[Kang Il-hong's Today Entertainment] Kim Ji-young's 'Choi Bool-am Mourning Visit' Leather Jacket Fashion, Why the Debate?

Jennie Re-enters Billboard 'Hot 100' Top 5... Global Star's 'Dignity'[Tuesday, November 3, Kim Ji-young / Jennie / Jenna / Lim Young Woong / Kim Yoo-jung "Inappropriate attire for mourning" vs. "If you visited the wake and expressed condolences in person, that's enough." Kim Ji-young's attire when she visited the wake of the late Choi Bool-am was belatedly embroiled in controversy. At the time, she wore a black leather jacket with a shoulder bag adorned with gold chains and had on makeup. / Channel A Capture[THE FACT|Reporter Kang Il-hong] National actor, the late Choi Bool-am, has entered eternal rest after his funeral procession and mass yesterday. Many people visited the wake in person to express their condolences during the funeral period. However, an unexpected controversy arose at the mourning site visited to commemorate the deceased during the funeral period, leading to a belated debate.The controversy began with the attire of Kim Ji-young, who visited the wake of the late Choi Bool-am. She is an actress who worked with the late Choi Bool-am for a long time as Bok-gil in the drama 'Jeonwon Diary.' Kim Ji-young visited the wake with her husband, Nam Sung-jin. At the time, she wore a black leather jacket with a shoulder bag adorned with gold chains and had on makeup.Upon seeing this, some netizens commented that her attire was inappropriate for the solemn place of a funeral, and especially for the final journey of a senior actor with whom she had worked for a long time, they expressed a desire for a more neat and calm outfit.What was the problem? The core issue is not the leather jacket itself, but the difference in the perceived symbolism of the mourning venue and expectations regarding attire.In our society, funeral attire is considered not just clothing, but etiquette that expresses respect for the deceased and the bereaved. Therefore, flashy accessories or outfits that look like everyday wear can be perceived as inappropriate by some people.Of course, there are many opposing opinions. They argue that if one wears black and visits the wake in person to express condolences, that is sufficient. It is possible that she visited the wake in a hurry due to personal schedules such as filming, and it is pointed out that judging the sincerity towards the deceased solely by their attire is excessive interference.In fact, Kim Ji-young expressed deep condolences to Choi Bool-am, saying, "He was such a precious and valuable person to us." We can infer that she was genuinely saddened by the departure of a senior actor she respected, with whom she had worked on the same drama for a long time.Ultimately, this controversy can be seen as a difference in perspective between mourning etiquette and individual expression. The heart of mourning for the deceased is not proven solely by clothing. However, isn't considering how the other person will perceive it in a solemn setting also an important part of mourning etiquette?The global power of Black Pink JENNIE has once again been proven on the Billboard charts. The song 'Dracula,' a collaboration between Jennie and Australian psychedelic rock project Tame Impala, has returned to the top 5 on the US Billboard main singles chart, 'Hot 100,' continuing its long run at the top.This is a three-spot rise from 8th place last week, tying its own highest ranking. The song is drawing attention as a collaborative track that combines the experimental musical colors of electronic and psychedelic rock with Jennie's unique, sophisticated, and distinctive vocal charm. The meeting of two artists with different musical worlds is demonstrating competitiveness in the global popular music market.What is even more surprising is its sustained popularity. 'Dracula' has re-written the record for the longest-running K-pop solo artist in the TOP10, entering the Billboard main singles (Hot 100) for 23 consecutive weeks. In particular, the fact that it recorded 63 million radio listener impressions and ranked first for 7 consecutive weeks on the Billboard (Radio Songs) chart is significant.This means that beyond the concentrated consumption of the initial fandom, it has secured everyday listening by local US radio and the general public. This shows that Jennie is not just a star riding the wave of K-pop popularity, but has established herself as an artist with independent competitiveness in the global pop market, transcending genres and borders.Black Pink's member, a solo artist, and a global icon encompassing fashion and culture, JENNIE's achievements are now showing new possibilities that Korean artists can create in the global popular music market, beyond the worldwide expansion of K-pop.Recently, a singer has hit it big thanks to K-pop idol singers' cover songs. That singer is Park Sang-chul. A song released 16 years ago is now regaining explosive popularity among teenagers and those in their 20s.The song is Park Sang-chul's 'Bbang Bbang.' However, the fact that the star of this reverse run is Jenna, a member of the popular girl group RESCENE, has drawn even more attention. As a result, Park Sang-chul is now all smiles. He says that everyone he meets talks about Jenna, and they lose track of time.According to him, Jenna has always enjoyed singing 'Bbang Bbang' and even performed this song among several trot songs on a Chuseok stage. This caught the attention of the younger generation and spread to karaoke popularity.The result was astonishing. 