The issue now being searched as the “Yeonjun Parenting Controversy” appears to involve mixed attribution between two different entertainment items: Yeonjun’s comments about childcare in ‘TXT’s Parenting Diary’ and a separate controversy surrounding a preview for ‘Zzanbro Shin Dong-yup’ that featured TXT members Soobin and Beomgyu.²

What Yeonjun Said About Parenting

In the source-backed promotional material for ‘TXT’s Parenting Diary,’ Beomgyu and Yeonjun described their first full-day experience with a baby as difficult but emotionally rewarding. Their quoted comment was: “It was our first time spending all day with a baby, so there were difficult parts, but when the baby clapped and smiled, we experienced the miracle of those hard feelings melting away.”¹

The comment was framed as a reaction to hands-on childcare during the program, rather than as a dispute or apology. Wavve’s newsroom described the show as a 10-episode parenting observation reality series in which TXT members meet 14-month-old Yujun and each show different childcare roles.¹ The same announcement characterized Yeonjun as a member who expresses affection toward Yujun but ends up in a one-sided display of affection, a description repeated in other coverage of the main trailer.³

Sports Donga also reported that Yeonjun was shown as a member pouring affection into trying to attract the baby’s attention.⁴ Across the available records, the Yeonjun-related parenting material centers on his response to the baby and the difficulty of childcare, not on a confirmed controversy involving his own statement.

The program itself was introduced as a return to a familiar Korean entertainment format. The Fact reported that ‘TXT’s Parenting Diary’ followed the format of ‘god’s Parenting Diary’ after 24 years, focusing on TXT members’ first childcare challenge with 14-month-old Yujun.³

Separate Controversy Involved Another Show

A key distinction is that the controversy reported later in April and May concerned ‘Zzanbro Shin Dong-yup,’ not Yeonjun’s parenting comments in ‘TXT’s Parenting Diary.’ OSEN reported on April 30, 2026, that a preview for the YouTube web variety show featuring TXT’s Soobin and Beomgyu was revised after sexual-harassment criticism.²

In that case, OSEN reported that the production team said changes had been made to the preview and video after considering fans’ opinions. The outlet also quoted the production team as saying the preview had been made “a little provocative” and that viewers might not have the same misunderstanding after seeing the full episode.²

Money Today reported on May 2, 2026, that criticism had spread over scenes involving Soobin and Beomgyu in the ‘Zzanbro Shin Dong-yup’ preview, and that the production side deleted the relevant portion.⁵ That report also said the fandom planned a truck protest directed at BigHit Music after identifying inappropriate remarks and behavior in album-promotion content.⁵

The available material therefore separates the two matters. Yeonjun’s parenting-related quote came from coverage of ‘TXT’s Parenting Diary,’ while the later criticism and video revision involved a different program preview and different TXT members.

Program Status And Public Framing

By June 12, 2026, ‘TXT’s Parenting Diary’ was being released sequentially through Wavve and YouTube, with Dailian reporting that it was drawing attention beyond the group’s fandom. The same report said many released YouTube episodes had surpassed 1 million views, and listed the release schedule as Fridays at 11 a.m. on Wavve and Saturdays at 11 a.m. on YouTube.⁶

The framing of the parenting show in available coverage is focused on observation, growth and members’ different childcare styles. Source records include other members’ reflections, such as Soobin initially feeling worried before finding the baby cute, and Huening Kai saying the experience made it hard to imagine how his parents raised him.¹ These comments were presented as program-related reactions to childcare, not as statements issued in response to a dispute.

Based on the available sources, Yeonjun’s parenting comment should be understood as part of promotional and recap coverage for ‘TXT’s Parenting Diary.’ The controversy reported by Korean outlets concerned a separate ‘Zzanbro Shin Dong-yup’ preview involving Soobin and Beomgyu, making careful attribution central to understanding the issue.

