DSP Media announced that coed group KARD will conclude their 10-year run after releasing their first full-length album 'Where To Now? (Part.2): NOWHERE' on July 28 and completing a final world tour; members BM, J.Seph, Somin and Jiwoo will pursue individual careers
BTS will stage "BTS The City Arirang New York" from July 24–Aug 3 to coincide with their "Arirang" world tour concerts (Aug 1–2) at MetLife Stadium; Grand Central Terminal will feature album-themed visuals and Vanderbilt Hall will display stage outfits and fan programs
Big Hit Music says BTS' single "Swim" is an independent creation and will contest a US copyright lawsuit filed by three songwriters who claim similarities to their demo; the complaint names Hybe/Big Hit and some co-writers, while BTS members themselves are not named
BTS member V has been named Jinro’s first global ambassador, with the brand releasing a teaser clip as HiteJinro aims to expand Jinro’s global presence. The move follows IU’s prior domestic role and marks a notable male-led soju campaign
BTS is facing a U.S. plagiarism lawsuit over their song "SWIM," with plaintiffs Steve Cooper, John Sandler and Graylin Johnson alleging similarity to their demo. BigHit Music and HYBE deny the claims and say they will contest the case; RM is credited on the track but BTS members were not named as defendants
Three U.S. songwriters have sued Hybe/BigHit and credited writers, alleging BTS' lead single "Swim" from the Arirang album copies their unpublished demo; BigHit calls the claim "one-sided" and says it will fight the allegations. RM is credited as a songwriter on the track
Barbie Hsu's ex-husband Wang Xiaofei says he will respect surviving spouse Koo Jun-yup (DJ Koo)'s one-third inheritance share as a court-appointed representative handles estate procedures and a trust is set up for Hsu's two minor children
BTS's lead track "Swim" from their fifth album Arirang is the subject of a U.S. lawsuit alleging it copies an unpublished demo; Hybe/BigHit and credited writers (RM is listed as a writer; Ryan Tedder named) were cited, and BigHit says the claims are one-sided and will be contested legally
IU (Lee Ji-eun) and actor Lee Jong-suk have ended their four-year relationship, agencies Edam Entertainment and Ace Factory confirmed, saying the two will remain good colleagues. The couple met in 2012 and publicly acknowledged their romance in 2022
IU and actor Lee Jong-suk have ended their four-year relationship, their agencies Edam Entertainment and Ace Factory confirmed; both said they will remain good colleagues. The couple met while co-hosting a music program and publicly acknowledged their romance in 2022
BTS will run 'BTS The City Arirang New York' from July 24–Aug 3 around their Arirang concerts (Aug 1–2) at MetLife Stadium; Grand Central will feature Arirang-themed visuals and Vanderbilt Hall will host a display of stage outfits and fan programs
NCT’s Jaehyun is releasing a self-written solo single, “99 Degrees,” supported by a music video; the ballad follows his five-city solo fan concert tour across Asia and his military discharge, and NCT127 members will return with a new LP next month
TXT’s Yeonjun discussed his latest solo EP 'No Labels: Part 02' via Big Hit Music, saying he pursued a broader, more relaxed sound, chose 'Ice Cream' as the lead, and co-wrote lyrics for two tracks
Le Sserafim will launch their second world tour, 'Pureflow,' with a two-day kickoff in Incheon supporting their full-length album 'Pureflow Pt. 1.' The five-month tour includes 32 shows across 23 cities and concludes in Manila on Dec. 5–6
Seventeen's 11th EP, Seventeenth Heaven, received Recording Industry Association of Japan 'million certification' after exceeding one million shipments in Japan — the group's third Japanese release to do so (following Dream and FML); the members thanked fans via Pledis Entertainment
Hanroro’s “Landing in Love” was the most-streamed song in Korea for the first half of 2026, while BTS’s fifth studio album Arirang was the highest-selling album; the Circle Chart midyear data also highlights Huntr/x’s “Golden” topping the global K-pop streaming chart
Le Sserafim will launch their second world tour with a two-day opener in Incheon, promoting their second full-length album Pureflow Pt.1; the five-month tour will cover 32 performances in 23 cities across Asia, North America and Europe, concluding in Manila in December
