Korean director Lee Chang-dong to receive TIFF Ebert Director Award SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) — South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong will become the first Korean director to receive the Toronto International Film Festival's TIFF Ebert Director Award, Netflix said Thursday, as his latest film, "Possible Love," is also set to make its North American premiere at this year's festival. The award is part of TIFF's annual Tribute Awards, which recognize individuals for outstanding artistic achievement and contributions to cinema. July 30, 2026

WayV builds new EP ahead of Seoul concerts SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) - NCT's China-based unit WayV will return next month with a seven-track EP built around Chinese words that share the same pronunciation but carry different meanings, SM Entertainment said Thursday. The Chinese boy band will release its eighth EP, "Vision Wings," at 6 p.m. (0900 GMT) on Aug. 10, according to SM Entertainment. The album includes Chinese- and English-language versions of the title track, "Vision Wings." Each song is tie July 30, 2026

After BTS comeback year, what's next for K-pop? SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - K-pop continues to debut new groups, dominate global streaming platforms and fill concert halls from Los Angeles to Bangkok. The industry's talent pipeline remains as prolific as ever, producing acts not only in South Korea but increasingly through overseas partnerships and local adaptations. Yet beneath the steady flow of new debuts lies a quieter reckoning. While visibility has never been broader, far fewer acts are reaching the commercial sc July 29, 2026

Red Velvet to roll out 'Surfin' Boy' at Seoul fan concert SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - Red Velvet will perform its new title track "Surfin' Boy" for the first time during a three-day fan concert in Seoul this week, SM Entertainment said Wednesday. The performance comes ahead of the release of the group's new summer EP, its first full-group release in over two years. The group will unveil the song at "2026 Red Velvet FAN-CON ," which runs from July 31 to Aug. 2 at Korea University's Hwajeong Gymnasium. The fan July 29, 2026

Moon Geun-young ties knot with stage actor Jeong Pyeong SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - South Korean actress Moon Geun-young has married musical actor Jeong Pyeong after years of dating largely out of the public eye, her agency said Wednesday. Cré Company confirmed the marriage but did not disclose when or where the couple tied the knot. Instead of holding a formal wedding ceremony, the couple celebrated with a private gathering attended only by their families. Moon shared the news in a handwritten letter posted on social media, writing July 29, 2026

ADOR faces police complaint over alleged leak of NewJeans member Hanni's visa information SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - K-pop girl group NewJeans' agency ADOR has been reported to police over allegations that it disclosed private visa information belonging to member Hanni to the media during its contract dispute with the K-pop group. Pop culture critic Kim Sung-soo filed a criminal complaint against ADOR and several of its employees with Yongsan Police Station in Seoul on Tuesday, accusing them of violating South Korea's Personal Information Protection Act. Kim all July 29, 2026

Annual women's film festival in Seoul to return with record lineup next month SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - The annual Seoul International Women's Film Festival (SIWFF) will open next month, organizers said Wednesday. Now in its 28th year, the weeklong festival will run from Aug. 20 to 26. It received a record number of submissions this year, with 4,115 films from 125 countries across competitive and noncompetitive sections. In the festival's main competition section for international features, eight films from China, Germany, Japan, Kenya, Kosovo, Mexi July 29, 2026

Netflix's 'The East Palace' rises to No. 2 on global non-English TV chart SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) -Netflix's Korean fantasy series "The East Palace" climbed to No. 2 on the platform's global Top 10 list for non-English television shows in its second week of release, drawing 8.1 million views and entering the Top 10 in 69 countries, according to Netflix's weekly rankings on Wednesday. The eight-part series, which premiered on July 17, stars Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo and Cho Seung-woo in a supernatural mystery set in a royal palace. It July 29, 2026

BLACKPINK's Jennie Breaks K-pop's U.S. Radio Barrier SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - K-pop has long dominated U.S. streaming and album charts, but mainstream radio has remained one of the industry's toughest markets to crack. BLACKPINK's Jennie has now helped break that barrier, becoming only the second K-pop-related act to top Billboard's Adult Pop Airplay chart, Forbes reported Monday, citing Billboard data. Jennie's collaboration with Australian psychedelic music project Tame Impala, "Dracula," climbed to No. 1 o July 28, 2026

South Korea to hold tune-up friendlies this fall as search for new coach continues SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - South Korea will play friendly matches against Venezuela and Uzbekistan in October as the search for a new head coach for the national team continues, the Korea Football Association (KFA) said on Tuesday. After former head coach Hong Myung-bo stepped down following the team's poor World Cup performance earlier this month, South Korea is scheduled to face Venezuela on Oct. 2 and Uzbekistan on Oct. 6, with details including venues to be announced later. V July 28, 2026