The Gunche 5 Million mark was also confirmed through Showbox’s official YouTube community channel, which announced the film’s 5 million admissions milestone and noted that the film remained in theatrical release. ²

Gunche 5 Million Milestone Confirmed

The 5 million figure was reported against the Korean Film Council’s integrated cinema admissions data, with Dailian citing 5,007,673 cumulative admissions as of the morning of June 13. The same report placed the film at 4,965,838 cumulative admissions through the previous day, after drawing 54,066 viewers on June 12. ¹

Multiple reports described the result as a 24-day climb to 5 million admissions. MBC also reported that Gunche reached the threshold on June 13, its 24th day of release, and identified it as the second film released in 2026 to cross 5 million admissions after The Man Who Lives with the King. ³

Hankyoreh described Gunche as a zombie film directed by Yeon Sang-ho. MBC added that the film follows Yeon’s earlier zombie works Train to Busan and Peninsula, placing the new release within the director’s established genre filmography. ^{4 3}

Star Today summarized the film’s premise as a story set inside a sealed-off building during an unidentified infection outbreak, where survivors confront infected people who continue to evolve. ⁵

Pace of the Box-Office Run

Gunche built its total through a series of fast admissions thresholds. Hankyoreh reported that the film passed 1 million admissions on its fourth day, 2 million on its fifth day, 3 million on its 10th day, and 4 million on its 14th day before moving beyond 5 million on June 13. ⁴

Star Today reported that Gunche set the fastest 2026-release pace from 1 million through 5 million admissions. The outlet also reported that the film reached 5 million two days faster than Zombie Daughter, described in the source as the top-grossing Korean film of 2025. ⁵

The film’s performance did not stop at cumulative admissions. Hankook Ilbo reported that Gunche remained No. 1 at the box office in its fourth week of release, while also noting the 24-day timing of the 5 million milestone. ⁶

That fourth-week box-office status gives the milestone added context: Gunche was not only passing a headline admissions threshold, but doing so while still holding the top position in domestic theaters. The available reports do not provide a final total, and the cited figures reflect the June 13 morning status.

Cannes and Overseas Box-Office Context

Gunche had already drawn international attention before its domestic 5 million admissions mark. Hankook Ilbo reported that the film was officially invited to the Midnight Screening section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival and received a seven-minute standing ovation after its first local screening. ⁶

MBC also noted the Cannes Midnight Screening invitation, while describing the film as another zombie title from Yeon Sang-ho after Train to Busan and Peninsula. ³

The film’s regional box-office activity also extended beyond South Korea. Hankook Ilbo reported that after its domestic release, Gunche ranked No. 1 at the opening box office in major Asian markets including Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Hong Kong. ⁶

The 5 million milestone also drew a public response from the culture ministry. Hankyoreh reported that Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young posted a celebratory Facebook photo with Jun Ji-hyun, imitating an infected character from the film. His short caption read, “Finally releasing it.” ⁴

Gunche’s 5 million admissions milestone was reported across major Korean outlets and confirmed through Showbox’s official channel on June 13, 2026. Based on the available figures, the film reached the mark in 24 days, remained No. 1 in its fourth week, and became the second 2026 release to pass 5 million admissions after The Man Who Lives with the King.

Toy Story Seongsu Pop-up: Papa Johns Pizza Planet

Papa Johns Pizza Planet is the most time-sensitive Toy Story stop in Seongsu. It opened at Stage X Seongsu Chabot in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, as a pop-up connected to Toy Story 5, which is scheduled for release on June 17, 2026.³ Multiple reports list the event period as June 12 to June 14, 2026, so visitors should treat it as a short-run pop-up rather than a flexible month-long installation.³¹

The concept is built around Pizza Planet from the Toy Story series. Aju Business Daily described Papa Johns Pizza Planet as an experiential space that reinterprets the movie’s Pizza Planet with a space-world setting and a retro pizza arcade concept.⁴ In practical terms, this means the event is positioned as more than a simple photo spot: it combines themed spaces, branded food, and participation zones in one compact visit.

Reported on-site features include character experience areas, a pizza truck zone, a photo booth, a game zone, limited-time menu items, and mission programs.¹ The Fact also reported a guestbook zone and cinema zone, along with three limited-edition pizzas.³ Characters named in the coverage include Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the new character Lilypad.³

Because the current date is June 13, 2026, the Papa Johns event is already underway and has only one more listed operating day after June 13. The source material does not provide exact daily hours, reservation rules, ticket prices, admission fees, queue policy, or refund information for Papa Johns Pizza Planet. Readers planning to go should therefore confirm entry details through the venue or official event channels before traveling, especially because the event window is only three days.

