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With one week left until its release, the film "The Odyssey" has surpassed 170,000 in advance ticket sales.

According to the Korean Film Council's ticketing rate aggregation on the 30th, "The Odyssey" recorded a ticketing rate of 16.2% and 178,000 in presales, placing second behind "Spider-Man: Brand New Day".

This figure surpasses the 139,000 presales recorded during the same period by Christopher Nolan's previous highest record holder, "Oppenheimer".

Having opened first in North America and many other overseas countries, "The Odyssey" is sparking a global box office sensation by surpassing $639.6 million in worldwide box office revenue.

Christopher Nolan is a director who enjoys high trust from domestic audiences. Expectations are also high for the technological challenge, as it is his new work released two years after "Oppenheimer" and the first feature film shot entirely with IMAX 70mm film cameras. Currently, the box office features fierce competition between "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" and "HOPE", but a three-way race is anticipated with the addition of "The Odyssey" next week.

"The Odyssey" will open in domestic theaters on August 5. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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The devastating true story of Typhoon Rusa, recorded as the worst typhoon in South Korea's history, and how Gangneung almost vanished from the map will be revealed.

Aired at 10:20 p.m. on the 30th, the SBS current affairs program "Tails of Tales" features an episode titled "Forgotten People - Typhoon Rusa," with singer Kim Jung-min, DARA, and actor Park Jung-hwa joining as listeners to share memories of that day.

This broadcast shines a light on the shocking reality of Typhoon Rusa, which caused the most casualties in the 21st century and left behind over 5 trillion won in property damage. The tragic situation of the time—so severe that the typhoon's name was retired due to 23,000 flood victims and 48 deaths in Gangneung alone—is vividly conveyed. In particular, after hearing the stories of people who lost their grip on family members and became separated, DARA shed tears, saying, "Losing family is a lifelong pain."

The behind-the-scenes story of the desperate situation will also be shared, including how the gates of the Obong Dam, holding 14 million tons of water, could not be opened, leading to considerations of using dynamite, and the all-night deliberation over issuing a total evacuation order for Gangneung, alongside the heartwarming stories of Gangneung citizens struggling to save one another.

Vivid accounts of flood damage from the listeners follow. Singer Kim Jung-min recalled, "I was a high school student during the 1984 Seoul great flood. Our house was on the second floor of a row house, and the water rose all the way up to the front door. You couldn't walk on the streets, and Mangwon Market was completely submerged." Actor Park Jung-hwa shared, "There was a time four years ago when Daechi-dong flooded. When I came out of the parking lot, water got into my car. The water rose up to my ankles, and I was so terrified I had a panic attack. The fear from Typhoon Rusa in Gangneung must have been hundreds of times greater than what I experienced."

The desperate story of Typhoon Rusa, which swallowed South Korea, and the people who overcame it will be revealed on "Tails of Tales," airing tonight at 10:20 p.m.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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The film "My Name," which deals with the tragedy of the Jeju April 3 incident, has won the Audience Award at the 25th New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF).

The film won the Audience Award with the enthusiastic support of audiences at the 25th New York Asian Film Festival, which wrapped up its run on July 26. The Audience Award is determined by votes from festival attendees. "My Name" clinched the honor by surpassing formidable candidate works such as Canada's "Montreal, Beautiful My."

"My Name" is a generational empathy mystery drama in which an 18-year-old boy named Young-ok, who wants to escape his unstylish name, and his mother Jeong-soon, who carries the painful memories of Jeju in 1949, face a brilliant truth across 78 chilling years. Jeong-soon's life blooming past the tragedy of history and the delicate perspective on family are delivering an unforgettable, heavy lingering impression to audiences not only domestically but all around the world.

Having generated buzz even before its release through an official invitation to the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, "My Name" is receiving an even more enthusiastic response overseas thanks to director Chung Ji-young's in-depth perspective and Yeom Hye-ran's passionate performance. Following its win at the 28th Udine Far East Film Festival and the Audience Award at the 25th New York Asian Film Festival, the film is continuing a relay of international film festival awards and invitations, including an official invitation to the competition section of the 14th Asian Film Festival Barcelona and the panorama (non-competition) section of the 26th Kaohsiung Film Festival in Taiwan.

