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In 2024, the Korean pop landscape remains as vibrant as ever.

Groups like ATEEZ, Le Sserafim, Seventeen, and Stray Kids are blowing out speakers at music festivals around the world, while newcomers ILLIT, RIIZE, and ARTMS put down roots on home soil. From sparkling synths to '80s Miami bass to bass-thumping bangers, the year's best K-pop tracks are a dynamic fusion of old and new. Whether it's the intricate choreography, the catchy melodies, or the out-of-this-world visuals, K-pop continues to captivate global audiences, pushing boundaries and setting trends.

SEE ALSO: The 15 best K-pop songs of 2023 (so far)

Our mid-year favorites are songs we can't stop listening to and love to love, from rising boy groups like BABYMONSTER and BOYNEXTDOOR to established sirens like aespa and IVE.

"해야 (HEYA)," IVE

IVE are wild cats stalking their prey in this playful anthem and modern ode to South Korea, a country once known as the "land of tigers." In the chorus, IVE promise that "the moment you're enchanted... In a snap, I’ll catch you!" and the song delivers, sweeping listeners up into a plucky, punchy pop confection. Nestled within the instrumentals are group calls, airy chants, and howls that evoke the thrill of a hunt. The music video depicts the sextet prowling through traditional South Korean art and folklore reimagined in candied greens, purples, and pinks. — Elizabeth de Luna

SEE ALSO: The 10 best podcasts of 2024 (so far)  "Magnetic," ILLIT

This debut from girl group ILLIT (pronounced like "eyelet") is a percolating pop hit about the irresistible pull of undeniable attraction. The production fizzes with bubbly arpeggios and crisp hi-hats, while the lyrics are both sweet ("My heart feels like a giant magnet, everything about you sticks to [it]") and fresh ("I'll make it a green light, girls gotta have guts!"). A reference to a South Korean cultural obsession, the Meyers-Briggs types ("You're J and I'm so P, S and N — polar opposites!"), feels uniquely of-the-moment, but will likely ripen in years ahead into a nostalgic nod to the 2020s. — E.D.L.

"Supernova," aespa 

A song so powerful that even NASA issued a response, "Supernova" lives up to its name. The track has exploded in South Korea, where it now holds the record for most weeks at No. 1 for an SM Entertainment act, surpassing "Gee" by Girls' Generation. For all its bombastic luster, "Supernova" fits soundly in aespa's eclectic sonic palette. Sampling Afrika Bambaataa's 1982 classic "Planet Rock," the propulsive pop track bursts with a bouncy, electro beat and a highly addictive hook spurred by a punchy chorus of "oh, ayy." Aespa have never been afraid to zig when everyone else zags, a risk that continues to pay off as "Supernova" makes a big bang on the charts. — Crystal Bell

"DASH," NMIXX

Since making their polarizing debut in 2022, NMIXX have charted a dynamic path in an industry that relies heavily on fleeting trends. "DASH" implements the very best of the group's "MIXX-pop" gimmick, fusing elements of funk, R&B, and hip-hop with lush vocal harmonies and a groovy rhythm that goes from "zero to a hunnid." While the production stands out for its richness, "DASH" lets the girls' excellent voices shine, allowing Lily to flex her powerhouse pipes and Bae to demonstrate her distinct vocal elasticity. "DASH" isn't just a catchy song; it's a bold statement that NMIXX are here to redefine the rules. — C.B.

"Earth, Wind & Fire," BOYNEXTDOOR

Deeply dorky and unbridled, "Earth, Wind & Fire" is a stellar single for the nascent sextet BOYNEXTDOOR. On this track, produced by mentor and South Korean megastar ZICO, the young band bounces between emotions like errant pinballs. "You’re my earth, wind, and fire," they sing in the throes of anxiety, jealousy, and devotion, "I think I love you more than I love my life." The track’s highlight is the pre-chorus gush "Baby, boo, my sweetie darling, think I love you more," which is delivered at a speed and pitch that mimics a nervous confession to a crush. The song’s choreography is just as charming, combining explosive jumps and glitching repetition to capture the fitful nature of falling in love. — E.D.L.

"Tap," Taeyong 

It's typical for male idols to release a project before their mandatory enlistment period, leaving fans with something to get them through the next 18 months. Taeyong, the de facto leader of NCT known for his striking magnetism and lethal stage presence, dropped his second EP just weeks before enlisting. And its lead single, "Tap," encapsulates everything that makes the rapper captivating. It's playful without seeming irreverent, a multifaceted effort that taps into his distinctive vision. The real gag is now we're left wanting more. — C.B. 

