'Possible Love' stirs Venice sensation with 6-minute ovation SEOUL, September 07 (AJP) - Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love" emerged as one of the early sensations of the Venice Film Festival after drawing a six-minute standing ovation and rave reviews, putting the Korean auteur's first feature in eight years among the closely watched contenders for the Golden Lion. The Netflix-backed film premiered Sunday at the Sala Grande on the Venice Lido as part of the main competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. September 7, 2026

'The Odyssey' crosses 10 million as Nolan phenomenon grips Korea SEOUL, September 07 (AJP) -Christopher Nolan has turned his homage to Homer’s nearly 3,000-year-old epic into a pop-culture phenomenon in South Korea, where The Odyssey has drawn more than 10 million moviegoers and sent audiences scrambling not only for IMAX seats but also for Greek classics, mythology books and museum exhibitions. The Universal Pictures release crossed the 10-million admissions mark at around 4 p.m. Sunday, according to the distributor, reaching the milestone September 7, 2026

Police brace for huge crowds at annual fireworks festival this weekend SEOUL, September 4 (AJP) - More than 5,000 police officers and other security personnel will be deployed to manage crowds and respond to emergencies in Yeouido along the Han River this weekend, as about 1 million people are expected to gather for the annual Seoul International Fireworks Festival, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The festival, hosted by Hanwha Group, has drawn more than 1 million visitors every year since it began in 2000, as crowds gather along the Ha September 4, 2026

South Korea aims for 3rd-place finish at Asian Games in Japan SEOUL, September 4 (AJP) - With this year's Asian Games in Japan just weeks away, South Korea is aiming to finish third in the quadrennial sporting event by winning up to 50 gold medals. The country will field about 1,052 athletes and sports officials to compete in 41 of the 43 disciplines, excluding cricket and padel. According to the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), South Korean athletes and sports officials gathered at the Jincheon National Training Center in September 4, 2026

Striker Hwang Hee-chan returns to Bundesliga on loan with Schalke SEOUL, September 2 (AJP) - Striker Hwang Hee-chan has left Wolverhampton Wanderers and joined Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 on loan, the German club said on Tuesday. According to local media, Hwang's deal with Schalke runs through June 30 next year and includes an option for the Miners to sign him permanently for a reported transfer fee of 3 million euros (about 4.78 billion South Korean won). Despite Hwang's contract with Wolverhampton running through June 2028, he decid September 2, 2026

L.A. in 'BTS Week' to celebrate this week's sold-out shows SEOUL, September 1 (AJP) - Los Angeles has declared Sept. 1-8 as "BTS Week" to celebrate the K-pop juggernaut' s return to the city for four sold-out concerts, their agency BigHit Music said on Tuesday. The septet's "Arirang" world tour concerts are set to be held at SoFi Stadium on the outskirts of La La Land on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday this week. All four shows sold out early. The City of Angels designated the eight-day observance to w September 1, 2026

Stray Kids' Felix to roll out solo track SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - Felix of Stray Kids will release a solo digital single, "Slow It Down" on Tuesday as the second installment of the group's self-produced project SKZ-PLAYER, JYP Entertainment said. SKZ-PLAYER is a Stray Kids project in which the group's eight members release music and visual content they helped create, with a focus on their work as musicians and artists. Member Han opened the project in June with "back to life," making F September 1, 2026

Moreno named temporary Korean national football team manager SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - Former Spain head coach Robert Moreno was named temporary manager of South Korea's men's national football team Tuesday, taking over a side still dealing with the fallout from its early World Cup exit and a long-running scandal over the appointment of his predecessor. The Korea Football Association (KFA) approved Moreno's appointment during a board meeting at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, about 90 kilometers south of Seoul. Moreno, 48, September 1, 2026

NCT to bring 10th anniversary events across Seoul SEOUL, August 31 (AJP) - NCT will hold a series of public events across Seoul in September to mark the 10th anniversary of its brand launch, SM Entertainment said Monday. The events will be held in collaboration with Seoul Fashion Week and will include fountain shows, costume displays, a runway program, installations and an anniversary exhibition. From Sept. 1 to 5, Banpo Hangang Park's Moonlight Rainbow Fountain will present nightly shows set to songs by NCT 127, NCT DREAM August 31, 2026

'The Odyssey' reigns as Korea's biggest foreign box-office hit for 2026 SEOUL, August 31 (AJP) - Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan's epic saga, "The Odyssey" has become the highest-grossing foreign film released in South Korea so far this year. According to tickets sales data released by the Korean Film Council on Monday, "The Odyssey," which drew more than 8 million moviegoers in less than a month since its release on Aug. 5, has now surpassed the Hollywood franchise film "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," which opened a August 31, 2026