ZE:A gives out 704 free hugs

The members of ZE:A have given out 704 free hugs.

On June 25th, in a shopping center in Ilsan, ZE:A shared free hugs with fans and passersby, who wished the group a successful comeback.

The event was filmed for Mnet‘s ‘Yoo Sae Yoon’s Art Video‘. ZE:A received a mission on the program to complete 704 free hugs in anticipation of the release date of their second album ‘Spectacular‘ on July 4th.

“Free Hug Side”, Kwanghee, Hyungshik, and Kevin, met with citizens, while the “Running Machine” side, Siwan, Dongjun, Minwoo, and Taeheon, ran on treadmills. If one of the “Running Machine” members came down from their machines before 704 free hugs were given out, the group would have failed their mission.

Siwan in particular attracted attention for completing the “death race” after an all-night practice, after which he went to film MBC‘s ‘Standby‘.  ZE:A completed the mission in 40-something minutes.

The agency commented, “As there were very little promotion for the event before, everyone expected that the guerilla event would fail. Furthermore, [we also expected] the members to have been exhausted by daily preparations for their comeback, but the [event] seemed to attract many people.”

ZE:A will be holding their showcase on July 3rd, 7:30 PM, and will officially release their album on the 4th.

In the meantime, take a look at ZE:A’s comeback teaser photos here.

Source: Cookie News via Nate

Comedian Yoo Se Yoon plans to retire from the industry in three years

At the production conference of his self-produced Mnet show, ‘Yoo Se Yoon’s Art Video‘, comedian Yoo Se Yoon revealed his plans for retirement from the entertainment industry.

Reporters asked about his position between a celebrity and a movie director, to which he replied, “Personally, I don’t feel that being a celebrity is the right fit for me. I know that I should put that side of me away while focusing on this, but I recently renewed my contract with my agency so I have three years of it left. After three years, I don’t want to pursue being a celebrity anymore.”

He continued, “It’s been hard for me because you have to talk so much as a celebrity. Directing is something I enjoy because it gives you room to think. The depressive feelings I’ve had have become better by working through ‘Art Video’.”

Netizens were surprised by his statement, commenting back, “I’m too shocked by this”, and “I hope that he’ll cancel his retirement plans.”

‘Yoo Se Yoon’s Art Video’ will air on June 5th at 11 p.m. KST.

Source + Photos: Economy Today via Nate