House Of Toystory: The Longer Seongsu Option

House Of Toystory is the longer-running Toy Story pop-up option in Seongsu. Popga lists its operating period as May 23 to July 12, 2026, with daily hours from 12:00 to 21:00.² The listed address is Seoul, Seongdong-gu, Yeonmujang 3-gil 8-9, floors 1 through 4.² S’more Market’s official Instagram also announced House Of Toystory in Seongsu, with linked information pointing to +LECT HOUSE at the same Yeonmujang 3-gil 8-9 location.⁵

This stop appears to be more goods- and activity-oriented than the Papa Johns event. Popga lists photo zones, game content, goods shopping, and DIY experiences as major components.² It also notes a capsule draw event for customers who purchase at least 30,000 won.² That makes House Of Toystory the more practical option for visitors who are going after June 14, or for anyone who wants a Toy Story-themed stop with posted daily hours.

For visitors going between June 12 and June 14, the clearest route is to prioritize Papa Johns Pizza Planet because of its short operating window, then consider House Of Toystory as a second Toy Story stop if time allows. From June 15 onward, the provided source material only supports House Of Toystory as the continuing Toy Story pop-up among the events listed here.

The two events also serve different purposes. Papa Johns Pizza Planet is tied directly to Toy Story 5 and the Pizza Planet concept, with reported limited-edition pizzas, character elements, and event zones.³⁴ House Of Toystory is presented as a broader themed space with shopping, photo zones, game content, and DIY activities.² Choosing between them depends less on preference than on date: the Papa Johns event is short and urgent, while House Of Toystory gives visitors a longer planning window.

The special is also tied to tvN’s 20th anniversary programming, positioning the Goblin Reunion as both a drama retrospective and a network milestone feature. Reports on the released highlight video describe the four actors revisiting memories from the production while traveling through places associated with the drama, including the Gangneung and Jumunjin areas.²

Goblin 10th Anniversary Teaser Confirms the Reunion Format

The newly released highlight video, reported on June 11, 2026, follows an earlier first teaser from May 22, 2026. Together, the teasers outline a special built around the four main cast members meeting again and returning to locations that viewers associate with the 2016-2017 drama.³

The May teaser showed Gong Yoo, Lee Dong-wook, Kim Go-eun, and Yoo In-na visiting the Gangneung sea and Jumunjin breakwater after 10 years. It also included elements that recalled scenes and music from the drama, framing the trip around memory rather than a new fictional continuation.³

The follow-up highlight gave a clearer look at the tone of the special. iMBC reported that the video includes the actors’ reunion and a memory trip to Gangneung, where the drama was filmed. Gong Yoo is shown reflecting on the original production, saying it was “the brightest winter” for him, while Yoo In-na says that no matter how much time passes, it feels like returning to that period.¹

Other reports describe emotional moments involving the cast. bnt News reported that Kim Go-eun said, “I think we really had good teamwork,” and added that they were able to endure because they had one another. Yoo In-na is also quoted as saying that Gong Yoo seemed like “all of our Goblin.”²

Cast Returns to Gangneung and Jumunjin

The reunion special focuses on Gong Yoo, Lee Dong-wook, Kim Go-eun, and Yoo In-na, the four actors identified across reports on the teaser and highlight releases. The confirmed setting centers on Gangneung, with Jumunjin also named as a key location revisited by the cast.²

The Fact reported that the special is a tvN 20th anniversary edition marking 10 years since Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, known widely in English-language contexts as Goblin. The report said the four lead actors travel to Gangneung to revisit behind-the-scenes stories and the meaning of the work.⁴

The highlight materials also lean on recognizable visual cues from the original drama. Star News reported that representative images show the cast gathered again with the Gangneung Jumunjin sea in the background. The same report noted props and images recalling the drama, including a red scarf, cake, candle, and buckwheat flower bouquet.⁵

The first teaser also includes short remarks from the actors as they return to the setting. Gong Yoo says, “Let’s have fun today,” while Kim Go-eun says, “It really has been 10 years since coming here.” In another teaser line reported by The Fact, Lee Dong-wook asks whether Goblin has already been 10 years, while Yoo In-na says the location looks almost exactly the same as it did then.³⁴

Original Drama Context and Broadcast Timing

The original drama aired from December 2016 to January 2017. Dong-A.com, carrying a News1 report, noted that the series surpassed 20.5 percent in nationwide paid-household ratings based on Nielsen Korea data during its original run.⁶

That background explains why the 10th anniversary format is being presented as a return to a widely recognized drama rather than a standard variety appearance. The announced special does not introduce a new drama plot in the available reports. Instead, the confirmed materials point to a commemorative program built around the actors, filming locations, behind-the-scenes memories, and the drama’s continued cultural association with winter imagery and specific coastal locations.

