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BLACKPINK’s Jisoo Shares How She Deals With English Interviews

Jisoo is proving yet again that she is a truly clever girl. The “Flower” singer revealed how she skillfully gets through BLACKPINK’s English interviews without breaking a sweat.

Jisoo Reveals Why BLACKPINK’s English-Language Interviews Are Easy For Her

Jisoo is currently promoting her debut solo single and touring with BLACKPINK on their BORN PINK World Tour. That means a lot of international promotions and multiple English-language interviews for the girl group.

But does this mean Kim Ji-soo has been practicing her English all this time? The “Snowdrop” star answered the question on Park Myung Soo’s YouTube show. When the host asked if she speaks English well these days, Jisoo simply said, “Nope!”

She explained that she chooses not to speak much but Park Myung Soo insisted that she could but Jisoo stated that she doesn’t “care to speak.”

There’s a great explanation for why Kim Ji-soo doesn’t think it’s necessary for her to speak up. She pointed out that BLACKPINK has other members who are fluent in English.

“We have members who are much better,” she said. “So I don’t really need to (talk).”

It’s a sensible and hilarious answer from Jisoo who is the only member of BLACKPINK who didn’t live overseas prior to their debut. Jennie studied in New Zealand while Rosé grew up in Australia. The group’s maknae Lisa was born and raised in Thailand and is fluent in Thai, Korean, and English.

With the other members handling the international interviews, Jisoo still gets to steal the show. She demonstrated how to act during interviews like giving the thumbs up and clapping along.

The BLACKPINK singer also proved how relatable she is by admitting that she uses the Korean translation app Papago when ordering food overseas.

Jisoo is promoting her solo single album “Me”. She is also touring with the rest of BLACKPINK on the BORN PINK World Tour which recently added encore shows in the US.

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TWICE’s Nayeon ‘Confused’ After Contract Renewal

Nayeon is feeling positive about her career. The TWICE lead singer spoke about the group’s contract renewal with JYP Entertainment. Im Na-yeon explained that things are looking up but it also had her “confused” for some time.

Nayeon Confirms Awesome Changes Since TWICE Renewed Contract With JYPE

In July 2022, TWICE survived the seven-year curse as all nine members renewed their contracts with JYP Entertainment. The girl group has been thriving since then. This is evident in Nayeon as she graces the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Korea’s May issue.

In an interview with the magazine, the “Pop!” singer revealed that there were several positive changes since the contract renewal.

“It feels like the house I live in has become warmer. It is more stable when the members come together more closely, understand each other, and go towards the same goal,” Nayeon said.

The TWICE vocalist added she was initially puzzled about her goals but ultimately decided to work towards them.

“Personally, I was also confused. I thought about what I wanted to do the most, and it was to match what I wanted to do as Twice and Nayeon. I am very satisfied now,” she said.

Nayeon is on a roll even before the contract renewal. In May 2022, she announced the release of her first solo EP “Im Nayeon”. The mini-album was the first album by a South Korean soloist to reach the top ten on the US Billboard 200.

TWICE is also on a roll since they renewed their contract with JYP Entertainment. Since July 2022, the group has released two mini-albums and the English single “Moonlight Sunrise”. They will release the Japanese single “Hare Hare” next month.

Nayeon shares the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Korea’s May issue with Girls’ Generation‘s Taeyeon and Newjeans‘ Hyein. TWICE’s next Japanese single “Hare Hare” will drop on May 31, 2023.

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VICTON Hanse, Byungchan, and Subin Leave IST Entertainment

The VICTON maknae line has decided their future. Hanse, Byungchan, and Subin chose not to renew their contracts with IST Entertainment.

VICTON Members Hanse, Byungchan, and Subin Exit IST Entertainment

IST Entertainment previously responded to reports that the VICTON members are considering leaving the company. Several reports suggest that the remaining six members of the idol group will not renew their contracts with the agency. However, the boys plan to continue performing as a group in the future.

