Seoul — It’s Okay Not To Be Okay actress Seo Yea-ji has been in headlines recently following a controversy involving her former boyfriend, Kim Jung-hyun.
Since the incident, multiple advertisement companies have begun dropping the actress from their endorsement deals.
Companies such as AK Beauty’s cosmetic brand LUNA, New Origin’s Inner Flora and mask brand AER have deleted all traces of Seo from their websites and their promotions. Sunglass brand RIETI changed the YouTube status of all their commercials with Seo Yea-ji to private and removed the collaborative video titled “RIETI x Seo Yea-ji collaboration.”
It is expected that Seo may have to pay penalties worth billions of KRW (millions of USD) due to the breach in contract and cancellation of the advertisements. Seo has been involved with a number of controversies that have caused the cancellation of these advertisements.
As reported by Allkpop, Seo was accused of controlling Kim Jung-hyun, to act rudely to his Time co-star Seohyun. She was also accused of lying about her academic background and her plastic surgery.
Seo Yea-ji has been caught in controversy lately. Picture: Instagram
On top of that, a former staff member from the actress’ management agency has spoken up about her alleged verbal abuse, threats and unreasonable behaviour in an explosive tell-all. According to the anonymous post, Seo yelled at the staff over small mistakes, blew cigarette smoke in their faces and checked their phones to ensure that they did not record her behaviour. However, another employee has defended Seo, saying that the actress has always treated everyone well, as reported by Straits Times.
Born on April 6, 1990, Seo Yea-ji, also spelled as Seo Ye-ji is a South Korean actress. She began her acting career in the sitcom Potato Star 2013QR3 (2013–2014). This was followed by major roles in period drama Diary of a Night Watchman (2014) and thriller Last (2015). Her notable lead roles in television series include Moorim School: Saga of the Brave (2016), Save Me (2017), Lawless Lawyer (2018) and It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020).
While Seo’s ambition was to be a TV news presenter, things took a different turn when she caught the attention of the CEO of her then-management company, Made in Chan Entertainment, who persuaded her to venture into acting.
In March 2013, she stepped in the entertainment industry by appearing in an advertisement for SK Telecom. In May 2013, she featured in the Samsung Galaxy S4 short film Love essaying the role of Min-joo. She debuted as an actress in the tvN sitcom Potato Star 2013QR3 which aired for 120 episodes from September 23, 2013 to May 15, 2014./TISG
Singapore – Having seen a cyclist riding dangerously without the proper protective equipment and weaving through cars, a motorcyclist took it upon himself to remind the rider of road safety practices.
Facebook page ROADS.sg posted a video of the incident on Saturday (Apr 17).
The caption reads, “Motorcyclist saw this bicyclist weaving in and out of traffic dangerously and not wearing a helmet. Wearing earbuds and not giving full attention to road safety is not wise.”
The post added that brakeless fixed-gear bicycles are banned and illegal to be used on Singapore roads.
“This is why we need to ban bicycles on the road guys,” said the motorcyclist as he spotted the cyclist up ahead.
Photo: FB screengrab/ROADS.sg
“No helmet, no nothing,” he added, as the cyclist switched lanes repeatedly.
He began honking at the cyclist, but the latter continued weaving through the traffic.
Photo: FB screengrab/ROADS.sg
Upon reaching the intersection on a red light, the motorcyclist stopped beside the cyclist.
“I don’t think you should be on the road,” said the motorcyclist to the cyclist.
“The way you cycle, no helmet, no nothing. You must ride at the side. You should be using the first lane on the left.”
Photo: FB screengrab/ROADS.sg
Meanwhile, the cyclist looked at the motorcyclist before removing an earbud.
Photo: FB screengrab/ROADS.sg
“You shouldn’t be cycling through the cars; it’s very dangerous, you know. I caught everything on camera,” said the motorcyclist. He advised the cyclist to please ride at the side.
The cyclist replied inaudibly about going the opposite direction.