The work was released domestically on April 15 and drew 220,000 moviegoers nationwide. It is currently available on various platforms through IPTV and VOD services.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Director Lee Chang-dong has been selected as the recipient of the TIFF Ebert Director Award (TIFF Ebert Director Award by The Tory Family) at the Tribute Awards of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival.

Following the significant buzz generated by the official invitation of his new film "Possible Love" to the Special Presentations section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, Director Lee Chang-dong has earned the honor of receiving the TIFF Ebert Director Award at the Tribute Awards.

The Tribute Awards are held annually by the Toronto International Film Festival to celebrate extraordinary cinematic achievements and contributions. The TIFF Ebert Director Award, received by Director Lee Chang-dong, was established in honor of the renowned American film critic Roger Ebert and honors visionary directors who have driven groundbreaking changes in the film industry.

While the award has previously been presented to master filmmakers such as Guillermo del Toro, Mike Leigh, Spike Lee, Sam Mendes, Denis Villeneuve, and Chloé Zhao, Director Lee Chang-dong has become the first Korean director to have his name added to the list.

The 51st Toronto International Film Festival will take place in Toronto, Canada, from September 10 to 20, and the Tribute Awards ceremony will be held on September 13.

Director Lee Chang-dong has received acclaim from major international film festivals, having won the Best Director award at the Venice International Film Festival for "Oasis", the Best Screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival for "Poetry", and the FIPRESCI Prize at the Cannes Film Festival for "Burning".

His new film "Possible Love" is meeting international audiences after advancing to the competition section of the Venice International Film Festival and being invited to the Gala Presentations section of the Toronto International Film Festival.

Drawing intense attention as Director Lee Chang-dong's first new work in 8 years and for bringing together Korea's representative actors Jeon Do-yeon, Sol Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung, and Cho Yeo-jeong, "Possible Love" is scheduled to open in theaters on September 23 and be released via Netflix on November 6.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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"Eum Moon-suk, Eum Moon-suk, Eum Moon-suk is..."

Actor Eum Moon-suk shared his deep emotions after director Bong Joon-ho mentioned his name and praised his acting skills during a recent GV (guest visit) event for the film "HOPE".

During an interview held in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 29th to commemorate the release of the film "HOPE", Eum Moon-suk mentioned director Bong Joon-ho's praise, saying, "I watched that video more than 100 times. It was an honor just to hear my name, 'Eum Moon-suk,' 'Mr. Eum Moon-suk,' coming from his mouth. I am so grateful. I loved it so much," and smiled brightly.

Eum Moon-suk showed a humble attitude, saying, "On top of that, he even praised my acting. I was so happy. Honestly, it felt like an overestimation, so I made up my mind to practice acting even harder."

Director Bong Joon-ho highly praised Eum Moon-suk's acting in "HOPE", saying, "His face itself looked more alien than an alien. Although it must be an expression through acting, the movement of his oral cavity and lower jaw itself was so bizarre and astonishing. His facial expressiveness and rhythm are incredible."

Having caught the eye of the master, expectations for casting calls are naturally rising as well. Regarding this, Eum Moon-suk answered without hesitation, "If a casting call comes, I will run over the moment the phone rings."

Eum Moon-suk stated, "Every actor wants to discover a different side of themselves on the screen. I think 'HOPE' made that desire of mine a reality. When I go to stage greetings, people don't even know that I appeared in the movie. That is why I always start by delivering Yang-bae's line, 'It's at my house, I'm telling you!' I look forward to hearing from directors who will discover another side of me."

Eum Moon-suk took on the role of 'Yang-bae', the root cause of all trouble, in the film "HOPE", delivering a strong performance in the middle and latter halves through hard-to-recognize special makeup and unique acting.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Actor Jung Ilwoo attends a press conference for the Amazon Prime series "Criminals" held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 30th, posing for photos.

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Director Matsunaga Daishi (left) and actor Jung Ilwoo pose for photos at a press conference for the Amazon Prime series "Criminals," held on the afternoon of the 30th at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Director Matsunaga Daishi attends a press conference for the Amazon Prime series "Criminals" held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 30th and is giving his greetings.

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Actor Jung Ilwoo is giving a greeting as he attends the press conference for the Amazon Prime series "Criminals" held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 30th.

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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As the Netflix series "The East Palace" continues its global box office run, its in-universe mascot, "Kkeomeoksali," has garnered explosive popularity, confirming the release of official merchandise.

