No show: North Korea's leader Kim misses Party birthday

Calum MacLeod

USA TODAY

BEIJING — The wait continues — and the speculation mounts — after North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un failed to show up Friday for a key political anniversary in Pyongyang.

Kim has not been seen in public since Sept. 3, sparking rumors of a serious illness or even a coup in the highly secretive state whose nuclear ambitions rattle the region.

In Seoul, a South Korean official played down the significance of Kim's absence.

"It seems that Kim Jong Un's rule is in normal operation," Lim Byeong-cheol, spokesman for the south's unification ministry, told a press briefing Friday, according to the Yonhap news agency. He cited the North's dispatch of a top-level party-military delegation to the south last week, during which a senior figure conveyed Kim's greetings to South Korean President Park Geun-hye.

Kim's absence comes as North and South Korea traded fire Friday after the North shot at a South Korean propaganda balloon, according the Associated Press.

Although prolonged absences by North Korean leaders are not uncommon, this marks the longest such disappearance since Kim became Supreme Leader following the death of his father Kim Jong Il in 2011. The most recent television footage showed Kim, thought to be 30 or 31, limping heavily.

State media, in a rare comment on the ruling dynasty's personal matters, later said Kim was suffering from unspecified "discomfort." Gout seems a contender, given Kim's reported love of rich foods and alcohol, but the Reuters news agency, quoting an unnamed source Friday, said Kim hurt his leg, required 100 days to recover, and remained in full control.

Kim was injured when he joined generals he had ordered to perform physical drills, the source said. North Korea's state-run television is usually dominated by propaganda footage of Kim providing "on-the-spot guidance" to people at farms, factories, schools and seemingly in every other aspect of North Korean life.

Despite the absence of new material since Sept. 3, Kim remains front and center as the third generation of the ruling family's personality cult, an all-pervasive phenomenon that effectively serves as the state religion.

"Dear comrade Kim Jong Un is the symbol of dignity and invincibility of the Workers' Party and the banner of all victories and glory," said an editorial Friday in the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, a mouthpiece of the ruling party, Reuters reported.

If healthy, Kim would have been the central figure at events marking Party Foundation Day, Oct. 10. This year, the 69th anniversary, carries less significance and symbolism than the 70th in 2015, but Kim did attend commemorative activities on this date for the past two years, including a midnight ritual at the palace housing the embalmed bodies of his father and grandfather, Kim Il Sung, the regime founder and "Eternal President."

In a sign of global interest in Kim's whereabouts, China's state news agency Xinhua, one of the few foreign media outlets stationed in Pyongyang, dispatched a journalist to stake out the palace late Thursday, but found no police or security guards nearby that would suggest a Kim visit.

Xinhua and other Chinese media would not be permitted to report such speculation about their own Communist Party leaders, but have taken a sometimes critical view of Kim's belligerent behavior, despite Beijing being North Korea's only significant ally.

By late Friday morning local time, North Korean state media had not reported any Kim visit to Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, although it remained possible that reports later Friday could feature Kim's attendance at other anniversary events.

Some analysts cautioned that a coup remained unlikely.

"Despite his extended absence, available evidence suggests Kim is still alive and still in power," Korea analyst John G. Grisafi wrote on the NKNews website Friday. "The amount of influence and power held by officials certainly varies and Kim, who is young and inexperienced, is not likely to be calling all the shots himself."

"However, North Korea's government is using a dynastic system and having a member of the Kim family — or the "Paektu bloodline" — in the top spot is critical to maintaining this system," wrote Grisafi. "Kim may need his advisers and officials, but they need him too."

North Korea's Kim Jong Un makes birthday visit to China for ...

Thomas Maresca

Special to USA TODAY

SEOUL – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is in China, where he will meet with President Xi Jinping, Chinese and North Korean state media reported on Tuesday.

The trip, which is Kim’s fourth to China, came at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, according to news agency Xinhua, and will last until Thursday.

Kim was accompanied by his wife, Ri Sol Ju, and a delegation of high-ranking North Korean officials and traveled by private train across the border to China, North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported.

The North Korean dictator will be celebrating his 35th birthday on Tuesday.

Kim’s visit comes in the wake of an announcement on Sunday by President Donald Trump that Washington and Pyongyang were in negotiations over a location for a second summit, saying that it would be revealed “probably in the not-too-distant future.”

A South Korean newspaper reported on Monday that Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, was being considered as the site for the next Trump-Kim summit. Citing high-level sources in Seoul and Washington, Munhwa Ilbo reported that officials from the U.S. and North Korea have met in Hanoi to discuss scheduling the meeting.

Previously, Washington has suggested Vietnam, a communist nation with a rapidly developing economy, could serve as a model for North Korea in the future.

Opinion:North Korea diplomatic process is not a failure

More:Trump teases second summit with Kim Jong Un, touts his diplomacy with North Korea

During a visit to Hanoi in July, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on North Korea to replicate Vietnam’s economic “miracle.”

“In light of the once-unimaginable prosperity and partnership we have with Vietnam today, I have a message for Chairman Kim Jong Un: President Trump believes your country can replicate this path,” Pompeo said on that visit.

Kim’s current trip to China may be further evidence that a meeting with Trump is getting closer to reality. The North Korean leader went to China before and after his summit with Trump last June.

While the isolated state has dramatically raised its international profile over the past year, China remains North Korea’s closest ally and most important trading partner, accounting for 90 percent of its exports since 2000, according to a report from the Korea Development Institute.

The visit by Kim allows China to show the international community that it still plays a major role in North Korean issues, said Lee Seong-hyon, director of the Center for Chinese Studies at The Sejong Institute, a Seoul-based think tank.

“A visit like this is a very good occasion for China to prove to the world that it’s not sidelined,” Lee said.

Beijing may also be using this meeting with Kim as leverage in its ongoing trade war with Washington, which imposed tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese goods, causing China to retaliate with tens of billions of dollars in tariffs of its own. A U.S. delegation is currently in Beijing for two days of talks as the world’s two largest economies are looking to strike a new trade deal.

“China might use this occasion to nudge Kim to be more willing to make concessions in denuclearization steps as a diplomatic favor to Washington,” Lee said. “That will be seen as a goodwill gesture that China is on the same page with the United States on North Korea issues.”

A second Trump-Kim summit would seek to push forward a diplomatic process that has stalled out since their June meeting in Singapore.

While that meeting produced a declaration that North Korea would work toward a “complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula,” details and a timeline for carrying out the agreement remain vague.

More:North Korea warns US to stop 'meddling' in its affairs with South Korea

Pyongyang is looking for relief of punishing international sanctions in exchange for steps it has already taken, such as dismantling a nuclear testing site, while Washington is holding out for complete denuclearization.

Kim reiterated a call for sanctions relief on a televised New Year’s Day address, saying he was ready to meet again with Trump “anytime” but warning the U.S. not to test North Korea’s patience over the sanctions, threatening that it may have to find a “new way” to defend its interests.

Trump said on Sunday that sanctions would remain “in full force” until North Korea provided “very positive proof” of results.

While the birthdays of Kim’s father, previous “Supreme Leader” Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, are celebrated as national holidays, Kim Jong Un’s birthday is not.

The only example of Kim being honored in public on his birthday was in 2014, when former NBA star Dennis Rodman sang “Happy Birthday” to him before an exhibition basketball game in Pyongyang.

Kim Jong Un: South Korea says it sentTrump's birthday message

Tong-Hyung Kim

Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea said Friday it conveyed a message by President Donald Trump to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wishing him a happy birthday, which is believed to be Jan. 8.

Returning from a visit to Washington on Friday, Chung Eui-yong, South Korea’s presidential national security director, told reporters that Trump requested Seoul to deliver the message to Kim during a meeting at the White House this week.

Chung didn’t disclose what the message specifically said, but said Seoul sent it to Pyongyang on Thursday through “proper means.”

Kim last week opened the new year expressing deep frustrations over stalled nuclear negotiations with the Trump administration and vowed to bolster his nuclear arsenal as a deterrent against “gangster-like” U.S. sanctions and pressure.

The North in past months has severed virtually all cooperation with the South, while demanding Seoul to break away from Washington and restart inter-Korean economic projects held back by U.S.-led sanctions. But the Koreas still operate a liaison office in the North Korean border town of Kaesong.

Seoul had lobbied hard for the resumption of nuclear negotiations, with Chung shuttling between Pyongyang and Washington to help set up the first summit between Kim and Trump in June 2018.

But negotiations have faltered since the collapse of the second Kim-Trump meeting in February last year, when the U.S. side rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

Trump and Kim met again in June and agreed to resume negotiations. But an October working-level meeting in Sweden broke down over what the North Koreans described as the Americans’ “old stance and attitude.”

More:With nuclear weapons talks stalled, Kim Jong Un threatens 'shocking actual action' against US

More:'An expiration date on the bromance': Trump's friendly ties with Kim Jong Un faces new test

Despite the standstill in talks, Trump and Kim have both described their personal relationship as good. Trump has boasted about the “beautiful” letters he has received from Kim.

North Korea has never officially confirmed Kim’s birth date. While covering a 2014 visit to the country by Dennis Rodman, North Korean state media said the former NBA star organized an exhibition game on Jan. 8 to celebrate Kim’s birthday.

Kim Jong Un celebrates (unknown) birthday

Calum MacLeod

USA TODAY

BEIJING — A year ago Thursday when Dennis Rodman sang Happy Birthday to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, the Pyongyang crowd at the ex-NBA star's controversial "basketball diplomacy" game hesitated to join in, then clapped with him to the end.

Their confusion was understandable. Besides the language barrier, most North Koreans didn't know it was Kim's birthday. This year, they still don't know the age of the young "marshal" — Kim's official rank and title in North Korea.

The third generation of the Kim dynasty to dominate the isolated northeast Asian state, Kim may have been born in 1982, 1983 or 1984, according to the South Korean government.

Such is the secrecy surrounding his repressive regime that the birth of Kim's first child — and her name, Ju Ae — was only revealed by Rodman in a 2013 interview.

Yet for a secretive leader who never travels abroad and rarely meets foreign visitors, Kim's global profile has leaped ever higher during the past year. The portly Kim, whose striking haircut and swelling waistline recall his grandfather, regime founder Kim Il Sung, disappeared from public view for weeks in the fall. The absence was later blamed on a leg injury.

In recent weeks Kim has again dominated headlines as a result of the Hollywood comedy The Interview, which the U.S. government says sparked a North Korean cyberattack on the film's makers, Sony Pictures. Threats against movie theaters disrupted its distribution.

Nobody knows exactly how old Kim is, but the mystery reflects how his regime operates, said Park Young Ho, a researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification in the South Korean capital of Seoul.

