BTS

On July 29, 2026, BTS announced via Instagram they will not submit music for the 2027 Grammy Awards, boycotting the ceremony. The decision follows the Recording Academy’s creation of a “Best Asian Pop Performance” category, which BTS and label HYBE view as segregationist. The group’s English-heavy album *ARIRANG*—a global chart-topper—would be ineligible for the new category. BTS, with five nominations and no wins, argue music should not be divided by region or language, sparking debate on racial categorization in awards.

8 reports · 6 sources · Updated Jul 31, 09:16 AM UTC

A charity auction organized by Christie's for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund raised $652,630, far exceeding projections. The highlight was a shirt worn by BTS member Jimin during the 2026 World Cup final halftime show, which sold for $110,000 — the same price as a ball used in the final match. BTS items collectively fetched $300,300, accounting for 46% of total revenue. Other notable lots included a signed Lionel Messi Argentina jersey gifted to Shakira ($66,000), Madonna's goalkeeper gloves ($41,800), and Justin Bieber's sneakers ($26,400). Bidders from 24 nations participated in the online auction. Proceeds will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for education and soccer programs in underserved communities across 200 countries. Spain won the World Cup final 1-0 over Argentina on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 08:27 PM UTC

Despite record Q2 revenue and operating profit driven by BTS' Arirang tour, shares of South Korean K-pop agency Hybe plunged over 16% on Tuesday and Wednesday, wiping $1.96 billion from its market cap. Analysts attributed the sell-off to a miss in profit-margin expectations, as concert revenue—which surged 243% year-on-year—carries lower margins due to higher artist-settlement costs. The market had expected growth to be led by higher-margin merchandise sales. Hybe's operating margin of 11.8% fell short of analyst estimates. Despite the stock drop, brokerages remain positive, citing additional merchandise production, expansion of tours from new groups Cortis and Katseye, and the return of NewJeans following a resolved contract dispute.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 05:01 AM UTC

BTS's track 'Normal,' released as a single from their album 'Arirang' in mid-July 2026, has returned to multiple UK charts at No. 1. The song re-enters the Official Singles Sales chart and the Official Singles Downloads chart at the top position, marking the band's seventh and eighth No. 1s on those respective lists. 'Normal' also re-enters the main Official Singles chart at No. 36, a new peak, becoming the third song from 'Arirang' to reach the top 40 after 'Swim' (peaked at No. 2) and 'Body to Body' (No. 28). Despite the single's success, the album 'Arirang' itself declined on all four UK album charts it appears on. The lead single 'Swim' continues to perform well, climbing on the Official Physical Singles chart.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 06:45 PM UTC

South Korea's four largest entertainment companies—HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and YG Entertainment—have confirmed the inaugural Fanomenon festival, a K-pop mega-event conceived as a direct rival to Coachella. The 11-day festival will run from December 2 to 12, 2027, across two venues: the newly built Seoul Arena and KINTEX exhibition center. The event is backed by a public-private partnership with the South Korean government and was announced by the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange. The combined rosters of the four companies include global superstars BTS, BLACKPINK, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, TWICE, aespa, and many others. The festival will feature concerts, fan meetings, esports tournaments, business forums, and a fandom-centric awards ceremony. Organizers project 520,000 visitors, including 200,000 from abroad.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 05:00 PM UTC

The 2026 KM Chart Awards, held on July 25, 2026, honored K-pop's biggest achievements with four Daesangs (grand prizes). Rookie group CORTIS won Record of the Year, their first Daesang, less than a year after their debut. BTS claimed Album of the Year for 'ARIRANG,' their first group album since completing military service. Tomorrow X Together (TXT) won Artist of the Year and three other awards, making them the night's biggest winners by total count. HWASA's 'Good Goodbye' won Song of the Year, her first such win as a solo artist. The ceremony also awarded Bonsangs (Ultimate 12), Fans' Choice Awards, New Artist awards, and Special Awards to various artists including ZEROBASEONE, UNIS, and P1Harmony.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 08:06 PM UTC

