[K-enter] Jungkook achieves 2.5 bil. Spotify streams

Bella, let’s start off with an amazing milestone by Jungkook of BTS.

Jungkook has reached a remarkable milestone on Spotify -surpassing 2.5 billion streams.

According to Spotify, Jungkook’s solo single “Seven,” released in July 2023, has surpassed 2.5 billion streams as of the chart dated August 18th.

This is the first time that a single by a Korean artist has reached this milestone.

In addition, Jungkook’s solo tracks have collectively surpassed 9.4 billion streams, setting a record for the most streams by a K-pop solo artist.

His solo album “GOLDEN,” which features the track “Seven,” is also on the verge of reaching 6 billion streams.

"Lucky Seven", but of coures it takes more than luck to make such an achievement.

And we will now talk about a movie that’s being recognized in film festivals even before its release.

Director Park Chan-wook’s new film “NO OTHER CHOICE” has officially been invited to the main competition section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.

It's the first time in 13 years that a Korean film has competed in the festival’s main section, since director Kim Ki-duk’s “Pieta.”

At a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday, Park described the project as the one he wanted to make the most for so long.

Both the director and cast members described the film as simultaneously heartbreaking and hilarious.

This year’s Venice International Film Festival will run from August 27th to September 6th on Lido Island in Venice, Italy.

The film has also been selected as the opening film for this year’s Busan International Film Festival.

“NO OTHER CHOICE” will premiere in theaters in September.

And now to a K-drama!

KBS2 and Disney+ teamed up for a hero-style series inspired by the 12 zodiac guardians.

Actor Ma Dong-seok, known for his punch in the film “THE ROUNDUP,” is poised to unleash his trademark power-packed action once again, but this time as a tiger-inspired celestial warrior.

He also took part in planning and making the series.

“Twelve” is a series that re-imagines the Eastern zodiac symbols as 12 guardians who take human form to protect humanity from dark forces.

The cast and crew gathered at the Seoul Pullman Hotel in Seoul on Wednesday for a press conference to promote the drama.

The series will premiere this weekend, August 23rd.

Thank you Bella for today’s stories. Now, let's go over to our AI anchor Ari for more on the culture front. Ari!