BTS's Jimin has made another major mark as a solo artist, proving his global power in the music industry.

On October 26, Billboard revealed the list of K-pop artists who have topped the Billboard Artist 100 chart, which ranks artists based on album sales, streaming, radio airplay, and more.

Among the nine K-pop artists who reached the top, Jimin stands out as the only solo artist to achieve this feat.

Last year, Jimin made history when his first solo album FACE and its title track Like Crazy topped the Billboard Hot 100, making him the first K-pop soloist to reach number one on the Billboard Artist 100 chart.

This achievement placed Jimin alongside legends like The Beatles and The Supremes, becoming a part of an exclusive group with at least six number-one hits. His success sparked global headlines, with major coverage from CNN, AFP, BBC, and others.

In addition, Jimin was featured in Interview 365's "Good People Best 10," praised for his groundbreaking achievements, including being the first K-pop artist to hit number one on the Hot 100 both as a soloist and with BTS.

After his military enlistment, Jimin continued his solo journey with MUSE in July, where he hit second place on the Billboard Artist 100 chart. His title track Who debuted at number 14 on the Hot 100, staying in the charts for 18 weeks, a new record for Jimin and the longest chart run of any K-pop song in 2024.

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Actor Chun Jung Myung has opened up about a devastating betrayal by his former manager, who swindled tens of billions of won from his family. The former manager, who had been trusted like family, is now serving prison time for his actions.

In the December 8 episode of SBS’s My Little Old Boy, Chun Jung Myung shared the shocking details of his financial fraud ordeal with fellow cast members Lee Sang Min and Kim Heechul.

He explained, "I was financially defrauded by the manager I had worked with for 16 years since my debut. He forged documents to steal money and even caused huge financial losses for my parents."

A close source confirmed on December 9, "The manager mentioned on the show ultimately couldn’t repay the damages and is now serving his prison sentence for fraud."

The source also revealed that Chun Jung Myung suffered losses in the tens of billions of won. The emotional toll was severe, leading to social anxiety, and he even considered retiring from the entertainment industry due to the devastating betrayal.

Chun Jung Myung debuted in 1999 with the drama School 2 and became a household name with roles in Beijing, My Love, Fashion 70s, and What's Up Fox? However, after his role in the 2019 drama Urban Cops: KCSI, he suddenly disappeared from the spotlight, sparking concerns from fans.

An entertainment agency CEO weighed in, saying, "Celebrities, especially those with limited real-world experience, are vulnerable to scams because of their public status. Some get trapped and lose vast amounts of money after being used as figureheads."

An entertainment law expert added, "Fraud cases are tricky because proving the intent to steal is difficult. If someone makes an enticing offer, always ask, ‘Why me and not them?’ Skepticism is key."

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