'G.I. Joe' star Lee Byung Hun to be honored in Hollywood

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - Popular Korean actors Lee Byung Hun and Ahn Sung Ki will be honored in Hollywood by way of casting their hand and foot prints on the famous courtyard of the Grauman's Chinese Theater.

Lee Byung Hun at his press conference and as Storm Shadow.
(Photos by www.newsen.com and Paramount Pictures)

Lady Gaga ready for Seoul concert amid protests, 18+ rating

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Lady Gaga is getting ready to kick off her “The Born This Way Ball” world tour in Seoul on April 27 amid protests by local conservative Christian groups that the singer promotes homosexuality and pornography.

The flamboyant singer arrived in Seoul on April 20 wearing a mask and a gown, a week before her concert to do rehearsals.

Lady Gaga upon her arrival in Seoul and at the rehearsals.
(Photos by www.newsen.com)

Filipino fans unite for JYJ

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino fans of Korean boy band JYJ has come together for their first-ever gathering in the country to show their love and support to their idol group.

Called “JYJ Haven: The Beginning: The JYJ Philippines 1st Fan Gathering,” the event was held on April 21 at Discovery Suites in Pasig.

Filipino JYJ fans at the gathering. (Photos courtesy of JYJ Philippines)

Fountains in Seoul Start Operation

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will operate 365 fountains installed in parks and streets across the city from April or May to September. In order to save energy, the City Government has decided to reduce the operating period of the fountains by two months compared with previous years. 

Jay Park’s Manila album showcase set on May 4-6

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – K-pop rapper and b-boy Jay Park’s mall tour in Manila will be held on May 4 to 6 in different venues.

Jay Park will be in the country to promote his new album “New Breed,” which contains 15 tracks including the carrier single, “Know Your Name.”

(Photo courtesy of MCA Music Facebook page)

‘My Sassy Girl’ star marries

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Jun Ji Hyun, who rose to fame through the hit Korean film “My Sassy Girl,” got married on April 13 to her boyfriend Choi Jun Hyuk, the grandson of famous hanbok (traditional Korean dress) designer Lee Young-hee.

Photos by www.newsen.com

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)

Poster for Jay Park's New Breed Philippine tour on May 4-6, 2012

Here's the poster for Jay Park's New Breed promo tour in the Philippines slated on May 4 to 6 in different venues. 

Filipino Jasmine Lee makes history, wins in South Korea election | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

Filipino Jasmine Lee makes history, wins in South Korea election | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

Charice angry over airing of 'Star King' segment

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Filipina singer Charice made her fourth appearance last April 7 on Korean TV talent show “Star King,” the show that helped launch her international singing career back in 2007.

However, Charice was “appalled and angry” when the show aired.

Charice on "Star King" (Screen captures by www.newsen.com)

Rooftop Prince overtakes The King 2 Hearts in the ratings

SBS' drama "Rooftop Prince" starring JYJ's Yoochun and Han Ji Min has overtaken MBC's "The King 2 Hearts," starring Lee Seung-gi and Ha Ji Won, in the ratings. 
The two Korean dramas premiered last March 21 and on the sixth episode, "Rooftop Prince" won the ratings game. 

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)

Filipina Candidate in Korea Criticized

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – With eight days to go before the National Assembly election in South Korea, a Filipino-Korean candidate for the proportional representative seat is getting flak for allegedly lying about her education in the Philippines.

Jasmine Lee, 35, an actress, TV host, public servant and an advocate of multiculturalism and migrant women in Korea, has been the talk of media and internet communities in South Korea over the past week for allegedly claiming in interviews in the past several years that she was a medical student in Davao when she met her Korean husband, according to an article on the Korea Times.

(Photos: Screen capture by Bulletin Entertainment and Jasmine Lee's Facebook page)

Nichkhun awarded ‘most influential’ in Thailand

Nichkhun, member of Korean boy band 2PM, has been recognized as the most influential person at the 1st Annual Kerd Awards in Thailand.

The Kerd Awards selected the most influential people in the Thai entertainment industry.
The awarding ceremony was held on March 30 at the Grand Ballroom of the Crystal Design Center in Bangkok.

Photos courtesy of www.pingbook.com

Jay Park to visit the Philippines anew

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – K-pop rapper, b-boy and actor Jay Park will be visiting the Philippines again in May.

Spouses of world leaders get a taste of K-pop

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – On the last day of the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit in South Korea on March 27, the wives of world leaders who were attending the event were treated to traditional dance and K-pop music.

(Top) First Lady Kim Yoon-ok greets JYJ (Bottom) The First Lady and the wives of world leaders pose for a photo with JYJ (Photos courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae and Newsis.com)

SHINee's new album debuts on Billboard charts

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — Five-member K-pop boy band SHINee’s comeback album, “Sherlock,” has entered the Billboard charts. It was released online last March 19, followed by the physical album on March 21.

Legendary Boy Band Shinhwa Returns

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

After four years of hiatus, where members took turns in fulfilling their two-year mandatory Korean military service, Shinhwa is back with a new album and concert tour.