BTS' Jimin has once again shown how popular he is in Japan, with amazing support from his Japanese fans.

Jimin's second solo album MUSE has sold more than 100,000 copies in Japan as of July, earning a 'Gold' certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). This adds another achievement to his long list of records.

The Japan Record Association gives out certifications based on how many albums are shipped each month. The levels include 'Gold' (over 100,000 units), 'Platinum' (over 250,000 units), and higher levels like 'Million' (over 1,000,000 units). Jimin had already earned a Platinum certification for his first solo album FACE, becoming the first and most successful K-pop solo artist with a Korean-language album in Japan. Now with MUSE going Gold, Jimin continues his streak of success.

Jimin's impact in Japan is even clearer with his recent win in a poll by Japanese media outlet Danmee. In the "Best Korean Male Celebrity of July" poll, held from July 16 to 23, Jimin received 3,357 votes out of 6,716, taking first place for the 17th month in a row.

The poll reflects the opinions of Japanese K-pop fans and considers votes, idol activity, and social media engagement. To keep it fair, each fan can only vote once.

Meanwhile, Jimin continues to shine in Japan's music scene. His MUSE title track "Like Crazy" topped Japan's Spotify 'Weekly Top Songs' chart from August 23 to 29, making him the first solo artist in 2024 to do so.

The song has also been on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 for seven weeks straight, proving Jimin’s lasting popularity in the region.

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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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