Amidst the buzz of his latest drama 'Lovely Runner,' Byeon Woo Seok, the heartthrob behind the trend, took a moment for an interview at a charming cafe in Gangnam, Seoul on June 3 KST.

Despite diving into his third consecutive day of media engagements, Byeon Woo Seok exuded sincerity and warmth, captivating with his undeniable charm.

In 'Lovely Runner,' adapted from a web novel, Byeon Woo Seok steps into the shoes of Ryu Seon Jae, the enigmatic lead vocalist of the famed band Eclipse.

His portrayal, reminiscent of the nostalgic allure of high school crushes, has sparked what fans fondly dub the 'Seonjae fever,' complementing his character's confident visuals with a touch of tender romance.

Reflecting on his role, Byeon Woo Seok shared, "I've always had a soft spot for romantic comedies, and this project resonated with me because it encapsulates love as a selfless act of devotion."

Drawing parallels to Noah from 'The Notebook,' he mused on the essence of his character, a sentiment he previously expressed in an interview surrounding the 2022 Netflix film '20th Century Girl.'

When quizzed about his approach to relationships in real life, he confessed, "I tend to invest deeply in emotional connections," mirroring the sentiments of his on-screen persona, Ryu Seon Jae.

Recalling an earlier discussion on his ideal partner, Byeon Woo Seok emphasized the importance of compatible personalities over fleeting physical attributes. "Appearances fluctuate," he reasoned, "but meaningful conversation forms the cornerstone of any relationship." Amid playful banter from interviewers regarding his somewhat conventional stance, he stood firm, asserting, "But it's the truth. Communication is key."

Pressed to divulge another aspect of his ideal type beyond the commonplace, Byeon Woo Seok deliberated for a brief moment before revealing, "I prefer someone who refrains from swearing," adding with a chuckle, "It might sound trivial, but I appreciate genteel speech."

Source: [1]

NewJeans' Minji touched fans' hearts with a handwritten letter on her birthday — even while the group is currently unable to promote due to legal issues.

On May 7, Minji celebrated her birthday by sharing a heartfelt message on the group’s personal SNS account, which the members opened themselves to stay connected with fans.

Minji began her letter with honesty, writing, “I think I’m living a busier life than I expected. When I finally looked up, it was already May, and it was my birthday.”

She admitted that she had a lot she wanted to say, but her thoughts felt “messy.” Still, her message to fans was clear, “I just hope that I, our members, and Bunnies can all be happy. Happiness is the biggest goal in my life.”

Minji then opened up about her personal journey and struggles, saying, “I sometimes think that running toward my happiness by doing what I love might look foolish to others. But isn’t giving up your happiness now for the sake of a future that might not even come… too harsh on yourself?”

Despite everything, she ended on a hopeful note, “I really miss the times when we shared our feelings through the good music we made together. But I always look forward to what’s ahead."

She added, "We didn’t stop here, and we’re not going to stop! It might look like we’re standing still, but I believe we’re growing deeper.”

Her message comes during a difficult time for NewJeans. The group announced last year that they were cutting ties with ADOR, their original agency, after trust was broken. They later began working independently under the new name ‘NJZ’.

However, ADOR responded with legal action — claiming the exclusive contract with NewJeans was still valid and asking the court to stop the group from promoting or signing deals.

The court sided with ADOR and granted an injunction, forcing NewJeans to pause their activities. Their appeal was rejected, and they’ve now filed a second appeal.

Through it all, Minji’s message proves one thing — even when forced to stop, NewJeans' hearts are still moving forward.

Source: [1]