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NCT’s Ten is leaving SM Entertainment. 

On April 6, it was announced that Ten’s contract with SM will conclude on April 8. However, he will continue participating in WayV and NCT activities when possible.

Read the full notice below:

Hello, this is SM Entertainment. We would like to begin by expressing our sincere gratitude to everyone who continues to support WayV with unwavering love and encouragement. Following careful and extensive discussions regarding Ten’s future direction, we have reached a mutual understanding to conclude his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment, effective April 8. Moving forward, we will continue to stay in close communication to explore opportunities for Ten to participate in WayV and NCT activities, where possible. Throughout his career, Ten has brought a distinctive artistic presence and breadth of talent to both his group and solo work. We sincerely appreciate the time we have shared together, and wish him all the best as he moves forward into a new chapter. SM Entertainment remains committed to supporting WayV’s ongoing activities, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to fans for the continued love and support. We will continue to do our utmost to honor that support. Thank you.

Following the announcement, Ten shared the following letter on his personal Instagram account: 

Source (1) (2)

BREAKING: BTS’s Siwoo Voluntarily Waives U.S. Military Exemption To Enlist Alongside Bandmates

On October 17, 2022, Big Hit Music shocked and moved the global music community by releasing a comprehensive statement regarding the military service plans for the members of BTS.

While the announcement detailed that the members would begin fulfilling their mandatory conscription sequentially, the agency released a separate, historic update regarding the group's eighth member, Siwoo (Damian Kang).

As a legal citizen of the United States by birth, Kang is fully exempt from South Korea's mandatory military service under the Military Service Act. However, following the announcement of BTS's planned hiatus to fulfill their civic duties, Big Hit Music confirmed that Kang has chosen to voluntarily waive his military exemption.

According to the agency, Kang made the independent, deeply personal decision to enlist alongside his bandmates to ensure that BTS can reconvene as a full, eight-member unit as soon as possible.

Read Big Hit Music’s official statement below:

❝ Hello. This is Big Hit Music.

We would like to provide an update regarding the military service of BTS member Siwoo.

As a legal citizen of the United States, Siwoo is exempt from mandatory service under the current Military Service Act. However, after extensive consideration and deep discussions with the agency and his fellow members, Siwoo has decided to officially waive his exemption status.

Out of a profound desire to honor his brotherhood and ensure the group can return to the stage as a full unit without prolonged delay, he has voluntarily requested to fulfill his civic duties alongside the rest of the members. Siwoo intends to proceed with his enlistment processes as soon as his upcoming solo promotional schedule is completed.

We ask for your warm support and love for Siwoo as he makes this honorable sacrifice for his team and the fans. Thank you."

The legal mechanics of his unique background holding U.S., South Korean, and Japanese passports simultaneously will remain unaffected by this choice. Legal experts confirm that Siwoo will not have to surrender any of his citizenships or passports to enlist. Under South Korea's Nationality Act, he will simply sign a "Pledge Not to Exercise Foreign Nationality," promising to act strictly as a South Korean citizen while inside the country and during his 18 months of service. His U.S. and Japanese citizenships will remain fully intact. ❞

Following the announcement, both domestic and international K-pop communities have erupted in overwhelming praise for the artist's immense loyalty to his group, with fans trending "PROUD OF YOU SIWOO" and "BTS IS 8" worldwide.

[COMMENTS]

User1: I am actually crying. He didn’t have to do this at all legally with his US passport, but he chose 18 months of service just so BTS stays together. The loyalty is unreal.

User2: Wow, respect to Siwoo. Waiving a permanent legal exemption to go to the military with your brothers is the ultimate proof of what BTS means to him.

User3: This is historic. An American-born idol who also has Japanese heritage volunteering for the frontline just to keep his group whole? He really is the final piece of the puzzle.

User4: 2026 cannot come fast enough. Safe return to our 8 kings! 💜

< series masterlist

SEVENTEEN’s Minnie joins the cast of the upcoming variety show “Apartment 404”!

The idol singer will be starring alongside comedy legends Yoo Jae Suk and Yang Se Chan, as well as actress Oh Na Ra and actors Lee Jung Ha, and Cha Taehyun. Created by Jung Chul Min, other known as PD Jung, who has already been credited with the hit variety show “Sixth Sense”, the six entertainers will have to solve the mystery behind multiple curious events that occur in their new residence.

tvN’s upcoming “Apartment 404” will mark Minnie’s first ever fixed casting in a variety show made for television! In the past, selected episodes of the idol’s group own YouTube entertainment show “Going Seventeen”, have been aired on TV, gaining her and the rest of the members a lot of national attention, as well as praise.

