Evelyn Reynolds

If you’ve met a child this summer, you’ll probably have heard about K-Pop Demon Hunters. But the South Korean pop world has demons of its own…14:46, 27 Aug 2025Updated 14:47, 27 Aug 2025It turns out K-Pop has some real life demons…(Image: Netflix)All over the country, living rooms are shaking to the surprise hit of the summer. K-Pop Demon Hunters – touted by Netflix as their most-watched original animated film – has captured kids’ imaginations like never before.But there’s more to the South Korean music craze than vocal harmonies and energetic dance routines. We’ve taken a look at the dark side of the K-pop hit machine…Pop pushersThose picture-perfect pop stars don’t just show up out of nowhere. First they go through the gruelling K-pop training system, often starting at primary school age.Children as young as nine audition for the record company schemes, with the chosen few sent off to specialist academies for years at a time. Speaking in 2020, former hopeful Euodias described spending two years at one of them.Euodias spent two years training at a K-Pop agency(Image: euo.coeur/instagram)“Weight was the constant obsession of everyone there,” she said. “Everyone was required to be no heavier than 47kg (7st 6lb or 104lb) regardless of their age or height.“If you were over the designated weight, then they would ration your food. Sometimes they would even take away entire meals and those ‘overweight’ trainees would just be given water.”Pupils were kept in single-sex dormitories and banned from dating – even visits from relatives had to be approved in advance. They practised dance routines from 5am to 11pm, stopping only for their normal school lessons.She added: “It was common to pass out from exhaustion. Often we had to help carry unconscious trainees back to the dorms.”Euodias, 26, was eventually told she would need plastic surgery to change her nose and jawline if she wanted to succeed. She quit after being assigned a “sweet and innocent” character that didn’t fit her “loud” personality.Since her experience, the South Korean Free Trade Commission has introduced tighter regulations around the treatment of K-pop trainees.Deadly obsessionSHINee member Jonghyun died in December 2017(Image: WireImage)For those who make it through the training, the battle is far from over. Stars are held to near-impossible standards of beauty and behaviour – with drinking, smoking and dating routinely banned.Those who don’t toe the line are often targeted by online hate groups, with harassment and gruelling schedules said to contribute to high suicide rates.Singer Kim Jong-hyun, from South Korean boyband SHINee, became a casualty of the lifestyle when he was found dead in December 2017. The 27-year-old, who suffered from depression, left a note describing his struggle with being in the public eye. He wrote: “I was broken from the inside,” adding “the life of fame was never meant for me.”Sulli died in October 2019(Image: YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images)Then in October 2019 singer Sulli, formerly of girl group f(x), took her own life at her house in Seongnam. The 25-year-old had faced relentless cyberbullying over her relationship with rapper Choiza.Her close friend Goo Hara, from girl group Kara, killed herself a month later at her home in Seoul. In the run-up to her death, the 28-year-old had faced a traumatic legal battle with ex-boyfriend Choi Jong-bum.Hairdresser Choi had been handed an 18-month suspended sentence – later reduced to a year on appeal – for assaulting the star and threatening to ‘end her career’ by releasing a private sex tape.Despite being the victim of a crime, Goo was still targeted by trolls over the fact the sex tape existed.Crimes against musicBig Bang member Seungri had a huge fall from grace(Image: Getty Images)Since K-pop first emerged in the 1990s, a series of scandals have tarnished its squeaky-clean image. One of the first was the mysterious death of rapper Kim Sung-jae of hip-hop group Deux.The 23-year-old was found dead in a Seoul hotel room in November 1995. Police initially concluded he had a heart attack linked to overworking, until 28 needle marks were discovered on his right arm.When traces of animal anaesthetics were found in his blood, his 25-year-old girlfriend, identified only as Miss Kim, was arrested. But the case against her was later thrown out due to a lack of evidence – and the alleged crime has never been solved.Former FT Island member Choi Jong-Hoon was sent to prison(Image: WireImage)Then in March 2019, three male K-pop stars shocked South Korea with their roles in a spycam sexual abuse scandal. They were part of a group caught drugging and raping female revellers at the Burning Sun nightclub in Gangnam, Seoul, then sharing footage of the attacks.Singer-songwriter Jung Joon-young was jailed for six years, later reduced to five, for gang-raping multiple women and sharing videos without their consent. Choi Jong-hoon, of FT Island, was imprisoned for five years for the same offences, reduced on appeal to two and a half.Article continues belowAnd Seungri, from boyband Big Bang, got a three-year sentence and 1.15billion won fine for hiring prostitutes, embezzling Burning Sun funds and trying to destroy evidence, later reduced to 18 months.Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter. More

