Weekend rewind: K-Drama romance, beauty pageant controversies, Dubai's 150m penthouse and more success secrets

From the enchanting real-life romance of K-Drama's beloved stars Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, to the dramatic twists in the world of beauty pageants our entertainment reel is packed. But that's not all – we're also taking you inside Dubai's stunning Dh150 million penthouse, revealing how UAE influencers earn big, sharing Mark Cuban's billionaire formula, and offering vital tips to boost your fitness and heal from workplace trauma. Get ready to catch up on the hottest entertainment and lifestyle trends that had everyone talking last week!

Their first official project together came in 2017 with The Negotiation. The thriller had them in dramatic setups, but off-screen, the vibe was all playful bickering, Instagram cameos, and fun chemistry. Ironically, in the mere seconds they shared on-screen—most of the film had Ye-jin negotiating with Hyun Bin remotely during a hostage crisis—sparks still flew. The chemistry was unmistakable. Read the full story here.

Queen of Tears is a misfire on nearly every level. Stellar performances are overshadowed, and the few emotionally resonant moments are buried beneath bloated storytelling and an overwhelming current of toxicity. Kim Ji-won’s character deserved far better—and frankly, would have been better off choosing divorce for good. QOT had none of the addictive theatrics of CLOY, the storytelling from Goblin, then what brought this show to such fame? Find out.

It was a royal night of sorts to remember as the Philippines lit up the global pageant stage — not once, but twice.

On Friday, May 23, Krishan Pauline Alerre and Patricia Anne Nichole Bangug each claimed international crowns in separate competitions, giving Filipinos everywhere reasons to celebrate. Read the full story here.

Former Miss India, Miss Universe runner-up, UN Goodwill Ambassador, and former Dubai resident Celina Jaitly has responded forcefully to Miss England 2025 Milla Magee, who alleged that contestants at the Miss World India event were subjected to excessive sponsor appearances, pressured to wear certain outfits, and “exploited” under the guise of pageantry. Check out her exclusive statement to Gulf News.

India’s first Miss Grand International (MGI) titleholder Rachel Gupta has been stripped of her crown in a dramatic fallout that has once again cast the spotlight on the pressures and politics behind international beauty pageants.

The Miss Grand International Organization announced Rachel Gupta's dethronement, but Gupta is telling a very different story on her Instagram account. Read the full story here.

In this week's Dream Home Dubai series, we look at the iconic ice-cube shaped The Opus By Omniyat at Business Bay. The curved glass walls (all 4,544 of them) were hand-crafted and gives this classy penthouse a surreal, fluid feel — like you're living inside a piece of art. Zaha Hadid didn’t just design a building; she gave Dubai its most glamorous illusion yet. This is how Dubai does minimalism.

Let’s cut through the hype and get to the real figures. Recent data shows TikTok influencers in the UAE can earn anywhere from Dh700 to Dh70,000 per post. The average annual income for top creators is around Dh490,000, and that’s just in the early stages of the game. The money talk: Who’s raking in more?

Mark Cuban, billionaire entrepreneur and investor, has long emphasised that investing in yourself is the ultimate competitive advantage. Cuban attributes his success to this simple yet profound principle, which has a corollary – continuous self-improvement. 'Shank Tank' tycoon points to the ultimate competitive advantage anyone can master.

A world where you could just get fit in seven minutes? Did we hear that right? Well, it’s real—and backed by science. This seven-minute workout might just be the way to get fit: No blood sweat and tears; and it also builds endurance, strength, along with a dash of confidence.

The good news is that you can complete it within seven minutes. 

Ex-bosses can’t haunt you. How can a workplace be as traumatic as a former partner? You clock out of an office, you’re done. It’s a statement that someone breezily made at our table at lunch, filled with working professionals. The reason is simple, he said. You leave an office, and you leave a toxic boss behind. You start again, with the lessons that you learned from the previous office. How to heal from old workplace wounds.