"SHEESH," BABYMONSTER 

It's never easy to stand in someone's shadow, especially if that someone is one of the biggest pop acts in the world. As the first girl group to debut under YG Entertainment since BLACKPINK burst onto the scene like a missle seven years ago, all eyes were on BABYMONSTER when they dropped "SHEESH," a braggadociously loud introduction to YG's next generation. Love it or hate it, you can't deny that "SHEESH" made an impact, thanks in large part to the group's seven members, who impressed viewers with their live vocals and onstage charisma while promoting the song on weekly music shows. In doing so, "SHEESH" climbed the charts, becoming more of a prophetic proclamation of the song's staying power. BABYMONSTER said, "Tell a friend," and people listened. — C.B. 

"Virtual Angel," ARTMS

Ethereal and warm, "Virtual Angel" is the kind of melody you hope to hear as you approach the pearly gates. The song is a promising debut for ARTMS (pronounced "Artemis"), a septet made up of former members of the much-beloved but now-defunct girl group LOONA. In "Virtual Angel," ARTMS are seraphs heralding the arrival of first love. "In my frozen heart, new flowers begin to bloom," they coo brightly to a new flame. "Once I met you, I found my instincts." — E.D.L.

"Siren," RIIZE

RIIZE dropped their first single in September 2023 and have since tried on a proverbial wardrobe of genres for size. In a beguiling feat of musicality, the group has convincingly shapeshifted between house ("Impossible"), funk ("Boom Boom Bass") and pop R&B ("Honestly") with ease. Their latest single, "Siren," is yet another impressive offering, pairing hip-hop with exhilarating, exhausting choreography from Josh Price. — E.D.L.

"Deja Vu," Tomorrow X Together 

When TXT experimented with pop-punk in 2021, it struck a chord with fans and critics alike. The sonic direction suited the boyband's penchant for expressing volatile coming-of-age emotions over catchy melodies. While the group has strayed from its emo phase, "Deja Vu" packs an emotional gut punch, serving mature melodrama with a serrated edge. — C.B. 

"Girls Never Die," tripleS

While most pop songs portray girlhood with a rose-colored sheen, "Girls Never Die" brings together all 24 members of tripleS to convey the reality of young adulthood. "I don't like the weak me / Don't wanna show this part of me / Why I use strong makeup / Why I use strong filters," they sing. For a song with 24 voices, "Girls Never Die" never sounds disjointed or convoluted. Instead, they double down on the dreamlike vibes of past releases, creating a moody anthem with a modern message: "Girls never die, girls never cry." — C.B. 

"Fatal Trouble," ENHYPEN

In "Fatal Trouble," ENHYPEN sink their teeth into delicious theatrics, delivering brooding pop saturated by elements of rock and R&B. The song is one of six tracks on a special album that commits wholeheartedly to the premise of ENHYPEN' webcomic "Dark Moon." In it, the seven bandmates are vampire schoolmates grappling with immortality and a shared love interest. On "Fatal Trouble" they tell her "Your memory, it’s falling apart... my heart, long-held trust, they’re coming undone." It’s drama, done right. — E.D.L.

"How Sweet," NewJeans

Leave it to NewJeans to drop the sweetest kiss-off of the summer. “Yeah, don’t you know how sweet it tastes? / Now that I’m without you,” they taunt a toxic lover over airy electroclash synth-washes and laser beams. "How Sweet" evokes the same relaxed sound and innate cool that catapulted NewJeans to the top of the charts and the front of everyone's minds; it's nostalgic and easy to listen without being overly simple, an effortless blend of playful lyrics and sophisticated production, And the sweetest thing about it? The way the group's vocals glide over the track with breezy confidence. — C.B. 

"Shooting Star," Kep1er

In May, WakeOne Entertainment announced that Kep1er, a nine-member girl group formed on the survival series Girls Planet 999, would continue as seven, extending the terms of their initial project contract without members Yeseo and Mashiro. "Shooting Star" is their final release as a complete unit, and it also happens to be their best. Sparkling synths, ethereal vocals, and vocoder harmonies make this an addictive listen. The song captures the essence of Kep1er's journey; it's bittersweet with a hopeful look towards the future. — C.B. 

"Chk Chk Boom," Stray Kids

Leading up to the release of "Chk Chk Boom" in July, Stray Kids teased the track, calling it something they'd never done before. Perhaps they were referring to the song's Latin influences, which include a few Spanish words and Changbin rolling his "R's" for good measure. It's a fun twist on the group's signature dynamic intensity, reflective of their willingness to continuously explore and innovate across genres. In some ways, it sounds like the easy-listening version of their breakout single "God's Menu" — fiery rap verses, pre-chorus melodies, and an explosive hook that cranks up the energy. In true Stray Kids fashion, "Chk Chk Boom" ends with a party, bringing everyone together to celebrate la vida loca. — C.B. 

