Girls' Generation Reaches 'Million' Status In Japan

By JONATHAN M. HICAP

MANILA, Philippines - K-pop group Girls' Generation reached another milestone when their first Japanese studio album sold 1 million copies in Japan.

The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) issued on June 8 the list of certified works for May that includes the Korean group's "Girls' Generation" album which has reached "million" status after being released in June last year.

Clockwise from the top) Girls Generation, Super Junior and Jang Geun Seuk.
(Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and Super Junior Facebook page)

2AM leader Jo Kwon greets the Philippines with a photo

2AM leader Jo Kwon greeted the Philippines by posting of photo of himself and Jinwoon. The photo was taken during 2AM's promo tour in the Philippines in April last year. 

JYJ's Jaejoong posts several selcas on Twitter

JYJ's Kim Jaejoong certainly got time today as he posted several "selcas" on his Twitter account. 

f(x)'s music video for "Electric Shock"

f(x)'s music video for their song "Electric Shock" was released today.

RECIPE: Dakbokkeumtang (spicy braised chicken)

Here's another delicious Korean recipe from Maangchi.com, dakbokkeumtang (spicy braised chicken).

Between Loneliness And High Wages

Filipino Workers Face Sacrifices In Korea, New Land Of Opportunity

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines --- To many Filipinos, South Korea beckons as the new land of opportunity. And the key to the gate of that land is the Employment Permit System (EPS).

The EPS is the South Korean government’s program that allows small-and-medium Korean enterprises to hire foreign workers.

KBS Star Kitchen with U-KISS

U-KISS members Kevin, AJ and Eli  joined Chef Seri in making different Korean dishes on KBS "Star Kitchen." 

Ban on Smoking on the Street (in Gangnam)

(KBS World) Smoking in Gangnam Daero, an area with the heaviest foot traffic in Seoul, has been banned starting on June 1st. Public places like parks have often been designated as no-smoking zones, but this is the first time that a ban on smoking has been placed on the entire length of a street.

K-pop stars from 1996 to present

For those who are interested in the history of K-pop groups from 1996 to present, here's a Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_Korean_idol_groups#1996

The entry lists their debut year and member information.

50 Cent should work with 2NE1, XXL mag says

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - A collaboration between rapper 50 cent and K-pop group 2NE1?

Hip hop magazine XXL thinks so, saying that the Grammy-winning rapper should work with the girl group along with 24 other artists including Nicki Minaj and Justin Bieber.

XXL listed the "25 Collaborations 50 Cent Should Consider" and named 2NE1 as one of them.

50 Cent and 2NE1 (Photos courtesy of the Facebook pages of
50 Cent and 2NE1, and www.newsen.com)