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

ADOR Says Min Hee Jin’s NewJeans Tampering Claims Should Be Settled in Court ADOR distanced itself from a news conference held by former CEO Min Hee Jin’s side over allegations of “tampering” involving K-pop group NewJeans. After the news conference on Tuesday, ADOR said, “If they have claims, it’s something to be argued in court.” Earlier Tuesday, a news conference titled “The truth about tampering by former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin and the Dabolink stock price manipulation case” was held at the Kyowon Jonggak Building in Seoul’s Jongno district. Kim Sun Woong, a January 28, 2026

Korea Sports Council Vows Zero Tolerance in Ski National Team Selection Probe The Korea Sports Council said it will take strict action under a zero-tolerance policy over allegations of match-fixing and unfairness in selecting national team athletes in skiing. The council said Tuesday that it is “actively cooperating” with an ongoing police investigation. It said that if authorities confirm match-fixing, improper interference in selections or conflicts of interest that undermined fairness, it will act “regardless of position, relationships or past practices,” applyin January 28, 2026

Lee Jun Hyuk Cast in SBS Occult Drama 'Awakening' as an Exorcist Priest Actor Lee Jun Hyuk has confirmed his casting in SBS’ new drama “Awakening.” SBS’ “Awakening,” written by Jang Yoon Mi and directed by Oh Jun Hyuk, is an occult drama set in an exam-driven high school that has become a playground for evil spirits. An exorcist priest fights to save students. SBS, which expanded interest in Korean-style occult dramas with its 2023 series “Revenant,” is developing the new project with a goal of airing it in 2027. Lee will play Antonio, a new head January 28, 2026

BTS Comeback D-52: Jin's solo run draws renewed spotlight in Mexico SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - BTS’ Jin has been named “2025 K-POP Artist” in Mexico for the second consecutive year, underscoring his rising solo profile in a country where even the president has publicly appealed for additional BTS concert dates on behalf of young fans. The title was awarded by House Radio, Mexico’s leading digital pop music station, as Jin’s solo work continues to gain momentum ahead of BTS’ full-group comeback. Jin&rs January 28, 2026

BTS Comeback D-52: Jimin's 'Who' earns double platinum in Canada SEOUL, January 28 (AJP)-BTS member Jimin’s solo single “Who” received a Double Platinum Single certification on January 19, according to a music chart in Canada. Music Canada, formerly known as the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA), grants certifications based on combined figures from digital downloads, streaming and physical single sales. For singles, Music Canada awards Gold certification at 40,000 units, Platinum at 80,000 units and Double January 28, 2026

Park Chan-wook's 'No Other Choice' fails to make BAFTA final nominees SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - Director Park Chan-wook's film No Other Choice failed to make the final list of five nominees competing for next month's British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards. Among the five final nominees, announced on Tuesday about a month ahead of the annual awards, were Iran's "It Was Just an Accident," Brazilian historical thriller "The Secret Agent," Norway's "Sentimental Value," Spanish-French January 28, 2026

[BTS Comeback] Global tour draws presidential plea from Mexico SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - BTS’s first global concert tour in nearly four years, following the completion of the Korean members’ mandatory military service, has reached the level of presidential diplomacy in Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she had personally appealed to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to help secure additional BTS concert dates in Mexico, citing overwhelming demand from Mexican youth. Speaking at a regular press briefing on Jan. January 27, 2026

BTS world tour triggers global travel surge, boosting Korea tourism SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - Global excitement is building ahead of BTS’s first full-group world tour in more than four years. Fans are moving quickly to secure flights and accommodation to Korea, helping turn “tour tourism” into a major growth driver for the local travel industry. According to global travel platform Hotels.com on January 21, searches for inbound travel to Korea surged in the 48 hours following the announcement of BTS’s new world tour, BTS W January 27, 2026