When his age is finally publicized, authorities are likely to pick 1982, Park said. Kim Il Sung was born in 1912, and Kim Jong Il, father of Kim Jong Un, was born in 1942. A 40-year gap to the current Kim offers a neater number and stronger symbolic connection with the former leaders, Park said.

Unlike his predecessors' birthdays, Jan. 8 is not yet a national holiday in North Korea. Sweets are distributed as well as some basic necessities — a tradition begun by the earlier Kims — but large celebrations are unlikely, Park said.

"He wants to show the people he keeps his birthday simple by showing affection to ordinary people and filial piety to his father and grandfather," he said.

The "Day of the Sun" for Kim Il Sung's birthday, and the "Day of the Shining Star" for Kim Jong Il, are major events in North Korea, said Simon Cockerell, managing director of Koryo Tours, who has experienced both festivals during 140 trips to North Korea since 2002.

For Kim Jong Il's fete in February expect mass dances featuring thousands of people, "highly politicized synchronized swimming", ice skating and children's performances, plus the Kim Jongilia flower show, featuring the begonia named after Kim, Cockerell said.

Such commemorations reinforce the family personality cult that dominates North Korean life.

While Thursday remains a working day in North Korea, the "marshal" will be uppermost in many minds as a nationwide campaign continues to praise and study his New Year speech.

Kim's rambling address contained "some promising signs," but reflected "a reactive, tentative and conditional frame of mind, and a hesitant leader," analyst Moon Chung-in wrote on the U.S.-based website 38 North, which provides analysis of the reclusive nation.

"(His) power grip is relatively secure, and he's been very successful in consolidating his power for the past three years" since Kim Jong Il's death in 2011, Park said.

Since the three-year mourning period ended in December, 2015 marks "the real beginning" of Kim Jong Un's era, when he may move to break the deadlock on dialogue with South Korea, Park said.

Regardless of whether Rodman returns, expect plenty more Kim headlines before his next birthday.

North Korea watchers on why army's big day has taken a backseat

Foster Klug and Tim Sullivan

Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea - The North Korean capital’s broad, clean avenues were, by the authoritarian nation’s usually over-the-top celebratory standards, fairly subdued ahead of Tuesday’s 85th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army.

For years, the army celebration rivaled the April 15th anniversary of the birth of North Korea’s late founder, Kim Il Sung, in its pageantry. Army Day festivities saw immense displays of weaponry and military might, and thousands of people on the streets of Pyongyang in orchestrated shows of unity.

But since the rise of Kim Jong Un, the third generation of the Kim family to rule the country, the April 25 army commemoration has taken a backseat to Kim Il Sung’s birthday, which is celebrated with an unparalleled display of North Korean patriotism and power. The practice sessions alone for April 15 choke the avenues and public squares of Pyongyang with tens of thousands of people and hundreds of vehicles.

The Associated Press queried North Korea specialists from around the world for their views on why the newest Kim appears to have shifted focus from the era of his father, Kim Jong Il.

READ MORE:

North Korea marks anniversary of its military with massive live-fire drill

———

Duyeon Kim, a visiting senior fellow at the Korean Peninsula Future Forum in Seoul:

Focusing on Kim Il Sung glorifies the nation’s founder and also “legitimizes the Kim bloodline succession,” she said. “This, however, does not necessarily mean Kim Jong Un is deemphasizing the importance of the North Korean military — the two days are not comparable. That said, we have witnessed both Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un try to empower or emphasize the Workers’ Party more so that the power base is not centered only around the military.

“Kim Jong Un has also tried to mimic his grandfather in looks and policies. He resurrected his grandfather’s ‘byungjin’ strategic line of parallel economic and military development, but has apparently repackaged the ‘military’ pillar to include nuclear development.”

“So it appears Kim Jong Un realized that the military-first policy of his father is not sustainable and that regime security also entails economic prosperity.”

———

Robert Kelly, a political science professor at Pusan National University, in Busan, South Korea:

“Kim Jong Un’s father nearly destroyed the North Korean economy by allowing the military a major policy and budgetary role,” Kelly said. This drained the budget, worsened a horrific famine during the late 1990s, and increasingly made North Korea economically dependent on China.

“Kim Jong Un’s rollback of military-first — purging KPA brass, eliminating the national defense commission, publicly emphasizing the founder Kim Il Sung instead of Kim Jong Il or the KPA — is likely intended to bolster economic growth in order to give the regime greater sustainability and keep it from becoming a Chinese economic satrapy with the obvious political vulnerability that implies.”

———

Hazel Smith, a North Korea scholar and professor at SOAS, University of London:

Smith doubts there is much political significance in a decreased focus on the April 25 celebrations.

North Koreans “are terribly pragmatic” and also have a serious labor shortage, she said. Since major celebrations require weeks of practice, draining the worktime of tens of thousands of Pyongyang residents, she believes the government may have simply decided to concentrate its attention on a single day in April.

“They have to decide where to marshal their pageantry resources, so to speak, and perhaps they’re concentrating on April 15 because it’s such an important holiday,” she said. “It could be as simple as that.”

———

Sue Mi Terry, a former Korean analyst for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency:

The intense focus in earlier years on April 25 celebrations came because Kim Jong Il “wanted to buttress his rule after he took over.”

“Now Kim Jong Un has returned to the party-centered governance of his grandfather’s era and has been focused on resurrecting the party’s power over the military,” Terry said.

To Kim Jong Un, “wrapping himself in the mantle of his still-popular grandfather, the ‘eternal president’ Kim Il Sung, makes sense. Kim Jong Un came to power, after all, at a young age in a communist but still a Confucian society that reveres age. Moreover, he is only the third son of Kim Jong Il, not the first. Thus he is likely insecure about any perceived illegitimacy of his rule.”

———

Go Myong-Hyun, a research fellow at the Asan Institute in Seoul:

Kim Jong Un’s move to de-emphasize the KPA anniversary is a “definite break from his father’s era,” Go said.

“Under Kim Jong Il, the most important organ was the military; under Kim Jong Un the most powerful organ of the state is the Organization and Guidance Department of the Korea Workers’ Party.”

“The reason why Kim Jong Un emphasizes the ‘civilian’ aspect of the North Korean state is probably because Kim Jong Un feels he lacks sufficient political legitimacy. He is not the eldest son and he was hidden from the North Korean establishment up until 2008-9. He doesn’t want to be seen as imposed by Kim Jong Il but instead entrusted with leadership by the establishment thanks to his achievements (i.e. nuclear program).

“In sum, the de-emphasis of the military is not because Kim Jong Un is offering an olive branch to the world or wants to reduce the defense burden on the economy, but because Kim Jong Un wants to emphasize his political leadership of the North Korean state and the party.”

———

Sullivan reported from New Delhi.

Talks with N. Korea? Difficult and pointless, some say

Calum MacLeod, USA TODAY

North Korea keeps up its hostile threats

Pyongyang demanded Tuesday that if South Korea wants %22dialogue and negotiations%2C%22 it must apologize first

U.S. says talks are possible but North Korea must show commitment to ending its nuclear program

SEOUL – North Korea lashed out again Tuesday at South Korea over a protest in Seoul against its leaders as analysts said there appears little reason to hope negotiations will end the crisis over the North's nuclear weapons program.

The South Korean military remains on alert one day after the start of a celebration in North Korea's capital Pyongyang marking the 101st birthday of its founder following weeks of hostile threats.

North Korea demanded Tuesday that if South Korean authorities "truly want dialogue and negotiations, they should apologize for all anti-(North Korea) hostile acts, big and small, and show the compatriots their will to stop all these acts in practice," said KCNA, the North Korean state news agency.

The statement was in reference to a rally in Seoul where a group burned effigies of the North's three generations of the still ruling Kim family, the latest being 30-year-old Kim Jung Un. KCNA also warned that the North that it could take retaliatory measures at any time.

Korea watchers said they are left wondering how talks involving Pyongyang, Seoul and Washington could make any headway when their goals remain so far apart. Washington wants the North to give up its nuclear program, which is in violation of international agreements.

"The North continues to be menacing and threatening, trying to instill fear and gain concessions," said Daniel Pinkston, a Northeast Asia analyst for the International Crisis Group.

Those concessions include a long list of North Korean demands, from U.S. recognition of North Korea as a nuclear state to U.S. withdrawal from the region and a termination of sanctions -- all of which are "politically impossible" for a U.S. president to accept, or the leaders of countries on the United Nations Security Council, Pinkston said.

At the close of his three-nation Asia trip, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that talks were possible but North Korea must show commitment to ending its nuclear program. Without making any formal moves, South Korean government officials have also raised the possibility of opening dialogue.

A greater obstacle in the way of talks is the possibility of Pyongyang test-firing more ballistic missiles, said Chong Sung Jang, a North Korea expert at the Sejong Institute near Seoul.

"If North Korea launches a mid-range missile, dialogue between the two Koreas will be more difficult," said Chong.

Chong expects North Korea to keep up its military threats until the end of this month, when ongoing, joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States are scheduled to finish.

Kim Jung Un "wants the USA to accept North Korea's nuclear status, so dialogue between North Korea and the United States will be very difficult," Chong said.

"Kim Jung Un can negotiate with the USA on other issues, but they will not give up their nuclear program," he said.

KCNA warned that "retaliatory action will start without any notice from now." The notice was a familiar tactic: blaming the South Korean government for any citizens who show disrespect to the North, Pinkston said.

Kerry has not dismissed the idea of sending an envoy to Pyongyang. If that happened, the envoy would quickly return frustrated, said Pinkston.

"Why waste money on a plane ticket? It's depressing but that's the reality until there's some shift or change from the North Koreans, but I don't see it," he said.

The timing of Pyongyang's much-anticipated next missile test remains "anyone's guess," said Pinkston. Such tests are "worrisome," even if they just land in the sea, as the North refines its missile technology, but he also cautioned against complacency.

"The international community may say 'it's just bluster' and forget about the challenges," such as maintaining an accurate risk assessment and being ready to tackle problems, he said.

Besides conventional and nuclear weaponry, North Korea also poses serious cyberwarfare threats to the USA, warned Kim Heung Kwang, a computer science expert in Seoul and defector from North Korea, where he served as a cyberwarfare trainer.

A cyberattack on March 20 paralyzed several South Korean banks and media companies. The attack, which Seoul has concluded came from North Korea, "was a kind of test, a process of upgrading technology, for the more important target, the USA," said Kim.

"The only positive is that this warning gives the USA more time to get prepared," he said.

In Seoul on Tuesday, residents maintained their habitual calm about the threats from the North.

"I'm not so worried, North Korea wants to threaten us, but I don't think it's real," said Hana Jung, 26, a receptionist at the eighth-floor Doota fashion complex in the bustling Dongdaemun district.

