Rolling Stone picks 10 K-pop groups 'most likely to break in America'

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Rolling Stone website has picked 10 K-pop groups including 2NE1, Big Bang and Girls Generation that have the potential to break into the US music scene.

The website noted that while K-pop artists BoA and Se7en failed in their American debuts in the past, "K-pop has garnered a strong following without the help of any major American backing."

(Clockwise from top left) SHINee, BEAST, 2NE1 and SISTAR.
(Photos by www.newsen.com)

2NE1, Filipina Sarah Geronimo, Girls Generation in 25 sexiest international singers list

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean pop groups 2NE1 and Girls Generation, as well as Filipino singer Sarah Geronimo made it to the 25 Sexiest International Singers You've Never Heard Of list by US-based music and trend site Complex.com.

Filipino singer Sarah Geronimo, 2NE1 and Girls Generation.
(Photos by www.sarahgeronimo.ph and 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)

K-pop groups nominated in MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2012

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines – The list of nominees for the MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2012 is out and six K-pop groups are included.

2NE1, KARA, Girls Generation, 2PM, CNBlue and SHINee got nominated along with music heavyweights like Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Bruno Mars.

(Clockwise from top left) KARA, Girls Generation, SHINee &2NE1
(www.newsen.com

New York Times: Social networking sites help popularize K-pop phenomenon

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The power of social media, including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, is propelling Korean Wave, or hallyu, to new heights and helping the spread of its popularity to North America and other regions.

Super Junior (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)

Hallyu Stars Boost Sales of Korean Cosmetics

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines – Korean stars have not only helped in boosting the popularity of Korean music and dramas but have driven up the sales of Korean cosmetics.

SHINee for Etude House, Kim Hyun Joong for The Face Shop and
Song Joong Ki for Tony Moly (Photos by Jonathan Hicap)

Sandara Park posts a mysterious photo taken in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – Was it a ghost?

Korean girl group 2NE1 spent five days in the Philippines last week for a vacation and photo shoot. Throughout their stay, Sandara Park kept 2NE1 fans updated by posting photos of their activities in Manila and Albay.

The two photos posted by Sandara Park on her me2day account

[NEWS] Sandara Park: 'Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat'

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, MANILA BULLETIN

MANILA, Philippines – Korean girl group 2NE1 left Manila for Seoul  on Feb. 5, bringing with them lots of fun memories from their vacation and photoshoot in Manila and Albay in the Bicol region.

2NE1, other K-pop groups to debut in Japanese music market

By JONATHAN M. HICAP

Manila Bulletin (www.mb.com.ph) 

MANILA, Philippines - More K-pop groups are venturing into the Japanese music market, following the moves made by other idol singers.

Sandara Park creates buzz with anime hairstyle on 2NE1's comeback

By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - Girl group 2NE1 is creating a buzz in the K-pop music scene not only with their latest   single “I Am the Best” but also with their new fashion style.

Korea opens first K-pop concert hall

Korea’s first pop concert hall opened in Seoul on June 22.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation cooperated for the establishment of the concert hall by renovating Olympic Hall, located inside Olympic Park.

With newly upgraded facilities, the main concert hall can accommodate up to 3,000 people and the adjacent small concert hall can accommodate up to 240 people.

2NE1 on their career, favorite Korean male singers, and sisig (Manila Bulletin)

By JONATHAN M. HICAP 

MANILA, Philippines - Hours before they brought the house down during their concert at the Araneta Coliseum on June 4, 2NE1 members Sandara Park, Park Bom, CL and Minzy met with the press at the Hotel InterContinental Manila and talked about their career, their Filipino fans, food and even their favorite Korean idols.

Hanbok: Korea's traditional dress

You see it on Korean dramas and films. In the hit Korean drama series "Jewel in the Palace", the hanbok, Korea's traditional dress, gained prominence as it was a period drama.

Hanbok is South Korea's traditional dress that is worn in many occasions especially when Koreans celebrate Chuesok, or harvest festival, and Seollal, or Lunar New Year.

Fil-Am Black Eyed Peas producer to help in new 2NE1 songs

By JONATHAN M. HICAP / Manila Bulletin (Feb. 9, 2011)

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Filipino-American Grammy nominee and Black Eyed Peas’ official DJ, Poet Name Life (real name Jaime Lim Munson) flew to Korea to help write and produce songs for K-pop girl group 2NE1.