Wonder Girls Joins Christina Aguilera, Others In Special Christmas Album

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - K-pop quintet the Wonder Girls has participated along with global stars in a Christmas album that will benefit the Special Olympics.

The "A Very Special Christmas" music series will be issued in the US on Oct. 16 in two albums: The "A Very Special Christmas 25th Anniversary" and "A Very Special Christmas: Bringing Peace on Earth."

Photos by www.newsen.com and Wonder Girls Facebook page

Korean Star Lee Min-ho Coming To Manila In November

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 
MANILA, Philippines - Korean superstar Lee Min-ho is bound for the Philippines next month to meet fans as the new endorser of a local clothing brand.

JYJ Suffers Another Humiliation In South Korea

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - Fans are angry that one of Korea's most popular hallyu stars has suffered another humiliation in his own country when he was left out in the TV broadcast of the opening ceremony of the 32nd National Para Games in Korea.

'Gangnam Style' Reaches 1 Million Downloads In US

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper Psy's viral hit "Gangnam Style" has achieved another milestone, getting 1 million downloads and 1 million on-demand streams in the US, according to Billboard.

Billboard.com says based on this week's Digital Songs chart, "Gangnam Style" has attained the feat.

Psy (www.newsen.com)

'Full House 2' To Premiere In Korea

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines - The sequel to the 2004 hit Korean romantic comedy "Full House" will premiere in Korea on Oct. 22 on cable channel SBS Plus.

"Full House Take 2" stars actress Hwang Jung Eum and actors No Min Woo and Park Ki Woong.

K-pop Agencies Venture Into Managing Actors, Hosts

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Two of Korea's biggest K-pop agencies have expanded their empires into managing actors and TV hosts, and TV production, a move that will keep their stronghold in the business.

SM Entertainment and JYP Entertainment, which handle K-pop's hottest singers including Girls Generation, Wonder Girls, Super Junior and 2AM, have ventured out of their core business.

Jang Dong-gun and Kang Ho Dong (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Psy's Appeal To Fans: Help Me Get No. 1 On Billboard

Psy is appealing to fans to help him get to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 as his "Gangnam Style" reaches 400 million views on YouTube

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper Psy will not settle for second place as far as his ranking on the Billboard Hot 100 chart is concerned.

Korean Dramas, K-pop Helped Reshape Philippine TV, Music

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The hallyu, or Korean wave, that has swept Asia and other regions has helped in changing how Filipino dramas are made and increased the popularity of K-pop in the Philippines.

This was according to a paper presented by Prof. Ma. Crisanta Flores of the University of the Philippines Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature.

Korean dramas (clockwise from left) "My Name is Kim Sam Soon," "Full House" and "Stairway to Heaven"
(Photos courtesy of MBC, KBS and SBS)

Psy stays at No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100, takes shirt off at his Korea concert

By JONATHAN M. HICAP

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper Psy didn't wait for his hit single "Gangnam Style" to reach No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 to fulfill his promise to perform shirtless.

Psy held a concert before a massive crowd at Seoul Plaza in Korea on Thursday evening to celebrate the achievements of "Gangnam Style" and thank the public for supporting him.

Psy's concert at Seoul Plaza on October 4, 2012

Psy's concert at Seoul Plaza on October 4, 2012:

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