GOT7's Park Jinyoung is opening up about his military service and his thoughts on life after returning to civilian life.

Recently, the idol and actor graced the cover of The Star magazine’s 2025 New Year issue, where he gave fans a glimpse into his unique charm with a winter-themed photo shoot, featuring dry branches and biting into a bright red apple, showing off his youthful yet mature look.

After finishing his military service, Park Jinyoung reflected on the experience and shared how he felt about his discharge.

“It wasn’t easy waiting for a year and a half. But I’m really grateful to everyone who sent messages of support,” he said. “There were tough moments, but spending time with my fellow soldiers felt like a healing moment. As a Korean man, I’m proud to have completed this chapter.”

Looking back on his time in the military, Park Jinyoung explained how it helped him grow. “I learned that there are so many different people in the world, and it’s okay not to follow a set path. I used to have a very rigid mindset, but after the military, I realized it’s fine to think more flexibly about life and not be stuck on just one way of living.”

Now that he’s back to his busy career, Park Jinyoung is hard at work. “I’m filming a drama right now and preparing for GOT7’s album. There’s also a drama I filmed before my enlistment that will be airing soon, so I’ve been really busy,” he shared.

His upcoming drama The Witch marks his return to acting, where he plays a character who risks his life to protect his loved ones. When asked what he’d risk his life for, he answered, “My family and my loved ones.”

He also shared his thoughts on love, saying, “Love is like air. It’s invisible and intangible, but we can’t live without it. Love takes many forms—family love, friendship love, and romantic love. Even though it’s unseen, it connects us all and helps us live.”

Regarding GOT7’s upcoming reunion after nearly three years, Park Jinyoung said, “It’s been a while since we were all together. It felt like the members sent me back to my early 20s. It’s exciting to see how much we’ve grown, and we’re doing our own music now. I’m really proud of that. Even though group activities are limited, I’m excited to make memories with our fans until the end.”

He also joked, “It feels like we’re making an album, not to gather, but to gather and make an album.” He added, “All the members wrote songs.”

Finally, when asked to finish the sentence “Park Jinyoung is __,” he chose the word “freedom”. “I’m a free person with the passion to do anything”, he explained. “I want to keep changing, live well in any way, and just live a good life”.

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IU has once again warmed hearts with her sweet and caring nature — this time by personally helping young actress Kim Tae Yeon get ready for her very first awards show.

The two actresses both played the same character, Ae Soon, in different stages of life in the Netflix drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines". IU played the adult version while Kim Tae Yeon touched viewers with her emotional performance as young Ae Soon.

Even though Kim Tae Yeon doesn’t have an agency yet, IU made sure the young star wouldn’t be alone. According to insiders, IU personally visited a dress shop with Kim Tae Yeon to help her pick out a beautiful outfit. She even helped with hair and makeup plans, making sure Tae Yeon could shine at the upcoming 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, where both actresses are nominated.

Kim Tae Yeon’s mom posted about the moment on Instagram, saying:

“Tae Yeon met IU unnie and told me to say thank you. Words aren’t enough to express how grateful we are. We were so surprised by her unexpected visit, and her thoughtful care truly touched our hearts. Thank you again to IU for the gift.”

The post also showed a happy Kim Tae Yeon holding IU’s present and choosing a dress — a moment that melted fans’ hearts.

IU is well-known in the industry for her generosity and kindness. While filming "You Have Done Well", she reportedly gave thoughtful gifts and created a warm, friendly vibe on set for everyone, from co-stars to staff.

The drama itself became a big hit, earning praise both in Korea and overseas. IU, Park Bo Gum, Yeom Hye Ran, Choi Dae Hoon, and Kim Tae Yeon all received Baeksang nominations — a huge achievement, especially for the young star.

Kim Tae Yeon, born in 2011, has been acting since she was little and appeared in dramas like Crash Landing on You, A Dog’s Love Today, and Gyeongseong Creature. But her powerful acting in "When Life Gives You Tangerines" truly made people cry, smile, and remember her name.

IU didn’t stop at helping Kim Tae Yeon. She also invited fellow cast members Moon So Ri, Park Hae Joon, Ahn Tae Rin, and more to her concert, sending them gifts to show her love and support.

In an earlier interview, IU talked about giving gifts to so many people. She humbly said,

“As I do more projects, there are more people I’m thankful for, but it’s not as hard as people think. I just hope the people receiving the gifts feel happy.”

Talking about the drama, she added,

“It was such a grand project. Just being part of it was a blessing. It made me think, ‘Ji Eun, you really experienced something amazing.’ I’m grateful I could work with such great people.”

Once again, IU has proved she’s not just a talented singer and actress — she’s also a true “Good Deed Queen.”

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