Super Junior M's Henry to be launched as solo artist

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

A member of Super Junior's sub-unit in China, Super Junior M, will be launched as a solo artist.

On May 29, SM Entertainment released teaser photos of its new male solo artist, drawing curiosity among fans.

Rain joins Cube Entertainment ahead of military discharge

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin
Asian pop star Rain has decided to join Cube Entertainment, which manages K-pop artists BEAST, 4Minute and G.NA., ahead of his scheduled discharge from the military this July.

This was announced by Hong Seung Seong, chief executive officer of Cube Entertainment, on the company’s website.

Rain (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Psy gets booed at Italian football match finals

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin
Korean rapper Psy got a taste of Italian inhospitality when he was booed by the audience at the Coppa Italia football finals between clubs Lazio and Roma last May 26.

2NE1’s CL to release first solo single

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop girl band 2NE1’s leader CL will be releasing her first solo single on May 28 entitled “The Baddest Female,” as announced by YG Entertainment.

“CL has used the phrase ‘The baddest female’ in her autograph since her debut. The solo single will be the culmination of her abilities,” a representative from YG Entertainment told ENewsWorld.

Lee Min-ho releases first album, to hold Manila concert in July

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Hallyu star Lee Min-ho has released his debut album “My Everything,” a seven-song collection that included the carrier track “Love Motion.”

The digital version was released online on May 22 while the physical album was released on May 24.

Singer tries to commit suicide after GF's death

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Singer Son Ho Young, a former member of the ’90’s boy band g.o.d., reportedly tried to kill himself after the death of his girlfriend, allegedly by lighting a coal briquette in his car in the early morning of May 24.

The suicide attempt was foiled when the inside of the car – which was at a church parking lot in Yongsan, Seoul – caught fire. He was rushed to the Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital for treatment.

Son Ho Young at the funeral (www.newsen.com)

Super Junior to hold ‘Super Show 5’ Manila in August

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean boy band Super Junior will be coming back to the Philippines to hold their world tour in August. This has been confirmed by Happee Sy of Pulp Live Productions to Bulletin Entertainment via text message.

Sy also announced on Twitter, May 22: "24 Days to CNBlue BlueMoon Tour Manila! Less than 100 days to SS5 Manila. Kpop friends, are you spazzing enough?"

Photos by SM Entertainment

Former agency CEO, singer's GF found dead

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

The former head of boy band Block B's agency and the girlfriend of singer Son Ho Young were found dead in two separate incidents of apparent suicide.

Mr. Lee, the former CEO of Stardom Entertainment, who allegedly took off with 70 million won (P2.6 million) from the boy band's parents and disappeared, was found dead in his home.

T-ara N4 to work with Chris Brown, Snoop Dogg

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

T-ara N4, the new sub-unit of girl group T-ara, will be venturing into the US market through a collaboration with Chris Brown, Snoop Dogg and other rappers. The girl group, composed of Hyomin, Eunjung, Jiyeon and Areum, recently went to the US to meet with Brown.

On May 20, T-ara N4 held a press conference in Seoul and talked about their plans.

Japan 2nd, Korea 11th in global music sales

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Japan maintained its position as the second largest music market in the world while South Korea kept its 11th place despite a decline in music sales in 2012.

In the top 20 markets for Global Recorded Music Sales in 2012, the United States is still No. 1 with sales of $4.48 billion, a decline of 0.5 percent from 2011, according to the RIAJ Yearbook 2013 issued by the Recording Industry Association in Japan (RIAJ).

Girls' Generation (top) and AKB48 (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Super Junior's Siwon on Met Gala, world tour & fashion

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Besides rapper Psy, Super Junior's Siwon also attended the famous Met Gala in New York City together with other Korean stars.

In an interview with Billboard.com before the gala, Siwon said he couldn't believe it that he was going to attend the event.

Siwon with Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld and Korean actress Jung Ryeo Won
(Photo courtesy of Jung Ryeo Won's Twitter)

2 K-pop stars tape TV show in Cebu

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Cebu is still the favorite destination of Korean celebrities in the Philippines.

