Layover Passengers Can Travel In Seoul Without Visa

Incheon International Airport is operating a program on a trial basis from October 29th, 2012 through January 29th, 2013 that will allow non-Korean nationals with a transferring flight and a layover of 12 hours or less to tour Korea without a standard issued entry visa. 

Photo courtesy of KTO

Madonna, Psy Heat Up New York Concert

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Queen of Pop Madonna and the new King of K-pop Psy heat up New York City as the latter became a surprise guest at Madonna's MDNA tour concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City last Nov. 13.

Madonna and Psy (Photos courtesy of @evaum33  and @psy_oppa on Twitter)

Korean Superstar Lee Min-ho Arrives In Manila

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - Korean actor Lee Min-ho arrived in the Philippines today for his scheduled fan meeting and mall tour this week.

The superstar was met by his fans at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1  as he arrived past noon.

Lee Min-ho at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport
(Photo courtesy of cualawrence on Instagram and BENCH)

Justin Bieber And 4Minute's Hyuna As A Couple?

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Following his recent breakup with Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber is, of course, nursing a broken heart.

But if he decides to have another girlfriend in the future, can K-pop star Hyuna be the one? Billboard magazine thinks it is possible.

Justin Bieber and Hyuna (Photos courtesy of Bieber's Facebook page and www.newsen.com)

IU-Eunhyuk Photo Raises Questions

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words and for singers IU and Super Junior's Eunhyuk, their photo on Twitter has raised questions, disbelief and shock.

The deleted photo from IU's Twitter account

Asia's Psy, Hangeng Win At MTV EMA 2012

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - Two Asian artists triumphed at the MTV Europe Music Awards held in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sunday night (Monday in Manila).

My exclusive story: RIAA In The US Denies Certifying Psy's 'Gangnam Style'

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) denied that it has awarded Korean rapper Psy's hit single "Gangnam Style" with a double-platinum or multi-platinum certification.

A report by a Korean news agency quoted YG Entertainment, Psy's Korean agency, as saying that RIAA has certified Psy's hit single with a double-platinum award.

Photos courtesy of Psy's Facebook page and YG Entertainment

Korean Embassy requests Philippines to lift ban on 6 Korean instant noodles

Statement from the Korean Embassy in the Philippines regarding the 6 Nong Shim noodles that were recalled by the Philippine government: 

The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) requested Nong Shim Co. Ltd. to recall the six noodle brands immediately after the former learned of the news that benzopyrene was detected recently.

But the KFDA conducted the test and issued a certificate dated November 7, 2012 that the level of benzopyrene found in the noodle powder, which ranges from 0.4 to 1.6 ppb, was extremely low and has no harmful effect on the human body.

Kim Hyun Joong, Song Seung-heon To Get Own Wax Figures

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 
MANILA, Philippines - Hallyu stars Kim Hyun Joong and Song Seung-heon will be immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds wax museum in Busan, South Korea.
The wax figures of the two Korean stars will be unveiled in December, according to an announcement by Madame Tussauds Busan.

Kim Hyun Joong and Song Seung-hon (Photos courtesy of Madame Tussauds Busan)

Psy To Receive Korea's Order of Cultural Merit; Obama Says He Can Dance 'Gangnam Style'

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Rapper Psy will be awarded the Order of Cultural Merit award by South Korea for his contribution to spreading hallyu, or Korean wave, through his hit song "Gangnam Style."

The announcement was made by Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which will bestow the award on Psy and nine other personalities.

US President Barack Obama (top photo) and Psy (bottom) in Paris.
(Photos courtesy of  President Barack Obama and Cauet sur NRJ Facebook pages)