Feb 18, 2026 PM EST - Hannah
BTS rapper J-Hope donated a combined 300 million won ($207,000) to Seoul Asan Medical Center's children's hospital and ChildFund Korea for student scholarships on his 32nd birthday, February 18, 2026. The contribution brings his cumulative donations to Asan Medical Center to 500 million won since 2022, and earned him membership in ChildFund Korea's "Green Noble Trinity Club" for lifetime donors exceeding 1 billion won.
Feb 13, 2026 PM EST - Hannah
IVE covers Cosmopolitan Korea's March 2026 issue with seven covers — one group shot and six solo — each themed around lyrics from the group's own songs, with interviews released ahead of their second full-length album REVIVE+ dropping February 23.
Feb 11, 2026 PM EST - Hannah
EJAE, the Korean-American singer-songwriter behind "Golden" from Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters, made history on February 1, 2026 as the first K-pop artist to win a Grammy Award, then announced her November 7 wedding to music producer Sam Kim — capping a remarkable rise from rejected SM Entertainment trainee to the defining K-pop story of 2026.
Feb 11, 2026 PM EST - Hannah
A South Korean hobbyist painter, Kim Young-mi, won the 2025 Incheon International Art Exhibition with an oil portrait of BTS member Jin (Kim Seok-jin), which is now on public display at Pine Country Club in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province.
Feb 06, 2026 PM EST - Hannah
ENHYPEN member Sunghoon carried the Olympic torch in Milan on February 5, 2026, fulfilling his childhood dream of reaching the Olympics after transitioning from a decade-long figure skating career to K-pop stardom. The former South Korean national reserve team skater became the second K-pop artist to participate in an overseas Olympic torch relay, with ENHYPEN's "SHOUT OUT" serving as Team Korea's official cheer song for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Feb 04, 2026 AM EST - Hannah
Michelin-starred chef Hu Deok-juk from Netflix's "Culinary Class Wars 2" surprised fans by posting photos with BTS members RM, Jin, Jungkook, and V on February 3, weeks before the group's March 20 comeback album "ARIRANG."
Jan 25, 2026 AM EST - Hannah
Son Heung-min ranked second in South Korea's 2025 National Image Survey as the only athlete in the top 10, trailing only BTS, after his record-breaking $26 million transfer to LAFC generated massive global impact comparable to Lionel Messi's MLS arrival. The Korean football star's exceptional performance—9 goals and 3 assists in 10 matches—and 594% social media engagement boost solidified his status as a cultural icon elevating Korea's international reputation alongside K-pop and K-dramas.
Jan 18, 2026 PM EST - Hannah
BLACKPINK's Jennie opened her first photo exhibition J2NNI5 on January 16, showcasing intimate, never-before-seen photographs from when she was 25 years old, with all ticket proceeds donated to charity. The limited exhibition runs through January 29 at Youthquake in Seoul and features work by renowned Korean photographers Hong Jang Hyun, Shin Sun Hye, and Mok Jung Wook.
Jan 05, 2026 PM EST - Hannah
Ahn Sung-ki, South Korea's beloved "Nation's Actor" and cinema legend, died January 5, 2026, at age 74 after battling blood cancer, leaving behind a record-breaking six-decade career with five Grand Bell Awards and approximately 140 films. The Korean entertainment industry mourns the loss of the iconic actor, who collapsed from a choking incident on December 30 and never regained consciousness, with a Film Industry Funeral scheduled for January 9 featuring pallbearers Lee Jung-jae, Jung Woo-sung, and Lee Byung-hun.
Jan 01, 2026 PM EST - Hannah
BTS V becomes the first international artist honored at France's Palace of Versailles after fans adopted a permanent stone bench in the Trianon gardens for his 30th birthday through the palace's official heritage program.
Dec 30, 2025 PM EST - Hannah
BLACKPINK's Jennie opens her first photo exhibition "J2NNI5" in Seoul from January 16-29, 2025, featuring unreleased photos from when she was 25 captured by renowned Korean photographers, with all ticket proceeds donated to charity.
Dec 29, 2025 PM EST - Hannah
BLACKPINK's Rosé claimed first place on TC Candler's "100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2025" list released December 28, becoming the second BLACKPINK member to achieve the honor after Lisa's 2021 win. The rankings showcased strong K-pop representation with Korean artists dominating the top tier, including aespa's Karina (8th), BLACKPINK's Jisoo (11th), and BTS's V leading Korean male artists at 7th place.
Dec 27, 2025 PM EST - Hannah
IU topped Gallup Korea's 2025 year-end survey as the #1 singer among voters aged 13-39 with 20.1% and ranked second in the actress category with 11.3%, solidifying her status as South Korea's top dual-threat entertainer following her Netflix hit "When Life Gives You Tangerines" and May 2025 remake album release.
Dec 26, 2025 PM EST - Hannah
K-pop legend Seo Taiji shared his annual Christmas update on December 25, 2024, revealing autonomous driving technology as his year's highlight while describing a hilarious family moment watching Netflix's "The Tyrant's Chef" when his 1995 hit "Come Back Home" appeared in Joseon-era style. The 52-year-old "President of Culture" apologized for no comeback news but shared Alaska travel memories and health reminders for aging fans.
Dec 17, 2025 PM EST - Hannah
Tottenham released "Heung-Min Son: Homecoming," a documentary chronicling the South Korean forward's emotional December return to North London and his decade-long legacy at the club. The film captures Son's farewell at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where he addressed fans and signed a mural commemorating his 173 goals and Europa League triumph before joining LAFC.
Feb 19, 2026 PM EST - Hannah
Feb 12, 2026 PM EST - Hannah
K-WAVE - Dec 31, 1969 PM EST - Hannah
K-WAVE - Dec 31, 1969 PM EST - Hannah
K-WAVE - Dec 31, 1969 PM EST - Hannah
K-WAVE - Dec 31, 1969 PM EST - Hannah