Depicting the story of Gucheon (Nam Joohyuk), who has the ability to cross between the worlds of spirits, court lady Saenggang (Roh Yoonseo) who hides a secret, and the King (Cho Seung-woo) as they investigate the curse of "The East Palace," the series has achieved immense popularity by entering Netflix's Global TOP 10 Non-English Shows chart at No. 2 in its second week of release and ranking No. 1 in TV-OTT integrated drama buzz for two consecutive weeks.

Along with the drama's success, interest in "Kkeomeoksali," the spirit guardian by Gucheon's side, is also soaring. Originating from urban legends and born like a companion spirit, Kkeomeoksali has captured the hearts of global fans, earning affectionate nicknames such as "Joseon Groot" and "Post-Duffy."

The lead actors also hold deep affection for the character. Nam Joohyuk shared, "Because it is a very special presence that helps Gucheon, I grew particularly attached to it," while Roh Yoonseo expressed her affection, saying, "Even though it looks small and cute, it has a surprising twist of charm, being strong enough to harm other spirits, making it a cheat-like character."

As fans continued to create voluntary secondary creations and merchandise utilizing AI and 3D printers, Netflix responded to fan support by officially confirming the release of official Kkeomeoksali merchandise. Five types of keyrings and two types of Musinsa Standard collaboration T-shirts are scheduled to be released in August through MUSINSA DROP.

Meanwhile, "The East Palace" consists of a total of 8 episodes and was released in full on Netflix on the 17th.

[Photo = Netflix]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Following criticism for reviving the "museopno" controversy surrounding the group RESCENE, former Chungju public official-turned-broadcaster Kim Seon-tae has quickly issued an apology.

Kim posted a video titled "I'm Sorry" on his YouTube channel on the 30th to offer an immediate apology. He began by saying, "Hello, this is Kim Seon-tae. First, I sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt by the pre-release video of 'Donseontae Successful Era' uploaded to the KBS YouTube channel yesterday."

He explained the timeline of when he became aware of the controversy. Kim stated, "I first saw the pre-release video yesterday around 8:40 PM. As soon as I realized that a problem had occurred, I asked the production team to delete the video." He blamed himself, adding, "Even though the video bears my name, I was truly irresponsible. Hiding behind the name of a broadcasting station, I did not request any prior review or pre-sharing of the uploaded video."

He also directly acknowledged the remarks that sparked the controversy. He explained, "The excessive mention of the guest, which many people pointed out, is also clearly my fault. Since it was the first shoot for the program, I was too busy familiarizing myself with the script on the day of filming and completely failed to recognize the problems in the script on-site."

He concluded his apology by saying, "Ever since the video was made private, I have taken time to reflect on my words and actions. Moving forward, I will be much more cautious in all my statements and actions. I will work hard to ensure that something like this never happens again. I want to express my deepest apologies to everyone who was harmed by my shortcomings, especially the RESCENE members."

Previously, on the 29th, a pre-release video for "Donseontae Successful Era" was uploaded to the YouTube channel "Kebaeksu Original." In the video, Kim drew criticism for explicitly bringing up the past "museopno" controversy to RESCENE member WONI, asking, "Didn't anyone say this might be viral marketing?"

Criticism mounted that he had re-summoned painful memories for an artist who had already suffered emotional distress over a settled political controversy. The backlash grew further when it was revealed that the video's hashtags included the names of political and business figures, such as the president, which had nothing to do with RESCENE. Eventually, the video was made private approximately four hours after its release.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Former Chungju official Kim Seon-tae's new KBS YouTube variety show "Donseontae Success Era" has come under fire for bringing up past controversies involving RESCENE member WONI.

On July 29, a pre-release video for the RESCENE episode of "Donseontae Success Era" titled "First Official Stance Release, Why Is My Story on the News?!" was uploaded to the YouTube channel "KBSu Original." RESCENE members WONI and MINAMI appeared in the video.

Kim Seon-tae directly asked WONI about the past controversy surrounding her use of the phrase "museopno." He asked, "I acknowledge that people have different viewpoints, but it felt like a bit of a stretch. Didn't anyone say it might be viral marketing?" WONI replied, "I can see why people might think that, but I was really worried that being featured on the news would affect our group."