BBC Radio 2 DJ Jo Whiley has been left heartbroken after her husband Steve Morton accidentally killed their family 14-year-old cat Simba by driving over herAndy Gilpin Deputy Editor in Chief14:38, 27 Aug 2025Updated 14:45, 27 Aug 2025Jo Whiley is distraught following the death of her cat Simba(Image: BANG Showbiz)Jo Whiley’s husband has accidentally killed their family cat. The 60-year-old radio presenter’s other half, music executive Steve Morton, is in a “world of pain” after he unknowingly ran over their 14-year-old Bengal cat, Simba. He had initially moved the cat to park his car but didn’t realise that she had returned to the driveway.A distressed Jo confessed to her BBC Radio 2 colleague Zoe Ball, 54, on the latest episode of their Dig It podcast: “I feel like I haven’t been completely honest with what’s going on in my life, but I can’t – I just can’t talk about it.”Sorry, I thought I should do it, but I don’t think I can. And God, it’s really hard to talk about, but I should do it because I think it’s actually relatively common.”But we came back from holiday, and all the kids are out doing various different things. I went to my mum and dad, and I got a call from Steve in a complete panic.”And he had come home, and he – it sounds ridiculous to say – but he’d run our cat over. And it’s really sad.”Jo, who also has another cat named Gingin, a Sproodle dog called Brodie and a golden retriever named Boosh, continued: “It’s really awful. So, whereas once we were a family with four pets, we now have three.”It was Simba, our cat, who was the old lady of the family. And I think we’ve showed pictures of her before, and I’ve talked about her before. She was the Bengal.Steve Morton and Jo Whiley back in 2018(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Chris Levine)”In fact, we did. She was on the other day. She was our Bengal, and she’s about 14 years old. And she was really noisy and really, really hungry all the time. So she was always – had a very fierce presence.”I ordered so much cat food that arrived yesterday morning, ironically, that he drove into the driveway and she was lying because it’s so hot outside. The animals have just been lazing around on the gravel.”And she was lying there. And he literally drove in really slowly, he said. “And he got out of the car and went to move her out of the way, moved her, physically moved her, thought that she’d gone, and then drove the car in, and she hadn’t.”We just cannot work out what on earth happened. And he’s absolutely distraught.”Simba had a special bond with Steve, often curling up on his lap, leading him to playfully tell Jo that the cat was his “girlfriend”.The radio presenter explained: “Because in those evenings when he’s at home, and I’m at work, and he’s always said, ‘Oh, she’s my girlfriend.'”.”She wouldn’t sit on anyone else’s lap, she’d just go to him. So he’s in a world of pain.”Jo and Steve share four children – daughters India and Coco, and sons Jude and Cassius – and she feels grateful they weren’t present during the tragic incident.They are devastated by Simba’s passing – yet they remain more “concerned” about Steve.Discussing how Steve is coping after the incident, Jo shared: “He’s okay. I mean, testament to my kids that they were upset about Simba, but they were more worried about dad.Article continues below”So, yeah, I’m giving him lots of love.” More

Roman Kemp has shared that he’s been in the ‘horrendous’ situation of walking in on his parents, Martin and Shirlie Kemp, having sex several times, but one particularly ‘bad’ occasion stood out from the rest13:58, 27 Aug 2025Shirlie, Martin and Roman Kemp(Image: Channel 4)There are few experiences more mortifying than stumbling upon your parents in an intimate moment, but The One Show’s Roman Kemp admits he’s walked in on his mum and dad during passionate encounters multiple times – with one particular incident he desperately wishes he could erase from memory.Chatting with musician mate Tom Grennan on their You About? Podcast, he shared how, as a youngster, his parents – Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp and former Wham! vocalist Shirlie Kemp – frequently failed to realise he wasn’t actually sleeping after being tucked in.”I’d be too scared to go to sleep,” he explained, “and I’d walk into that room and they’d be having sex. Really horrendous!”