Lee Chang-dong takes Silver Lion 24 years after Oasis SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - South Korea's entry for next year's Academy Awards, Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love," won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on Saturday (local time), the first South Korean film to take a prize in the festival's competition section in 14 years. The award, second only to the Golden Lion, was announced at the closing ceremony at the Palazzo del Cinema on the Lido. Hours earlier, a sep September 13, 2026

Korean shamanism finds new life in pop culture SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Drums pound, bells shake and chants rise as a mudang, or Korean shaman, appears to slip between worlds, communicating with spirits through an electrifying ritual of music, dance and trance. For millions of moviegoers, the spectacle became familiar through a famous gut scene in director Jang Jae-hyun's 2024 occult blockbuster "Exhuma." Gut, an ancient Korean shamanic ritual performed to communicate with spirits, comfort the dead, seek bl September 11, 2026

aespa to release 4 solo tracks as digital single SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - K-pop girl group aespa will release four solo tracks first performed at its Seoul concert last month as a special digital single, the group's agency SM Entertainment said Friday. The tracks will be released at 6 p.m. on Sept. 14 through major music streaming platforms under the title "SYNK : COMPLaeXITY - 2026 Special Digital Single." All four songs were performed as solo stages during aespa's fourth solo concert at Gocheok Sky Dome September 11, 2026

NiziU's receives platinum certificate in Japan SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - K-pop girl group NiziU's second Japanese EP has earned platinum certification in Japan, JYP Entertainment said Friday. "GOOD GIRL BUT NOT FOR YOU," released in Japan on April 1, received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan. The industry body awards platinum status to albums that reach cumulative shipments of 250,000 copies. The EP is led by "Too Bad," a title track built around the them September 11, 2026

Three domestic films set for release in time for Chuseok SEOUL, September 9 (AJP) - A slew of South Korean films are set to compete during the peak box-office season of Chuseok or Korean Thanksgiving, which begins later this month. The lineup ranges from an office drama to a historical mystery and the final installment of a long-running crime series, setting up a three-way race at the box office, which has recently been dominated by foreign big-budget films such as Hollywood's epic saga "Odyssey" and the latest installme September 9, 2026

Korea, Thailand deepen police cooperation against K-content piracy SEOUL, September 08 (AJP) - South Korea's culture ministry signed an agreement with Thailand's police agency Tuesday to strengthen joint investigations into cross-border copyright crimes involving Korean content. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Central Investigation Bureau of the Royal Thai Police signed the memorandum of understanding at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul in Jongno District, the ministry said. The agreement covers cooperation on la September 8, 2026

BTS draws 1.92 million on North American 'Arirang Tour' SEOUL, September 08 (AJP) - BTS drew about 1.92 million people across North America on its "ARIRANG" world tour with four sold-out shows at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the group's agency BigHit Music said Tuesday. The North American leg covered 31 concerts in 12 cities and ended with performances in Los Angeles on Sept. 1, 2, 5 and 6. The four LA shows drew about 282,000 people, according to the agency. The concerts were also streamed live on fan platform Weverse September 8, 2026

Basketball player Lee Hyun-jung signs one-year deal with Portland Trail Blazers SEOUL, September 7 (AJP) - South Korean basketball player Lee Hyun-jung has moved closer to his NBA dream by signing a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, his agency Epic Sports said on Monday. The one-year Exhibit 10 deal is non-guaranteed, pays the NBA's minimum salary, but gives Lee a chance to compete for a spot on the Trail Blazers' regular-season roster, allowing him to participate in the team's training camp. Even if Lee doesn't make the Trail Blazers&# September 7, 2026

K-pop boy group NCT collabs with Seoul fashion week SEOUL, September 07 (AJP) -K-pop boy group NCT celebrated the 10th anniversary of its brand launch with a Seoul Fashion Week program that brought the group's stage costumes, music and choreography to a public space in Seoul's Jamsil area, SM Entertainment said Monday. The three-day program ran from Friday to Sunday at the lawn plaza of Lotte World Tower as part of Seoul Fashion Week's 2027 spring-summer season. It featured an exhibition of stage costumes worn by NCT September 7, 2026

NiziU to return with first mini album SEOUL, September 07 (AJP) - K-pop girl group NiziU will release its first Korean mini album, marking the JYP Entertainment girl group's first domestic comeback in about 18 months, the agency said Monday. The album, "Sour Grapes," will be released at 6 p.m. (0900GMT) on Sept. 28. NiziU announced the release through a prologue film posted on its official social media channels at midnight Monday. The new album will be the group's first mini album released in K September 7, 2026