She continued, "I was actually really surprised. I only ever imagined seeing myself on YouTube or music broadcasts, so appearing on the social news section overnight was terrifying. I felt that I needed to be much more careful with every single word I say after that," and explained, "Even if I didn't mean it that way when I spoke, I realized some people might take it differently. I was just using words I normally use, so I was quite flustered."

WONI, who is from Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do, previously became embroiled in controversy after using the phrase "museopno" in content. The controversy grew as critics pointed out that the expression is used on the far-right online community Ilbe to disparage the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, though counter-arguments argued that it is simply a Gyeongsang-do dialect.

Following the broadcast, reactions poured in criticizing the overall format for bringing up a controversy that had already been put to rest. In particular, the initial thumbnail prominently featured the phrase "What's scary?", and although the production team changed the phrase to "Even if you look at it nicely" as criticisms continued, the backlash did not subside.

The hashtags in the video description added fuel to the fire. It was confirmed that a slew of names from political, business, and cultural circles, including President Lee Jae-myung, former national football team coach Hong Myung-bo, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, NewJeans, and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who have no relation to RESCENE, were tagged. Adding the names of politicians to a video featuring an idol member who suffered from unintended controversy only amplified the level of criticism.

As the fallout grew, the production team switched the video to private without issuing a separate official statement.

"Donseontae Success Era" is a talk show where Kim Seon-tae meets figures from various fields to chat, and is scheduled for regular programming on KBS2 in August.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Singer Seo Inyoung shared a glimpse of her stage preparations ahead of her appearance at "Waterbomb Sokcho 2026".

On July 29, an interview video featuring Seo Inyoung was posted on the official Waterbomb social media accounts. In the video, Seo Inyoung appeared wearing a long-hair wig, a white short-sleeved t-shirt, hot pants, and boots, showing off her slim figure.

Seo Inyoung expressed her excitement for the Waterbomb stage, saying, "I've waited so long. It's so nice to see you." She continued, "Now is the time to show you. I've prepared a lot of different things. First of all, I spent a lot of money on maintenance. Since I invested heavily in maintenance and procedures, please look forward to a stage that will delight your eyes and ears."

Regarding her stage concept, she teased, "A very Seo Inyoung-style stage, high heels, everything is ready. Come and see for yourself."

She expressed her affection for the stage, saying, "I'm sure you all waited a long time too, and ever since I got the call from Waterbomb, I've been working really hard to prepare." Ahead of the main performance, Seo Inyoung generated anticipation by showcasing a medley of hit songs, including cover songs of "Baby One More Time", "Cinderella", and Jewelry's "Super Star", alongside her own hit tracks "I Want You" and "To the Rhythm".

This Waterbomb performance holds special meaning for Seo Inyoung. After appearing on MBC's "King of Mask Singer" in 2021, Seo Inyoung virtually stopped standing on official stages. After experiencing marriage and divorce, she temporarily halted her activities before reopening the public eye in March by launching her YouTube channel. This Waterbomb appearance is drawing attention as her first major stage since her return to YouTube.

Seo Inyoung has steadily shared her weight loss and beauty procedure updates through YouTube ahead of the performance. In a video released on July 15, she shared, "I haven't been eating much lately," adding, "I dropped down to 46kg, and then gained 4kg back," while mentioning that she has been eating boiled eggs instead of rice. Furthermore, in a video released on July 22, she appeared with bruises on her face and arms, revealing that she had received a skin booster and arm liposuction procedures.

Meanwhile, "Waterbomb Sokcho 2026" will be held on August 22 at Hanwha Resort Seorak Sorano, with Rain, Tiger JK, Yoonmirae, Simon Dominic, and Lee Young-ji listed in the lineup.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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A powerhouse lineup of seasoned acting veterans is joining "Our Sticky Love," bringing both laughter and emotion.

Set for release on August 7, the new Netflix series "Our Sticky Love" is a romantic comedy that follows Ko Eun-sae (played by Hayoung), a prosecutor suffering from amnesia, and Jang Tae-ha (played by Jung Hae-in), a self-proclaimed boyfriend, as they share a sweet and sticky cohabitation in Yeomae Village.

While anticipation is already high for the unique synergy between Jung Hae-in and Hayoung's romance mixed with a touch of noir, the full lineup for the "Yeomae Village Family," who will richly fill the drama with laughter and emotion, was unveiled on the 30th.