Two K-pop stars went to Cebu in southern Philippines recently to shoot a special episode of a Korean TV show.

Son Dambi, former After School leader Kahi and stylist Chae Han Suk were in Cebu to tape an episode of MBC's "Son Dambi's Beautiful Days" lifestyle TV show.

Son Dambi and Kahi in Cebu (Photos courtesy of Kahi's blog and MBC)

Legendary singer to marry young actress

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Legendary singer Seo Taiji is getting married for the second time to another actress.

It was announced that 41-year-old Seo Taiji, a pioneer in popularizing K-pop in the 1990s, will be tying the knot with 25-year-old actress Lee Eun Sung, who is 16 years younger than him.

Psy set to perform at 'American Idol' finale

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean rapper Psy will be performing his latest single "Gentleman" at the finale of "American Idol," which will be aired in the US on May 16.

The finale of the FOX show will decide who will be crowned as the new "American Idol" between finalists Candice Glover and Knee Harrison.

Besides Psy, other performers at the finale are former "American Idol" judge Jennifer Lopez and current judges Keith Urban and Mariah Carey, according to the "Idol" blog mjsbigblog.

Psy at Harvard (Photo courtesy of Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard News Office
and Harvard Magazine)

Baek Ji Young gets pregnant before wedding?

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean pop singer Baek Ji Young is reportedly pregnant with her first baby, just a month after she announced that she would be getting married to her boyfriend.

"I heard that Ms. Baek Ji Young is pregnant. She is being very careful because she's in the beginnings of her pregnancy," ENewsWorld quoted a source as saying.

Winners at the 49th Baeksang Arts Awards

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin
Actor Ryu Seung Ryong and TV host Yoo Jae Suk were the big winners at the 49th Baeksang Arts Awards on May 9, taking home the "daesang," or grand prize, for their respective works in film and TV.
Ryu Seung Ryong won the daesang in the film division for "Miracle in Cell No. 7," which became the fourth bestselling film of all time in Korea with 12.8 million tickets sold since its release last January.

Diva Lee Hyori returns with new album

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin
Korean pop diva Lee Hyori will be coming back to the music scene with a new album, three years after a plagiarism scandal that affected her career.
Lee Hyori will be releasing her fifth album "Monochrome" on May 21. Ahead of the album, she released her single "Miss Korea" on May 6, which topped music charts in Korea.

Psy meets Beyonce, Gwyneth Paltrow at Met Gala

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean rapper Psy attended the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual gala in New York City on May 6 (May 7 in Manila) that drew Hollywood celebrities including Anne Hathaway, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Swift, Emma Watson and Kanye West.

At the event, Psy met and had a picture taken with Beyonce and Gwyneth Paltrow.

2PM tops iTunes charts in PH, 5 others

2PM tops iTunes charts in PH, 5 others

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:Email me at sangchusan(at)gmail.com

2PM tops iTunes charts in PH, 5 others

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin
Korean boy band 2PM's comeback album has topped iTunes charts in the Philippines and five other countries.
2PM released their third Korean studio album "Grown" online on May 6 and it rose to the No. 1 position on the iTunes album chart in the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.

2PM (JYP Entertainment)

Lee Da Hae admits getting plastic surgery

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin
After years of speculations, Korean actress Lee Da Hae finally admitted that she underwent plastic surgery to improve her appearance.

The actress, who recently starred in the drama "IRIS 2: New Generation," was interviewed on Mnet's "Wide Entertainment News" where she admitted that she had work done on her face.

Jay Park to sing theme song for Will Smith's movie

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop rapper Jay Park will be singing the theme song for Hollywood actor Will Smith and his son Jaden's movie "After Earth."

Jay Park also wrote and composed the song "I Like To Party," which will be used as the ending song for the movie in Korea.

 

Korean Food Festival in the Philippines from May 8 to 12

Along with the immense popularity of Hallyu in the Philippines, Korean food has been gaining more and more momentum in the local food scene, with numerous Korean restaurants mushrooming virtually everywhere.