The first broadcast is scheduled for July 4, 2026, at 9:10 p.m. on tvN. Multiple June 11 reports state that tvN confirmed the date while releasing the highlight video and representative images for the program.¹²

For viewers searching for a free showing, the most important distinction is location. The source-backed free screenings are outdoor events in selected U.S. cities, while the Korean information available here points to CGV’s exclusive re-release, dubbed and subtitled formats, and sing-along screenings at some branches. ²

KPop Demon Hunters Free Screenings: Key Facts

How to Decide Which Screening Applies to You

If you are looking specifically for a no-cost screening, focus on the U.S. outdoor program. Netflix Tudum’s anniversary notice identifies free outdoor screenings from June 19 through June 26, 2026, in select U.S. areas. The supplied source material does not provide a full city-by-city booking method, reservation rule, seating policy, or weather policy, so the safest practical takeaway is to verify the exact local event details before making travel plans. ¹

If you are in Korea, the confirmed route is CGV’s short anniversary re-release from June 12 to June 14, 2026. Sports Kyunghyang reported that CGV planned the event as an exclusive re-release across 30 theaters nationwide, with both dubbed and subtitled versions available. ² That makes the Korean run useful for viewers who want the theatrical experience, but the provided sources do not state that the CGV screenings are free.

The sing-along option is a separate point to check when choosing a CGV showtime. News1 reported via Daum that some locations would hold screenings where audiences can sing along to the OST, while Sports Kyunghyang identified six CGV branches and named CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall among them. ⁴ Because only some branches are included, viewers should not assume every CGV showing is a sing-along session.

CGV also linked the re-release to the film’s first anniversary and positioned it as a renewed theater experience. CJ CGV content operations team leader Jang Ji-yeon said the screening was arranged to offer “a special viewing experience once again” in theaters. ² That quote fits the limited nature of the event: this is not described as a long general reissue, but as a brief anniversary presentation.

Korea CGV Re-Release Versus Free Outdoor Screenings

The easiest way to avoid confusion is to separate the two programs by country and format. The free event described in the source material is an outdoor U.S. screening program. The Korean event described in the source material is a CGV theatrical re-release, with set dates, nationwide participating branches, dubbed and subtitled versions, and some sing-along screenings. ^{1 2}

There is also a timing difference. CGV’s Korea screenings happen from June 12 to June 14, 2026, while the U.S. free outdoor screenings run from June 19 to June 26, 2026. ^{1 2} Anyone comparing posts or search results should check the country first, then the date, then the format.

For Korean viewers, the practical next step is to look for the specific CGV branch and showtime, then confirm whether the listing is dubbed, subtitled, or sing-along. Newsis reported that CGV screenings were planned at around 30 theaters and included reservation information, while other reports consistently state the three-day run and the two available language formats. ⁵

For U.S. viewers, the practical next step is to identify whether the nearest listed city is part of the outdoor program. GamesRadar+ reported that the free outdoor screenings include cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Atlanta, but the provided material does not include full venue addresses, entry requirements, or whether advance registration is required. ³

The first broadcast has drawn attention because multiple Korean entertainment reports describe StandBIMe as a dating reality program that does not place gender boundaries at the center of its romantic choices. Wavve has released an official poster and a first teaser ahead of the premiere, positioning the program as a new original title in its entertainment lineup.¹

StandBIMe First Broadcast Confirmed for June 19

The confirmed release date for StandBIMe is June 19, 2026, on Wavve. Yonhap News Agency reported that Wavve will unveil the new original entertainment program on that date, with participants focusing on feelings they develop for one another regardless of whether the other person is male or female.²

Newsis also reported the June 19 premiere date and described the program as a romance show that does not draw a boundary around gender. The same coverage relayed Wavve’s framing that the cast members do not set a boundary on the direction of the heart.³

That focus places the first broadcast at the center of the program’s public introduction. Rather than presenting StandBIMe only as another dating variety show, Wavve’s description emphasizes the emotional process: participants meet, observe their own reactions, and seek the direction of the relationships they want. The available source material does not provide a full cast list, episode count, running time, or release schedule beyond the first release date.

The title is styled in Korean sources as “스탠바이미,” while the main English keyword StandBIMe reflects the program name used for search and international-facing reference. The platform named across the reports is Wavve, and the show is identified as a Wavve original.

