Wrap-up of K-POP Issues for the 1st Week of November! Minho's Marathon Foul, Mark's New Song Controversy, and Updates on Bestie

A comprehensive summary of K-POP hot issues for the 1st week of November! We highlight only the key points, from SHINee's Minho completing the full course of the JTBC Seoul Marathon and the controversy surrounding favoritism and on-site testimonies, to the reaction to Mark's new song 'Happiest' as he embarked on a solo career after leaving NCT, and the latest updates on the Bestie members who reunited following the chart resurgence of 'Conditions of Dating' after 13 years.

1. Controversy over SHINee Minho's marathon 'favoritism' and conflicting on-site testimonies

SHINee's Minho completed his first-ever full marathon at the '2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon' held on November 1st. His record was an incredible 3 hours, 00 minutes, and 18 seconds, a monstrous time that was just 18 seconds short of the 'Sub-3' time, which is considered the dream of amateur runners.

However, immediately after finishing the race, a video was uploaded to online communities showing a pacemaker runner following behind appearing to push Minho's waist and back with their hands, causing a widespread controversy over the so-called "marathon foul (pushing)."

Pointing out regulation violations: It was pointed out that, according to the Korea Athletics Federation rules, physical assistance to boost momentum is strictly prohibited except for supporting a fallen athlete during a race, and can result in disqualification without warning.

Counterarguments from participants on the scene: On the other hand, the testimonies of marathon participants present at the scene were quite different. Opinions poured in, stating, "It is an amateur festival where it is common to see ordinary participants holding hands and pulling or pushing each other once the distance exceeds 20km, but a particularly strict standard is being applied just because they are celebrities."

30km Runner Companion Review: A runner who ran about 30km with Minho shared on social media, "We just ran while forming a protected zone to prevent the flow from getting tangled by the crowds of fans and filming crews, and Minho was truly serious about the run, cheering on the other participants."

Minho's Apology and Decision: As the controversy grew, Minho posted an apology on Instagram on the 3rd, stating, "As someone who loves sports, I am ashamed and sorry," and neatly wrapped up the situation by announcing that he would not accept the marathon results and would voluntarily return the official record.

👉 [ Check out vivid reviews from runners on site and the full text of Minho's apology right now ]

2. Why Mark’s New Song 'Happiest,' Embarking on a Solo Journey, Sparked Controversy Overseas for Sounding Like Church Music

Mark, who left NCT to establish the independent label 'Upper Room,' released a preview video ahead of the release of his new solo song 'Happiest' on November 6, and the community was turned upside down by a unique reaction from overseas listeners.

New Song Sound: It is an alternative pop R&B genre, and unlike NCT's existing style which was intense and heavily hip-hop based, it has a very calm, warm, and comfortable sound.

Overseas X Reactions: Humorous yet sharply mocking reactions such as "It sounds like music by a young pastor," "It sounds like background music for a megachurch youth group service (CCM)," and even "It sounds like something that would be played at a conservative rally in the U.S." recorded tens of thousands of retweets.

Background with a religious frame: This is because a 'Christian and conservative nuance' frame was imposed on the group among the overseas fandom, due to a combination of factors: the label name 'Upper Room' being inspired by the 'Upper Room' in the Bible, various religious speculations surrounding the process of their past departure, and the previous controversy over vintage clothing.

Domestic Fandom Reaction: Domestic reactions are somewhat relaxed. The majority of responses suggest waiting for the full version of the song, with comments such as, "It’s fascinating how different the vocal tone is from when he was in NCT," and "He produced a sophisticated version in the style of modern American indie pop, so it’s unfair that overseas memes have been attached to him."

👉 [ Go check out real-time overseas reactions and the preview video for Mark's new song 'Happiest' ]

3. The Miracle of 'Conditions of Love' Reversing Charts After 13 Years! Updates on the Four Distinct Colors of the Four Bestie Members

Riding the short-form algorithm, their 2013 song "Conditions of Love" made a dramatic comeback by re-entering the top ranks of the Melon chart, and now Bestie has officially announced a full group reunion on October 17, 2026, the 13th anniversary of the song's release!

The current status of the four members, who have been fiercely building their careers in their respective fields since the disbandment, is also becoming a hot topic.

Hyeyeon : A perfect transformation into a trot singer! Having been active consecutively on TV Chosun's 'Miss Trot 2', 'King of Singers', and recently 'King of Singers 3', she is currently active as a 'Top Trot Instructor' alongside a solid fanbase among middle-aged and older audiences.

maintain: She established herself as a top diva in the musical world after appearing on 'The King of Mask Singer' and 'Sing Again 2'. She has taken on leading roles in major productions such as *Notre Dame de Paris*, *Jekyll and Hyde*, *Frida*, and *The Rose of Versailles*, showcasing her overwhelming vocal talent.

Dahye: She is the protagonist who appeared on 'Transfer Love 3' and caused the entire nation to become overly invested with her 13-year long-term relationship story! After the show, she received great congratulations for the news of her reconciliation with Seo Dong-jin, and following the release of her solo album, she even succeeded in making her stage debut with the musical <The Hague>.

Sea Ridge: She is dedicating herself to her acting career based on solid acting skills befitting a former child actor. After changing her stage name to 'Handara,' she made a special appearance in the drama *7 People Escape* and is currently starring as the female lead in the short-form drama *To the Xs I Loved*.

👉 [ See more details on BESTIE members' individual activities and the story of their full group reunion ]

4. Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is SHINee's Minho's JTBC Seoul Marathon record officially recognized?

A. No, Minho crossed the finish line in 3 hours 00 minutes 18 seconds, but after a controversy over favoritism arose, he consulted with the organizers and decided to voluntarily return his official record and not accept the result.

Q. When will Mark's new song 'Happiest' be officially released?

A. All songs will be officially released on domestic and international music sites at 2 PM on November 6.

Q. When was Bestie's song 'Conditions of Love' first released?

A. It is a masterpiece released on October 17, 2013, produced by the famous producer Brave Brothers. It achieved a resurgence 13 years after its release through a social media challenge, which even led to the members' reunion.