Finding new dragonriders is no easy task, but in House of the Dragon Season 2, episode 7, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) proves it can be done — and all she needs is a couple dozen lowborn Targaryens to throw on the barbecue to make it happen.

In episode 6 Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty) claimed Seasmoke as his dragon, and episode 7 welcomed two new dragonriders into the fold: Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew) and Ulf the White (Tom Bennett), all three of whom Mashable's Belen Edwards outlined as the most likely candidates a couple of weeks back.

But who exactly are Hugh Hammer and Ulf the White, and how are they related to the Targaryens?

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' used a surprising piece of gym equipment to film dragon-riding scenes Hugh Hammer is Vermithor's new rider

Blacksmith Hugh Hammer has been on a rough ride in Season 2, but things are looking slightly better for him now that he's claimed second-largest-dragon-after-Vhagar and certified bastard chomper Vermithor.

Hugh has popped up in a few episodes in Season 2, but he finally reveals his ancestry to his wife Kat (Ellora Torchia) in episode 7, when preparing to set out to Dragonstone after hearing Rhaenyra is searching for potential dragonriders. Hugh says he never knew his father, but that his mother worked in a pleasure house.

"She was granted more freedom than most 'cuz of who she was," he says. "She used to tell me I was no different to her brother's boys: Viserys and Daemon."

If we take a look at the old Targaryen family tree, this means that Hugh's mother was the sister of Baelon Targaryen. King Viserys (Paddy Considine) and Daemon (Matt Smith) are his cousins.

Ulf the White claims Silverwing in episode 7. Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO Ulf the White is Silverwing's new rider

Ulf is slightly more reluctant to head to Dragonstone, but he's pretty much forced into it by his friends, who he's spent years telling about his own Targaryen ancestry over many a wine.

"I'm the son of Baelon the Brave," Ulf whispers in a tavern to his mates back in episode 3. "Bastard brother to Prince Daemon and the late King Viserys. Uncle to the one, true queen, Rhaenyra Targaryen. The blood of the dragon runs through these veins and yes, men would take my head for it."

Ulf isn't exactly keen to put this heritage to the test, but makes the journey to Rhaenyra’s keep anyway for the trial. Fortunately, Silverwing – when Ulf bumps into them while fleeing Vermithor – seems more than happy to confirm his Targaryen blood, even if Ulf stepped on a precious dragon egg in the process.

New episodes of House of the Dragon air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman appeared on "Chicken Shop Date" with host Amelia Dimoldenberg.

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TL;DR: Live stream Victor Wembanyama at Paris 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

France has never won a gold medal at basketball but they'll be hometown heroes at Paris 2024. The French team also has one of the hottest prospects in the NBA onside: the 7'4" Victor Wembanyama, who was drafted last year to the San Antonio Spurs.

Wembanyama has already won NBA Rookie of the Year. Can he add a medal — gold, silver, or bronze — to his ever-growing list of acheivements?

If you want to watch Victor Wembanyama play at Paris 2024 for free, from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Victor Wembanyama playing at Paris 2024?

France are set to compete in the below group games at Paris 2024:

Men's basketball

• France vs. Brazil in Group B — 11:15 a.m. ET on Jul. 27

• Japan vs. France in Group B — 11:15 a.m. ET on Jul. 30

• France vs. Germany in Group B — 3:00 p.m. ET on Aug. 2

How to watch Victor Wembanyama at Paris 2024 for free

The basketball at Paris 2024 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is a free streaming platform that's geo-blocked to the UK only. But hoop fans from across the globe can access the basketball action, and any other Paris 2024 events on BBC iPlayer, by using a VPN. A VPN will hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect with a secure server in the UK, helping unblock free streaming sites such as BBC iPlayer from anywhere around the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer for free by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream the basketball at Paris 2024 from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPN providers usually offer incentive deals such as free trial periods or money-back guarantees. By using these deals, you can unblock BBC iPlayer without committing any cash. This is obviously a short-term solution, but it gives you time to stream the basketball, and plenty more sporting action from Paris 2024, before claiming back any initial investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

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A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. As part of that plan you'll also get a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

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Apple Intelligence will probably not go live when the new iPhones launch this September.

This is according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who claims that Apple now plans to launch its AI features as software updates "by October," citing people with knowledge of the matter. The reason is what you might expect: Apple needs more time to fix bugs and make sure that it has support from third party developers.

