(Clockwise from top left) BTS·Minji·Park Eun-young. Photos courtesy of Yonhap News Agency, Yonhap News Agency, Park Eun-young Instagram.
From BTS receiving an official invitation from the Mexican president to the possibility of NewJeans member Minji returning, and a surprise marriage announcement from comedian Park Eun-young… Here are the key entertainment stories for the 7th.
■ BTS meet the Mexican president…50,000 fans gather for balcony appearance
The group BTS, invited officially by the Mexican president, visited the National Palace, underscoring their global influence.
On the 6th (local time), at the invitation of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, BTS visited the National Palace in Mexico City. When the members appeared on the balcony with President Sheinbaum, about 50,000 fans flocked to Zocalo Square and cheered.
At the regular press conference that day, President Sheinbaum said, “The music of BTS conveys messages of friendship, peace, and love.” It is said to be unusual for the National Palace balcony to be opened to foreign popular-culture figures.
BTS will hold world tour ‘ARIRANG’ concerts in Mexico City on the 7th and 9·10. The three shows are sold out, and the Mexican Chamber of Commerce projected an economic impact of about 155.7 billion won.
■ Will NewJeans Minji return…ADOR says “discussions are proceeding in a positive direction”
As the agency ADOR officially celebrated the birthday of NewJeans member Minji, attention has turned to the possibility of her returning to team activities.
On the 7th, the official NewJeans social media posted several photos of Minji along with the phrase “HAPPY MINJI DAY.” The photos showed her baking and packaging cookies, among other scenes. Earlier, Minji personally visited a fan-organized birthday cafe and delivered handmade cookies and handwritten letters, showing her affection for fans.
In particular, when ADOR posted behind-the-scenes photos of Minji on its official account, fans reacted with comments such as “Is a return imminent?”
Regarding this, on the 7th ADOR told MK Sports that “discussions are continuing in an overall positive direction.” It added, however, that “there are no further specifics to share.”
NewJeans has had a hiatus since a 2024 exclusive-contract dispute. Recently, sightings of some members in Copenhagen fueled comeback rumors, and regarding whether Minji will return to group activities, ADOR has maintained that it is “under discussion.”
Separately, ADOR recently announced the termination of its exclusive contract with Danielle and is pursuing a lawsuit seeking liquidated damages and compensation of about 43.0 billion won against three individuals, including OK Records CEO Min Hee-jin and Danielle.
■ Comedian Park Eun-young makes surprise marriage announcement
Comedian Park Eun-young shared news of her marriage.
On the 7th, Park Eun-young announced the news by posting a photo of a handwritten letter on her Instagram. She used one of her catchphrases, writing, “Hold on a second! Eun-young unni is getting married!” drawing attention with her signature cheerful tone.
She went on to say of her husband-to-be, “I met a man who makes me, a comedian, laugh, and I want to build a family and live with loyalty.” She added, “When times are hard, with comedy; when we argue, with variety; when we love, like a drama; and so that there is not a single day we do not miss each other, in spirit we will live like a documentary,” conveying her sincerity with witty turns of phrase.
Park Eun-young added, “A day like this has come for me, too,” and, “I will strive to repay the love I have received with even greater love.”
Born in 1984, Park Eun-young debuted in 2008 as a 10th-class open-recruit comedian at SBS, then re-debuted as a 27th-class open-recruit comedian at KBS, performing on shows such as Gag Concert. She is currently appearing as a regular panelist on the entertainment-news segment of Channel A’s ‘Happy Morning’.