“You’re going to get yourself killed, you know,” said the motorcyclist, to which the cyclist nodded.
The motorcyclist then reversed to position himself properly before the white intersection lines and shared a short exchange with a nearby vehicle driver who also expressed concern towards the cyclist.
With over 530 comments to date, members from the online community commended the motorcyclist and urged for something to be done regarding those who pose a danger to other road users.
“The law should absolve anyone from any responsibilities should they meet with an accident with such rider resulting in their (rider) death or disability,” added Facebook user Douglas Ho./TISG
Singapore – Some parts of Singapore experienced prolonged heavy rainfall on Saturday afternoon (Apr 17), resulting in flash floods, fallen trees and property damage.
National water agency PUB took to Facebook on Saturday to issue flood risk warnings over 20 locations, including Sime Darby Centre, Bukit Timah Canal (Leng Kwang Baptist Church), Ulu Pandan Canal and Sungei Pandan Kechil (NUS and AYE).
According to the post, water levels exceeded 90 per cent capacity in several drains and canals. The heaviest rainfall of 161.4mm was recorded in western Singapore from 12.25 pm to 3.25 pm.
“This amount corresponds to 91 per cent of Singapore’s average monthly rainfall in April, and lies within the top 0.5 per cent of maximum daily rainfall records since 1981,” said PUB.
Photo and video footage of the prolonged rainfall and its effects also circulated on social media.
Facebook page ROADS.sg uploaded an aerial view image of Bukit Timah Canal with its “water level still rising and overflowing” as of 4.48 pm on Saturday.
Photo: FB screengrab/ROADS.sg
A few hours later, the page shared photos of the aftermath, such as fallen trees. “This happened at Block 166 Bukit Batok West Ave. 8 open carpark,” said ROADS.sg.
In another post, a member of the public captured an incident along Lower Delta Road at around 2.45 pm. “Tree fell onto car causing it to be stuck. Hope the driver and occupants are not hurt,” read the caption.
Photo: FB screengrab/ROADS.sg
PUB noted in its post that its Quick Response Teams were immediately deployed to the locations above to render assistance to drivers and pedestrians./TISG
Jackson Wang was recently seen leaving a building while being surrounded by his staff and bodyguards. Dressed in an all-black outfit and sunglasses, the 27-year-old looked cool while he sauntered out with his hands in his pockets
It’s been more than a year that we have been living with the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of us have experienced going out the door and then discovering that we have forgotten to wear our mask and having to go back home in a panic. Many of us can relate to that.
It can happen to anyone and celebrities have gone through the same thing before, and there is a higher chance that their momentary blunder might be caught on camera for the world to see.
As reported by 8days.sg, the pop idol was walking for a few seconds before he discovered that something important was missing, which was his mask. Wang realised that it was in his pocket instead of on his face.
Wang then panicked and seemed to have lost his swagger for a split second as he ducked to one side to wear his mask before walking out the door to greet fans, who recorded the entire amusing thing.
Netizens were positively tickled by this, and left comments such as: “This handsome guy values his life”, “Acting cool is not as important as cherishing your own life”, “He went from being a swaggy big brother to an uncle in a second!”, and “It’s strangely cute”.
Jackson Wang was spotted without his mask. Picture: Instagram
Born on March 28, 1994, Jackson Wang is a Hong Kong rapper, singer and dancer based in China. He is the founder of record label Team Wang, and is the creative director and lead designer for fashion brand Team Wang Design. He is active in mainland China as a solo artist and television host. He is a member of the South Korean boy group Got7.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Wang was a sabre fencer for Hong Kong’s fencing team. He was ranked eleventh in the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics, and won first place at the Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships in 2011. After passing a music audition, he moved to Seoul, South Korea in July 2011 to pursue a career in K-pop. In January 2014, after over two years of training, Wang debuted as a member of Got7 with the single “Girls Girls Girls”./TISG
Selena Gomez has just gotten a new tattoo. The 28-year-old had a dainty cross inked on her collarbone. The ink was done by celebrity tattoo artist Keith Scott “Bang Bang” McCurdy. Bang Bang posted a video of Gomez with her fresh ink on Instagram Thursday, writing: “We [heart] @selenagomez”
The Rare Beauty founder has gotten a tattoo from Bang Bang before, as reported by People. Some of her other inks are from the artist including one of her latest, the word Rare, which is a nod to her latest album. Bang Bang inscribed the Arabic words that translate to “love yourself first” on Gomez’s back below her right shoulder in 2014. The roman numerals LXXVI was etched on her back of her neck by Bang Bang.
In total, the singer has 15 tattoos, including the new cross, according to Page Six. Most of the ink pieces represent milestones in Gomez’s life, including the date of her kidney transplant. Gomez’s first ink was a small music note on her wrist. Speaking to Access Hollywood in 2012, she said she got that tattoo because “music is a big influence in my life.” She continued, “I was named after a singer, I’m a singer and a lot of other personal reasons. So, that’s what I got.”
Back in March, the singer talked about her lengthy career in both TV and music for Vogue‘s April cover story — and revealed that she wants to lean into acting and producing more so than music in the future.
“It’s hard to keep doing music when people don’t necessarily take you seriously,” she told the magazine. “I’ve had moments where I’ve been like, ‘What’s the point? Why do I keep doing this?’ ‘Lose You to Love Me’ I felt was the best song I’ve ever released, and for some people, it still wasn’t enough.”
“I think there are a lot of people who enjoy my music, and for that I’m so thankful, for that I keep going, but I think the next time I do an album it’ll be different,” she added. “I want to give it one last try before I maybe retire music.”
She continued, “I haven’t even touched the surface of what I want to do. The parts that I want are the ones I need help with. I can’t wait for the moment when a director can see that I’m capable of doing something that no one’s ever seen.”/TISG
Singapore – Photos of raw chickens placed on the “dirty wet floor” of a food stall at Clementi is circulating online, garnering alarm from netizens.
Member of the public Haider Maíl took to Facebook on Friday (Apr 16) to warn others of a food stall at Block 325 Clementi Avenue 5 practising unhygienic food preparation methods.
“To my non-Muslim friends who lives in Clementi, do take note of this Hua Zai roasted duck stall,” said the concerned individual.
He attached a photo of what appears to be raw chickens placed on the floor of the stall.
Photo: FB screengrab/Haider Maíl
“Bloody unhygienic,” wrote Mr Haider. He noted that this was not the first time he witnessed the stall placing raw chickens on the “dirty, wet floor.”
“Today, I managed to snap this pic (sic) while waiting for my order to be ready for delivery,” added the Facebook user.
With over 5,300 shares to date, netizens showed alarm regarding such practices and urged for a report to made to the authorities. Netizens also tagged the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) in the post.
Others thanked Mr Haider for letting them know of the incident, while some noted the irony that the stall also had the SG Clean sign posted in front.
Photo: FB screengrab/Haider Maíl
According to a Stomp report, SFA is aware of the incident, and investigations are ongoing.
“Food safety is a joint responsibility. While SFA puts in place and enforces the regulatory measures, food operators must play their part by adhering to good food hygiene and preparation processes,” said SFA.
“Members of the public who come across any potentially errant food operator should report to SFA via the online feedback form. As part of the enquiry and gathering of evidence, SFA may engage the feedback provider for more details.”
The agency added it would “not hesitate to take enforcement action against errant food operators if we have obtained sufficient evidence.” /TISG
Singapore – A six-year-old boy was trapped under a vehicle during a car accident along Toa Payoh. He was conveyed to the hospital unconscious.
An accident involving a vehicle and a six-year-old pedestrian occurred on Thursday (Apr 15) at the SAFRA centre’s carpark entrance, reported Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao on Friday (Apr 16).
According to the report, a white vehicle was turning left at the carpark entrance while the boy and his mum walked on the pedestrian crossing.
