BTS Congratulated Halsey On Becoming A Mother, And 5 More K-Pop Headlines You Need To Read

We stan BTS and Halsey's very wholesome friendship. 🥺

1. BTS will attend the UN General Assembly in September after becoming Special Presidential Envoys for South Korea.

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According to Soompi, it was announced on July 21 by Blue House spokesperson Park Kyung-mi that President Moon Jae-in had appointed BTS as "Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture." The position will see the group "lead the global agenda for future generations" and "expand South Korea’s diplomatic power to match its elevated status in the international community."

As part of the role, BTS will participate in promotions to "help solve global challenges related to the environment, poverty, discrimination, and more." It will also require them to travel to multiple conferences around the globe, including the UN General Assembly in New York in September, where they will "spread a message of comfort and hope to teenagers all over the world." 

This isn't BTS's first visit to the UN General Assembly; the group's leader, RM, gave a powerful address about the importance of self-love and expression in 2018. "I would like to ask all of you: What is your name? What excites you and makes your heart beat?" He asked. "Tell me your story. I want to hear your voice, and I want to hear your conviction. No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin color, gender identity — speak yourself." 

In 2020, BTS was invited to speak at the UN General Assembly for a second time to share a message of hope and strength with young people around the world who felt hopeless due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Let’s reimagine our world. We’re huddled together, tired, but let’s dream again,” RM said. “Let’s dream about a future when our worlds can break out of our small rooms again. It might feel like it’s always night and we’ll always be alone, but the night is always darkest before the first light of dawn.” 

“Life goes on,” the members added. “Let’s live on.”

2. And, in extra-cute news, the group also tweeted Halsey a short congratulatory message after the birth of their child this week.

방탄소년단 @BTS_twt

@halsey Congratulations 😇😇 !!

05:15 PM - 19 Jul 2021

@bts_twt / Via Twitter: @BTS_twt

On July 19, Halsey revealed via Instagram post that they had given birth to their first child, Ender Ridley Aydin. Following the announcement, BTS tweeted their best wishes to the "Without Me" singer, writing: "Congratulations 😇😇 !!"

Halsey and BTS's friendship dates all the way back to 2017 after she tweeted about meeting them at the Billboard Music Awards and later gave them each a box of churros. Since then, their bond has only grown stronger, so much so that they even have their own matching friendship bracelets.

They've also collaborated on multiple tracks together including "Suga's Interlude" on Halsey's album Manic and on BTS's title track "Boy With Luv" from their album Map of the Soul: Persona. The two unstoppable artists went on to perform the latter live together at both the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball and the Billboard Music Awards in 2019.

"I think a lot of people are really curious about the collaboration because obviously the boys are from Korea and I’m from the States," Halsey told E! about their Billboard Music Awards performance in 2019. "I think that we really show that, despite what seems like a language barrier at first, [that barrier] is really just unimportant when it comes down to a bunch of young people who really love music."

Halsey added: "We just love hanging out, and it really shows through.” We stan a thoughtful, supportive friendship!

3. Monsta X's leader Shownu enlisted in the military this week. (😭)

몬스타엑스_MONSTA X @OfficialMonstaX

📸 210722 #몬스타엑스 다시 함께 만날 날을 기약하며 몸 건강히 다녀오겠습니다 더욱더 성숙해져서 멋진 모습으로 돌아오겠습니다. 감사합니다 ! #사랑한다_몬베베 #MONSTAX #MONSTA_X #셔누 #SHOWNU

04:48 AM - 22 Jul 2021

@OfficialMonstaX / Via Twitter: @OfficialMonstaX

On July 22, Shownu made his official military enlistment, and it looks like his fellow Monsta X members were there to see him off. The group's Twitter account posted three photos with the members all huddled around Shownu, who sits in the center. In one image, fellow member Minhyuk can be seen with his hands placed on the leader's newly shaved head.

"The promise of the day we will meet again. I will return in good health," Shownu wrote in the accompanying tweet. "I'll be more mature and come back with a cool look. Thank you!" He also added the hashtag #ILoveYouMonbebe.

