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

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

Today is August 21, 2026, and we've got some incredible stories to share with you.

Let's dive right in.

Mark from NCT has issued a second apology regarding his controversial wearing of a Confederate flag t-shirt. The artist clarified that his previous statement during a live broadcast was poorly worded, explaining that he actually did not understand the symbol's meaning or historical significance at the time he wore it. Mark took full responsibility for his ignorance and offered a sincere apology specifically to black fans who were hurt by his actions. He promised to educate himself further and ensure his future actions reflect respect and inclusivity, marking a significant moment of accountability in K-pop's ongoing conversations about cultural sensitivity.

The girl group Atheart brought vibrant 1990s energy to Music Bank with their performance of 3-4, the second single from their Time Travel project. Styled in Y, 2K-inspired headbands and accessories, the group delivered an energetic new jack swing performance that reimagined the original ruler track with contemporary flair.

WJSN member Daeung is reuniting with Jay Park for a new digital content piece titled After Flirty, set to drop on August 27th. This collaboration serves as a narrative continuation of their previous single Foo Flirty, which captured the initial attraction between two people at a party. The new content will feature the duo spending intimate time together inside a track's crossover vehicle, blending music, performance, and automotive aesthetics. Dayung continues to expand her artistic range beyond music, having released Flirty just weeks after her April single, What's a Girl to Do? demonstrating her commitment to consistent creative output.

Big Bang's G Dragon reflected on how she's perspective has changed dramatically over the group's 20-year career during an appearance on Epic High's YouTube show. In a viral moment, the legendary artist revisited his intense statement from a pre-debut documentary where he told trainees to practice as if one knee breaking doesn't matter, acknowledging that he now realizes how precious knees actually are. Fellow member Tae Yang agreed, noting that they now need to protect their knees, while Epic Heist Tableau humorously admitted he loops that motivational clip whenever he needs inspiration. The candid conversation highlighted the physical toll of decades in the industry as Big Bang prepares for their 20th anniversary world tour, which kicks off with three shows at Goyang Stadium from August 21st through 23rd.

The legal battle between Source Music and former ADOR CEO Minhe Jin has concluded its final arguments in the 500 million won defamation lawsuit. The Seoul Western District Court heard closing statements without calling additional witnesses. With Source Music claiming Min's press conference statements about New Jean's casting and artist management were false and damaged the company's reputation. Min's legal team countered that the statements were truthful and that requiring witness testimony in every similar case would unnecessarily prolong proceedings. The court rejected SourceMusic's request to obtain third-party cacao talk conversations and dismissed the submission of certain affidavits, with a verdict now pending that could set important precedents for entertainment industry disputes.

That was Let Me Love You by Tiger J.K. and Yun Miri. What a beautiful reunion after eight years. Now back to more news.

The song was the most played K-pop release during the August 9th through 15th tracking period, receiving airplay on approximately 130 radio stations, including most requested live and iHeart K-pop. This marks the SM Entertainment Group's first entry on this important North American chart, which serves as a key indicator of mainstream popularity in the US music market. The track's success extends beyond radio, with related short-form content surpassing 100 million cumulative views on TikTok, while the group prepares to release their third Japanese single, Sunburst, on August 26th.

Christopher Nolan's epic film Odyssey has crossed the 6 million admissions mark in South Korea just 17 days after release, outpacing the box office velocity of mega hits like The King and the Clown and 1212 the Day. The film now ranks third among all releases this year and is rapidly closing the gap with second place Spider-Man Brand New Day, which drew 7.74 million viewers. Despite entering its third week, Odyssey maintains the number one spot in pre-sales, with over 750,000 tickets already sold for upcoming screenings. The Matt Damon-led retelling of the Trojan War Hero's Journey Home has also become the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time globally, earning $1.352 billion worldwide according to Box Office Mojo.

Actor U Ayn has signed with Billions Entertainment, marking his return to acting activities following legal troubles. The agency emphasized they will serve as a responsible partner, supporting the actor in rebuilding trust with the public while acknowledging the seriousness of his past actions. You received a one-year suspended sentence last year for habitual drug use, which had derailed his career and caused delays for films like The Match and High Five. His comeback project is director Zhang Jeun's film Vampir, where he'll play a bounty hunter tracking a heretical group with script readings recently completed as production moves forward.

Actor Yu Sung ho is stepping behind the camera for his first ever photography exhibition titled Blue Hour about the brilliant imperfection between light and darkness, opening October 3rd through 11th at Layer 7 in Seoul's Yongsan District. The exhibition will showcase moments captured through his film camera, exploring themes of boundaries between light and shadow, clarity and blur, and emotional transitions. Yu will also appear as a subject in photographs taken by artist Kim Juang won, offering fans an intimate glimpse into his private moments. Proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to neighbors in need and organizations supporting abandoned cats, extending the actor's influence beyond entertainment into meaningful philanthropy.

NCT-127 is gearing up to unleash explosive Neo Energy with their seventh full-length album, dropping a dynamic music video teaser for title track Dlingy. The teaser showcases intense racing sequences and powerful choreography set to heavy distortion synth sounds and strong drum beats. The hip-hop track blends rage and dubstep elements with NCT127's signature style, with lyrics expressing deep pride in the team and their unstoppable ascending energy. The nine-track album will span diverse genres, including rock pop and indie pop, with the full release scheduled for August 24th at 6 p.m. on major music platforms.

That wraps up today's episode of K-Buzz.

Thanks for tuning in to get your daily dose of Korean entertainment news. Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated on all the latest happenings in the K pop and K drama world.

We'll be back tomorrow with more exciting stories and updates, so make sure to tune in for the next episode of K-Buzz.

Until then, stay tuned to All Things Korean Entertainment, and we'll catch you tomorrow.