Rookie K-pop boy band CORTIS drew mixed reactions after their first solo concert in Incheon, with fans criticizing the shortened 100-minute runtime, repeated songs (notably multiple performances of "REDRED" and "YOUNGCREATORCREW"), and lack of costume changes; supporters said the minimalist approach matched the tour concept
IU has canceled her September concert in Goyang and postponed the release of her sixth full-length album after medical advice related to a worsening patulous Eustachian tube; she apologized to fans and said she will return as soon as possible
IU has canceled her September Goyang concert and postponed the release of her sixth full-length album after medical advice due to worsening patulous Eustachian tube symptoms; she apologized to fans and said she will return as soon as possible
Rookie group Cortis closed the opening shows of their 'Put Your Phone Down' world tour in Incheon to mixed reactions, with some fans criticizing the short running time, repeated songs and minimal production while others praised its participatory, festival-like approach
Psy’s 2012 hit “Gangnam Style” has surpassed 6 billion YouTube views, the most for any K-pop music video, P Nation said; Psy celebrated the milestone at a concert and said he’ll upload a new video to thank fans
As Twice approaches a second contract renewal with JYP, reports link Jeongyeon, Tzuyu, Chaeyoung and Jihyo to outside agencies, sparking debate over whether the nine-member group might adopt a Blackpink-style model of separate individual management while maintaining group promotions
Odd Atelier said Jennie has not established a US branch in California, clarifying the company only obtained a tax ID after local reports about an OA Entertainment, Inc. incorporation; Jennie continues to headline major international festivals this summer
Kiss of Life released a teaser for their third single 'Sweat', due Aug. 4, showing the four members rehearsing choreography; their prior single 'Who is She' reached No. 24 on Melon’s Hot 100 and No. 6 on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales
Psy’s “Gangnam Style” has surpassed 6 billion YouTube views, becoming the first K-pop music video to hit that milestone; P Nation called it a landmark in K-pop history and Psy celebrated the achievement during his Summerswag 2026 concert
Hybe’s new subsidiary ABD announced it will debut seven-member girl group Tuide by year-end; the act includes Seoyeon, the youngest sister of Twice leader Jihyo, and was introduced as part of ABD’s focus on launching girl groups
Illit's 'It's Me' music video surpassed 100M YouTube views in under 80 days — their second MV to do so after 'Magnetic' — while title track 'Not Cute Anymore' reached 200M Spotify streams. The quintet will release a Japanese single 'I Got Your Back' and finish their Asia tour in Hong Kong on Aug. 22
Hybe announced Tuide, a seven-member girl group set to debut this year as the first act under its new label ABD. Veteran producer Han Sung-soo will lead production, and the group expands Hybe's girl-group lineup alongside Le Sserafim, NewJeans, Illit and Katseye
BTS headlined the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show at MetLife Stadium, performing 'Dynamite' with Jungkook featured and all seven members joining on-field; Suga, Jimin and J-Hope drew attention for their outfits during the landmark global performance
BTS performed at the FIFA World Cup final halftime show at MetLife Stadium, delivering a shortened 'Dynamite' and joining Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy, Chris Martin and NYC's PS22 Chorus for a collaborative finale; BTS will continue U.S. tour dates in East Rutherford on Aug. 1–2
CORTIS has been announced as the first players on Mnet Plus’s idol horror variety show SUMBAKKOKJIL Season 2, which adopts a story-driven, urban-legend format. The CORTIS episode premieres July 31 on Mnet Plus (airing Aug 1 on Mnet)
