US-South Korea Alliance Tensions: Seoul welcomed new U.S. ambassador Michelle Steel with unusually hostile pickets at Incheon, underscoring rising friction over security, tariffs, and investment demands. K-Pop & Pop Culture: HYBE’s new girl group Tuide (septet) is set to debut Aug. 24 with EP “Tune & Play,” while izna’s Ryu Sarang and Choi Jungeun land a mainstream radio hosting stint on MBC FM4U starting Aug. 3. Education & Tech Misuse: Universities are tightening exam rules as AI glasses become harder to spot, with the education ministry ordering AI glasses treated as prohibited items in test rooms. Sports & Globalization: South Korea’s Women’s Pro Baseball League is drawing international talent, including Japan’s Ayami Sato, as the inaugural season kicks off. Public Safety & Health: Long-term steroid use is linked to heart damage and early death, adding pressure for awareness and safer use. Local Governance: Incheon opens public recruitment for its Urban Planning Committee, seeking experts across planning, housing, transport, environment, and disaster prevention. Entertainment Industry Watch: BTS-related Grammys fallout continues as the Recording Academy removes historic BTS performance videos from its site after the group’s boycott. Lifestyle & Society: KDCA analysis shows South Korea’s gender “booze gap” is narrowing, with high-risk drinking rising among women over 30.