Jaejoong Meets Fans In Indonesia Despite Illness

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Boy band JYJ member Jaejoong didn't disappoint his 4,000 supporters by showing up at his first fan meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Before he went to Indonesia, the singer and actor was suffering a bad case of sore throat. Despite this, he decided to go on with the fan meeting held at the Mata Elang International Stadium.

K-pop Artists Nominated In Billboard Japan Music Awards 2012

Several K-pop singers have been nominated in the Billboard Japan Music Awards 2012.

Nominated for the Top Pop Artist 2012 category are Girls' Generation, KARA, Super Junior, CNBlue,  TVXQ and Jang Geun Suk along with EXILE, AKB48, SKE48, SMAP, Hey! Say! JUMP, Carly Rae Jepsen, NYC, NMB48, Rihanna, Kis-My-Ft2 and Mr. Children among others.

Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com

Super Junior's Leeteuk Enjoying Army Life

BY JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - Super Junior's leader Leeteuk seems to be adjusting well to his new endeavor in the Korean military.

A photo of Leeteuk smiling brightly together with other trainees was posted on the 306th Army Reserve online cafe.

Leeteuk (center) together with Mighty Mouth's Sangchu and other trainees.
(Photo courtesy of 306th Army Reserve online cafe)

'Glee' Goes 'Gangnam Style,' Psy Makes First Appearance In Canada

BY JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The cast of the hit musical TV series "Glee" has been bitten by the "Gangnam Style" bug and they will cover the song in an upcoming episode.

"Glee" has released a teaser of the "Gangnam Style" number that will be featured in the show.

Goodbye Leader Leeteuk; See You In 2014

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean boy band Super Junior will have to go on with their activities without their leader Leeteuk in the next two years.

Leeteuk will be enlisting in the Korean military today as part of the mandatory service of all male Korean citizens.

Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com

Fans Pick Highlights Of Big Bang's Manila Concert

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines - Members of Korean boy band Big Bang have left a big mark on the hearts of Pinoy fans after their successful concert at the Mall of Asia Arena last Oct. 24.
Despite that a typhoon was threatening to ruin the big day, the arena was full and the deafening screams filled the concert venue from start to encore.

Myeongdong, Seoul's No.1 shopping district

Where would you go to find a pair of the latest Nike running shoes, a sequined purse for under 20 dollars, and a spiral potato all in one street? There is only one place in Seoul. 

Seoul has already received ten million tourists this year, which compares markedly with 9.8 million visitors for all of last year. Hallyu and increased global recognition have made Korea an increasingly appealing destination for more and more tourists around the world. 

Myeongdong (Photos by Jonathan Hicap)

Psy Makes Cover Of Billboard Magazine

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper Psy will be gracing the cover of the Nov. 3 issue of Billboard magazine, thanks to his viral hit "Gangnam Style" raking in 531 million views since July.

Billboard's main story titled “500,000,000 PSY FANS CAN'T BE WRONG” spotlights on "How the K-Pop breakout star harnessed the power of YouTube, Ellen, SNL, The Today Show, and more to become music’s new global brand."

Psy on the cover of the Nov. 3 issue of Billboard magazine. (Photo courtesy of Billboard)

Jang Dong-gun, Super Junior Lead Style Icon Awardees

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Hallyu actor Jang Dong-gun was declared as Style Icon of the Year at the 2012 Style Icon Awards (SIA) held on Oct. 25 in Seoul, South Korea.

The awards ceremony honored Korea's "Most Stylish Icons that Brightened 2012."

(Clockwise from left) Style Icon of the Year awardee Jang Dong-gun and Style Icon winners miss A's Suzy and Seo In Guk and Jung Eunji (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and www.enewsworld.mnet.com)

2 Pinoy Teens In Seoul For 'K-pop Star Hunt 2'

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - Two Filipino teens left for South Korea on Oct. 24 to compete in the reality TV talent show "K-pop Star Hunt 2," sponsored by the Seoul City government and organized by cable channel tvN, CJ E&M and Cube Entertainment.

Sheila Mae Eunice Ona, 21, from Quezon City and Liahona Flores,15, from Cagayan de Oro City are the Philippines' representatives to the TV contest. They're in Seoul to compete with other 14 hopefuls from seven other countries.

K-pop Star Hunt 2' Philippine leg winners Sheila Mae Eunice Ona and Liahona Flores with judges Park Jae Hyun, Kim Jong Min, Eddy Tan and Happee Sy (Photo courtesy of tvN and Liahona Flores' Facebook account)