A showcase for South Korean fashion and design, widely popular across Asia, Dongdaemun has bustled a little less than usual, she said.

"The number of visitors, both Korean and foreign, has fallen in the past week, maybe because people are worried," said Jung. "But I think they'll come back. There won't be war."

Ri Sol Ju: everything we know about Kim Jong Un's wife | The Week

A rare appearance was made by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s wife today when she attended an art performance in Pyongyang as part of the country’s Lunar New Year celebrations.

Wearing traditional attire, Ri Sol Ju was seen chatting and smiling with her husband during the show at the Mansudae Art Theatre. She then took to the stage to shake hands and pose for photos with the art performers, said North Korea’s official news agency KCNA.

Kim Kyong Hui, Kim’s aunt and the first woman in North Korea to join the country’s exclusive politburo, was also seen watching the performance. Kim Kyong Hui disappeared from the public eye for four years in 2013 after her nephew ordered the execution of her husband before making a “surprise comeback” in 2019, said Reuters.

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In and out of the public eye

Ri has not been seen publicly since 9 September last year when she visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where the embalmed bodies of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il – her husband’s late grandfather and father – are enshrined.

Before that, she was last seen attending a concert commemorating the birthday of late leader Kim Jong Il on 16 February the same year. Rodong Sinmun, the government’s official newspaper, released several photos of Kim and Ri laughing and smiling as they watched the performance.

Ri had been absent from state media for more than 12 months before the concert, stoking “speculation over her health or a potential pregnancy”, reported the BBC last year. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) said she had avoided appearing in public due to concerns over Covid-19 and had been “playing well” with her children.

‘Something of a fashion icon’

Ri, who is thought to be in her early 30s, has not always been out of the public eye. Unlike the wives of previous North Korean leaders, she used to regularly join her husband at “high-level diplomatic engagements” and helped establish a more “family-friendly image” for the dictator, said the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

These engagements included a state visit to China in March 2018 and the April 2018 inter-Korean summit. She also helped host the state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife in 2019, reported Deutsche Welle.

The Pyongyang daughter of a professor and obstetrician often wears Western clothes and high heels, and has been described as “something of a fashion icon to North Korea’s women” by ABC News.

Not much is known about Ri, despite the WSJ describing her as a “trailblazing” first lady. She is believed to have married Kim in 2009 with the marriage arranged by his father after he suffered a stroke the year before.

She wasn’t seen publicly until 2012 when she was spotted at a gala concert “dressed in a trim black suit in the Chanel tradition”, said The New York Times (NYT). Her sudden announcement was perceived to be an indication by Kim that he was breaking away from his father’s more private, dour leadership style.

Reporting on the public introduction of Ri in 2012, the NYT said that she appeared not to be “the old flame that some media reports say Mr Kim was forced to abandon on his father’s orders”.

Believed to have three children

Reports suggest that before her marriage, Ri was a singer in North Korea’s elite Unhasu Orchestra and a student at Kim Il Sung University, where she pursued a PhD in science.

Kim and Ri are believed to have three children, the eldest being a son.

One of their children is a daughter called Ju-ae, the name revealed by former US basketball star Dennis Rodman after he made a trip to North Korea in 2013. “I held their baby Ju-ae and spoke with Ms Ri as well,” he told The Guardian that year.

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South Korean official says Kim Jong Un may be avoiding public due ...

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could be trying to avoid exposure to the coronavirus, a top South Korean official said Tuesday as Kim's absence from public events, including a celebration honoring his grandfather, has fueled speculation that he may be in ill health.

Though Kim has disappeared from the public eye for lengthy stretches in the past, many wondered if something was seriously wrong after he missed the April 15 holiday on the birthdate of Kim Il Sung, the country's founder. Known as "The Day of the Sun," the celebration is normally one of the country's grandest, featuring military parades, fireworks and huge public dances.

But South Korean Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul pointed out that several traditional holiday events had been canceled in response to the pandemic and that Kim's absence was not "particularly unusual" in that context.

"It is true that he had never missed the anniversary for Kim Il Sung’s birthday since he took power, but many anniversary events including celebrations and a banquet had been canceled because of coronavirus concerns," he told the South Korean parliament's foreign affairs committee, according to a translation from Reuters.

Kim Jong Un 'alive and well':South Korean official disputes reports North Korean leader is ill

Kim Yeon-chul said the North Korean leader's decision to skip a visit last week to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the masoleum for Kim Il Sung, fits with Pyongyang's general scaling down of commemorative events this year in response to the pandemic, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.

The unification minister dismissed reports that Kim underwent a heart procedure as "fake news" and described rumors about the communist leader's health as an "infodemic," according to YNA.

Last week, CNN said U.S. intelligence officials were monitoring the situation after the Seoul-based Daily NK reported that Kim had heart surgery. But Kim Yeon-chul said that did not "make sense logically" because the Hyangsan Medical Center, where Daily NK claimed the operation took place, is just a clinic and "incapable of performing surgery or medical procedures."

The unification minister, who oversees relations with North Korea, said Kim has gone out of view for at least 20 days on two other occasions this year already. He repeated an assessment he shared on Monday, which said there was "enough intelligence to confidently say that there are no unusual developments" in North Korea and that a thorough analysis did not show any evidence Kim was seriously ill.

Other South Korean officials have also stressed that there are no signs of the activity that would be expected if Kim, who wields authority over the government, were in danger.

At the same hearing, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said, "Despite a series of recent media reports, no unusual signs have been detected inside North Korea," Yonhap News Agency reported.

"Kim Jong Un is alive and well," Chung-in Moon, foreign policy adviser to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, told Fox News on Sunday. "He has been staying in the Wonsan area since April 13. No suspicious movements have so far been detected."

Iran, North Korea, Russia:America's adversaries emboldened to flex their muscles amid coronavirus

The North Korean regime has claimed there are no COVID-19 cases within the country but experts highly doubt the claim that it has managed to entirely avoid the outbreak, which began in neighboring China. South Korea's foreign minister said she believes the country is focusing much of its attention and resources on the outbreak.

"While it maintains it has no coronavirus patients, it has put weight on beefing up its health and medical capabilities," Kang said, according to YNA. She cited reports that North Korea had expanded its health care budget and opened a new hospital in Pyongyang.

President Donald Trump told reporters at a White House briefing on Monday he has "a very good idea" about Kim's health and whereabouts but he "can’t talk about it now."

"I just wish him well,” Trump said. "I hope he's fine."

Contributing: Deirdre Shesgreen, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

In North Korea, mystery surrounds Kim Jong Un birthday

Calum MacLeod, USA TODAY

BEIJING – A year ago today when Dennis Rodman sang Happy Birthday to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, the Pyongyang crowd at the ex-NBA star's controversial basketball diplomacy game hesitated to join in, then clapped with him to the end.

Their confusion was understandable. Besides the language barrier, most North Koreans didn't know it was Kim's birthday. This year, they still don't know the age of the young marshal — Kim's official rank and title in North Korea.

The third generation of the Kim dynasty to dominate the isolated northeast Asian state, Kim may have been born in 1982, 1983 or 1984, according to the South Korean government.

Such is the secrecy surrounding his repressive regime that the birth of Kim's first child — and her name, Ju Ae — was only revealed by Rodman in a 2013 interview.

Yet for a secretive leader who never travels abroad and rarely meets foreign visitors, Kim's global profile has leaped ever higher during the past year. Kim, whose haircut and waistline recall his grandfather, regime founder Kim Il Sung, disappeared from public view for weeks in the fall. The absence was later blamed on a leg injury.

In recent weeks, Kim has again dominated headlines as a result of the Hollywood comedy "The Interview," which the U.S. government says sparked a North Korean cyberattack on the film's makers, Sony Pictures. Threats against movie theaters disrupted its distribution.

Nobody knows exactly how old Kim is, but the mystery reflects how his regime operates, said Park Young Ho, a researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification in the South Korean capital of Seoul.

When his age is finally publicized, authorities are likely to pick 1982, Park said. Kim Il Sung was born in 1912, and Kim Jong Il, father of Kim Jong Un, was born in 1942. A 40-year gap to the current Kim offers a neater number and stronger symbolic connection with the former leaders, Park said.

Unlike his predecessors' birthdays, Jan. 8 is not yet a national holiday in North Korea. Sweets are distributed as well as some basic necessities — a tradition begun by the earlier Kims — but large celebrations are unlikely, Park said.

"He wants to show the people he keeps his birthday simple by showing affection to ordinary people and filial piety to his father and grandfather," he said.

The "Day of the Sun" for Kim Il Sung's birthday, and the "Day of the Shining Star" for Kim Jong Il, are major events in North Korea, said Simon Cockerell, managing director of Koryo Tours, who has experienced both festivals during 140 trips to North Korea since 2002.

For Kim Jong Il's fete in February, expect mass dances featuring thousands of people, "highly politicized synchronized swimming," ice skating and children's performances, plus the Kim Jongilia flower show, featuring the begonia named after Kim, Cockerell said.

Such commemorations reinforce the family personality cult that dominates North Korean life.

South Korea tradition tacks another year on to babies' age on Jan. 1

Kim Chandler

Associated Press

DAEJEON, South Korea – Just two hours after Lee Dong Kil’s daughter was born on New Year’s Eve, the clock struck midnight, 2019 was ushered in, and the infant became 2-years-old. She wasn’t alone, though it happened for her quicker than most: Every baby born in South Korea last year became 2 on Jan. 1.

According to one of the world’s most unusual age-calculating systems, South Korean babies become 1 on the day of their birth and then get an additional year tacked on when the calendar hits Jan. 1. A lawmaker is working now to overturn the centuries-old tradition amid complaints that it’s an anachronistic, time-wasting custom that drags down an otherwise ultramodern country.

For parents whose babies are born in December, it can be especially painful. One hour after his daughter’s birth in the central city of Daejeon at 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 of last year, Lee posted the news on social media. His friends immediately showered him with congratulatory messages.

“An hour later, when the New Year began, they phoned me again to say congratulations for my baby becoming 2-years-old,” said Lee, who is 32 internationally but 34 in South Korea. “I thought, ‘Ah, right. She’s now 2 years old, though it’s been only two hours since she was born. What the heck!’”

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The origins of this age reckoning system aren’t clear. Being 1 upon birth may be linked to the time babies spend in their mothers’ wombs or to an ancient Asian numerical system that didn’t have the concept of zero.

Becoming a year older on Jan. 1? That’s even harder to explain.

It could be that ancient Koreans cared a lot about the year in which they were born in the Chinese 60-year cycle, but, without regular calendars, didn’t care much about the specific day they were born; so they mostly ignored the day of their birth and instead marked another year of age on the day of the Lunar New Year, according to senior curator Jung Yonhak at the National Folk Museum of Korea.