The vehicle collided with the child and swept him under the tyres, said an eyewitness to Zaobao.
It was reported that three passers-by tried to lift the car to extricate the boy but were unable to do so. Eventually, a member of the public offered to use a car jack for the task.
Eyewitnesses noted that the child’s mother appeared distraught while watching the scene.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed the incident, which happened at around 2.35 pm at No. 293 Lor Toa Payoh.
SCDF officers arrived at the scene and discovered the child stuck under the vehicle that had been lifted by a car jack.
The child was rescued by SCDF and conveyed to KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital while unconscious, reported Zaobao.
Meanwhile, the 51-year-old driver has been arrested for a negligent act causing grievous hurt.
Police investigations are ongoing.
If convicted, the man could be sentenced to up to two years’ imprisonment, fined S$5,000 or both./TISG
Riverdale star Vanessa Morgan who stars as Toni Topaz on the hit CW teen drama brought her three-month-old son River to the set on Thursday, she revealed on Instagram. The 29-year-old posted pictures of the visit, posing on the set of Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe with River. “Back to work looks a lil different these days,” she captioned the photos. The mother-of-one received a lot of love on the post, including some heartfelt messages from her co-stars.
Vanessa Morgan poses in front of Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe with River. Picture: Instagram
“Welcome to set, little Riv!!” Lili Reinhart, who plays Betty Cooper, wrote.
Camila Mendes, who plays Veronica Lodge, left the baby angel emoji and a white heart in the comments.
Fangs Fogarty actor Drew Ray Tanner also commented, calling the pair “Beautiful souls!”
In January, Morgan welcomed River with her estranged husband Michael Kopech, as reported by Yahoo. Kopech, 24 had filed for divorce after six months of marriage, just days after Morgan announced her pregnancy in July with photos and videos from a party of close friends and family.
“I am overjoyed to be welcoming my baby boy into the world this January,” Morgan wrote. “It’s almost like eveything [sic] I thought mattered in this life has completely changed.. We’re here for such a greater purpose and life is so precious.”
Morgan concluded with a line from Robert Munsch’s I Love You Forever, quoting: “‘I’ll love you forever I’ll like you for always as long as I’m living my baby you’ll be 🎶’ – if you know you know #preggers 🤰🏽 👶🏼.”
When the Riverdale star announced her pregnancy, Kopech was not in any of the images or videos shared on her socials. The Chicago Tribune reported that Kopech filed for divorce in his home state of Texas on June 19, citing court records. According to the outlet, the documents were filed in Morris County and a hearing date was not listed. /TISG
London — The late prince’s funeral was held on Saturday (April 17) at St. George’s Chapel within the grounds of Windsor Castle, at 3 p.m. BST.
His funeral was not a state funeral but a ceremonial royal funeral.
Usually, state funerals in Britain are held for monarchs but Prime Minister Winston Churchill was a rare exception in 1965. A ceremonial royal funeral is similar to a state funeral but it can be more private and does not require parliamentary approval.
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh passed away last Friday (April 9) at the age of 99. The Greece-born Duke of Edinburgh was the longest-serving consort to a British sovereign and was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II.
Prince Philip’s demise came 12 days before the queen’s 95th birthday on April 21. His passing ushers in a period of national mourning under a long-standing plan known as “Operation Forth Bridge”. The Duke of Edinburgh was referred to by the queen as “my strength and stay.”
At 2.15 BST, the Quadrangle in Windsor Castle was lined with the Household Calvary and the Foot Guards together with military detachments from units that had special connections with Prince Philip on the grass, as reported by BBC.
Ten minutes later, members of the Royal Family and The Duke of Edinburgh’s family who is not taking part in the procession left Windsor Castle by car for St George’s Chapel. When the prince was still alive, he personally helped designed a Land Rover to be used as his hearse. At 2.40 BST, the bands in the Quadrangle stopped playing and the coffin was carried out and placed onto the Land Rover.