.One especially unforgettable incident occurred during a family trip to Los Angeles, where Roman had been taken to witness burlesque performer Dita Von Teese’s show.Despite being just 13-years-old at the time, Roman had been permitted entry to watch her provocative performance.The couple have been keeping the spark alive for 37 years(Image: Getty)Upon returning to their accommodation, Martin and Shirlie had evidently been stirred into a distinctly amorous mood.After settling Roman in his separate room, the couple retreated to the adjoining suite for such vigorous lovemaking that “the painting came off the wall”.”It was like a Kevin and Perry moment,” Roman remembered. “It was so bad. It was so bad that the painting came off the wall in the room.”Roman said his parents had a very active sex life(Image: Getty)The following morning, he continued, Roman and his parents simply settled down in the hotel’s breakfast area and enjoyed their meal as though nothing had occurred.Martin had previously disclosed that he and his wife of 37 years put considerable effort into maintaining the romantic flame in their marriage.He reveals they organised regular romantic evenings together, explaining: “What you find is when your kids grow up and they leave home, you become boyfriend and girlfriend again. You go back to the beginning and back to how you used to be.”It was love at first sight for Martin and Shirlie(Image: Getty)It was instant attraction for Martin when he first spotted Shirlie performing on Top Of The Pops on television back in 1982.Article continues belowMartin told The Mirror: “I remember being around my mum and dad’s, my back was up against the sofa because I was sitting on the floor, watching Thursday night Top Of The Pops and Wham! came on.”Martin went on: “I saw Shirlie on there and absolutely fell in love through the television. You know, you fall into that bubble where you can’t think of anything else. And that’s how it was for me for a couple of weeks until we finally met.”For Shirlie, the attraction was entirely mutual, with the star remembering: “I saw you in a magazine. I just got that feeling, I think I’ve fallen in love. That’s how my crush started. After that you starred in my dreams for a long time.” More

Mysterious Girl hitmaker Peter Andre and his wife, Emily MacDonagh, share two children together and have made a big decision about their family’s future following the birth of their daughter Arabella12:38, 27 Aug 2025Emily and Peter Andre (Image: Getty Images)Peter Andre experienced a “bittersweet” moment with wife Emily MacDonagh following a major family decision they made together.The pair welcomed their third child, Arabella, in April last year.The ‘Mysterious Girl’ star also has two children – Junior and Princess – with former wife Katie Price.However, Peter, 52, reveals that he and Emily have decided against expanding their family further.Chatting to Bella magazine, Peter explained: “When the baby was born, we looked at each other and we just had this look in our eyes…it was such a bittersweet moment, because we knew we both got emotional, and we knew it was the last time,” reports The Mirror.Peter, who also has Amelia and Theo with Emily, says little Arabella “absolutely completes” their brood.The pop sensation also acknowledges that he and Emily have contrasting approaches to parenting.He reveals that Emily, who works as an NHS doctor, draws on her medical expertise and maintains a “strict” stance on fizzy drinks for the kids.Peter and Emily met when the latter was a medical student in her early twenties(Image: PeterAndre/Instagram)Meanwhile, Peter says he focuses on ensuring the children display proper manners.Emily has previously spoken candidly about her challenging third pregnancy and confirmed she won’t be having any more babies.During an appearance on Giovanna Fletcher’s podcast, Happy Mum Happy Baby, she stated: “It’s absolutely cemented now but we always said it would be the last anyway.”We don’t have any more bedrooms for starters, so that’s a good enough reason. The car is full. We don’t even have a seven-seater anymore because Junior and Princess can drive.”Emily also spoke about how Junior and Princess get along with their younger half-siblings, explaining: “They have a lovely relationship together. Even though the older two have their own lives, so they’re busy and doing their own thing, when they see the younger kids, they’re so sweet and they give the biggest hugs.”The age gap is so big that it makes it easier because they’re not in competition with each other. The younger ones understand that there’s a different set of rules for the older ones because they’re grown-ups.”Peter and Emily, 36, first crossed paths when her father, Ruaraidh McDonagh, carried out a kidney stone procedure on the pop star, with Peter revealing he formed a strong bond with Ruaraidh before falling for his daughter.Katie publicly called Peter’s wife Emily a “disgusting person”(Image: Instagram)The couple started their romance and exchanged vows in 2015 at the stunning Mamhead House and Castle in Devon, and despite their hectic household of four children – though Junior has recently moved out to live with his girlfriend – they still make efforts to carve out precious moments together.Article continues belowEmily recently confessed: “It’s something we have to make an effort to do and, if I’m honest, we should do it more. We always say we ought to try to go for dinner once every two weeks, and it happens but just not that frequently.”She told Heat magazine: “But we still try to make time for each other within our routine and working week. So, every night at home, we will sit together and watch TV, or have a conversation, just us, no distractions.” More

Live With Kelly and Mark host Kelly Ripa has joked that ‘severe ED’ and ‘£6 billion’ are the only requirements for her next husband if she ever divorced co-star Mark ConsuelosAndy Gilpin Deputy Editor in Chief12:23, 27 Aug 2025Updated 12:24, 27 Aug 2025TV host Kelly Ripa as Harley Quinn back in 2016(Image: WireImage)Kelly Ripa has revealed her ideal next husband would be a billionaire suffering from “severe” erectile dysfunction. The 54-year-old TV host has been wed to her Live With Kelly and Mark co-presenter Mark Consuelos since 1996, yet she’s clearly pondered what might happen should their marriage ever end.During their daytime programme, she said: “If you and I were not together, my next husband – I almost said, ‘My next husband, may he rest in peace’ – will have to be one foot and one arm in the grave.”Kelly, who shares grown-up children Michael, 28, Lola, 24, and Joaquin, 22, with Mark cheekily admitted she’d be more focused on inheritance than romance.She jested: “He has to have severe ED [erectile dysfunction] and at least $6 billion in the bank.”Mark, also 54, playfully suggested that if he ever found himself single again, it would only be because Kelly had “passed away”. He remarked: “I would mourn the loss. I’m assuming you passed away, ’cause why would you ever leave?”.Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have joked about a hypothetical breakup(Image: BANG Showbiz)The happily-married pair also bantered about a hypothetical split earlier this year, when they speculated about how Mark would manage.Kelly observed: I know if you and I broke up, you would absolutely fall apart, completely. “Whilst not disputing this, her husband cheekily suggested he’d find a younger replacement.He quipped: “I do feel like someone would be there on the other end to pick me up and make sure I’m OK.Article continues below”I’d have to get used to their college schedule and all that stuff. ” Kelly couldn’t help but chuckle at his jest, and she reassured their followers that their bond is unshakeable, even though they relish discussing hypothetical situations in their lives.She elaborated: “We have these conversations all the time.”I’m like, ‘What would happen if you found out that I faked my own death? And he’s like, ‘Well, my new wife and I would be very upset at first. ‘ It’s our favourite conversation.” More

Freddy Brazier, son of Jeff Brazier, has opened up about being sectioned. Jeff’s youngest son has revealed that he has “been smoking since he was 12” and said: “I’ve been to rehab, I’ve been sectioned, I’ve had manic episodes, I’ve been sectioned. There’s been a real journey and it’s been a tough one.” He also […] More

Taylor Swift is now engaged to her fiancé Travis Kelce after two years of dating and some fans are only just discovering a “prophecy” that was made years before they even met11:54, 27 Aug 2025Taylor and Travis recently revealed that they are now engaged(Image: taylorswift/Instagram)A wild “prophecy” about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship has come true.A couple predicted Taylor and Travis’ engagement way back in October 2020, when Makayla Stephens dressed as Taylor for Halloween, wearing a pink shirt, white jeans, knee high boots and blonde curls with a red heart drawn round her eye.Her husband Nick Stephens wore Travis’ American football jersey with his number 87 on the front and shoulders. In the caption, Makayla wrote: “I don’t know any world in which Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce would be in the same room together, but apparently in this one they’re married? #HappyHalloween.”After the news that Taylor and Travis are now engaged after two years of dating, fans flocked to the comment section to share their disbelief. One person simply typed: “Insane,” while another said: “Thank you guys for visualising this!”Content cannot be displayed without consent”Pick six numbers please,” joked another commenter referencing the week’s lottery numbers, while someone else wrote: “Y’all need to be invited to the wedding because none of this would’ve happened