Veteran actor Kim Young-ok takes center stage as Ko Yeon-hong, a traditional malt taffy artisan suffering from dementia and the grandmother of Jang Tae-ha. Jeon Bae-soo (as Hong Do-yeop) and Seo Jung-yeon (as Do Jung-hwa) join as the married owners of Hong Boxing Gym, acting as reliable supporters for Jang Tae-ha and Ko Eun-sae.

In addition, Jang Hye-jin, Cha Chung-hwa, and Kim Mi-hwa have been cast as Pang Hee-ja, Cho Maeng-sook, and Na Geum-hyang—known as the SES of Yeomae Village—and are set to showcase irreplaceable presence. They are joined by Lee Jae-won (as Ahn Ki-joon), Jung Soon-won (as Kim Kang-rok), and Choi Yu-ju (as Min Su-ji), completing the eventful daily life of Yeomae Village.

Director Kim Jang-han shared, "In the drama, the people of Yeomae Village are not just portrayed as simply good people. They are characters who discover sides of themselves they wouldn't have known without the fresh catalysts of Jang Tae-ha and Ko Eun-sae, growing together. We wanted to cast the absolute best actors you can trust to make these processes portrayed convincingly."

He added, "With people of similar vibes gathering together, it was a warm set filled with plenty of ad-libs and laughter. We hope you look forward to various fun elements, from their strong determination to protect Yeomae Village to their lovely appearance of watching over the sweet romance of Jang Tae-ha and Ko Eun-sae with the same heart as the viewers."

The Netflix series "Our Sticky Love," which promises a familiar yet satisfying romantic comedy and fantastic chemistry among a stellar cast, will be released via Netflix on August 7.

[Photo = Netflix]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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The team behind the film "HOPE" has announced that it will take strong, company-level action against an individual who raised privacy suspicions regarding actor Hwang Jung-min.

On the 29th, "HOPE" investment and distribution company Plus M Entertainment and production company Forged Film stated in a joint press release, "We express strong regret regarding the recent issue," and emphasized, "This matter is already a case where actor Hwang Jung-min suffered stalking damage and legal action has already been taken."

They continued, "However, regarding this, individual A has been causing damages amounting to business obstruction, such as sending maliciously edited contents to both companies and partner companies of 'HOPE', and repeatedly uploading and deleting posts slandering the actor and the movie through social media." They added, "They even showed movements trying to disrupt the smooth sailing of the film during the preparation period for its release as well as the section hitting box office inflection points," mentioning the damage situation.

Both companies stated regarding future measures, "This is not only an act that strikes a blow to the overall business of 'HOPE', but also an act that maliciously damages the efforts and honor of the people who worked hard for the film. We define this as intentional harm against 'HOPE' and will respond strongly. Both companies are actively reviewing legal measures for the fact that it had a negative impact on 'HOPE', and plan to continue strong responses to prevent additional damages."

Recently, individual A caused a stir by releasing messages and recording files presumed to have been shared with Hwang Jung-min on social media.

Hwang Jung-min's agency, Sam Company, released an official statement on the afternoon of the 29th, stating, "The writer of malicious posts related to Hwang Jung-min is a stalking crime suspect who has continuously harassed Hwang Jung-min," and added, "We filed a criminal complaint against the writer last year."

The agency explained, "The court imposed provisional measures such as restraining orders on the suspect on three occasions, and acknowledged the stalking charges, issuing a summary order of a 3 million won fine." They also stated, "We plan to take additional legal measures regarding the maliciously edited posts."

Hwang Jung-min has been meeting audiences through the film "HOPE", which was released on the 15th.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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Following BTS's decision to refuse submissions for the 69th Grammy Awards, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. issued a statement just a day later, though the controversy shows signs of intensifying rather than subsiding.

The Grammys posted a statement in the name of CEO Mason Jr. via official social media channels on the morning of the 30th (Korea Standard Time).

He stated, "I was saddened to hear the news that BTS decided not to submit for this year's Grammy Awards. However, as someone who makes music, I understand and respect their decision."

Regarding the newly established "Best Asian Music Performance" category, which sparked controversy, he explained, "It was created to celebrate the depth, diversity, and incredible growth of pop music coming out of Asia." He added, "This is not to segregate artists, but to expand the recognition awarded by the 1,500 Grammy voting members." He further noted, "Submitting music to genre categories like Asian pop, jazz, or country does not restrict simultaneous submission and consideration in general field categories."

