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International K-Pop Fans Thrill to Prospect of BTS Reunion 

Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for photos near an ARMY Bomb during the annual 2025 BTS Festa celebrating the BTS' debut anniversary in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for photos near an ARMY Bomb during the annual 2025 BTS Festa celebrating the BTS' debut anniversary in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
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International K-Pop Fans Thrill to Prospect of BTS Reunion 

Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for photos near an ARMY Bomb during the annual 2025 BTS Festa celebrating the BTS' debut anniversary in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for photos near an ARMY Bomb during the annual 2025 BTS Festa celebrating the BTS' debut anniversary in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)

Thousands of international fans of K-pop megastars BTS gathered on Friday in the suburbs of Seoul amid mounting excitement over an expected reunion of the group after its members complete mandatory service in the South Korean military.

This year's BTS Festa marks the 12th anniversary of the group, which last performed together in 2022 and has not toured since 2019 because of the global pandemic and subsequent military service obligations of its members.

It was unclear if any of the recently discharged performers would appear at the festival organized by the group's management agency, HYBE.

But that did not dampen the enthusiasm of fans, some of whom flew in from around the world hoping to spot some of the superstars at the gathering or at a pair of solo concerts by BTS rapper J-Hope as he wraps up his "Hope on the Stage" world tour.

"I want to enjoy everything because there are many things to do here and ... I hope to see the guys maybe," said Karla Linan Saucede, 33, who travelled from Mexico with her sister and friends.

"It's gone past excitement and into almost being numb," said Ayla O'Ryan, 45, from Scotland, adding that she planned a visit this month to practice Korean in the capital so that she could attend.

BTS' members Jimin and Jungkook discharged from the South Korean military on Wednesday, become the fifth and sixth to complete their service. Members RM and V were discharged on Tuesday and the last to finish will be Suga on June 21.

While details of a reunion have not been released, the group is expected to hold its largest ever world tour in 2026, says NH Securities, one of South Korea's largest investment firms.

Shares in HYBE jumped 11.3% in June as brokerages raised their sales estimates and target price for the agency ahead of the group's comeback.

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Entertainment

Singer Rosalia Quits Milan Concert with Food Poisoning

Rosalia is shown after winning the best international artist at the Brit Awards in February. Adrian Dennis / AFP/File
Rosalia is shown after winning the best international artist at the Brit Awards in February. Adrian Dennis / AFP/File
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Singer Rosalia Quits Milan Concert with Food Poisoning

Rosalia is shown after winning the best international artist at the Brit Awards in February. Adrian Dennis / AFP/File
Rosalia is shown after winning the best international artist at the Brit Awards in February. Adrian Dennis / AFP/File

Spanish singer Rosalia was forced to interrupt a concert in Italy halfway through due to food poisoning, according to fan footage posted on social media.

The 33-year-old Grammy-winning singer was performing at the Unipol Forum in Milan on Wednesday, when she stopped to tell the crowds she was feeling unwell, said AFP.

"I've tried to do this show. Since the beginning I've been sick. I've had big time food poisoning," she said in English in a video posted on X.

"I've tried to push it until the end, but I'm feeling extremely sick. I'm puking out there. I really want to give the best show, and I'm like in (on) the floor," she said.

After saying she would try to carry on if physically possible, a sad-looking Rosalia eventually blew a kiss to the crowds and -- with a hand on her stomach -- walked off stage.

Rosalia, hailed for her genre-defying versatility, was in Milan as part of a tour which began in France earlier this month and will end in Puerto Rico in September.

The singer, who won best international artist at the Brit Awards this month, has earned widespread praise for her fourth album "Lux".

The sweeping, spiritual work, released at the end of last year, marks a departure from her previous flamenco and R&B rhythms.

The album features lyrics sung in 13 languages including German, English and Sicilian in addition to her native Spanish.

Entertainment

Heavy Metal Memorabilia on Offer at Julien’s ‘Music Icons’ Auction

Executive director and Co-founder of Julien's Auctions Martin Nolan poses with Kiss original lead guitarist Ace Frehley's #1 1974 "Budokan" Triple Pickup Gibson Les Paul Custom, Cherry Sunburst guitar at the Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus, in London, Britain, March 24, 2026. (Reuters)
Executive director and Co-founder of Julien's Auctions Martin Nolan poses with Kiss original lead guitarist Ace Frehley's #1 1974 "Budokan" Triple Pickup Gibson Les Paul Custom, Cherry Sunburst guitar at the Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus, in London, Britain, March 24, 2026. (Reuters)
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Heavy Metal Memorabilia on Offer at Julien’s ‘Music Icons’ Auction

Executive director and Co-founder of Julien's Auctions Martin Nolan poses with Kiss original lead guitarist Ace Frehley's #1 1974 "Budokan" Triple Pickup Gibson Les Paul Custom, Cherry Sunburst guitar at the Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus, in London, Britain, March 24, 2026. (Reuters)
Executive director and Co-founder of Julien's Auctions Martin Nolan poses with Kiss original lead guitarist Ace Frehley's #1 1974 "Budokan" Triple Pickup Gibson Les Paul Custom, Cherry Sunburst guitar at the Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus, in London, Britain, March 24, 2026. (Reuters)

From an ‌array of guitars to stage-worn costumes, memorabilia from the world of heavy metal is on offer in Julien's Auctions upcoming "Music Icons" sale and on display in London over coming weeks.

