American fan with hereditary disease fulfills dream; meets SHINee, Super Junior

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - A 15-year-old girl from Brooklyn, New York, who suffers from a hereditary disorder affecting the nerves and muscles, fulfilled her dream of meeting her favorite K-pop group SHINee.

K-pop Groups In Oricon Rankings For 2012

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Several K-pop groups made it to the list of bestselling artists in Japan for the first half of 2012.

Oricon chart has released the list of top 50 singles, albums and DVDs from January to June.

Photos from www.newsen.com and Facebook pages of Big Bang & Super Junior

Kangin Included In Super Junior's New Album

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Super Junior member Kangin will be returning to the boy band after two years and nine months through his participation in their new album.

SM Entertainment confirmed that Kangin will be part of Super Junior's sixth album, his first activity after being discharged from the Korean military last April.

(From left) Kangin at the police station in 2009, his discharge from the army and his recent photo taken in May (Photos by www.newsen.com and Kangin's Twitter)

2AM Jo Kwon's I'm Da One MV

2AM leader Jo Kwon's first solo album "I'm Da One" has been released. In addition, the music video for the title track "I'm Da One" has been uploaded on YouTube. Check it out.

Siwon & Donghae in Alabang

Philippine clothing store BENCH is displaying its different branches with huge posters of Super Junior members Siwon and Donghae, who are the brand's latest endorsers. 

Win a copy of Xiah Junsu's 'Tarantallegra' album

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will be giving away signed copies of Xiah Junsu's "Tarantallegra" album. Joining the contest is easy. 

Xiah Junsu's "Tarantallegra" album (Photo courtesy of Seoul, Korea Facebook page)

Sandara Park's Pinoy Movies To Be Shown In Korea

BY JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Before she became a member of K-pop girl group 2NE1, Sandara Park had a thriving acting and singing career in the Philippines.

On June 27, fans of Sandara in Korea will be able to watch three of her Filipino movies.

2AM's Jo Kwon Releases 2 Songs From First Solo Album

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - Jo Kwon, leader of Korean boy band 2AM, unleashed two songs online last night ahead of the release of his first solo album titled "I'm Da One" slated on June 25.

The songs released are the title track "Animal (Radio Edit)" and "Just a Kiss," an English song. The two are part of Jo Kwon's 10-track album.

Jo Kwon's album (Big Hit Entertainment)

Jay Park to begin Asia tour in Seoul

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - After his successful album promo tour in the Philippines and four other countries and his concerts in the US, K-pop star Jay Park will start his "New Breed Asia Tour in Seoul."

Jay Park will kick off the concert on Aug. 18 at the Olympic Hall of Seoul Olympic Park. This is a follow up to his first solo concert held in Seoul last March 3.

Jay Park at the Yeosu concert (left) and at Incheon International Airport on June 14 his way to Singapore (Photos by www.newsen.com)

10 Vie For Global Pinoy Singing Idol In Korea

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Some 10 Filipinos in South Korea have qualified as regional finalists in the DZMM World Caravan Global Pinoy Singing Idol contest.

According to Fe Kim, a Filipino married to a Korean and president of the Filipino Korean Spouses Association, 21 Filipinos in Korea joined the elimination round last month held at the conference hall of the Philippine Embassy in Itaewon, Seoul.

The 10 regional finalists of the Global Pinoy Singing Idol contest at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul (Photos courtesy of Jack Rusl)