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NU’EST JR (Kim Jong Hyun) To Enlist for Military Service in September

Singer and actor Kim Jong Hyun, aged 29, is preparing to enlist in the military. The NU’EST member, who is best known as JR, will begin his mandatory military service in September.

Kim Jong Hyun (NU’EST JR) Prepares for Military Service

According to a report on August 18, Kim will join a training camp where he will undergo basic military training before serving as an active-duty soldier in the Army.

Kim Jonghyun first gained recognition in 2012 as a member of NU’EST, a group that quickly rose to fame with a series of hit songs such as “Face,” “Hello,” “Love Paint,” “Love Me,” and “I’m in Trouble.” His participation in the sub-unit NU’EST W further solidified his popularity, showcasing his talents to a broader audience.

Following the disbandment of NU’EST in 2022, Kim launched his solo career, releasing music that spanned various genres and demonstrated his versatility as an artist. Tracks like “Lights,” “Motto,” and “Star” highlighted his ability to adapt to different musical styles, earning him recognition as a solo performer.

In addition to his successful music career, Kim Jong Hyun has also made a significant impact as an actor. He made his acting debut in the 2021 drama “Let Me Be Your Knight” and has since appeared in several other projects, including “Start With a Kiss”, “Sound Candy”, and “My Friend’s Graduation”. His performances have been well-received by audiences, further establishing him as a multi-talented entertainer.

As Kim Jong Hyun prepares to fulfill his mandatory military service, this will mark a temporary pause in a career that has spanned over a decade. Fans are likely to miss his presence in the entertainment industry but will eagerly await his return once he completes his service. His enlistment is a significant moment, but given his talent and dedication, there is little doubt that Kim Jong Hyun will continue to make a strong impact in both music and acting upon his return.

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NU’EST Members Reunite For the 1st Time After Disbandment

Drought is over,  L.O.Λ.! All five members of NU’EST had a reunion for the first time since the group disbanded in March 2022. 

On Saturday, September 23, NU’EST members Hwang Min Hyun, Baekho, Ren, Aron, and JR, gathered for a casual dinner. All members also made sure to share the precious moments on their personal Instagram accounts as well.

On his personal X (formerly Twitter) account, Min Hyun also shared some details about their get-together. In the translated post, he told fans: “It’s been a while since we met and we talked a lot!”

When one fan asked if they had a good time, the singer answered:  “Everyone was doing well!”

 

Aside from Min Hyun, Aron also opened up to fans about the group’s get-together. 

Fans’ reactions

Fans, especially the group’s fandom L.O.Λ (pronounced as LOVE), were understandably sentimental upon seeing the photos of the group. What made it more special is that it was the first public appearance of all the five  members together since their disbandment in March 2022.

“NU’EST reunion got me in tears, I am extra sensitive today,” one wrote.

 

Given that NU’EST disbanded over a year ago, fans are delighted to see that the members still have a close bond.

Where are the NU’EST members now?

For those unaware, NU’EST debuted in 2012 under Pledis Entertainment, which is now a sub-label of HYBE CORP

In 2022, the group’s 10-year contract with the agency was no longer renewed. Which left NU’EST with no choice but to discontinue group activities. 

Since then, the members have been embarking on their solo journeys.

Baekho, who decided to stay with PLEDIS, was the first member to debut as a soloist. In October 2022, he dropped his mini album Absolute Zero with the title track “No Rules.” In August 2023, he made his comeback with the single Elevator.”

Meanwhile, Min Hyun, who is the only member alongside Baekho to stay with their previous agency, also made his solo debut with his first mini album Truth or Lie in February 2023. Apart from that, he also focused on his acting career, having starred in various dramas including Alchemy of Souls, its second season Light and Shadow, and the recently concluded My Lovely Liar.

Their fellow member Ren, worked on a few musicals since NU’EST’s disbandment. In June 2023, he released his first solo mini-album Ren’dezvous under his new agency, Big Planet Made. Said agency is home to artists Soyou, Lee Mu-Jin, and the trio Viviz.

On the other hand, JR, whose real name is Kim Jong Hyun, also embarked on his solo journey as an artist by dropping his first mini album MERIDIEM in November 2022. Additionally, he also starred in two dramas: Sound Candy and It Was Spring in 2023.

Lastly, the group’s oldest member Aron, made his solo debut in June 2023 with the album Time Difference. In May, the singer held his first Asia tour SPECTRUM OF,  in celebration of his birthday in the same month.

Featured image: All five members of NU’EST gathered together for a dinner. Credit: Instagram/Hwang Min Hyun

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Sandara Park and More K-Pop Stars Wear Traditional Filipino Clothing in ‘Idol Truck’

Sandara Park might be a global K-pop star, but her popularity knows no bounds in the Philippines. And her fame in the country was again proven in the variety show Idol Truck. 

For starters, Sandara was already a household name in the Philippines before she was even launched as a member of girl group 2NE1. 

Her showbiz career started in 2004 after joining the talent competition show Star Circle Quest. Despite finishing as a runner-up, Sandara pursued an acting career in the Philippines. She also starred in numerous Filipino films and TV projects. 

 

Eventually, she moved back to South Korea and debuted under YG Entertainment in 2009. 

Even though she’s been primarily based in South Korea, Sandara continues to visit the Philippines and even showcased how fluent she is in Tagalog. 

 

Filipinos’ love for Sandara 

For Idol Truck, Sandara and other Korean celebrities are tasked to sell products from small and medium-sized businesses in the area they visit. 

Joining Sandara in the team Philippines were WINNER’s Jinu, NU’EST’s Aron and JR, and DINDIN. 

Even before they left South Korea, Sandara was already assuring her teammates that they only had to trust her for their mission. She even joked that she was the third most popular person in the Philippines, following former president Rodrigo Duterte and athlete Manny Pacquiao.  

 

In the episode, the Korean stars were shocked that many Filipino fans were already waiting for Sandara when they arrived at the airport. 

The show was filmed in Clark, Pampanga in June. Videos of the celebrities visiting local fast food chains, cafes, and markets also circulated on social media. 

 

But what many Filipino fans find endearing is that the Korean stars also wore Filipino traditional clothing. 

 

Many of the comments under Instagram’s post wrote their admiration for the group and how much they enjoyed the show. 

Featured image: Several K-pop stars went to the Philippines for ‘Idol Truck.’ Credit: Instagram/DARA

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