'Bedford Park' Wins Sundance Special Jury Award for Debut Feature SEOUL, February 01 (AJP) -"Bedford Park", a romance starring Korean actors Son Suk-ku and Moon Choi, won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Debut Feature at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday, marking a strong showing for Korean-led storytelling at the world’s leading showcase for independent cinema. The award, which recognizes a first-time feature director, was presented during the festival’s closing ceremony in Park City, where the film had its worl February 1, 2026

Grammy night nears, Korean artists await the anticipated call SEOUL, February 01 (AJP) -As Grammy night nears in Los Angeles, anticipation is building around high-profile Korean artists and Korean-led content that could set historic records at the world’s most prestigious music awards. The 68th Grammy Awards will be held at the Crypto.com Arena, hosted by the Recording Academy. In South Korea, the ceremony will be broadcast live and exclusively on Mnet, with streaming available via Mnet Plus. Rosé, who entered the February 1, 2026

BTS comeback D-49: Fans map out Gwanghwamun sites linked to the group SEOUL, January 31 (AJP) - With BTS set to return as a full group on March 21, attention is building not only around the stage at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, but also across nearby districts closely associated with the group’s past global performances. As the countdown enters its final stretch, fans are increasingly extending their itineraries beyond the concert itself, mapping out locations around central Seoul that have become informal pilgrimage sites within the global BTS fando January 31, 2026

BTS Comeback D-50: How Korea's folk songs and heritage turned cool—and global SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) — BTS has long stood for K-pop stardom, polished choreography and messages of resilience and love. But as the group matures, its center of gravity is shifting. The world’s most influential idol group is digging deeper into its Korean roots—and the global audience is following along. In the countdown to their long-awaited comeback, every move by the seven members is read as a cultural signal. Where they go, what they reference, even what January 30, 2026

BTS Comeback D-51: Solo hits resurface as fans turn the wait into a global replay SEOUL, Jan. 29 (AJP) — As the countdown to BTS’s long-awaited full-group comeback hits D-51, fans have found a familiar way to pass the time: by sending the group’s solo catalog back up the charts. Across streaming platforms and social media, past releases by BTS members are enjoying a renewed surge, turning the pause before reunion into a rolling retrospective of individual careers that never truly went quiet. For V (Kim Taehyung), the moment has arrived in January 29, 2026

S. Korean actress Bae Doona appointed to Berlin International Film Festival competition jury SEOUL, January 29 (AJP) - South Korean actress Bae Doona has been appointed as a member of the international jury for the 76th Berlin International Film Festival. The festival organizers announced on Wednesday that Bae will join a panel of six other cinema professionals to determine the winners of the Golden and Silver Bears in the main competition category. The jury is led by German director Wim Wenders, who was previously named jury president. Bae will serve alongside a diverse January 29, 2026

BTS’ Jung Kook’s ‘Seven’ Extends Long Run on Spotify Weekly Global Charts BTS’ Jung Kook is extending a long run on Spotify’s weekly global charts with his solo debut single “Seven” and his first full-length album, “GOLDEN.” “Seven” ranked No. 77 on Spotify’s Weekly Top Songs Global chart for the Jan. 16-22 tracking period, with more than 12.12 million streams for the week. Released on Nov. 3, 2023, the song has remained a steady presence on the global chart for more than two years. The track has logged 132 consecutive weeks on the global chart, a first and th January 29, 2026

Forum Urges Sustainable Use of Pyeongchang Olympic Legacy for Winter Sports Tourism The 'K-Winter Sports Tourism Global Competitiveness Forum' was held on Jan. 27 at the Athens Hall of the Olympic Parktel in Seoul to discuss the future of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics legacy and ways to boost winter sports tourism. Discussions centered on how to use key Olympic facilities — including Pyeongchang Alpensia and the Jeongseon Alpine Ski Center — as sustainable assets embedded in local communities and industry, rather than limiting debate to whether they should be dismantled January 28, 2026

Kim Sei Young, Kim A Lim and Choi Hye Jin named among 15 LPGA players to watch in 2026 Kim Sei Young, Kim A Lim and Choi Hye Jin were named among 15 players to watch for the LPGA Tour’s upcoming 2026 season. Golf Digest announced its list on Tuesday (Korea time) ahead of the season opener. The three were the only South Korean players included. Kim Sei Young, ranked No. 9 in the world, is a 13-time LPGA winner. She won the BMW Ladies Championship in October last year to add her first title since November 2020. Golf Digest said Kim had one win and 10 top-10 finishes last sea January 28, 2026

Lotte Cinema Unveils February Exclusive “Lottepick” Animation Lineup Lotte Cinema has announced its February lineup for “Lottepick,” a series of exclusive theatrical releases. With animation emerging as a major draw at the box office, the chain said it curated three themed titles aimed at both families on school break and dedicated animation fans. “I Am Star! X Pripara The Movie -Miracle of Encounter!-,” a collaboration marking the 10th anniversary of “I Am Star!” and “Pripara,” will open exclusively on Feb. 4. The two franchises are long-running staples January 28, 2026