Filipina Candidate in Korea Criticized

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – With eight days to go before the National Assembly election in South Korea, a Filipino-Korean candidate for the proportional representative seat is getting flak for allegedly lying about her education in the Philippines.

Jasmine Lee, 35, an actress, TV host, public servant and an advocate of multiculturalism and migrant women in Korea, has been the talk of media and internet communities in South Korea over the past week for allegedly claiming in interviews in the past several years that she was a medical student in Davao when she met her Korean husband, according to an article on the Korea Times.

(Photos: Screen capture by Bulletin Entertainment and Jasmine Lee's Facebook page)

Nichkhun awarded ‘most influential’ in Thailand

Nichkhun, member of Korean boy band 2PM, has been recognized as the most influential person at the 1st Annual Kerd Awards in Thailand.

The Kerd Awards selected the most influential people in the Thai entertainment industry.
The awarding ceremony was held on March 30 at the Grand Ballroom of the Crystal Design Center in Bangkok.

Photos courtesy of www.pingbook.com

Jay Park to visit the Philippines anew

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – K-pop rapper, b-boy and actor Jay Park will be visiting the Philippines again in May.

Spouses of world leaders get a taste of K-pop

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – On the last day of the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit in South Korea on March 27, the wives of world leaders who were attending the event were treated to traditional dance and K-pop music.

(Top) First Lady Kim Yoon-ok greets JYJ (Bottom) The First Lady and the wives of world leaders pose for a photo with JYJ (Photos courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae and Newsis.com)

SHINee's new album debuts on Billboard charts

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — Five-member K-pop boy band SHINee’s comeback album, “Sherlock,” has entered the Billboard charts. It was released online last March 19, followed by the physical album on March 21.

Legendary Boy Band Shinhwa Returns

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

After four years of hiatus, where members took turns in fulfilling their two-year mandatory Korean military service, Shinhwa is back with a new album and concert tour.

Wonder Girls' Hyerim praises Charice: 'She's amazing'

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - International singing sensation Charice held her Infinity Tour-Live in Seoul concert on March 21, the last leg of her tour.

It was her first concert in South Korea and Charice enthralled the audience with her powerful voice, belting out songs such as “One Day,” “New World,” “Before It Explodes,” “Pyramid,” “Tears in Heaven,” “Billy Jean,” and “I Will Always Love You.”

Charice (Photos by Romeo Samson and Katt S)

Girls Generation, Super Junior top 2011 earners for SM Entertainment

By JONATHAN HICAP 

K-pop groups Girls Generation and Super Junior are the top earning artists under SM Entertainment.

In a financial disclosure filed with Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service, SM Entertainment revealed that Girls Generation earned 21.73 billion won (P829 million) for the first three quarters of 2011.

K-pop groups nominated in MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2012

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines – The list of nominees for the MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2012 is out and six K-pop groups are included.

2NE1, KARA, Girls Generation, 2PM, CNBlue and SHINee got nominated along with music heavyweights like Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Bruno Mars.

(Clockwise from top left) KARA, Girls Generation, SHINee &2NE1
(www.newsen.com

Lee Da Hae’s plastic surgery

An online Chinese news site recently published an article on female celebrities with failed plastic surgeries.

Pictures of Lee Da Hae through the years. 

(Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com, chinanews.com and dramabeans.com)