By Ray Kirsch
Content warning: This piece contains references to suicide, sexual assault and grooming.
March is here, and we hope that Spring is planning to stick around in Madison! This March marks the five year anniversary of COVID-19 being declared a global pandemic… Time flies when we're having fun? Or rather, time flies when we're disassociating? If you are looking to care about other people's drama rather than your own, you've come to the right place; here's the latest pop culture gossip of the last few weeks.
King Charles launches Apple Music radio show
King Charles recently announced that he is launching an Apple Music radio show, where he will showcase his favorite music. He also released his own personal playlist.
What music does the royal family listen to? According to King Charles III, he's been listening to Bob Marley, Raye, Grace Jones, Beyoncé, Diana Ross and more.
Sure, you could tune in to his show… Or, consider tuning in to free radio programming at wsum.org!
Louis Tomlinson to play in UNICEF's Soccer Aid game
Louis Tomlinson has been announced to be playing in UNICEF's Soccer Aid charity soccer game, which will take place on June 15.
This annual charity event raises money for UNICEF UK, which aims to support children around the world. The entire player lineup hasn't been revealed—nor has the half-time show performer—but it should be a competitive game of soccer!
Final season of You forthcoming
Hello, you. I bet you didn't forget about You, the show about stalkers and obsession. The show has just released its trailer for its fifth season, which will be released on April 24. Check out the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQdEHQLHDAI
Ex-NCT member Taeil's sexual assault case update
Ex Korean-pop group member, Moon Taeil, has an update on his sexual assault case. Taeil, who was once a member of SM Entertainment's NCT 127, left the group in 2024 due to being accused of aggravated quasi-rape. I've been updating this story for this column; read a comprehensive timeline here.
The last update was that Taeil was being investigated on these charges, which alleged that Taeil and two others raped a foreign national woman. The latest update, though, is that Taeil has been indicted without detention on special quasi-rape charges. It also has been reported that an arrest warrant was requested but denied. The court stated this was not necessary because the suspects admitted to the crime.
On February 28, Taeil and the two acquaintances were supposed to appear for trial at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's Womens and Childrens Crime Investigation Division 1. The two acquaintances appeared at the investigation, but Taeil did not, citing health issues as his reasoning. During the questioning, the suspects claimed that the assault was not premeditated.
Until Taeil and the two other suspects are formally charged, they will likely be monitored but not held in detention. There are no news as to when this formal charge will occur.
Armie Hammer disses men and women at the same time
Armie Hammer, the Call Me By Your Name star and alleged cannibal and sexual assaulter, has revealed that he attempted hooking up with a man on Grindr. Who asked? I don't know…
Hammer said that he tried Grindr because “gay dudes have it so easy” and “women are the worst.” To make a long rant short, he's apparently not into men.
“It was hilarious,” he said on his podcast.
Doechii named Billboard's Woman of the Year
Doechii has been named Billboard's Woman of the Year. Past recipients include Karol G, SZA, Cardi B, Olivia Rodrigo, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Lauryn Hill.
Doechii has been highly celebrated across the music scene recently, winning best rap album at the Grammys and outstanding new artist at the NAACP Image Awards.
She will receive this award at the annual Billboard Women in Music event, which will take place on March 29. The event will be hosted by Laverne Cox.
Also featured in the event will be K-pop group aespa, Tyla, GloRilla, JENNIE, Erykah Badu and more.
Congratulations to Doechii and all of the other women who will be celebrated at the event!
Korean actress Kim Sae-Ron dies, relationship with actor Kim Soo-Hyun revealed
Bloodhounds actress Kim Sae-Ron, 24, was found dead in her apartment on February 16, 2025. According to the Seongdong police, she died by suicide. Shortly after she passed away, her aunt made serious claims against Kim Soo-Hyun, known for his roles in It's Okay Not to Be Okay, Crash Landing on You and Dream High.
According to Kim Sae-Ron's aunt, Kim Soo-Hyun dated Kim Sae-Ron for six years, which allegedly began when the woman was 15 years old. This would mean that Kim Soo-Hyun would've been 27 years old dating a 15 year old.
Dispatch, a media company known for revealing celebrity relationships, also claimed that the two had a romantic relationship. Dispatch also claimed that this was why Sae-Ron left YG Entertainment in 2019 and joined Soo-Hyun's newly-established company Gold Medalist.
Sae-Ron's family released text messages from March 2024 between the alleged previous couple, in which Sae-Ron expressed financial distress. According to the text, Soo-Hyun was suing Sae-Ron because Gold Medalist said she owed the company 700 million won. He never responded, and shortly after, she posted a photo of them with their cheeks touching on her social media.
Sae-Ron later alleged that the two dated from 2015–2021 and that when she signed with Gold Medalist, she wasn't being properly compensated for her work. She parted with Gold Medalist after her DUI incident in 2022 and when the company sent her a letter demanding money.
Gold Medalist and Soo-Hyun have denied the dating rumors and the company's mistreatment, but when Sae-Ron died, a lot of fans started defending her. She died on Soo-Hyun's birthday, who turned 37. Soo-Hyun has since lost around 300,000 followers on Instagram. A clip of him resurfaced, where he said on a reality show that he wanted to date a 20 year old when he was in his 40's.
Some individuals online have called out the fans for switching sides so quickly, even claiming that they “bullied Sae-Ron to death” and now are switching sides that she is dead.
