BTS Won’t Enter Music From Comeback Album for Grammy Awards - The New York Times

• The Booker Prize announced a longlist of 13 semifinalists on Tuesday for the 2026 edition of the prestigious fiction award. • Notable contenders include previous winners Marlon James for “The Disappearers” and Douglas Stuart for “John of John,” as well as Pulitzer laureate Elizabeth Strout.

• Director Na Hong-Jin's film 'Hope' maintained its No. 1 position at the South Korean box office for the weekend of July 24–26. • The movie earned $5.5 million during this three-day period, demonstrating strong continued audience interest.

• Actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming, and Benedict Wong are urging the UK culture secretary to intervene and block the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. • The group warns that industry consolidation severely limits the breadth of creative work, citing a 50% drop in independent film acquisitions at Sundance between 2019 and 2025.

• Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame has claimed the top spot in the latest Asia’s 50 Best Bars rankings. • Hong Kong's Bar Leone secured the third-best bar position in Asia, maintaining its status as the leading establishment within Hong Kong.

• Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou has been named the top bar in the Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026 rankings. • The annual list highlights bars from 22 different cities across Asia, including 14 new entries that showcase regional innovation and creativity.

• Prime Video India and CJ ENM have signed a multi-year partnership to bring over 100 Korean titles to the streaming platform. • The content slate includes high-profile series such as 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier' and the third season of 'Yumi's Cells.'

• GMMTV has issued a formal apology following a physical or verbal altercation between an event staff member and a Chinese attendee at the International Novel Festival 2026. • The incident triggered a widespread online dispute between Thai and Chinese fan communities, with the controversy expanding to include fans in Indonesia.

• K-pop agencies are shifting toward surprise street performances to promote new music, moving away from a total reliance on TikTok and YouTube algorithms. • Recent examples include soloist Evan performing his debut single "Ride Or Die" at Yeouido Hangang Park and girl group Billlie staging a comeback event at Cheonggye Plaza.

• Amazon will shut down its "Prime" free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel in Germany and Austria on August 1, just 15 months after its launch. • Simultaneously, the company is expanding its Prime Video Channels service to include third-party add-on subscriptions in Denmark, Norway, and Switzerland.

• Moving Eyelands PH will host a free screening of Cebuano films on July 29 at 6 p.m. at the Chapterhouse Creative Hub in Quezon City. • Film Concerts PH is organizing two symphony tours in the Philippines, including "UNDERTALE: The Determination Symphony" to celebrate the game's 10th anniversary.

• Prime Video India has signed a multi-year partnership with CJ ENM to bring over 100 Korean titles to the Indian market. • The agreement includes the release of 26 new shows, which will be rolled out to Indian audiences over the next two years.