Apple announced its AI features in June, during WWDC, saying they're "deeply integrated" into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. But pretty much all of the new features, which include a smarter Siri, an AI-powered text editing feature called Rewrite, and AI-generated images called Genmoji, were missing when the iOS 18 and other new operating systems launched as beta in July.

To be fair, Apple never specifically said it would release AI in September; the company said Apple Intelligence was coming in beta this fall, with some features coming "over the course of the next year." Still, reports said that the company planned to make at least some of the features available alongside the launch of new iPhones, which typically happens in the first half of September.

SEE ALSO: Apple adopts Biden administration's AI safeguards

The way it looks right now, Apple will launch iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia in September, and then introduce the AI features with a later update. Similarly, it's possible that the first iPhone 16 models will lack the AI features when they start shipping to consumers.

The report does claims that Apple will make Apple Intelligence available in its developer betas, namely iOS 18.1, and iPadOS 18.1, as soon as this week.

While all this is unofficial and yet to be confirmed, there's a very real and official delay to Apple's AI features in Europe. In June, the company said it will not launch Apple Intelligence in Europe (likely until 2025) due to regulatory concerns.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 29 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 29

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, July 29, 2024:

AcrossGift of ___ (ability to speak eloquently)

• The answer is gab.

With 7-Across, total goofball

• The answer is silly.

Take in as one's own

• The answer is adopt.

See 4-Across

• The answer is goose.

Street haunted by Freddy Krueger

• The answer is Elm.

DownRhyming partner of doom

• The answer is gloom.

Where Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn are

• The answer is Alps.

Tiny, tiny part of a gig

• The answer is byte.

Wise-sounding herb

• The answer is sage.

Hero

• The answer is idol.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 29 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 29

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Book it!

The hint for the theme is more literal than you might think.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The words are things you can do in a library.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is PublicLibrary.

NYT Strands word list for July 29

• Meet

• Renew

• PublicLibrary

• Learn

• Borrow

• Study

• Read

• Browse

Looking for other daily online games? Find one you might like – or hints for another game you're already playing – on Mashable's Games page.

The trailer for the "House of the Dragon" Season 2 finale has dropped.

Plug-and-play solar panels are popping up in yards and on balcony railings across Germany, driven by bargain prices and looser regulations.

TL;DR: Interested in building passive income? The Amazon FBA and Shopify Dropshipping Business Model and Strategies Bundle is on sale for just £23.30 — that's just under £8 per course.

Have you ever wanted to learn dropshipping strategies and start pulling in passive income? If you're ready to start growing your own business, Amazon FBA and Shopify Dropshipping may be the way to go. For those new to the world of dropshipping, check out the Amazon FBA and Shopify Dropshipping: The 2024 Business Model and Strategies course bundle for info on how to get started.

It’s only £23.30 for a limited time.

Learn how to become a dropshipper 

Amazon FBA and Shopify Dropshipping are two different ways of managing your own store online. The main difference between Shopify and Amazon is that your Amazon store is housed and accessed on Amazon, which already has a huge audience of potential buyers. Shopify dropshipping has you create your own store online, so you have more control over your site identity and brand, but it may also be harder to get started because you'l need to build your own audience. 

In the first online course, "Amazon FBA: The 2024 Business Model and Strategies Course," you'll get a 2.5-hour education on Amazon dropshipping. This course shows you how you can search for a profitable niche, find products to sell on Amazon, and write high-quality ad copy. You’ll even learn how to connect with suppliers and customers. If you’re going with Amazon, be sure to check out the "Amazon Automation 2024 Course" and see how you automate your Amazon sales process. 

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Opens in a new window Credit: Paul Heidiri Amazon FBA and Shopify Dropshipping Business Model and Strategies Bundle £23.30 at the Mashable Shop
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From Rook's Rest to the recruitment of new dragonriders by Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy), House of the Dragon Season 2 has delivered more dragon action than Season 1 or all of Game of Thrones. And more dragon action means more dragon-riding scenes.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' cinematographer talks dragons, 'Succession' inspiration, and more

House of the Dragon's dragon-riding scenes are shot with actors riding on a device known as a buck, whose mechanical bull-like moments mimic those of the show's dragons. The buck is also surrounded by LED screens, which display animated backgrounds and light the actors. But even with all of this expensive, high-technology equipment in play, a simple piece of gym equipment proved crucial in bringing the dragon-riding scenes to life.

