Bristol Palin is sharing a candid—and difficult—update on the facial paralysis that has affected her for nearly a year.

On Saturday, January 3, the 35-year-old daughter of Sarah Palin told followers that her condition is “not looking great.” Palin has been unable to move the left side of her face since January 2025, a condition doctors originally diagnosed as Bell’s palsy.

Botox and persistence

“Not a whole lot of movement,” Palin said while removing her sunglasses to show the camera. She revealed plans to use Botox to manage her left eye, which “gets so small” when she tries to smile. Despite the “grim” update, she maintained her trademark humor, joking, “At least I’ve got cute sunglasses.”

In the high-energy world of K-pop, few vocalists carry as much respect and legacy as Kim Ryeowook. As a cornerstone of the “Kings of Hallyu,” Super Junior, Ryeowook has spent nearly two decades captivating audiences with his crystalline high notes and emotional depth. However, in 2024, the “Little Prince” of K-pop dominated headlines not for a new album, but for a beautiful personal milestone that shook the fandom in the best way possible.

If you’ve been searching for the latest on the Ryeowook wedding or seeking clarity on long-standing rumors like “is Ryeowook gay?”, this article provides the definitive look at his current life and the facts behind the viral news.

Is Ryeowook Married? The Official 2024 Update

For fans wondering “is Ryeowook married?”, the answer is a joyous yes.

On May 26, 2024, Ryeowook officially tied the knot with his long-term girlfriend, Ari (Kim Sun-young), a former member of the K-pop girl group TAHITI. The news was first shared by Ryeowook himself in a heartfelt handwritten letter on Instagram in March 2024. He expressed that after dating for nearly four years, a desire to form a family with her “naturally emerged.”

The wedding was held as a private ceremony in Seoul, attended by close family, friends, and a star-studded guest list from the Korean entertainment industry.

The Viral Ryeowook Wedding: A Historic OT15 Reunion

The Ryeowook wedding became a landmark event for the Super Junior fandom (E.L.F.) because it achieved something many thought impossible: a reunion of all 15 members of Super Junior (past and present).

According to reports from The Times of India and AsiaOne, the attendees included:

• Active Members: Leeteuk, Heechul, Yesung, Shindong, Eunhyuk, Siwon, Donghae, and Kyuhyun.
• Former/Hiatus Members: Han Geng, Kangin, Kibum, and Sungmin.
• Super Junior-M Members: Henry Lau and Zhou Mi.

In a moment that went viral globally, the members took the stage to perform their 2009 mega-hit “Sorry, Sorry,” marking the first time in over a decade that the original lineup was seen supporting one another in such a meaningful way.

Addressing the Speculation: Is Ryeowook Gay?

Throughout his career, the search query “is Ryeowook gay?” has been a common point of curiosity among casual observers. This speculation largely stemmed from K-pop’s unique culture of “skinship” (physical affection between members) and Ryeowook’s “flower boy” aesthetic and sensitive personality.

However, Ryeowook’s relationship history and his marriage to Ari have provided a clear answer to these rumors. The couple went public with their relationship in September 2020 after being introduced by a mutual acquaintance. Since then, Ryeowook has been open about his devotion to his partner, effectively putting an end to the long-standing theories about his sexual orientation.

Who is Ryeowook’s Wife, Ari?

Ari, born in 1994, is a talented artist in her own right. She debuted in 2012 with the group TAHITI and later transitioned into acting and musical theater after the group’s disbandment in 2018. The couple’s shared background in the music and musical theater industry is often cited as a strong foundation for their relationship.

Why This Matters for K-pop Culture

Ryeowook is only the second member of Super Junior to get married (following Sungmin in 2014). In an industry where idols’ personal lives are often strictly managed, Ryeowook’s transparent and celebrated marriage marks a shift toward a healthier “Idol-Fan” relationship.

The support he received from SM Entertainment and the global E.L.F. community shows that fans are increasingly prioritizing the happiness and maturity of their favorite artists. As reported by Pinkvilla, Ryeowook even serenaded his bride with a special song during the ceremony, a moment that fans celebrated as a testament to his character.

American stand-up comedian Joe Machi has faced substantial judgment from fans worldwide because of his unusual voice and demeanor. Some fans are even convinced that the talented comedian is indeed a she-man.

How true are these rumors? Is Machi indeed transgender? Find out below!

Machi Told His Parents He Is Gay

In a YouTube video uploaded on March 20, 2019, Machi unveiled how he confessed to his parents he is gay.

However, it was later revealed that this was more of a stunt to see his parent’s reaction to the news.

As per the same video, Machi’s gay friend once told him that he [Machi] could never understand the feeling of confessing about gay sexuality to his parents.

Machi argued that he could because one doesn’t necessarily need to be gay to confess it.

Machi continued that he told his parents he was gay. Later, he came clean to his parents and recanted his words. His father responded that perhaps he [Machi] was right the first time and gay after all. 

Fans Think He Is a Transgender

This Week at the Comedy Cellar‘s cast has been facing transgender ridicule for quite some time now—some of his fans are very supportive, and some are neutral regarding his sexuality.

Nevertheless, people do seem to have made up their minds and believe that Machi is transgender. 

Machi Jokes About Being Mistaken for a Woman

Because of his high-pitched voice and baffling appearance, the famed stand-up comedian is considered a transgender person.

However, there is no factual proof or statement from Machi’s side to buttress this allegation.

But the comedian has often admitted to being confused for a woman on several occasions, including in Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show.

In another event, while performing stand-up, Marchi shared a funny incident where he was thought to be a female by a stranger.

The stranger thought so after hearing Machi’s voice on the microphone. Later, when Machi met the stranger in person, he was yet again mistaken as the comedian was referred to as “ma’am” by the same stranger.

He also recalled passing through a similarly awkward situation when he visited Disney World a few years ago. In that incident, Machi was acknowledged as “the meanest pregnant lady ever” by a child.