Latest news with #YouQuizontheBlock
Pink Villa
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
The Trauma Code star Choo Young Woo reveals extreme diet plan: Here's how he dropped 22 kgs before debut
On a recent episode of You Quiz on the Block, actor Choo Young Woo left viewers stunned with a raw and emotional look into his past. The actor revealed that his road to becoming a performer was anything but smooth. Behind the smiles and screen lies a journey defined by starvation, self-doubt, and ambition. During the interview, Choo Young Woo opened up about how far he went to chase his dream of performing on stage. He shared that he went an entire year surviving on nothing but a single pack of nuts a day. His goal? To lose enough weight to stand confidently in front of a camera and be taken seriously in the entertainment industry. From 86 kg to 64 kg Before pursuing acting seriously, Choo weighed around 86 kilograms. Determined to completely reshape himself, he adopted a radical diet. His entire daily intake consisted of a small packet of nuts. In his words, 'At that time, I really wanted to be on the stage. I endured on a pack of nuts a day.' He attributed the extreme diet to his deep desperation to stand on stage. This drastic regimen brought him down to 64 kilograms, representing a total loss of 22 kilograms. The day he almost gave up Choo Young Woo also recalled a key moment when his confidence shattered: attending a hagwon, or cram school, for aspiring performers. There, he encountered fellow students who poured every ounce of energy into acting and singing with fierce intensity. Watching them made him question whether he belonged. 'I was shocked when I went to Hagwon. Everyone acted with red eyes and sang so loudly that the ground shook, and I thought I was in big trouble,' he recalled. He remembered feeling completely overwhelmed, to the point where he cried that day. He couldn't sing, he couldn't dance, and he felt as though he lacked any unique skill to compete. It led him to question his entire decision. He wondered, 'Did I make an irresponsible choice?' Practice from dawn to dusk Instead of giving up, Choo chose to dig in deeper. He began training obsessively. He practised from the moment he opened his eyes to when he collapsed into sleep. He studied acting, rehearsed lines, and trained wherever he could - in academies, dance rooms, and even parking lots. Despite surviving on a dangerously low-calorie diet, he refused to slow down. A payoff worth the pain? Eventually, Choo's sacrifices led to acceptance into three prominent Korean universities. This feat validated his hard work and fueled the passion he still carries today. His experience shaped not only his body but also his mindset. Choo's story instantly went viral after the episode aired, igniting conversations online. Many admired his unshakable determination and willingness to suffer for his goals. However, others were deeply concerned by the dangerous methods he used to get there.
Pink Villa
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
BLACKPINK's Jennie named most popular female K-pop star in May; IVE's Jang Wonyoung and aespa's Karina follow in top 30
The Korean Business Research Institute has unveiled the latest individual brand reputation rankings for female K-pop idols. It covers data collected from April 18 to May 18, 2025. This monthly index evaluates a star's impact across several key areas: consumer participation, media exposure, communication activity, and community engagement. Jennie of BLACKPINK has clinched the top spot for May, dominating the chart with an impressive brand reputation index of 9,479,200. Her performance marks a massive 42.78% increase from the previous month. It reflects a surge in public interest following her global Met Gala attendance and her recent guest appearances. Jennie's strong brand keywords include 'like JENNIE,' 'Met Gala,' and 'You Quiz on the Block.' Meanwhile, the positive descriptors such as 'unrivaled,' 'confident,' and 'honest' featured prominently in her related search terms. The sentiment surrounding her activity remains overwhelmingly positive, with a positivity score exceeding 90%. Holding steady at No. 2 is IVE's Jang Wonyoung, whose star power continues to shine with a brand index of 6,210,896. Despite only a slight 1.95% increase since April, her consistent presence on the charts reflects her sustained influence in both the fashion and entertainment scenes. In third place, BLACKPINK's Rosé makes a significant climb, overtaking several competitors with a brand score of 5,496,021. Her 13.51% month-over-month increase may be attributed to renewed interest in her solo music appearances, fashion editorials, and consistent social media engagement. aespa's Karina claims the No. 4 position, continuing her momentum with a brand reputation score of 4,951,586. The leader and visual of aespa remains a favorite for brand endorsements. She is frequently discussed online for her stage charisma and unique AI-inspired concept, which keeps her group relevant in the evolving K-pop landscape. Rounding out the top five is IVE's An Yu Jin, whose rising visibility as both a performer and MC has helped boost her brand score to 4,864,346. The slight 4.91% rise from last month cements her as one of the most well-rounded fourth-generation idols. She is praised for her leadership, vocals, and polished variety show skills. The rest of the top 30 is packed with some of K-pop's most recognizable and emerging names. aespa's Winter, Red Velvet's Joy, IVE's Rei, Red Velvet's Seulgi and ITZY's Yuna all made the top 10. LE SSERAFIM's Kim Chaewon, TWICE's Sana, and ILLIT's Minju ranked just outside the top 10. They are followed by Red Velvet's Irene, OH MY GIRL's Mimi, and Red Velvet's Wendy. aespa's Giselle and Ningning also secured spots on the list, along with Red Velvet's Yeri and IVE's Leeseo. TWICE members Nayeon, Jihyo, and Jeongyeon continued to show strong presence, while cignature's Jeewon and ITZY's Ryujin also made it into the rankings. BLACKPINK's Lisa, OH MY GIRL's YooA, and FIFTY FIFTY's Yewon maintained visibility, as did Girls' Generation's Taeyeon and LE SSERAFIM's Sakura.