For Season 2, the show's four cinematographers — Vanja Černjul, P.J. Dillon, Catherine Goldschmidt, and Alejandro Martínez — decided to go even further when it came to crafting the dragon-riding experience on screen. "Our goal was to make the scenes feel more subjective, as if the camera operator was riding on the dragon alongside the actor," Černjul, who served as cinematographer for episodes 6 and 7, told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon's Abubakar Salim on Alyn's relationship with Corlys: 'He's haunted by him'

Černjul headed up initial testing of the new approach to dragon-riding, which he explained involved "integrating handheld camera movements into a motion control system that synchronized with the mechanical buck." These movements were based on the previsualisation animations of the dragons, so the actors' motion on the buck would match with the VFX team's work.

For filming, a remote camera was placed on the buck itself. The camera operator stood separate from the buck, with a Libra console mounted on moose bars on their shoulder. "This setup allowed the remote head with the camera to react to handheld operation from the ground," Černjul explained. "The challenge was making it look like the camera operator was reacting to the buck's, or dragon's, movement. The problem was the camera operator on the ground was too stable, and we didn't want to fake the handheld movement."

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2, episode 7: What's the deal with that Alicent lake scene?

Then, inspiration struck in the unlikeliest of places. "I had a silly idea that ended up working," Černjul said. "I asked for a half-balance ball from a nearby gym and had the operator stand on it while operating. This made the camera operator a little off-balance, simulating the movement we needed. Our amazing camera operators were game to try anything, and this approach worked."

With the game-changing half-balance ball now in play, Černjul used a 32 mm prime lens to shoot dragon-riding scenes in his episodes, including Ulf the White's (Tom Bennett) first ride on Silverwing. "It was immersive, close enough to the actors for subjectivity, and long enough to convey movement," he said. He flagged his approach to House of the Dragon's other DPs and directors, who adapted it as they saw fit.

"Our innovative setup made the dragon-riding scenes more realistic, and I'm proud of the results," Černjul said.

So, next time you're using a half-balance ball, don't just think of it as exercising. Think of it as preparing to shoot a dragon-riding scene — or, better yet, as preparing to ride a dragon yourself.

The finale of House of the Dragon Season 2 airs Aug. 4 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) is having the worst time.

Her daughter Helaena (Phia Saban) is traumatized from Jaehaerys' death. Her son Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) nearly died because of her other son Aemond's (Ewan Mitchell) fratricidal urges. She's fled a life-threatening riot, been undermined at and kicked out of the Small Council, and even started a disastrous situationship with Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel). Oh, and she learned that all of these tragedies happened because she misunderstood Viserys' (Paddy Considine) dying words.

SEE ALSO: How 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is different from George R.R. Martin's 'Fire and Blood'

In House of the Dragon Season 2, episode 7, the cumulative weight of these events finally proves too much to bear for Alicent, and she decides to take a trip to the Kingswood. This excursion marks the first time we've seen Alicent leave King's Landing since Viserys' hunt in Season 1, episode 3. Here, though, there is no great retinue tending to the Dowager Queen. By her request, she's only accompanied by Ser Rickard Thorne (Vincent Regan), and she even rejects his company after a time.

Alicent's solo wandering through the Kingswood brings her to a lake. She wades in and floats in the water for an extended period of time. It's a rare moment of peace for Alicent — and for House of the Dragon in general — and it could hint at a huge change ahead for her.

What does Alicent's lake scene mean? Olivia Cooke in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

Before leaving King's Landing in episode 7, Alicent laments, "Nothing is clean here." The water of the lake, then, offers an opportunity for cleansing — and for rebirth. As she floats, she's washed clean of all the pain she bears. You can almost see that worry and anguish from her time in the Red Keep seep from her face the longer she stays in the lake.

But Alicent's time in the water isn't the only aspect of the lake scene that creates a sense of rebirth. In her walk down to the lake, she sheds her green cloak and dress until she's wearing only a simple white shift. Just like this is Alicent's first time out of King's Landing in over a season, this is also the first time we see her wearing a color other than green since she adopted it in Season 1, episode 5. The effect is destabilizing: This is Alicent without any of the iconography we associate her with. No green gowns, no symbols of the Faith of the Seven on her person, no members of the Kingsguard shadowing her. It's as if we're seeing Alicent in her simplest, purest state, an idea elevated by the white dress, which calls to mind a blank canvas, a new start.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon's Abubakar Salim on Alyn's relationship with Corlys: 'He's haunted by him'

The loss of Alicent's green clothing is also notable in the context of the show. By this point, Aemond has booted Alicent from the Small Council. She has lost any of the power she fought so hard to gain and maintain. Every sacrifice she made, every time she stuck steadfastly to her duty — was it all for nothing?

Alicent certainly seems to think so, telling Grand Maester Orwyle (Kurt Egyiawan), "All my life I have endeavored to serve both my house and the realm, and somehow none of it matters. We are cast aside. Or hated." Now that she's been cast aside by her own son, and now that she knows Aegon's claim to the Iron Throne is all based on lies, what is tethering her to their cause anymore?