This may have then shifted to the solar New Year on Jan. 1 as the South began embracing the Western calendar. North Korea uses the Western age calculating system, but they have a twist: they follow their own calendar that’s based on the birth of national founder and president-for-life Kim Il Sung.

The year of your birth is still incredibly important in South Korea, and lumps those linked children together for life.

Other Asian countries, including Japan and Vietnam, abandoned the Chinese-style age system amid an influx of Western culture. Officially, South Korea has used Western-style calculations since the early 1960s. But its citizens still embrace the old-fashioned system in their daily lives because the government has done little to get people to change over to the Western style.

Most South Koreans are simply accustomed to living with two ages.

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People don’t hold massive joint birthday parties on New Year’s Day; they just celebrate their birthday on the days they were born. Young people consider themselves another year old on solar New Year’s Day (Jan. 1) while older people often use the Lunar New Year’s Day. Many family restaurants don’t charge babies if they are 36-months-old or younger, so parents often calculate their babies’ ages under the Western method when they’re dining out.

Some South Koreans still worry that the practice makes their nation look odd on the international stage. Some feel confusion when meeting with foreigners. Associated Press journalists in Seoul must ask Koreans what year and month they were born to calculate their Western age for news stories.

There are also some who say the concept of “Korean age” encourages a fixation on age-based social standing in this seniority-based country. In South Korea, those born in the same year often treat each other as equals, while people must use honorific titles to address those born earlier, rather than directly using their names.

Ahn Chang-gun, from the southeastern city of Gimhae, said he felt “empty” when his first child became 2 on Jan. 1, 2013, about two weeks after his wife delivered him after eight years of marriage. “He was this precious baby that we finally had, but I felt that all of a sudden two years had just gone by and yet I hadn’t done anything for my baby,” said Ahn.

Parents whose babies are born in December often worry about their kids falling behind other children born earlier in the same year, though worries gradually disappear as their children age.

When Seo Hyo Sun from Buchon, just west of Seoul, was taken to the hospital to get a cesarean section on Dec. 29, she couldn’t stop weeping because her baby’s due date was supposed to be Jan. 7.

“Tears kept flowing. … My doctor told me the baby wanted to come out today so let’s just celebrate,” said Seo, 31 in international age. “When I awoke from my anesthesia, I felt really grateful … because my baby was born healthy. That was enough.”

In January, lawmaker Hwang Ju-hong tabled a bill aimed at requiring the government to put international ages in official documents and encouraging general citizens to go with their international ages in everyday life. It’s the first legislative attempt to abolish “Korean age.”

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“It is aimed at resolving confusion and inefficiency caused by the mixed use of age-counting systems,” Hwang said in the proposed legislation.

Hwang’s office said a parliamentary committee discussion and a public hearing on the issue are expected in coming months.

Surveys in recent years showed more South Koreans supported international age though it wasn’t clear how seriously they wanted a change.

“If we use international age, things could get more complicated because it’s a society that cares so much about which year you were born,” said Lim KyoungJae, 46, head of the Seoul-based Miko Travel agency. “We should also definitely count the time of a baby being conceived and growing in its mother’s womb.”

Lim’s employee Choi Min Kyung, who is 26 internationally and 28 in South Korea, disagreed.

“It’s good to be two years younger … (especially) when you meet men” on blind dates, Choi said with a laugh. “There is a big difference between 26 and 28.”

Associated Press journalist Chang Yong Jun contributed to this report.


Golden Globes 2024: 'Poor Things,' 'Oppenheimer' win top awards

Well, at least one half of Barbenheimer had a big Golden Globes night.

The race to March's Academy Awards kicked into a new gear Sunday with the 81st annual Golden Globe Awards, and Christopher Nolan's atomic bomb biopic "Oppenheimer" nabbing five honors including best drama, director, lead drama actor (Cillian Murphy) and supporting actor (Robert Downey Jr.). But Greta Gerwig's cultural phenomenon "Barbie," the other half of everyone's favorite summer double feature, was upended by "Poor Things," which took home best comedy and lead comedy actress for Emma Stone, though the pink-spattered flick did win for best song as well as cinematic and box-office achievement.

"The Holdovers" was the other big Globes victor, getting lead comedy actor for Paul Giamatti and supporting actress for Da'Vine Joy Randolph. And in the TV categories, "Beef" won best limited series, "The Bear" garnered top comedy and "Succession" nabbed best drama.

Here are all the Globes winners and highlights:

Lily Gladstone named best actress, 'Oppenheimer' grabs best drama

"I love everyone in this room right now," Gladstone says, after speaking in her Blackfeet language when she won her first Globe for best actress in a drama for "Killers of the Flower Moon." "This is a historic win − it doesn't just belong to me. ... This is for every Native kid out there with a dream."

But "Oppenheimer" beats out "Flower Moon" and others for best drama. "They weren't kidding, this is a really intimidating room," says producer Emma Thomas. She shouts out her husband, director Christopher Nolan: "What he does is unlike anyone else. Chris brings out the best in people just by being the best himself."

Paul Giamatti takes lead actor honors, 'Poor Things' is best comedy

Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell dance funny before introducing the winner for best actor in a comedy or musical. Giamatti gets the trophy for "The Holdovers," his third Globe victory. "Too many stairs. My knees are shot, I'm telling you. I'm never going to be in 'John Wick 5' at this rate," Giamatti jokes when reaching the stage. "This has to be the first time this award has been given to a character who smells like fish. Thank you, Golden Globes."

It’s “Poor Things,” though, that surprises as best comedy, beating “Barbie,” “Holdovers” and a stacked category. “Whoa,” star Emma Stone says. Director Yorgos Lanthimos is quick to point out Bruce Springsteen, who shares a birthday with the filmmaker. “He’s been my hero since I grew up.”

'Succession' wins top TV drama, best actress for Sarah Snook

Snook nabs her second Globe for best actress in a drama. "I was kind of hoping I wouldn't have to get up," she quips. "This show has changed my life." Then "Succession" grabs the big prize: best drama. (It's the HBO show's third win in the category.) "We decided it was the right time to end the show and it was bittersweet," creator Jesse Armstrong says. "But things like this make it sweeter."

'Beef,' 'The Bear' pick up major TV honors

Netflix's "Beef" wins for best limited series, adding a third Globe to its total. Creator Lee Sung Jin reveals that a real road-rage incident led to the show. "I'd be remiss not to thank that driver," he deadpans. "I hope you honk and yell and inspire others for years to come." "The Bear" (inspired by an eatery called Mr. Beef, incidentally) also picks up its third win of the night, for best TV comedy. Actor Lionel Boyce shouts out actual restaurant workers: "We plays these characters for a couple of hours of a day but this is your reality."

Taylor Swift revels in 'Barbie' Globe win, Margot Robbie gives thanks

"Star Wars" icon Mark Hamill takes the stage as the perfect choice to introduce the first Golden Globe ever for cinematic and box-office achievement. Taylor Swift is the first to stand and clap happily when "Barbie" is named the winner. Margot Robbie hugs Hamill and gives thanks "to every single person on the planet who dressed up and went to the greatest place on Earth: movie theaters." (Fun fact: Robbie is dressed up as Superstar Barbie from 1977.)

'Oppenheimer' nabs original score, Billie Eilish wins for 'Barbie' song

It's getting ridiculous out here now, with the atomic bomb biopic cleaning up with a fourth Globe. "Oppenheimer" composer Ludwig Göransson shouts out fellow Globe winners, director Christopher Nolan ("The way you use music in your films has inspired a lot of people") and star Cillian Murphy ("I enjoyed watching your face over and over again").

Original song, though, goes to "What Was I Made For," Billie Eilish's popular "Barbie" track with brother Finneas O'Connell. "I was not expecting this in this moment," Eilish says, saying "the movie saved me a little bit" when she first saw it a year ago.

Emma Stone, Cillian Murphy take lead acting honors

Fellow nominee Jennifer Lawrence jumps out of her seat for Stone's win for best actress in a comedy for "Poor Things." "This is amazing," Stone says. "Playing Bella was unbelievable − I see it as a rom-com. Bella falls in love with life itself. (The movie) made me look at life differently and she has stayed with me."

Next up is best actor in a drama, which Murphy conquers as the title role of "Oppenheimer." "My first question: Do I have lipstick all over my nose? I'm just going to leave it," Murphy quips when he hits the stage. He thanks director Christopher Nolan "for carrying me and holding me through this movie."

'The Boy and the Heron' wins for animated feature, Christopher Nolan takes best director

First big shock of the night: Hayao Miyazaki's latest takes down "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" for best animated movie. But it's no surprise Nolan takes the directing prize for "Oppenheimer." He remembers his only time being on the Globes stage accepting an award for the late Heath Ledger. And now, "I can only accept this on the behalf of people," Nolan says, shouting out cast members Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh and others.

Taylor Swift is causing a Golden Globes traffic jam

Your latest Swift update from the ballroom: The pop superstar's aisle seat is blocking traffic, as famous fans ask for selfies or take not-so-subtle photos. She jumps up to give Bill Hader a hug, and they chat before Hader goes for the selfie. "Sure!" she says, giving him a final hug before he walks on.

Kieran Culkin upends 'Sucession' co-stars for Globe victory

"Oh, a nightmare," Culkin deadpans after winning best actor in a TV drama – and beating castmates Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong. He remembers being nominated 20 years ago and resigned himself to never winning. "Suck it, Pedro. Mine," he quips, playfully referring to fellow nominee Pedro Pascal.

'Anatomy of a Fall' and 'The Bear' pick up second wins

"Anatomy of a Fall" strikes again! Justine Triet returns to pick up the trophy for non-English language film. "This movie is about the truth," she says, shouting out teenage star Milo Machado Graner, lead actress Sandra Hüller and canine Snoop "for just being a dog."

America Ferrera and Kevin Costner shout out favorite scenes of theirs – Costner's a big fan of her "Barbie" monologue – and present "The Bear" star Ayo Edebiri the Globe for best actress in a TV comedy. "I'm so very grateful for this," she says, out of breath, and thanks her show "family," her actual one and "the people who answer my crazy, crazy emails."

Ricky Gervais is first winner of the TV stand-up comedy Golden Globe

It's time for a new award: best performance for stand-up comedy in television. "And thanks to Netflix, we get overpaid for it," quips presenter (and comedian) Jim Gaffigan. Gervais, a former Globes host, wins but isn't here so Gaffigan accepts for him: "Gimme it."

'Anatomy of a Fall' is named best screenplay, Jeremy Allen White earns a Globe for 'The Bear'

Next up is best screenplay. "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" stars and presenters Daniel Kaluuya, Hailee Steinfeld and Shameik Moore have a hilarious time reading a script as it would be done by studio executives. "Anatomy of a Fall" takes the honor. "No one is going to see this movie," French director and co-writer Justine Triet says but thanks those around her for "encouraging me to do what I love."