Previously, the seven members of BTS announced through personal social media accounts on the 29th, "We have decided not to submit to the Grammys this year," and added, "We hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being categorized by region or language."

Despite sweeping both the Billboard main single and album charts in the United States with their 5th full-length album "Arirang" released in March, BTS refused Grammy submissions. This is widely interpreted as a de facto protest against the Grammys' announcement last month creating the "Best Asian Music Performance" category, which lumps together music from Asian regions such as Korea, China, and Japan.

However, criticisms point out that the Grammy response missed the core of the controversy. One online community user responded to the news by asking, "They claim it's a genre and not a division by region or race, but since when is Asian pop a genre?" Another opinion stated, "If that made sense, they should break down awards by continent for Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa, but they aren't doing that, are they?" This highlights a fairness issue, noting that Western genres like rock, pop, and country are categorized by musical characteristics rather than regions, while only Asian music is lumped together on a continental scale.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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"Flex X Cop 2" stars Ahn Bo-hyun and Jung Eun-chae have unveiled a couple pictorial showcasing their unmatched visual chemistry.

Airing as the follow-up to "Agent Kim Reactivated", SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama "Flex X Cop 2" (written by Kim Ba-da, directed by Kim Jae-hong) revealed an irreplaceable buddy chemistry pictorial of Ahn Bo-hyun and Jung Eun-chae through the August issue of fashion magazine "W Korea".

In the released pictorial, the two stand side-by-side with arms linked, exuding a chic aura while also delivering a playful tension with mischievous expressions that immediately caught viewers' attention. Playing the roles of immature chaebol detective Jin Yi-soo (Ahn Bo-hyun) and charismatic veteran team leader Joo Hye-ra (Jung Eun-chae) respectively, the duo flaunted perfect couple chemistry through the shoot.

In "Flex X Cop 2", the two previously crossed paths as a police academy instructor and trainee, and are set to reunite in Violent Crime Team 1 to deliver delightful and witty bickering chemistry. Expectations are high for the refreshing, money-fueled joint investigations led by Jin Yi-soo, who uses his wealth and connections as ultimate cheat codes, and Joo Hye-ra, a veteran detective with a wealth of investigative experience.

During the interview accompanying the pictorial shoot, the two openly shared their deep affection for the project and behind-the-scenes stories from the set.

Meanwhile, "Flex X Cop 2" is a delightful, exhilarating, and refreshing crime-solving cooperation drama starring chaebol detective Jin Yi-soo—who flips the table with his wealth when investigations stall—and the new team leader Joo Hye-ra. It is set to premiere on August 7 at 9:50 PM KST.

[Photo= W Korea]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Comedian couple Kim Jun-ho and Kim Ji-min are becoming parents.

On the 30th, Kim Ji-min directly announced her pregnancy through her social media, saying, "Last year in 2025, we became an eternal two, and this year in 2026, we have become a dreamed-of three."

She continued to share her joyful feelings, saying, "Thanks to the first IVF procedure that we started while relying on oppa, who comforted me by telling me not to overdo it and not to be impatient, our baby, whose prenatal nickname is Durubi, came to us thankfully on the very first try."

Recalling the process of undergoing health management and tests before attempting the IVF procedure, she added her overwhelming thoughts, "The reason someone like me, who usually cannot keep secrets, was able to keep this a secret was entirely because of Durubi's strength. Now that the stable period has passed, I can finally talk about it. With the two of us, Neukkim & Nari, and now Durubi, we have everything in the world."

Along with the post, Kim Ji-min expressed her joy by sharing a fetal ultrasound photo and a photo of a pregnancy test showing two lines. She is reportedly currently 12 weeks pregnant and is expected to give birth early next year.

Kim Jun-ho and Kim Ji-min tied the knot in July of last year, and recently revealed that they were undergoing IVF procedures to have a second generation, receiving great support from the public.

[Photo = Kim Ji-min's Instagram]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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"Match to Marry 2" is heating up summer nights with an upgraded meet-and-greet date featuring immediate family members.

In the 6th episode of the SBS show "Match to Marry 2", airing at 9 PM on the 30th, an unprecedented scale of family-led meet-and-greet dates will unfold.

