Entertainment

BTS to take time out for military service

Published

3 years ago

October 17, 2022

editor

The world’s biggest boy band BTS will be abandoning their fandom “army” to join the South Korean military for national service, their agents say.

The confirmation ends years of debate over whether the K-pop stars might be exempted from military duties.

In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18-28 must serve about two years.

The seven BTS members had been allowed to put off starting their military service until they turned 30. The oldest, Jin, is currently 29.

He will begin preparations next month, the band’s management revealed on Monday. All seven members of the group – the youngest of whom is 24 – also plan on following through with their service, it said.

South Korea retains compulsory military service mainly because the country is still technically at war with its nuclear-armed neighbour, North Korea.

The band had previously won a deferral – when in 2020, South Korea’s parliament passed a bill allowing the biggest K-pop stars to delay their duties until the age of 30.

The announcement by BTS comes just months after the band announced they would be taking a break, with some members pursuing individual projects.

The K-pop group have been the world’s best-selling artists for the past two years – known for catchy, upbeat hits like Dynamite and Butter. They’ve also been praised for their advocacy on young people’s mental health.

Viewed by many South Koreans as national treasures – some lawmakers had suggested the band could be granted an exemption so they could keep performing. Such exemptions have been given to Olympic medallists and other high-achieving sports stars, classical musicians and dancers.

However, the statement from the band’s managers on Monday said the musicians were content to carry out their duties. Jin – who had originally applied for his service start date to be delayed – had cancelled that request, their agency said.

The announcement suggests the band would probably not get back together for at least a couple of years.

“Both the company and the members of BTS are looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment,” said their management company in a statement.

South Korea’s defence minister, in discussing the band’s prospects in August, had suggested the group could still perform while being enlisted.

“There would be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together,” said Lee Jong-sup.

(BBC News)

Entertainment

Beyoncé pauses show as flying Cadillac tilts mid-air

Published

19 hours ago

June 30, 2025

editor

Beyoncé was forced to stop her show in Houston on Saturday night when the car she was sitting in started to tilt mid-air.

The elaborate stage prop – a red Cadillac – is suspended on cables and carries the superstar high over her fans near the end of her Cowboy Carter stadium show.

But during Saturday’s performance, the car started to slowly tilt to one side, leaving the 43-year-old performer clinging to a flag pole for support.

“Stop! Stop, stop, stop stop,” Beyoncé said, bringing an abrupt end to her country ballad, 16 Carriages.

Gasps could be heard from the audience when fans realised what was happening, but then applause as the star was slowly lowered to the ground, smiling and waving to the crowd.

“If ever I fall, I know y’all will catch me,” she said later.

Fans took to social media to post their videos of the frightening moment, commenting with Beyoncé’s now-infamous catchphrase “somebody’s getting fired”, which she quipped on stage during a lighting problem in 2010.

Beyoncé’s company, Parkwood Entertainment, said a “technical mishap” had caused the car to tilt.

“She was quickly lowered and no one was injured. The show continued without incident,” the statement added.

This was not the first prop malfunction Beyoncé has experienced over her years of touring.

Earlier in this tour, a robot supposed to pour her a drink missed its mark, no doubt leaving a puddle of Sir Davis whisky for the crew to clean up. And during her On The Run II tour with husband Jay-Z in 2018, a moving platform broke, forcing Beyoncé to climb down a ladder – in heels and a sequined leotard, no less.ame

The performance in her hometown of Houston, Texas, was the 23rd of her 32-show Cowboy Carter tour, which wraps up in Las Vegas next month.

The three-hour extravaganza of chaps and cowboy boots has been lauded for its high-energy and artistry, and has delighted fans with appearances by Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s daughters, Blue, 13, and Rumi, aged eight.

The show has broken ticket records at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London (the previous record holder was… Beyoncé) and Stade De France in Paris.

(BBC News)

Entertainment

‘Riverstone’ wins 02 major awards at Shanghai Film Festival

Published

1 week ago

June 23, 2025

editor

Sri Lankan film ‘Riverstone’, directed by Lalith Rathnayake, won 02 awards at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival Golden Goblet Awards held on June 21.

Lalith Rathnayake and Nilantha Perera were awarded ‘Asian New Talent Best Script Writer’ while Prabath Roshan received the award for ‘Asian New Talent Best Cinematography’.

The film, which stars popular actors including Mahendra Perera, Shyam Fernando, and Nimanthi Porage, is expected to be released in local theaters soon.

Entertainment

South Indian actress Varalaxmi arrives in SL

Published

2 weeks ago

June 18, 2025

editor

Renowned South Indian actress Varalaxmi Sarathkumar arrived at Katunayake Airport yesterday (June 17) to play the lead role in the upcoming film “Cage Bird”.

The film is a Sri Lankan production directed by Chandran Ratnam, which is set for international release.

She arrived at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport at 11:04 a.m. via SriLankan Airlines flight UL-122 from Chennai, India.

She was welcomed by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) officials, including Deputy Director Harendra Wijewardene and Assistant Director Chaminda Munasinghe.