K-pop Global Push: BTS dropped the “Normal” music video on Spotify first, then confirmed a full-platform rollout July 19, capping a viral fake-scandal campaign and teasing everyday, post-party moments from the septet. K-pop Exports Boom: South Korea’s K-pop album exports hit $257.48M in H1 2026, up 125% year-on-year, with the US the biggest buyer. AI in Music Debate: Mick Jagger says AI can be used to speed up production, but it must stay original and human-led—no imitation of the Rolling Stones. Streaming Expansion: Vox Media’s “Unexplainable” and “Switched On Pop” are moving to Netflix as video exclusives. Global Stage Adaptation: Disney’s “Frozen” arrives in Seoul with a K-pop-inflected sound and a shared-lead cast model. Local Live Scene: Halifax’s Piece Hall summer series shattered advance ticket records with 215,000 sales for TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall. Music & Tech at Ground Level: Cadillac musician Roger Bandeen says AI tools help him finish songs faster and cheaper without removing the human touch.