A tiger consumes a special, icy meal to celebrate World Tiger Day at Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi, on July 29.YONHAP
Happy Hump Day from Seoul. Here are the stories you need to know in Korea.
In today's news, boy band BTS said it rejects the Grammys' new categories, including Best Asian Pop Performance, saying that it wants music to be "heard and loved for what it is." In other stories, we look at how China's BYD is changing the game in Korea when it comes to imported vehicles, and we find out how the earthquake in Kumamoto is affecting Koreans' travel plans.
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Today's top story
LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT
BTS rejects new Grammy categories, won't submit for awards this year
BTS has said it will not submit any music for consideration at next year’s Grammy Awards, the boy band announced Wednesday.
“We decided not to submit to the Grammys this year,” the members wrote on their respective social media accounts. “We want music to be heard and loved for what it is, rather than categorized by region or language.”
The decision appears to be a pointed rebuke of the Recording Academy’s introduction of five new categories in June, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance.
BYD beats Volvo and Lexus — How it cracked Korean consumers' anti-China sentiment
Aggressive pricing, improving quality and strong demand from core middle-aged buyers are reshaping Korea’s import car market and pressuring established rivals.
Travelers rethink Kyushu trips after earthquake devastates southern Japan
Many Koreans who had planned to visit the southernmost prefecture are now on the fence, but confusion over cancellation fees is complicating decisions.
Human drug breakthroughs find new life in pet medicine
Biotech firms in Korea and abroad are racing to develop pet treatments for obesity, arthritis, dementia and aging as demand rises with longer-lived companion animals.
![여한구 산업통상부 통상교섭본부장이 2일 서울 여의도 글래드호텔에서 열린 2026년 플랜트 정책 포럼에서 축사하고 있다. 2026.7.2 [산업통상부 제공. 재판매 및 DB 금지] photo@yna.co.kr/2026-07-02 13:35:28/](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12827065.jpg?imageId=12827065&panox=0.00&panoy=0.00&panow=100.00&panoh=100.00&heightx=0.00&heighty=0.00&heightw=100.00&heighth=100.00&width=960&height=720&format=webp&format=jpg)