A Dating Format Built Around Open-Ended Feelings

The core premise of StandBIMe is its departure from the familiar pairing assumptions often used in dating entertainment. iMBC Entertainment reported that the show moves away from established relationship patterns in romance variety programming and follows participants as they get to know one another and confirm their emotions.⁴

Hankook Ilbo described the program as launching as Korea’s first bisexual dating program and reported that it is produced by the company behind His Man, with Kim Hyun-kyung serving as director.⁵ That production detail is one of the few staff-related facts available in the supplied reports, and it helps define how the show is being positioned in relation to earlier Korean dating reality formats.

The first teaser also appears to reinforce the program’s question-based framing. One quoted line from the teaser asks, “What gender were you expecting?”⁵ Another teaser quote reported by Newspim says, “Let’s keep it open, that’s why we came out here, right?”⁶ Both lines are brief, but they align with the publicly described format: participants are presented as entering the show with room for unexpected emotional directions.

Newspim reported that the official poster shows the backs of three men and women, suggesting relationships not fixed in a single direction, while the teaser presents increasingly complicated romantic lines and emotional changes.⁶ These promotional materials are part of the first-broadcast rollout, but the available source material does not identify individual participants or reveal specific relationship outcomes.

The emphasis on “real emotions” is repeated in Wavve’s own announcement, which described the show as looking beyond gender conditions and toward various possibilities of love.¹ That official framing is important because it sets the program’s stated scope before the first episode is released: the narrative is not only about who chooses whom, but about how participants recognize and respond to attraction under less conventional dating-show rules.

What Viewers Know Before the Premiere

Ahead of the first broadcast, the most firmly established facts are the platform, date, format, and production positioning. StandBIMe is a Wavve original. It premieres on June 19, 2026. It is a dating reality show focused on relationships and attraction beyond gender boundaries. It has been introduced through an official poster and first teaser.¹

What remains unavailable from the provided source material is just as relevant for readers tracking the program. There is no confirmed full participant lineup in the supplied reports. There is no detailed episode calendar beyond the first release date. There is also no source-backed information here on whether all episodes will be released at once or weekly, or whether the show will include hosts, commentators, or studio panels.

That limited but consistent information leaves the first broadcast as the main confirmed event. The coverage from Wavve, Yonhap, Newsis, Hankook Ilbo, Newspim, and iMBC Entertainment all points to the same central update: StandBIMe is set to arrive on Wavve on June 19 as a dating reality program organized around open-ended romantic possibilities.

The result came shortly after the show’s June 5 release, with Korean reports noting that it reached the top of the global non-English shows chart three days after launch. Netflix’s official weekly recap also listed Teach You a Lesson at No. 1 on the non-English TV list with 6.4 million views.²

Teach You a Lesson Takes No. 1 on Netflix Global Chart

Netflix’s Top 10 page identifies the title as Teach You a Lesson: Limited Series and places it first among non-English shows for the June 1-7 chart week. The same listing reports a total runtime of 10 hours and 41 minutes, along with 6.4 million views and 68.7 million hours viewed.¹

Korean coverage added further market detail, reporting that the series ranked No. 1 in 10 countries, including Korea, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The same report said the title entered the Top 10 in 48 countries.³

The performance gives the series a prominent early international result on Netflix’s weekly chart, which tracks viewing across the platform’s global audience. The available source data does not provide a longer-term ranking beyond the June 1-7 weekly window, so the confirmed status is limited to that chart period and the figures released with it.

What Netflix Says the Series Is About

Netflix describes Teach You a Lesson as an action K-drama centered on a government agency whose trained officials confront school bullies affecting both students and teachers.² A separate Netflix Tudum guide says the series is now streaming and identifies Hong Jong-chan as director and Lee Nam-kyu as writer.⁴

The main cast listed by Netflix includes Kim Moo-yul, Lee Sung-min, Jin Ki-joo and Pyo Ji-hoon.⁴ The available source material does not provide character-by-character plot details, but it consistently frames the series around school conflict and institutional intervention.

Korean outlet Sisaweek reported that the drama adapts the original webtoon while focusing on school conflicts, teacher authority, bullying and malicious complaints through the fictional Teachers’ Rights Protection Bureau.⁵ That framing aligns with Netflix’s own description of the show as an action-driven story about officials responding to school bullying.

The title’s English name, Teach You a Lesson, also reflects the international Netflix listing. Korean reports refer to the series by its Korean title, Chamgyoyuk, while Netflix’s global materials use the English title for the limited series.