Christie's and Global Citizen have opened 'One Goal: An Auction to Benefit the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund,' an online-only sale running July 22-29, 2026. The auction features the official match ball from the 2026 World Cup final, along with opening-game balls from other matches. Signed jerseys include Lionel Messi's 2022 Argentina shirt, a USMNT jersey, and shirts from David Beckham, Alphonso Davies, and Santiago Giménez. Items worn during the first-ever World Cup Final Halftime Show on July 19 are also offered, including garments from all seven BTS members (RM's boots, J-Hope's gloves, Jin's belt, Suga's pants, V's scarf, Jimin's custom 7 jersey, and Jung Kook's jacket), Madonna's fingerless gloves, Justin Bieber's sneakers, Chris Martin's handwritten lyrics, and Shakira's outfit from the 'Dai Dai' music video. A soccer ball signed by all halftime show performers is also available. Every lot opens at $100 without reserve. Proceeds support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which has raised approximately $60 million toward a $100 million target, distributing grants to 58 organizations across 20 countries.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 10:05 PM UTC

Forbes reports that lifestyle platform Average Socialite will host an official McDonald's x BT21 Happy Meal Toy Swap Meetup on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 12 pm to 2 pm at the McDonald's located at 809 6th Ave, New York, NY. The free event, open to the public, allows BTS fans (ARMY) to trade duplicate BT21 Happy Meal collectibles, enjoy themed photo opportunities, and receive complimentary fries and drinks (while supplies last, from 12-1 pm). RSVP is recommended but does not guarantee entry due to limited space. The article also provides business context, noting that McDonald's stock rose 3.97% upon the BT21 collaboration announcement, and references the success of previous BTS partnerships, including the 2021 BTS Meal which generated $98 million in incremental sales.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 09:21 PM UTC

Ella Langley's 'Choosin' Texas' achieves its 13th week at No. 1 on Billboard's Digital Song Sales chart, tying Flo Rida & T-Pain's 'Low,' Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars' 'Uptown Funk,' and The Chainsmokers & Halsey's 'Closer' for the sixth-longest run in chart history. The song sold 7,300 downloads in the latest tracking period, outselling the No. 2 (Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart') and No. 3 (Taylor Swift's 'I Knew It, I Knew You') combined. The track also holds at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Streaming Songs charts. Langley is approaching historic records held by Shaboozey (15 weeks), Lil Nas X (16 weeks), Luis Fonsi (17 weeks), and BTS (18 weeks).

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 03:00 PM UTC

Forbes reports that London-based fine jewelry house DOSIS G6C created bespoke jewelry for BTS's halftime performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, watched by an estimated 1.42 billion viewers. Founder Beichen Guan, a Central Saint Martins graduate, designed entirely custom pieces including diamond whistle necklaces and soccer ball earrings. The brand, which has previously worked with FKA Twigs, Black Pink, and Lady Gaga, handcrafts its pieces in a family workshop in Guangzhou, China. The article highlights how independent designers are increasingly using major cultural stages to gain visibility, and how bespoke craftsmanship offers exclusivity that heritage luxury brands cannot replicate.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 12:30 PM UTC

The Allianz Arena in Munich is being converted back into a football stadium after hosting a series of major concerts over the past month and a half. The stadium, home to FC Bayern, was repurposed because the city lifted a concert ban due to extensive renovations at the Munich Olympic Stadium (expected until 2028). Performers included Linkin Park, Foo Fighters, The Weeknd, BTS, and Helene Fischer. As of Tuesday, floor panels and tarps have been removed, and the ground is being prepared for new hybrid roll-out turf. The next home game is the Telekom Cup against RB Leipzig on August 15, followed by the Bundesliga season opener against VfB Stuttgart on August 28.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 11:17 AM UTC

