Will 'Jewel in the Palace 2' Become A Hit?

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean TV station MBC has announced that it will produce a sequel to the hit TV drama "Jewel in the Palace," a decade after the original series aired in 2003 to 2004.

"Jewel in the Palace" became a top rating drama in Korea and was exported to many countries including the Philippines.

Billboard charts: Unstoppable Psy Jumps to 11th place, G-Dragon Debuts

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper and YouTube sensation Psy's wish to chart higher on Billboard has come true.

And fellow YG Entertainment artist G-Dragon, leader of boy band Big Bang, has joined him on the charts.

(Clockwise from top) Ellen and Psy doing the "Gangnam Style" dance on "Ellen";
Psy on 'Saturday Night Live' and G-Dragon

Sandara Park joins Twitter: 'Pambansang krungkrung ng Pilipinas'

2NE1's Sandara Park has finally joined Twitter under the name @krungy21, putting the description that she is the "Pambansang krungkrung ng Pilipinas" (The Philippines' national weird or unique personality).

"Krung krung" was a nickname given to Sandara when she was still active as an actress and singer in the Philippines. It means weird, unique or crazy.

Korea's IU Makes It To Billboard's 21 Under 21 List

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean singer IU has made it to Billboard's 21 Under 21, the chart's "annual ranking of music's most powerful minors."

"They've got hit records, millions of fans, and the kind of success most musicians only dream of -- and they can't even uncork a bottle of champagne to celebrate their success," according to Billboard.com.

Big Bang's Seungri And Model Anna Kubo: Are They Lovers?

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean boy band Big Bang member Seungri has become involved in another controversy with Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily publishing photos and video of what appear to be intimate moments between him and Japanese model and actress Anna Kubo in Hong Kong. (Videos after the cut)

(Left) Seungri and Ann Kubo having an intimate moment in Hong Kong. (Top and bottom right) Seungri's photos published in FRIDAY magazine in Japan. (Photos courtesy of appledaily.com.hk and FRIDAY magazine)

Psy, Super Junior, Hangeng Nominated in 2012 MTV EMA | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines  - Korean rapper Psy is on a roll.

His hit song "Gangnam Style" has been nominated for best video in the 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA), which will be held on Nov. 11 in Frankfurt, Germany.

'Korea's Next Top Model' Judge Found Dead

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - A stylist and judge on the TV franchise "Korea's Next Top Model" was found dead by his sister in his home in Seoul last Sept. 15. Korean police identified the victim as Woo Jong-wan, 46.

Photo courtesy of www.newsen.com

Psy's 'Gangnam Style' Debuts On Billboard Hot 100, Sets Records

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper Psy's US promotion for his hit song "Gangnam Style" has finally paid off big time.

"Gangnam Style" has debuted on Billboard's coveted Hot 100 chart at No. 64, the highest rank achieved by a K-pop artist on the singles chart since 2001.

T-ara's Agency Gets Back At Korean Media | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - K-pop group T-ara's agency sued a dozen Korean media outlets, blaming them for the negative publicity that the girl group has been getting since the bullying controversy broke out in July.

T-ara (Photo by www.newsen.com)

(VIDEO) Psy Teaches Britney Spears The 'Gangnam Style' Dance On 'Ellen'

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Pop superstar and  "X-Factor' judge Britney Spears' wish to learn the now famous "Gangnam Style" dance has finally come true.

Last Aug. 29, Spears tweeted that she loved the music video of Korean rapper and YouTube sensation Psy and wanted to learn the choreography.