Singer-songwriter Hanroro’s “Landing in Love” was South Korea’s most-streamed song in the first half of the year, while BTS’s album Arirang led album sales; the Circle Chart midyear report also noted the fictional Huntr/x’s “Golden” topping the Global K-pop Chart
Yeonjun of TXT will release his second solo EP, No Labels: Part 02, featuring six tracks including lead single “Ice Cream,” “Vanilla,” and “No More Disco.” He contributed to choreography and lyrics and will perform solo on ABC’s Good Morning America Summer Concert Series on Aug. 7 (U.S. time)
TXT member Yeonjun will release his second solo EP, No Labels: Part 02, Friday with six tracks including lead single "Ice Cream," "Vanilla" and "No More Disco." Yeonjun helped choreograph "Ice Cream," wrote lyrics for two tracks, and will perform on GMA on Aug. 7
ATEEZ earned their second Music Bank trophy for "BAD" on July 10, winning with 7,271 points. The episode featured performances from (G)I-DLE, MONSTA X’s Kihyun, TXT’s Yeonjun, RESCENE, EVAN (Heeseung), and others
SM Entertainment announced it has filed legal complaints against numerous accounts for malicious online activity and warned that deleting or deactivating accounts won’t avoid liability; the agency said it’s continuing evidence collection and pursuing strict action via KWANGYA 119
N.Flying has relocated their 2026 Seoul concert from Ticketlink Live Arena to Jamsil Indoor Stadium for July 31–Aug 2; all existing Ticketlink reservations will be canceled and fans must rebook during the announced presale and general sale windows
EXID's Hani returns to acting after three years as Han Gyu Rim in family romance drama Love on the Menu, discussing her character's resilience, maternal conflicts, and emotional growth; the series premieres July 25 at 8 p.m. KST
STARSHIP announced that IVE member Gaeul will not attend the 2026 TMElive International Music Awards on Aug. 23 due to a prior personal schedule; IVE will appear at the event with five members (An Yujin, Rei, Jang Wonyoung, Liz, and Leeseo)
ARTMS revealed the first stops for their 2026 'Art of BLUE BLOOD' world tour — opening in Seoul (Sept 5–6) and visiting multiple North American and European cities — and teased additional dates while preparing a comeback mini album, 'Hyper-Ego', on Aug 7
IU and actor Lee Jong Suk have ended their four-year relationship, their agencies confirmed on July 10, saying the pair will maintain a good senior–junior relationship; the couple first went public about dating in 2022
Rising K-pop group izna announced the first dates for their 2026 'WHO DAT GIRL?' tour: Seoul (Sept 19–20) followed by Taipei, Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur, with more cities to be revealed
INFINITE’s Kim Myung Soo (playing Cha Eun Hwan) and Kang Min Ah’s characters grow closer on the drama Love in Sync, with a new episode showing a protective embrace and a meal where Ji An senses Eun Hwan’s emotions, hinting at a shift in their relationship
Chuu's exclusive contract with ATRP expired on July 10, 2026, and the two sides have mutually agreed to part ways. ATRP thanked fans for their support and asked for continued interest; Chuu is also appearing in the drama "My Girlfriend is the Man!" on Viki
Former 9MUSES member Keumjo shared maternity photos on Instagram, saying she’s 32 weeks pregnant and revealing her children’s names — ‘Eun’ for the first child and ‘Bo Hwa’ for the second. Keumjo married musical actor Baek Ki Bum in 2022 and announced her pregnancy in February
BTS member Jin sat for an ELLE Korea pictorial tied to Gucci and said the rain-soaked opening concert in Goyang was the most memorable moment of the ARIRANG world tour, adding that music has given him the life he has today
ITZY's Yuna stars as rising actress Yoon Choi in tvN's drama My Bias, My Boss, whose character develops real feelings for co-star Lee Chan; the series premieres August 3 at 8:50 p.m. KST and will be available on Viki
Stray Kids unveiled "TASY" as the official character for fandom STAY in a July 10 video that shows TASY meeting the eight SKZOO characters that represent each Stray Kids member
dearALICE member James announced on Instagram (July 9) that he has decided to leave the five-member group that debuted under SM Entertainment and Moon&Back Media in early 2025
aespa's 2024 music video 'Whiplash' surpassed 300 million YouTube views on July 10, becoming the group's fastest MV to reach that milestone and their third overall after 'Next Level' and 'Drama'; it reached 300M about 1 year, 8 months, and 18 days after release