Forbes reports on K-pop star WONHO's latest EP 'CORE', released on July 21, 2026. The seven-track album blends house, electronic, R&B, club, and hyper-pop genres, marking a shift from his previous romantic pop style. The lead track 'Don't Wake Me Up' is an explosive dance-pop anthem with a music video depicting government oppression and personal liberation. WONHO contributed to lyrics, composition, production, and arrangement across all tracks. The EP explores themes of hidden wounds, self-protection, vulnerability, and self-acceptance, with concepts titled RAW, SHELL, and CRACK. Notable collaborators include Brother Su, known for working with BTS and BLACKPINK. The album contains both English and Korean songs, targeting global audiences and his Korean fanbase WENEEs.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 09:10 AM UTC

Korean beauty brand TIRTIR has announced a limited-edition collaboration with BTS for the 'BTS THE CITY ARIRANG — NEW YORK' fan experience, running from July 24 to August 3 in New York City. The collaboration features the Perfect Setting Duo, including the Mask Fit Makeup Fixer and Reflect Glow Prep Primer, available for pre-order via Weverse Shop from July 27-31. Purchasers of two or more sets receive an exclusive BTS THE CITY ARIRANG lucky pouch. The event spans iconic New York locations such as Grand Central Terminal and the Korean Cultural Center New York, where a TIRTIR CONCERT-PROOF BAR will be set up. TIRTIR previously partnered with BTS for the Busan edition of the CITY series, and BTS member V has been the brand's global ambassador since 2025. The collaboration coincides with BTS's sold-out ARIRANG world tour and their recent FIFA World Cup halftime show performance.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 08:49 AM UTC

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, but its cultural and business impacts are expected to persist across media, music, and fashion globally. The article highlights record-breaking U.S. viewership, including 44 million for the Mexico-England quarterfinal on Telemundo, which outperformed Fox and the NBA Finals. NBCUniversal and Telemundo leveraged the event to showcase Spanish-language broadcasting and streaming on Peacock. The piece notes the growing influence of Latin American culture in football and music, citing missed opportunities for stars like Karol G. It also discusses the future of media rights, with Big Tech companies like Netflix and Amazon poised to compete aggressively. Celebrities from Tom Cruise to Erling Haaland were drawn to the event, while U.S. player Christian Pulisic faced a branding setback. The final's halftime show featured a global lineup including Madonna, Shakira, and BTS, underscoring the fusion of sports and entertainment.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 07:43 PM UTC

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, featured the tournament's first-ever halftime show, lasting a record 27 minutes and 23 seconds—double the standard 15-minute break. The performance included Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Coldplay, and others, curated by Chris Martin. FIFA and Global Citizen aim to raise $100 million for education and football projects. Critics raised player welfare concerns, as IFAB had previously rejected similar extensions.

15 reports · 8 sources · Updated Jul 20, 05:49 PM UTC

Liam Gallagher, Oasis frontman, publicly criticized FIFA's first-ever World Cup halftime show during the 2026 final on social media, calling it 'like a bad trip' and saying his 'spiritual socks' prevented him from being 'tipped over the edge.' The show featured performances by Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, The Muppets, and Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso. Former England captain Wayne Rooney, part of the BBC's presenting team, also panned the show, stating his favorite part was 'when it finished' and bluntly calling it 'crap.' The article also notes that Oasis's 1995 hit 'Wonderwall' has resurged in the UK charts as an unofficial England football anthem, reaching number two, ahead of FIFA's official World Cup song 'Dai Dai' by Shakira and Burna Boy. Spain defeated Argentina in the final.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 10:32 AM UTC

Liam Gallagher, Oasis frontman, publicly criticized FIFA's first-ever World Cup halftime show during the 2026 final, calling it 'like a bad trip' on social media. The show featured performances by Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, The Muppets, and Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso. Former England captain Wayne Rooney, part of the BBC's presenting team, also panned the show, saying his favorite part was 'when it finished' and calling it 'crap.' The article also notes that Oasis's 1995 hit 'Wonderwall' has resurged in the UK charts as an unofficial England football anthem, reaching number two, ahead of FIFA's official World Cup song 'Dai Dai' by Shakira and Burna Boy. Spain defeated Argentina in the final to win the 2026 World Cup.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 10:32 AM UTC

