Korean Actor Lee Min-ho Charms Filipino Fans

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean superstar Lee Min-ho kept Filipino fans occupied in the last four days as he held his fan meeting and mall tours for Philippine clothing brand BENCH.

From his arrival last Nov. 15 up to his departure from the Philippines on Nov. 18, thousands of fans followed his every move.

Psy Bags People's Choice Awards Nomination

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper Psy has been nominated in the 2013 People's Choice Awards.

His hit single "Gangnam Style" will be vying for the Favorite Music Video award along with Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend," Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe," Katy Perry's "Part of Me," and Maroon 5's "Payphone."

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.