Director Responds After the Global No. 1 Result

Following the chart result, Sports Kyunghyang interviewed director Hong Jong-chan, who addressed the show’s international response. Asked about the global No. 1 ranking, Hong said, “It does not feel real,” adding that he was pleased viewers seemed to recognize the work’s essence and sincerity.⁶

Hong also linked the show’s overseas response to the broad familiarity of school-related issues. In the interview, he said he believed matters involving children and schools are similar in any country.⁶ The comment places the drama’s global reception in the context of themes that extend beyond one local education system, while still keeping the story rooted in school conflict.

The director also left open the possibility of continuation if the show’s performance grows. He said that if it becomes more successful, he would return with Season 2, adding that there are still many stories left to tell at school.⁶ The available material presents that as a conditional comment from the director, not as an official renewal announcement.

For now, the confirmed milestone is clear: Teach You a Lesson led Netflix’s Global Top 10 non-English TV chart for June 1-7, 2026, with 6.4 million views, 68.7 million hours viewed and reported Top 10 placement in 48 countries. Its next measurable benchmark will depend on future Netflix chart updates, but its first chart week established the series as the leading non-English TV title on the platform for that period.

Migak Boys are not a conventional idol group built through the usual music-industry rollout. They are a five-member project group that appeared in episode 6 of TVING’s original series The Legend of the Cook Soldier, and their song “My Flavor” grew from an in-drama fantasy music video into a formally released OST track.¹² That background matters, because it explains why a rice paddle can read less like a random prop and more like a joke that fans immediately understand.

Why the Migak Boys Rice Paddle Fits the Concept

The rice paddle cheering item works because Migak Boys are tied so closely to a cooking-themed story world. Reports described the group as appearing in a fantasy music video imagined by Hwang Seok-ho after tasting Kang Sung-jae’s arancini rice ball, which gives “My Flavor” a food-centered narrative context before it ever becomes a music-show performance.³

That is why the rice paddle has such strong meme potential. In K-pop and drama fandom, light sticks usually function as symbols of identity: they make a fan section visible, help create a shared color or shape, and turn audience participation into part of the performance. For Migak Boys, the rice paddle does that while leaning directly into the “cook soldier” premise. It is practical, funny, and instantly legible.

The fan details around the stage also added to the sense that this was more than a one-off gag. TV Report said around 400 fans applied for the pre-recording and that the fan name “Omi,” written with the characters for “five tastes,” and an official cheering method were also shared.¹ In other words, the rice paddle was part of a larger mini-fandom package: group, song, fan name, chant, stage, and prop all arriving together.

There is also a language layer that makes the idea feel especially neat. “Migak” points toward taste, “Omi” suggests five flavors, and a rice paddle is a familiar kitchen object. Even for readers who are not following every Korean entertainment reference, the structure is easy to grasp: the fandom identity is built around taste, food, and the fun of treating a drama-born act like a real stage-ready group.

From Drama Scene to “My Flavor” Stage

The path from screen moment to music stage is part of what makes this story charming. OSEN reported that OST Part 2, “My Flavor,” was set for release at noon on May 27, 2026, after first being revealed through the fantasy music video scene in episode 6 of The Legend of the Cook Soldier.² The same report said the release happened after requests for an official music version followed the song’s appearance in the drama.²

The participating Migak Boys members are Kang Ha-kyung, Lee Sang-jun, Lim Ji-ho, Kang Jun-kyu, and Kim Moon-ki. JoyNews24 also reported that actor Lee Sang-yi joined them for the “My Flavor” special stage on M COUNTDOWN.³ That detail is important because it frames the performance as a crossover between drama storytelling, OST promotion, and music-broadcast spectacle.

Mnet Plus listed Migak Boys in the lineup for M COUNTDOWN episode 932 on June 11, 2026, alongside acts including LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, KATSEYE, BABYMONSTER, and BOYNEXTDOOR.⁴ Mnet Plus had also included Migak Boys under the special stage items in its preview for the same episode, which was scheduled to air live on Mnet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 11.⁵

That official lineup confirmation gives the rice paddle moment extra context. This was not only a social-media oddity from a drama fandom; it was connected to a real music-broadcast appearance. TVING’s official X account also posted pre-recording guidance for winners attending the Migak Boys “MY FLAVOR” M COUNTDOWN debut-stage recording, directing them to gather in front of CJ ENM in Sangam on June 11.⁶

What This Says About Fan Culture

The Migak Boys rice paddle moment sits in a sweet spot between parody and sincerity. It plays with idol-fandom conventions, but it does not simply mock them. The structure is familiar: a group name, a song, a fan name, a cheering method, a music-show stage, and a light stick. The twist is that each piece is filtered through the culinary world of The Legend of the Cook Soldier.

That is why the rice paddle works as a fan object. It is not elegant in the usual idol-merchandise sense, but it is specific. A standard light stick could have made Migak Boys look more like any other project group. A rice paddle makes the whole idea feel tied to the drama’s premise and to the humor that helped the song travel beyond the episode itself.

It also shows how quickly audiences can respond when a fictional detail has the right shape for participation. “My Flavor” began inside a drama scene, then moved into an official OST release, and then reached a music-broadcast stage with a cheering item and fandom name attached. That progression is compact, but it is easy to follow because every part reinforces the same playful identity.

The Migak Boys rice paddle is memorable because it turns a simple kitchen tool into a symbol of shared fandom fun. For anyone tracking how drama OSTs, project groups, and music-show culture overlap, this is a neat example of how a fictional performance can become a real fan moment when the concept is clear, specific, and easy to cheer for.

The matter involves the musical Dream High 2, its production entities Art One House and Art One Company, and claims that appearance fees and related payments remain unresolved after the production’s 2025 run. Youngjae’s side has already taken legal steps, with Hankook Ilbo reporting that a complaint against Art One House was filed in January 2026.¹

Youngjae Reopens Dream High 2 Appearance Fee Dispute

Youngjae publicly revisited the issue on June 9, 2026, stating through social media that only part of the amount had been paid and suggesting that the situation could not reasonably be seen as proper settlement. In one short message cited in Korean reports, he wrote that “this kind of handling is really difficult,” a comment directed at the continued payment dispute.¹

Dispatch reported that Youngjae tagged the Dream High 2 production company Art One Company and CEO Kim Eun Ha’s account while calling attention to the unpaid appearance fees. The outlet also reported that the problem was not limited to Youngjae, saying payments to other actors had not been fully settled and that the overall unpaid amount was known to be in the hundreds of millions of won.²

Dream High 2 was performed at Woori Financial Art Hall in Seoul from April to June 2025, followed by an additional one-month extended run, according to Dispatch.² The payment dispute therefore concerns compensation tied to a production that had already completed its main run and extension well before the June 2026 public exchange.

The first broader report on the unpaid appearance fee issue came months earlier. Sports Kyunghyang reported on December 2, 2025 that many cast members had not received appearance fees even after the promised payment deadline had passed. That report said both leading and supporting actors, as well as ensemble actors, were among those affected, and described the unpaid amount as being in the range of hundreds of millions of won.³

At that time, the production side attributed the issue to increased costs and said it planned to begin resolving the matter within that week.³ The continuation of the dispute into June 2026 indicates that, based on the later reports, the payment matter had not been fully closed for Youngjae and at least some others connected to the musical.

Producer Says June Settlement Is Planned

Art One Company CEO Kim Eun Ha issued an official statement on June 10, 2026, apologizing for the delay in payment. Star News reported that Kim described unexpected financial operating difficulties during the production process and said the company had discussed completing procedures for the remaining unpaid amount within June.⁴

In the statement, Kim said the company would “definitely complete” settlement procedures for the remaining unpaid amount within June.⁴ The statement framed the issue as a delayed payment problem linked to production-side financial strain, while also presenting June 2026 as the intended period for resolving what remained unpaid.

However, that explanation was quickly challenged by Youngjae’s agency. AndBut Company rejected the production side’s claim that there had been an agreement to settle the balance by the end of June. Sports Today reported on June 10, 2026 that the agency said it had never discussed or confirmed the end of June as the repayment timing.⁵

The agency’s statement directly disputed the production side’s account, saying there was “no fact” of having discussed or confirmed such an arrangement.⁵ AndBut Company also stated that it was continuing the necessary legal procedures, keeping the matter in a formal dispute posture rather than treating the June timeline as an agreed settlement plan.⁵

Wider Legal Claims Around Dream High 2

The Youngjae dispute sits within a larger set of reported payment conflicts involving Dream High 2. Sports Kyunghyang reported on January 14, 2026 that some people connected to the musical had begun legal action over unpaid wages or compensation.⁶

That report said a person identified as B, who worked on OST and arrangement duties, filed a compensation claim against Art One House for 120 million won. It also reported that an actor identified as A filed for provisional attachment involving about 130 million won, while dancers and minor-role actors were preparing a joint response.⁶

These earlier reports establish that the dispute was not a single isolated complaint by one performer. Instead, multiple categories of participants were reported to have raised or prepared claims related to compensation from the Dream High 2 production.