This broadcast gathers a large group of family supporters, including Samsung Electronics employee Ahn Do-yoon's younger sister who is an elementary school teacher, former Miss Korea Choi Jung-yoon's devoted father, and announcer Lee In-kwon's dependable younger brother.

In particular, MC Seo Jang-hoon could not hide his admiration for the uncanny resemblance upon seeing Ahn Do-yoon's younger sister, exclaiming, "They look exactly alike!" Ahn Do-yoon's sister added to the lighthearted mood by offering enthusiastic support in front of the male participant, saying, "The moment I saw her, I thought she was my unni's style. She is a really great person," before switching into a front-row spectator mode.

Meanwhile, host Lee Yo-won showed complete immersion in the meeting of the prospective in-laws. While watching one female participant's choice, she offered realistic advice, saying, "From a mother's perspective, she might not welcome it." She also showed empathy when a mother gave some harsh advice to her son who was pouring on the direct flirtation, remarking, "Since a mother is a woman, she understands a woman's heart better."

The true innermost feelings of the male and female participants, which began to subtly waver following their meetings with the families, along with the meet-and-greet date scene, will be revealed on "Match to Marry 2" airing tonight (the 30th) at 9 PM.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)

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Choi Jung-won, 45, an actor/member of the group UN, directly announced that he has been cleared of false accusations labeling him as a home-wrecker and a stalker.

On the 29th, Choi posted a long message on his social media to announce that both the lawsuit involving claims of an extramarital affair and the stalking case ended with his victory and non-prosecution.

In his post that day, Choi shared his feelings, saying, "For nearly five years, it felt like I was struggling in a dark and muddy swamp. From the lawsuit claiming I was an affair partner to the lawsuit calling me a stalker, it was like a long tunnel where I endured fiercely while hearing subhuman things."

He continued, "However, it is truly all over now. The lawsuit regarding the affair partner ended in my favor, clearly confirming that I did not commit any illicit acts, and the stalking case was fully cleared with a non-prosecution decision, so all these incidents have finally come to an end." He added, "I am now too exhausted and intend to live as a devout and humble person."

Choi also concluded by saying, "When things happen, untrue stories spread indiscriminately like a wildfire, but I think most people don't care about the outcome. That may also be human nature, but whether it is gossip, entertainment, or genuine concern, I want to say it once more: all of my past five years have ended with no charges, and the false civil lawsuit ended in my victory. Thank you."

Previously, in January 2023, Choi became embroiled in suspicions that he had an affair with a married woman and ruined a family. At the time, the woman's husband, A, filed a civil lawsuit against Choi, and Choi announced legal action, stating the reports were based on one-sided claims from the informant's side. In July of the same year, A was sent to the prosecution on charges of instigating defamation and making threats against Choi, but received a non-prosecution disposition in September.

Afterward, legal battles surrounding the affair allegations continued. In January 2025, a court mentioned physical contact between Choi and the woman, reigniting the suspicions, but on September 22 of the same year, the appellate court overturned the first-instance ruling, stating, "It is not an illicit act." On November 26, Choi posted a related recorded file on Instagram to state that the claim of him being an affair partner was false, and on January 16, 2026, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, finally clearing him of the affair suspicions.

Stalking allegations had also been raised. On August 16, 2025, it was belatedly revealed 19 days later that Choi had visited the home of a woman he was dating while carrying a weapon, and the Seoul Central District Court approved emergency and urgent relief measures citing the urgency of the matter. At the time, Choi denied the allegations of weapon threats, explaining it as a magnified mishap stemming from personal conflict. On November 12 of the same year, the Seoul Jungbu Police Station sent Choi to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office on stalking charges, but as Choi's side recently stated, the case was concluded with a full non-prosecution disposition.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)

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Actor Eum Moon-suk expressed his affection and respect for Zo In-sung, his co-star in the film "HOPE".

On the afternoon of the 29th, Eum Moon-suk held an interview in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, to commemorate the release of the movie "HOPE". Regarding his first-ever collaboration with Zo In-sung in this project, he shared, "Even though our characters only meet in the latter half of the film, we shared a room and lived together at the accommodation during the location shoot in Romania. Zo In-sung sunbae is a year older than me, and I often thought about how great it would be if he were my real older brother. He treated me so well that I kept wondering, 'Why is he taking care of me to this extent?'"