News18
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
BLACKPINK's Jennie On Her Coachella Solo Debut: ‘I Felt So Emotional'
Last Updated: While speaking with the hosts, the singer shared that she worked hard for 16 months to perfect her performance for Coachella 2025. Coachella was electrified as Jennie made her solo debut at this year's festival. Held at the Empire Polo Club in California over two weekends in April, the crowd erupted in excitement as the BLACKPINK member delivered high-energy performances. Nearly a month after captivating audiences with her set, the 29-year-old K-pop sensation opened up about the emotional experience of taking the iconic stage—this time, all on her own. On Wednesday, May 7, BLACKPINK's Jennie appeared as a guest on the popular chat show You Quiz on the Block. While speaking with the hosts, the singer shared that she toiled for 16 months to perfect her performance for Coachella 2025. Explaining some details about the renowned music festival, Jennie, as quoted by Soompi, said, 'It's one of the biggest music festivals in the world. It runs for two weeks. From Friday to Sunday, countless artists gather in the middle of the desert for this festival." Jennie, who performed in front of a crowd of 2,50,000 people, revealed that she was initially not sure if people would come to watch her performance in the desert. However, her perception changed once she was up on the stage. 'Even while I was on stage, I was surprised by the energy. I don't know why I felt so emotional. It felt like I was being rewarded for all the determination that went into the preparation," she told the hosts. The BLACKPINK member continued, 'Before the performance, I wondered, 'Will people come to watch?' But looking out from the stage, there was no end in sight." When she was asked how many times she rewatched her Coachella performance, Jennie admitted to having watched it twice. The K-pop idol shared that she usually never rewatches her performances because of her overthinking, but this time, it was different. 'I kept going back to it on my phone. I normally don't monitor myself much. I tend to overthink, so I try to keep some distance because I might fixate on small details. But I did watch a bit of Coachella. Not because it was perfect but because I sincerely gave it my all. It was a little embarrassing, but I watched it," she explained. At Coachella 2025, Jennie performed songs from her recently released solo album, Ruby. Her set included crowd favourites like Zen, Handlebars, Mantra and, of course, the anthem Like JENNIE. First Published: May 09, 2025, 11:06 IST
Korea Herald
07-04-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
High-rise window cleaning: A dangerous spring tradition on Seoul's skyline
As the weather warms, Seoul's high-rise buildings are getting a spring cleaning, which means it is a peak season for one of the most dangerous jobs in the country: high-altitude window cleaners. Suspended by ropes, these workers dangle from the tops of tall buildings to clean their windows and facades, creating a perilous sight for onlookers. However, such high-altitude window cleaning has become a familiar scene in the city where high-rise buildings and apartment complexes dominate the skyline. 'This morning, our apartment complex informed residents via audio announcement that workers will be cleaning the windows and exterior facades starting today, and that those concerned about privacy should keep their windows closed,' said a resident of a 35-story apartment complex in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. 'If you're not informed, it would certainly be very surprising to find someone outside your window.' As of 2024, Korea's capital city is home to approximately 3,088 apartment complexes and over 500 buildings that are 30 stories or taller – highlighting the scale of demand for such high-altitude window cleaning work. Exterior facade cleaning is typically recommended once or twice a year, but spring is the most common season for it, as it helps remove dust accumulated over the winter months. According to local services marketplace Soomgo, which directly connects skilled workers with tasks, building exterior cleaning services were offered at 601,000 won ($409) 'per service.' It wasn't clear whether that refers to the labor of one person. Prices can range from 403,000 won to 1 million won, depending on the material of the facade -- such as glass, panels, marble, tile, or brick -- the marketplace app notes. One company providing building exterior cleaning services told The Korea Herald that the price varies significantly depending on the difficulty of the task and can only be estimated after a site visit. For high-rise buildings, the cost tends to be even higher, as the job becomes significantly more complex and dangerous. Seo Seung-ho, a professional cleaner who appeared on tvN talk show 'You Quiz on the Block' last year, said it took about six months to clean the exterior of Lotte Tower — the tallest building in South Korea. For skyscrapers like this, water cannot be used due to the risk of it falling onto pedestrians below. Instead, workers use diatomaceous earth, a fine powder made from fossilized algae. Despite steady demand, safety remains a pressing concern in the industry. Common causes of accidents include the failure to wear safety harnesses, worn-out ropes, faulty safety equipment and poor management. In August 2023, a man in his 60s died after falling from the 10th floor while cleaning a glass wall in Seoul's Geumcheon-gu. The authorities found that he had not secured his safety rope to the suspended platform. In 2022, another worker in his 60s fell to his death while cleaning a building in Yeongdeungpo-gu after his rope reportedly came loose. A similar accident occurred in 2019, also in Yeongdeungpo-gu, when a man in his 50s died while working alone on a hospital building.