With this in mind, Alicent leaving her green clothing behind suggests a loss of allegiance to Team Green. Even the colors of the Kingswood point to Alicent ditching her family. She abandons the lush greenery of the forest in favor of the water. She may still be surrounded by green on all sides, but in the lake, she is far apart from it.

The sense of freedom from the Greens persists during Alicent's time in the lake. We see her stare up at a bird wheeling alone through the sky. In the water, she is its mirror image, flapping her arms just enough to keep her afloat. Perhaps, for the first time, she feels as if she really could be free as a bird and escape the systems of power that have held her down for so long. When she turns and keeps swimming away from the shore, there's a real possibility that she won't be coming back to Ser Rickard, that she plans to run as far from King's Landing as she can.

So does this scene mean that Alicent will immediately pledge herself to Rhaenyra in the Season 2 finale? Not completely. Aside from being a huge change from George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood, an immediate alliance might not ring true after years of infighting and the deaths of family members. There remains so much to reconcile between the two of them, and even though their brief reunion in episode 3 proves they have love for each other, the road to forgiveness and trust may be long and winding — thought not impossible.

The finale of House of the Dragon Season 2 airs Aug. 4 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

Fatherhood has played a large role in Abubakar Salim's work over the past few years.

From 2020 to 2022, the actor and game developer starred in Raised by Wolves as Father, an android raising human children on planet Kepler-22b. In 2024, his video game studio Surgent Studios released Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a side-scroller about a shaman on a quest to revive his father. As creative lead on Zau, Salim drew on his grief for his own late father, describing the game as "a piece of art that honored him" at the 2023 Game Awards.

SEE ALSO: How 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is different from George R.R. Martin's 'Fire and Blood'

Now, Salim tackles a very different kind of father-son relationship in House of the Dragon. He plays Alyn of Hull, bastard child of Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) and brother to newly minted dragonrider Addam (Clinton Liberty). At the start of Season 2, Corlys and Alyn's relationship is distant, more that between a boss and an employee. But since Alyn saved Corlys' life offscreen during the events of Season 1, Corlys has begun paying more attention to him. In episode 6, he makes Alyn his first mate. In episode 7, he tasks him with recruiting bastard Targaryens in King's Landing to be new dragonriders for Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy). Ever so slowly, Corlys is bringing Alyn into the light — but is it too little, too late?

In an interview with Mashable, Salim discussed the similarities between Zau and House of the Dragon, Alyn's complicated relationship with Corlys, and the surprisingly complicated shaving scene from episode 6.

The following interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Abubakar Salim and Steve Toussaint in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

Mashable: To start, I saw you tweet that there was a line you liked so much in episode 6 that you "borrowed" it and put it in Zau. What was the line, and what was it about it that resonated with you enough that you brought it to your game?

It was "You make an art of provoking me," [which Alyn says to Addam]. I remember reading it and being like, "Oh, that is the story of my life." It's almost like you're enjoying the fact that someone is provoking you, even though they are pushing your buttons. It was just a really powerful line that carries this element of, "I can respect it, but at the same time I'm really annoyed by it."

You were directing Zau at the same time that you were shooting House of the Dragon. Both projects have interesting links to fatherhood. Did you ever find your work on one project influencing the other?

Absolutely. Both deal with absent fathers, and they come in all kinds of forms. In Zau, you have a father who was loved dearly and passed away too soon. In House of the Dragon, you have a father who almost passed away without any sense of acknowledgment. But the ghost of them still haunts you. It was really interesting that I was directing this game about my relationship with my father to a degree, and also having a very different relationship with the father on set of House of the Dragon. They both really sung with one another.

I think that's why the line "You make an art of provoking me" really stuck with me. Because who else knows how better to annoy you than your own father, you know? I deliver the line to Addam, but it applies to all your kin.

SEE ALSO: The new 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 intro shows the history of House Targaryen

Tell me about building that family relationship with Alyn and Corlys and Addam.

When Alyn looks at Corlys, there's a haunting element of, "No, his father is dead." His father doesn't exist in his eyes, but he's haunted by him. He just follows orders for his boss, who happens to also be his father.

I've read the books and did a lot of thinking about how Alyn is supposed to be 15. He's supposed to be young, boisterous — a different guy to the guy that I'm playing on-screen. That, to me, is interesting, because it means that he's had to live with all of this baggage for so many years. The whole relationship with Corlys is supposed to be transactional, but there is this deep yearning for love that, although it's buried deep, still exists.

