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· Carl Samson
GOP senator pushes bill to end dual citizenship
Ohio Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno introduced legislation earlier this month that would require Americans to hold only U.S. citizenship, forcing potentially millions to choose between their citizenship and connections to heritage countries. What you need to know: Under the…
· Carl Samson
BTS’ Jungkook apologizes for wearing ‘Make Tokyo Great Again’ hat
BTS member Jungkook publicly apologized early Saturday (local time) following public backlash over his choice to wear a hat with a politically charged message during concert preparations. Where he wore it Jungkook, who recently completed his military service, was spotted wearing…
· Carl Samson
BTS close to reuniting as 6 members finish military service
BTS moves closer to a complete reunion following Wednesday’s discharge of Jimin and Jungkook from the military, with just one remaining member yet to finish his mandatory service. Catch up
· Carl Samson
BTS’ V has most-liked Instagram post of 2025
BTS’ V has broken records once again — this time with the most-liked post on Instagram so far into the year. South Korea’s MBC News confirmed Monday that the K-pop star’s Feb. 23 Instagram post had surpassed 16.4 million likes, overtaking Billie Eilish and Cristiano Ronaldo to…
· Ryan General
South Korean man convicted for evading military service through weight gain
A Seoul court convicted a 26-year-old South Korean man of violating the Military Service Act by intentionally gaining weight to avoid mandatory military service. Despite initially qualifying for combat duty with a Grade 2 (second-highest grade) assessment in 2017, the defendant…
· Carl Samson
BTS’s J-Hope completes mandatory military service
J-Hope has completed his mandatory military service, now entering what he describes as the “third chapter” of his life. Discharged after 18 months on Thursday, J-Hope, whose real name is Jung Ho-seok, expressed gratitude for the unwavering support he received from fans and…
· Carl Samson
Pope Francis offers Vatican refuge to Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi
Pope Francis has called for the liberation of Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, offering Vatican territory as a refuge for her. The pontiff reportedly expressed his offer during a private conversation with Jesuits in his recently concluded Asia-Pacific tour. “I…
· Bryan Ke
Golfer Tom Kim says tears after Olympic loss unrelated to South Korea’s conscription
South Korean golfer Tom Kim clarified that his crying after missing the chance to earn his country a medal at the Paris Olympics were unrelated to his mandatory military service. Kim, 22, was seen wiping away tears while signing golf balls on Sunday after placing eighth in the…
· Carl Samson
BTS’ Jin to represent South Korea as torchbearer in Paris 2024
BTS member Jin, who recently completed South Korea’s mandatory military service, will represent his country as a torchbearer in the Paris Olympics, which will run from July 26 to Aug. 11. The 31-year-old popstar’s participation reportedly aims to spread the messages of “harmony”…
· Ryan General
BTS’ RM opens up about the pressures of leadership in emotional video
RM has opened up about the pressures he faces as the leader of BTS, admitting that there had been times when he felt he “would want to die.” Key points:
· Bryan Ke
RM unveiling ‘Come Back to Me’ music video helmed by ‘Beef’ director Lee Sung-jin
BTS’ RM is dropping the music video for “Come Back to Me,” a track from his new solo album slated for release later this month. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
BTS’s Jin starts countdown for his return from mandatory military service
Many BTS fans, affectionately known as ARMYs, are celebrating in anticipation of Jin’s return to the spotlight after the singer initiated a countdown for the end of his mandatory military service. Breaking the news: Jin, the oldest member of BTS at age 31, initiated the…
· Ryan General
Myanmar’s junta enforces mandatory military service amid turmoil
Myanmar’s military junta has activated a dormant mandatory military service law that forces participation of all young men and women for at least two years. About the law: Myanmar’s military government announced on Feb. 10 that it is reviving the People’s Military Service Law…
· Bryan Ke
Group photos featuring BTS’ RM, V released by military training center
The Nonsan Korea Army Training Center on Thursday posted new group photos of its recruits, including BTS members RM and V. What they show: RM, whose real name is Kim Nam-joon, 29, and V, full name Kim Tae-hyung, 28, appeared on two separate group photos shared by the training…
· Ryan General
South Korea to introduce ‘Hallyu visa’ for K-pop and K-drama fans
South Korea has unveiled plans to introduce a new visa catering specifically to fans of South Korean culture. About the Hallyu visa: South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced the launch of the Hallyu visa, a unique initiative aimed at attracting…
· Carl Samson
BTS docuseries makes its streaming debut
A new documentary series that spotlights BTS’s journey to global K-pop superstardom landed on Disney Plus this week. What it’s about: The eight-episode series, titled “BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star,” follows the group’s humble beginnings to their meteoric rise as “pop icons of…
· Michelle De Pacina
BTS’ RM shares first photo update since military enlistment
BTS’ RM posted an Instagram update post-military enlistment, prompting an outpouring of love and anticipation from his fans on social media. RM’s post: On Dec. 11, a photo of RM in casual attire was shared on the artist’s film account. The image shows the 29-year-old in a gray…
· Bryan Ke
BTS’ RM pens emotional letter to fans ahead of military service
BTS’ RM has written an emotional letter to fans as he sets off to begin his military duties. What he wrote: RM, whose real name is Kim Nam-joon, posted the letter to his Weverse account Sunday, a day before departing for his mandatory military service. The 29-year-old BTS leader…
· Bryan Ke
T1 wins 4th ‘League of Legends’ World Championship, earns congrats from S. Korean president
South Korean “League of Legends” team T1 was congratulated by President Yoon Suk Yeol for winning another World Championship title in the game and breaking its six-year trophy-less streak. The context: T1 beat China’s Weibo Gaming with a flawless 3-0 victory at the grand finals…
· Bryan Ke
BTS fans outraged esports star may skip mandatory military service if he wins Asian Games gold
BTS’ fans, affectionately known as ARMYs, are voicing their outrage after learning that famous South Korean esports star Faker may skip the mandatory military service if he wins a gold medal at the Asian Games. Key details: Faker, whose real name is Lee Sang-hyeok, 27, is among…