We take an in-depth look at trending issues in entertainment, broadcasting, film, OTT, performances, and sports, focusing on the latest verified facts and official schedules and viewing information.
Red Velvet released the five-track summer mini-album ‘Velvet Summer’ on August 3, 2026. The title track is ‘Surfin’ Boy.’ Official and distribution materials describe it as the group’s first full-member release in about two years and two months since ‘Cosmic,’ while early results were recorded on overseas iTunes charts and Korea’s Bugs chart.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) handled 31.5 million passengers in the first half of 2026, a 31.3% decrease from the same period in 2025. Regional airspace restrictions and flight disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict were identified as contributing factors, but the entire decline cannot be attributed to the war. Monthly passenger traffic in the second quarter rose from 3.5 million in April to 5 million in June.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued Level 5 heavy-rain emergency warnings for Fukui, Ono, and Katsuyama. Fukui Prefecture’s official data as of 5:00 p.m. on August 30 lists 343,444 people covered by evacuation orders or information for older adults and others, but this is not the number of people who actually evacuated. Rainfall totals also differ by observation time and location, ranging from 327 mm to 350.5 mm and 374.0 mm.
Jorja Smith’s third studio album, ‘What Are The Odds,’ was released through FAMM on August 21, 2026. All 12 tracks were produced by P2J, with the album’s central focus being its expansion into dance music, including UK garage, 2-step, house, and Afro-house. Wizkid and Devlin also appear on ‘Alive’ and ‘This City,’ respectively.
The FDA and CDC are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Javiana linked to jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico. As of August 21, 2026, 431 illnesses and 57 hospitalizations had been reported across 32 U.S. states. The recall has expanded beyond fresh jalapeños to related products including salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, sandwiches, and soup mixes.
The Korea Reputation Institute reported that RESCENE ranked first, BTS second, and Lim Young-woong third in its August 2026 singer brand reputation analysis. The study used 129,484,511 pieces of singer brand big data collected from July 22 to August 22, 2026, and RESCENE recorded a brand reputation index of 8,577,564. Singer brand reputation and star brand reputation are separate surveys with different periods and classifications.
Kim Soo-hyun is scheduled to attend the 2026 The Fact Music Awards as a presenter at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on September 19, 2026. The event has been reported as his first official event in South Korea in approximately 18 months, but there is no confirmed basis for interpreting it as a full resumption of domestic activities or confirmation of his next project.
Klay Thompson completed a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks, cleared waivers, and signed an approximately $11.5 million, two-year contract with the Miami Heat. The second season is reportedly a player option.
Red Velvet released the summer mini-album ‘Velvet Summer’ on August 3, 2026. The five-track album features ‘Surfin’ Boy’ as its title track, a dance song combining bossa nova guitar, reggae rhythms, and a house groove.
KATSEYE’s third EP, WILD, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 dated August 29, 2026. Of the 170,000 album-equivalent units recorded in the U.S. from August 14–20, 2026, pure album sales accounted for 145,000 units.
Samsung Biologics has announced a roughly KRW 3 trillion rights offering to existing shareholders, followed by a general offering of unsubscribed shares. Approximately KRW 271 billion of the proceeds is expected to fund the acquisition of Polypeptide Group, while approximately KRW 29 billion will be allocated to expanding Bio Campus II. The acquisition remains subject to minimum ownership and regulatory approval conditions.
Manchester City defeated Crystal Palace 4-1 in the 2026-27 Premier League match played on August 28, 2026. Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki each scored twice.
Ji-man Choi has officially confirmed his participation in the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft. Ulsan Whales announced that he will attend the tryout on September 1, while the official KBO draft event will be held on September 21. However, a first-round selection and destination club have not yet been determined.
Liverpool and Nottingham Forest drew 2-2 in their Premier League match on August 29, 2026. Liverpool’s Victor Muñoz scored the equalizer in the 82nd minute, recording his first goal for the club.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has relied on emergency diesel generators for more than a week after losing its only remaining external power-line connection on August 20. The IAEA said approximately 10 days of fuel remained, but the ‘blackout within 10 days’ is a conditional outlook assuming no restoration of external power or delivery of additional fuel—not a confirmed announcement of a radiation release.
Newcastle United defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 29, 2026. Anthony Elanga scored in the 62nd minute and Yoane Wissa added another in the 72nd minute. The win was reported as Matthias Jaissle’s first Premier League victory since taking charge of Newcastle.
NCT 127’s seventh full-length album, ‘BLINGY,’ was released on August 24, 2026. The album contains nine tracks, and the official music video for the title track ‘Blingy,’ along with post-release music show pre-voting schedules, can also be checked.
Liverpool drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest in Premier League Matchweek 2 at Anfield on August 29, 2026. After conceding in the 24th and 70th minutes, Liverpool equalized twice through Alexander Isak and Víctor Muñoz.
The main Gamescom 2026 event takes place at Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany, from August 26–30. Major new-game information was revealed during Opening Night Live on August 25, and Future Games Show was also streamed on August 26. Additional announcements and details may change before the event ends.
Early applications for the SOURCE MUSIC 2026 SUMMER AUDITION ended at 11:59 p.m. KST on August 23, 2026. August 24–30 is the period when first-round successful applicants receive detailed information about in-person auditions by individual email; there will be no separate on-site registration. In-person auditions are scheduled across 10 regions, from Incheon on September 5 to Seogwipo on October 18.