In a separate post, Shownu also shared three selfies before his enlistment that featured his new haircut. "Watch out for the heat, and take care of your health and happiness," he wrote. "I love you."

Come back safely and healthily, Shownu! We all eagerly await the day when we can see you perform once again. 🐻

4. KQ Entertainment confirmed this week that rapper Mingi will resume his activities as a member of ATEEZ!

Eh_OvO / Via youtube.com

In Nov. 2020, it was announced that Mingi would take a hiatus from ATEEZ's promotions due to symptoms of psychological anxiety. Eight months later, the company released a statement this week updating fans on his condition and confirmed he will return to the group.

"Through counseling therapy, taking a long period of rest, and his own efforts, Mingi has regained his health," they wrote per translation by Soompi. "After checking his health status and having several discussions with Mingi, his parents, and his psychological counselor, we received the final verdict from his counselor that he could return to work without difficulties." You can read KQ Entertainment's entire statement here.

To celebrate his homecoming, Mingi made his first official appearance back on the popular live-streaming platform VLive to greet ATEEZ fans new and old. "It's been a long time. I'm Mingi," he said. "You missed me, right?"

He also personally updated viewers on his mental health. "I’m back. I’m well right now," he said. "It was a long time, you know? I've tried to reflect on myself and I also worked out hard. I spent a lot of time looking back at who I am. While doing so, I got better. I know it’s not a short time, but I’m here now."

5. JYP Entertainment's new girl group sold over 40,000 pre-orders of their mysterious album this week.

JYP Entertainment / Via youtube.com

On July 7, JYP Entertainment unveiled a curious teaser trailer for what they described as a "blind package." It was later revealed that the "extraordinary" box actually contains the first single from the company's upcoming girl group, who will make their official debut in Feb. 2022.

JYP Entertainment then revealed that prospective fans of the group would only be able to purchase the "limited & exclusive" album — which includes the album's CD, premium membership card, photobook, poster, and more — via pre-order from July 16-25. After that, no additional copies of the album, which is set for release in Feb. 2022, will be made.

It seems that the mystery surrounding the group and the album has intrigued a fair number of K-pop fans. According to Soompi, the album has already racked up almost 40,000 pre-orders without any available knowledge about the album, the group, or any of its members. Let us know if you'll be pre-ordering Blind Package while it's available in the comments below!

6. And Sunmi, JAYB, Stray Kids, and more announce that new music is on the way!

Miyayeah @miyaohyeah

My 3rd mini album ⅙ is coming for you💖 #SUNMI #ONE_SIXTH #6분의1 #0806_6PM_KST

09:38 AM - 22 Jul 2021

@miyaohyeah / Via Twitter: @miyaohyeah

* Sunmi unveiled the first teasers for her upcoming third mini album, One Sixth, which will be released on Aug. 6.

* H1ghr Music confirmed that Jay B will release his first solo EP on Aug. 25. According to a press release, the record will be composed of seven tracks that all dabble in a variety of musical genres, including his single "Switch It Up," and feature multiple other artists.

* Stray Kids unveiled a hilarious, superhero-inspired teaser trailer and album preview for their upcoming second album Noeasy, which will be released on Aug. 23.

* According to Newsen, Park Ji-Hoon will release a new mini album in early August.

* Exo's D.O. shared a music video teaser for his title track "Rose" ahead of the release of his debut solo album, 공감 (Empathy), on July 26.

* Tomorrow X Together announced that their upcoming mini album, The Chaos Chapter: Fight or Escape, will be released on Aug. 17 by posting a unique teaser trailer. Since the announcement, the group has also revealed the album's contents and promotional schedule.

* ONF took to Twitter to announce their upcoming "summer pop-up album," titled Popping, and share concept photos ahead of its release on Aug. 9.

That's it for this week! Have a lovely weekend, and be sure to catch up on last week's news if you missed it! ✨

Abyss Company