Sejong Center to stage Korean premiere of Chong Wishing's 'Sumire Hair Salon' SEOUL, August 13 (AJP) - Sejong Center for the Performing Arts will stage the Korean premiere of "Sumire Hair Salon," the final work in playwright and director Chong Wishing's trilogy on Zainichi Koreans, from Sept. 12 to Oct. 3 at Sejong M Theater in central Seoul. The play closes a trilogy Chong developed over roughly two decades, following "Like a Flower Blooming in a Field" and "Yakiniku Dragon" the 2008 family drama that won him the Asahi P August 13, 2026

NCT to mark 10th anniversary with Seoul Fashion Week showcase SEOUL, August 13 (AJP) - K-pop boy group NCT will mark the 10th anniversary of its 2016 brand launch with a Seoul Fashion Week collaboration built around stage costumes, a runway show and a charity flea market, SM said Thursday. The project turns a decade of NCT's music and stage concepts into a fashion-focused program at Lotte World Tower during the 2027 spring/summer edition of Seoul Fashion Week. The collaboration will unfold in three parts: a costume exhibition, a runwa August 13, 2026

Seoul shuts down Africa-based sites for piracy on K-webtoons SEOUL, August 13 (AJP) - Korean authorities have taken down three North Africa-based piracy sites accused of illegally distributing tens of thousands of Korean webtoons and web novels, following a cross-border investigation involving Interpol and Naver Webtoon. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Police Agency said Thursday that one site operator was arrested locally and all three platforms were shut down as part of the joint operation. The case marks August 13, 2026

BTS' V, Jungkook disclose health concerns amid tour SEOUL, August 12 (AJP) - BTS members V and Jungkook opened up about health issues during the group's North American tour, giving fans a rare look at the physical strain they are managing on the road. The two spoke during a Weverse livestream Tuesday after BTS wrapped a concert in Baltimore, sitting down for a casual meal together while talking to fans. V said he had not previously told ARMY, the group's fandom, that he has been dealing with hearing problems for roughly August 12, 2026

NCT 127 previews 'Piñata' with noir-style track video before KCON LA stage SEOUL, August 12 (AJP) - K-pop boy group NCT 127 gave fans an early listen to its upcoming seventh full-length album Tuesday, releasing a track video for "Piñata" ahead of the record's full release later this month, SM Entertainment said Wednesday. The video went up on NCT 127's official YouTube channel at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Rather than a straightforward performance clip, it casts the group as "fixers" in Seoul, following the members through a youth August 12, 2026

Seoul Performing Arts Festival to open with Han Kang adaptation, Avignon-linked works SEOUL, August 12 (AJP) - The Seoul Performing Arts Festival returns in October with a lineup led by a stage adaptation of Han Kang's "We Do Not Part," starring Isabelle Huppert and Lee Hye-young. Now in its 26th edition, SPAF runs Oct. 8-25 at venues across Seoul under the theme "Multiverse of Art." The festival is organized by the Korea Arts Management Service, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Arts Council Korea. Thi August 12, 2026

Rookie girl band Hearts2Hearts make Japanese debut with 1st single SEOUL, August 12 (AJP) - K-pop rookie girl group Hearts2Hearts made their Japanese debut on Wednesday with their first Japanese single, according to their agency, SM Entertainment. "ICONIC HEART," as SM Entertainment moves the rookie girl group further into one of K-pop's most closely watched overseas markets. The single, which was released in Japan the previous day, includes three songs: the title track "ICONIC HEART" and Japanese-language versions of the August 12, 2026

AKMU's Lee Su-hyun to release rendition of Japanese classic next week SEOUL, August 12 (AJP) - Sibling duo AKMU's Lee Su-hyun is taking on Seiko Matsuda's 1980 J-pop classic "Blue Lagoon," the latest in a wave of Korean renditions of Japanese songs, production company SH Gold Networks said on Wednesday. Her version of the song is set to be released on major streaming platforms next week. "Blue Lagoon" made Matsuda a household name in Japan, with its bright melody and lyrics about the jitters of young love helping cement August 12, 2026

Uruguayan coach tipped to take helm of South Korean football team SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - Uruguayan coach Gus Poyet is the leading candidate to take the helm of the South Korean men's national team, Japanese media reported on Tuesday. The speculation came less than two days after the Korea Football Association closed applications for a new head coach for the national team on Sunday. Citing multiple sources, Japanese online news outlet Sponichi Annex, run by sports daily Sports Nippon, reported that it is "almost certain" Poyet, w August 11, 2026

South Korean thriller inspired by former first lady invited to Toronto film fest SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - Director Hur Jin-ho's latest film "Assassin(s)" has been invited to this year's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which opens next month. The 131-minute thriller will be screened along with some 22 other films in the Gala Presentations of the annual festival, which runs from Sept. 10 to 20. Hur, alongside cast members Lee Min-ho, Park Hae-il and Yoo Hae-jin, will take part in various events including a red-carpet event to mee August 11, 2026