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  K-pop nears "golden moment" by scoring big on Grammy nominations SEOUL, November 08 (AJP) -K-pop is approaching a “golden moment” on the global stage as a wave of Korean female artists secured nominations in top categories for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. “APT.,” BLACKPINK member Rose’s collaboration with Bruno Mars, and “Golden,” an original soundtrack piece from Netflix’s blockbuster anime KPop Demon Hunters, were both shortlisted for major honors including Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Per November 8, 2025
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  Behind the buzz over K-Pop Demon Hunters, K-contents score meagerly this year SEOUL, November 07 (AJP) - Korean contents have enjoyed spectacular global exposure this year through major streaming platforms, but without the halo of K-Pop Demon Hunters — the rare breakout that dominated global charts — the industry can hardly claim meaningful wins amid a dearth of blockbuster titles, mounting production costs, and waning originality. The third-quarter results of CJ ENM, Korea’s largest entertainment and media group, offer a glimpse into this November 7, 2025
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  Coming-of-age indie film continues impressive run at box office SEOUL, November 3 (AJP) - Low-budget film "The World of Love" directed by Yoon Ga-eun has attracted over 60,000 viewers since its release late last month. The impressive feat for an independent film came after positive word of mouth boosted its popularity, with the 119-minute film still drawing hordes of moviegoers in its second week since its release on Oct. 22. In particular, it continues to draw viewers despite being shown on fewer screens, becoming the only film November 3, 2025
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  Court rules NewJeans must remain under ADOR, rejects bid for independence SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - The future of K-pop girl group NewJeans — who shot to global stardom upon their 2022 debut — has been thrown into uncertainty after a Seoul court ruled in favor of their agency HYBE on Thursday. The court determined that all five members remain exclusively bound to ADOR, a HYBE sublabel, until 2029, regardless of their claims of contract breaches and unfair treatment. The decision extinguishes hopes for an early stage comeback for NewJeans, October 30, 2025
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  Korea–Japan drama pairings strike universal chord in streaming era SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - New Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed her liking for Korean food, beauty products, and dramas to brush aside concerns that her hawkish and nationalist posture might sour bilateral ties. Her comment reflects a broader trend in Japan, where audiences increasingly separate politics from cultural consumption as Korean pop culture gains deeper traction through social media and global streaming platforms. Not only have the two neighbors &mdash October 28, 2025
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  SM's TVXQ and RIIZE honored with top govt awards for global K-pop impact SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - SM Entertainment’s veteran duo TVXQ and rising boy group RIIZE have been recognized by the South Korean government for their contributions to the global expansion of K-pop. At the 16th Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards held Thursday, TVXQ — also known as Tohoshinki in Japan — received the Presidential Commendation, the nation’s highest honor in the cultural field. The six-member RIIZE earned the Minister of Culture, Sports October 24, 2025
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  Japanese director of Korean descent to visit Seoul next month to promote his hit film SEOUL, October 23 (AJP) - Japanese film director and screenwriter of Zainichi Korean descent Lee Sang-il will visit Seoul next month. His visit, slated for mid-November to promote his latest film "National Treasure," also known as "Kokuho" comes ahead of its release in here on Nov. 19. The film, an adaptation of a novel by Shuichi Yoshida that chronicles the passionate lives of men devoted to art over half a century, was an instant hit in Japan shortly aft October 23, 2025
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  HUNTR/X trio and Saja Boys to come alive in Barbie forms, feature in Monopoly SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) -Netflix has partnered with global toy giants Mattel and Hasbro to turn its blockbuster K-Pop Demon Hunters into a full-fledged franchise spanning dolls, board games, and collectibles — marking a major step in the platform’s transformation into a creator of global intellectual properties. Under the new licensing deal, Mattel, famed for Barbie, and Hasbro, the maker of Monopoly, will roll out a wide range of products inspired by the hit anime October 22, 2025
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  Once Asia's creative powerhouse, Korean cinema faces its reckoning SEOUL, October 20 (AJP) - Korea's once-vibrant movie scene is struggling to bring audiences back to theaters, and without serious soul-searching, it may follow the same decline once seen in Japanese and Hong Kong cinema. Multiplex chains are shuttering nationwide, often blaming global streaming platforms for their decline, but insiders argue the problem runs deeper — a shortage of compelling, diverse stories worth watching on the big screen. "The audience isn October 20, 2025
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  Director Park Chan-wook wins award at film festival in Spain SEOUL, October 20 (AJP) - Award-winning director Park Chan-wook added another gong under his belt as he won an award given to the best director with his latest film "No Other Choice." Park won the award at this year's Sitges Film Festival, which wrapped up in Spain last Sunday. The festival, the world's largest genre film festival, showcases fantasy and horror films celebrated for their creativity. Park has long been the festival's favorite, having previ October 20, 2025