Then "The Bear" roars! White wins best actor in a comedy for the acclaimed FX restaurant show. "I can't believe I'm in the room with people I've loved for so long. It's unreal," he says. Backstage, White fields three questions that all reference his new Calvin Klein underwear ad. Asked which was the prouder moment, his underwear ad or winning a Globe, he takes a dumbfounded pause before saying: "This is definitely a prouder moment for me."

Elizabeth Debicki gets a royal win for 'The Crown,' Matthew Macfadyen takes one for 'Succession'

Playing Princess Diana, Debicki wins supporting actress in a TV show for "The Crown" and is pretty gobsmacked by the whole thing. "This is just astonishing to me," she says in her speech. Presenters Ray Romano and Keri Russell banter before the next award – he mistakes her show "The Diplomat" for "The Laundromat" – which goes to Matthew Macfadyen, supporting TV actor honoree for "Succession." "I just adored every second playing the weird and wonderful human grease stain that is Tom Wambsgans," he says.

Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez share a moment

Here's something you didn't see on the TV telecast: “Succession” star Kieran Culkin and his wife, Jazz Charton, swan to their seats, cocktails in hand, not noticing that they passed Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner waiting to get their seats. Taylor Swift, carrying rose champagne, had a moment with bestie Selena Gomez, as the two hugged and chatted near the “Only Murders in the Building” table as photographers rushed over to capture the moment. All eyes are on Swift, who has an aisle seat at the “Poor Things” table with Mark Ruffalo and Emma Stone. She finishes her champagne, giggling as she looks at a friend’s iPhone.

Earlier, a security phalanx cleared stars to "move aside, move aside" as Swift arrived with a big entourage. As the lights went down, she got the Hollywood push to her seat. "Special circumstances," security guards said, shrugging.

'Beef' co-stars Ali Wong, Steven Yeun garner first Globe wins

Brie Larson helps direct fellow nominee Wong to stage to pick up her honor for best actress in a limited series for Netflix's "Beef": She thanks ex-husband Justin Hakuta "for all your love and support" that helps her be "a working mother." Her co-star Yeun then takes a victory lap winning his Globe as well. He jokes that getting an award is like the plot to "Frozen," going from "isolation" to applause from his peers.

Asked in the press room where she’ll keep her trophy, Wong says she doesn’t know yet, but notes the heavy object needs to be out of reach of her two children: "It's like a medieval weapon!" she exclaims, holding up the prize.

Yeun was getting asked if he drives differently since "Beef": “I’m a respectful but skillful and at times aggressive driver," he says smiling, pausing as if choosing his words carefully, trophy in hand. "I live in LA. So I drive the same.”

Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Robert Downey Jr. take supporting actor Golden Globes

Angela Bassett and Jared Leto come out to present the first award. "I've been in presenter mode for weeks now," Leto says, poking up at his acting method. And the Globe for supporting actress goes to Randolph for "The Holdovers," as expected. She thanks director Alexander Payne for letting her "playing this beautiful and flawed woman" and also her character, Mary: "You've made me feel seen."

Next up is supporting actor, which goes to another favorite: Downey for "Oppenheimer." "Yeah, yeah, I took a beta blocker so this will be a breeze," he says. Downey says he's glad Universal "went all in" for Nolan and crew to "render a goddamn masterpiece." He calls it a "most improved" award and thanks his wife Susan, who's "made an art out of extracting me from my comfort zone."

Jo Koy tells a Taylor Swift joke and proclaims, 'I've got the best seat in the house'

"Look, I'm just taking this all in. We all dreamt of this moment," the comedian says as he begins his hosting duties. "I've got the best seat in the house." He loved "Oppenheimer" but jokingly complains that "it needed another hour," and also takes note of the celebrities: "Kevin Costner's never here. He's in a mountain with a cow but today he's here." He also watched "Barbie" and loved it. "I don't want you to think I'm a creep" but Koy says he was attracted to a doll: Ryan Gosling. "It's your eyes, Ryan."

Koy's awestruck by Robert De Niro's "latest performance" and quips, "How did you get (your girlfriend) pregnant at 80?" The comedian takes some shots at "Killers of the Flower Moon" – "White people stole everything!" – and also "Saltburn." "I learned that even satanic families have feelings, too." He calls out "The Color Purple" and quips that purple is also the color "your butt turns when you take Ozempic."

The host also jabs at Swift: "The big difference between the Golden Globes and the NFL? On the Golden Globes, we have fewer camera shots of Taylor Swift."

'Oppenheimer' crew has entered the building

Emily Blunt, holding hands with husband John Krasinski, moseys into the ballroom with "Oppenheimer" co-star Cillian Murphy. "Barbie" nominee Ryan Gosling is in the house and Oldman's animated chatting with him and Murphy. The announcer breaks up the festivities, ordering folks to sit down as showtime draws near. Meryl Streep takes her seat at the "Only Murders in the Building" table just under deadline and kisses Short full on the lips before holding hands and talking, while "Oppenheimer" castmates Robert Downey and Florence Pugh are two more late arrivals just before lights go down amid a cheery, happy atmosphere.

The last person to arrive? Taylor Swift, of course.

Brie Larson, Martin Short schmooze with celebs at the Golden Globes

Larson hustled down the red carpet but we overheard that she had a starry moment with Jennifer Lopez: “I’m sorry, I just met J.Lo and I’m really having a hard time," Larson says. And in the ballroom, Short is working overtime networking with everyone he can find: The "Only Murders in the Building" star has chatted up and/or hugged Harrison Ford, Kevin Costner and Jennifer Aniston. Ford also shared a moment with old pals Steven Spielberg and his wife – and Ford's "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" love interest – Kate Capshaw.

Bruce Springsteen joins the starry 'Air' table at the Globes

"The Boss" and his wife Patti Scialfa chat up Damon and Barroso near the Globe stage. (If Springsteen has a hungry heart, we hear the sushi is to die for.) Meanwhile Bateman is catching up with "Ozark" co-star Julia Garner and runs into fellow beard lover Gary Oldman, currently growing out his facial hair for a new season of the Apple TV+ spy show "Old Horses." “I love 'Immortal Beloved,' that soundtrack is all I listen to," Bateman gushes to Oldman. " 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,' I could go on."

The official Golden Globes weather report: a bit brisk

USA TODAY's KiMi Robinson is on the Globes red carpet and she reports that it's a "brisk" 53 degrees in Beverly Hills. As "Succession" star Alan Ruck stepped foot on the red carpet and walked past reporters using a cane, Amanda Seyfried − one of the few stars who took Moet up on their free champagne bottle − stopped him for a hug and a nice arm rub as everyone struggles to stay warm on the carpet.

Matt Damon and the sushi are lighting up the Globes ballroom

Our man Bryan Alexander is roaming the International Ballroom at the Beverly Hilton − ground zero for all the Globes news – and he reports that Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso entered and immediately ran into Damon's "Air" co-star Jason Bateman. “What’s up, Jason, I love that beard. Let me take a look at that in the light. Looking good,” Damon said.

The Globes menu for attendees includes salmon tartare with caviar, yellowtail jalapeno, sashimi salad with Matsuhisa dressing, and tai nigiri Matsuhisa style. Everybody's raving about the sushi, because this is not typical awards fare.

'The Holdovers' is a Globes underdog with a couple of acting favorites

Alexander Payne's acclaimed 1970s-set holiday film isn't expected to win best comedy at tonight's Globes ceremony – blockbuster hit "Barbie" is the one to beat in that category – but two "Holdovers" castmates are faves in their respected categories: Paul Giamatti in lead comedy actor and Da'Vine Joy Randolph for supporting actress. See more of our predictions here.

It might finally be Robert Downey Jr.'s golden year

Downey is a Hollywood superstar, a Gen X movie icon, a box-office superhero ... but somehow not an Oscar winner. Yet. That might change this year: The two-time nominee (lastly in 2009 for "Tropic Thunder") is a favorite in the Golden Globe supporting actor race for his role as the antagonistic Lewis Strauss in "Oppenheimer." For five of the past six years, the Globe supporting actor winner has run the table all the way to an Academy Award, which bodes well for Downey or one of his competitors: Ryan Gosling ("Barbie"), Charles Melton ("May December"), Robert De Niro ("Killers of the Flower Moon") and "Poor Things" duo Willem Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo.

Taylor Swift's concert movie goes for Golden Globes glory

Maybe it's because boyfriend Travis Kelce isn't playing today, but Swift skipped the Chiefs/Chargers game. Or maybe she just wanted extra time to get gussied up for the Globes red carpet? The pop superstar is speculated to appear at the awards show, where her "Eras Tour" concert film is in the running for best cinematic and box-office achievement against the likes of "Barbie," "Oppenheimer" and other theatrical hit movies. (Swift has been nominated four times in past Globes shows, all in the original song category.)

When are the Oscars?

Even after the Globe trophies are handed out tonight, it's just the beginning for both winners and losers on the road to Oscar night. On Wednesday, nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Awards will be announced to keep the ball rolling. Here are the important upcoming events and dates for the awards watchers:

Jan. 14: Critics Choice Awards

Critics Choice Awards Jan. 15: Primetime Emmy Awards

Primetime Emmy Awards Jan 18: British Academy of Film and Television Arts nominations announced

British Academy of Film and Television Arts nominations announced Jan. 23: Academy Awards nominations

Academy Awards nominations Feb. 4: Grammy Awards

Grammy Awards Feb. 18: BAFTA Film Awards

BAFTA Film Awards Feb. 24: SAG Awards

SAG Awards March 10: 96th Academy Awards

How you can watch the Golden Globes red carpet

Rather than a televised red-carpet special, "Entertainment Tonight" and Variety are co-hosting a digital pre-show (6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 PT) that will stream on their sites and social platforms as well as on GoldenGlobes.com. For fashionistas who need to prep for the first major event of 2024, check out our Globes galleries of the best gowns ever as well as the wildest looks through the years.

Who are the presenters at this year's Golden Globes?

"The Color Purple" was shockingly left out of the Globes comedy/musical category, but producer Oprah Winfrey will be on hand as one of many celebrities handing out statues. The A-list group includes recent Oscar and Globe winners Daniel Kaluuya and Michelle Yeoh alongside Angela Bassett, America Ferrera, Florence Pugh, Will Ferrell, Issa Rae, Kevin Costner, Kristen Wiig, Mark Hamill, Amanda Seyfried, George Lopez, Hailee Steinfeld, Shameik Moore and many more. Plus, a bonus for anyone who's been binging "Suits" since the pandemic: a reunion of stars Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams.

