Comeback

• European leveraged finance lenders are increasingly demanding amortization schedules for software firms due to concerns over AI-driven disruption. • This shift marks a return to repayment terms that have been largely absent from the European market since the 2008 global financial crisis. • The trend reflects growing anxiety that AI could rapidly erode the competitive advantage and revenue stability of traditional software companies.

• BTS announced on Wednesday that they will not submit their latest album, ‘Arirang,’ for consideration at the 69th annual Grammy Awards. • The decision comes just one month after the Recording Academy introduced a new category specifically for Asian pop music. • The group's seven members shared the decision via a joint statement written in Korean and posted across their individual social media accounts.

• The European venture capital ecosystem showed a recovery in capital availability during the first half of 2026, despite a continued lack of IPO activity. • Investor appetite remains strong for defense tech, specifically companies focusing on autonomous systems, satellite infrastructure, robotics, and AI-powered applications. • Germany has become a primary hub for this trend, with Munich emerging as a center for larger funding rounds within the defense-tech sector.

• 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. • This strategy marks a return to traditional marketing to create authentic, real-world engagement and visibility for artists in central Seoul.

• South Korean retail investors are returning to high-risk leveraged financial instruments despite a history of severe losses. • This trend is fueling concerns among analysts that volatile stock market movements could trigger an abrupt and chaotic unwinding of these speculative wagers. • The resurgence highlights a persistent appetite for risk among local traders, potentially increasing systemic instability within the Korean market.

• Global semiconductor stocks experienced a massive rebound on Tuesday (21st), highlighted by a 5.21% surge in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index. • Major industry players saw significant gains, including MediaTek soaring 9.9%, Samsung Electronics climbing over 6%, and Hua Hong Semiconductor skyrocketing 20%. • The rally drove Taiwan's TAIEX up 1,783 points (4.2%), marking its best single-day performance since May and the second-largest closing point gain in history.

• Indian badminton duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were forced to exit the Japan Open 2026 in the men's doubles first round. • The exit occurred after a recurring shoulder injury affected Satwik, the same issue that had previously sidelined the pair from four tournaments. • This marked a disappointing return for the reigning Asian Games champions, who had recently broken a two-year BWF World Tour title drought at the Singapore Open in May.