Members of the Royal Family walking in the procession left the State Entrance after the coffin and take up their positions. Only 30 guests were allowed to enter St. George’s Chapel due to COVID-19 guidelines. Masks are required to be worn and social distancing practised. Those walking in the procession included Prince Charles, Andrew, Edward and Princess Anne as well as Princes William and Harry. William and Harry did not walk side-by-side.
Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips, her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and Earl of Snowdon joined the procession as well. Members of the duke’s staff followed behind them, including his private secretary Brigadier Archie Miller Bakewell, a personal protection officer, two pages and two valets.
According to British media, the British royals are all to wear civilian clothing at Prince Philip’s funeral to avoid awkwardness over which princes are entitled to military uniform. Otherwise, the funeral would have highlighted former British Army captain Prince Harry’s loss of honorary military titles after his shock departure from royal life last year.
Another potential clash might arise with the monarch’s second son, Prince Andrew, who is a former Royal Navy helicopter pilot who saw action in the 1982 Falklands War. His friendship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has caused him to be sidelined from public duties. Prince Andrew was set to take the honorary rank of admiral for his 60th birthday but the appointment was put on hold.
St.George’s Chapel. Picture: YouTube
According to The Sun, there would have been “serious displeasure” in the Navy if he went ahead with the uniform plan. It has been reported by the Daily Telegraph that the royals had held “intense discussions” to allay concerns about embarrassing the family if Andrew and Harry — the only royals to have seen frontline service — were not wearing uniforms. Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s wife did not attend the funeral as she is pregnant. Boris Johnson was not present in the procession as well, as he left the position for a royal family member instead.
The procession started at 2.45 BST and it was led by the band of the Grenadier Guards. It started from the Quadrangle to the Horseshoe Cloister. The Major General’s party and military chiefs of staff followed behind the band. The Land Rover followed, flanked by pallbearers from the Royal Marines and other regiments and corps associated with the duke. The Royal Family members and staff follow behind.
Queen Elizabeth II travelled separately at the rear of the procession in the State Bentley, entering St George’s chapel through the Galilee Porch. The queen was dressed entirely in black and her face was covered with a black mask. Her black hat covered most of her face but it was obvious that she is in mourning.
Personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, The Highlanders, 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Royal Air Force lined the procession route. In one-minute intervals, guns were fired by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from the East Lawn throughout, as a bell tolls in the Curfew Tower, at the west end of the castle.
At approximately 2.53 BST, the Land Rover arrived at the West Steps of St George’s Chapel. The guard of honour and band from the Rifles Regiment met the procession. Members of the Household Cavalry lined the West Steps and a Royal Navy “piping party” piped a nautical call known as “the Still” as the coffin is carried up the steps to the chapel.
The coffin, draped with the duke’s standard, with a wreath and the duke’s naval cap and sword on top, was met by the dean of Windsor, together with the Archbishop of Canterbury, for the service. Only royal family members were allowed to go in the chapel while the rest of the procession remained outside.
At exactly 3 p.m. BST a minute’s silence was observed in memory of the duke. A gun is fired by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery to mark the start and end of the Silence. Inside the chapel, the funeral service started as the coffin is carried to the Quire, and placed on a platform called a catafalque.
Members of the Royal family and members of The Duke of Edinburgh’s family arrived at the Galilee Porch and are conducted to the Dean’s Cloister as reported by CNN. They were then conducted from the Dean’s Cloister to the Galilee Porch to view the procession and await the arrival of Her Majesty The Queen.
The Queen was then received at the Galilee Porch by the Dean of Windsor, who conducted Her Majesty, members of the Royal family and members of The Duke of Edinburgh’s family, who have been viewing the Procession, to their seats in the Quire.
The coffin enters the chapel. Picture: YouTube
Prior to his death, the Duke has selected the songs for his funeral and they were sung by the Choir of Four. Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, a full choir was replaced by just four singers. The service was led by the Right Reverend David Conner, KCVO, Dean of Windsor while the Blessing was pronounced by the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury.