'Bbang Bbang' ranked first in karaoke favorite song rankings and soared to second place on Melon. The song, which was loved when it was released 16 years ago, is experiencing an unexpected second heyday.In fact, this is not the first time this has happened. Kang Jin's 'Ttaengbeol' was strongly imprinted on young audiences when Jo In-sung sang it in the movie 'A Dirty Carnival,' and it subsequently became a nationwide hit.Sul Woon Do's 'Purple Postcard' also gained renewed attention when Lim Young Woong performed it with restrained emotion on 'Mister Trot.' The song 'Hidden Wind Sound' sung by Jeon Yu Jin is also cited as a case where interest in the original song was revived through a cover performance.In this way, someone's new interpretation and performance breathe new life into forgotten songs.So, what is special about this 'Bbang Bbang' reverse run? It is the meeting of trot and K-pop idols. In the past, trot was music for middle-aged and older adults, and idol music was for the younger generation, with clear boundaries. However, now it has become an era where a trot song sung by an idol dominates the playlists and karaoke of the younger generation.Park Sang-chul also expressed his gratitude to RESCENE and stated that he is happy that trot and idol music seem to be getting closer.Ultimately, good songs seem to have no expiration date. Park Sang-chul's 'Bbang Bbang,' released 16 years ago, has now become a song for a new generation through RESCENE ZENA.This is a very pleasant event for the original singer. It seems to be the reason why Park Sang-chul, a popular singer leading the Korea Singers Association, cannot stop smiling.Lim Young Woong has not relinquished the throne for 5 years and 7 months. Let's examine the meaning and future prospects of this unprecedented record of 292 consecutive weeks at No. 1.Singer Lim Young Woong has set an unprecedented record of 292 consecutive weeks at No. 1 in the Idol Chart rating ranking. In the 4th week of October 2026, Lim Young Woong garnered a total of 306,364 votes to maintain the top spot, and 'Likes,' which shows active fan participation, were also the highest with 31,199.The reason this record is special is not simply that they have been ranked No. 1 for 292 weeks. The Idol Chart rating ranking is a system where voting is conducted anew each week. Past glory does not guarantee the next week's ranking. Fans must participate again and choose again each week to maintain the No. 1 position.Converting 292 weeks into days is a whopping 2,044 days, approximately 5 years and 7 months. Added to this is the achievement of being ranked No. 1 in the annual rating ranking for 5 consecutive years from 2021 to 2025. This shows that Lim Young Woong's popularity is not a temporary trend but is based on consistent trust and solidarity.In particular, their activities, including music and performances, as well as friendly communication through variety shows, and even donations and sharing, are evaluated as driving forces for the continuous cohesion of the fandom. So, what about the future prospects?While the record of 292 consecutive weeks is astonishing in itself, what is more noteworthy is the fact that this record is ongoing. As long as the fandom's solidarity and public favorability are maintained, new milestones such as 300 or 400 consecutive weeks at No. 1 can be fully expected.Ultimately, Lim Young Woong's true competitiveness lies not in a single explosive popularity, but in the consistent choices made over 5 years and 7 months. The number 292 is not just a ranking, but a history of trust written together with the fans.The billionaire founder of a global luxury brand, and his unhesitating touch towards famous actresses, the figure whose controversy is spreading regardless of East or West is Brunello Cucinelli, the founder of Italy's top high-end brand, Brunello Cucinelli.At a recent brand event held in Shanghai, China, his physical contact while guiding Chinese top actors Liu Tao and Chen Duling has drawn strong criticism.The released video shows him repeatedly holding Liu Tao's arm and even appearing to touch the center of her chest. Liu Tao also showed a reaction of flinching or moving away.The controversy grew further when it was revealed that he also engaged in excessive physical contact with actress Chen Duling on the same day, such as wrapping his arm around her waist and holding her arm. But it doesn't end there. In Korea, a past video of actress Kim Yoo-jung was also brought up.At a previous brand event held in Hong Kong, Kim Yoo-jung attended. In the video from that time, Cucinelli is seen escorting Kim Yoo-jung with his arm around her waist, patting her waist area, and appearing to move his hand downwards.Although the scene did not receive much attention at the time, it is being re-examined among domestic netizens following the controversy with the Chinese actresses.Of course, the intention of the physical contact and the positions of the parties involved must be confirmed separately. However, what is clear is that respecting the consent and intentions of the other party is a fundamental principle that must be observed regardless of nationality, culture, or location.No matter how much of a founder of a world-renowned luxury brand, or how much wealth and social influence he possesses, he cannot be an exception. The value of luxury is not created solely by its high price or brilliant reputation. Isn't a respectful attitude towards people also included in that value?eel@tf.co.kr