BIGBANG’s G-Dragon (Kwon Ji Yong) has officially taken on a professor role at KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), but not everyone was on board with the idea at first!

On February 26, MBC’s Radio Star featured model and influencer Heo Sung Beom, who shared his firsthand experience meeting Professor G-Dragon.

Heo revealed that he attended G-Dragon’s appointment ceremony last year as a student representative. However, he admitted, “Some people at KAIST felt that G-Dragon didn’t really fit in here since he’s not from KAIST.”

But Heo had a different perspective. “When I actually met him, I saw that he was very interested in science and technology. He asked a lot of questions.” He added, “People think science is rigid, but it’s actually deeply connected to creativity. Research needs investment, promotion, and interest. G-Dragon is playing a big role in that.”

G-Dragon made headlines last year when he introduced himself as “Professor Kwon Ji Yong” at KAIST’s 2024 Innovate Korea talk show.

As a visiting professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, his role focuses on blending KAIST’s advanced technology with K-content and culture to strengthen Korea’s global influence.

His duties include:
Leadership lectures to inspire students with his global experience
Research collaborations that merge Hallyu (Korean Wave) with AI, robotics, and the metaverse
Development of artist avatars using cutting-edge tech like motion capture and haptics

At his appointment ceremony, G-Dragon admitted he was amazed by KAIST after a tour of the campus.“This isn’t a place you can just come to easily. Seeing the research and development firsthand made me realize how closely connected it is to my own work.”

He also talked about his vision for the music industry: "For the public, albums and music are new content. I want to offer different ways to experience music, to increase its collectible value. Watching, listening, and experiencing music should go beyond just the traditional ways.”

As for his future projects with KAIST, G-Dragon teased: “It’s still a secret, so I can’t reveal much yet. But seeing the technology at its early stages made me excited to think about how I could apply it in my field.”

G-Dragon’s professorship at KAIST will last two years, until June 2026. Fans are curious to see what groundbreaking projects he’ll work on next.

Source (1)

Former S.E.S member Shoo (Yoo Soo Young) warmed hearts as she shared a touching moment with her twin daughters—taking them to the same wholesale market where she once worked during a difficult time in her life.

On May 8, Shoo posted several photos on Instagram showing her spending time with her twin daughters, Ra Hee and Ra Yul, at the Dongdaemun wholesale market. In the caption, she wrote, “Did everyone enjoy the holiday? I feel like I made a memory I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.”

The photos showed Shoo and her daughters smiling brightly while eating and shopping together. Her daughters, now visibly grown up, were even seen wearing similar shoes and clothes as their mom.

Shoo opened up about a painful chapter in her past. “When I was struggling, I once sold clothes I got from Dongdaemun with the help of a friend,” she shared. “I used to go there from night to early morning, picking up fleece clothes, hairpins, and shoes, thinking, ‘My kids would love this if I brought them here.’”

Now that her daughters are older, Shoo finally fulfilled that dream. “We laughed so much while shopping. We bought hairpins, socks, and clothes together,” she said. “They’ve grown so much—they can even wear the same things as me.”

Reflecting on the experience, she added, “Memories of my past flashed before my eyes. I told them how I used to work late at night, carrying heavy bags and walking around for 10 hours straight.”

Shoo emotionally concluded, “I was so happy to show my kids the nighttime world I once worked in.”

Fans who remember Shoo’s twins from The Return of Superman were touched to see how much they’ve grown. Shoo, now a proud mom of three, continues to update fans through her TV appearances and social media, showing her strength as both a mother and former idol.

Source (1)