Updated : 2026-01-05 16:33:07 KST
Walter today we have to start off with sad news. Yes, the Korean entertainment world is in deep mourning as veteran actor Ahn Sung-ki , who devoted decades to shaping Korean cinema, has died aged 74. According to the Korean Film Actors Association, Ahn died at around 9 a.m. on Monday, six days after being checked into intensive care in Seoul. Ahn was surrounded by his family when he passed away. Ahn Sung-ki was revered as one of Korea's most iconic actors, admired not only for his exceptional talent but also for his integrity and warmth.
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Throughout his career, he left a lasting impression through acclaimed films such as "Two Cops" and "No Mercy". He received particular praise for his nuanced portrayal of a monk's inner struggle in the film "Mandala." With his acting career spanning almost seven decades, it included roles in more than 170 films, earning him recognition as a living chronicle of Korean film history. A huge loss in Korea's film industry and entertainment scene. May he rest in peace.
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acclaimed 칭찬(갈채, 환호, 호평)을 받고 있는
nuanced 미묘한 차이가 있는
portrayal [pɔːr|treɪəl] 묘사
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Next, we talked about this group extensively during our last episode of "The Kulture Wave" last year, but there is no slowing down the CORTIS train, right? CORTIS' debut album's intro track "GO!" has surpassed 100 million cumulative streams on Spotify as of Friday. This amazing achievement was reached four months after its release and also marks the shortest time for a K-pop boy group song released in 2025 to reach 100 million streams. Among the rookies who debuted in 2025, CORTIS is the only group so far to surpass the 100-million-stream milestone with a single track.
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International media have put a lot of spotlight on the song as well. It ranked No. 2 on Billboard's "The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025: Staff Picks." It was also named among the "Best K-Pop Songs of 2025" by music media outlets such as NME and Dazed. Meanwhile, CORTIS is set to attend the 40th Golden Disc Awards at Taipei Dome on January 10th. After securing trophies at the 2025 MAMA Awards and the 10th Anniversary Asia Artist Awards 2025, anticipation is building over whether the group will claim yet another win.
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claim 얻다, 차지하다
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Finally, let's now look at how K-pop might be faring in 2026, I hear returns and Grammy nominations are the big news. For the first time, K-pop tracks have secured nominations in the Grammy Awards' main categories, long considered the highest honour in popular music. Of particular interest is the "Song of the Year" category, which raises the prospect of K-pop claiming its first-ever win, with "APT." by BLACKPINK's Rosé and "Golden" from the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack both nominated for this top honor.
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fare (특정 상황에서) 성공하다, 더 잘하다
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Meanwhile, "KPop Demon Hunters" emerged as a global phenomenon last year, even transforming the streets of New York City, and cemented its status as one of 2025's most talked-about projects. The production gained further recognition after winning TIME magazine's "Innovative Work of the Year" award. Its standout track "Golden" is a nominee for "Best Original Song" at the Golden Globe Awards on January 11th. And this just in, "KPop Demon Hunters" has won "Best Animated Feature" and "Best Song" for "Golden" at the 31st Critics Choice Awards.
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phenomenon 경이로운 사람 것
transform (모습·성격을, 특히 더 좋게) 완전히 바꿔 놓다[탈바꿈시키다]
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Looking ahead, BLACKPINK are marking the 10th anniversary of their debut and are preparing a new album shaped by the members' growth through solo activities. Anticipation is also rising as BTS prepare to resume full-group promotions. They are scheduled to return this spring with their long-awaited full-group performances, reuniting with fans worldwide. Right, last time on K-enter we were informed of the date of BTS' return, March 20th. And I hear more details are out? Right, according to BigHit Music, the new album will be their fifth full-length album with 14 tracks! And I heard that each member is deeply involved in the making of this album. Armys, the countdown is on. Thanks Walter. Next up, we turn to 'K-Culture Dive' AI news with our AI anchor ARANG. ARANG take it away!
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영어 원문 출처 및 동영상 링크;
arirang news/Life/Culture
https://m.arirang.com/news/view?id=291152