“We will release a statement on the exclusive contracts of the members once we have confirmed all details,” the company said in a statement.

Since then, the agency formerly known as Plan A Entertainment has issued a second statement about VICTON.

“The agency will conclude its management duties of VICTON members Hanse, Byungchan, and Subin as of April 20 KST with the expiration of these individual members’ exclusive contracts,” it read.

“This decision was reached based on mutual respect after a lengthy and serious debate between the members and the agency ahead of their contract expirations,” the statement continued.

VICTON Hyung Line Still Staying With IST Entertainment

The statement also addressed the contracts for Seungwoo, Seungsik, and Sejun who have enlisted for military service. IST Entertainment confirmed that the hyung line will continue to be under their management. This is due to their contracts being moved to accommodate their military enlistment.

“These three remaining VICTON members will actively pursue their solo schedules such as their musical roles and/or their mandatory military service duties,” the statement read. It was also noted that the idols “will receive full support from IST Entertainment for various activities in the field.”

Seungwoo was recently discharged while Seungsik is currently carrying out mandatory duties. Sejun will enlist in June this year.

Hanse, Byungchan, and Subin Address IST Entertainment Exit

Since the announcement, the VICTON maknae line has shared letters addressed to ALICEs on their personal Instagram accounts.

“Although the ‘Victon Hanse’ has not been able to fully pay it off to all those who have shared my dream and youth and brightened up the days, he will retreat a feeble step for a giant leap,” Do Hanse wrote. “I believe that the newer ‘Hanse’, soon to be presented, will live up to the debt to finish paying back the love he owes.”

“From 2016, for seven years, I received such great and happy love,” Byungchan wrote. “After only knowing how to receive love, I also learned from ALICE how to give love. That’s why our time together was so precious and were moments I will never be able to forget. To ALICE, who only gave love over this long period of time, thank you and I love you.”

“Regretfully, VICTON has come to walk our separate ways, but I’m trying to move forward with courage and go step by step towards happiness,” Subin wrote. “But sometimes I suddenly get afraid that a moment will come where I think ‘was it a dream?’ about these dream-like memories.”

“I will look back on each of our memories together and cherish them for a long, long time. I hope they will remain as good memories for our ALICE too and become of at least a bit of help,” he added.

VICTON debuted as a seven-member group in November 2016. Original member Heo Chan left the group in October 2022.

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ASTRO Fans Pay Tribute to Moonbin In His Final Twitter Post

People are mourning the passing of Moon Bin and they are making themselves heard on a particular social media post. ASTRO fans are revisiting the singer’s final tweet on the idol group’s Twitter account. The post also drew the attention of netizens and people from different fandoms for its hopeful message.

Moonbin’s Final Tweet on ASTRO Twitter Account Gains Attention Following His Passing

On April 11, Moonbin posted a photo of a dandelion on the official ASTRO members’ Twitter account. The “Mermaid Prince” star had found it on a sidewalk and wanted to show it to his fans.

“AROHA, it’s dandelion flower seeds. Dandelion flower seeds~ ride the wind and spread far and wide!” Moon Bin wrote. He added in a second tweet, “Gently go and tickle the people who are precious to me, letting them know that Spring has come.”

It’s a sweet and hopeful message that AROHAs immediately cherished when it was first posted. However, the tweet has gained popularity following Moonbin’s unfortunate passing on April 19. Fans began leaving new comments on the tweet wishing Moon Bin has found his peace and flown like the dandelion seeds.

AROHAs were not the only ones leaving comments on the tweet. Netizens who heard the news and people from other fandoms also paid tribute to Moon Bin in his final post. They also expressed their support for the “Soul Plate” actor’s family and fans who are in mourning.

Moonbin’s body was found in his home in Gangnam on April 19, 2023, at 8:10 PM KST. The police have speculated but the cause of death is still under investigation.

The remaining members of ASTRO are attending Moonbin’s wake with the rest of his family. JinJin and Sanha were the first members to arrive at the site. Fellow member MJ, who is undergoing basic training for military service, filed for emergency leave so he could attend with the other idols. Cha Eun Woo is currently out of the country but will be flying back to Seoul to attend the funeral.

