Pop titans BTS’ fate in terms of their military enlistment remains unclear as the discussions are on in the National Assembly in South Korea. Defense Minister of South Korea Lee Jong Sup maintained that it will be difficult to expand the exemption system for the members of BTS, who are gearing up for their mandatory military service.

At the interpellation at the National Assembly on September 20, KoreaJoongAng Daily reported that Lee said that due to the “aspects of fairness on fulfilling mandatory military service, it is difficult to extend the alternative program system to BTS.” But a day prior, on September 19, a lawmaker from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea proposed a revision bill that would allow the pop titans with alternative service.

However, as per a report in KoreaJoongAng, Lee Ki Sik, the commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration, said the decisions around the exemption from the military should be dealt with quickly as “pop culture artists… may garner feelings of discrimination, discrepancy, and discouragement among the younger male generation who are fulfilling their military duties.”

What is the South Korean mandate for artists to join military service?

Under the current law, all able-bodied Korean men are obliged to serve in the military. But with the culture minister’s recommendation, international award-winning athletes and classical musicians can complete their service while remaining active professionally. They are called alternative service for 34 months. Three lawmakers proposed bills earlier in 2021 calling for those exemptions to apply to a wider range of artists.

BTS’ label HYBE’s CCO Lee Jin Hyung, back in April 2022, addressed ongoing concerns around the members of BTS’ pending military enlistment. At the press conference of their Las Vegas concert, Lee said, “It’s true that we are wary of speaking about this [matter], because we know how important the issue of military service is in Korea,” the CCO said, before adding, “We hope that a decision will be reached on the amendment to the Military Service Act as soon as possible.”

What is an alternative service? How does that affect BTS?

It is to be noted that the “BTS military service amendment” law was passed considering its clear implications for the group, which allows artists who receive the recommendation of the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to postpone their mandatory service until they turn 30 years old by international reckoning. As per the current law, BTS’ oldest member Jin, who turns 30 (international age) this year in 2022, has to enlist for military service by the end of 2022.

Lee Jin Hyung further said, “The BTS members have currently left the matter of their military service in the hands of the company. BTS has already conveyed the message multiple times that they will accept the call of duty when the nation calls them, and they have not changed that opinion. However, the policy on military service has changed a little, and as the members are experiencing changes to the Military Service Act that they did not expect, they are currently monitoring the situation while discussing the matter with the company.”

Jin Hyung further confirmed that while the company was wary of taking that decision for the group, the members left the matter in the hands of HYBE. He said, “The company told BTS that after the new amendment to the Military Service Act was proposed, we were wary of making a decision in regard to their military service, and the BTS members maturely accepted this and left the matter in the hands of the company.”

The HYBE CCO further explained, “To put it precisely, the policy on military service is changing, and it’s true that the BTS members are having a hard time because it’s difficult for them to predict the timing [of their military service]. Since it’s difficult for them to make plans, both the BTS members and the company are currently keeping a close eye on the proposed amendment. Ultimately, we plan to do our utmost so that a decision can be reached that is beneficial to both our society and BTS.”

“As the matter of BTS’s military service is something that the entire world is interested in, it appears that the debate [over the issue] is nearing an end both within society and within the National Assembly, so we hope that the issue will be resolved within this current National Assembly,” he continued. “If the issue passes on to the next National Assembly, the debate will continue without any promises, and because it’s true that the uncertainty [over BTS’s military service] is making things difficult, we hope that [the National Assembly] will reach a decision as soon as possible.”

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Zee TV is all set to introduce Main Hoon Aparajita featuring an ensemble cast of Shweta Tiwari and Manav Gohil. Set against the backdrop of Noida (Uttar Pradesh), the show focuses on the journey of Aparajita, a doting mother of 3 daughters, preparing them for a roller coaster called life. Joining this lead cast is yet another popular name from the television industry – Shweta Gulati.

For the uninitiated, Shweta Gulati gained fame as Tiya Ahuja in Remix, the teenage drama on Star One. Since then, the actress has been a part of several shows including Dil Mill Gaye. Now she will be seen in the role of Manav Gohil’s second wife on the show.  While Manav will be seen playing the role of Akshay, ex-husband of Aparajita, Gulati will be seen in the role of his second wife, Mohini Singh. Her character of Mohini is portrayed to be competitive, shrewd, territorial, narcissistic, and a control freak by nature. She is someone who believes anything of hers should only be hers. She is an orphan who never had any family relations and always wanted one of her own. Mohini’s intention is to destroy Aparajita’s reputation so that she can prove that she was always the right choice for Akshay.

Talking about her character Shweta Gulati said, “I’m delighted to be a part of a show Main Hoon Aparajita. There is so much joy in playing such roles. I have not played a part like this in my career so far. This character will require a lot of preparation – mentally and emotionally since it’s going to be my first one. However, my character will add high-voltage drama to the show because Mohini is Akshay’s second wife in the show.”

Interestingly, Shweta played the role of Manav’s student in Remix way back in 2006, in which Manav Gohil played the role of Debashish Mehra, a strict and shrewd dean of Maurya High. Recalling it, she went on to add, “I will also be reuniting with Manav after nearly 17 years and I still remember, that we were very young when we both started our journey on television. I am glad that I am getting the chance to play something so different this time. My experience with him is fantastic, and I am sure we will have fun shooting together. I hope I do justice to my character, and everyone appreciates my performance.”

Main Hoon Aparajita will premiere September 27. The show will air from Monday to Saturday at 7:30 pm on Zee TV.

Also Read: Karan Wahi’s birthday wish for Remix co-star Shweta Gulati will take you down the memory lane

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Last week, the celebrity dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10 bid adieu to Dadi aka Ali Asgar, who became the first contestant to be evicted. Now, we hear yet another contestant is going to be bidding farewell but without being eliminated. Kundali Bhagya star Dheeraj Dhoopar, who is known for his role as cricketer Karan Luthra, has been a part of this show. But after suffering a injury recently, reports have it, that the actor has decided to voluntarily exit Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.

As per recent reports, Dheeraj Dhoopar, who was impressing judges Karan Johar, Madhuri Dixit, and Nora Fatehi, with his performances, will be quitting the show. Reports have it that Dheeraj injured himself during a performance last week and is currently recouping from it. Considering that the actor is also going through an emotional journey with him turning father in real life for the first time, he is keen on spending time with his son. Amidst hectic dance and acting schedules, the actor seems to be struggling for time which further persuaded him to arrive at this decision.

According to a statement given to indianexpress.com, the source said, “Dheeraj injured himself last week and that affected his performance and became one of the lowest scored contestants. With the injury yet to heal it did not seem feasible for him to continue. He discussed the same with the makers who amicably agreed to let him go.” On the other hand, in a recent Instagram story shared by the actor, he had shared that the Colors channel had sent their best wishes with a cake and get well soon card for his speedy recovery.

Readers would be aware that Dheeraj Dhoopar and Shraddha Arya continue to be one of the most beloved onscreen couples on television. The two played the roles of Karan Luthra and Dr. Preetha Luthra in the ongoing serial Kundali Bhagya, which is one of the highest TRP-rated shows of Zee TV. The actor, however, quit the show earlier this year and was replaced by Shakti Arora.

As of now, Dheeraj Dhoopar will return to the small screen in the Colors’ serial Sherdill Shergill alongside Surbhi Chandna, in which he will be seen in the role of a stand-up comedian.

Also Read: TV actors Dheeraj Dhoopar and Vinny Arora welcome their first child and it’s a boy!

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Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey is confirmed to join the cast of Jon M. Chu’s musical adaptation of Wicked to portray the role of Fiyero in the two-part film. The film also stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

“He’s perfect, they’re perfect. They’d be perfect together. Born to be forever….. I am too excited to pretend this hasn’t been happening,” Chu wrote retweeting Variety’s story about Bailey’s potential casting in the film. “We have a Fiyero!!!! #JonathanBailey #Wicked.” Wicked is a prequel story to The Wizard of Oz, telling the story of how Elphaba became the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

“We decided to give ourselves a bigger canvas and make not just one ‘Wicked’ movie but two!” Chu wrote in a statement when announcing the film. “With more space, we can tell the story of ‘Wicked’ as it was meant to be told while bringing even more depth and surprise to the journeys for these beloved characters.” Chu also announced that Wicked would be split into two films released bowing out in Christmas 2024 and 2025.

Bailey is attached to portray the character of Fiyero, Elphaba’s love interest, who attends Shiz University with both her and Glinda. The actor will star alongside Ariana Grande who portrays Glinda the Good Witch and Cynthia Erivo who will play Elphaba. Fiyero has been played by Norbert Leo Butz, Aaron Tveit, Taye Diggs and Adam Lambert in various productions.

The screenplay for the adaptation comes from Stephen Schwartz, who wrote the music and lyrics to the original Broadway musical, and Winnie Holzman, with Marc Platt and David Stone as producers. Marc Platt will serve as producer for the films under Universal-based Marc Platt Productions. David Stone is also attached to produce.

Also Read: Regé-Jean Page addresses rumours surrounding his return to Bridgerton after reunion with co-star Jonathan Bailey in Milan

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Shakira is facing a legal battle after being charged with tax evasion. She addressed the issue calling the tax fraud allegations ‘false.’ The global singer spoke at length about the charges for the first time in a new interview, ahead of releasing her first album in five years.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Shakira had rejected a settlement offer sending the tax fraud case to trial. She was previously accused of failing to pay $15 million in taxes between 2012 and 2014 in Spain, a period in which the star says she was not living in the country.

According to court documents obtained by Reuters, Shakira was a resident there during that time frame, as she purchased a home in Barcelona in 2012. (Her official residence was listed as the Bahamas.) In addition to prison time, the filing calls for a fine of $24 million should she be found guilty.

In a recent interview with Elle magazine, the popstar dismissed the Spanish government’s claims as “false accusations,” saying that she plans to fight the case as a “matter of principle.” As the report notes, Shakira argues that she didn’t spend the necessary amount of time in the country for tax purposes, 183 days, because she was “busy fulfilling my professional commitments around the world” and affirmed, “as of today, I owe zero to [Spanish government].”

“I’ve paid everything they claimed I owed, even before they filed a lawsuit,” she said. “So as of today, I owe zero to them. And finally, I was advised by one of the four biggest tax specialist firms in the world, PricewaterhouseCoopers, so I was confident that I was doing things correctly and transparently from day one.”

She then explained, “However, even without evidence to support these fictional claims, as they usually do, they’ve resorted to a salacious press campaign to try to sway people and apply pressure in the media along with the threat of reputational damage in order to coerce settlement agreements.”

“It is well known that the Spanish tax authorities do this often not only with celebrities like me (or [Cristiano] Ronaldo, Neymar, [Xabi] Alonso, and many more), it also happens unjustly to the regular taxpayer. It’s just their style. But I’m confident that I have enough proof to support my case and that justice will prevail in my favor.”

A trial date is yet to be set.

Also Read: Shakira and Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué announce their split after 11 years

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