happy monday everyone!
Monday, August 24, 2026
NCT member Taeyong has shared a message of support for Mark following his departure from NCT 127, while reflecting on the group’s difficult lineup changes and their upcoming 10th anniversary.
On August 24, NCT 127 held a press conference at SKY31 Convention in Lotte World Tower, Jamsil, Seoul, to celebrate the release of their seventh full-length album 'BLINGY.' The album marks the group’s first comeback in about two years and their first release following changes to the lineup.
NCT 127 has now been reorganized as a seven-member group following Mark's official departure from the group and SM Entertainment on April 8 after nearly a decade with the team. This comes after former member Taeil left in June 2025 following allegations of sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman alongside two acquaintance. He was charged of aggravated rape under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.
Meanwhile, all seven remaining members (Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Haechan) have officially renewed their contracts with SM Entertainment.
During the press conference, leader Taeyong shared his thoughts on the group's 10th anniversary. He confessed, "When we debuted, the image we had of ourselves 10 years later was all of us would still be together," and added:
"Our team has gone through several member changes, and going through those periods was always painful. There were times when it was difficult to adjust."
He continued, "Even so, the remaining seven of us want to repay our fans for the memories and trust we've built over the past 10 years." He added, "Since we're being back together after so long, we've come to trust, lean on, and rely on one another even more," and explained, "This album was made so that we can show an even better side of ourselves as NCT."
Taeyong also took a moment to speak about Mark, saying, "Speaking of him as a fellow member who walked this path with us for 10 years, I personally have a deep respect for Mark." He added:
"I know how hard he worked while going back and forth between the two teams. Now that our paths are taking different directions, I want to respect and support the path he has chosen."
Taeyong also spoke about the contract renewal, stating, "It's definitely something to celebrate. Every members renewed the contracts with the commitment to trust the company with our future direction, both as NCT 127 and NCT as a whole." He promised, "We will continue working hard to deliver great music and performances, and we will show an even stronger version of ourselves as NCT 127."
Meanwhile, 'BLINGY' is NCT 127's seventh full-length album that reflects on their decade-long journey while showcasing their pride, strong unity, and determination to carve out their own path together.
'BLINGY' features nine tracks, led by the title track of the same name, and drops today at 6 PM (KST).
NCT 127's Taeyong Shares His Thought on Mark's Departure and the Group's Lineup Changes
Saturday, August 22, 2026
On August 22, G-Dragon made an appearance on an episode of Youtube channel Tteuntteun titled 'Anniversaries Are Just an Excuse' alongside fellow BIGBANG members Taeyang and Daesung.
The discussion started when Yoo Jaesuk mentioned, "Haha used to be one of the original hipsters who embraced new technology than anyone else, but now he can't even kiosks." Haha then asked Yoo Jaesuk if he uses mobile banking. While Yoo Jaesuk confirmed he does, G-Dragon confessed, "I can't (use mobile banking.)"
Surprised by the confession, Yoo Jaesuk asked, "What do you do if you can't use mobile banking? What about all that wealth?" G-Dragon explained:
"I have someone who manages it for me."
Hearing this, Yoo Jaesuk advised, "Even if you have someone managing it for you, you should still check it yourself."
The conversation then turned to how the other BIGBANG members handle their finances. Daesung said, "I've managed my finances myself since I was young." Taeyang explained, "Daesung has handled everything himself almost since the beginning of our debut. For me, about two or three years after debut, I realized, 'I need to know how to manage my own finances,' so I started managing things myself." G-Dragon added:
"I can go to the bank, speak directly with a teller, and take care of things that way, but I don't know how to use mobile banking at all."
Daesung agreed, saying, "When it comes to convenience, nothing beats speaking to an actual person. Even when calling customer service, I deliberately wait to be connected to a representative instead of dealing with an automated system," to which Haha and Taeyang agreed to.
G-Dragon's recent remarks made waves online given previous headlines surrounding his wealth. He was previously speculated to have around 100 billion KRW (around $72 million USD) in net worth, especially after purchasing a luxury apartment at Nine One Hannam in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul for 16.4 billion KRW (around $11.8 million USD).
G-Dragon Reveals He Doesn't Know How to Use Mobile Banking
Actress Go Younjung has been revealed to have sent housewarming gifts to RESCENE member Zena, who has consistently named the actress as her role model.
On August 22, Zena shared an unexpected story on a fan communication platform. She revealed that Go Younjung had surprised her and her group members by personally preparing housewarming gifts for their new dorm.
Zena recalled, "I came back to Korea after finishing a performance in LA, and when I arrived at the dorm, there was a huge full-length mirror and chair waiting for me." At first, the members were puzzled to find the unidentified package waiting in front of their dorm. They later found out that it had been sent by Go Younjung.
Zena noted, "It was even pink, which is my favorite color." Go Younjung had also sent a stool chair for Zena. The fact that Go Younjung remembered Zena's favorite color made the thoughtful gesture mean even more to Zena.