The 2026 K-World Dream Awards will be held Aug. 27 at KINTEX in Goyang for the ceremony’s 10th anniversary; performers announced include ATEEZ, P1Harmony, RIIZE, AHOF, AND2BLE, QWER, ILLIT and RESCENE, with Jun Hyun Moo and Jang Do Yeon returning as hosts
Sooyoung stars as villain Anya opposite Uhm Jung Hwa, Park Sung Woong, and Ryeoun in the action-comedy sequel OK! Madam: Bon Voyage; Uhm Jung Hwa returns as former secret agent Mi Young. The film opens in theaters on August 12
IU announced via a July 20 letter on Berriz that she has canceled her September Goyang Stadium concert and postponed promotion for her completed sixth studio album because of worsening patulous Eustachian tube dysfunction; she apologized to fans and hopes to resume activities in 2027
SBS revealed SUMMER ANJELS as a special collab unit for the 2026 SBS Gayo Daejeon Summer — featuring Hearts2Hearts' Ian and Stella, MEOVV's Anna and Ella, and izna's Bang Jeemin — with Ian also set to MC the Aug. 9 KINTEX event
ENA’s travel-variety ALL or NOTHING releases a teaser showing Super Junior’s Leeteuk and Shindong, DAWN, WEi’s Kim Yo Han, and NCT’s Johnny and Jisung competing across Egypt for the "prince" title; the show premieres July 27 at 11:15 p.m. KST on Viki
BTS performed at the FIFA World Cup final halftime on July 19 at MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey), and their European tour reportedly drew about 717,000 attendees
DAWN opens up his two-story, art-filled home and introduces his seven-year-old dog Haetnim in a preview for MBC’s I Live Alone; his episode is scheduled for July 24 at 11:10 p.m. KST
PSY’s music video for “Gangnam Style” surpassed 6 billion YouTube views on July 17, becoming the first music video by an Asian artist and the fifth overall to reach the milestone; it was originally released in July 2012
SEVENTEEN subunit V8 — Vernon and The8 — debuted on the Billboard 200 at No. 128 with their self-titled mini album, also charting No. 3 on World Albums, No. 4 on Top Dance Albums and No. 7 on Top Album Sales; Vernon and The8 reached Nos. 6 and 7 on Emerging Artists
Billboard's World Albums chart for the week ending July 18 sees ATEEZ's GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5 hold No. 1 for a second week, with CORTIS, SEVENTEEN unit V8, LE SSERAFIM, BOYNEXTDOOR, Stray Kids, BTS, aespa, NewJeans, ZEROBASEONE, ENHYPEN, TXT and ILLIT placing across the chart
Rookie boy group idntt returned July 13 with a 20-member comeback and EP itsnotover; Hanteo reports first-week sales of 568,005 copies (July 13–19), breaking their previous record of 431,377
HYBE has officially named its upcoming girl group TUIDE, which will debut under new label ABD and be produced by PLEDIS founder Han Sung Soo; the group has launched official social media accounts ahead of their debut
DAY6's Young K announced his 'YOUNGEST' solo tour, starting with three nights at Incheon’s INSPIRE Arena (Aug 14–16) and including stops in Bangkok, Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, Manila, and Kuala Lumpur; he’s also due to release his second full-length album on July 27
KISS OF LIFE announced their third single album SWEAT will drop on August 4 at 6 p.m. KST and released a preview video titled “SWEAT EQUITY” ahead of the comeback
WayV confirmed their eighth mini album Vision Wings will be released on August 10, and the group shared the first teaser on July 20 (KST)
Starship group KiiiKiii dropped teaser content on July 20 as they begin the countdown to a summer comeback, with the agency previously indicating a target release in mid‑August though no exact date has been confirmed
Jennie of BLACKPINK released a teaser on July 20 (KST) for her upcoming solo single "Less than a LOVER," with the credits listing Jennie as director, writer, and music creator
I.O.I earned their fifth music show trophy for “Suddenly” on SBS Inkigayo (July 19), beating aespa’s “LEMONADE” and RESCENE’s “LOVE ATTACK.” The episode featured performances from Sunmi, (G)I-DLE, TXT’s Yeonjun, Dreamcatcher’s UAU, BTOB’s HUTA, MONSTA X’s Kihyun, and more
