Kim Sae-ron, a Young South Korean Actress, Is Found Dead

 

South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron, a former child star whose promising career suffered a setback in recent years after a drunk-driving incident, was found dead in her home on Sunday afternoon, police said.

Ms. Kim, who was 24, was discovered by a friend who had visited her house, according to the Seongdong Police Station in Seoul. The police on Monday said Ms. Kim’s death was a suicide.  

One of South Korea’s most lauded young actors, Ms. Kim had not appeared in any shows since she faced public criticism after being convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol in 2022.

Her death marks the latest tragedy to strike South Korea’s booming but high-pressure entertainment industry, which has faced criticism for the toll it places on the mental health of its burgeoning stars. A celebrity’s popularity is often contingent on a spotless reputation, experts say.

MUST READ: Nigerian Man, a Lawful Permanent Resident of the US, Sentenced to 75 Months & Ordered to Pay Over $342,000 in Restitution to Victims of Catfishing Scheme

 United States Attorney's Office

United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Edwin Okoronkwo, age 36, of Nigeria, was sentenced on January 29, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Okoronkwo to 75 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Okoronkwo will be placed on a 3-year term of supervised release and will be deported by immigration authorities. Okoronkwo was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $342,535.00 to seven victims as a result of his crimes.

Funke Akindele’s ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ beats ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’

Funke Akindele’s Everybody Loves Jenifer has out-run Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King in the Nigerian box office.


It’s a rare sight for Hollywood blockbusters, especially those from Disney, to struggle at the box office, let alone in multiple markets.

However, in Nigeria, the story is different—Funke Akindele, one of Nollywood’s most prolific producers, has proven to be a formidable contender.

Her latest film, Everybody Loves Jenifa, has shattered records to become the highest-grossing film in Nigerian box office history.

In doing so, it has not only maintained a commanding hold on the top spot but has also pushed Disney's highly-anticipated Mufasa: The Lion King to a distant second place.

Sterling Bank raises staff salaries by 7%, but staff expectations fall short

 Sterling Bank, a tier-2 Nigerian commercial bank with a market capitalization of ₦174.76 billion, has raised salaries for its over 3,000 employees to help them cope with rising living costs and inflation, sources familiar with the matter confirmed. The salary adjustment, said to be around 7%, was communicated in an internal memo in early January 2025.

This move continues a trend among Nigerian banks to review compensation in response to economic pressures on consumer spending. In August 2024, Sterling Bank introduced a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) stipend, paying ₦75,000 to employees from executive trainee to assistant banking officer levels. It remains unclear if this stipend will continue alongside the new salary structure.

While the precise figures are not publicly disclosed, three people confirmed the adjustments are based on employees’ grade levels. Sterling operates a salary banding system with increases typically ranging from 7% to 10%, and recent adjustments have moved many employees to the top of their respective bands. For instance, executive trainees (ETs), previously earning ₦327,000 monthly, will now take home ₦351,000. Senior executives (junior roles above ETs) on a ₦500,000 salary will see their pay rise to ₦527,000.

To manage pay increases without promoting employees to higher ranks, Sterling Bank uses a tiered salary structure that includes internal “notches” within each grade level, allowing for raises without formal promotions, according to sources familiar with the bank’s compensation policies.

Source: https://techcabal.com/2025/01/14/sterling-bank-adjusts-salaries/

Davido shares how producer he worked with gifted him $20K as a show of gratitude

Davido shared that the music producer gifted him the money as an expression of gratitude after securing his publishing rights.

In a p; post shared on his Instagram story, Davido revealed that the producer visited him to thank him for ensuring he get his publishing rights which helped secured his dues from the royalties of the songs he worked on.

"A certain producer / writer | started working with from timeless .... Finally got his publishing check.. came to my house and handed me 20 thousand dollars and said baba | thank you ....

Happy to see there are still good pple in this world ! Being appreciated sure feels good! Love you brother!"

Source: 

 https://www.pulse.ng/articles/entertainment/music/davido-shares-how-producer-he-worked-with-gifted-him-dollar20k-as-a-show-of-gratitude-2025011311412410011