JYP Trainee on LGBTQ+ Show, ENHYPEN Sunghoon at Olympics, Cha Eunwoo Tax Evasion Case

ENHYPEN’s Sunghoon Selected as 2026 Winter Olympics Torchbearer

On Friday, BELIFT Lab, ENHYPEN’s agency, confirmed to media outlet News N that Sunghoon, ENHYPEN member has been selected as one of the torchbearers for the 2026 Winter Olympics. While Sunghoon is currently part of one of the world’s most popular K-pop boy groups, he was previously a competitive figure skater, a member of South Korea’s national figure skating team, and has served as an ambassador for the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee since May of last year.

The Winter Olympics will be held in Milan, opening on February 6, 2026. The event is expected to feature approximately 3,500 athletes from 93 countries, competing across 16 sports.

Taichi, Former JYP Trainee and ‘Boys II Planet’ Contestant, Joins Queer Dating Show ‘His Man 4’

On Tuesday, a representative for Wavve’s queer dating show “His Man 4” confirmed that Taichi, a former JYP Entertainment trainee and “Boys II Planet” contestant, will be joining this season. “His Man” is a reality dating show that follows men searching for true love, and the series is currently preparing for its fourth season.

The new season is scheduled to premiere on January 23, with two episodes set to release every Friday.

ICYMI:

• VERIVERY’s Kangmin stars in the short sci-fi film “Jump Boy Live.”

• f(x)’s Luna collaborated with Marvel Rivals for the 8th anniversary of Luna Snow.

• GOT7’s Park Jinyoung has confirmed he will star in a new romance K-drama alongside Kim Min Ju.

• Sibling duo AKMU launched a one-person agency, “Fountain of Inspiration,” following their departure from YG Entertainment.

• CRAVITY’s Jungmo makes his acting debut in an action-comedy short-form drama.

• PENTAGON’s Yanan has been officially announced as the male lead, Lu Zhuo, in the historical drama “Transfer Gold Hairpin.” Check out short behind-the-scene clip here.

Cha Eunwoo’s Alleged $13 Million Tax Evasion Controversy

On Thursday, a media outlet reported that idol-actor Cha Eunwoo had been notified by Investigation Bureau 4 of the Seoul Regional National Tax Service of a tax collection order exceeding approximately USD 13.6 million in income and related taxes. The issue reportedly stems from “Corporation A,” a company established by Cha Eunwoo’s mother, Ms. Choi, under his name.

Later the same day, Fantagio released an official statement in response to the report, stating that the case centers on whether a company established by Cha Eun Woo’s mother is subject to substantive taxation, noting that no final determination or official notice has been issued. The agency said it will seek to clarify the matter through legal procedures and confirmed that Cha Eun Woo and his tax representative will fully cooperate, adding that the artist will continue to meet all tax and legal obligations.

Upcoming Tours & Performances

• BTS has shared additional Tampa and Stanford dates for their 2026–2027 world tour “ARIRANG.”

• BLACKPINK’s Jennie will headline ComplexCon Hong Kong 2026.

• ILLIT has announced their first world tour, “ILLIT LIVE ‘PRESS START♥︎,’” featuring seven dates across Asia, with cities and venues revealed.

• TRENDZ has shared five European dates, cities, and venues for their 2026 “ON THE MOVE” tour.

• KCON Japan has revealed its 2026 lineup, including ALPHA DRIVE ONE, CORTIS, INI, JO1, TWS, and &TEAM.

• SEVENTEEN has announced two dates for the “SEVENTEEN [NEW_]” World Tour Encore. The concerts will be live-streamed for paid viewers on Weverse.

• A.C.E’s Junhee has shared seven dates, cities, and venues for his 2026 Europe tour, “INTO THE OCEAN.”

• Yves has teased a 2026 Europe tour titled “YVES TOUR 2026,” set to begin this April, with cities to be announced at a later date.

• NouerA has been announced as part of the K-Pop Revolution 2026 lineup in Mainz, Germany.

Favorite New Music This Week

After years away, EXO return with the full-length album REVERXE, balancing nostalgia with experimentation. Opener “Crown” leans into SM’s classic maximalist sound, reviving theatrical flair through metal guitars and trap flourishes; it feels like EXO reclaiming their mythos, imperfections and all. “Back It Up” doubles down on menace, its grinding beat and chant-heavy hook built more for atmosphere than movement. “Crazy” injects kinetic energy, finally paying off with a sleek, techno-tinged finale that hints at even bigger potential. “Suffocate” pulses with club-ready tension, pairing sleek production with some of the album’s strongest melodic moments.

The album’s second half softens the edges. “Moonlight Shadows” highlights EXO’s enduring R&B finesse, while “Back Pocket” coasts on warm grooves and polished vocals. “Touch & Go” drifts with a light, airy quality, offering a gentle contrast to the album’s earlier high-energy tracks, while “Flatline” takes the most surprising turn, emerging as a crisp indie pop-rock number. “I’m Home” closes things on a cozy, comforting note, and unmistakably EXO.

With BTS and BLACKPINK gearing up for their returns, 2026 already feels like the year of the third generation.

NEXT WEEK’S COMEBACK SCHEDULE

• Sunday, January 25, 2026

  • N/A

• Monday, January 26, 2026

  • KiiiKiii: 2nd EP “Delulu Pack”

• Tuesday, January 27, 2026

  • i-dle: Digital Single “Mono (ft. Skaiwater)”

  • YOUNG POSSE: 1st Digital Single “VISA/ Pilot3”

  • Billlie: Pre-Release “cloud palace, false awakening”

• Wednesday, January 28, 2026

  • 8TURN: Digital Single

  • POW: Single Album “Come True”

• Thursday, January 29, 2026

  • Lee Jiham (A.C.E): Digital Single “Forever Mine”

  • WHIB: 1st Mini Album “Rock The Nation”

• Friday, January 30, 2026

  • ONEWE: 4th Demo Album “Studio We: Recording #4”

• Saturday, January 31, 2026

  • N/A

— Javeria Yousuf

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