Blackpink's list of celebrity admirers continues to grow.
British actor Hugh Grant is the latest Hollywood star to jump on the bandwagon after attending the K-pop group's London concert at Hyde Park this month. He left the big gig converted to the cause.
“Very grateful to three eleven-year-olds for taking me to see Blackpink yesterday. Am rabid Blink now,” Grant tweeted, referencing the nickname of the girl group's fans.
Grant joins a number of fellow actors and musicians who professed admiration for K-pop bands for reasons ranging from their sounds to their values.
Here are nine other big names who are fans of the genre.
1. John Cena
Who knew BTS could make former WWE champion turned Hollywood action man John Cena melt like butter?
Cena professed his love for the K-pop boy band in numerous television interviews over the years.
In a 2022 appearance on Ellen, he thanked the BTS fans for encouraging him to release two self-help books. In a 2020 interview on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Cena praised the group for the values expressed in their songs.
“I got interested in what the music stood for,” he said. “They advocate self-love, they advocate 'don't be afraid of failure and that you are enough'. They try to shatter all the stereotypical difficulties and uncomfortable situations that we go through.”
2. Taylor Swift
There is nothing but love between Taylor Swift and chart rivals BTS and Blackpink.
Swift sang the praises of BTS after celebrating their first meeting at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards with a backstage photo.
An audience camera also showed Swift dancing and singing along to Blackpink's hit Black Venom at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards.
3. Lizzo
The US pop star enjoys having text conversations with BTS member J-Hope.
“He's a great texter, expressive. He does not leave you on read,” she told online radio station Audacy.
“If it's been a while, he's like 'I'm so sorry'. He apologises for how long it's taken. Good people.”
4. Emma Stone
The Cruella star has been a fan of the genre since 2015.
As a guest on talk show Conan, she described K-pop as a “global phenomenon” and as “beyond excellent. It's the best thing you've ever seen”.
At the time, she cited Girls' Generation and 2NE1 as her favourite acts.
5. Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds is another Hollywood star who has been impressed by K-pop for some time.
In 2016, he showed his devotion by appearing in a magazine photoshoot with singer and rapper HyunA.
In 2019, he also spent time with boy group Exo during a visit to Seoul.
6. Shawn Mendes
The In My Blood singer is a huge fan of BTS.
In a 2018 interview with Radio Disney, he said: “I love BTS. I'm obsessed with watching the videos of them dancing.”
Mendes also said that a collaboration with the group would be a dream come true, adding: “Maybe it'll happen some day.”
7. Will Smith
It's easy to understand why Will Smith is a fan of K-pop, as the genre's exuberant hip-hop and pop hybrid recalls the days when the actor was a solo pop star.
In 2019, Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith were at Coachella to see Blackpink perform and took a picture with the group backstage.
8. Usher
Usher is an avid admirer of Blackpink after attending a US concert last year.
The RnB star told GQ he loved the effort and detail the group put into their live performances. “They were putting on a show,” he said. “Wardrobe, great sequencing, with the lighting and everything working in sync – there’s no detail spared. I loved that.”
9. Steve Aoki
Few have done more to help the dance music world embrace K-pop than Steve Aoki.
The DJ, who has been collaborating with K-pop artists for more than five years, said acts such as BTS, Monsta X and ACE represent the latest evolution of pop music.
“They can dance and sing and they have a really interesting look,” he told Hollywood Life. “They represent the future. I love being around them and the inspiration I get working around them.”
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Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Asia Cup Qualifier
Final
UAE v Hong Kong
Live on OSN Cricket HD. Coverage starts at 5.30am
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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RESULTS
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Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
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Winner: Adventurous, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
The specs
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Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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