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Moon Bin Funeral: BILLIE Sua Cancels Schedules To Be Chief Mourner, ASTRO Members Attend Wake

Moon Sua is taking a break from promotions for her family. The BILLLIE rapper will serve as chief mourner at the funeral of her brother Moon Bin. In line with this, the girl group has cancelled or postponed their schedules for the rest of the week. Meanwhile, the remaining ASTRO members are attending Moonbin’s wake.

BILLLIE Cancels Schedules In Support of Moon Sua’s Family

BILLLIE’s agency Mystic River issued a statement on the group’s official fan cafe. “We notify you of the cancellation and/or postponement of all schedules planned for this week,” it read.

“In the case of the fan sign events, we plan to notify you of rescheduled dates and further details in a subsequent statement, and in the case of all other broadcast appearance schedules, we also intend on uploading separate notices soon,” it continues.

The statement does not indicate the reason for the cancellation or postponement, but it doesn’t need to. A previous report reveals Sua’s brother Moon Bin passed away on April 19, 2023. Since then, multiple reports confirm that the BILLLIE rapper will serve as chief mourner at her brother’s funeral.

Moon Sua is the younger sister of ASTRO member Moon Bin who was found dead in his home in Gangnam on April 19. She debuted with BILLLIE in November 2021.

In related news, the remaining members of ASTRO are attending Moonbin’s wake. Leader JinJin and maknae Sanha were the first to arrive at the site. Eldest member MJ, who has enlisted for military service, requested an emergency leave to support Moon Bin’s family. Finally, Cha Eun Woo is reportedly flying back to Seoul and will attend the funeral.

Moon Bin started out as a child model appearing in the TVXQ music video for their song “Balloons.” He made his acting debut in 2009’s “Boys Over Flowers” playing the young So Yi Jung. Moonbin debuted as a member of ASTRO in 2016.

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ASTRO Member Moon Bin Dies at Age 25 in Suspected Suicide

ASTRO member Moonbin was found dead in his home in southern Seoul by his manager on Wednesday night, reports CNN. His death has sent shockwaves through the K-pop industry and its global fans alike, with many taking to Twitter to express their grief and shock.

 

 

Fantagio, the music label that represents him, confirmed the death on Thursday, saying he has “suddenly left us and became a star in the sky.”

“All ASTRO members, Fantagio colleagues, executives and employees who’ve been together for a long time are deeply mourning the deceased in such great sadness and shock,” the music label said in a statement they released on Twitter.

‘No Foul Play’ says Police

As per Gangnam police officials who spoke to CNN, the authorities believe Moon Bin had taken his own life. “No signs of foul play have been found related to this case,” police emphasized. According to South Korean outlets, they have also said: “We are currently discussing the possibility of an autopsy to determine the precise cause of death.”

 

 

If so, it wouldn’t be the first time the K-pop world had seen such a tragedy. Several K-pop idols have passed away due to suicide since 2015 such as Kim Jong-hyun, Sulli and Goo Hara.  

Kim Jong-hyun, the incredibly gifted singer-songwriter for the renowned group SHINee, passed away on December 18, 2017. The vivacious and talented Sulli, from the girl group f(x), died on October 14, 2019. It was reported she endured severe scrutiny and cyber bullying. Goo Hara, a cherished member of the girl group KARA,  faced numerous personal and professional challenges that were often exacerbated by the media and public. Her passing on November 24, 2019, underscored the urgent need for mental health support for those in the entertainment industry. Their stories are stark reminders of the intense pressures that idols face in the industry.

Mental Health in K-Pop Industry

The pressure on K-Pop artists begins even before their debut, as they undergo years of intense training, which often involves long hours, strict diets, and limited personal lives. Once they debut, the demands only intensify, with idols expected to maintain a flawless image and consistently deliver exceptional performances. This pressure to be perfect not only comes from their agencies but also from fans and the general public, with social media playing a significant role in magnifying criticism and scrutiny.