Meet Jo Koy, the comedian hosting the 2024 Golden Globes

Those who haven't watched any of his Netflix specials may not recognize the 52-year-old stand-up comedian but Koy told USA TODAY in a recent interview that the Globes hosting gig is "my childhood dream. I'm now living something that I would watch as a kid, something that indirectly inspired me to do what I do, seeing everyone from Bob Hope to Billy Crystal to Whoopi Goldberg do the Oscars, and Ricky (Gervais) and Tina (Fey) doing the Globes. Now, I’m in the captain's seat and I’m loving it."

Koy, who's part Filipino on his mother's side and grew up in Seattle, also brings a fresh face to an awards show that weathered a diversity scandal and now finds itself at a pivotal point. "I am just planning to be me, and I'm in the mood to celebrate," he said.

Where is the Golden Globes held?

Since 1961, the Globes have been held in the International Ballroom of LA's Beverly Hilton Hotel, which also plays home to the Oscar nominees luncheon as well as other red-carpet events. It's also the same hotel where Sen. John Edwards was caught having an affair with a presidential campaign staffer and where Whitney Houston was found dead in 2012.

Yes, you can livestream this year's Golden Globes (but there's a catch)

The Golden Globes are available for the cord-cutting crew live on Sunday with a Paramount+ subscription that includes Showtime. Those with the cheaper Paramount+ Essential plan will have to wait until Monday to stream the show. (If you want to spring for six extra bucks a month, you get live Globes plus no ads and Showtime series like "Billions," "The Curse" and "Yellowjackets." Heck, catch up on "The Tudors" while you're at it!)

Where to watch the 2024 Golden Globes

The show will air live on CBS (8 p.m. ET/5 PT) as well as on the CBS app and Paramount+. Show producers will likely be hoping for no overtimes in the late afternoon football games, though depending on where you live, you can check out Taylor Swift's favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs, who are in LA to take on the Chargers. Globes organizers – as well as movie-loving Swifties – also might be hoping that Swift swings by the Globes, where her concert film is up for a trophy, if she also attends the game.

Contributing: Bryan Alexander; Charles Trepany; Kim Willis; KiMi Robinson; Marco Della Cava; Bryan West

Golden Globes 2024 winners: 'Oppenheimer,' 'Succession,' Emma ...

"Oppenheimer," "Succession" and "The Bear" took several of the biggest categories at the Golden Globes Sunday night.

The 2024 awards show honored several first-time winners as well, including the history-making Lily Gladstone, who became the first Indigenous person to win the award for best actress in a drama for "Killers of the Flower Moon."

Though "Barbie" entered the evening with nominations in nine categories, the summer hit took home just two wins at the Globes, including the new cinematic and box-office achievement category. The atomic bomb biopic side of "Barbenheimer" proved more successful, with five wins, including for best drama and best director Christopher Nolan.

Comedian Jo Koy hosted the festivities, which took place at The Beverly Hilton in California.

Who else took home honors at the Globes? Here are the winners (in bold) and nominees:

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Golden Globes 2024 winners in all categories:

MOVIES:

Drama

“Anatomy of a Fall”

“Killers of the Flower Moon”

“Maestro”

WINNER: “Oppenheimer”

“Past Lives”

“The Zone of Interest”

Actress in a drama

Annette Bening, "Nyad"

WINNER: Lily Gladstone, "Killers of the Flower Moon"

Sandra Hüller, "Anatomy of a Fall"

Greta Lee, "Past Lives"

Carey Mulligan, "Maestro"

Cailee Spaeny, "Priscilla"

Golden Globes 2024:'Poor Things' surprises as best comedy, 'Oppenheimer' takes best drama

Actor in a drama

Bradley Cooper, "Maestro"

Leonardo DiCaprio, "Killers of the Flower Moon"

Colman Domingo, "Rustin"

Barry Keoghan, "Saltburn"

WINNER: Cillian Murphy, "Oppenheimer"

Andrew Scott, "All of Us Strangers"

Actress in a comedy or musical

Fantasia Barrino, "The Color Purple"

Jennifer Lawrence, "No Hard Feelings"

Natalie Portman, "May December"

Alma Pöysti, "Fallen Leaves"

Margot Robbie, "Barbie"

WINNER: Emma Stone, "Poor Things"

Supporting actress

Emily Blunt, "Oppenheimer"

Danielle Brooks, "The Color Purple"

Jodie Foster, "Nyad"

Julianne Moore, "May December"

Rosamund Pike, "Saltburn"

WINNER: Da'Vine Joy Randolph, "The Holdovers"

Supporting actor

Willem Dafoe, "Poor Things"

Robert De Niro, "Killers of the Flower Moon"

WINNER: Robert Downey Jr., "Oppenheimer"

Ryan Gosling, "Barbie"

Charles Melton, "May December"

Mark Ruffalo, "Poor Things"

Comedy or musical

“Air”

“American Fiction”

“Barbie”

“The Holdovers”

“May December”

WINNER: "Poor Things”

Actor in a comedy or musical

Nicolas Cage, "Dream Scenario"

Timothée Chalamet, "Wonka"

Matt Damon, "Air"

WINNER: Paul Giamatti, "The Holdovers"

Joaquin Phoenix, "Beau Is Afraid"

Jeffrey Wright, "American Fiction"

Director

Bradley Cooper, "Maestro"

Greta Gerwig, "Barbie"

Yorgos Lanthimos, "Poor Things"

WINNER: Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer"

Martin Scorsese, "Killers of the Flower Moon"

Celine Song, "Past Lives"

Cinematic and box-office achievement

WINNER: "Barbie"

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3″

“John Wick: Chapter 4”

“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One″

“Oppenheimer”

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie”

“Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour”

More:Taylor Swift makes the whole place shimmer in sparkly green on the Globes red carpet

Animated film

WINNER: “The Boy and the Heron”

“Elemental”

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie”

“Suzume”

“Wish"

Original song

"Addicted to Romance" from "She Came to Me" (music and lyrics by Bruce Springsteen)

"Dance the Night" from "Barbie" (music and lyrics by Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt, Dua Lipa and Caroline Ailin)

"I'm Just Ken" from "Barbie" (music and lyrics by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt)

"Peaches" from "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" (music and lyrics by Jack Black, Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Eric Osmond and John Spiker)

"Road to Freedom" from "Rustin" (music and lyrics by Lenny Kravitz)

WINNER: "What Was I Made For?" from "Barbie" (music and lyrics by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell)

Original score

Jerskin Fendrix, "Poor Things"

WINNER: Ludwig Göransson, "Oppenheimer"

Joe Hisaishi, "The Boy and the Heron"

Mica Levi, "The Zone of Interest"

Daniel Pemberton, "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse"

Robbie Robertson, "Killers of the Flower Moon"

Screenplay

Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, "Barbie"

Tony McNamara, "Poor Things"

Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer"

Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese, "Killers of the Flower Moon"

Celine Song, "Past Lives"

WINNER: Justine Triet and Arthur Harari, "Anatomy of a Fall"

Non-English language film

WINNER: “Anatomy of a Fall”

“Fallen Leaves”

“Io Capitano”

“Past Lives”

“Society of the Snow”

“The Zone of Interest”

TELEVISION:

Drama

"1923"

"The Crown"

"The Diplomat"

"The Last of Us"

"The Morning Show"

WINNER: "Succession"

Actress in a drama

Helen Mirren, "1923"

Bella Ramsey, "The Last of Us"

Keri Russell, "The Diplomat"

WINNER: Sarah Snook, "Succession"

Imelda Staunton, "The Crown"

Emma Stone, "The Curse"

More:Golden Globes proves to be a mini 'Succession' reunion as stars take home trophies

Comedy or musical

"Abbott Elementary"

"Barry"

WINNER: "The Bear"

"Jury Duty"

"Only Murders in the Building"

"Ted Lasso"

Actor in a drama

Brian Cox, “Succession”

WINNER: Kieran Culkin, “Succession”

Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”

Pedro Pascal, “The Last of Us”

Jeremy Strong, “Succession”

Dominic West, “The Crown”

Actress in a comedy

Rachel Brosnahan, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”

Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”

WINNER: Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”

Elle Fanning, “The Great”

Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building”

Natasha Lyonne, “Poker Face”

Watch the moment:'The Bear' star Ayo Edebiri gives flustered, heartwarming speech

Actor in a comedy

Bill Hader, “Barry”

Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”

Jason Segel, “Shrinking”

Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”

Jason Sudeikis, “Ted Lasso”

WINNER: Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”

Supporting actor in a drama, comedy or musical

Billy Crudup, "The Morning Show"

WINNER: Matthew Macfadyen, "Succession"

James Marsden, "Jury Duty"

Ebon Moss-Bachrach, "The Bear"

Alan Ruck, "Succession"

Alexander Skarsgård, "Succession"

Actress in a limited series

Riley Keough, "Daisy Jones & The Six"

Brie Larson, "Lessons in Chemistry"

Elizabeth Olsen, "Love & Death"

Juno Temple, "Fargo"

Rachel Weisz, "Dead Ringers"

WINNER: Ali Wong, "Beef"

Actor in a limited series

Matt Bomer, "Fellow Travelers"

Sam Claflin, "Daisy Jones & The Six"

Jon Hamm, "Fargo"

Woody Harrelson, "White House Plumbers"

David Oyelowo, "Lawmen: Bass Reeves"

WINNER: Steven Yeun, "Beef"

Supporting actress in a drama, comedy or musical

WINNER: Elizabeth Debicki, "The Crown"

Abby Elliott, "The Bear"

Christina Ricci, "Yellowjackets"

J. Smith-Cameron, "Succession"

Meryl Streep, "Only Murders in the Building"

Hannah Waddingham, "Ted Lasso"

Limited/anthology series or TV movie

"All the Light We Cannot See"

WINNER: "Beef"

"Daisy Jones & The Six"

"Fargo"

"Fellow Travelers"

"Lessons in Chemistry"

Stand-up comedy special

WINNER: Ricky Gervais, “Armageddon”

Trevor Noah, “Where Was I”

Chris Rock, “Selective Outrage”

Amy Schumer, “Emergency Contact”

Sarah Silverman, “Someone You Love”

Wanda Sykes, “I’m an Entertainer”

Contributing: Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, and The Associated Press

'Poor Things' director praises Bruce Springsteen at Golden Globes

"Poor Things" director Yorgos Lanthimos has Spring-Nuts potential.

Lanthimos thanked Bruce Springsteen multiple times while accepting the "Poor Things" award for best motion picture at Sunday's Golden Globes Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, California.

The Boss was in the audience. His "Addicted to Romance," from the movie "She Came to Me," was nominated for the best original song.

"I just wanted to speak to Bruce Springsteen. We have the same birthday, 23rd September. He's been my hero since I grew up," said Lanthimos, a Greece native, to Springsteen in the audience. The Boss, wearing a black sports jacket without a tie, gave a thumbs up.

