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Jennie’s Mystery Man, San & Wooyoung Address Dating Rumors, SVT, TWICE, NCT127 Contract Renewals
Plus... Lexie leaves Saint Satine, TWICE & Stray Kids join the Recording Academy, and more
Pop Base
July 19, 2026
Jennie’s Mystery Man Photo Sends Fans Searching for Clues
BLACKPINK’s Jennie has sparked fresh speculation after sharing a photo on Instagram showing her leaning against an unidentified man, whose face was concealed with a heart sticker.
The image, posted on Saturday, offered no explanation, leading online debates. Some fans have questioned whether the post could be a subtle announcement of a romantic relationship, while others believe the image may be connected to an upcoming project.
For now, fans are left with a single image and plenty of theories. Only time will tell whether the mystery man is part of a personal announcement or something connected to her next chapter.
The photo comes shortly after Jennie headlined the 2026 Mad Cool Festival in Madrid, where she performed on July 9.
ATEEZ’s San and Wooyoung Address Dating Rumors in Debut Video for Joint YouTube Channel
ATEEZ members San and Wooyoung addressed speculation about their relationship on Wednesday in a YouTube video, directly denying rumors that they are dating while discussing their close friendship.
The video is the first upload on the pair’s newly launched joint YouTube channel, “9트쫑.” In the episode, the two discussed potential content for the channel, including filming activities together. A suggestion from Wooyoung about getting another friendship tattoo prompted San to note that fans might interpret the gesture as evidence of a romantic relationship.
San later addressed the speculation directly, saying that the two “are not dating” and are “just really good friends.” The exchange continued in a lighthearted manner when a producer asked them to move closer together, with San joking that the conversation had made their proximity feel awkward.
The exchange comes as San and Wooyoung, one of ATEEZ’s most prominent fan pairings, commonly referred to by fans as “WooSan”, begin producing content together through their new channel. The project will give fans a more direct look at the long-standing friendship that has made the duo such a popular pairing within the group’s fandom.
ICYMI:
K-pop’s Contract Renewal Season Arrives as SEVENTEEN, NCT 127 and TWICE Face Career-Defining Decisions
Contract renewal season has arrived for three of K-pop’s biggest active groups, with SEVENTEEN, NCT 127 and TWICE each facing a different chapter in the question of what comes next.
The biggest renewal news so far comes from SEVENTEEN, whose 13 members have agreed to renew with PLEDIS Entertainment. The decision is particularly significant given the group’s size and longevity: more than a decade into their career, SEVENTEEN remains intact without a single lineup change. That level of continuity is highly unusual for a 13-member group and makes the renewal a notable moment in K-pop history. PLEDIS has said it will continue supporting the members’ group, unit and individual activities.
NCT 127, meanwhile, is moving forward under a changed contract structure. Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo and Haechan renewed with SM Entertainment, while Mark and Winwin are no longer under the company and have ended their activities as NCT members.
TWICE’s contract situation remains less clear. Reports have suggested that some members may not renew their individual or solo-activity contracts with JYP Entertainment while continuing as members of TWICE. However, JYP has not officially confirmed those reports or announced the individual contract status of the group’s nine members.
Upcoming Tours & Performances
Z100 New York Summer Bash 2026 official lineup poster
TXT’s Yeonjun is set to perform at Z100 Summer Bash 2026 on August 6.
ARTMS has announced a 10-date North American leg of its world tour, “ART OF BLUE BLOOD.”
YOUNG POSSE will bring its “PILOT 3” tour to Europe in 2026, with five scheduled stops.
8TURN has unveiled an eight-date European tour for 2026.
IVE’s Wonyoung is set to throw the first pitch at a New York Dodgers game.
Taemin, EVERGLOW and Jeon Somi have joined the lineup for the KPOP DAYS Festival in Nibiru, Romania, scheduled for August 1.
BIGBANG has announced its “XX: COSMOS” world tour, spanning 2026–2027 with more than 15 dates worldwide.
OMEGA X will embark on its 2026 U.S. tour, “NO LIMIT,” with more than 20 stops.
ONE PACT has announced its 2026 world tour, “OUTSHINE,” with 14 dates across North America and Latin America.
Favorite New Music This Week
Summer is officially in full swing, and HUTA has arrived with a track that feels tailor-made for the season. HUTA’s “Icy & Spicy” is a burst of summer adrenaline. Its driving percussion, brass accents and chant-ready hooks give the track an immediate festival appeal, while HUTA embraces the role of an assured, high-energy ringleader.
The chorus is deliberately sparse, allowing the production to take control, but the payoff arrives in the brass-heavy post-chorus, where the track feels at its most exhilarating. “Icy & Spicy” may be straightforward, but its confidence and sheer energy make it an irresistible summer party track.
NEXT WEEK’S COMEBACK SCHEDULE
Monday, July 20, 2026
U-KNOW (TVXQ): 1st Single “Time’s Tickin’”
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Picheolin (SEVENTEEN Dino): Pre-Release Single “미쳐 미쳐”
WONHO: EP “Core”
8TURN: 3rd Single Album “8.X”
fromis_9: 2nd Album “Glow ME”
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
HYOLYN: 4th Mini Album “OriginaLyn”
Thursday, July 23, 2026
N/A
Friday, July 24, 2026
aespa: 1st Japanese Mini Album “Kiss n Tell”
ARTMS: Pre-release Single “Born Stunner”
Saturday, July 25, 2026
N/A
Sunday, July 26, 2026
N/A
— Javeria Yousuf
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