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)

Jaejoong tops iTunes charts

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

The title track from Kim Jaejoong’s first studio album has topped 10 countries including the Philippines.

Jaejoong, member of boy band JYJ, released his album “WWW (Who When Why)” on Oct. 29 which included the title song “Just Another Girl.”

JYJ speaking at the event in Vietnam (Photo courtesy of Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee)

SS501 members reunite at concert

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

The dream of many SS501 fans finally came true when the members of the boy band reunited at a concert.

Heo Young-saeng (center) with fellow SS501 members (from left) Park Jung-min, Kim Kyu-jong, Kim Hyung-jun and Kim Hyun Joong. (Courtesy of http://blog.naver.com/qhalclsrn12)

EXO wins Best Korea Act in 2013 MTV EMA

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Twelve-member K-pop band EXO won the Best Korea Act in the 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards (MTV EMA), besting fellow Hallyu acts U-KISS, B.A.P, Boyfriend and girl group SISTAR.

2PM's Nichkhun & BEAST' Doojoon at Manila airport on Feb. 24, 2010

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2NE1 accepting award at the 2009 Asia Song Festival

(PHOTOS): Super Junior's Super Show 5 in Manila (Oct. 24)

More photos to follow

MANILA BULLETIN: Super Junior can’t help but love their ‘loudest’ Pinoy fans

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean boy band Super Junior did not disappoint thousands of fans who went to see them at their concert at the Mall of Asia Arena last Oct. 24.

Kyuhyun and Henry speak at Super Show 5 in Manila

Siwon at Super Show 5 in Manila (Oct. 24)

"Sorry Sorry" Super Show 5 in Manila (Oct. 24)

Super Junior's Super Show 5 in Manila (Oct. 24, 2013)

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.comDon't miss any updates. Subscribe to this blog, add me to your Google+ circle or click the Google Friend Connect on the sidebar

Heechul, Kangin join Super Junior Manila concert tonight

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Heechul and Kangin, members of Super Junior who were discharged from the military this year and in 2012, respectively, will join the boy band’s Manila concert tonight.”

Heechul and Kangin (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and Kangin’s Twitter)

Girls’ Generation, Psy nominated in first YouTube Music Awards

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop acts Girls’ Generation and Psy bagged nominations in the first-ever YouTube Music Awards.

“These video and artist nominations are based on YOUR views, likes, comments and subscriptions over the last 12 months from September 2012,” according to YouTube’s official blog.

Girls’ Generation and Psy (Photos courtesy of SMTOWN Facebook page and YG Entertainment)

EXCLUSIVE: Joseph Almani confident in playing lead role

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

The main actor in the American version of the Asian dramas “Boys Over Flowers” and “Meteor Garden” said he is secure and he does not feel any pressure playing the lead role.

Joseph Almani (Photos courtesy of Mr. Almani)

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.

K-pop stars Sandara Park, Ailee attend State Dinner in South Korea

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop stars Sandara Park of 2NE1 and Ailee attended the State Dinner hosted by South Korean President Park Geun-hye for Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on Oct. 17 at the State Guest House of Cheong Wa Dae, or Blue House.

Sandara Park and Ailee at the State Dinner
(Video grab by Bulletin Entertainment from SBS and RTVM footages)

Nichkhun's BENCHSETTER Fun Meet in Manila on Nov. 9

Wilbros company has announced today that Nichkhun's BENCHSETTER Fun Meet in Manila for BENCH clothing will be held on Nov. 9. Details to follow. 

Here's my Manila Bulletin article on Nichkhun's Manila fan meet: http://www.mb.com.ph/2pms-nichkhun-to-visit-manila-in-november/

Dancer-choreographer Aimee Lee Lucas: K-pop opened doors for me

Dancer-choreographer Aimee Lee Lucas praises EXO and talks about G-Dragon, Taeyang, Park Bom and Uhm Jung Hwa in an interview with Manila Bulletin 

Justin Bieber kisses Sandara Park

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Pop star Justin Bieber gave K-pop fans a surprise when he kissed 2NE1′s Sandara Park at a party after his concert in Seoul last Oct. 10.

Korean American jeweler Ben Baller uploaded on his Chinese microblogging account Weibo a photo of Bieber kissing Sandara.

Justin Bieber (left) kissing Sandara Park. On the right is Ben Baller. (Photo courtesy of Ben Baller’s Weibo)

Justin Bieber holds Seoul concert with G-Dragon as surprise guest

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Pop star Justin Bieber held his Believe Tour concert in Seoul last night and surprised the audience when he called Big Bang’s G-Dragon on stage as his guest.

Justin Bieber, Psy and G-Dragon in Seoul (Photo courtesy of Scooter Braun’s Instagram)

EXCLUSIVE: Fil-Am Jackie Averia excited to be in US version of ‘Boys over Flowers’

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Cameras will start rolling soon for the American adaptation of the Japanese manga “Hana Yori Dango” and one of the cast members says she is looking forward to be part of the series.

Fil-Am actress Jackie Averia (Photo courtesy of “Boys Before Friends” and Averia’s Facebook pages)

SHINee 샤이니 "Everybody" Music Video

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Lee Min Ho, Park Shin Hye’s new drama premieres

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

“The Heirs,” the comeback drama of Korean stars Lee Min Ho and Park Shin Hye, premiered last night with mixed results in the ratings.

According to TNmS Korea, the SBS drama posted a 9.9 percent rating nationwide in Korea on Oct. 10 to place 13th overall. In Seoul, it garnered a 12 percent rating to rank fifth.

Park Shin Hye and Lee Min Ho at “The Heirs” press conference (Photo by www.newsen.com)

Nicole Jung: I want to stay with KARA

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

After her agency announced that she is not renewing her contract, KARA’s Nicole Jung issued a statement that she wants to stay as member of the girl group.

Last Friday, DSP Media, KARA’s agency, announced that Nicole had decided not to renew her contract, which will expire in January 2014, and that she would no longer be a part of KARA.

Nicole (Photo: www.newsen.com)

"JYJ 'Only One' MV Making Film" (인천아시아드송 뮤비 메이킹 필름)

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KARA in quandary as Nicole leaves group

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

One of the most popular K-pop bands is in crisis now that a member has decided to leave the group.

Nicole and Jiyoung (Photo by www.newsen.com)

Winners at the 2013 Korea Drama Awards

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Actress Lee Bo Young, who starred in the successful dramas “I Hear Your Voice” and “My Daughter Seo-young,” bagged the daesang, or grand prize, at the 2013 Korea Drama Awards held on Oct. 2 in Jinju City in Gyeongsang, South Korea.

Winners (from left) Lee Jung-jin, Lee Jong Suk, Lee Bo Young and Jo Yoon-hee (Photos by www.newsen.com)

MYMP to perform at Asia Song Festival in Korea

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

The hosts and performers for the 2013 Asia Song Festival have been announced and one of them is a band from the Philippines.

Clockwise from the top) 2PM, MYMP and EXO
(Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and EXO and MYMP official Facebook pages)

Korean film ‘No Breathing’ set for release on Oct. 31

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

The Korean film “No Breathing” that was partly shot in Davao in the Philippines will be released on Oct. 31.

(From left) Seo In Guk, Yuri and Lee Jong Suk at the “No Breathing” press conference. (Photo by www.newsen.com)