The service was poignant and sombre as members of the Royal family mourned the loss of their loved one. The Queen sat alone and her grief was evident even though most of her face was covered. During the service, hymns were sung, Scriptures were read and beautiful prayers spoken. The duke’s coffin is draped in his personal flag, his standard. The flag represents elements of his life, from his Greek heritage to his British titles.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin. Picture: YouTube
When the duke got engaged to the then Princess Elizabeth in 1946, he renounced his Greek title and became a British citizen, taking his mother’s anglicised name, Mountbatten. The Mountbatten family is therefore also represented on the standard, alongside the castle from the arms of the City of Edinburgh – he became Duke of Edinburgh when he got married.
Before the coffin was lowered into the royal vault the Dean of Windsor delivered the commendation. This was followed by reading the duke’s styles and titles by Thomas Woodcock, Garter Principal King of Arms from the sanctuary. The Pipe Major of The Royal Regiment of Scotland played a Lament as the coffin was lowered into the vault.
Prince Philip was Royal Colonel of The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Back in the nave, the choir has left and in their place, the Buglers of the Royal Marines and State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry. The buglers play the “Last Post,” followed by the State Trumpeters sounding the Reveille.
As the service draws to a close, the buglers sound “Action Stations,” which is traditionally sounded on a naval warship to signal crew to go to battle stations. The call was requested by Prince Philip. The Archbishop of Canterbury follows with the blessing. The congregation then stands as the choir sings the national anthem bringing the service to an end.
The queen arrived in a state Bentley. Picture: YouTube
It has been reported by CNN royal correspondent Max Foster that St. George’s Chapel will not be the duke’s final resting place. His body will be moved to lie next to the Queen, his wife of more than seven decades, when she dies.
“He is there in his temporary resting place, actually, with other kings and queens in a large space, a large room underground there at the chapel,” Foster said. “This love story isn’t over … because when the Queen passes, she’ll be buried in the King George VI chapel — her father’s chapel — and Prince Philip will join her there. So this love story isn’t over yet.”
The King George VI memorial chapel is in another part of the church. The Queen’s father, her mother and sister are already buried in the vault./TISG
Seoul — Korean actor Gong Yoo has shared that he wants to act alongside IU one day. The star appeared on the latest episode of IU’s YouTube show, IU’s Palette, where he said IU’s singing and acting skills are on par with each other.
Gong Yoo was personally surprised by IU’s acting in the 2018 drama My Mister, according to Allkpop.
The actor said, “This may be a long story, but I think the way you make songs and perform music is similar to the way you act. In My Mister, it was pretty shocking because you were so good at acting.”
IU hosted her YouTube show IU’s Palette featuring Gong Yoo. Picture: YouTube
He then compared her roles in My Mister and Hotel Del Luna, saying, “I think when you were Ji An in My Mister, you shone bright as a star. On the other hand, Jang Man Wol in Hotel Del Luna was cute and cheerful. She wasn’t as serious, but it was a bit funny.”
Gong Yoo concluded, “Even if it isn’t a music-related movie, I hope we’ll get to work together in a nice movie or drama.” IU replied, “I’d love that. I really would. I really hope that comes true.”
Born on July 10, 1979, Gong Ji-cheol, better known by his stage name Gong Yoo is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in the television dramas Coffee Prince (2007) and Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016–2017), and the films Silenced (2011), Train to Busan (2016) and The Age of Shadows (2016).
His stage name is a combination of his father’s last name, Gong, and his mother’s last name, Yoo.
Born on May 16, 1993, Lee Ji-eun, known professionally as IU, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and actress. The name IU is a combination of ‘I’ and ‘You,’ meaning “you and I become one through music.” She signed with Kakao M (formerly LOEN Entertainment, now Kakao Entertainment) in 2007 as a trainee and debuted as a singer at the age of 15 with her first mini album, Lost and Found. /TISG
