JYJ on a roll in Korea, TVXQ shines in Japan

By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines — Boy bands JYJ and TVXQ, whose members used to be in one group, have achieved No. 1 feats with their albums in Korea and Japan, respectively.

K-pop rapper Jay Park, American band Evaline to headline MTV Exit Live in Manila on Oct. 29

SEPTEMBER 28, 2011, MANILA: The MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) campaign today announced plans to hold a massive live concert in Manila on October 29 at the Mall of Asia to raise awareness and increase prevention of human trafficking.

Jay Park and Evaline (Photos courtesy of MTV Exit, Sidus HQ and Joseph Llanes

'7 Different Colors of Love' in the Korean Film Festival in the Philippines

By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - The journey of a rock band and a story about a daughter who finds his father will be some of the featured films in the 2011 Korean Film Festival in the Philippines that will run from Sept. 20 to Oct. 2 in SM Cinemas in Manila and Cebu.

Korean Cultural Center searches for the ultimate Pinoy K-pop Star

By JONATHAN M. HICAP

Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - K-pop music has been enjoying huge popularity in the Philippines in the past few years. Since 2009, popular idol groups have visited the country including SHINee, Super Junior, 4Minute and BEAST.

Super Junior 3D concert movie premieres in Philippines in October

By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin 
MANILA, Philippines – K-pop fans in the Philippines will get to experience another dose of Super Junior through a 3D concert movie that will premiere in Manila in October.

Sequel to ‘Full House’ set

By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - “Full House,” the 2004 hit comedy series shown on Korean TV station KBS that helped boost the popularity of Asian pop star Rain and actress Song Hye Kyo, will have a sequel but with a different cast.

Korean TV talent search show scored for Muslim portrayal, apologizes

By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean TV talent search show “Star King” has issued an apology after a recent episode came under fire from viewers who criticized the show for depicting a wrong portrayal of Saudi Arabians and Muslims in general.

KARA chosen as most popular Korean pop group in Japan

By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Five-member girl group KARA is the most popular K-pop group in Japan, according to a survey by Japan’s biggest mobile music download website.

Defiant actress returns to Korea

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean actress Han Ye Seul, who abandoned the filming of her drama, returned to Korea on Wednesday afternoon, just two days after she left for the US.

Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com

Actress draws flak for abandoning drama filming, heads to US

MANILA, Philippines - Korean actress Han Ye Seul is now the subject of criticisms and a lawsuit for being unprofessional after she failed to appear on the set of her drama “Spy Myung Wol” and headed to the United States without permission.

Eric Mun and Han Ye Seul (Photo courtesy of www.newsen.com)