"Anyway, I'm wasting my time," Lanthimos continued. "Thank you everybody, everybody who worked on the film. People that … Searchlight, Film4, Element (Pictures) that produced the film and made it happen. The actors, the wonderful actors."

Then he thanked Springsteen again: "Bruce Springsteen for making me grow up the way I did. Emma (Stone), of course. She won, you know it. She's the best. Thank you so much and Martin Scorsese."

Scorsese was also in the audience and Stone won best performance by a female actor in a musical or comedy film for her role in the fantasy-comedy.

Lanthimos, who also directed the art-house hits "The Lobster" and "The Favourite," has an invitation to join the Spring-Nuts Springsteen fan club, said Howie Chaz, founder of the group.

"Every Springsteen fan has an open invitation to join," said Chaz via email to The Asbury Park Press, part of the USA TODAY Network. "This Train carries … Everyone!"

Springsteen's "Addicted to Romance" lost to Billie Eilish's "What Was I Made For?" from the box office hit "Barbie."

"Oppenheimer," "Succession" and "The Bear" were the night's big winners.

"Oppenheimer" won five awards including best drama and best director for Christopher Nolan.

Golden Globes 12 best dressed:Jaw-dropping red carpet looks from Selena Gomez, Margot Robbie, Oprah, more

Golden Globes 2024 taps Jo Koy to host awards show

Mark Kennedy

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Comedian and actor Jo Koy has been tapped to host the 2024 Golden Globes, picked by producers for his "infectious energy and relatable humor."

Koy last year saw his "Easter Sunday" become the first big studio movie with an all-Filipino ensemble. He has released five stand-up specials on Comedy Central and Netflix, including his most recent Netflix special, "Live From The Los Angeles Forum."

The Globes are recovering after scandal and several troubled years, including one without a broadcast. The show will take place on Jan. 7 and will mark Koy's first major award show hosting gig.

"We are thrilled to have Jo host the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards and bring his infectious energy and relatable humor to kick off Hollywood's award season," said Helen Hoehne, Golden Globes president, in a statement Thursday. "We know Jo is bringing his A-game."

"I've stepped onto a lot of stages around the world in my career, but this one is going to be extra special. I'm so excited to be hosting the Golden Globes this year," said Koy in a statement. "This is that moment where I get to make my Filipino family proud."

Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" leads the Globes nominations with nine nods, including for best picture musical or comedy as well as acting nominations for Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling and three of its original songs. It is closely followed by its release date and meme companion Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer," which scored eight nominations, including for best picture drama and for actors Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr. and Emily Blunt.

The Globes' voting body has now grown to 300 members, following backlash after a 2021 report in the Los Angeles Times found there were zero Black members in the group that was then composed of only 87 foreign journalists.

The 81st Golden Globes will be the first major broadcast of awards season, with a new home on CBS.

The Globes had long been one of the highest-profile awards season broadcasts, second only to the Oscars. Before the pandemic, it was still pulling in around 19 million viewers. The show was touted as a boozy, A-list party whose hosts often took a more irreverent tone than their Academy counterparts.

Golden Globe nominations:'Barbie' leads with 9, 'Oppenheimer' scores 8

Taylor Swift, Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner won the Golden Globes

LOS ANGELES – The Golden Globes officially kicked off Hollywood's awards season Sunday with plenty of trophies for "Oppenheimer" (five wins, including best drama) and TV's "Succession" (four wins, including best drama).

But in a ballroom filled with Hollywood's biggest stars (Taylor Swift! Jennifer Lawrence!) with flowing alcohol (Champagne on tables! Open bar!), there should be more interest in what really happened when TV cameras weren't rolling during the live CBS awards show.

That's even before factoring in the official debut of power couples like Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner as well as Bill Hader and Ali Wong, which totally happened on Sunday.

Here's what you didn't see in the Beverly Hilton International Ballroom during the Golden Globes:

Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jennershare passionate smooch at the Golden Globe Awards

Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez share a hug, chat off-camera at the Golden Globes

Swift, 34, did not win for her fifth Golden Globe nomination in a new category for cinematic and box office achievement.

But "The Eras Tour" star won for having the Best. Time. Ever. It was special from moment one when her security detail pushed through the crowd of stars to get Swift (and her entourage) to seats right before the cameras rolled. When security then stopped others from entering until the next TV break, one guest asked, "Why can she go?" Dumbest question ever.

Swift, wearing a green Gucci gown and drinking red (rose champagne before switching to a Cosmopolitan), spent most of her table time yucking it up with seatmate Keleigh Sperry (Miles Teller's wife) and Selena Gomez, who dropped by the table for hugs. But the line of starstruck Hollywood citizens seeking pictures, not to mention stars seeking Swiftie chats (Hader, Jason Sudeikis) led to serious fan congestion on the crowded floor.

Swift was the perfect guest, enthusiastically cheering on BFF and tablemate Emma Stone after the "Poor Things" actress won her best actress award. Swift raised her Cosmo in salute and clinked glasses around the table.

“What an (expletive), am I right?” Stone joked backstage afterward about her supportive friend Swift.

“I’ve known her for almost 20 years,” Stone continued. “I was very happy she was there." So were we.

Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner PDA started immediately

"Wonka" star Chalamet, 28, and Jenner, 26, wasted no time with the public display of affection entering the ballroom. Waiting for a commercial break to take their seat, the two reveled in tight quarters caused by the crowd. Jenner pecked him on the cheek, and Chalamet returned the favor on her lips. The two locked arms around backs, with Jenner's hand dropping south and staying perched on Chalamet's famed posterior for longer than any claims of accidental contact.

When it was time to move. Chalamet dropped his hand and Jenner took it as the two found their seats. At night's end, Chalamet and Jenner exited hand-in-hand once more, swanning through the crowds as one.

Minutes later Hader and Wong exited arm-in-arm, looking more like date night than an awards show.

Backstage Wong, had an interesting description for the Globe she brandished for her best actress limited series win for Netflix's "Beef"

“It’s like a medieval weapon,” Wong remarked.

Jeremy Allen White won't let Calvin Klein underwear abs overshadow his Globe win

Jeremy Allen White won the best actor Golden Globe for his Season 2 role on "The Bear," but all reporters backstage wanted to know about was White's steamy Calvin Klein underwear ad that shows sizzling abs.

Asked how surreal it was to have people talking more about his abs than his acting, White admitted, “It’s been a weird couple of days.”

White made it clear that he was honored more for the acting award than the abdominal admiration.

“I am more proud of this,” White said of his Golden Globe.

Why was 'Last of Us' star Pedro Pascal in a sling?

Everyone wanted to know why "The Last of Us" star Pedro Pascal wore a sling on his right arm over his sweater (yes, a sweater) at the black-tie awards show. Even "The Joker" star Joaquin Phoenix got serious asking Pascal earnestly about the injury during a commercial break.

"It's fine," Pascal said, demonstrating the accident that led to the injury. Phoenix gave a tender, injury-sparing hug.

While "The Last of Us" didn't go home with a Golden Globe despite three nominations, the cast did win an immortal Natasha Lyonne portrait.

Superfan Lyonne grabbed Pascal, who was speaking intently with James Marsden in the bar, for a "Last of Us" group photo. She pulled Pascal across the room to pose with his co-star Bella Ramsey and executive producer Craig Mazin. Handing her iPhone to a bystander, Lyonne grabbed a nearby table flower display to pose with the stars of the HBO series.

Pleased with the final result, Lyonne returned the flower display to the table and insisted that everyone meet at the Chateau Marmont cast party.

Kieran Culkin crashed Matthew Macfayden's press conference

Kieran Culkin had the perfect Globes. The "Succession" star started the evening with a martini, just like we saw his character sipping at the end of the celebrated HBO series. Culkin chatted with his wife Jazz Charton in the bar, ignoring every word of Golden Globe host Jo Koy's terrible monologue.

Culkin followed it up by giving the best speech after winning best actor for "Succession" as well as crashing fellow Globe winner and co-star Matthew Macfayden's press conference backstage.

Jumping in front of assembled reporters, Culkin had a pressing question: Who’s the tallest in the cast? Macfayden, who reportedly stands at 6-foot-3, confidently answered himself.

This prompted an outcry from the 6-foot-7 "Succession" star Nicholas Braun.

“Why did you just say that in front of all these people?” Braun asked MacFayden, after rushing to the front of the stage. “I’m taller than you, man.”

MacFayden admitted that Braun is indeed taller.

2024 Golden Globes predictions: From 'Barbie' to Scorsese, who will ...

Will plastic be fantastic at the Golden Globes with a "Barbie" sweep? Will "Oppenheimer" bomb or be the bomb? Could Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon" blossom on the road to the Academy Awards?

Hosted by comedian Jo Koy, this Sunday's 81st annual Golden Globe Awards (CBS and Paramount+ with Showtime, 8 p.m. EST/5 PST) will begin to separate the contenders from the pretenders on the way to Oscar night on March 10. Last year's box-office champ "Barbie" arrives as a blockbuster heavyweight with a leading nine nominations, including best comedy/musical, and gets a chance to make an impression as a best picture contender. It's not the only one: There's a fight brewing in the best drama category, with Christopher Nolan's acclaimed biopic "Oppenheimer" (which boasts eight nods) in a high-profile tussle against "Killers" (with seven).

USA TODAY predicts who will win (and who should) in the top film categories:

Best drama

“Anatomy of a Fall”

“Killers of the Flower Moon”

“Maestro”

“Oppenheimer”

“Past Lives”

“The Zone of Interest”

Will win: "Oppenheimer"

Should win: "Killers of the Flower Moon"

A popular and critical hit, "Oppenheimer" is a shoo-in for an Oscar best picture nod (and a lot of folks think it can win), so momentum should carry Nolan's white-knuckle period thriller to victory here over some noteworthy competition. However, "Killers" ranks high in Scorsese's storied filmography, with a tremendous cast doing wondrous character work, and is the more thought-provoking of two deep historical tales.

Best comedy or musical

“Air”

“American Fiction”

“Barbie”

“The Holdovers”

“May December”

"Poor Things”

Will win/should win: "Barbie"

Even with the egregious snub of "The Color Purple" (not even one musical, people?!), this is an unusually stacked Globes category. Curious minds wonder how the old Golden Globes voters – who had a penchant for stars and bizarre decisions – compare with the new bunch, but the delightfully excellent (and very populist) "Barbie" likely gets the victory over well-received satire "American Fiction" and gleefully absurd dark comedy "Poor Things."

