(PHOTO): Manila Bulletin print edition (June 26, 2012)

My K-pop article "K-Pop Groups Make It To Oricon 2012 Rankings"  published in the Manila Bulletin issue today, June 26, 2012. 

Seoul to give away 30 tickets to MBLAQ's concert in Indonesia

Here is a big surprise ONLY for our Indonesia fans of Seoul!!! 
Seoul is going to give away 30 tickets for the MBLAQ concert in Indonesia.

'Delicious Seoul Story' Cooking Contest: Win a Gourmet Trip to Seoul!

Experience the Chuseok holiday in Seoul this year! Just make a video of you and your friend cooking up a Korean dish and upload it onto our YouTube channel. You may be one of the five lucky teams to be selected to win a 'Delicious Seoul Story' trip to Seoul that includes airfare, hotel accommodation, a gourmet food tour, and classes with master Korean chefs!

Entry Period

Submissions must be entered between 12:00 Korean Standard Time (KST) on July 2, 2012 and 17:00 Korean Standard Time (KST) on August 10, 2012.

Eligibility

Only non-Korean citizens residing outside of South Korea can enter.

Winners Announcement

Winners will be contacted individually via e-mail and will also be announced on the website (http://welcome.visitseoul.net) on August 17, 2012 Korean Standard Time. * The dates for the "Delicious SEOUL story" trip are set for September 17, 2012 - September 21, 2012 and cannot be changed. If a winning team is unavailable for travel by the designated dates, the winning team will be disqualified and the Seoul Tourism Organization reserves the right to select another winning team at its sole discretion. (From Visit Seoul) 

To join the contest, go to http://welcome.visitseoul.net/eng/sub/delicious/delicious_1.jsp

American fan with hereditary disease fulfills dream; meets SHINee, Super Junior

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - A 15-year-old girl from Brooklyn, New York, who suffers from a hereditary disorder affecting the nerves and muscles, fulfilled her dream of meeting her favorite K-pop group SHINee.

K-pop Groups In Oricon Rankings For 2012

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Several K-pop groups made it to the list of bestselling artists in Japan for the first half of 2012.

Oricon chart has released the list of top 50 singles, albums and DVDs from January to June.

Photos from www.newsen.com and Facebook pages of Big Bang & Super Junior

Kangin Included In Super Junior's New Album

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Super Junior member Kangin will be returning to the boy band after two years and nine months through his participation in their new album.

SM Entertainment confirmed that Kangin will be part of Super Junior's sixth album, his first activity after being discharged from the Korean military last April.

(From left) Kangin at the police station in 2009, his discharge from the army and his recent photo taken in May (Photos by www.newsen.com and Kangin's Twitter)

2AM Jo Kwon's I'm Da One MV

2AM leader Jo Kwon's first solo album "I'm Da One" has been released. In addition, the music video for the title track "I'm Da One" has been uploaded on YouTube. Check it out.

Siwon & Donghae in Alabang

Philippine clothing store BENCH is displaying its different branches with huge posters of Super Junior members Siwon and Donghae, who are the brand's latest endorsers. 

Win a copy of Xiah Junsu's 'Tarantallegra' album

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will be giving away signed copies of Xiah Junsu's "Tarantallegra" album. Joining the contest is easy. 

Xiah Junsu's "Tarantallegra" album (Photo courtesy of Seoul, Korea Facebook page)

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.