(From top left clockwise) EJAE·Winter·Karina·Jay Park. Photo = Yonhap News·Estadio Akron official SNS account·Yonhap News.

From singer EJAE on the World Cup opening stage, to stars moved by the Republic of Korea national team victory over the Czech Republic, to Jay Park clarifying rumors about joining LONGSHOT…. We have gathered the entertainment topics for the 12th.

■ ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ EJAE, belts out Korean lyrics at the World Cup opening ceremony

Singer-songwriter EJAE took the World Cup opening stage and showcased Korean lyrics before football fans worldwide.

At the opening ceremony held on the 12th at Mexico City Stadium in Mexico, EJAE performed the official theme ‘DNA’ with world-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli. In particular, the song drew attention for including Korean lyrics such as “Even if I stumble again, I will rise once more”.

EJAE wrote the Korean lyrics for this song himself. He stated, “My memories of being in Seoul during the 2002 World Cup are among my most cherished,” adding, “For me, the meaning of the World Cup is the sense that the entire city becomes one.” After the performance, online reactions included comments such as “I never thought I would hear Korean in a World Cup anthem”, “Proud”.

Meanwhile, EJAE drew global attention by providing the singing voice for the protagonist Rumi in the Netflix animated film ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ and by participating in writing and composing the OST ‘Golden (Golden)’.

■ Stars also share in World Cup emotion… Yoon Doo-joon sheds tears, Nam Woo-hyun predicts the outcome

Stars showed enthusiastic reactions to the Republic of Korea national football team victory over the Czech Republic.

Karina and Winter of aespa attended in person the Group A opener between the Republic of Korea and the Czech Republic of the 2026 FIFA North and Central American World Cup, held on the 12th (KST) at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico. The two drew attention after being captured on the stadium official SNS account.

Yoon Doo-joon of Highlight hosted a live broadcast of the match with fans. When Korea pulled off a come-from-behind victory, he repeatedly exclaimed “This is crazy”, “I am in tears”, revealing how overwhelmed he was, and was even seen wiping away tears with tissues.

Nam Woo-hyun of Infinite also joined real-time support via a fan communication platform. During the match he left messages such as “Make it 2-1”, “Add one more?”, and Korea indeed earned a 2-1 victory, drawing attention.

Comedian Lee Su-ji also watched the match on site in Mexico and posted, “Watching in person was moving. Republic of Korea,” sharing in the joy of victory.

Meanwhile, the 2026 North and Central American World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and the Republic of Korea national team got off to a good start with a 2-1 comeback win against the Czech Republic.

■ Jay Park personally addresses rumors of joining LONGSHOT: “It was a joke”

Singer Jay Park personally clarified rumors about him joining LONGSHOT, the boy group he created.

On the 12th, via his social media, Jay Park shared an interview clip and wrote, “It was obvious I said it as a joke to the haters, yet this actually became a real article.”

Earlier, in an interview, Jay Park said, “For the next project, I will join LONGSHOT as an official member,” drawing attention. As some fans had voiced concerns about his high level of involvement, it turned into speculation that he would actually join; however, Jay Park drew a line, saying it was a “joke.”

Meanwhile, LONGSHOT is a four-member multinational boy group under More Vision, founded by Jay Park, and it debuted in January of this year.