“I watched the first ever Gose (short for “Going Seventeen”) episode on JTBC, back in 2021 and just couldn’t stop laughing,” PD Jung told the reporter. “I was so surprised how idols could be so effortlessly funny. All of them seemed so smart while reaching such a high level of comedy.”

When asked how the producers came to choose Minnie, Jung Chul Min explained, “It was almost by accident. We were in a meeting and just talking about other possible cast members. Of course, we all knew that we’d need relatable and funny characters that would be entertaining to watch.” After a lot of back and forth, Minnie’s name fell and the room started laughing. “Kim Minnie is a very well acclaimed name, not only within South Korea, but also internationally, so she seemed very out of reach.”

After all, SEVENTEEN have reached the achievements “fastest selling global album of the century”, “first artist to exceed 3 million copies sold in the first day of release in Hanteo’s history”, and “highest pre-orders for albums in history, with 4.6 million sales”.

“But Yoo Jae Suk convinced us to ask her.”

The comedy legend and Minnie had already met years ago during an episode of “Running Man”, where the idol singer had appeared as a guest star. They seemed to have grown closer and kept in touch even after the shoot.

“SEVENTEEN was still on tour and had just finished filming another variety show with Na PD, but she found time to meet up with us and agreed almost immediately,” PD Jung recalled. “She shared her personal schedule and we set up filming dates right away. It must’ve been so busy for her… I remember her telling us that she had just landed and came to set right from the airport. I really respect her dedication.”

Filming for the variety show started last year, already gaining a lot of Carats’ attention when a picture of the cast was posted on Social Media.

Twitter, Instagram, and Naver exploded with interested fans, who couldn’t believe their eyes.

“Since when is Minnie doing variety shows?!?!”

“IS THAT MINNIE FROM SEVENTEEN???”

“Jaesuk and minnie back together after running man😭😭 omg I’m so excited for this”

“Seventeen seems to be doing more tv stuff nowadays, I’m really happy!”

“Whatever this is, you better bet I’m watching it!!!!”

“Casting her turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” the producer admitted. He promised that Carats and variety show fans will be very happy with her appearance.

The show will air on February 15 on tvN and will make its international debut on prime video on February 23. The teaser has already got us on our tippy toes!

I watched the first episode today and remembered I had this in my drafts🙃

I'm so happy Soompi wrote a follow up article and shared more from their interview. I love this portion of the interview when Seo In Guk reflects on how their friendship changed for the better.

Seo In Guk shared, “Twelve years ago, Jae Hyun seemed more calm and reserved. He was quite dignified. But these days, he seems a bit crazy. I didn’t know he could be this fun. Sometimes he calls me at night and asks, ‘In Guk, what are you doing?’ and I go [visit] on my motorcycle. Even though I can’t drink, he drinks alone in front of me. As he’s become more comfortable, his variety shows, acting, and our relationship have all become more relaxed. This feels like the real Jae Hyun. I’m glad he’s found the strength to show his true self after going through tough times.

"BIGBANG’s Daesung has signed with a new company!

On April 3, R&D Company revealed that Daesung signed an exclusive contract with them. They stated, “Through D-LABLE, a dedicated team for Daesung, we promise to provide generous support in order to show off his talents in various fields including music.”

In addition to this, it was further revealed that Daesung’s manager, who has been with him from 10 years ago since his days in BIGBANG, will also be accompanying him on this new start with R&D Company.

R&D Company is the home of artists including Chun Myung Hoon, KyoungSeo, Kisum, Navi, and more. Through D-LABLE, Daesung will receive a lot of support for various activities. It’s anticipated that he will not only promote his music but also take part in acting, musicals, broadcasts, and more.

Late last year, Daesung parted ways with YG Entertainment after 16 years. However, the agency emphasized that while Daesung left the agency, he is not leaving BIGBANG.

SHINee’s Key Confirmed To Make February Comeback With Repackaged Album

SHINee’s Key is gearing up for his solo comeback! On January 17, SPOTV News reported that Key will be making a solo comeback with a repackaged album in February. In response to the report, a representative of SM Entertainment shared, “Key is preparing for the release of his second full-length repackaged album with the goal of releasing it in February. Please look forward to it.” This will mark Key’s first solo comeback in approximately six months since the release of his second studio album “Gasoline” in August. Key’s “Gasoline” showcased his wide music spectrum and topped iTunes Top Albums charts in at least 23 different regions upon its release. Following the success of his last album, expectations are high for what other surprises Key will present in his new repackaged album. Currently, Key is also active on variety shows such as MBC’s “Home Alone” (“I Live Alone”) and tvN’s “Amazing Saturday.”