He added that there was a lot to learn from the passion and attitude of actor Zo In-sung. Eum Moon-suk said, "His appearance as an actor during filming is also so cool. He always approaches the shoot without getting tired and perfectly pulls out the project the director aims for. He is truly professional. Seeing that side of him, I learned a lot during filming and it gave me a great boost."

He continued, "I thought to me that I also want to become a senior like that who sets a good example for juniors," and politely showed that he even remembered his senior's milestone by saying, "Oh, and yesterday, July 28th, was In-sung hyung's birthday."

Eum Moon-suk has reached a turning point in his acting career through this work. Playing the role of Yang-bae, the source of all incidents in the story, he captured the audience's attention in the middle and latter parts of the film with unique makeup and speech, as well as mysterious acting where his true intentions could not be figured out. In particular, the Chungcheong-do dialect line "It's in my house, I tell ya!" remained deeply ingrained in the audience's minds even after the movie ended, leaving an addictive impact similar to "What is so important?!" from director Na Hong-jin's previous work "The Wailing".

Due to its box office success and buzz, talks of a sequel for "HOPE" are already coming up. Eum Moon-suk expressed his hope, saying, "I haven't heard anything about a sequel from the director, but if one is made, wouldn't the chances of Yang-bae appearing be high? I want to appear no matter what."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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SHINYU of the group TWS poses as he attends a beauty brand photo wall event held in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 29th.

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.

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JIHOON of the group TWS is attending a photo wall event for a beauty brand held in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th and posing for the camera.

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.

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HANJIN of the group TWS attends a photocall event for a beauty brand held in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 29th, posing for the camera.

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Group TWS attended a beauty brand photo call event held in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th and posed for the camera.

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.

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KYUNGMIN of the group TWS is posing after attending a beauty brand photowall event held in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 29th.

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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YOUNGJAE of the group TWS poses for the camera as he attends a photo wall event for a beauty brand held in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of July 29.

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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DOHOON of the group TWS poses while attending a photo wall event for a beauty brand held in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 29th.

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Baik Seung-Chul)

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Fueled by the box office success of hit Korean films like "The King's Warden" and "COLONY," South Korea's box office revenue has recovered to 94.2% of pre-pandemic levels.

According to the Korean Film Council on the 29th, total theater sales for the first half of 2026 reached 579 billion KRW, with 57.05 million moviegoers, marking increases of 41.9% (171.1 billion KRW) and 34.2% (14.55 million viewers), respectively, compared to the same period last year.

Korean films drove the box office boom this year. Korean film sales hit 370.2 billion KRW, and attendance reached 37.37 million, up 81.7% and 74.9%, respectively, from the same period last year. This marks the highest first-half performance for Korean films since the pandemic, recovering to 94.2% of the pre-pandemic first-half average in revenue.

In contrast, foreign films recorded 208.8 billion KRW in sales and 19.68 million moviegoers. Although attendance dropped by 6.9% year-on-year, sales saw a slight increase of 2.3%, driven by the popularity of special-screening heavy titles such as "Project Hail Mary" and "Avatar: Fire and Ash." Special screenings accounted for 30.2% of total sales for "Project Hail Mary" and 49.9% for "Avatar: Fire and Ash."

Topping the overall box office for the first half was "The King's Warden," which recorded 163.1 billion KRW in sales and 16.91 million viewers, claiming the number one spot in all-time box office revenue. "COLONY" followed in second place, and "Salmokji: Whispering Water" in third, with Korean films sweeping the top ranks of the first-half box office. Beyond historical dramas and action blockbusters, mid- and small-scale works in romance and horror genres also achieved notable success.

Total sales for special screenings in the first half reached 45.7 billion KRW, up 56.3% from the same period last year. Special screenings accounted for 7.9% of total first-half sales, and the average ticket price for the first half rose by 551 KRW year-on-year to 10,150 KRW.

In distributor rankings, Showbox took the number one spot with a 48.6% market share in first-half sales, distributing a total of four films: "The King's Warden," "COLONY," "Salmokji: Whispering Water," and "Once We Were Us." Walt Disney Company Korea took second place, distributing films including "Avatar: Fire and Ash."

"The Backrooms," a low-budget horror film based on an internet creepypasta, ranked first in independent and art film box office performance for the first half, recording 12.4 billion KRW in sales and 1.16 million moviegoers, followed by "Ran 12.3" and "My Name" in second and third place, respectively.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)

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