German football legend Lothar Matthäus has sharply criticized the halftime show of the 2026 World Cup, calling it 'undignified.' The show featured performances by global pop stars Shakira, Madonna, BTS, and Justin Bieber. Matthäus, a former World Cup winner, expressed his strong disapproval in comments reported by BILD Sport. The article highlights his blunt assessment of the entertainment segment, which he deemed inappropriate for the occasion. The criticism comes amid broader discussions about the integration of major entertainment acts into sporting events.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 10:11 AM UTC

Forbes reports on the soccer icons featured during the historic 2026 FIFA World Cup halftime show, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin and produced by Global Citizen. The show, which included performances by BTS, Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber, and others, also displayed several legendary and current footballers. During Madonna's segment, Brazilian icons Ronaldo Nazário and Ronaldinho Gaúcho appeared driving an off-road vehicle. Erling Haaland of Norway was shown on screen beating a drum as his team performed their iconic rowing gesture. A video of the late Pelé giving a speech about 'Love' was played after Shakira's performance, leading into the finale. The article provides background on each player's career achievements and their significance in football history.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 11:24 PM UTC

A halftime show at MetLife Stadium featuring Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, and other performers was described as 'very Gianni Infantino-coded,' reflecting FIFA President Gianni Infantino's vision of soccer as a global unifying force. The performance included dancers carrying colorful globes and heart-adorned flags, a formation spelling out 'LOVE' with an image of the Earth as the 'O,' and a tarp covering the field with multilingual phrases such as 'Purpose,' 'Grow,' 'Future,' 'Inspire,' and 'We are all one in the universe.' Many fans remained in their seats to watch the show, which emphasized themes of unity and global connection.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 08:29 PM UTC

A halftime show at MetLife Stadium, featuring performers such as Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber, and BTS, was heavily coded with FIFA President Gianni Infantino's vision of soccer as a global unifying force. The visual displays included dancers carrying colorful globes and heart-adorned flags, a formation spelling out 'LOVE' with an Earth image as the 'O', and a field-covering tarp displaying phrases like 'Purpose', 'Grow', 'Future', 'Inspire', and 'We are all one in the universe' in multiple languages. Many fans remained in their seats to watch the spectacle, which was interpreted as a promotional showcase for Infantino's ideals.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 08:29 PM UTC

A halftime show at MetLife Stadium, featuring performers like Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber, and BTS, was described as heavily influenced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino's vision of soccer as a global unifying force. The performance included dancers carrying colorful globes and heart-adorned flags, and a field tarp displaying words like 'Purpose,' 'Grow,' 'Future,' 'Inspire,' and 'We are all one in the universe' in multiple languages. A series of letters spelled out 'LOVE' with an image of the Earth as the 'O.' Many fans remained in their seats to watch the show, which emphasized themes of unity and global connection.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 08:29 PM UTC

A POLITICO poll reveals that Europeans are significantly less supportive than Americans of the upcoming halftime show at the FIFA World Cup, the first such event in the tournament's history. The show, headlined by Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS, could extend the halftime break to 25 minutes, longer than the standard 15. Over half of UK respondents oppose the show, preferring to stick to soccer traditions, compared to 48% in Germany, 41% in France, and 36% in Spain. Only 28% of Americans opposed it. Older respondents were consistently less supportive, with just 18% of those aged 65+ in Germany and the UK in favor, versus 42-45% of 18-24 year olds. FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has defended the initiative, saying it will 'touch the hearts of the people.'

