MTV 81 To Showcase J-pop, Culture

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Japan is the second largest music market in the world yet it seems there is lack of concerted efforts to promote Japanese artists and their music in other countries.

It has a long roster of talented singers from solo artists Namie Amuro, Ayumi Namasaki and Kumi Koda to bands likes AKB48, Arashi, EXILE and SMAP.

Rolling Stone, SPIN, MTV Choose 'Gangnam Style' As One Of The Best Songs Of 2012 | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Psy's viral hit "Gangnam Style" has been chosen as one of the best songs of 2012 by Rolling Stone magazine, SPIN magazine, and MTV.

Rolling Stone released its 50 Best Songs of 2012 and "Gangnam Style" is at No. 25.

(Clockwise from top left) Psy, Carly Rae Jepsen, Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift.
(Photos courtesy of American Music Awards/www.amas365.com)

MTV, Europeans Pick 2NE1, Big Bang As Best Bands | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - MTV has released its Best Band Style of 2012 list and it includes K-pop bands 2NE1 and Big Bang of YG Entertainment.

Europeans also voted for their favorite K-pop artists and 2NE1 and Big Bang emerged as the best bands this year.

2NE1 and Big Bang (Photos by www.newsen.com)

TIME Picks 'Gangnam Style' As Top 10 Song, Viral Video For 2012 | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - TIME.com has released its Top 10 Everything of 2012 lists and it picked Korean rapper Psy's "Gangnam Style" as one of the Top 10 Songs and Top 10 Viral Videos of the year.

Psy was also chosen by TIME as the No. 1 Fleeting Celebrity.

Clockwise from top left) Usher, Psy, Carly Rae Jepsen and Taylor Swift.
(Photos courtesy of www.amas365.com, American Music Awards, Dick Clark Productions)

My interview: Actor Sean Richard Traces Korean Roots, Finds His Niche In Hallyu | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - Actor Sean Richard grew up yearning to find and learn about his family heritage.

Richard was born to a British father and a Korean mother and grew up in the United States.

Super Junior, f(x) honored at 19th Republic of Korea Entertainment Art Awards

By JONATHAN M. HICAP

MANILA, Philippines - K-pop's Super Junior and f(x) were honored at the 19th Republic of Korea Entertainment Art Awards.

The two were chosen as Best Groups. Donghae and Yesung accepted the award on behalf  of Super Junior while Victoria, Krystal and Amber received the award for f(x).

(Clockwise from top left) f(x), Super Junior, Juniel and EXO-K
(Photos by SMGlobal on Twitter and www.newsen.com)

Winners at the 2012 Mnet Asian Music Awards

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Big Bang, Psy and Super Junior bagged the major awards at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) held in Hong Kong on Nov. 30.

Big Bang won as Artist of the Year while Psy received the Song of the Year award for his global hit "Gangnam Style."

(Clockwise from top left) Big Bang, Psy, Super Junior and Adam Lambert

Psy To Perform Before US President Obama At 'Christmas In Washington'

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean sensation Psy may finally have the chance to teach US President Barack Obama how to do the famous "Gangnam Style" horse-riding dance when he performs on the "Christmas In Washington" TV special.

US TV channel TNT announced the list of performers for the annual event that will air Dec. 21.

Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com

JYJ, SM Entertainment settle to end 3-year legal dispute

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - After three long years, the legal battle between members of boy band JYJ and agency SM Entertainment (SME) came to an end with the two parties forging a settlement through arbitration.

Asians nominated in TIME's Person of the Year 2012

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - From Burma's Nobel Peace Prize winner, young North Korean leader to a South Korean rapper who started a global horse-riding dance craze, this year's TIME Person of the Year nominees range from celebrities, politicians and undocumented immigrants.

TIME magazine announced its 38 finalists for its Person of the Year 2012 and several of them came from Asia.

South Korea's Psy and North Korea's Kim Jong Un
(Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and Korean Central News Agency)