ENTERTAINMENT

• Google's Sean Downey and YouTuber Adam W discussed the surge in creator ad spending during Business Insider's CMO Insider breakfast. • The experts advised marketers to stop attempting to control every word of a campaign, suggesting that relinquishing creative control to creators leads to better results. • This shift matters as brands move away from traditional corporate scripting to leverage the authentic voice and influence of social media personalities.

• Actor David Corenswet gained widespread internet praise on June 24, 2026, after he was seen protecting co-star Milly Alcock on a red carpet. • Social media users have lauded the actor's chivalry, with many fans calling him a "real life Superman" in reference to his role. • The incident highlights the ongoing public scrutiny and pressure celebrities face from paparazzi during high-profile media events.

• Viu CEO Janice Lee revealed at APOS 2026 that nearly 20% of the platform's long-form viewers have transitioned to watching microdramas. • The streamer is expanding its branded content and co-production efforts, highlighted by the Indonesia-set series “Abracadabra” produced with Samsung and starring Ji Chang-wook. • This shift matters as the short-form format attracts advertisers seeking rapid production turnarounds and higher engagement through pan-regional tentpole strategies.

• The KOSPI index plummeted nearly 10% on June 23, 2026, causing severe financial losses for investors in South Korea. • Shares of semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix fell approximately 12%, triggering a sharper decline of 24% to 25% in single-stock leveraged products. • The crash is significant as some investors reportedly lost one-third of their principal investment in a single trading day.

• Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce and technology giant, filed a lawsuit against the US government on Tuesday. • The legal action challenges the Department of Defense's decision to place the company on a list of businesses linked to the Chinese military. • This move is significant as being on the military-linked list can lead to severe investment restrictions and sanctions for US entities.

• J-pop streaming on the Korean music platform Genie Music increased by 30% during the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2023. • A KT Genie Music official attributed this surge to the growing number of ways Korean audiences are engaging with Japanese pop culture. • This trend highlights a shifting cultural landscape in South Korea, where Japanese music is gaining significant traction among local listeners.

• J-pop streaming in South Korea has surged by 30%, fueled by a rising demand for Japanese artists, anime soundtracks, and live concert experiences. • Yusuke Nakagawa of Aobisystem notes that direct exposure on Korean music shows, such as appearances by Cutie Street, triggers immediate global interest, including growth in markets like India. • This trend signifies a shift in the music industry where traditional cultural and geographic boundaries dividing East Asian markets are increasingly dissolving.

• Amazon has scrapped a forthcoming film featuring Andrew Garfield that focused on the co-founder of OpenAI. • On the podcast *The Rest is Entertainment*, Richard Osman and Marina Hyde linked the decision to Amazon's partnership with OpenAI announced in February. • Osman argued that "billionaires with thin skin" are increasingly controlling cultural narratives by suppressing critical media.

• The European Copyright Society published a paper affirming that performer equitable remuneration (ER) for streaming is a "lawful mechanism" under EU copyright law. • This position follows Belgium's recent introduction of an ER right and a corresponding legal challenge attempting to block its implementation. • The society's findings reject arguments against the right, asserting that performers are legally entitled to fair compensation from streaming services.

• Google has entered a strategic partnership with the independent film studio A24, investing a reported $75 million into the company. • The deal has sparked significant backlash from filmmakers and fans, who have labeled the move as "disappointing" due to concerns over corporate influence on indie cinema. • This investment matters as it highlights the increasing intersection of Big Tech and creative arts, potentially altering the autonomy of celebrated independent studios.

• Olivia Rodrigo has announced the lineup for "Daisy Chain Fields," an all-women charity music festival featuring a collection of her "heroes and friends." • The event will showcase high-profile performers, including Stevie Nicks and Chappell Roan, as part of the curated roster. • All proceeds from the festival will be donated to various charitable organizations that advocate for the rights and well-being of women and girls.

• Former BBC Three presenter Ashley Cain has issued a public apology after his show was pulled following the discovery of historical sexist tweets. • Cain stated he is "not proud" of the language used in the past, asserting that he has grown and changed since the posts were originally published. • The incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny of public figures' digital histories and the BBC's strict standards regarding offensive content.

• TMZ has expanded its coverage into Washington D.C., finding early success by applying celebrity gossip tactics to political reporting. • The move reflects a growing overlap between politics and celebrity culture, where conflict and personal humiliation often drive more engagement than traditional policy analysis. • This shift suggests that modern audiences are increasingly drawn to cynical, personality-driven journalism over institutional reporting.

• HUL's Closeup has received recognition from both the Asia Book of Records and the India Book of Records for its AI-powered "Love Tunes" Valentine's Day campaign. • The initiative utilized AI technology to transform user selfies into personalized, production-ready music videos delivered within minutes. • The campaign achieved significant scale, generating approximately 85,000 personalized videos and recording over one million page views.

• The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival concluded with debut directors dominating the Golden Goblet Awards, signaling a shift toward new cinematic voices. • Zhong Kaifeng’s debut feature, “Atlantic Rhapsody,” won best feature film and best cinematography (awarded to Hao Jiayue) for its portrayal of 1990s Northeast China. • Beyond the awards, the festival served as a critical forum for discussing how AI is reshaping the film industry and China's ongoing push for global cultural influence.

• Emma Watson made a rare public appearance at a high-profile event alongside other notable figures, including Prince William and Benedict Cumberbatch. • The appearance marks a significant return to the spotlight for the 'Harry Potter' star, who has largely retreated from Hollywood. • Watson has not taken on a new movie role in seven years, making her presence at the event a point of interest for the entertainment industry.

• Legendary music executive Clive Davis made his final public appearance in May 2026 at the Gordon Parks Foundation Awards Dinner in New York City. • The event featured a star-studded dinner and auction, occurring just one month prior to Davis's death at the age of 94. • This appearance serves as a final public milestone for the influential figure who shaped the careers of numerous global music icons.

• Pennsylvania Film Commissioner Gino Anthony Pesi announced that the state has awarded $117 million in tax credits to a record 59 film and television projects for 2025-2026. • These productions are expected to inject $1.11 billion into the economy and create 11,700 jobs across 35 different counties. • High-profile projects receiving funding include season 5 of Paramount’s *Mayor of Kingstown*, season 3 of Netflix’s *Tires*, and the second season of HBO’s *Task*.