The demanding nature of the K-Pop industry can take a toll on an idol’s mental health. High levels of stress, anxiety, and depression are not uncommon.

In recent years, there has been growing awareness and concern about mental health in the K-Pop industry. Some idols have chosen to openly discuss their struggles, destigmatizing mental health issues and encouraging fans to prioritize their well-being. Moon Bin was one of them – he had openly discussed his struggles with anxiety to various media outlets. In 2019, Moonbin shared with Korean outlet Newsen that he has suffered from anxiety since he was young and took medication to manage his symptoms.

He was also not shy of taking mental health breaks.  In December 2019, he went on a hiatus. Fantagio released a statement on behalf of the singer: “We ask for your understanding in the decision to temporarily suspend activities for healthier activities in the future and we promise to provide unsparing support and do our best to help Moonbin recover his health.”

Agencies these days are increasingly recognizing the need to provide better support for their artists, including offering mental health resources and allowing for breaks when needed. These heart-wrenching incidents show how essential it is in fostering an environment where artists can thrive both professionally and personally.

Featured Image: Screengrab from TV10 Youtube coverage

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BTS RM Shares Military Enlistment Update

RM will be the next BTS member who will enlist for military service. Kim Namjoon shared an update on his mandatory military enlistment. He also revealed that he chose to delay enlisting because of an important reason.

RM Reveals Military Enlistment Plans With J-Hope

The BTS leader shared the update during his latest Weverse Livestream. During the broadcast, RM admitted he was originally planning to enlist at the same time as J-Hope. However, he chose to postpone the enlistment in order to complete a new project.

“I was actually planning to enlist around the same time as J-Hope but I had to push it back because of this project,” he said.

The “Wild Flower” rapper then confirmed that military enlistment is still part of his plans despite the delay.

“I think I will go after I complete this,” he stated.

RM Teases New Project Before Enlisting For Military Service

Kim Namjoon did not reveal whether he is working on new music or a completely different project. However, ARMYs are already waiting for updates from the BTS rapper.

RM was recently announced as the new brand ambassador for Bottega Veneta. The brand’s creative director Matthieu Blazy confirmed the news on Instagram and the BTS leader confirmed it with his own post.

J-Hope enlisted in the 36th New Military Education Center in Wonju on April 18. RM and the rest of BTS were present to support the rapper. Jin, who was the first member to enlist, took a leave of absence to give Jung Hoseok a proper send-off.

For now, two members of BTS have enlisted for military service. RM is expected to announce his enlistment before the end of the year. Suga, who is the second eldest member, might also enlist when he finishes his solo world tour in late 2023. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.

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BREAKING: ASTRO Member Moonbin has Passed Away at 25

Moonbin has passed away at the age of 25. The ASTRO member died in his home and Fantagio issued a statement addressing the idol’s untimely demise.

Moonbin Found Dead In Gangnam Home

Moonbin’s manager visited his home in Gangnam-gu, Seoul and found the idol’s body on April 19 at 8:10 PM KST. The manager quickly called the police who speculated the cause of death.

ASTRO’s agency Fantagio issued a statement addressing Moonbin’s passing.

“On April 19, ASTRO member Moon Bin suddenly left us and became a star in the sky,” the statement read.

“It is incomparable to the sorrow of the bereaved families who left their beloved sons and brothers, but the members of ASTRO, fellow artists, and executives and employees of Fantagio are deeply mourning the deceased in such great grief and shock,” it continued.

The statement adds, “It is all the most heartbreaking to tell the sudden news to the fans who supported Moon Bin and gave him generous love. It is more heartbreaking because we know the heart of the deceased who always loved and thought of the fans more than anyone else.”

Fantagio Addresses Malicious Reports About Moonbin’s Death

Fantagio also asked people “to refrain from speculative reports and malicious reports” as respect for “the bereaved families.” The statement further adds that “the funeral will be held as quietly as possible.”

