: Netflix Korea

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Na PD’s ‘You Reap What You Sow’ to Premiere in October

The upcoming variety show of Na Young Seok, aka Na PD, titled You Reap What You Sow (idiomatic translation) will air its first episode on October 13. 

tvN confirmed the news to Korean media on Friday, September 15. 

According to reports, You Reap What You Sow adopts a lighthearted documentary style. It will follow Kim Woo Bin, EXO’s D.O, Lee Kwang Soo, and Kim Ki Bang in their journey of farming in the countryside. 

However, none of the four main cast members have any knowledge and experience in farming. Which is why they naturally struggled with tasks, such as plowing a small field together. 

What we know so far about You Reap What You Sow

In July, rumors that Na PD is helming a new series circulated online. Videos of the four cast members filming in Gangwon and Seoul also circulated online. At the time, the producers remained tight-lipped about the series. 

Now, tvN even shared a photo of Woo Bin, D.O, Kwang Soo, and Ki Bang posing together while in farming attire. 

Additionally, the show will reportedly have 10 episodes and a broadcast time of 110 minutes. 

In You Reap What You Sow, variety veteran Kwang Soo will serve as the group’s leader. Not only will he showcase his humor, but his problem-solving skills. 

Meanwhile, Ki Bang is described as a “natural-born farmer.” Out of the four, he was the most reliable in doing farming tasks. 

As for D.O, the youngest member, he’ll use his wit and cooking skills throughout the show. 

Interestingly, You Reap What You Sow will serve as Woo Bin’s first variety show as a regular cast member. Which is why fans of the actor are looking forward to seeing a more fun side of him. 

Na PD’s other projects 

Aside from the cast members, fans are anticipating this new show helmed by Na PD. 

A known figure in South Korean entertainment, he was the one behind successful variety programs such as 2 Days & 1 Night, Grandpas Over Flowers, New Journey to the West, and Three Meals a Day.  

One of his latest projects is The Game Caterers, which features various K-pop idols. Some of the groups who guested on his show include BTS, SEVENTEEN, SNSD, artists from HYBE LABELS and Starship Entertainment. 

Moreover, he’s also confirmed to be filming a new edition of Youth Over Flowers, this time with SEVENTEEN. 

Featured image: Woo Bin, Ki Bang, Kwang Soo, and D.O pose for a teaser of ‘You Reap What You Sow.’ Credit: Twitter/Knock Knock

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