Latest news with #SouthKorea


CNA
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
All 7 BTS members back as Suga is discharged from an alternative form of military service
Suga, a rapper and songwriter in the global K-pop sensation BTS, has been discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service, marking the official return of all seven members from their enlistment duties. The label confirmed that Suga completed his alternative service duties on Wednesday (Jun 18) after using up his remaining leave. His official discharge date is Saturday. BTS' management agency, Big Hit Entertainment, had said earlier that no events were planned for Suga's release out of concern for overcrowding. It is a momentous occasion for fans of the K-pop group BTS. The seven singers of the popular K-pop band plan to reunite as a group sometime in 2025 now that they've finished their service. Last week, BTS superstars RM and V were discharged from South Korea's military after fulfilling their mandatory service. Jimin and Jungkook were discharged a day later. All four were enlisted in December 2023. Six of the group's seven members served in the army, while Suga fulfilled his duty as a social service agent, an alternative form of military service. Jin, the oldest BTS member, was discharged in June 2024. J-Hope was discharged in October. In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea. The law gives special exemptions to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige. K-pop stars and other entertainers aren't subject to such privileges. However, in 2020, BTS postponed their service until age 30 after South Korea's National Assembly revised its Military Service Act, allowing K-pop stars to delay their enlistment until age 30. There was heated public debate in 2022 over whether to offer special exemptions of mandatory military service for BTS members, until the group's management agency announced in October 2023 that all seven members would fulfill their duties.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
JENNIE Melts Down on ‘Hot Ones,' But Thinks BLACKPINK's Jisoo Would Crush the Spicy Challenge: Watch
JENNIE had a pretty rough time taking on the infamous Hot Ones challenge. During her appearance on the web series Thursday (June 19), the BLACKPINK star — who admitted early on that she doesn't eat spicy food — began the episode with optimism, but ended up crying for help and running tearful laps around the table after facing the fiery spate of wings. More from Billboard A Complete List of BLACKPINK's Solo Projects (So Far) Rachel Zegler Serenades Crowd Outside Theater for Free in a New London Production of 'Evita' Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to Receive Vanguard Award at The Guitar Center Music Foundation Gala & Benefit Concert 'In my daily life, I have nothing — no spice in my life,' JENNIE told host Sean Evans at the top of the show. 'I don't like spicy food or anything to do with spice. If anything, I like things plain, but here I am, facing my fear.' And face it she did. Things got painfully intense as the 29-year-old powered through the spice-laden challenge, following in the footsteps of her BLACKPINK bandmates ROSÉ and LISA, who had previously braved the wings of death in past episodes. Between interview questions about her debut solo album, Ruby, songs she fought for on the project, the importance of skincare, hearing fans sing her lyrics at concerts, and being a hamster mom, the singer and rapper visibly unraveled with each increasingly scorching bite. 'I think I'm allergic to spice!' she said at one point. The heat hit a whole new level when JENNIE reached wing No. 8, featuring the notorious Da' Bomb hot sauce. 'This is no joke,' she said, desperately grabbing a napkin to fan herself. After taking a dramatic lap around the table, she reached for milk and ice cream while screaming in agony. 'I can't hear anymore,' she said, forcing a smile. 'God, help me!' After somewhat regaining her composure, Evans asked if JENNIE might be able to convince JISOO — the only BLACKPINK member who hasn't yet appeared on Hot Ones — to take on the challenge. '100%, because she is the one who taught me spicy and she's the other you,' JENNIE replied. 'Like she made me eat spicy food with her. Ever since we were trainees. So, I think [Jisoo] should come on this show. You're gonna love it.' Reflecting on her bandmates' appearances, she added, 'Whatever ROSÉ and LISA did, this is the real reaction. Because I watched their episode and they were so chill about it so I was like if they're doing it, maybe I can do it too. But I can't!' Watch JENNIE's Hot Ones episode above. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart


Android Authority
an hour ago
- Android Authority
One UI 8 could give screenshots an HDR glow-up that was missing from betas
Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung is testing HDR screenshot support for One UI 8 with its latest closed beta (ZYF7) release. The feature likely relies on Android 16's embedded gain maps to show true HDR imagery when viewed correctly. HDR screenshots aren't yet available in the One UI 8 Beta 2 release, but may arrive with future open betas or the stable release. Samsung will be bringing Android 16 to its devices with the release of One UI 8. The beta program is live for the Galaxy S25 series, and we're already at the second beta release. Samsung also has an internal test track that runs ahead of the open beta, and thanks to these test builds, we have now learned that the company could be bringing support for HDR screenshots. With Android 16, Google has implemented support for true HDR screenshots. Screenshots of HDR content will be saved in HDR format, namely as PNG files with HDR gain maps embedded in them. Viewing these screenshots will brighten the screen to allow the HDR highlights to pop. These gain maps enable the screenshots to appear as HDR when viewed on Android 16 devices but as SDR on other devices. Leaker Ice Universe mentions that the latest One UI 8 ZYF7 build (available in the closed beta but not yet in the open beta) includes support for HDR screenshots. The leaker installed the update on their Galaxy S25 Ultra and took a screenshot of an HDR photo they saw on social media. To Google and Samsung's credit, the screenshot retains the HDR effect of the original image. I saw it on social media, and took a screenshot and put it in my gallery. It still retains the HDR effect of the original photo. However, it is… By the way, Samsung S25 Ultra One UI 8 ZYF7 (Android16 feature) supports screenshot HDR. This is an HDR photo of OPPO Find X8 UltraI saw it on social media, and took a screenshot and put it in my still retains the HDR effect of the original it is… — ICE CAT (@UniverseIce) June 20, 2025 The leaker notes that HDR screenshots is a new feature of the ZYF7 closed beta firmware and is not available in the One UI 8 Beta 2 (ZYF3) release. While there's a good chance this feature will be included in the next open beta release and the stable One UI 8 release, there's still a small probability that it will not. We're crossing our fingers to see HDR screenshots in the stable One UI 8 update when it launches alongside Samsung's next-generation foldables in the coming weeks. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.


Washington Post
an hour ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
South Korea lifts 26-year ban on foreign goalkeepers in the K League
SEOUL, South Korea — A 26-year ban on foreign goalkeepers in South Korea's top soccer league has been lifted for the start of the 2026 season. Only Korean goalkeepers have been allowed to play in the K League, the oldest professional domestic league in Asia, since 1999. The rule was introduced in a bid to protect homegrown talent when there were only 10 professional clubs.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
South Korea lifts 26-year ban on foreign goalkeepers in the K League
Ulsan HD's Jo Hyeon-woo blocks a shot during the Club World Cup group F soccer match between Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns in Orlando, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/John Raoux) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A 26-year ban on foreign goalkeepers in South Korea's top soccer league has been lifted for the start of the 2026 season. Only Korean goalkeepers have been allowed to play in the K League, the oldest professional domestic league in Asia, since 1999. The rule was introduced in a bid to protect homegrown talent when there were only 10 professional clubs. Advertisement The K League announced after a board meeting in Seoul this week that because there's now 26 professional clubs in the top two tiers of competition, there's enough room for international goalkeepers. 'The increase in the number of clubs means that there are enough opportunities for domestic goalkeepers to play even if foreign goalkeepers are allowed,' the board said in a statement. 'We considered the fact that with foreign player registrations restricted, the salary increase rate of domestic goalkeepers has increased disproportionately to outfield players.' There were reportedly concerns, due to the increased size of modern rosters which contain three or four goalkeepers, that there's a shortage of quality keepers in the country. The move will put the K League in line with other major Asian leagues in Japan, Saudi Arabia and China. ___ AP soccer: