K-pop Republic leaves fans wanting more

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

As early as 8 a.m. last Sept. 7, many Filipino fans were already at Araneta Center in Quezon City for the K-pop Republic concert, one of the most anticipated K-pop events of the year.

One of the them was 13-year-old Erica Ocampo, who came from Malolos, Bulacan.

SHINee, EXO-K, Dal Shabet on ‘sinigang,’ fans and the Philippines

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop boy band SHINee’s main vocalist Jonghyun wants to try “sinigang,” a popular Filipino dish, while EXO-K’s Baekhyun wants to go to Baguio with other members of the group.

KPOP Republic - SHINEE, EXO-K, DAL SHABET at Araneta Coliseum on Sept. 7

EXO to perform at MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop boy band EXO will perform at the MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2013.

EXO  has been added to the line-up of performers which currently includes Robin Thicke, Far East Movement and Joe Flizzow, according to MTV Asia.

(Clockwise from top left) Robin Thicke, EXO, Joe Flizzow and Far East Movement
(Photos courtesy of SM Entertainment and MTV Asia)

Girls' Generation, Psy emerge as bestselling artists in Korea for first half of 2013

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Girls' Generation dominated albums sales in Korea while rappers Psy and Baechigi led in digital rankings for the first half of 2013.

Gaon Chart, Korea's version of Billboard, has released the rankings for January to June 2013 of album sales, digital singles and online downloads.

(Clockwise from the top) Girls' Generation, Psy and Baechigi (Photos by www.newsen.com)

EXO's first studio album tops music charts

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

Boy band EXO released their first studio album "XOXO (Kiss & Hug)" on June 3 and the title song "Wolf" zoomed to the No. 1 spot on real-time charts in Korea.

Upon its release, "Wolf" topped the charts on Olleh Music, Naver Music, Soribada and Bugs.

EXO (Photo by www.newsen.com)

An account regarding the chaos among fans at exo’s comeback stage

Note: I reposted this from 

http://heartmindand5eoul.tumblr.com/post/51795876796/an-account-regarding-the-chaos-among-fans-at-exos

before anything else, i would encourage you to take the following account as OPINION ONLY rather than strict fact. you may have heard something different from other fans who were there, and it may conflict with my own observations. i am only recording what i personally experienced. please keep an open mind.

'Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert' Delights Pinoy Fans

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Jane was early at the Mall of Asia concert grounds last Jan. 19. She was excited that she would finally see her favorite K-pop group, Girls' Generation.

(Clockwise from left) Infinite's Hoya, Girls' Generation, EXO and U-Kiss
(Photos courtesy of StarN http://star.fnnews.com)

Super Junior Bags Grand Prize Anew At 27th Golden Disk Awards

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean boy band Super Junior won the Disk Daesang, or album of the year, on the first day of the 27th Golden Disk Awards held on Jan. 15 at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Super Junior won the grand prize for their sixth album "Sexy, Free & Single." The award was based on album sales and ratings from judges.

Super Junior (top) and FNC Entertainment artists FT Island, CN Blue and Juniel
(Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and CNBlue_4 on Twitter)

Super Junior, f(x) honored at 19th Republic of Korea Entertainment Art Awards

By JONATHAN M. HICAP

MANILA, Philippines - K-pop's Super Junior and f(x) were honored at the 19th Republic of Korea Entertainment Art Awards.

The two were chosen as Best Groups. Donghae and Yesung accepted the award on behalf  of Super Junior while Victoria, Krystal and Amber received the award for f(x).

(Clockwise from top left) f(x), Super Junior, Juniel and EXO-K
(Photos by SMGlobal on Twitter and www.newsen.com)

Messages from K-pop groups for Filipino fans for the Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert

Everyone's excited for the forthcoming Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert that will be held on Jan. 19, 2013 at the Mall of Asia Open Grounds in the Philippines. 
The concert will feature Girls Generation, INFINITE, UKISS, EXO, Tasty and Tahiti.
Here are their messages for Filipino fans about the concert: 

Meet-And-Greet To Spice Up Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert In PH

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Fans can expect a lot more when the Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert is held in the Philippines in January next year, especially that meet-and-greet events will be held.

This will be the first time that a K-pop concert in the Philippines will feature six K-pop idol groups.

Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and SM Entertainment

Music Core performances (May 12, 2012, Saturday)

MBC Music Core today featured performances of Taetiseo, SISTAR, BTOB, BAP, EXO-K, Ivy, Mighty Mouth and more.