Band Block B Apologizes For Insensitive Attitude About Thai Floods

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Rookie boy band Block B learned a painful lesson about sensitivity following a public outrage against their behavior in a TV interview where they were accused of making fun of flood victims in Thailand and showing immature behavior.

Block B issued an apology on their official website for their behavior during the interview, with leader Zico shaving his head to show remorse.

Block B (Photo courtesy of www.newsen.com)

US-based Korean-American songwriter scored for racist tweets

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - A New York City-based Korean-American songwriter, who co-wrote one of the songs for Girls’ Generation’s “The Boys” album, is getting so much flack for tweeting comments against African-Americans/blacks.

Jenny Hyun, who was born and raised in the US, got criticized for her posts on Twitter that targeted blacks.

Jenny Hyun (Photos courtesy of www.onlinejenny.com)

Charice, Wonder Girls nominated in Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2012

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - International star Charice and Korean group Wonder Girls bagged nominations in the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2012, both of whom are nominated in the Favorite Asian Act category along with singers Agnes Monica of Indonesia and Yuna of Malaysia.

Jay Park enters Billboard chart

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Jay Park's new album has entered two Billboard charts on the day he made his comeback on Korean TV.

Jay Park on KBS Music Bank (Photo courtesy of www.newsen.com)

Filipino Fans Celebrate TVXQ/JYJ with 9G: The Red Room Exhibit

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino fans belonging to Cassiopeia Philippines will celebrate the career and music of boy bands TVXQ/JYJ with the holding of their ninth gathering dubbed as “9G: The Red Room Exhibit.”

The event will be held on Feb. 25, from 12 noon to 10PM, at the Top Shelf of Fully Booked at Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City.

Cassiopeia Philippines, which was named as the 2011 Fanclub of the Year at the 3rd Philippine K-pop Awards last Dec. 30, has been in existence since 2006 to support and promote TVXQ and JYJ.

The “9G: The Red Room Exhibit” will be held on Feb. 25.
(Photos courtesy of Cassiopeia Philippines’ Facebook page)

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)

Visit the new Korea.net website to read various stories about Korea

http://event.redcomm.co.kr:8080/event/index.jsp

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