Entertainment

The small town of Helmscheid, a district of Korbach, Germany, was filled with energy and laughter this past Friday as residents and visitors alike celebrated Karneval. The highlight of the festivities was a demonstrate program at the packed Dorfgemeinschaftshaus, featuring a mix of skits, dances, and musical performances, culminating in the debut of a new Karneval anthem, “Helmscheid lebt, Helmscheid bebt” – “Helmscheid lives, Helmscheid vibrates.”

The evening kicked off promptly at 8:11 PM with a performance by the duo Marlies and Helga (Irina Saure and Madleen Behle), who playfully discussed the evolution of music tastes, referencing classics like “Die rote Sonne von Barbados” and “Ich liebe das Leben” alongside more contemporary artists like Ed Sheeran and Ricky Martin. Their performance concluded with a lighthearted dance to the tune of the Babybel cheese advertisement jingle, a nod to a universally enjoyed treat.

Following their act, Marlies and Helga introduced Moritz Schäfer from Berndorf as the new Karneval moderator. Schäfer quickly engaged the enthusiastic audience with a humorous observation: in Helmscheid, the word “no” is considered a malady and is actively discouraged. He playfully suggested that avoiding negative responses is a fast track to success within the community.

The “Donnerstagsrunde,” featuring Jannik Düsterwald and Florian Saure, presented a comedic discussion contrasting the roles of a shepherd and a civil servant, playfully comparing their daily tasks. Adding to the evening’s entertainment was Torsten Sträter (performed by Stefan Jedwabny) from Bochum, who recounted a recent mishap with his Mustang and his subsequent experience driving a Tesla as a loaner vehicle, sharing his witty observations with the crowd.

A humorous retelling of a “Bierdeckelvertrag” – a contract written on a beer coaster – from the previous year’s Karneval, involving Andreas Jochem and Ernst-Wilhelm Saure, provided a nostalgic moment. The performance was followed by a vibrant dance routine by the Nebe family, who channeled the iconic 90s girl group, the Spice Girls, performing their hit song “Wanna Be.”

The culmination of the show featured the premiere of “Helmscheid lebt, Helmscheid bebt,” a new Karneval song penned by Stefan Jedwabny, and a rousing rendition of “Elf Kölsche Jecke” performed by Pascal Dämmer. The performances were accompanied by energetic Polonaisen dances, prompting enthusiastic participation from the audience. The enthusiastic response led to multiple encore requests, and the celebrations continued well into the early hours of the morning, with the “Helmscheider Jecken” – the Karneval revelers of Helmscheid – continuing the festivities.

The success of this year’s Karneval underscores the strong community spirit in Helmscheid. The event drew a large crowd to the Dorfgemeinschaftshaus, demonstrating the enduring appeal of traditional Karneval celebrations. Further details about the event can be found in Monday’s edition of the Waldeckische Landeszeitung.

The town of Korbach, where Helmscheid is located, is also known for its proximity to the Diemelsee Nature Park and the Grenzwelten Geopark, offering visitors a blend of cultural experiences and natural beauty.

As the Karneval season continues across Germany, the energy and enthusiasm displayed in Helmscheid serve as a reminder of the importance of community, and celebration. The resounding success of “Helmscheid lebt, Helmscheid bebt” suggests it will become a beloved anthem for years to come, further solidifying the town’s Karneval traditions. Share your thoughts on the Karneval celebrations in the comments below!

Valentine’s Day often brings with it public displays of affection, but a recent post from NCT’s Haechan has sent fans into a frenzy, sparking renewed speculation about a possible romantic relationship with fellow member Mark. The post, shared on February 14th, featured a series of images predominantly showcasing Mark, accompanied by a caption that has been widely interpreted as a “hard launch” of a relationship. This isn’t the first time the pair, affectionately known as “MarkHyuck” by fans, have been the subject of dating rumors, but the latest development has ignited a new wave of excitement within the K-pop fandom.

The images, posted to Haechan’s official Instagram account (@haechanahceah), depict the two idols seemingly enjoying a casual outing together. What has particularly fueled the speculation is the accompanying caption: “Him and his stalker.” This playful phrasing, combined with the timing on Valentine’s Day, has led many fans to believe Haechan is subtly confirming a romantic connection. The post quickly went viral, with fans sharing screenshots and analyses across social media platforms.

Fans React to the “Hard Launch”

The reaction to Haechan’s post was immediate, and overwhelming. On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag #MarkHyuck began trending as fans shared their excitement and interpretations of the post. One user posted, “MARK FROM HAECHAN’S INSTAGRAM POST???? literally the first four pics out of six are just mark ohmygod haechan the hard launch???? 😭” accompanied by a screenshot of the images. See the tweet here. Another user wrote, “haechan posting all these pictures of mark on his instagram account and captioned it ‘him and his stalker’…he’s just spelling it out to the world that he’s madly in love.” View the post here. Fans also noted that Mark responded to the post with a like and a comment, further adding to the speculation.

A History of Playful Interaction

While the Valentine’s Day post has amplified the rumors, the close bond between Mark and Haechan has been well-documented for years. Known affectionately as “MarkHyuck” by their dedicated fanbase, the two members of NCT are frequently seen interacting playfully during variety shows, behind-the-scenes footage, and on social media. This established dynamic has led fans to consistently speculate about a potential romantic connection, though neither artist nor their agency, SM Entertainment, has ever confirmed any such relationship. The playful nature of their interactions has always been interpreted by some as simply a strong friendship, while others see it as a subtle indication of deeper feelings.

No Official Confirmation

As of February 15, 2026, neither Mark nor Haechan, nor SM Entertainment, have issued any official statement addressing the dating rumors. The speculation remains largely fueled by fan interpretations of the Instagram post and the duo’s history of close interaction. It’s essential to note that the term “hard launch,” while popular among social media users to describe a public reveal of a relationship, is not an official designation and relies on subjective interpretation. The NCT members have been busy recently, with NCT 127 preparing to release their upcoming album, “WALK,” which is set to revive aged-school hip-hop influences.

The lack of an official statement leaves the situation open to interpretation, and fans will likely continue to monitor the pair’s social media activity for further clues. It remains to be seen whether this Valentine’s Day post will lead to a formal announcement or remain a playful moment within the ongoing narrative of “MarkHyuck.”

What do you think of Haechan’s post? Share your thoughts in the comments below!