K-Pop Stars Mourn Houston's Death

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - As the world mourns the death of legendary diva Whitney Houston, K-pop stars also offered their condolences.

Whitney Houston (Photo courtesy of www.whitneyhouston.com)

3 Filipino Fan Sites Officially Recognized, Accredited By Cube Entertainment

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Last month, Cube Entertainment, the agency of K-pop artists BEAST, 4Minute and G.NA, announced that it would appoint official fan sites in various countries “in order for all Cube artists to build a strong global fan community, communication routes and faster local feedbacks.”

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

Musimix: Renowned Pinoy Band In South Korea

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

SEOUL, South Korea – Every night, hundreds of visitors at the famous Lotte World theme park in Seoul gather at the Garden Stage to watch an all-Filipino band perform and sing Korean and English songs.

[NEWS] Jay Park's 'New Breed' album cops No. 1 in charts

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, MANILA BULLETIN

MANILA, Philippines – K-pop artist Jay Park’s first studio album is a smash hit, zooming to the No. 1 position on iTunes charts in the US, Canada and Australia, and topping real-time charts in South Korea on the first day of its release.

[NEWS] 2 Korean dramas become finalists in 2012 New York Festivals Awards

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, MANILA BULLETIN

MANILA, Philippines – Korean dramas “Sungkyunkwan Scandal” and “The Greatest Love,” which aired in 2010 and 2011 respectively made it as finalists in the mini-series category of the 2012 New York Festivals International Television and Film Awards.

[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.

Girls Generation makes debut on US TV (with vids)

By JONATHAN M. HICAP

MANILA, Philippines - Korean pop group Girls Generation made their successful debut TV performances on two popular talk shows in the US.

Girls Generation with Kelly Ripa (Photo courtesy of @livekelly on Twitter)

Filipina singer makes history in South Korea

By JONATHAN M. HICAP

Manila Bulletin

SEOUL, South Korea - Filipinos have immense talent in singing but carrying a tune in a different language is another story altogether.

Mary Viena Tolentino Park (center) with her husband Park Jong Woong (right)
and mother-in-law Son Sok Cha (left) in Seoul. (Photo by Jonathan Hicap)

Fingerprint and facial recognition to be applied to all inbound foreign tourists in Korea starting Jan. 2012

Official Site of Korea Tourism Org.: Fingerprint and facial recognition to be applied to all inbound foreign tourists starting Jan. 2012