So Ji-sub, Daniel Henney join IU, Lee Min Ho in COVID-19 donations

By: Jonathan Hicap

Korean star So Ji-sub and Korean-American actor and “Criminal Minds” star Daniel Henney have made generous donations to fund efforts against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in South Korea.

K-pop concert in Singapore cancelled

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

A much-awaited K-pop concert in Singapore that would have featured acts like EXO, SHINee and KARA was cancelled by the organizer due to “contractual obligations” to a Korean broadcasting company.

Fans are angry and scrambling to get ticket refunds after Fatfish Entertainment announced that the “MBC Korean Wave In Singapore 2013″ concert would not push through.

Teen Top, B1A4 and miss A at the press conference in Singapore for the concert last August (Photos from the MBC Korean Music Wave in Singapore 2013 Facebook page)

2013 Melon Music Awards nominees revealed

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

The top 10 artists and other nominees in the 2013 Melon Music Awards have been revealed.

These 10 artists are G-Dragon, EXO, BEAST, SISTAR, Davichi, Dynamic Duo, Busker Busker, SHINee, IU and Ailee.

Nominees (clockwise from top left) G-Dragon, SHINee, IU and SISTAR (Photos courtesy of Melon website)

Winners at the Korean Entertainment Awards in Japan

Hallyu stars Bae Yong Joon and Yoon Eun Hye won the top acting awards at the Korean Entertainment 10th Anniversary Awards in Japan held on Oct. 19 at Makuhari International Exhibition Center in Chiba City.

IU's weekend drama ends on top of ratings

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

"You're The Best, Lee Soon Shin," the KBS2 weekend drama of K-pop princess IU and actor Jo Jung-suk, aired its 50th and last episode in South Korea on Aug. 25 and ended a successful five-month run on top of the ratings.

Photo: KBS

K-pop Artists Win At The Japan Gold Disc Award 2013

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) has announced the winners of The Japan Gold Disc Award 2013 and seven K-pop artists made it to the list.

Established in 1987, The Japan Gold Disc Award recognizes the bestselling artists in Japan based on music sales and downloads.

(Clockwise from left) Winners Jang Geun-suk, KARA, Big Bang and Girls' Generation. (Photos by www.newsen.com)

IU-Eunhyuk Photo Raises Questions

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words and for singers IU and Super Junior's Eunhyuk, their photo on Twitter has raised questions, disbelief and shock.

The deleted photo from IU's Twitter account

Korea's IU Makes It To Billboard's 21 Under 21 List

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean singer IU has made it to Billboard's 21 Under 21, the chart's "annual ranking of music's most powerful minors."

"They've got hit records, millions of fans, and the kind of success most musicians only dream of -- and they can't even uncork a bottle of champagne to celebrate their success," according to Billboard.com.

Gaon chart releases K-pop rankings for May

By JONATHAN HICAP

MANILA, Philippines - Gaon chart, Korea's version of the Billboard charts, released the single and album rankings for K-pop for the month of May.

TaeTiSeo, the subunit of Girls Generation, topped the singles and album rankings.

Winners in Korea Kids’ Choice Awards 2012

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 
MANILA, Philippines — Boy band BEAST and solo artist IU are the top winners in the Korea Kids’ Choice Awards 2012 organized by Nickelodeon Korea.

BEAST, Kim Soo Hyun, IU and Yoo Jae Suk (Photos from www.newsen.com)

Survey: French prefer Big Bang, 2NE1, Rain, IU

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Big Bang, 2NE1, Rain and IU are the No. 1 favorite singers in France, according to a survey.

A total of 3,755 people participated in the online survey on tourism and Korean wave conducted by the Paris branch of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) from December 23, 2011 to January 20 this year.

Big Bang, Rain, 2NE1 and IU (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Koreans celebrate White Day, pick favorite celebrities

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines – Today, March 14, Koreans celebrate White Day, a traditional event observed a month after Valentine’s Day.

White Day is when Korean men are expected to give women candies and other gifts.

Kim Soo Hyun (www.newsen.com)

Winners of the 9th Korean Music Awards

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Indie band Jang Kiha and the Faces swept the 9th Korean Music Awards, winning four awards including Album of the Year.

Held on Feb. 29, the Korean Music Awards recognized the musical talent of Korean singers rather than their popularity or album sales.

IU, 2NE1 and Infinite (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com)

Forbes Korea's Top 'Power Celebrity 40' ranking

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – K-pop group Girls Generation topped Forbes Korea’s “Power Celebrity 40” ranking for the second straight year.

The list is based on the celebrities’ income, influence and reputation.

Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com

Stars pick Yoochun, TVXQ as best Korean idols in survey

By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – JYJ’s Micky Yoochun has been chosen as the best idol actor while boy band TVXQ was picked as having the most impressive performance by fellow Korean singers in a survey held recently.

Two Pinoy fans win in KBS K-pop contest in Seoul

By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines – Three K-pop fans, one from Singapore and two from the Philippines, won in a K-pop sing and dance contest held by Korean TV channel KBS World in Seoul, South Korea to celebrate its eighth anniversary on July 1.

SNSD, Big Bang, Hyun Bin, Kim Tae Hee top V-Day poll

From Manila Bulletin newspaper:

By JONATHAN M. HICAP

MANILA, Philippines (Feb. 14, 2011) — If Koreans were given a choice to pick celebrities they want to be their dates on Valentine’s Day, they would spend the red-letter day with Girls Generation (aka SNSD), Big Bang, actor Hyun Bin and actress Kim Tae Hee.

[caption id="attachment_136" align="alignnone" width="402" caption="(Clockwise from the top) Girls Generation, Kim Tae Hee, Hyun Bin and Big Bang. (Photos courtesy of SM Entertainment, SBS, MBC and YG Entertainment)"][/caption]