Best actress in a drama

Annette Bening, "Nyad"

Lily Gladstone, "Killers of the Flower Moon"

Sandra Hüller, "Anatomy of a Fall"

Greta Lee, "Past Lives"

Carey Mulligan, "Maestro"

Cailee Spaeny, "Priscilla"

Will win/should win: Gladstone

Of the two lead actress categories, this one has the best chance of honoring a Hollywood breakthrough. Both Lee and Hüller are great in their respective roles – and you'll see them again this Oscar season – but Gladstone is a revelation. She's the heart and soul of "Killers," playing a spirited indigenous woman who's unmoored by the murders of her people and even poisoned by her husband in the name of greed.

Best actor in a drama

Bradley Cooper, "Maestro"

Leonardo DiCaprio, "Killers of the Flower Moon"

Colman Domingo, "Rustin"

Barry Keoghan, "Saltburn"

Cillian Murphy, "Oppenheimer"

Andrew Scott, "All of Us Strangers"

Will win: Murphy

Should win: Scott

This is how bonkers the Oscar best-actor contingent is this year: There's not a weak link in the bunch, and it's just half the lead nominees. "Oppenheimer" being on a roll – and a career-best turn from its main man – helps put Murphy atop impressive performances by Cooper and DiCaprio (going for his fourth Globe), although Scott is stunning as a haunted screenwriter and a key aspect in 2023's best film.

Best actress in a comedy or musical

Fantasia Barrino, "The Color Purple"

Jennifer Lawrence, "No Hard Feelings"

Natalie Portman, "May December"

Alma Pöysti, "Fallen Leaves"

Margot Robbie, "Barbie"

Emma Stone, "Poor Things"

Will win/should win: Stone

It would take something pretty special to upend Barrino's showstopping "Purple" performance, a hilarious J Law and Robbie in full pop-culture phenomenon mode. And that's exactly what Stone pulls off as Bella Baxter, a woman who wanted to end it all and gets a second chance at life through Victorian resurrection. A previous Globe and Oscar winner for "La La Land," Stone is a good bet to win both again for her "Poor" showing.

Best actor in a comedy or musical

Nicolas Cage, "Dream Scenario"

Timothée Chalamet, "Wonka"

Matt Damon, "Air"

Paul Giamatti, "The Holdovers"

Joaquin Phoenix, "Beau Is Afraid"

Jeffrey Wright, "American Fiction"

Will win: Giamatti

Should win: Wright

Nic Cage? Timmy C? Joaquin? It's an intriguingly eclectic mix of talent up for lead comedic actor this Globes, though it's honestly a two-man race – and a toss-up between a pair of enjoyable curmudgeons. With a National Board of Review best actor win for "Holdovers" to his credit, Giamatti likely has the edge as an uptight 1970s history teacher, though Wright is a hoot as the irascible "Fiction" author skewering race, culture and identity.

Best supporting actress

Emily Blunt, "Oppenheimer"

Danielle Brooks, "The Color Purple"

Jodie Foster, "Nyad"

Julianne Moore, "May December"

Rosamund Pike, "Saltburn"

Da'Vine Joy Randolph, "The Holdovers"

Will win/should win: Randolph

Although A-listers like Blunt, Moore and Foster are in the mix, expect a win from either Brooks (who was Tony-nominated for the same fiery role in the Broadway "Purple") or Randolph, the National Board of Review pick for supporting actress. As the grieving head cook of a boarding school for boys, Randolph has the better chance at a win, because of more "Holdovers" love in general, but whoever takes gold will be an immediate favorite for another victory on Oscar night.

Best supporting actor

Willem Dafoe, "Poor Things"

Robert De Niro, "Killers of the Flower Moon"

Robert Downey Jr., "Oppenheimer"

Ryan Gosling, "Barbie"

Charles Melton, "May December"

Mark Ruffalo, "Poor Things"

Will win: Downey

Should win: Gosling

For five of the past six years, the Globe supporting actor winner has run the table all the way to Oscar, and Downey seems to be the chosen one given his acclaimed antagonist role in "Oppenheimer" – and a guy who's earned a career "attaboy" given his iconoclastic professional life. But Gosling is supremely effervescent as a doll who sings, dances and learns about the pitfalls of toxic masculinity and the patriarchy. That's Kenough to win for us.

Greta Gerwig, Martin Scorsese nominated for Directors Guild awards

Jake Coyle

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Christopher Nolan, Greta Gerwig and Martin Scorsese have been nominated by the Directors Guild for its top award.

The nominations to the 76th DGA Awards, which followed those by the Screen Actors Guild earlier Wednesday, went as expected. The other two nominees for the guild’s top award, for outstanding directorial achievement, are Alexander Payne for “The Holdovers” and Yorgos Lanthimos for “Poor Things.”

Nolan’s nomination, for “Oppenheimer,” is his fifth DGA nod though he’s never won before. Gerwig, nominated for “Barbie,” was previously nominated for 2017’s “Lady Bird.” Scorsese’s nomination for “Killers of the Flower Moon” is his 13th DGA nod; he has previously won for 2006’s “The Departed” and for the series “Boardwalk Empire.”

'Oppenheimer,' 'Succession,' Emma Stone:The complete 2024 Golden Globes winners list

The Directors Guild nominees often closely align with those of the Academy Awards. Over the past two decades, the winner of the DGA award has nearly always also triumphed at the Oscars.

Last year, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert won both awards for “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

Screen Actors Guild Awards 2024:'Barbie,' 'Oppenheimer' score 4 nominations each

The DGA’s nominees for first-time feature filmmaker went to Cord Jefferson for “American Fiction,” Manuela Martelli for “Chile ’76",” Noora Niasari for “Shayda,” A.V. Rockwell for “A Thousand and One” and Celine Song for “Past Lives.”

The guild earlier on Tuesday announced other categories. The DGA nominations for best documentary are: “20 Days in Mariupol,” “Bobi Wine: The People’s President,” “Beyond Utopia,” “Kokomo City” and “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie.” HBO’s “Succession” led the TV nominations, with four out of five nominations for direction.

The 76th annual DGA Awards will be held Feb. 10.

Golden Globes 2024 recap:'Poor Things' surprises as best comedy, 'Oppenheimer' takes best drama

Golden Globes gift bags contain $500K in swag for winners ...

The Golden Globes are looking to get back a little of their luster by forking over $500,000 worth of gift bag loot to the awards show's most glamorous guests.

The Globes and Robb Report, the luxury lifestyle magazine, announced Wednesday that 83 winners and presenters at the Jan. 7 show (airing live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+) will each receive bags featuring more than 35 products and experiences. The magazine will also donate an undisclosed sum to the Golden Globes Foundation, which contributes to a range of entertainment nonprofits.

While celebrities vying for Globes trophies, which honor the best in movies and TV, are likely to already have all the luxury they desire, the gift bags will funnel even more first-class glamour into their lives.

Here are all the expensive goodies in the 2024 Golden Globes gift bags

The swag includes gifts such as exotic yacht charter invitations, private jet credits, custom-made sneakers, celebrity tattoo sessions and private pizza-making classes with a top chef, with each bag valued at a half-million dollars.

Here's a partial list of what's inside (not all recipients receive all items):

◾ A two-night stay in Burgundy, France.

◾ An all-inclusive lodge stay in New Zealand for two.

◾ A two-night stay in Ireland.

◾ Private surf lessons in Southern California, including a custom surfboard.

◾ A one-year membership to a private social club in West Hollywood.

◾ A luxury wine experience in Houston.

◾ A $69,000 pair of emerald earrings.

◾ A bespoke pair of $1,500 sneakers.

This year's Globes gift bags are more lavish than those bestowed upon Oscar nominees

Gift bags are staples of most affairs involving celebrities. Their apex typically is the Academy Awards, whose biggest nominees receive a bag of unsanctioned but expensive gifts. In 2020, Oscar bags were said to be worth around $200,000.

The Globes bags may set a new bar for excess as the luxe gesture marks both a return from scaled-down, pandemic-era awards shows, as well as the Globes' recently tarnished reputation.

The trouble started in 2021 when the Hollywood Foreign Press Association was called out by the Los Angeles Times for its complete lack of Black members. The organization subsequently scrambled to revamp membership to include more people of color.

The HFPA was also accused of trading favors for votes, such as a group trip to the Paris set of "Emily in Paris," which subsequently received Globe nominations. Several studios announced they would sever ties with the organization, and NBC declined to televise the awards that year.

Golden Globe nominees:'Barbie' leads with 9, 'Oppenheimer' scores 8

In June, Dick Clark Productions took over the show, which had also become known for its zingy tone, thanks to irreverent hosts such as Ricky Gervais as well as Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

Comedian Jo Koy will host this year's show. Leading the nominations are "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer," with nine and eight nominations respectively. In the TV category, HBO's "Succession" tops the list with nine nominations followed by FX's "The Bear" and Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building" with five each.

The Golden Globes are the festive kickoff of an awards season leading up to the Oscars, which air March 10.

Snubbed!Viola Davis, America Ferrera, Adam Driver shut out in 2024 Golden Globe nominations

Producers Guild nominations boost Oscar contenders: 'Barbie ...

LINDSEY BAHR

The Associated Press

"Oppenheimer" and "Barbie" will face off at yet another awards ceremony this season, this time at the Producers Guild Awards where they are among the 10 films nominated for the top prize.

The Producers Guild of America announced its nominations for the coveted Darryl F. Zanuck Award, its equivalent of best picture prize. Nominees overlapped with the five Directors Guild choices announced earlier this week, including "Killers of the Flower Moon," "The Holdovers" and "Poor Things." The five additional films were "American Fiction," "Anatomy of a Fall," "Maestro," "Past Lives" and "The Zone of Interest."

"The Color Purple," "May December" and "Saltburn" were among the Oscars hopefuls that did not make the lineup.

The award has proven to be perhaps the best indicator for what will win the top honor at the Oscars. In the past five years, four PGA winners have gone on to collect best picture at the Academy Awards, with the exception of 2020 in which the PGA honored "1917" and the Oscar went to "Parasite." Oscar nominations will be announced on Jan. 23.

2024 SAG Awards nominations snubsincluding Leonardo DiCaprio, 'Saltburn'

The five films nominated for best animated motion picture include: "The Boy and the Heron," "Elemental," "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem."

The guild also recognizes television, where drama nominees are "The Crown," "The Diplomat," "The Last of Us," "The Morning Show" and "Succession." Comedy contenders include "Barry," "The Bear," "Jury Duty," "Only Murders in the Building" and "Ted Lasso."

'Oppenheimer''Succession,' Emma Stone: The complete 2024 Golden Globes winners list

The PGA previously announced nominations for documentation including the AP and Frontline collaboration "20 Days in Mariupol."

Winners will be announced at an untelevised ceremony in Los Angeles on Feb. 25.

"Oppenheimer" and "Barbie" are the lead nominees at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Feb. 24, as they were for the recent Golden Globes.

Contributing: Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY

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