Expressing her deep gratitude and affection, Zena added, "I guess beautiful people really do have beautiful hearts."
Zena has openly expressed her admiration for Go Younjung for a long time, frequently naming the actress as her role model across various broadcasts and other content. Fans have also pointed out the striking resemblance between the two, making this wholesome interaction a hot topic among netizens.
Recently on August 21, a video titled 'Do You Like Go Younjung?" was posted on RESCENE member Woni's Youtube channel, 'Hello, I'm Woni. Nice to Meet You.' The video showed Zena meeting Go Younjung in person, greeting her, and exchanging contact information. It appears that after this meeting, Go Younjung sent gifts for Zena and the other RESCENE members.
With Go Younjung personally sending a gift to someone who has long looked up to her, fans are now celebrating the heartwarming relationship between the two.
RESCENE’s Zena Reveals Heartwarming Gesture From Her Role Model Go Younjung
Singer Bibi, who recently faced controversy over the provocative nature of her performance at Waterbomb, has opened up about her personal philosophy when it comes to performing.
On August 21, SBS released a teaser for its new variety show 'My Genie Secretary' on its Youtube channel. The teaser showed Lee Seojin and Kim Kwanggyu visiting the Waterbomb venue for the season's first featured star, Bibi, and managing her schedule throughout the entire day, from pre-show preparations to the end of her performance.
Discussing her mindset, Bibi revealed, "I started preparing three months before going on stage. I prepared for three months as if this were my last performance." She also highlighted her commitment to the audience, stating:
"I have a philosophy when it comes to performing. I absolutely have to entertain the people who paid their money to come see me."
Her comments come amid ongoing debate over her performance at Waterbomb Seoul 2026, which was held on July 25 at the outdoor Global Stage at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
That day, Bibi wore a form-fitting white jumpsuit, performing several of her hit songs including 'Bam Yang Gang' and 'BIBI Vengeance.' Her bold performance drew considerable attention from the audience.
The controversy centered on a moment midway through her performance. Bibi knelt among male dancers and unzipped her wet jumpsuit to reveal the bikini top she was wearing underneath. Surrounded by shirtless male dancers, she remained on her knees while taking a microphone. Some netizens criticized the scene, arguing the choreography was overly suggestive.
BIBI Speaks Up Amid Controversy Over Her Provocative Waterbomb Performance
Singer Song Jieun’s husband and YouTuber Park Wi issued an apology following backlash over a recent video about an accident that happened while he was getting off a KTX train.
On August 22, Park Wi addressed the situation through his YouTube channel 'WERACLE,' expressing regret over how he handled the situation:
“I’m sorry for disappointing so many people with the video I uploaded today. I failed to fully consider the perspective of the staff member who did their best to help me at the scene and politely apologized."
Park Wi explained, "I only viewed the mistake made in the process of trying to help me in a negative light. The way I communicated the situation was immature, and my thinking was short-sighted."
He also apologized both to the staff members at the scene and to his viewers, adding, "I'll take this incident as an opportunity to act more carefully and responsibly in everything I do."
The controversy began after Park Wi posted CCTV footage on August 21 showing an accident that occurred while he was getting off a KTX train.
The video showed Park Wi falling forward while traveling down a ramp. According to him, the wheels of his wheelchair caught on the foot of a staff member helping at the scene, causing him to fall. Fortunately, a hospital examination reportedly found no major fractures.
While expressing his frustration over the incident, Park Wi raised concerns about improving accessibility and implementing safety training for individuals with disabilities. He asked viewers not to direct backlash toward the staff member involved, emphasizing that even a single oversight on a ramp can lead to severe injuries.
However, many netizens felt his response went too far. They pointed out that the staff member had not acted maliciously and had apologized politely immediately at the scene. Some netizens also criticized his decision to publicly release the CCTV footage on a channel with over one million subscribers, commenting, "It's excessive to publicly expose a mistake that happened while someone was just trying to help."
At the same time, others defended his position, urging empathy for his perspective as a wheelchair user living with quadriplegia. They argued that even a minor mistake could lead to serious injuries, maintaining that raising concerns about accessibility for people with disabilities remains necessary.
Song Jieun’s Husband Park Wi Apologizes Following Backlash Over KTX Accident Video
Friday, August 21, 2026
A Japanese Youtuber is facing intense public backlash after posting a video imitating ATEEZ member Choi San while making a gesture widely associated with racism against Asians.
On August 21, footage of Gamix imitating Choi San began spreading across online communities and social media. The controversy started after Gamix uploaded a dance challenge for ATEEZ's hit track 'BAD' while mimicking Choi San's facial expressions and movements.
Gamix was specifically referencing Choi San's appearance at the 2026 Coupang Play Series match between Manchester City and Atlético Madrid on August 9. Choi San had been invited to perform the ceremonial kickoff and also performed part of ATEEZ's 'BAD' on the pitch.
At one point, Gamix pulled the outer corners of his eyes sideways with his fingers. The problem is that this is widely recognized as a racist gesture historically used to mock the appearance of Asians.
