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.
1047 Games has announced the end of active development for Empulse and Splitgate: Arena Reloaded. Starting September 3, both games are scheduled to shut down dedicated servers and official matchmaking and transition to peer-to-peer hosting and a server browser, but they will not be closed immediately.
Christopher Nolan’s film ‘The Odyssey’ surpassed 8 million cumulative admissions in South Korea on August 28, its 24th day in theaters. It drew 211,180 viewers that day and reached 8,017,492 admissions, reportedly making it the fastest 8-million-admission milestone among films released in 2026.
Rain or showers are expected nationwide from August 29 through 31. Daejeon, Sejong, and South Chungcheong could receive more than 200 mm during August 30–31, while some areas may see torrential rain exceeding 50 mm per hour overnight or before dawn.
Samsung Electronics’ second-quarter 2026 dividend was confirmed at KRW 374 per share for both common and preferred shares and was paid on August 28. By contrast, the approximately KRW 30 trillion cash dividend planned for the third quarter and the annual KRW 90–110 trillion estimate remain at the planning and projection stages. The third-quarter dividend per share is scheduled to be finalized by the board at the end of October.
Rain is expected to spread nationwide by the night of August 29, 2026. The Capital Region is forecast to receive 5–20 mm, while Daegu and North Gyeongsang are likely to see an additional 10–60 mm accompanied by gusty winds, thunder, and lightning. Humid heat will continue in Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang despite the rain, and a tropical night advisory is in effect in parts of Busan.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day ranked No. 1 at the North American weekend box office for four weekends from July 31 through August 21, 2026. As reported on August 25, it had reached No. 2 on the all-time North American box-office list, though grosses and rankings may change depending on when they are measured.
Dolly Parton died at age 80 on August 25, 2026. Following a video announcement on her family’s official social account, reports from Reuters, AP, and The Guardian, along with official documents from Dollywood and the U.S. White House, provided further confirmation. Her spokesperson said only that she had undergone a short battle with cancer and died at a hospital.
The AI-narrated audiobook The Complete Short Stories of O. Henry was published on August 25, 2026, and is listed on YES24 and Kyobo eBook. The publisher is Aram Books, and the product information identifies the narrator as “odiro Mikhyeong,” with eight episodes totaling approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. However, odiro’s September 1 announcement concerns the end of its AI voice-content creation feature and subscription products. There is no confirmed basis for interpreting it as the shutdown of the entire AI audiobook production service or the suspension of sales or listening access for this title.
Kim Mi-kyung’s 10th-anniversary revised edition of *Nonviolent Communication for Teenagers* was released as an AI-narrated audiobook on August 25, 2026. The product pages list ISBN 9791143343062, a complete recording running 5 hours, 49 minutes, and 18 seconds, and five odiro AI narrators.
Liverpool drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest at Anfield on August 29, 2026. Víctor Muñoz scored Liverpool’s equalizer in the 82nd minute, and both teams earned one point.
The Dog Stars, directed and co-produced by Ridley Scott, opened in theaters on August 28, 2026. It is based on Peter Heller’s novel of the same name, while early reviews from the AP, The Guardian, and the Los Angeles Times have been mixed. A Disney+ streaming release date has not yet been announced.
Liverpool drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest at Anfield on August 29, 2026. Nottingham Forest took the lead twice, but goals from Alexander Isak and Víctor Muñoz brought Liverpool level. In particular, Muñoz’s 82nd-minute goal was Liverpool’s second equalizer, not Nottingham Forest’s.
The 2026 K-World Dream Awards were held on August 27 at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. ATEEZ won four awards—Best Stage Award, Group Popularity Award, Artist Award and Best Artist Award—while LE SSERAFIM, BTS and RIIZE each received three awards.
A report on the Korea Brand Reputation Research Institute’s August 2026 star brand reputation analysis announced RESCENE in first place, BTS in second, and Lim Young-woong in third. RESCENE’s brand reputation index was 10,180,185, based on an analysis period from July 29 to August 29, 2026.
Selvas AI expanded Odиро’s range of uses for romance, action, fantasy, and other genre content by adding 25 style voices. However, beginning September 1, 2026, AI voice content creation features and subscription plans will end on Odиро and move to SELVAS Voice. Existing projects will not be transferred, so users should download any needed audio by August 31.
Newcastle United defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0. The first half ended 0-0, but Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa scored within 10 minutes after half-time, giving Matthias Jaissle his first Premier League win as Newcastle manager. Tottenham have lost both of their opening two matches and have failed to score in either game.
In the LaLiga third-round match between Sevilla FC and Atlético Madrid on August 29, 2026, Lee Kang-in started and assisted Álex Baena’s goal in the fourth minute. LaLiga’s official records also showed an additional goal by Baena and Atlético leading 0–3 at half-time, but the final whistle and final score had not been confirmed at the time of verification.
After the match against Newcastle United, Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi said that Richarlison, Kevin Danso, and Pape Matar Sarr want to leave the club. However, no transfer or release has been confirmed for any of the three, and an economic solution from the club and actual offers are still pending.
Kim Min-jae started Bayern Munich’s 2026–27 Bundesliga opener and played until the 84th minute. Bayern beat Stuttgart 5–1, but one match alone is not enough to conclude that Kim has secured a long-term starting role.
Newcastle United defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 away on August 29, 2026. Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa scored in the second half, giving manager Matthias Jaissle his first Premier League victory in charge of Newcastle.