Items belonging to Ace Frehley, the original lead Kiss guitarist, are among the highlights, including a 1977 tour jacket.

The star lot is the 1974 Gibson ‌Les Paul ‌Ace #1, used on stage and in ‌the ⁠studio by Frehley, ⁠who died last year. It has a price estimate of $400,000 - $600,000.

"He was tremendously attached to this guitar... it’s part of his history," Martin Nolan, executive director and co-founder of Julien's Auctions, told Reuters at ⁠a press preview on Tuesday at London's ‌Hard Rock ‌Cafe in Piccadilly Circus.

"And sadly, he's no longer ‌with us. So the guitar and ‌the items of clothing that he wore are the conversation pieces that keep that legacy alive, keep that memory alive."

Guitars played by Metallica's ‌Kirk Hammett and Motley Crue co-founder Mick Mars among others are ⁠also ⁠on offer in the auction.

A selection of the lots will be on display in the windows of London's Hard Rock Cafe in Piccadilly Circus until April 13, before going on show at Hard Rock Cafe Tokyo on April 27.

The "Music Icons" auction, which Nolan said features more than 700 items across genres, will take place May 29-30 at Hard Rock Cafe Times Square in New York.

Entertainment

Now a True Pop Star, Miley Cyrus Returns to her 'Hannah Montana' Roots to Fete Anniversary Special

Miley Cyrus attends the world premiere for the television show "Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special" in Los Angeles, California, US, March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
Miley Cyrus attends the world premiere for the television show "Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special" in Los Angeles, California, US, March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
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Now a True Pop Star, Miley Cyrus Returns to her 'Hannah Montana' Roots to Fete Anniversary Special

Miley Cyrus attends the world premiere for the television show "Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special" in Los Angeles, California, US, March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
Miley Cyrus attends the world premiere for the television show "Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special" in Los Angeles, California, US, March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Sporting that “Hannah Montana” blonde hair and bangs, Miley Cyrus went back to her roots — celebrating 20 years of the TV show that launched the career of a real-life pop star.

Cyrus reunited with cast members of “Hannah Montana” in Los Angeles Monday evening for the premiere of the “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special.”

Cyrus told The Associated Press that the milestone has given her a chance to see the character and series from “a new perspective.” Cyrus, who began the Disney Channel show at age 13, played Miley Stewart, a tween and middle-schooler hiding her secret life as a famous pop singer.

“Getting to be on the outside now, getting to be grown and be a part of it in a way that I couldn’t when I was in the middle of it before, and all the chaos and the schedule and the performing of it all,” Cyrus said, “now it just gets to be a celebration. So it is a new perspective. I love that.”

The anniversary special, which started streaming Tuesday on Disney+ and Hulu, celebrates 20 years since the show’s premiere. Filmed in front of a live audience, it features music, archival footage and an interview with Cyrus — now 33 and a genuine pop star — conducted by podcast host Alex Cooper.

Addressing the audience at the premiere, Cyrus paid tribute both to fellow cast members and fans. “Without you all, this show would have never been what it is, and I love saying what it is, not what it was,” she said.

“Tonight isn’t about looking back into the past, but it’s about what it means to us still tonight,” she said.

Jason Earles, who played Miley’s brother Jackson, told the AP that watching the show now highlights how much time has passed.

“I think if you go back and you watch the episodes, there’s enough dated references like old flip phones and stuff that you go, ‘Oh no, no, this show was a little while ago,'” he said.

Cody Linley, who played Miley’s on-and-off boyfriend Jake Ryan, reflected on the impact of portraying a teen heartthrob.

“It’s hard to believe that there were girls that had pictures of me with my shirt off in their locker and they would have me sign it,” Linley said. “And it’s hard not to let it go to your head, because you have to remember that it’s an image that they are seeing. It’s not you.”

Also attending the premiere was country singer Lainey Wilson, who recalled working as a “Hannah Montana” impersonator early in her career.

“From 8th grade to 12th grade, five years of my life, I would open up the show as Lainey Wilson, I would run behind a tree and put on my ‘Hannah Montana’ get-up,” the singer said. “I did birthday parties, fairs, festivals ... I was hitting the roads.”