Global K-pop sensation BTS will launch its first-ever concerts in Peru on Wednesday (local time), as the capital Lima rolled out a weeklong "BTS Avenue" and purple-lit landmarks to honor the group's historic visit. BigHit Music said the septet will perform at Estadio San Marcos in Lima on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday as part of its "Arirang" world tour. It marks the band's first shows in the South American country since its 2013 debut. To mark the occasion, the city's Santiago de Surco district temporarily renamed Sacramento Street as "BTS Avenue" from Oct. 5-11, installing signs along the route. Arco Morisco, a landmark structure in the district's Friendship Park, was illuminated in the group's signature color of purple on Monday and will host daily light shows through Sunday, while the Fountain of Fantasy at Lima's Fountain Park will run a BTS-themed show with music, lights and water screens during the same period. BTS opened the South American leg of the tour with two-day shows at Estadio Nemesio Camacho El Campin in Bogota last weekend, attracting around 100,000 fans.

BUSAN — Renowned film director Zhang Yimou and fellow jury members of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) called for the protection of artistic freedom on Wednesday, addressing the fierce controversy surrounding the film "The Assassin(s)." Zhang, known for such movies as "Red Sorghum" (1988), "Raise the Red Lantern" (1991) and "Not One Less" (1999), serves as jury president of BIFF’s competition section. He weighed in on the boundary between historical fact and artistic interpretation. "Creation is creation," Zhang said during a press conference, stressing that creative works should not be bound strictly to historical facts. "Even historical truth itself can often be a subject of debate. Movies serve as an artistic medium that conveys stories from the past to people living today. Viewers may interpret a film differently, and some may disagree with other opinions, but that diversity of perspective is precisely where the charm of cinema lies." Although Zhang acknowledged that he has not yet watched "The Assassin(s)," he said he was aware of the public debate surrounding t

BUSAN — Academy Award-winning actor Michelle Yeoh stressed the importance of embracing new possibilities in cinema after receiving the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). "It has been 15 years since the last time I visited, and it is wonderful," Yeoh said. "The city looks amazing. Thank you for a really warm welcome. I remember when I arrived three days ago, and there was a double rainbow,” Yeoh said during a press conference at Busan Cinema Center in Busan Wednesday. “To receive this award means so much, and I am deeply grateful for it because I think, like the Busan International Film Festival, we have come a long way." The acclaimed actor, who previously visited the festival in 2002 for industry exchanges and in 2011 with her film "The Lady," was honored with the award at the BIFF for her massive contributions to global cinema. Throughout her legendary career, she led the golden age of Hong Kong cinema with iconic titles like "Police Story 3 Supercop" (1992) before making her global mark in "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997), "Crouch

The father of her child is the Dragon King, ruler of the dragon realm. But he has no idea the child exists. After falling in love with the Dragon King, a human woman gives birth to a half-human, half-dragon child and raises the baby alone. When the child develops unusual symptoms while growing up, the woman sets off for the Dragon King's kingdom in a bid to save the child. There, she reunites with the Dragon King, and the two find themselves drawn to each other once again. This is the plot of an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated short-form drama that Yoon, a 23-year-old university student, recently came across on Instagram Reels. Initially put off by its absurd premise and sensational storyline, she soon found herself hooked. “A plot that would have seemed forced if acted out by real actors was easier to enjoy like an animated film once I knew it was AI-generated," Yoon told the Hankook Ilbo on Tuesday. AI-generated short-form dramas are gaining explosive popularity, fueling rapid growth in the market for such content. According to Wiseapp·Retail, a market analytics service base

BUSAN — Renowned Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda said his new movie "Look Back" explores a story about the creative struggles and sense of duty that storytellers experience. "When I happened to read the original comics at a bookstore in Tokyo, it hit me with tremendous shock," the Palme d'Or-winning filmmaker said in a press conference at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). "It prompted me to look back at myself and ask why people write stories, why they create and why I make movies." Adapted from the web comic by Tatsuki Fujimoto, best known as the creator of global hit “Chainsaw Man,” the movie follows two young girls, Fujino (Natsuki Deguchi) and Kyomoto (Aju Makita), who bond over their shared passion for drawing comics before navigating separate paths through their adolescent years. The film features Deguchi and Makita as the older Fujino and Kyomoto, alongside child actors Furi Nanase and Rokka Okada, who depict the characters during their early school years. Kore-eda said casting was a delicate process aimed at selecting actors who are able to effectively

Park Jin-young, JYP Entertainment's founder and co-chair of the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange, rejected allegations of preferential treatment involving his agency in preparations for a global K-culture festival during a parliamentary audit held at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. The high-stakes hearing focused on "Fanomenon," a multi-day K-pop festival and awards initiative scheduled for December next year. His agency, together with three other entertainment agencies, has been spearheading the project since early this year. The event is anticipated to draw more than 500,000 visitors, with an estimated economic impact approaching 1 trillion won ($735.8 million). However, critics argue the project only serves the interest of the entertainment companies. "The four agencies can do much more business doing other things instead of organizing 'Fanomenon," Park said during the hearing. "All the companies had to sacrifice so much for this. It was really tough to pull off. But everyone made a bold decision to commit because they saw the long-term vision — the ripp

Raven-Symoné has opened up on the impact costume fittings had on her as a child star.

Summer H. Howell has opened up about that iconic bloodbath scene in Prime Video's Carrie adaptation.

Richard Gere "doesn't care" about people's opinions of him because Buddhism has taught him there are more important things to think about.

Even after years of success, Matthew Lillard has to "fight" for jobs because Hollywood doesn't "understand" him.

Liam Gallagher has angered Liverpudlians and Beatles fans after claiming Oasis did more for Liverpool than The Beatles and “put them back on the map.”

Former Disney child star Raven-Symoné has opened up about her regret to go ahead with breast surgery at the age of 15.

Billy Ray Cyrus wants to learn to cook - so he can make breakfast for girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley.

Lily Allen has revealed she wants to stop vaping, after turning to the habit as a "coping mechanism" during her divorce from David Harbour.

Ben Affleck won the top prize on Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? over the summer.

Domhnall Gleeson has blamed bedbugs for his "angry" appearance as General Hux in Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi.

Noel Gallagher says he and Liam restarted Oasis with a simple “how you doing” and no apology after years of not speaking.

Jessica Biel will play Hugh Hefner's wife - who is not based on any of his real spouses - in Playmates.

Skeet Ulrich won't get to complete his "three-film arc" in the Scream franchise as Billy Loomis because of Melissa Barrera's firing.

Nicole Scherzinger has shared an update on the painful burns she received after boiling water spilled on her leg before a concert last month.

Big Bang Theory creator Chuck Lorre has reflected on his time working for Roseanne Barr

Dolly Parton's estate has accused her nephew and former head of security, Bryan Seaver, of deliberately evading legal summons.

Chris Colfer has admitted Glee fans made him "a little uncomfortable" with their strong desire for him to date Darren Criss in real life.

FKA twigs has dismissed her lawsuit against Shia LaBeouf after he dropped a non-disclosure agreement against her, meaning she is now free to speak out.

WATCH: Laura Byrne has burst into tears as best friend Brittany Hockley revealed her long-awaited news in an emotional surprise.

David Ellison has vowed that Skydance won't shy away from taking creative risks on the big screen.

Ynon Kreiz, Skydance's new co-CEO, has insisted it is "too early" to talk about Barbie 2.

WWE superstar Joe Hendry released his new album Beyond Belief this week, and he wants to return to his musical roots with a proper run of live gigs.

Tom Grennan has stopped chasing hits after losing sight of the music he really wanted to make.