BTS Jin sparks debate after fan tries to kiss him at post-discharge hug event.

Some K-pop artists, including IVE, KiiiKiii, FIFTY FIFTY, and Park Hyo-shin, submitted songs for the Grammy’s new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, along with Japanese and other Asian acts. But BTS, Stray Kids, and other major-label artists declined, amid debate over whether the category helps or isolates Asian music.

BTS’s V proved his powerful influence in fashion by generating about 5.2 billion won in media value for CELINE during Paris Fashion Week, even though he did not attend. Lefty’s report said his impact accounted for about 23% of CELINE’s total EMV, the highest among related influencers.

According to Spotify, BTS’s 5th full album ARIRANG passed 5 billion cumulative streams as of the 14th, the most among 2026 releases. Every one of its 14 tracks topped 200 million streams, and the title track SWIM neared 1 billion. The album also set Billboard 200 records, including three straight weeks at No. 1.

Park Sae-mi suddenly announced that she will get married this week, posting wedding photos on SNS. She expressed affection for her groom-to-be, florist Kim Joon-young, and apologized for not being able to notify everyone personally. The couple, who met through a trainer, reportedly dated for about two years.

ABOUT MUSIC’s TikTok hashtag ranking placed BTS’s Jungkook at No. 5 with over 421 billion views, the highest among male solo artists. BTS topped the list overall, followed by Messi, Ronaldo, and Taylor Swift. Jungkook’s songs remain popular on TikTok, while BTS continues its world tour.

Stray Kids announced they will not enter the next Grammy Awards, following BTS. The move comes as the Recording Academy keeps its new Asian pop music category, which has drawn criticism for potentially separating K-pop by region and language. Debate continues.

BTS’s “ARIRANG” Japan tour Blu-ray and DIGITAL CODE will go on preorder on October 2, 2026, and be released on December 23, 2026. It includes the Tokyo Dome Day 1 performance from April 17, featuring songs like “Hooligan,” “FAKE LOVE,” and “Butter,” plus an 84-minute behind-the-scenes video.

The Recording Academy has decided to keep the controversial Best Asian Pop Music Performance category for the 2027 Grammys. CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said the decision followed weeks of talks with Asian music leaders and creators, including critics and supporters, and that the Academy believes it is the right choice for the music industry.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, Tom Cruise attended the red carpet event for the film DIGGER at Times Square Atrium in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. The film is a black comedy about an oil drilling company CEO whose profit-first actions caused a global crisis and who rushes to save the world.

Tom Cruise attended a press conference in Seoul’s Yeouido Conrad Seoul for the film "DIGGER." The black comedy follows an oil drilling company CEO whose profit-first actions trigger a global crisis, forcing him to race to save the world.