BTS’s J-Hope enters military service

BTS’ Jungkook online.Earlier this year, it was reported that a former foreign ministry employee, whose identity has been withheld, had been indicted for attempting to sell a hat belonging to the BTS member for approximately KRW10million (£6,600) after he had left it at the government building.On Wednesday (May 3), The Korea Herald reported that the employee had been fined KRW1million (£660) by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office earlier that day on charges of attempting to sell the BTS singer’s lost hat online.A previous report by the media outlet states that the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office also intended to return the hat to Jungkook, though the prosecution, idol and his label have yet to provide further updates.The former employee had allegedly uploaded a photo of the hat on an online second-hand market and claimed that Jungkook had left it at the foreign ministry building after visiting to apply for a new passport.In the post, they added that the hat had been reported as lost property for six months before they decided to claim ownership of it. The listing was met with backlash, leading the employee to delete the listing and turn themselves in to the police.Shortly after this, the prosecution stated that HYBE had confirmed to police that the hat did belong to Jungkook.

Kai of K-pop boyband EXO is set to enlist in the military next week.The news was shared by Kai’s label SM Entertainment on May 3, announcing that the K-pop idol will enlist in the South Korean military on May 11. In accordance with South Korean law, all able-bodied men over the age of 18 are required to serve in the military for up to two years.SM Entertainment said that Kai had been preparing new music with boyband EXO, but is set to enlist early “due to a recent change in regulations of the Military Manpower Administration”, per Soompi.

Kai is preparing for mandatory military enrollment.

Tamar Herman For Suga of BTS, D-day arrives with a storm of thunder and lightning amid a purple haze. At the opening of his Agust D tour at t New York’s UBS Arena, the rain heralds a bold, and oftentimes fiery, two-hour testament to his artistry and drive. The tour kicked off on April 26 and will continue across the U.S. through May. Suga’s solo spot is the first tour by an individual member of the history-making South Korean group, and he’ll spend the rest of the spring touring across Asia.  On the second of his two nights at UBS, April 27, Suga spent his time on stage rapping, singing, and ruminating on the different facets of his career thus far: Suga of BTS, his alternate persona Agust D, and himself, Min Yunki. 

Cathy Hope (Gabrielle Dowling) has been struggling with her health for months in heartbreaking Emmerdale scenes. The youngster has been suffering from mood swings and painful, heavy periods that pills initially prescribed to her didn’t cure, with her putting herself in danger with her own reckless behaviour to cope. It is now suspected she is suffering from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, and the possible diagnosis has hit the troubled teen hard.

A Canadian actor has died following complications from 12 plastic surgery procedures — all because he wanted to look like K-Pop superstar Jimin from BTS.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Jung Ho-seok, better known as J-Hope, Tuesday became the second member of K-pop sensation BTS to join the Korean military. Approaching his 30th birthday, J-Hope attended an army camp at Wongju, south of Seoul, and is expected to begin five weeks of basic training there. Local news agencies reported a small crowd of fans, seemingly outnumbered by assembled journalists, waited outside the camp to wish him well. Their number was reported to be diminished by bad weather. Earlier, J-Hope had posted on the Weverse fandom platform words of encouragement and a pair of photos revealing his newly-shorn hair. “I love you all. ARMY, I will return safely,” he wrote. ‘Army’ in that sense is a reference to BTS’s legion of fans, rather than the Korean military services.

BTS member J-Hope is reporting for military duty. The K-pop star shared a selfie showing off his new buzz cut and a message for fans as he began his 18-month mandatory military service in South Korea on Tuesday.

BTS member J-Hope is reporting for military duty. The K-pop star shared a selfie showing off his new buzz cut and a message for fans as he began his 18-month mandatory military service in South Korea on Tuesday.«I'll be back in good health,» reads the caption on his Instagram, translated from Korean. The artist, whose real name is Jung Ho-seok, follows in the footsteps of the group's eldest member, Jin, who began his military service in December. Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men are required to perform 18 to 21 months of military service.

Jungkook of K-pop boyband BTS has made a donation to support a children’s hospital in Seoul.Today (April 18), South Korean media outlets Yonhap News Agency and Korea JoongAng Daily reported that the South Korean musician artist donated ₩100billion (roughly US$750,000) to the Seoul National University Children’s Hospital.According to hospital officials, Jungkook’s donation will be aid in the funding of medical expenses for kids who come from low-income households. It will also be put towards the hospital’s comprehensive care centre plan.“I hope my donation can be a bit of a help to children in danger, and I hope children can smile happy,” Jungkook said in a press release.

