Jay Park, G-Dragon, f(x) Bag Nominations In The Korean Music Awards

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The nominations for the 10th Korean Music Awards are out and Jay Park, G-Dragon and f(x) have made the list.

The Korean Music Awards will recognize musical talent rather than popularity or album sales. Like in previous years, most of the nominees this year are indie singers and only a few mainstream K-pop singers were recognized.

(Clockwise from top left) Jay Park, G-Dragon and f(x).
(Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and YG Entertainment)

Jay Park TV Episodes 1 to 4

Adele, Taylor Swift, Psy Top RIAA's 2012 Achievers

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has just released the year-end tally for its 2012 Gold & Platinum (G&P) Program awards.

Last year, RIAA awarded 155 album and 524 digital single certifications. It said digital music dominated in 2012, an increase of 70 in the last two years that saw 139 digital songs  being certified platinum.

RIAA bestowed the Diamond award on Adele whose "21" album became the first album in 10 years to sell more than 10 million units in less than two years, according to a statement released by the association.

Psy (www.newsen.com)

Psy, One Direction Win at NRJ Music Awards in France

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper Psy emerged as the biggest winner in France's NRJ Music Awards, taking home three awards.

Boy band One Direction won the International Group of the Year and performed the song "Kiss You."

Psy won the International Song of the Year for "Gangnam Style," edging out Rihanna's "Diamonds," Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" and Will.i.am's "This Is Love."

NRJ Music Awards winners (from left) Psy, One Direction and Carly Rae Jepsen.
(Photos courtesy of @NRJhitmusiconly on Twitter)

Big Bang Wraps Up World Tour

MANILA, Philippines - Four continents, 12 countries, 48 shows and 800,000 fans in attendance.

Korean boy band Big Bang held their "ALIVE Galaxy Tour: The Final" last Jan. 25 to 27 at the Olympics Gymnastics Hall in Seoul, South Korea as finale to their successful world tour.

Some of the Korean stars who were seen in the audience included 2NE1, Se7en, Girls' Generation and EXO.

Big Bang at their final concert in Seoul. (Photos courtesy of YG Entertainment)

CN Blue Tops Billboard Chart

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean boy band CN Blue debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's World Albums chart with their new album "Re:BLUE."

"Re:BLUE" is the band's fourth mini-album and contains six tracks including the title song "I'm Sorry," "Coffee Shop" and "Where You Are."

This is the first time that CN Blue has topped the chart. Infinite H, a subunit of boy band Infinite, also debuted on the chart, placing at No. 8 with their first album "Fly High" while Girls' Generation's "I Got A Boy" is at No. 10.

Korean Actresses Probed for Illegal Propofol Use

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Two Korean actresses are being investigated for the illegal use of the drug propofol, a sedative and anesthetic, which was suspected to be cause of Michael Jackson’s death.

According to Korean media, Jang Mi In Ae and Lee Seung Yeon were identified by Korean prosecutors as the ones who used the drug for non-medical purposes.

“Lee and Jang are among the female celebrities on the lists that the prosecution confiscated in December from seven hospitals in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul, one of the most affluent districts in Seoul where a number of cosmetic surgery and dermatology clinics are located,” Korea Times reported.

JANG MI IN AE and Lee Seung Yeon (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Jaejoong’s First Mini-album, TVXQ’s New Single Top Charts

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – JYJ member Kim Jaejoong’s first mini-album has become a success, selling briskly and topping music charts in Korea, Japan and other countries.

Jaejoong released “I” last Jan. 17, which quickly rose to the top of Korean chart Hanteo.

Jaejoong (Photo by C-JeS Entertainment)

'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)

Boy Band 2PM To Hold Manila Concert In March

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean boy band 2PM will be holding their first ever concert in the Philippines in March.

JYP Entertainment announced that the 2PM Live Tour 2013: "What Time Is It?" will be held on March 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Boy band 2PM (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Fuse TV Selects 44 Most Anticipated Albums This Year

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Music TV network Fuse has come up with its list of the most anticipated albums of 2013 and, of the 44 in the roster, two Korean acts earned the nod.