Moon Bin started out as a child model appearing in the TVXQ music video for their song “Balloons.” He made his acting debut in 2009’s “Boys Over Flowers” playing the young So Yi Jung. Moonbin debuted as a member of ASTRO in 2016, joining fellow actor Cha Eun Woo.

Moon Bin remained active as an actor playing lead roles in “Soul Plate”, “Mermaid Prince”, and “Mermaid Prince: The Beginning”. He is part of the ASTRO subunit Moonbin & Sanha which was scheduled for a fan con in Jakarta this May.

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Former MOMOLAND Member NANCY Debuts Personal Twitter and YouTube Accounts

NANCY is officially moving forward after MOMOLAND’s disbandment. The “BBoom BBoom” singer has launched her personal Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok accounts. The launch coincides with the former MOMOLAND member’s 23rd birthday.

NANCY Debuts Personal Twitter and YouTube Accounts

NANCY celebrated her 23rd birthday on April 13, 2023, and she had an awesome treat for her fans. The former MOMOLAND member shared photos from her birthday celebration on a new Twitter account. The “Baam” singer also thanked everyone who congratulated her on her birthday.

NANCY confirmed that she is also launching a YouTube channel where she will be posting new content. The first video uploaded to the channel followed the “Banana Chacha” singer as she prepared for her birthday celebration. She also debuted a TikTok account in the same week.

NANCY is currently the most active of the previous members of MOMOLAND since the girl group announced their disbandment in February 2023. Although it is unclear whether she is planning to debut as a solo artist soon, fans are already excited about the possibility.

Remembering MOMOLAND: A Girl Group In Retrospect

MOMOLAND debuted as a seven-member girl group in November 2016. Hyebin, Yeonwoo, Jane, Nayun, JooE, Ahin, and Nancy were joined by Daisy and Taeha in 2017. The group enjoyed success for two years but Taeha and Yeonwoo left in 2019. Daisy later departed in 2020 after some conflict with MLD Entertainment.

In January 2023, MLD Entertainment confirmed that the remaining six members of MOMOLAND refused to renew their contracts. The group’s disbandment was confirmed less than a month later.

NANCY is the first former member to confirm she found a new agency. Nancy Jewel McDonie announced she signed with Aria Diamond, the new talent agency affiliated with Aria Group. She has not yet confirmed plans of releasing new music as a solo artist. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.

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BTS Reunite With JIN For J-Hope’s Military Send-Off

J-Hope is officially enlisting for military service and didn’t have to go alone. All seven members of BTS, including JIN, reunited to give Jung Hoseok a proper send-off.

JIN Takes A Break To Reunite With BTS For J-Hope’s Military Send-Off

J-Hope enlisted in the 36th New Military Education Center in Wonju on April 18. The BTS rapper will begin five weeks of basic training at the center before receiving his station assignment.

The military service will take several months but BTS made sure to give J-Hope all the support he needs. All members of the supergroup travelled all the way to the center to show their support. Eldest member JIN, who is currently an active-duty soldier, even took a leave of absence to be with Hobi. The boys also made sure to take photos with J-Hope and posted them on the official BTS Twitter account.

It didn’t take long before the BTS members began sharing the images on their personal social media accounts. While RM went for an emotional caption, JIN poked fun at the situation with the simple caption “Next person.”

JIN may love poking fun at the other BTS members but J-Hope confirmed that his hyung is fully supportive of him. The “On The Street” rapper previously shared that Kim Seokjin reached out to him as soon as he received his notice.

“Right when I got the notice, Jin contacted me. I asked a lot of questions, and Jin gave me advice on what I needed,” J-Hope shared. Although he didn’t share details about the advice, it clearly worked as he appears ready for his military service.

JIN is the first member of BTS to enlist for military service. Kim Seokjin began his enlistment in December 2022 after promoting his solo debut single “The Astronaut.”

J-Hope will begin his military enlistment on April 18, 2023. He is expected to be discharged by October 17, 2024.

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