Latest news with #JinJin
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Astro's MJ and JinJin bring the fun with new unit vibes
Astro's MJ and JinJin The Spark of a Cheeky Duo Hey, K-pop enthusiasts, picture this: two pals from a beloved group teaming up to drop something that's all about good times and fresh energy - that's Astro's MJ and JinJin with their shiny new unit 'JuniJini'. They pulled the name from their real names, Myungjun and Jinwoo, making it as memorable as a catchy viral trend. During a recent sit-down at their agency's office in Gangnam, Seoul, these guys opened up about their bond, with MJ comparing JinJin to a front tooth you can't lose without chaos, and JinJin calling MJ his 'happy virus' who flips any gloomy vibe into giggles. It's this playful back-and-forth that makes their duo stand out, especially for fans who crave real connections amid the glitz of idol life. They've been scheming this unit since last year, aligning perfectly on ideas from start to finish, and it's clear their long-time teamwork as Astro's eldest and leader has built a foundation of trust that's hard to beat. Adding to the fun, they shared how their everyday antics inspired the whole project, promising a release that's authentic to their personalities. Unveiling the 'DICE' Adventure Diving into the main event, their debut mini-album 'DICE' is a six-track gem designed for those feel-good moments, like cruising down the highway with the windows down. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The title track 'Some Things Never Change' began as a classic hip-hop vibe but got revamped to spotlight MJ's silky vocals and JinJin's sharp raps, turning it into something more approachable and lively. They focused on creating songs that keep the energy high without any skips, as JinJin confidently states there's not a single throwaway track here. To amp up the accessibility, the choreography is a breeze - MJ laughs that it's the simplest in their entire Astro repertoire, something you could master in just ten attempts, making it ideal for fans wanting to join in at home or concerts. The album's concept revolves around rolling dice in a board game, symbolizing life's twists and turns, which ties into themes of adventure and spontaneity that resonate with anyone chasing dreams in a fast-paced world. They expanded on this by incorporating elements of surprise in each song, ensuring the listening experience feels like an exciting journey with unexpected delights around every corner. Crafting the Magic Behind the Scenes Behind the curtain, the making of 'DICE' was a collaborative joyride for MJ and JinJin. As the rapper and dancer, JinJin spent around six months pondering how to merge their styles seamlessly, adjusting tracks to balance his verses with MJ's vocal strengths - for instance, toning down some rap parts in the title track to let the melody shine. MJ, the main vocalist, infused the project with his upbeat spirit, pitching the board game theme that unifies the album and adds a layer of whimsy. Their dynamic mirrors the mischievous antics of 'Tom and Jerry', full of friendly rivalry and endless laughs during sessions, which translated into the music's infectious energy. They've kept strong ties with the full Astro lineup too, sharing heartfelt moments like seeing off member Cha Eun-woo to his military service amid cheers that turned the scene into an impromptu fan meet. As Astro nears their 10th debut anniversary next year, these two reflect on their growth since 2016, emphasizing how each performance feels more precious with time. Fun tidbit: Astro's social media presence has ballooned to over 1.5 million followers on platforms like Instagram, per data from industry tracker Sacnilk, underscoring their enduring global charm. Gratitude and Future Fun Ahead In the end, MJ and JinJin are all about sharing the joy with 'DICE', hoping it becomes a staple in playlists for both die-hard Astro supporters and newcomers discovering their sound. They want their stages to feel like an open invitation to have fun together, fostering that sense of community in K-pop. While sales numbers for this release are yet to roll in, Astro's track record is solid - past albums have collectively sold over 500,000 copies, according to Gaon Chart reports, signaling strong fan loyalty. These milestones highlight how their music continues to connect worldwide. Wrapping up with a nod to their journey, the duo stresses staying grateful and evolving as artists, turning every opportunity into something meaningful. It's a feel-good reminder that in the whirlwind of entertainment, a dash of humor and genuine bonds can create lasting magic, keeping fans hooked for whatever comes next.
Hype Malaysia
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
ASTRO Rapper JinJin Exempted From Military Service Due To Autoimmune Condition
In South Korea, men have to serve in the military when they become adults, as mandated by the government. K-pop idols are not exempt from this law, which often leads to a heartwarming goodbye to their fans and promises from the other party that they will always wait for their favourite stars. On the 2nd June (Monday), entertainment agency, Fantagio (판타지오), revealed that K-pop group ASTRO's (아스트로) leader JinJin (진진) has been excused from serving in the military. The rapper was exempted from military service because of health reasons involving an autoimmune condition. With ASTRO member Cha Eun Woo (차은우) releasing his enlistment dates last month (29th May), AROHAs (ASTRO fans) have been wondering when the 29-year-old leader would start serving his country. Speculation grew across fan communities, with many expressing support and curiosity about JinJin's plans. According to Fantagio's statement, JinJin had been going to medical checkups but was deemed by his doctor to be unfit for military service. The idol had been suffering from issues relating to a disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its healthy tissues and cells. While the condition isn't too severe, it requires the idol to have frequent visits to the hospital for examinations. While the singer himself hasn't made any updates on how he is doing, AROHAs shared well wishes on JinJin's Instagram to wish him good health. We also hope that JinJin would focus on his health following this recent diagnosis. Source: Soompi Zaima Humaria contributed to this article What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
Pink Villa
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Why is ASTRO's JinJin exempt from military service? Fantagio reveals diagnosis amid Cha Eun Woo's band acceptance
ASTRO member JinJin's autoimmune disease diagnosis was revealed to the fans. In an update shared by the group's management agency, it was announced to fans that the leader of the team will not be enlisting for mandatory military service. An examination from South Korea's Military Manpower Administration, a body under the ROK's Military Defence, found him unfit for service, thereby exempting the singer from mandatory service. The update from Fantagio shared very little information about the diagnosis, however, it was clarified to fans that it does not affect the singer's regular functioning. Check out the full notice below. 'Hello, this is Fantagio. This is in regard to ASTRO member JinJin's military service status. JinJin has been judged unfit to serve in the military after a detailed medical examination by the Military Manpower Administration due to health issues related to an autoimmune condition. We would like to inform you that while he has been exempt from military service, his condition does not cause any problems in his daily life. He is required to visit the hospital regularly for checkups and to manage his health. According to a medical opinion, it would be difficult for him to enlist for military service, and hence, he has been granted an exemption from mandatory military duty. Above all, we will continue to support his activities as an artist, with his health as the top priority. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the fans for your constant love and support, and we kindly ask for your continued interest in JinJin's future work. Thank you.' Recently, it was revealed that singer and actor Cha Eun Woo, who is also a member of the K-pop group ASTRO, has decided to enlist for his own military service. After careful application and approval, he has been admitted to a special arm of the ROK military band. The True Beauty star is set to begin his compulsory service on July 28, making him the 2nd member from the JinJin-led team to enlist for service. Previously, the oldest member, MJ, completed his national duty, returning on November 8, 2023, after serving for 18 months, also in the military band.
CNA
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
JinJin of K-pop group Astro exempted from military service
K-pop boy band Astro's leader and rapper JinJin has been exempted from military service. Astro's agency Fantangio released an official statement on Monday (Jun 2), saying: 'JinJin has been deemed unfit for military duty following a detailed medical examination by the Military Manpower Administration due to health issues related to an autoimmune condition.' In South Korea, upon turning 18, all able-bodied men are required by law to perform 18 to 21 months of military service. The agency said: 'While his condition does not interfere with daily life, he requires regular hospital visits for examinations and ongoing management. Based on the medical opinion that it would be difficult for him to participate in military service under such circumstances, he has been granted an exemption from mandatory military duty." 'We sincerely thank all the fans for your constant love and support, and we kindly ask for your continued interest in JinJin's future endeavours," they added. JinJin's fellow bandmate Cha Eun-woo will enlist in the military on Jul 28 and serve in the army's military band. The location and time of his enlistment will be kept confidential 'in order to prevent safety accidents due to crowding", according to Fantangio. JinJin debuted as part of the six-member boy group in 2016 and was part of JinJin and Rocky, Astro's sub unit from 2022 to 2023. In February this year, he held his first solo concert titled Jin Lab Vol 1 Find Your Groove at South Korea's Yes24 Wonderlock Hall.
