
Pump Up the Healthy Love Episode 7: How to Watch, Airdate, Preview, Spoilers, and More
Pump Up the Healthy Love episode 7 will air on KBS2 on Wednesday (May 21) at 9:50 PM KST. The chapter will follow Do Hyeon Joong and Lee Mi Ran as they hike. The passionate gym owner will help his client find joy in different types of exercises. People in Korea can watch the next episode on TV or stream it online.
K-drama fans from other parts of the world, including the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, Mexico, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Greece, Greenland, Hong Kong, China, Japan, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, Turkey, and South Africa, can watch the mini-series with subtitles on online streaming platforms, like Viki.
Pump Up the Healthy Love, starring Lee Jun Young and Jeong Eun Ji in lead roles, revolves around the life of a gym owner named Do Hyun Joong. He is a passionate and determined person. His life changes after a bunch of anxious people join his gym. Do Hyun Joong radically transforms the lives of his gym members with his dedication. The story will begin after Lee Mi Ran, an assistant manager at a travel agency, joins the gym. She decides to work out only to get over her recent breakup.
Here is everything about Pump Up the Healthy Love episode 7, including the air date, preview, spoilers, and streaming details.
The romantic comedy drama will air its next episode on KBS2 on Wednesday (May 21) at 9:50 PM KST. People in Korea can watch episode 7 on TV or stream it online. K-drama fans from other parts of the world, including the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK, can watch the mini-series with subtitles on various online streaming platforms, including Viki.
Here are the International Air Timings of Pump Up the Healthy Love Episode 7:
US - 7:50 AM
Canada - 7:50 AM
Australia - 11:20 PM
New Zealand - 1:50 AM
Japan - 9:50 PM
Mexico - 6:50 AM
Brazil - 9:50 AM
Saudi Arabia - 3:50 PM
India - 6:20 PM
Indonesia - 7:50 PM
Singapore - 8:50 PM
China - 8:50 PM
Europe - 1:50 PM
France - 1:50 PM
Spain - 1:50 PM
UK - 12:50 PM
South Africa - 2:50 PM
Philippines - 8:50 PM
Preview and Spoilers
The newly released stills show Hyun Joong trying to stop Mi Ran from cleaning out her locker. He tries to motivate her and focus on her workouts. The gym owner takes his client hiking to help her find joy in different forms of exercise. Beyond his efforts, Mi Ran struggles to rekindle her passion for fitness.
"Hyun Joong is obsessed with working out and solves his problems through exercise. He's serious about his body but also sincerely cares about the bodies of his gym members, so it's impossible to hate him. Mi Ran is a lovable but weak-willed person who goes looking for food when she's at the end of her rope. Although Hyun Joong and Mi Ran can't understand one another, I think they can help and grow together for that reason," writer Kim Ji Soo shared.

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AsiaOne
4 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Jacky Cheung, Ayumi Hamasaki, CL: Singapore concert calendar for 2025, Entertainment News
PUBLISHED ON June 10, 2025 4:45 AM By Drima ChakrabortySyarifah Nadhirah 2024 came and went with some amazing acts visiting Singapore, from American songstress Taylor Swift, classic rockers Deep Purple, Cantopop king Andy Lau and Mandopop's Jay Chou, to Blackpink's Lisa and K-pop group Stray Kids. Here's how 2025's concert calendar is shaping up. This article was first published on Dec 14, 2024, and updated on June 10, 2025. June The Music of Studio Ghibli – Original Singers Symphony makes its Singapore debut at The Star Theatre on June 11. Tickets start at $88 on Ticketmaster. Alan Tam performs at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on June 14. Tickets start at $88 on Sistic. Malaysian singer Nicholas Teo also performs that same night at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention to commemorate 21 years in showbiz. Tickets start at $98 at Sistic. Exo's Kai performs at The Star Theatre as part of his solo tour Kaion on June 21. Tickets start at $148 with presales beginning April 7 on Ticketmaster. [embed] That same night, Mandopop singer Zhao Chuan performs at Marina Bay Sands. Tickets start at $118 on Sistic. Also on June 21, 30 local singers such as Roy Li, Jiang Hu, Xu Nansheng, Mavis Hee, Chua Lee Lian and Joanna Dong will stage the Xinyao 43th Reunion Concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium Tickets start at $50 at Ticketmaster. Hong Kong singer William So will be in Singapore on June 22 for his concert at Esplanade Concert Hall. Tickets start from $88 at Sistic. American singer Jason Derulo's concert has been rescheduled from March 20 to June 25, and the venue will instead be The Star Theatre. Tickets start from $148 on Sistic. All tickets sold remain valid. For more information, please refer to LAMC Productions' website. Grammy Award-winning The Chainsmokers perform on June 27 at Arena @ Expo. Tickets cost $148 on Ticketmaster. Malaysian pop trio Kru performs at The Star Theatre on June 28. Tickets start at $208 on Sistic. July Abba tribute act Bjorn Again performs at the Marina Bay Sands Theatre on July 4 and 5. Tickets start at $69 on Sistic. Irene and Seulgi from K-pop girl group Red Velvet will stage their concert at The Star Theatre on July 4. Further details will be released soon. Seven-member Japanese boy band Be:First will be on their first world tour, performing in Capitol Theatre on July 5. Tickets are sold out. On the same day, J-pop diva Ayumi Hamasaki will perform at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Tickets start at $188 and will go on sale May 26 at 12pm on Ticketmaster. On July 13, Japanese rock band My First Story — who performed the opening and ending theme songs of the latest season of Demon Slayer — performs in Singapore for the first time at Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands. Ticket presales start on April 28 with general sales on April 30. Prices begin from $108 on Sistic. Korean-Canadian R&B singer Slchld also performs at The Gateway Theatre on July 13. Tickets start at $118 on Ticketmaster. NCT's Doyoung is bringing his solo tour Doors to Singapore on July 16 at The Star Theatre. Ticketing details to be released. English singer-songwriter Fred Again performs at Pasir Panjang Power Station on July 18. Tickets start at $208. Presales begin June 4, and general sales on June 5 via Ticketmaster. R&B and hip-hop star Jay Park returns to Singapore on July 19 for his Serenades & Body Rolls concert at Capitol Theatre. Tickets start at $148 and presales begin April 21 with public sales on April 23 on Ticketmaster. James Blake performs at The Star Theatre on July 22. Tickets start at $148 on Sistic. After their inaugural concert here in March 2024, Korean rock band Xdinary Heroes will be back for another show on July 26 at The Star Theatre for their Beautiful Minds world tour. Tickets start from $158 on Ticketmaster. [embed] August Chinese singer Zhang Bichen makes her debut performance in Singapore on Aug 1 at The Star Theatre. Tickets are sold out. BigBang's Daesung will perform in Singapore on Aug 2. Ticketing details have yet to be announced. Beabadoobee returns to Singapore on Aug 4 with a concert at The Star Theatre. Ticket presales start on May 5 and general sales May 8 on Ticketmaster. American rock band Beach Weather is set to perform in Singapore on Aug 8 at the Capitol Theatre. Tickets start at $88 on Ticketmaster. Elijah Woods performs at The Theatre at Mediacorp on Aug 10. Tickets start at $88 on Ticketmaster. Camila Cabello performs in Singapore on Aug 12 at The Star Theatre. The LiveNation presale starts on May 2 and general sales start May 5 on Ticketmaster. K-pop girl group StayC returns to Singapore to perform on Aug 16 at The Star Theatre. Tickets start at $138 on Ticketmaster. Show Lo brings his world tour to Singapore at Resorts World Ballroom on the same day. Tickets start at $128, with presales on May 21 and public sales on May 26 at Sistic. Australian indie-folk duo Hollow Coves brings their tour to Singapore on Aug 20 at Foo Chow Building. Tickets go for $68 on Eventbrite. Korean singer-actor Doh Kyung-soo from the boy group Exo will hold his solo concert in Singapore on Aug 23. Tickets start at $198 on Ticketmaster. [embed] K-pop soloist Bibi's first world tour is also coming to Singapore on Aug 23 at The Star Theatre, with tickets starting at $148. Presales start May 19 with general sales on May 21 on Ticketmaster. Part of the lineup for Waterbomb Singapore 2025 has been announced. Festival-goers on Aug 30 will see South Korean acts Exid, BTOB's Minhyuk and Team Bebe. Anson Lo from the Hong Kong boy group Mirror, Got7's JayB and K-rapper Ash Island will perform on May 31. Presales for DBS and POSB cardholders have begun while general sales will start on May 16. Tickets start at $201.80 on Pelago. On Aug 25, Black Eyed Peas performs at Singapore Indoor Stadium, with tickets starting at $158 on Sistic. September Seventeen-time Grammy Award-winning artist Sting performs on Sept 23 at Arena @ Expo. Prices have yet to be announced. Presales begin April 17 with general sales on April 24 at Ticketmaster. October [embed] The Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix this year will run from Oct 3 to 5. K-pop stars G-Dragon and CL, Indonesian singer Putri Ariani, Singapore band Oakë, New York-based artist collective Indo Warehouse and Latin DJ duo Le Twins will perform on Oct 3. Oct 4 will see American rock band Foo Fighters, Japanese metal band BabyMetal, Norwegian DJ Alan Walker, Australian-New Zealand rock band Crowded House, South Korean DJ Hanna and UK band and singer-songwriter The Lathums and Tom Grennan, as well as Le Twins and Indo Warehouse. UK icon Elton John, American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, English indie rock band The Wombats and Hanna will take the stage on Oct 5. Single-day tickets start from $148 on their website. NCT Dream will return with two shows at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Oct 18 and 19. Ticketing details have yet to be announced. November Exo's Baekhyun returns to Singapore on Nov 1. Ticketing details are yet to be announced. [embed] Hong Kong God of Songs Jacky Cheung will perform three nights, from Nov 21 to 23, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Tickets start at $168, with presales on July 2 at Ticketmaster. South Korean rock band will be making a stop in Singapore on Nov 23 at The Theatre at Mediacorp. No other details have been revealed. Blackpink is bringing their Deadline world tour to the National Stadium on Nov 29 and 30. Presales start on June 10 while general sales begin on June 13 via Ticketmaster. December American rock band The Cab will perform at the Foo Chow Building on Dec 10. Presales begin May 30 while general sales starts on May 31 on Eventbrite. Past concerts January Malaysian Mandopop singer Firdhaus will be performing at the Marina Bay Sands Grand Ballroom on Jan 3 and 4. Tickets start at $98 and are available on Sistic. Known as the Father of Taiwanese hip-hop, MC HotDog will be visiting Singapore for a concert on Jan 4 at the Capitol Theatre. Tickets start at $108 and are available on Ticketmaster. Brazilian guitarist Mateus Asato will be holding an intimate fireside fan event at Swee Lee Clarke Quay on Jan 8 at 7pm. Tickets are sold out. Fifth-generation K-pop boy band Ampers&one holds a fan meeting at Gateway Theatre on Jan 10. Tickets start at $148 on Sistic. South African DJ-producer Black Coffee will perform at 27 Pasir Panjang on Jan 11. Tickets are sold out. Taiwanese band Mayday will be performing at the National Stadium on Jan 11 and 12. Tickets go from $168 on Ticketmaster. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 相信音樂 B'in Music (@ Pianist Richard Clayderman plays at The Theatre @ Mediacorp on Jan 14. Tickets go from $68 on Sistic. R&B group Boney M is in Singapore for their 50th anniversary tour! They perform at the Arena @ Expo (Hall 7) on Jan 15. Tickets start at $95 for children, $135 for seniors and $150 for standard and are available on Sistic. K-pop soloist BOL4 is performing at The Theatre at Mediacorp on Jan 18. Tickets start at $128 on Ticketmaster. Chinese singer-songwriter Leah Dou, Faye Wong's daughter, is also performing on Jan 18 at Marina Bay Sands Theatre. Tickets start at $128 on Sistic. Taiwanese singer Huang Pin-yuan is performing the same night at the Resorts World Ballroom. Tickets start at $88 on Sistic. Get Busy in Singapore with Jamaican dancehall singer Sean Paul on Jan 21 at The Star Theatre. Tickets start at $98 on Sistic. On the same night, J-pop idol group Phantom Siita performs at Capitol Theatre. Tickets start at $78 on Ticketmaster. K-pop band Seventeen is returning to Singapore for back-to-back concerts at the National Stadium on Jan 25 and 26. Tickets start at $168 and are available on Ticketmaster. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SEVENTEEN (@saythename_17) Singapore Mandarin pop-rock band Quis will showcase their new album We Are All Aliens on Jan 26, 5pm at the Esplanade Annexe Studio. Tickets are priced at $25 on Sistic. That same evening, Taiwanese actress-cellist Nana Ouyang will perform at the Esplanade Theatre at 7.30pm. Tickets start at $58 on Sistic. February American dream pop band Cigarettes After Sex is performing at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Feb 3. Tickets are sold out. Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora holds a concert at The Star Theatre on the same night. Tickets start at $108 on Sistic. K-pop pop group Infinite performs at The Star Theatre on Feb 7 for their 15th anniversary concert. Tickets start at $148 and are available on Ticketmaster. The Script plays at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Feb 8. Tickets start at $115 on Sistic. [embed] Taiwanese rock band Mixer is bringing their CircUs Tour to Capitol Theatre on the same day. Tickets start at $98 on Sistic. South Korean indie act Wave To Earth performs at The Star Theatre on Feb 11. Tickets are sold out. Irish family band The Corrs play at The Star Theatre on Feb 13. Tickets start at $125 and are available on Sistic. [embed] Spend your Valentine's Day with local singer Boon Hui Lu, who is performing at Esplanade Annex Studio on Feb 14. Tickets cost $68 on Sistic. Indian playback singer Sonu Nigam also performs at The Star Theatre on Feb 14. Tickets start at $90 on Sistic. Chinese singer-songwriter Joker Xue brings his tour to the National Stadium on Feb 14 and 15. Tickets start at $107 and are available on Ticketmaster. Composer-pianist Yiruma performs on Feb 15 at The Star Theatre. Tickets start at $138 on Ticketmaster. On the same day, Music festival Cloud 9 - featuring K-pop soloist B.I., Canadian singer Elijah Woods, Mandopop singer Ivy Lee, Malaysian pop trio Dolla, local singer Shazza and more - will be held at Arena @ Expo Hall 7. Tickets go for $28 on Ticketmaster. Singer-songwriter and producer Niki is coming to Singapore on Feb 18. She performs at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and tickets start at $128 on Ticketmaster. K-pop girl group Apink returns to Singapore after almost nine years and will perform at Arena @ Expo Hall 7 on Feb 20 for their Pink New Year concert. Tickets from $128 are available on BookMyShow. [[nid:708644]] English indie rock band Glass Animals plays at the Capitol Theatre on Feb 22. Tickets start at $88 on Ticketmaster. Japanese pop duo Yoasobi performs at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Feb 22 and 23. Tickets start at $108 on Ticketmaster. View this post on Instagram A post shared by YOASOBI (@yoasobi_staff_) Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Ros performs on Feb 25 and 26 at the Esplanade Theatre. Tickets start at $128 on Ticketmaster. Super Junior's Yesung holds his first solo concert in Singapore on Feb 28 at The Theatre at Mediacorp. Tickets start at $168 on Ticketmaster. March Mandopop singer G.E.M performs at the National Stadium on March 1 as part of her I Am Gloria world tour. Ticket prices start at $168. Presales begin on Jan 16 for UOB cardholders while public sales start a day later on Ticketmaster, and Taiwanese indie band Sodagreen brings their 20th anniversary tour to Singapore on March 8 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Tickets go from $168 on Ticketmaster. Thai actors Gemini and Fourth are bringing their Run The World concert to Singapore on March 8 at The Theatre at Mediacorp. The show is rated R18 at tickets start at $60 on Sistic. Thai boy band Lykn performs at The Theatre at Mediacorp on March 9. Tickets start at $45 on Sistic. American singer-songwriter Kehlani performs on March 13 at the Star Theatre. Tickets start at $108 on Ticketmaster. Rock fusion trio The Aristocrats performs at Phil's Studio on March 14. Tickets cost $158 on Sistic. K-pop boy band Boynextdoor performs at Arena @ Expo (Hall 7) on March 15. VIP and Cat 1 tickets are sold out. Remaining tickets, starting at $178, can be purchased on Ticketmaster. [embed] Indian playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan performs at The Star Theatre on March 15. Tickets start at $58 on Sistic. Hong Kong diva Liza Wang performs at the Marina Bay Sands Grand Ballroom on March 22 and 23. Tickets start at $28 on Sistic. Taiwanese band Bestards performs at Gateway Theatre on March are sold out. American singer Jason Derulo's concert has been rescheduled from March 20 to June 25, and the venue will instead be the Star Theatre. Tickets start from $148 on Sistic. All tickets sold remain valid. For more information, please refer to LAMC Productions' website. Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter is bringing his Who I Am tour to The Theatre @ Mediacorp on March 25. Tickets start at $118 and are available on Sistic. American singer-songwriter Keshi is performing on March 26 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Tickets start at $128 on Ticketmaster. View this post on Instagram A post shared by keshi (@keshi) On March 27, Korean actor Yoo Yeon-seok will hold his fan-meet at The Theatre at Mediacorp. Tickets start at $158 on Ticketmaster. Taiwanese singer A-Lin performs at the Marina Bay Sands Grand Ballroom on March 28 and 29. Tickets start at $28 on Sistic. Chinese singer Yisa Yu brings her Romance World Tour to The Star Theatre on March 29. Tickets start at $128 on Ticketmaster. Japanese singer-songwriter Centimillimental returns to Singapore at The Gateway Theatre on March 30. Tickets start at $108 on Ticketmaster. Malaysian singer Michael Wong and Indonesian singer Putri Ariani are holding a joint concert titled The Spring Symphony on March 30 at the Resorts World Ballroom. Tickets start at $118 on Sistic. Taiwanese singer Sam Lee performs at the Marina Bay Sands Grand Ballroom on March 31. Tickets start at $98 on Sistic. April Indie rock band Feeder returns to Singapore on April 2 at the Hard Rock Cafe. Tickets cost $148 on Sistic. American singer Gracie Abrams brings The Secret of Us Tour to The Star Theatre on April 3. Tickets are sold out. Chinese singer-songwriter Ryan.B performs at Capitol Theatre on April 5, with tickets starting at $89 on Ticketmaster. Singapore songstress Stefanie Sun performs at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on April 5, 6, 12 and 13. Tickets are sold out. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sun Yanzi 孙燕姿 (@stefsunyanzi) Power Station returns to Singapore on April 19 at the Resorts World Ballroom. Tickets are sold out. Wu Bai and China Blue perform at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on April 19. Tickets start at $98 on Ticketmaster. Boyce Avenue is also performing with Daniel Sid on April 19 at the University Cultural Centre. Tickets start at $98 on Ticketmaster. Third time's the charm — K-pop girl group Kiss of Life will be back in Singapore to perform at Capitol Theatre on April 25 as part of their first world tour Kiss Road. Tickets, which go on sale on March 2 on start at $158. Malaysian singer Liza Hanim performs at The Star Theatre on April 26. Tickets start at $78 on Sistic. BTS' J-Hope will hold his first solo concerts in Singapore on April 26 and 27 at Singapore Indoor Stadium. Tickets start at $198. The Weverse presale begins on Feb 19 on Ticketmaster, the Live Nation presale on Feb 20 on their website while general sales begin the following day on Ticketmaster. May [CANCELLED] Korean stars including Joohoney and I.M of Monsta X, Jessi, Gray, Loco, Yungin, Holybang, Lil Cherry and Goldbuuda will be performing at festival Playground on May 3 at 27 Pasir Panjang. Tickets start at $188 on Ticketmaster. Taeyeon from K-pop group Girls' Generation will return to Singapore for her The Tense world tour, performing on May 3 and 4 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Details to be announced later. American pop-rock band The Click Five will be reuniting for a Southeast Asian tour this May. The band, which split in 2013, will perform at the Capitol Theatre on May 6. Due to scheduling conflicts, only Kyle Patrick, Joe Guese and Ethan Mentzer will be returning while Ben Romans and Joey Zehr will not be here. Tickets are sold out and a new show for the following night has been announced, with tickets going on sale from April 3 on Ticketmaster. Seems like May is for the rock enthusiasts, as another American rock band Boys Like Girls will be performing on May 7. Tickets start at $128 on Sistic. Japanese rock band Flow performs at The Star Theatre on May 8. Tickets start at $98 on Ticketmaster. German DJ Boris Brejcha is bringing his concert tour to Singapore on May 10 at 27 Pasir Panjang. Single early-bird tickets are sold out. The remaining available tickets start at $128 on Megatix. Norwegian pop duo M2M have reunited after 22 years and perform at The Star Theatre on May 12. Tickets start at $148 on Ticketmaster. The following day on May 13, UK pop-punk band Neck Deep will hold their concert at the Capitol Theatre. Tickets start at $98 on Eventbrite. NCT Wish performs on May 17 at Arena @ Expo. Tickets start at $148 on Ticketmaster. K-pop girl group BabyMonster will be in Singapore for their first world tour Hello Monsters on May 17. Tickets for the concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium start at $158 on Ticketmaster. Lady Gaga will be performing at National Stadium on May 18, 19, 21 and 24, with these being her only stop in Asia. Tickets start from $148 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster. Japanese vocalist Ado performs at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on May 21. Tickets are sold out. Veteran vocal group Boyz II Men returns to Singapore on May 23 for a concert at The Star Theatre. Tickets start at $98 on Sistic. On May 25, Cantopop singer Frances Yip performs at Esplanade Concert Hall. Tickets start at $88 on Sistic. Alexander Stewart performs at the Esplanade Annexe Studio on May 26. Ticketing details will be released soon on Ticketmaster. June American rapper O.T. Genasis will perform at Avenue Singapore's Venus in Furs anniversary event on June 4. Held at Avenue Lounge in Marina Bay Sands, the cover charge will be $50 per person at the door. drimac@ syarifahsn@ No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne. concertsmusiccelebritiessingersK-popBTSJ-pop This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.
Business Times
4 hours ago
- Business Times
Two BTS megastars released from South Korea military
[CHUNCHEON, South Korea] The world's most popular boy band is heading for a reunion: K-pop megastars RM and V from BTS were released on Tuesday after service 18 months of South Korean military service, prompting a fan frenzy. The seven members of BTS, South Korea's most lucrative musical act, have been on a hiatus since 2022 while they separately undertake mandatory military service, required of all South Korean men under the age of 30. Hundreds of fans gathered near two army bases just outside of the capital Seoul where band leader RM - recently named 'Favourite K-pop Artist' at the American Music Awards - and singer V were discharged. 'To be honest, there were many difficult and painful moments. But during my service, I truly felt how so many people were protecting the country in our place,' RM told reporters. V said military service was 'a time for me to reset and rebuild both my body and mind'. 'Now that I've done that, I truly want to run straight to ARMY as soon as possible,' he said, referring to the band's official fandom name. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up When asked by reporters what they wanted to do after discharge, both replied, 'perform'. 'What we want most right now is to perform again,' said RM. 'We're working hard on the new album so we can return to the stage as soon as possible.' In total, four BTS members will complete their service this week. Two were discharged last year, and the final member SUGA - who has been working as a social service agent for alternative non-active-duty service - will be released later this month. HYBE, the band's agency, urged fans not to go to the discharge location, citing safety concerns. 'With the safety of both artists and fans in mind, we strongly urge fans not to go to the location in person,' the agency wrote on Weverse, its superfan platform. Despite the warning, dozens of fans gathered outside V's military base, eagerly awaiting the return of their star. 'Honestly, I came here with such high expectations,' Yang Ho Hee, 28, told AFP outside the base. Fans had hung colourful banners to welcome the 29-year-old back to civilian life. 'Taehyung, let's never be apart again,' one said, referring to V's real name, Kim Tae Hyung. 'I'll follow only you, Taehyung. We are each other's strength,' said another. Reunion tour? Near the bases, on a football field where the newly released BTS members spoke, hundreds of fans from around the world gathered hoping to catch a glimpse of their idols. 'Actually, it's mixed emotions. I feel like I'm crying already,' said Arlene Mendoza, a fan from the Philippines. 'I've been travelling to Korea so many times, but this is actually the first time I'll see V.' In addition to the army releases, Friday is so-called FESTA - a celebration that marks the anniversary of the group's debut and typically draws thousands of global fans to Seoul. Mendoza told AFP she plans to attend fellow member J-Hope's concert on Friday, plus join other BTS FESTA events. All the band members signed new contracts with HYBE in 2023, and once SUGA is released on June 21, analysts expect profit-driving reunion activities. 'In the case of HYBE share prices, the current market consensus is seen as not fully reflecting BTS's impact,' Lim Soo-jin, an analyst at Daishin Securities, told AFP. Despite an ongoing police investigation into the company chairman for suspected insider trading and a recent raid by authorities, analysts say HYBE's shares are up, rising by 10 per cent over the past week through June 9. GDP impact Prior to their mandatory military service, the boy band generated more than 5.5 trillion won (S$5.14 billion) in yearly economic impact, according to the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute. That accounts for roughly 0.2 per cent of South Korea's total GDP, according to official data. HYBE has hinted at a BTS comeback this year, but has also said the members 'need time for reflection and preparation'. 'Normally, the process goes from song production to album release, then a tour,' Lee Jae Sang, CEO of HYBE, told a shareholder meeting in March. 'But since BTS have already become global top-tier artists, we are continuing discussions about their vision and what's next,' Lee added. Outside HYBE headquarters in Seoul, banners from fans read: 'Thank you for making even the waiting feel joyful.' The building was wrapped with the slogan 'WE ARE BACK', the official logo for the upcoming BTS FESTA. HYBE shares opened nearly three percent higher Tuesday morning, reaching their highest level in two years. AFP


AsiaOne
4 hours ago
- AsiaOne
RM and V discharged from military service, Hybe headquarters decorated for BTS' return , Entertainment News
June is an exciting month for K-pop boy band BTS — evident from the fanfare around RM and V's return as well as the decor on Hybe's headquarters. The two members, who enlisted in December 2023, were officially discharged from their mandatory military service today (June 10). RM, 30, served in the military band and a livestream captured him showing off his saxophone as he was discharged. V, 29, was assigned to a special mission unit under the military police. On V's Instagram Story last night, he shared some of his final moments in military with 31-year-old actor Song Kang. The two posed for a photo strip together and had a gym session, taking a mirror selfie thereafter. Jimin, 29, and Jungkook, 27, are scheduled to complete their duties tomorrow with 32-year-old Suga on June 21. The band will officially reunite this month to continue group activities. Having completed their service in 2024, Jin and J-Hope have been active as solo artists ever since. The earliest to finish his duties, Jin, also 32, will embark on his first solo concert RunSeokjin EP Tour which starts June 28 in South Korea. J-Hope, 31, has been on his first global tour Hope on the Stage, which concludes on June 14 in South Korea and will be livestreamed via Weverse. He performed in Singapore on April 26 and 27 at the Indoor Stadium. Posts uploaded to social media yesterday showed the exterior wall of Hybe Headquarters in Seoul covered with BTS and Army (the group's fanbase) logos forming the slogan "We are back". This Friday marks the group's 12th anniversary since their 2013 debut under BigHit Music, whose parent company is Hybe. The annual event BTS Festa kicked off on June 1 to celebrate the group's anniversary, with this year's theme Twelve O'Clock inspired by their 2020 song Zero O'Clock, interpreted to be about new beginnings and resilience. BTS Festa will see digital content and offline activities occurring through this month. The main offline events will take place on June 13 and 14 in Goyang, South Korea. [[nid:718885]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.