Just two months after their debut, Candy Shop, the fresh-faced girl group from Brave Entertainment, is already making headlines with a surprise member change.

On May 9th, Brave Entertainment dropped the bombshell news: "Our girl Yuina is taking a break from Candy Shop due to health issues. We've had some serious heart-to-hearts with Yuina about this. After giving it a lot of thought, we've decided to respect her wishes and put her activities on hold for now."

But that's not all. The company added, "Yuina won't be joining us for the upcoming schedules. But don't worry, Candy Shop isn't going anywhere. We're keeping the beat going as a four-member group and bringing in a new face."

Candy Shop, made up of Soram, Sui, Sarang, and Yuina, burst onto the scene on March 27 under the guidance of Brave Brothers. They've been in the spotlight since their pre-debut days as Brave's first new girl group in 13 years, following Brave Girls.

Yuina, the only Japanese member and a sub-vocalist of the group, has decided to step back despite being the newest addition to the team. It's a bittersweet moment for Candy Shop, but we're excited to see what the future holds for them.

Source[1]

Director Kim Hyung Joo of The Match has finally shared his thoughts on Yoo Ah In’s involvement in a drug scandal, calling it a major disappointment, especially considering the actor’s role as the lead in the film.

On March 19th, the director attended a press screening and briefing for The Match at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. Alongside Kim, actors Lee Byung Hun, Ko Chang Seok, Hyun Bong Sik, Moon Jung Hee, and Jo Woo Jin were present to discuss the film.

The Match revolves around the legendary Go player Cho Hun Hyun (played by Lee Byung Hun), who, after a loss to his disciple, decides to challenge the top players again, driven by his competitive spirit. The movie is directed by Kim Hyung Joo.

Lee Byung Hun plays the iconic Go champion Cho Hun Hyun, while Yoo Ah In portrays his disciple, Lee Chang Ho.

During the event, Kim recalled the casting process, saying, "When we were casting, Lee Byung Hun was cast first. Just having him felt like we had the world, and then, getting Yoo Ah In as a bonus made me even happier."

Although filming wrapped up in 2021, Yoo Ah In's drug scandal led to the indefinite postponement of the film’s release. Now, nearly four years later, The Match is finally set to hit theaters on March 26th.

Reflecting on Yoo Ah In's scandal, Director Kim openly shared his frustration, calling it "irresponsible and disappointing" for the actor to make such a mistake as the lead.

He added, “Before being an actor, he made a mistake as a member of society and was punished, so I don’t think there’s much more to say.” Kim smiled bitterly as he spoke.

Describing the challenges he faced due to the scandal, Kim compared the experience to being trapped in "a hellish tunnel."

He said, "There was nothing I could do inside, so it was overwhelming. But now that we have the light of release, it feels like I can breathe. I’m deeply moved."

The director also shared that because Yoo Ah In was the lead actor, the film had to be released as it was, without editing. This has led some people to feel uneasy about watching the film, given the actor’s scandal.

When asked about this, Director Kim said, "Choosing and judging is up to the audience, so I can't force anything. But I hope they watch the movie as it is. I unintentionally got hurt before the release, so I hope people watch the movie warmly, as if applying ointment to a wound."

The Match will officially be released on March 26th.

Source: [1]