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  BTS Comeback D-16: South Korea to launch anti-scalping system ahead of BTS comeback concert SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - South Korean authorities are rolling out a dedicated counter-scalping system to protect fans ahead of the upcoming BTS comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism confirmed the plan following a surge in illegal ticket trading for the high-profile event. Choi Hwi-young, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, called ticket scalping a "chronic disease" during a press briefing on February 12. T March 5, 2026
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  BTS Comeback D-16: BTS teaser sparks global buzz ahead of 'ARIRANG' comeback SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - BTS ignited massive online buzz Thursday after releasing a teaser for its upcoming comeback performance "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE : ARIRANG," sending anticipation among global fans soaring ahead of the group’s long-awaited return. The K-pop sensation unveiled the trailer across its major social media platforms, quickly drawing millions of views and reactions from fans worldwide. The video opens with the roar of ARMY, BTS’ global fanb March 5, 2026
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  WAIFF D-1: Live human-machine symphony to open Seoul artificial intelligence film festival SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - The World AI Film Festival Seoul 2026 will open Friday with a live performance blending human artists and machine generation, signaling a shift in how the entertainment industry approaches artificial intelligence. Kicking off on March 6 at Lotte Concert Hall in southern Seoul, the two-day event begins with a special performance titled "The Symphony of AI & Human." Organizers programmed the opening ceremony to move away from traditional film fe March 5, 2026
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  World-OKTA to host K-pop charity concert marking 45th anniversary SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - The World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations (World-OKTA) will hold a K-pop charity concert on April 1 at KBS Arena Hall in Seoul to mark its 45th anniversary, the organization said. The event, titled "OK Live Concert," represents the trade group's first official cultural project since its founding in 1981. World-OKTA operates about 140 chapters across 70 countries and has focused primarily on supporting Korean businesses abroad March 5, 2026
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  K-pop boy band NOWZ drops first Japanese album SEOUL, March 04 (AJP) - Cube Entertainment's K-pop boy group NOWZ has rolled out its first Japanese album “NOWZ” on Wednesday, targeting the neighboring country's dance music scene. Releasing albums in Japan was considered one of the most important promotion activities for Korean artists in the early 2000s, when K-pop was not as popular. Japan has served for decades as a crucial gateway for K-pop acts seeking to build international audience. Chart performance, March 4, 2026
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  BTS Comeback D-17: 'ARIRANG' tracklist unveiled as heat builds up in countdown             SEOUL, March 04 (AJP) - BTS has drummed up anticipation for its long-awaited comeback with the release of the 14-song tracklist for its upcoming album ARIRANG — the group’s first full-member project in nearly four years — due March 20, with fans already preparing to camp out for the closest view of the open-air comeback show the following day. The tracklist was unveiled by HYBE through its official website and social media channels, accompanied by a visual feat March 4, 2026
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  WAIFF D-2: Seoul edition marks global expansion in 2026 SEOUL, March 04 (AJP) - The World AI Film Festival (WAIFF), which debuted in Nice, France on April 11, 2025, will expand globally in 2026, with Seoul emerging as one of its key host cities. Putting emphasis on collaboration between artificial intelligence and human creativity, WAIFF aims to bridge technology, industry and artistic expression. The 2026 circuit will move through China, Korea, Japan and Brazil before culminating in April at the WAIFF Cannes Edition in France. Select March 4, 2026
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  WAIFF D-3: WAIFF Seoul 2026 seeks to put Korea at the crossroads of AI and cinema SEOUL, March 03 (AJP) - The upcoming World AI Film Festival Seoul 2026 aims to position itself as more than a standard cinematic competition, signaling that artificial intelligence-driven content creation has moved into a formal industrial phase. Organizers intend for the event to serve as a declaration that AI technology is no longer just an experimental tool but a cornerstone of modern media production. While the two-day event on March 6 and 7 will feature awards March 3, 2026
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  NCT DREAM to host live viewing events in 86 cities worldwide SEOUL, March 03 (AJP) - NCT DREAM will broadcast the finale concerts of its fourth world tour in cinemas across 86 cities worldwide, its agency SM Entertainment said Tuesday. NCT DREAM is a seven-member Korean boy group that debuted in 2016 as a unit of the broader NCT brand, known for hit tracks such as “Hot Sauce,” “Candy” and “ISTJ.” The “2026 NCT DREAM TOUR FINALE” will be held over six days, March 20–22 and March 27&ndas March 3, 2026
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  BTS Comeback D-17: Show goes on regardless of Middle East tensions SEOUL, March 03 (AJP) - With 17 days to go, BTS is pressing ahead with its long-awaited return, undeterred for now by escalating military tensions across the Middle East. The group is set to release its fifth studio album on March 20, followed by a free concert at Gwanghwamun in central Seoul on March 21 — a symbolic stage meant to herald its first full-group comeback in nearly four years. “The schedules will proceed as announced,” a source close to the matter March 3, 2026