Korean popular music and teen-idol culture guiding global pop
BTS has decided not to submit its ARIRANG album for the 2027 Grammys. The seven-member group has posted identical statements on Instagram emphasizing music should be heard for what it is, not defined by region or language. The Recording Academy says the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category aims to celebrate Asian pop artistry, while critics worry it could isolate Asian acts.
Sainsbury’s has agreed to sell Argos and the Habitat brand to Swift Partners. The deal will complete in February 2027 with full separation by 2029. Argos will continue to operate normally during the transition, and staff will transfer to Swift. The move allows Sainsbury’s to focus on its core groceries business.
Fringe coverage shows comedians embracing live audiences and personal storytelling as social media helps reach targeted crowds. Performers are weaving personal experiences into sets, with some addressing race, identity and resilience amid broader global tensions.
The Guardian and independent outlets detail Katseye’s rise as a global pop group built on K-pop training, fan culture, and major-brand partnerships, while facing internal strains and critical scrutiny as they tour globally and release Wild Hearts.
Police have referred Bang to prosecutors over alleged capital markets act violations tied to 2019 investor misdirection and a possible side deal worth about 200 billion won. Indictment decisions remain in flux as prosecutors weigh grounds for arrest and further investigations.
At TIFF 2026, studios are bypassing fall festivals while markets expand. Major releases skip screenings, while the market and Red Sea Fund-backed projects push Toronto as a hub for sales and international partnerships. TIFF’s evolving role mirrors a broader shift in how studios reach audiences and win awards amid a crowded fall slate.
A new Oasis documentary charts their 2025 reunion tour, showing Liam and Noel Gallagher reconciling and delivering a stadium-scale return. Directors Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern capture rehearsals, the Cardiff comeback, and fan ecstasy, while exploring why the music endures across generations.