Mingyu goes bald, enlistment countdown begins

SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu just gave fans the first proof that goodbye season is real, a fresh buzzcut ahead of his September 10 enlistment. He’s heading into alternative service, which actually runs longer than standard active duty, meaning he’ll be the last of the group’s enlisted members to return, even though he’s not the last to go in. Seungkwan and Dino follow into the Army band on October 26. PLEDIS has asked fans to skip the send-off crowds at his service site, promising plenty of pre-recorded content to keep CARATs company. The full 13-member SEVENTEEN reunion? Circle back in 2028.

Jungkook’s golden birthday

Jungkook turned 29 and ARMY turned an entire stadium gold in response, no half-measures allowed for BTS’s youngest member. The night was full of merriment: Cake, birthday songs, and RM whacking him with an inflatable bunny.

Then came the real gut-punch moment: an emotional Jin placed a crown on his head onstage, and Jungkook, visibly moved, teared up in front of the crowd. He didn’t keep the crown either, he handed it straight to a fan in the audience, turning his own birthday spotlight into someone else’s core memory.

And the birthday season has kicked off: RM to follow on September 12, Jimin in October, and Jin, V in December. J-Hope will celebrate in February, and Suga, in March.

Read the full story here.

Drama ratings battle heats up

Saturday night TV is getting competitive. MBC’s A Bona Fide Killer is riding a ratings bump into its final week, holding the top spot in its slot. SBS’s Flex x Cop 2 trails close behind, just shy of its own personal best. Meanwhile tvN newcomer Four Hands, Two Sonatas notched its highest rating yet in only its third episode. But the real champion of the night remains KBS 2TV’s Love on the Menu, still the most-watched show across any genre on Saturdays — proof that comfort-food dramas are undefeated.

Lakshana is an entertainment and lifestyle journalist with over a decade of experience. She covers a wide range of stories—from community and health to mental health and inspiring people features.

A passionate K-pop enthusiast, she also enjoys exploring the cultural impact of music and fandoms through her writing.