BTS' Jin is making waves with his popularity, landing in the top 2 for non-drama stars according to a new survey.

On August 27, Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex revealed that Jin secured the second spot in the TV-OTT integrated non-drama star popularity survey for the fourth week of August, right after Lim Young Woong. Jin's recent appearances on variety shows have boosted his popularity, with 'Pook Si Myeon Daehangya' hitting its highest ratings.

The MBC variety show 'Pook Si Myeon Daehangya,' which aired on August 19, achieved a viewership rating of 6.4% (Nielsen nationwide household standard), its highest yet. The show has been the top variety program in its time slot for 16 episodes in a row and ranked first among Monday variety shows.

Jin, who finished his military service on June 12, was promoted early as a special forces soldier and instructor due to his outstanding performance.

After his discharge, Jin’s work as a global ambassador for Gucci and Fred led to surges in website traffic and quick global sellouts. He’s also been active promoting Seoul tourism, receiving enthusiastic reactions.

On July 14 (local time), Jin had the honor of being the first foreign torchbearer at the '2024 Paris Summer Olympics,' marking France’s Bastille Day. Carrying the torch at the Louvre, Jin showed off his immense global popularity, topping mention rates, media buzz, and search rankings worldwide.

Paris Match, France’s top weekly magazine, featured Jin among 31 torchbearers, calling him a "true prince who ascended after 235 years of the French Revolution."

The Associated Press noted Jin as the standout torchbearer, while Billboard listed Jin’s relay as one of the top highlights of the Olympics, underscoring his remarkable global influence.

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Hyun Bin is finally addressing the long-standing "ddongcha" (poop car) theory surrounding his character from My Name is Kim Sam-soon—and he's not holding back!

In an interview on the 19th with Star News, the beloved actor confessed, "I was wrong," responding to the reevaluation of his iconic role as Hyun Jin-heon from the 2005 hit drama. The "ddongcha" theory has been a subject of online debate for years, with many viewers critiquing Hyun Jin-heon’s character as overly arrogant and entitled.

Hyun Bin, who first rose to fame in My Name is Kim Sam-soon, took the time to reflect on the character that made him a household name. He shared, “I was just following the script; there were no personal opinions added to the character of Hyun Jin-heon. At that time, I knew Hyun Jin-heon was portrayed as a ‘bad boy,’ and the way it was expressed was different from today’s standards.”

With My Name is Kim Sam-soon now being re-released as part of Wavve's "New Classic" project, fans are revisiting the 2005 drama, and the character of Hyun Jin-heon is under fresh scrutiny. Director Kim Yun-cheol even admitted that the "prince on a white horse" and "bad boy" tropes that once worked in 2005 don’t quite match today's sensibilities, leading to edits in the 2024 version.

Hyun Bin humbly acknowledged his gratitude for his successful career and hit works, saying, "It’s wonderful and I am grateful to have so many hit works. I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing writers, directors, and actors. Thanks to them, I’ve received a lot of attention and love." He also shared a sense of humility, noting, “But I never know when that luck will come again."

Despite the dramatic shift in perspective on his character, Hyun Bin’s charm and dedication remain strong. Fans are eager to see him in his upcoming film Harbin (directed by Woo Min-ho), set to be released on the 24th.

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