"Our new years' resolution: Listen to more awesome music. Thankfully, that's already looking like one we can stick to (hitting the gym to work off that holiday weight, not so much) because there are so many huge albums coming out this year," wrote Fuse about its selection of the must-have albums of 2013.

Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga and Girls' Generation (Photos courtesy of Justin Timberlake's Facebook page,
Lady Gaga's Twitter and www.newsen.com)

‘Gangnam Style’ Wins Song Of The Year

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Psy’s “Gangnam Style” won the Digital Daesang, or Song of the Year, on the second day of the 27th Golden Disk Awards held on Jan. 16 at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.

Psy with former US President Bill Clinton (Photo courtesy of Psy’s Twitter account)

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)

Park Shin Hye To Hold Fan Meeting In Manila

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Award-winning Korean actress Park Shin Hye will be holding a fan meeting in Manila in March, marking her first time to visit the Philippines.

The "Park Shin Hye: Manila Fanmeeting 2013" will be held on March 16 at the Star Theater at CCP Complex in Pasay City.

Park Shin Hye (Photo courtesy of www.newsen.com)

Big Bang, 2PM's Japan Concerts Chosen As Best

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The Japan concerts of Korean boy bands Big Bang and 2PM were selected as one of the best of 2012 by the Oricon music chart.

Oricon's editor-in-chief recently published a list of the best 11 concerts in Japan which included the boy band's performances.

2PM (top) and Big Bang performing at their concerts in Fukuoka
(Photos courtesy of JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment)

Singer Arrested For Sexual Molestation

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean singer Go Young Wook was arrested for allegedly sexually molesting a 13-year-old girl.

Go, who was member of the Korean hip hop group Roo'ra, was taken into custody after a Seoul court issued a warrant of arrest against him.

Go Young Wook being interviewed by Korean media (Photo by www.newsen.com)

Girls' Generation Tops Billboard, Wins First Chart Award

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Nine-member group Girls' Generation topped two Billboard charts and won their first music chart award for "I Got A Boy."

Girls' Generation on 'M! Countdown' (Photo courtesy of M! Countdown)

Death Of Actress’ Ex-husband Highlights Suicide Problem In Korea

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – The body of former baseball player and coach Cho Sung Min, who was also the former husband of the late actress Choi Jin-sil, was cremated last Jan. 8 following his death last Jan. 6.

Family tragedy (from left): Cho Sung Min, Choi Jin-sil and Choi Jin-young (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Rain Meted Out Light Punishment For Dating Actress

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean pop star Rain has been meted out punishment of one-week probation by the Ministry of National Defense following media reports showing that he dated actress Kim Tae-hee.

Rain and Kim Tae-hee (Photos by www.newsen.com)

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)

'Gangnam Style' In Top 10 Songs In US, UK In 2012

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper Psy's "Gangnam Style" is in the Top 10 biggest selling singles in the US and UK in 2012.

The viral hit sold 3.59 million downloads in the US last year, according to Billboard.

Psy with MC Hammer at the New Year's Eve event in the US. (Photo courtesy of Psy's Twitter account)

JYJ standee at Tony Moly shop in Alabang

I was at the mall earlier and passed by the Tony Moly branch at Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City. 

Block B Sues Agency To Terminate Contracts

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The seven members of K-pop boy band Block B, which debuted in 2011, have sued their agency, Stardom Entertainment, to annul their exclusive contracts, accusing the company of not paying their income.

Block B (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Girls' Generation Rules Music Charts With New Album

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - K-pop group Girls' Generation welcomed the new year with a bang by releasing their fourth album "I Got A Boy."

Girls' Generation performing on 'M! Countdown' (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com)

Korean Doll Craft on exhibit at the Podium in Mandaluyong City

The Korean Cultural Center, in cooperation with The Podium, will be launching the Hanji Doll Craft Exhibit on January 9 as part of its efforts to promote Korean culture to the Filipinos.

New Power Couple: Rain, Kim Tae Hee Dating

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Hallyu pop star Rain and popular actress Kim Tae Hee have been revealed to be dating, creating a firestorm on Korean Internet portals and forums, and among fans.

(Top) The photos showing Rain and Kim Tae Hee dating. (Below) The two worked together in
an ad for an e-commerce site in Korea (Photos courtesy of Dispatch and www.newsen.com)