without y’all putting this photo and caption out into the world.”Another person announced: “I think you deserve an invite!” while a second said: “Congrats, big day for you guys,” and a third: “Girl, how much is it for you to dress up as a rich version of me this Halloween and say something about me getting rich?”Taylor and Travis shared their announcement on Instagram(Image: taylorswift/Instagram)Swifties went wild on 26 August when Taylor and Travis announced their engagement. The showbiz couple, who began dating back in 2023, took to Instagram to share pictures of their happy moment.They wrote: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” and added a sweet snap of the pair touching foreheads. Taylor held Travis’ face while he place his hands on her waist, both smiling from ear to ear.Taylor wore a white and blue striped dress with a delicate silver watch while Travis opted for a blue polo shirt and white trousers.Article continues belowJoin the Daily Star’s WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and lots moreThe Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us!Through the app, we’ll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…along with the latest breaking news of course.To join our community, all you have to do to join isclick on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in!No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.CLICK HERE TO JOINHave you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz hereWant all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter More

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has taken to social media to share that she’s currently ‘getting in shape’ ahead of the 2025 series of the BBC One dance show10:46, 27 Aug 2025Shirley Ballas said she’s ‘getting in shape’ for Strictly(Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I)Shirley Ballas has shared with her fans that she’s “getting in shape” for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, following a tantalising teaser about her return. She will resume her role as the head judge on the BBC One dance competition when the 2025 series begins next month, joining fellow judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.The professional line-up for this year was confirmed back in April, including hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Dancers Amy Dowden, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Nikita Kuzmin, Neil Jones, Gorka Marquez and Luba Mushtuk are all set to return for the 2025 series.Also gracing the ballroom floor once again this year will be Dianne Buswell, Katya Jones, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Michelle Tsiakkas, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Vito Coppola and two newbies.Shirley Ballas wowed in a bikini on holiday(Image: Shirley Ballas Instagram)While preparations are currently in full swing, with celebrities filming their VTs for the launch show and professional dancers pre-recording group numbers for the upcoming series, the judging panel has a bit more breathing space before returning to action.As for Shirley, she’s disclosed that she’s currently on a juicing retreat, sharing glimpses from her sunny Portuguese getaway on Instagram. In a fresh photograph, the ‘Queen of Latin’ was pictured poolside in her swimwear, soaking up the rays.She captioned the image: “A bank holiday well spent at @juicemasterretreats … off to a great start. Thank you @jasonvale, it’s the best place on earth. Getting in shape for the season ahead @bbcstrictly.”The compliments poured in thick and fast. Strictly 2025 contestant Vicky Pattison commented: “Looking fab girl.”The Strictly Come Dancing judges are Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood(Image: Shirley Ballas Instagram)Last year’s finalist and actress Sarah Hadland gushed: “The legs,” whilst Tasha Ghouri responded: “You look amazing!”One follower wrote: “You always look fantastic! Lovely to see you relaxing.”Another posted: “You look amazing! I hope you’re feeling relaxed. Can’t wait for next month when Strictly is back!” Someone else added: “Looking fantastic and Strictly ready!”The BBC show also revealed that two new professional dancers would be joining the ranks: Alexis Warr, champion of So You Think You Can Dance, and Julian Caillon from Australia’s Dancing With The Stars, reports the Manchester Evening News.Earlier this month, it seemed the celebrity line-up for Strictly 2025 was finalised. However, last Thursday (August 21), it was announced that Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn had to withdraw.Shortly after, Lewis Cope – best known for his role as Nicky Milligan in ITV’s Emmerdale – was confirmed as Kristian’s replacement, rounding off the celebrity line-up for Strictly 2025 once more.Article continues belowWant all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter. More