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 07:30 PM UTC

A POLITICO poll reveals that Europeans are significantly less supportive than Americans of the upcoming World Cup halftime show, a first for the tournament. The show, headlined by Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS, could extend the break to 25 minutes. Over half of UK respondents oppose it, preferring soccer traditions, compared to 28% of Americans. Opposition is also high in Germany (48%), France (41%), and Spain (36%). Older respondents are less supportive, with only 18% of those 65+ in Germany and the UK in favor, versus 45% and 42% of 18-24 year olds. FIFA chief Gianni Infantino defended the show, saying it will 'touch the hearts of the people.'

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 07:30 PM UTC

According to a POLITICO poll, Europeans are significantly less supportive than Americans of the upcoming halftime show at the FIFA World Cup, a first for the tournament. The show, headlined by Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS, could extend the break to 25 minutes, longer than the standard 15. Over half of UK respondents oppose the show, preferring traditional soccer customs, compared to 48% in Germany, 41% in France, 36% in Spain, and only 28% in the US. Older respondents are less supportive; only 18% of Germans and Brits aged 65+ support it, versus 42-45% of 18-24 year olds. FIFA chief Gianni Infantino defended the show, saying it will 'touch the hearts of the people.'

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 07:30 PM UTC

FIFA revealed the 2026 World Cup closing ceremony lineup, set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, 90 minutes before the final. Performers include Tom Cruise (special appearance), Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and streamer IShowSpeed. Jennifer Hudson will sing the U.S. national anthem. The event, co-created with Balich Wonder Studio, celebrates the 48-team tournament co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, and will also feature a first-ever halftime show.

14 reports · 11 sources · Updated Jul 20, 06:12 AM UTC

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will be held on July 19-20, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, featuring Spain against Argentina. Spain reached the final by defeating France, while Argentina overcame England in the semifinals. The match marks a historic clash between two unbeaten teams, with Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal facing off. A halftime show with Coldplay and Justin Bieber is planned. The third-place match will be between France and England.

74 reports · 19 sources · Updated Jul 19, 10:32 PM UTC

FIFA is staging the first-ever World Cup final half-time show, featuring Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus with Coldplay. The 11-minute performance will take place in New Jersey on Sunday. The article, written by brand expert Simon Dent, argues that while football traditionally needed no extra entertainment, the move reflects the modern competition for audience attention against streaming, gaming, and music. Dent warns FIFA against simply copying the Super Bowl model, emphasizing the need for authenticity and respect for football culture. He notes that the show is a commercial strategy to turn the final into a global entertainment property, but risks irritating fans if it feels contrived. The reception by supporters of the finalists will determine whether the show becomes a landmark or a gimmick.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 04:00 AM UTC

The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey has been fortified ahead of the 2026 World Cup final, where US President Donald Trump will attend and hand over the trophy. Security measures include drone surveillance, police monitoring from the stadium's highest points, and restricted mobility during Trump's presence. The article also details the broad political representation, including King Felipe VI of Spain, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and presidents of Mexico and Canada. A list of 2010 Spanish world champions invited by the federation is provided, along with the halftime and closing ceremony performers such as Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Coldplay, Robbie Williams, and Tom Cruise. The stadium opens at 11:00 a.m. local time, with the closing ceremony starting 90 minutes before kickoff.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 18, 04:16 PM UTC

Ella Langley's country hit 'Choosin' Texas' has achieved a 12th week at No. 1 on Billboard's Digital Song Sales chart, making it the ninth-longest-running leader in the chart's history. The song, which also tops the Billboard Hot 100, sold 7,350 copies in the latest tracking frame, outpacing Toby Keith's 'Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue' at No. 2. Langley's track previously tied Pharrell Williams' 'Happy' at 11 weeks and now stands alone. It is poised to potentially match collaborations like 'Low,' 'Uptown Funk,' and 'Closer' at 13 weeks. The all-time record is held by BTS's 'Dynamite' and 'Butter' with 18 weeks each. The article highlights Langley's solo achievement in a chart historically dominated by collaborations and K-pop acts.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 12:45 PM UTC