J-hope, a member of K-pop boyband BTS, has shared a farewell message to fans ahead of his upcoming military enlistment.Yesterday (April 17), J-hope took to his personal Instagram account with a handwritten note that read: “I will return healthy and well!!” Alongside the farewell message, the musician also posted an image of his new buzzcut, in preparation for his enlistment.A post shared by jhope (@uarmyhope)J-hope later posted more images on the fan community platform Weverse, including one with bandmate Jimin. “I love you all.

BTS are set to release a new song for the upcoming South Korean animated series Bastions.Today (April 14), South Korean television network SBS released the opening title sequence for Bastions, featuring an as-yet-untitled song sung by BTS as the show’s theme song.The upcoming BTS song will be their first release as a full group since the release of their anthology album ‘Proof’ in June 2022. Since then, the members of the group have branched out into solo careers.“BTS is expected to provide an overwhelming sense of immersion to the emotions and action scenes of the series by singing the theme song in perfect harmony,” the show’s production company Timos Media said in a statement to Yonhap News Agency.In addition to BTS, K-pop groups and musicians such as LE SSERAFIM, Brave Girls, Heize, AleXa and more will feature on the soundtrack of Bastions.

BTS exhibition ‘Proof’ is set to open in Los Angeles this Spring, HYBE and Live Nation have announced.The ‘Proof’ exhibition is set to take place at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica this May, following stops in the South Korean cities of Seoul and Busan last year.The upcoming exhibition will feature “an immersive visual journey that explores the members’ past, present and future through photographs, videos and experiential installations in a multi-room walkthrough experience”, per a press release, via Billboard.According to the ‘Proof’ exhibition’s official website, registration for ticket access is open now until April 17 at 11:59pm PT. The website states that all who register will be “equally eligible to participate in the onsale”.“However, if demand for tickets exceeds supply, visitors will be randomly selected to participate in the sale,” it adds.

Ravi is leaving VIXX.

VIXX rapper Ravi has left the K-pop boyband following his trial for alleged evasion of military service.In January 2023, a South Korean broker claimed that he had helped an idol rapper falsify an epilepsy diagnosis to attain an IV grade in his health evaluation for military service, allowing him to receive an exemption from active duty.In the same month, Ravi was identified by prosecutors as a possible client of the broker, per The Korea Times. Following the news reports, Ravi’s agency GROOVL1N said that it was “closely examining the truth about the situation”.

On April 21, BTS' Suga will release D-DAY, his new album and third full-length project under his rap alias of Agust D. The tracklist emerged this weekend, and an unexpected featured artist pops up on "Snooze," the ninth song: Ryuichi Sakamoto, the Japanese composer who died on March 28.

APPOINTMENTSBeatport Group has appointed Sofia Ilyas to the newly created role of Chief Community Officer. In that job she will “oversee the company’s diversity, inclusion and social action efforts” and also “head corporate communications, set the strategy for emerging growth markets and manage the company’s numerous partnerships with DJ and producer community organisations around the world”.The UK’s Entertainment Agents’ Association has a new President, Paul Winteridge from Exeter-based agency the Vern Allen Group. Says he: “It is with pride and excitement that I take on the role of President in what continues to be a difficult time for live entertainment.

BTS member Suga and South Korean singer IU are set to release a brand-new collaboration, titled ‘People Pt. 2’.Today (April 5), the K-pop idol announced the upcoming collaboration through the official BTS Twitter account. ‘People Pt.

Jinyoung is set to enlist into the South Korean military next month.Today (April 5), South Korean news outlet JTBC reported that the GOT7 member has received his military enlistment notice and would begin his mandatory service in May, adding that the K-pop idol would serve as an active-duty soldier.The report has since been confirmed by Jinyoung’s agency BH Entertainment. In a statement to South Korean media, BH Entertainment said that the K-pop idol “will receive basic military training at the training center [starting] on Monday, May 8 and fulfill his military duty as an active-duty soldier”, per Osen, as translated by Soompi.Jinyoung will be the second member of GOT7 to enlist in the South Korean military, following leader JAY B in February.

SHINee member Taemin has officially been discharged from military service, and he’s set to celebrate it with fans during an upcoming fanmeeting event.The K-pop idol was officially discharged from his two-year military service on April 4, nearly two years since he enlisted for active duty on April 19, 2021. The occasion was marked by his SM Entertainment, which released a video titled ‘Taemin is Back’, featuring archival footage of the singer in a practice room.Soon after, Taemin also released a handwritten letter, touching on his time in the military and feeling about being discharged.