Korea Herald
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Korean barbecue restaurants loved by stars
In recent years, Korean barbecue has become a global phenomenon, with its sizzling sounds and smoky flavors captivating food lovers around the world. However, there are a few exceptional spots in Seoul that have attracted attention from local foodies as well as Korean celebrities. From Nariuijip in Hannam-dong to Namsan Makchang, these restaurants are proving that good food and a little bit of star power are the perfect ingredients for success. Nariuijip Located in the heart of Hannam-dong, Nariuijip has earned its place as one of the most beloved barbecue joints in Seoul. Featured on popular TV shows such as 'The Must Try Restaurants 2,' 'Korean Pork Belly Rhapsody' and 'You Quiz on the Block,' this humble eatery is known for its unassuming atmosphere and frozen samgyeopsal (pork belly). The restaurant has become a symbol of consistency, receiving six prestigious Blue Ribbons based on surveys by the eponymous local restaurant guide for six consecutive years starting in 2020. What sets Nariuijip apart is its grilling method. Instead of the traditional charcoal, the frozen pork belly is grilled on a metal plate lined with aluminum foil, ensuring that the thinly sliced frozen samgyeopsal cooks quickly and evenly, without burning. Priced at 16,000 won ($10.97) for 150 grams, the dish draws long lines, particularly on weekends. However, the real star of the menu isn't the pork belly, but the cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew), a dish that the servers proudly recommend. Made with what tastes like homemade doengjang, or fermented soybean paste, the stew exudes a rich, savory depth. The complimentary sides, including cucumber kimchi, further enhance the dining experience, showcasing the owner's attention to detail and commitment to quality. Namsan Makchang In the serene neighborhood of Bogwang-dong, Namsan Makchang has garnered fame thanks to an endorsement from the popular singer Kang Min-kyung of the K-pop female duo Davichi. This small, six-table restaurant specializes in garomaksal, a rare cut from the pig's diaphragm muscle. Tender and rich in flavor, the dish is offered at 19,000 won for 130 grams. Known for its chewy texture and unique flavor, garomaksal is a delicacy in Korean cuisine. Namsan Makchang brings it to perfection, serving up a taste that is both smoky and satisfying. In addition to meat, the restaurant also offers deulgireum gul sotbap (perilla oil oyster pot rice), an innovative dish that combines savory flavors and delicate textures. The doenjangjjigae (soybean paste stew) with seasonal naengi (shepherd's purse) adds a fresh and fragrant touch. The restaurant's offerings have made it a favorite among both locals and visitors, and with queues that stretch up to three hours, it's clear that this hidden gem is worth the wait. Hongbyeolgamne Located in Junggok-dong, Hongbyeolgamne has earned a reputation as a favorite spot of chefs -- including renowned chef Ahn Sung-jae who featured it on his YouTube channel -- quickly bringing the restaurant fame and attracting foodies. The main dish at Hongbyeolgamne is the fresh cut samgyeopsal, served at 15,000 won for 180 grams. This simple yet flavorful dish is paired with six different banchan (side dishes) that change regularly, offering a new experience each time you visit. The restaurant's focus on quality extends beyond the pork belly. Chef Ahn praised the restaurant's kimchi and side dishes, which are made with meticulous care. In fact, many chefs who work late into the night come here to unwind with a dish of duruchigi (stir-fried spicy pork) and doenjangjjigae. For those looking to enjoy a true taste of Korean barbecue, these star-endorsed spots are a must-try. But be prepared — dining at these popular restaurants requires patience, as the long waits are a testament to their mouthwatering offerings. yoohong@
