K-POP idols like MONSTA X's Minhyuk and BTS's J-Hope return from military service, expressing gratitude to fans and reflecting on their experiences.
October/12/2024 16:39
MONSTA X's Minhyuk, BTS's J-HOPE, and other K-POP idols are returning to fans one after another. Minhyuk was the first to announce his discharge in October. He enlisted on April 4 last year through the 5th Division New Soldier Training Team in Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do, and was discharged on October 3. On the day, MONSTA X members visited the site to celebrate Minhyuk's discharge. Currently serving members Kihyun, Hyungwon, and Jooheon drew attention in military uniforms. Minhyuk expressed through his agency, "I was able to grow a little more as a human Lee Minhyuk through military life, and it was a precious time in my life. Thanks to MONBEBE's support, I was able to discharge healthy both physically and mentally," and conveyed his gratitude to fans and members. Following Minhyuk, Ong Seong-wu, who enlisted on April 17 last year from WannaOne, will be discharged on the 16th, and the day after that, J-HOPE will be discharged. J-HOPE enlisted on April 18 last year as an active duty soldier and served as an assistant instructor in the 36th Infantry Division White Tiger New Soldier Training Battalion in Wonju, Gangwon-do. It was known that he was selected as an elite warrior last October, and in June this year, he won the grand prize at the "Strong Warrior, Army! Presentation Competition" held at the Seoul War Memorial. In September, J-HOPE shared through the global fan community Weverse, "One month, yes, just 30 days! I thought time was merciless, but now I feel a sense of attachment and it’s bittersweet. I tried organizing my belongings, giving things I used often to my successor, and seeing the lighter storage makes those feelings stronger." He continued, "I really became extremely F (a type with strong empathy in MBTI) and am reflecting on my military life, but I feel proud! I’m dignified! Let’s meet on this day next month. Until then, take care…!" GOT7's Jinyoung, who enlisted on May 8 last year, is set to be discharged on November 7, and GOT7's JAY B, who is serving as a social service personnel, is also expected to be released from service in November. N.Flying's Seo Dong-sung is also set to be discharged on November 7. Previously, WINNER's Kim Jin-woo and Lee Seung-hoon completed their military service, raising expectations for group activities. Kang Seung-yoon, who enlisted on June 20 last year, is set to be discharged on December 19, and Song Min-ho, who has been serving as a social service personnel since March 24 last year, will also be released from service that month, completing the military duties of all members.
Related Articles
BTS demonstrates their global influence through their world tour, generating an estimated $1.8 billion in revenue, surpassing Taylor Swift's impact in Mexico. Their visit to the Mexican presidential palace drew massive crowds, marking a historic moment in pop culture. This phenomenon, termed 'BTSnomics', highlights their economic significance and record-breaking achievements in the music industry.
BTS's V electrified Mexico City with a concert as part of their 'ARIRANG' world tour, engaging fans in Spanish and breaking social media records. His heartfelt message about missing Mexican fans resonated deeply, while the concert's economic impact was estimated at $175 million. The tour spans 34 cities globally, marking a record for a solo artist.
On the afternoon of the 8th, the red carpet event for the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards with GUCCI took place at COEX Hall in Gangnam, Seoul. Stars like 2PM's Junho, Wanna One's Park Ji-hoon, and GOT7's Jinyoung attended. The event featured prominent figures from the entertainment industry, with MCs Shin Dong-yup, Bae Suzy, and Park Bo-gum returning from last year. Notable mentions include Junho being appointed as the ambassador for Busan's '2028 World Design Capital' and Park Ji-hoon appearing on the cover of 'SINGLES' magazine in modern hanbok.
Jungkook of BTS is gaining attention as he is featured in the children's biography series 'My Itty-Bitty Bio,' becoming the first Korean artist to do so. He joins stars like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Previously, he was also included in 'Brain Candy Books' for American elementary students. BTS recently made a successful comeback with their album 'ARIRANG' and is currently on a world tour, having achieved significant sales and chart success.
At a press event for 'Wild Thing', Kang Dong-won expressed his hope that BTS would participate in a dance challenge. The film features a comedic story about a disbanded dance group trying to make a comeback. Kang plays the leader, showcasing respect for idols and the challenges they face in the industry.
BTS was welcomed by Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum, who praised their music for promoting friendship and peace. Their visit is expected to have significant economic impact, with projections of $107.5 million. BTS is highly popular in Mexico, being the most streamed K-POP artist, and their concert tickets sold out in just 30 minutes.
MONSTAX's Shownu and Hyungwon are set to make their comeback on May 21 with the new mini-album 'LOVE ME'. This marks their first return in nearly 3 years since their 1st mini-album 'THE UNSEEN' released in July 2023. The duo aims to showcase their unique charm and powerful energy through this new work.
The '2026 MONSTA X WORLD TOUR: THE X: NEXUS' kicked off in January with a successful Japan leg featuring four concerts in Chiba and Osaka. The tour has thrilled fans across Asia, showcasing a variety of performances. With I.M's enlistment approaching, the Seoul concert was a major success, featuring hit and solo songs that excited the audience.
MONSTA X's 'THE X: NEXUS' Japan tour in April 2023 showcased their evolution with powerful performances and fan interactions. The concerts featured energetic songs, heartfelt messages from members, and a surprise acapella segment, celebrating their 10th anniversary and hinting at their future global endeavors.
April was eventful in K-pop, featuring BTS's thrilling Tokyo Dome concert, BIGBANG's surprise world tour announcement after 9 years, and NCT's Mark announcing his departure from SM Entertainment. The month also included JYP's initiative for a joint venture among major K-pop companies, and 2PM's Taecyeon getting married.
