Archive

August 19, 2025

Browsing

Yoon Ji Yoon, member of the girl group IZNA, has officially departed the group due to health reasons.

On August 19 KST, her agency WAKEONE released a statement:
“After lengthy discussions and careful consideration, Yoon Ji Yoon has decided to end her group activities to focus on her health.”

They explained, “Since the start of this year, Ji Yoon has been concentrating on rest and recovery. During that time, she and the company discussed her future in depth. Ultimately, we agreed that prioritizing her well-being was the best decision, bringing her team promotions to a close.”

Moving forward, IZNA will continue as a six-member group. WAKEONE added, “We sincerely apologize for delivering such sudden news and worrying fans. We will work harder to repay your support with even greater performances. Please continue to send warm love and encouragement to IZNA as they grow.”

Formed through Mnet’s survival program I-LAND2, IZNA officially debuted in November 2024. Ji Yoon had already suspended her activities earlier in February due to health concerns.

Japanese model Harin, once slated to debut with NewJeans, has now been officially confirmed to have signed a trainee contract with ADOR under former CEO Min Hee Jin. Though she was only months away from debuting, her dream ended abruptly a fact now substantiated by official documents.

For a long time, some online communities dismissed Harin’s account, accusing her of fabricating claims about being part of the NewJeans lineup and insisting she had only trained under Source Music. However, newly revealed evidence proves otherwise.

On August 19, the YouTube channel Entertainment President Lee Jin Ho released a video titled “Shocking Exclusive, Trainee Contract Revealed: The Truth Behind Harin’s Exit from the NewJeans Debut Team.” The video presented Harin’s official trainee contract with ADOR, signed on January 7, 2022, by Harin, her parents, and Min Hee Jin. The contract, originally set to run until January 6, 2023, was terminated after just two months.

Born in 2003, Harin first entered the K-pop trainee system after passing a Source Music audition in 2020. She later transferred to ADOR and was included in the NewJeans debut lineup, only to be cut shortly before the group’s official debut.

In July, Harin appeared on Japanese actor Hiromitsu Takeda’s YouTube channel, where she recounted being suddenly told her contract was terminated and ordered to return to Japan. According to her, she had already been confirmed as part of NewJeans’ final lineup when the company abruptly cut ties. She claimed her phone and iPad were confiscated, her dorm access revoked, and she was forced to leave Korea in complete isolation.

Amid the renewed spotlight on her story, Harin has since made her YouTube channel private and returned to Japan to focus on recovery.

McDonald’s is teaming up with BTS’s TinyTAN for an exciting new collaboration!

Starting September 3, McDonald’s will launch a TinyTAN Happy Meal, available for a limited time at participating locations nationwide and through the McDonald’s App.

Inspired by the seven members of BTS, the beloved TinyTAN characters are returning to McDonald’s with even more charm. This special release will feature two collectible toy sets: the “Throwback Edition,” available at launch, and the “Encore Edition,” which will roll out on September 23.

NCT’s Haechan is gearing up for the release of his first full solo album, TASTE.

At midnight KST on August 19, he revealed a schedule poster outlining the teaser rollout leading up to the album’s release.

From August 26 to 29, a series of teaser contents will be unveiled, followed by a music video teaser on September 7.

The full album TASTE is set to drop on September 8 at 6 PM KST.

Singer Kim Jong Kook (49) has officially announced his marriage.

The revelation came on August 18 during the filming of SBS’s Running Man in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. According to a production insider, Kim surprised everyone by confessing during the opening segment that he was getting married.

Guests Jang Dong Yoon and Kim Ah Young, along with the cast, were initially stunned many assuming it was a hidden camera prank. Once the news was confirmed, they congratulated him warmly.

Later the same day, Kim addressed his fans through his official fan café, writing:
“I always knew this day would come and thought I was prepared. But now that I’m actually writing these words, I feel more nervous and anxious than I expected. I’m getting married.”