The Guardian
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Dove, London: ‘inventive, unusual, tantalising'
Dove, 31 Kensington Park Road, London W11 2EU (020 7043 1400; Starters £4-£16; mains £12-£33; wine from £35 I am a potentially dull person to eat with. However much I love and relish food, food is not my friend and I have a host of verbotens, ranging from garlic, onion and chives, which for me are headache-inducing, to butter, which I have always hated. Each meal in a new restaurant where I'm not familiar with the idiosyncrasies of the menu begins, 'Do you have anything without garlic?' My meal might end up seeming plain to an onlooker, but this plainness divulges so many nuanced flavours – a grilled chop floods my nervous system with relaxing endorphins. The pleasure of eating something that agrees with me is in itself a huge delight. Offered the chance to be a restaurant critic for a day, my first thought was who would be the most fun to invite as my date. A sadly long-departed film producer friend called Hercules Bellville – Hercy – pronounced that the most important thing about a restaurant was the amount of space between the tables. In his book, food came about third on the list. I agree in part – for me the thing that matters most is the atmosphere. But my number one priority is who I get to converse with, and how much they will enjoy all the things denied to me that I can vicariously experience. For the last 10 years I have been going for lunch with the brilliant fashion journalist Tim Blanks. He has taken me for birthday lunches at our local Japanese. We have discussed music, fashion and politics in great detail. He normally drinks the most fabulous-sounding concoctions while I benefit from the contact high. Tim accepted my offer of lunch at chef-owner Jackson Boxer's new restaurant Dove on Ladbroke Grove's Kensington Park Road in London, which opened in early January; we were already fans of its previous incarnation, the seafood restaurant Orasay, which occupied the same spot and closed on New Year's Eve 2024. Someone told me that Dove has this incredible burger on the menu made from 50-day dry-aged beef, with gorgonzola on top. They only make something like 15 portions per day and they sell out within minutes. We missed them, but there were other tantalising delicacies to deliberate over. Tim and I usually dawdle for hours, analysing the most recent fashion gossip and the current switcheroo creative director merry-go-round. He had to rush off sooner than usual to get an exclusive phone scoop direct from Haider Ackermann on his Tom Ford debut, so we ordered fast. A few weeks earlier Tim tripped on a tiny kerb differential and somehow managed to break his arm in three places and smash a few ribs. He started the meal with a glass of Château Cantemerle, a Bordeaux that doesn't usually come by the glass and was one of the 'Weekly Specials Pours By Glass' – so that was nice. I opted for a non-alcoholic drink called Jin Jin with lime and soda, which was slightly sweet and vinegary, which is something I adore and find delicious. The menu at Dove is inventive with unusual combinations, which are tantalising even for me who is wary of too much artistry in cooking. Writing this a few hours later I wish I had ordered more dishes, but to start I opted for raw scallop, finger lime, chicken salt, potato cake. Tim chose fried-potato pizzette, bonito, burrata, mortadella, but without the mortadella as he doesn't eat meat, and I don't like mortadella. Both of these starters were so light, with flavours that kept emerging and multiplying with every tiny bite. The potato bases of both were fried, but somehow cloudlike in their enhancing functions as a base. My morsels of scallops on top of the finger lime were so moreish and each taste was both exquisite and balanced, like an orchestral composition. What was relaxing, too, was the lack of annoyance or resistance we met with when asked to remove things like the mortadella from the potato pizzette, which was insanely good even without it: rich in taste and feather-light to consume. For our main we went for grilled wild sea bream, confit garlic (which I didn't touch) and guindilla peppers for two. Looking around, I spied bowls of chunky-looking duck fat fries, so we ordered them, too, with a bitter leaf salad. The sea bream arrived, opened and flat with its head flattened like a hammerhead shark. The addition of a few elegant guindilla peppers scattered over it turned it into a scene from a meal in Breaking Bad. This fish was out of this world, so fresh and light it fell off under the fork, which was good for Tim's left-hand manoeuvring. It was so tasty and flavoursome that we barely bothered with the chips (unheard of). The bitter leaf salad was as high class an arrangement of leaves as you could get, but again the fish… Tim said the confit garlic didn't really add anything, but it was because the bream didn't need anything. For pudding we both ordered Estate Dairy fior di latte soft serve, early harvest olive oil, oat cookies and a coffee cardamom caramel cream to share. The fior di latte ice-cream arrived like two Mr Whippy's, with a light sheen of pale olive oil adorning its ripples like tiny rivulets. It almost didn't matter what it tasted like, it had so much charm – though it was daintily appetising and freezing, accompanied by warm, just-baked oatmeal cookies. The pièce de résistance was the tiny little bomb of flavour that was the coffee cardamom caramel: sweet but not sweet, the texture like a memory from a 19th-century novel. It hit the heart and woke up your appetite all over again. It made you crazy with desire. That is a real art in cooking. The food at Dove is amazing. The décor is simple and elegant; light floods in from the windows at the front, and further in there is a roof light that makes for soft, flattering, European-style ambience. The staff who work there are attentive, efficient, friendly and no one asked us whether we were enjoying our meal. Next week, David Baddiel goes to Mana in Manchester