Alyn puts that love and that kind of importance on Addam. He loves his brother dearly, cares for him, and doesn't want him to to be in any form of danger. Hell, now he's on a dragon. [Laughs] It's, like, the most dangerous thing.

Clinton Liberty and Abubakar Salim in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Ollie Upton/HBO

You mentioned the sense of baggage, and there's so much left unsaid between Alyn and Corlys. When you were first approaching the character of Alyn, how were you envisioning and developing his backstory?

I saw him as always working at the shipyard before Addam was born, kind of keeping to himself. I think he was very much an Addam type of character, wanting and yearning for great, big things and thinking that his life would change. He probably never wanted to cut his hair, even though his mother probably forced him to do so, because the threat on your life is much bigger when you are a bastard. There's also a sense of waiting for his father to come back and take him and his mother away from the shitty life that they had. But that never happened, so he threw himself into work.

Then, once Addam came into play, that implies that Corlys came back, only to abandon them again. I think that was the killer. That's where his heart broke.

Funnily enough, there was a similar thing that happened to me when my father passed, the idea of being like, "Okay, I've got to be the man of the house now. I've got to make sure that everyone's fine; I've got to make the money, got to do everything, and keep everyone happy." That's essentially the role that Alyn took, and he was going to be the anchor of the space.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2's Targaryen family tree: How everyone connects

What does it mean for him, after all that, hearing from Corlys that Addam is a dragonrider now?

It's frightening, because it's such a change. It's the opposite of what he was prepared for. He's just heard of Princess Rhaenys' dragon Meleys dying, so there's the mentality that they are not gods, they're mortals. And if the Greens can do that to Rhaenys, what are they going to do to Addam?

So when Corlys tells Alyn, "Maybe you should have a look and give claiming a dragon a try," I think 15-year-old Alyn would have, whereas right now, Alyn couldn't think of anything worse.

Abubakar Salim and Eve Best in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

Rhaenys is a complicated figure in Alyn's life. How does Alyn feel about her passing?

Death is always hard and saddening, but it's also just a part of life. With Rhaenys, it's almost like hearing of a neighbor passing, in a way. Even politically, I think Alyn thinks that the whole war is a bit silly and stupid, to be honest. He's very aware that it's not the lives of those higher up that are at stake. It's the lowborn people who are going to be sacrificing themselves for a petty family squabble.

Now that his brother's in the mix of it, it's even worse. It's even more frightening. That doesn't mean that Alyn doesn't want to engage in the war. He has a feeling of loyalty to Corlys, and to the sea, essentially. But he doesn't want his brother to be a part of that.

In episode 7, we finally get the Sowing of the Seeds, and Alyn plays a bit of a role as the recruiter of the Targaryen bastards in King's Landing. What is going through his head when he gets this request from Corlys, as a bastard himself?

He's just like, "Yeah, sure, I'll do it. Whatever. As long as you pay me, I'll do it." I don't think he cares much for it. He does what he's told to do... His most powerful yet weakest trait is his loyalty, which, if you've read Fire & Blood —

I was going to say, "Oh no!"

[Laughs] Yeah. But with Corlys' request, his response comes from whatever will keep Addam safe. Think about it: If we get more dragons on our side, that means that Addam is less likely to die. Fantastic! He's always acting with the thought of, "How should I keep my brother safe and not involved in this madness as much as possible?"

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' cinematographer talks dragons, 'Succession' inspiration, and more

I love that brotherly bond that Alyn and Addam share. Since both you and Clinton Liberty are coming onto this big ensemble show as new characters, what was it like working together and creating this relationship?

Oh, brilliant. I love Clinton. There is a such a love and beautiful adoration for the art that I see in Clinton that really reminds me of how great everything is, and how good this stuff is. We are playing at the end of the day. We're kids, you know, playing Dungeons and Dragons, basically. And Clinton is such a force, just such a brilliant, brilliant human being. Forging the relationship between us was so easy.

Abubakar Salim and Steve Toussaint in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

And what was it like working with Steve Toussaint, as someone who is a veteran of the show already?

I was frightened, man. You see him on-screen, you're like, "This guy's a force. Like an actual unit." But what's great is he's actually the most welcoming, grounded human being you will ever meet. He just does his thing. And working with Steve, I learned a hell of a lot. I learned to just enjoy the scene, enjoy the time.

There's always a fear as an actor of coming into a show when the whole team is there, because then you feel a bit like the outsider. But everyone has been so welcoming and made us feel as if we've been there from the get-go.

You were also in Raised by Wolves, another big genre show. What was something you learned from that set that you brought to House of the Dragon's?

What I've taken from it is the passion and love from all departments on a project. We're all a team here, right? No one's special. You can really feel that.

