K-BUZZ

BTS Rejects Grammy's New Asian Pop Category

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BTS makes a powerful statement by refusing to submit their music to the Grammy Awards' new Asian Pop Performance category, advocating for music to be judged on merit rather than regional classification. Industry figures rally behind their stance against what many view as barriers preventing Asian artists from competing in major Grammy categories. Meanwhile, actress Moon Geun Young announces her marriage to musical actor Jung Pyung, and Netflix's Korean drama True Education enters the platform's all-time top ten with over sixty million views. Plus, actor Kim Soo Hyun is cleared of fabricated charges involving AI-manipulated evidence, and Jo In Sung continues his charitable work with a private film screening for underprivileged youth.


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Welcome to K-Buzz, your daily source for the latest Korean entertainment news.

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We're your host bringing you all the hottest updates from the K-pop and K drama world.

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Today is July 29th, 2026, and we've got some incredible stories to share with you.

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Let's dive right in.

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In a powerful statement about artistic integrity, BTS has declined to submit their music to the Grammy Awards this year, specifically rejecting the newly created Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. The group expressed their desire for music to be evaluated on its own merits rather than being categorized by regional language. This decision comes as the Grammys face criticism for potentially creating a ghettoization effect, similar to how black artists were historically confined to RB and rap categories rather than competing for major awards. Industry figures and fans have rallied behind BTS's stance, with many viewing it as a rejection of barriers that prevent Asian artists from competing in the main album of the year and record of the year categories.

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Actress Moon Gun Young has announced her marriage to musical actor Jung Pyong, who is seven years her senior. The 39-year-old actress shared the news directly through social media, explaining that she wanted to walk life's path together with someone rather than alone. The couple, who have worked together on creative projects including co-writing the short film Present Progressive and collaborating on the drama Catch the Ghost, recently held a private wedding ceremony with family. Moon expressed gratitude to fans for their long-standing support and promised to continue delivering great work as both an actress and director.

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Actor Kim Su heon has been cleared of all charges related to alleged child welfare violations, with police concluding that accusations of a relationship with a minor were entirely fabricated. Prosecutors determined that audio recordings presented as evidence, which claimed Kim had a sexual relationship with the late Kim Sei Ron when she was 14 years old, were created using AI voice manipulation technology. The investigation found that the voice frequency patterns proved the recordings were fake, and the alleged witness from New Jersey could not be verified as a real person. Kim Zayui, who promoted these false claims at a press conference, has been arrested and indicted for spreading misinformation and is currently detained awaiting trial in August.

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Former NUES member Aaron has traded his idle career for corporate life, joining hair care brand Tricel as a marketing team intern in May. The singer is learning the ropes of office work, including content planning, trend research, marketing strategy, and attending meetings, while also contributing ideas based on American social media trends. Erin shared that he wanted to gain real-world work experience rather than simply resting at home. And despite the challenges of commuting over an hour each day, he's finding the experience rewarding and educational. His journey from K-pop stage to Office Cubicle will be documented through content released on the Idol Focus channel My Sai I'm's Instagram.

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Singer Sue In Young is pulling out all the stops for her upcoming Water Bomb Festival performance in Soko on August 22nd, revealing an intense preparation regimen that includes arm, liposuction, and laser facial treatments. The artist candidly shared that this represents her most dedicated effort for any performance, joking about the financial investment in her appearance, while emphasizing her commitment to delivering an unforgettable show. She's collaborating with the renowned dance crew Hook, whose leader Iike praised Sue In Young's ability to command the stage with her presence alone. Fans can expect performances of her signature hit Cinderella along with new material designed to showcase a fresh side of the artist.

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Netflix's Korean series True Education has achieved remarkable global success, entering the platform's all-time top 10 most-watched non-English series with over 60 million views in just eight weeks. The show, which ranks fourth among Korean productions after the three seasons of Squid Game, maintained the number one global position for four consecutive weeks and appeared in the top 10 charts of 91 countries during its second week. Based on a popular web tune, the series tackles real issues in Korean education, including school violence, declining teacher authority, and entitled parent behavior, delivering catharsis through its genre-driven storytelling. The show continues to hold strong in the top 10 rankings even eight weeks after its release.

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Actor Join Sung demonstrated his generous spirit by hosting a private screening of his new film, Hope, for fans and underprivileged youth at his own expense. The event welcomed members of his fan club Insung Gunja, as well as social workers and teenagers from orphanages that he supports through ongoing charitable contributions. This continues Zhio Insung's tradition of using film premieres as opportunities for philanthropy, having previously organized similar screenings for youth with rare diseases and physical disabilities during the releases of Smugglers and Hermint. His consistent charitable work includes participation in fundraising bazaars for sick children and contributing to school construction projects in Tanzania.

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Actor Choi Juang Wan, formerly of the group UN, has received a suspended prosecution for threatening his ex-girlfriend with a weapon, while stalking charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence. Prosecutors took into account that the victim submitted a letter requesting leniency and asking that Choi not be punished, despite having initially called police during the incident last August. The charges of threatening to distribute intimate videos were also dismissed as prosecutors determined the statements were made impulsively, and that, as a public figure, Choi would have been unlikely to follow through. Seoul Jongbu Police had sent the case to prosecutors in November after Choi allegedly visited his ex-girlfriend's residence with a weapon following their breakup.

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Actor Jung Il-Wu has signed with Galaxy Corporation, joining an impressive roster that includes G-Dragon, Song Kang Ho, Taymin, Kim Jongkook, Roo Jun Yol, and baseball star Lee Jung-hu. The agency, which specializes in AI entertainment technology, expressed excitement about creating new synergies with Ju Hung in the global market, praising his status as a beloved Halyu star across Asia. Zheng recently celebrated his 20th debut anniversary with a fan meeting in Hangzhou, China, and earned recognition as an Asia-Pacific Economic and Trade Culture Exchange ambassador at an international forum in Shanghai. His latest project, the Amazon Prime Original series, The Criminals, has maintained the number one viewing position for three consecutive weeks since its release.

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Actors Li Chie Min and No Yoon-soo are reuniting for the new TVN drama The Reason I Decided to Die, a time loop romance based on a popular webtoon by Yu Ju. Li Chie Min plays Cha Gyo, a man trapped in an endless cycle of death and resurrection, as he desperately tries to save the woman he loves, while No Yoon-soo portrays Namji, O, a promising taekwondo athlete who faces a career crisis due to injury before meeting Chai Gyo. The two actors previously worked together on Crash Course in Romance three years ago and will now showcase their chemistry as lovers willing to cross the boundaries between life and death for each other. Directors Choi Jongkyu of Alchemy of Souls and The Devil Judge, and Kim Hee-wan of Vincenzo and Queen of Tears will helm the production, with writer Kim Sol ji of Pegasus Market penning the script for a release next year. Until then, stay tuned to all things Korean Entertainment, and we'll catch you tomorrow.