As of June 11, 2026, the public record reflected three clear points: Youngjae had again raised the unpaid Dream High 2 appearance fee issue, the production side had said it intended to complete remaining settlement procedures within June, and Youngjae’s agency had denied that such a timing had been agreed or confirmed. The dispute remains unresolved in public reporting, with legal procedures continuing according to the agency’s statement.

The narrower Jensen Huang “Golden” moment centered on a short preview scene: Huang, wearing a black leather jacket, appeared on the recording set and moved lightly to “Golden.” Reports also highlighted that he spoke favorably about Hwasa, creating a natural “Jensen Huang Hwasa” talking point around the entertainment appearance rather than a business announcement.¹

Jensen Huang Calls “Golden” a Standout Track

The strongest quote carried by the preview was Huang’s praise for “Golden.” Star Today reported that he said, “Who doesn’t like ‘Golden’?” and added that “‘Golden’ is really a masterpiece,” based on the tvN “You Quiz” official social media preview.² The official tvN Instagram post also previewed the same angle, presenting Huang’s comments on “Golden” alongside his remarks about Hwasa and noting the June 10 evening broadcast.³

Coverage from Yonhap, Hankyoreh, Kyunghyang Shinmun, YTN and Star Today all described the appearance as a light entertainment moment built around the recording-set preview. The most repeated details were that Huang appeared in the preview, danced or moved to “Golden,” and made favorable comments about Hwasa’s music or performance.¹⁴⁵

The source material identifies “Golden” as an OST track from Netflix animation “KPop Demon Hunters.” The reports do not provide additional production credits, chart data, release details, or a full soundtrack breakdown, so the available facts are limited to Huang’s televised-preview remarks and the program’s promotion of the moment.

Hwasa Mentioned Alongside Music and Performance Praise

Huang’s comments about Hwasa were another central element in the coverage. Yonhap reported that he said he loved Hwasa’s music very much and described her as highly charming. The same report also carried his assessment that she was an excellent dancer with strong vocal ability.¹

Hankyoreh reported that Huang showed his fan interest through the “You Quiz on the Block” appearance and mentioned Hwasa songs including “Good Goodbye” and “So Cute.”⁴ Star Today also reported that he referred to Hwasa’s music and the song “So Cute” in the preview coverage.²

Because the source material is based on a promoted broadcast preview and related entertainment articles, the available record does not show a direct meeting between Huang and Hwasa during the segment. It also does not state that Hwasa appeared in the same episode. The sourced point is narrower: Huang discussed her music and performance positively while appearing in a “You Quiz” preview.

“You Quiz” Preview Also Teased Business-Figure Questions

The tvN appearance did not only focus on music. YTN reported that host Yoo Jae-suk was shown asking Huang which of three major Korean business leaders he was closest to: Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun, and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won. Huang responded, “Very easy,” according to the preview coverage.⁶

Hankyoreh also reported that the question about Lee, Chung and Chey was part of the previewed episode.⁴ The source material does not provide Huang’s full answer to that question, so it should not be expanded beyond the previewed exchange.

Kyunghyang Shinmun added that CJ ENM said the broadcast would also introduce Huang’s growth process and insights on the AI era.⁵ That framing connected the appearance to Huang’s broader public profile as Nvidia’s CEO, while the viral entertainment angle remained his reaction to “Golden” and his comments about Hwasa.

The official tvN “You Quiz on the Block” Instagram post was published on June 6, 2026, and was the promotional source behind much of the subsequent Korean media coverage.³ Reports from June 8 and June 9 then amplified the preview, focusing on the unusual mix of a global technology executive, a Korean variety program, K-pop references, and questions about Korea’s top business figures.

The confirmed story is therefore limited but clear: Jensen Huang appeared in a “You Quiz on the Block” preview, praised “Golden,” moved to the song on set, and spoke warmly about Hwasa’s music and performance. With the June 10 broadcast slot now in the past, the source-backed focus remains the previewed remarks and the entertainment coverage that followed them.