On Raised by Wolves, you've got Ridley Scott, who's given me and Amanda [Collin] — I'm not necessarily saying that we're unknowns, but we weren't really known — a chance. But there was no sense of, "Why should we lead a show?" We were all just aiming for the same thing, which is telling a story. That reflects and resonates with House of the Dragon as well. We're not here to be stars or be special; we just want to enjoy and do our jobs. So I'd say carrying that mentality of not trying to take the limelight and being a team player has been a lovely tip.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2, episode 6: Did Alys Rivers kill Grover Tully?

Did you and Amanda, who plays Jeyne Arryn on House of the Dragon, get a chance to reunite at all on the set?

We definitely crossed paths, which was really lovely. We were really hoping for scenes together. It would have been so great, because she's so great to work opposite with. When I was watching the episodes and listening to her, the first thing I did was message her [to say], "Your accent is amazing!"

I saw in the behind-the-scenes video for episode 6 that the scene where you shave your head was very technically demanding. When you're joining a show of this scale, did you ever think, "Shaving is going to be the toughest thing for me to deal with"?

No, not at all! But to be honest, it's great. It's so funny, after Raised by Wolves, they can throw anything at me, and I love it. In that show, I had to have makeup, painted contacts, dyed ginger hair, and the silver bloody suit. So me putting glue on my head and shaving was like a dream. I was questioning how the hell they were going to pull off the shaving, but that's the power of an amazing crew: They will figure it out.

Any shot that you have my face in, I have glue on my head with sprinkles of the Velaryon blonde hair. I'd be shaving it, and the water would essentially wipe the glue off. But any close up with the actual sharp blade was someone else's head, and my barber's hands are cutting it. They brought in the barber I always go to, and he coached me on how to shave. He made it look like this is something that I do all the time.

That's incredible. And finally, can you tease anything for what the Season 2 finale might hold for Alyn?

You're definitely going to see something different.

There's a shot of him in the trailer, where he's in armor and on a boat. And every week, I'm like, "Where is it?"

I remember seeing that in the trailer and being like, "Guys, come on. Everyone's gonna be looking for that." You'll just have to wait and see, but it's one of my favorite scenes throughout the show.

The season finale of House of the Dragon airs Aug. 4 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for July 29's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 26 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's....

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SUPER.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for July 29's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 29 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Large sports venues

• Green: Streets

• Blue: Scale-related

• Purple: Things that pour out of a long tube

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Stadiums

• Green: Street Suffixes

• Blue: Associated with Scales

• Purple: Things with Spouts

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #414 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Stadiums: ARENA, BOWL, COLISEUM, DOME

• Street Suffixes: ALLEY, COURT, DRIVE, LANE

• Associated with Scales: FISH, JUSTICE, LIBRA, SOLFEGE

• Things with Spouts: FOUNTAIN, GUTTER, TEAPOT, WHALE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

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• Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker With 6-Months Membership — $159.95

• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00)

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Amid a surge of political misinformation across the internet, X (formerly Twitter) CEO Elon Musk has taken to his own platform to share a manipulated video of Kamala Harris' presidential campaign video. The Tesla founder and billionaire reposted the video Friday afternoon featuring an AI voice of Vice President Harris calling herself the "ultimate diversity hire."

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The video, a "parody" created by right-wing YouTuber Mr. Reagan, is a re-edited version of Harris' "We Choose Freedom" campaign video. In this new version, the sitting VP is heard calling President Joe Biden "senile" and a "deep state puppet." On top of the DEI hire line, the video also posits that Harris believes she's above criticism because she's a woman and a person of color.

Mr. Reagan notes in his post that the video is a "parody," however when Musk reposted it, the CEO did not give such a disclaimer. At the time of this writing, the video has been seen over 166 million times, with Musk stating in his post, "This is amazing 😂."

Despite owning the platform, it seems Musk is willfully disregarding that the video violates X's terms of service, which prohibit "synthetic, manipulated or out-of-context media that may deceive or confuse people and lead to harm."

Comment and quotes tweets of Musk's repost were quick to point out this fact.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Ever since President Biden declared he would step down ahead of the 2024 presidential election, deepfakes of Kamala Harris have exploded in virality on Tiktok and X. As the November election inches to us day by day, political deepfakes have become a bigger issue than ever before. Despite the concern, legal experts say policymakers still aren't ready to grapple with exploitative AI. And while Tiktok says they're combatting these videos, X has made no such moves.

Despite new reports showing a 53 percent decline in revenue since last year, it seems Musk is content with how X is being moderated. The X CEO is committed to keeping it a "free speech platform" despite political misinformation and conspiracy theories being part of the reason revenue is down in the first place.