As criticism grew, Gamix deleted the video. However, his subsequent actions only fueled the controversy further. Rather than issuing an apology, he uploaded another video in English saying:
“Everyone, these are Asian eyes. When you wake up in the morning, they usually open like this."
Gamix later held a livestream lasting around 50 minutes. Instead of addressing the issue or apologizing to Choi San, he apologized for previous controversial behavior involving soccer player Lionel Messi and YouTuber MrBeast.
The public expressed anger and confusion over his behavior, with comments calling him out, including, "I can't understand why someone who is Asian himself would do something like that," "It’s clearly a racist gesture, not something that can simply be dismissed as a joke,” and “Isn’t he basically insulting his own Asian appearance?”
Born in 2007, Gamix is a Japanese influencer with approximately 1.12 million YouTube subscribers and 2.16 million Instagram followers.
Meanwhile, ATEEZ recently released their 14th mini album 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5' in June. Its title track 'BAD' peaked at No. 8 on Melon’s Top 100 and No. 10 on the weekly chart, while the album topped the U.S. Billboard 200.
Japanese YouTuber Gamix Faces Backlash for Allegedly Mocking ATEEZ’s Choi San With Racist Gesture
Actress Jo Boah’s younger sister has suddenly become a hot topic after making a surprise appearance on TEO’s dating variety show 'Office Match.'
On August 21, Jo Boah posted photos of her younger sister, Jo Yookyung, from the second episode on her social media. Reacting with a crying-laughing emoji, she playfully wrote the caption: "What are you doing there?"
'Office Match' is a unique dating show that arranges blind dates for working professionals in their 20s and 30s who want genuine connections despite their busy daily lives. The show follows the matchmaking stories of six single men and women. The second episode, which officially dropped on August 20, featured male employees from Naver meeting female employees from LG.
From the very first moment Jo Yookyung appeared on screen, she caught the attention of MC Dindin, who immediately reacting, "Oh, she's pretty."
Opening up about her dating style, Jo Yookung described, "When I start dating someone, everything else stops. I keep going all-in until the other person says 'I don't like you.' I'd rather go for it than be left with regrets."
According to MyDaily, Jo Yookyung was born in 1995 and works in marketing at LG, where she is described as an accomplished and attractive professional. And of course, her appearance got an extra bit of attention because her older sister is actress Jo Boah.
For a quick update on Jo Boah herself, she married her non-celebrity husband on October 12, 2024, and recently welcomed a daughter in February of this year.
Jo Boah’s Younger Sister Sparks Attention After Making an Appearance on Dating Show
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Gunil is refuting JYP Entertainment's claims regarding his departure from Xdinary Heroes, stating he never consented to the termination of his contract.
On August 20, attorney Sung Jaehwan of Juwon Law Firm, representing Gunil, released a statement on social media to clarify the situation. The attorney stated:
"The artist deeply apologizes to Xdinary Heroes fans and the members of Xdinary Heroes for causing concern through this incident."
Gunil's legal representative acknowledged that he had used inappropriate expressions in a private setting, calling it 'a mistake that cannot be justified under any circumstances.' However, the representative explained that Gunil was under severe psychological stress due to certain online posts and invasions of privacy at the time. While venting those feelings during a private phone call, he ended up using inappropriate language, and he fully understands the weight of that responsibility.
At the same time, Gunil's legal representative also drew a line between that incident and several other claims that have recently circulated online. After reviewing the records, the attorney stated, "Claims alleging that Gunil habitually or repeatedly used profanity toward Xdinary Heroes fans are completely false." They also denied claims that he spoke negatively about his fellow members or dated other people while in a relationship.
Furthermore, Gunil's legal representative stated:
"The artist did not voluntarily leave the group, nor did he agree to terminate his exclusive contract."
The attorney added, "Considering the circumstances and nature of the matter, it is difficult to conclude that there are valid grounds for contract termination."
This directly contradicts the official statement JYP Entertainment released on August 13. After an individual claiming to be Gunil's ex-girlfriend leaked audio recordings alleging that he had insulted fans, the agency stated that after extensive discussions with him, they concluded that continuing team activities would be difficult. The agency also noted that the exclusive contract was terminated by mutual consent.
Regarding the original online posts made by the individual claiming to be Gunil's ex-girlfriend, his legal representative noted that they contained numerous false claims and that the damage Gunil suffered was significant enough to provide grounds for legal action. However, Gunil reportedly wishes to forgive the person who posted it and does not plan to pursue legal action.
Gunil's legal representative also noted that Gunil does not want to cause fans any further distress and hopes to continue discussions with JYP Entertainment in a cooperative manner.
Concluding the statement, Gunil's legal representative emphasized, "We once again sincerely apologize to fans and the members for causing concern and fatigue through this matter. We hope the remaining procedures can be resolved smoothly and quikcly," adding, "The artist wishes to continue doing his best by the fans' side."
