July brought a mix of inspiring achievements, public movements, and major announcements from the South Korean entertainment industry. Here's a roundup of the biggest stories that defined the month.

Sonam Wangchuk's Hunger Strike


(Picture credit- cockroachjantaparty on Instagram)

Engineer and Education reformer Sonam Wangchuk remained on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demanding accountability over irregularities in the NEET examination and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. His protest received support from actors, filmmakers, digital creators, and public figures, who urged the government to respond while appealing to Wangchuk to end his fast.

History Made at the Home of Cricket


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India celebrated a historic moment after Harmanpreet Kaur’s team secured a commanding 270-run victory over England in the first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s. The victory placed Harmanpreet among the few Indian captains to register a win at the venue. Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s. The remarkable performance inspired young girls who dream of representing the country.

Hollywood Lost a Legend


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The entertainment world mourned the loss of actor Sam Neill, who passed away at the age of 78. Best known for his iconic role in Jurassic Park, Neill died unexpectedly while surrounded by his family, according to a statement released by them. Earlier this year, the actor had shared that he was cancer-free. Following the news of his death, heartfelt tributes came in from fellow actors, musicians, and filmmakers, celebrating his remarkable career and contribution to cinema.

Beautiful Romance Came To an End


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South Korean stars IU and Lee Jong-suk ended their relationship after four years. Their agencies, EDAM Entertainment and ACE FACTORY, stated that the two had mutually decided to part ways while continuing to remain good colleagues. Reports suggested that their increasingly busy schedules gradually created distance between them, leaving them with fewer opportunities to spend time together. The news surprised fans across the world who were waiting for their marriage.

BTS Faced a Plagiarism Lawsuit


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BTS made headlines after a plagiarism lawsuit was filed in the United States over their song Swim. Songwriters Steve Cooper, John Sandler, and Graylyn Johnson alleged that the track was similar to a demo song they had previously written. The complaint also named HYBE, HYBE America, BigHit Music, and several credited songwriters. In response, BigHit Music firmly denied the allegations, stating that Swim was an original work and promised to defend the case through legal proceedings.

Kim Soo-hyun Made a Comeback


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South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun officially resumed his entertainment career after 16 months. His agency, Gold Medalist, confirmed that he filmed a commercial and photo shoot for Philippine fashion brand Bench, marking his first official activity since stepping away from the industry due to the controversy. He had paused his career after allegations surfaced regarding his relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron.