Asian stars send their prayers for ‘Yolanda’ victims

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Asian stars have expressed their sympathy and prayers for the Philippines and for the families affected by Super Typhoon “Yolanda” (international name “Haiyan”), which caused widespread devastation and killed hundreds in the country.

Clockwise from top left) 2PM’s Nichkhun, Aziatix, Lee Min Ho, Sandara Park and Ricky Kim (Photos by Jonathan Hicap and Twitter accounts of Aziatix, Lee Min Ho, Sandara Park and Ricky Kim)

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)

Sandara Park gets a taste of Pinoy fast food in New York

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

2NE1′s Sandara Park got a taste of her favorite Filipino fast food in New York City but she thought she was in the Philippines so she ordered in Tagalog.

Sandara Park in front of the Jollibee branch in Queens, New York City
(Photo courtesy of Sandara Park’s Twitter account)

2NE1 to release new song 'Do You Love Me'

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop girl group 2NE1 will be releasing their new single "Do You Love Me" on Aug. 7 as follow-up to their first comeback track, "Falling in Love," which was released this month.

YG Entertainment announced today the news on the company's official blog.

2NE1 (Photo by www.newsen.com)

Mnet 20's Choice Awards winners revealed

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop diva Lee Hyori, 2NE1's CL and bands SHINee and Infinite were among the winners at Mnet's 2013 20's Choice Awards held July 18 at the Korea International Exhibition Center in Ilsan.

This is the seventh year of the awards and the ceremony was hosted by Shinhwa's Minwoo and Jun Jin and Kim Seul-gie.

(Clockwise from top left) Miss A's Suzy, Shinhwa, Infinite, SHINee and 2NE1's CL. (Photos by www.newsen.com)

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.

2NE1 Included In Will.I.Am's New Album

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - K-pop group 2NE1 will be included in the new album of The Black Eyed Peas' frontman Will.I.Am.

Will.I.Am will be releasing his fourth studio album "#willpower" in the US on April 23 and it includes some of the biggest names in music.

2NE1 with Will.I.AM (Photo by YG Entertainment)

Which K-pop Artist, Company Dominated Album Sales?

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Boy band Super Junior and their company SM Entertainment dominated physical album sales in 2012.

Rankings of album sales by company and artist were posted on Korean music chart site Instiz, which showed percentage sales top K-pop artists got last year.

Photos by www.newsen.com

Winners at the 2nd Gaon Chart K-pop Awards

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The 2nd Gaon Chart K-pop Awards ceremony was held on Feb. 13 at the Olympic Hall at Seoul Olympic Park in Seoul, South Korea.

Photo by www.newsen.com

Winners At The 22nd Seoul Music Awards

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - K-pop stars attended the 22nd Seoul Music Awards held last night at the SK Olympic Handball Stadium in Seoul.

Psy won the daesang, or grand prize, but he was unable to attend the awards ceremony due to his busy schedule.

Epik High's Tablo received the award on his behalf. Psy instead sent a video message to thank the organizers for the award, his agency and family. Last year, Super Junior won the daesang.

Winners (from left) SHINee, Super Junior, Lee Seung Gi and Big Bang
(Photos courtesy of sportsseoul.com)

MTV, Europeans Pick 2NE1, Big Bang As Best Bands | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - MTV has released its Best Band Style of 2012 list and it includes K-pop bands 2NE1 and Big Bang of YG Entertainment.

Europeans also voted for their favorite K-pop artists and 2NE1 and Big Bang emerged as the best bands this year.

2NE1 and Big Bang (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Sandara Park, Big Bang go to Tagaytay

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - 2NE1's Sandara Park is in the Philippines and she's busy acting as tour guide to fellow YG Entertainment artist Big Bang.

Sandara reportedly arrived in the country last Oct. 22. She and the and Big Bang members reportedly went to Tagaytay yesterday, a source said.

It's more fun in the Philippines. (Left) Big Bang's G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung enjoy a swim at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel
while Sandara Park (right) makes a pose at Greenhills Shopping Center.
(Photos courtesy of G-Dragon's Instagram and Sandara's Twitter)

Sandara Park Tells Big Bang: Have Fun In PH, Try Jollibee Spaghetti

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - As members of boy band Big Bang make the most of their stay in the Philippines in the next few days, 2NE1's Sandara Park tells them to have "good memories" and offers to help them if they need anything.

Sandara, of course, knows more about the Philippines, having lived here for many years before going back to Korea to become a member of 2NE1.

Big Bang members G-Dragon, Daesung and TOP arriving at their hotel in Mandaluyong from the airport where fans (bottom)
waited to welcome them. (Screen grab by Bulletin Entertainment and photo courtesy of Big Bang VIP Philippines)

Sandara Park joins Twitter: 'Pambansang krungkrung ng Pilipinas'

2NE1's Sandara Park has finally joined Twitter under the name @krungy21, putting the description that she is the "Pambansang krungkrung ng Pilipinas" (The Philippines' national weird or unique personality).

"Krung krung" was a nickname given to Sandara when she was still active as an actress and singer in the Philippines. It means weird, unique or crazy.

Sandara Park Sports New Hairstyle For 2NE1’s Comeback

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The girls of K-pop group 2NE1 are gearing up for their much-awaited comeback with Sandara Park sporting a new hairstyle.

In the last few days, YG Entertainment posted teaser photos of 2NE1 members along with hints on their comeback date.

Photos courtesy of YG Entertainment and screen grab

Sandara Park's Pinoy Movies To Be Shown In Korea

BY JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Before she became a member of K-pop girl group 2NE1, Sandara Park had a thriving acting and singing career in the Philippines.

On June 27, fans of Sandara in Korea will be able to watch three of her Filipino movies.

2NE1 Announces First World Tour

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - K-pop girl group 2NE1 will hold their first world tour this year.

YG Entertainment said that the tour dubbed "New Evolution" will visit 10 cities in seven countries in Asia, the Americas and Europe and the number of cities is likely to rise due to numerous requests.

2NE1 will be the first Korean girl group to hold a world tour (Photo by www.newsen.com)

50 Cent should work with 2NE1, XXL mag says

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - A collaboration between rapper 50 cent and K-pop group 2NE1?

Hip hop magazine XXL thinks so, saying that the Grammy-winning rapper should work with the girl group along with 24 other artists including Nicki Minaj and Justin Bieber.

XXL listed the "25 Collaborations 50 Cent Should Consider" and named 2NE1 as one of them.

50 Cent and 2NE1 (Photos courtesy of the Facebook pages of
50 Cent and 2NE1, and www.newsen.com)

SPIN's Spin: 21 'Greatest' K-Pop Songs Of All Time

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/361299/spins-spin-21-greatest-kpop-songs-of-all-time