Kim Wooseok starts his military service today, sharing photos on Instagram. He will serve in the army band after basic training.

SM Entertainment announced it is pursuing strong legal action against people who posted defamatory, insulting, threatening, and stalking-related content targeting NCT’s Jisung across platforms like X, YouTube, and SpinSpin. A first-trial court fined one defendant 5 million won, and additional complaints are under police investigation.

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.

On the afternoon of the 16th, DIESEL held a one-year anniversary event for its flagship store in Hannam-dong, Seoul, attended by TWICE’s Jihyo, NCT’s Jeno, Lee Dong-hwi, Hong Hwa-yeon, and Groovy Room. The text also includes promotional notices for milktouch and NCT DREAM.

Korean BL drama “Sugar Cube Sound,” based on a popular webtoon, starts exclusive streaming on FOD at midnight on Oct. 23. It follows Han-yul, a singer who stopped singing after a painful past, and genius composer Lee Won as they grow closer through music and face their secrets.

At the Seoul Drama Awards 2026, writer Kim Eunsook won the top Golden Bird Award. K-dramas and performers including Ryu Seung-ryong, Im Ji-yeon, and RIIZE’s Anton were also honored. Jin Akanishi attended from Japan and received the Asia Star Award.

At the Seoul Drama Awards 2026 ceremony held on the afternoon of the 8th at KBS Hall in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, attendees included RIIZE’s Anton, Jin Akanishi, Yoon Ji-sung of Wanna One, Ku Gyo-hwan, Ryu Seung-ryong, Kim Nam-gil, Um Ki-joon, Lim Ji-yeon, Apink’s Jung Eun-ji, Han Go-eun, Moon Ji-hoon (Swings), Kim Min, Lee Jae-won, Park Gyeong-hye, Lee Dong-ha, Lee Yeo-reum, Choi Hyo-ju, writer Kim Eun-sook, Elizaveta Maksimova, Gladys Bay, Paulo Avelino, and announcer Lee Jae-eun.

iKON’s Donghyuk posted photos of stars currently serving in the military, including Kim Young Dae, MONSTA X’s I.M, SEVENTEEN’s Woozi, Kang Daniel, Baekho, Song Gun Hee, and Rowoon. They also shared dance videos to songs like “BAD” and “GENIE,” and had recently appeared at the 2026 Ground Forces Festival.

NCT’s Xiaojun will make his solo debut with his first mini album, Hey, Somebody, set for release on the 26th by SM Entertainment. The album will include five tracks, including Chinese and English versions of the title song. After years of group, collaboration, and OST work, attention is on his first solo album.

On the morning of the 2nd, NCT’s Taeyong, Haechan, and Jaehyun left for Jakarta, Indonesia, via Incheon International Airport for “NCT 127 5TH TOUR 'NEO CITY : JAKARTA - THE REDLINE'.” The article is based on local media coverage, and photo quality may vary. Related reports note that Doyoung and Jungwoo, who are serving in the military, also appeared at the venue, and that NCT 127’s fifth world tour has begun. Their October 24 Saitama Belluna Dome concert will be broadcast live exclusively on WOWOW.

RIIZE’s Anton returned to Korea through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 1st after completing his participation in Paris Fashion Week. The text also mentions that NCT’s Jaemin, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, and Jin Akanishi have been confirmed as winners at the Seoul Drama Awards 2026, with Anton winning the OST Award, and notes that Anton previously departed for France to attend Fashion Week.