Japanese Women Pick K-pop Artists They Want To Gift With Chocolates On V-Day

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Valentine's Day is getting closer and Japanese women have picked K-pop groups they want to gift with chocolates on the red-letter occasion.

A total of 1,000 respondents were asked by MPost, a Japanese site that is devoted to the Korean Wave, to answer a survey about Valentine's Day.

Caption: (Clockwise from the top) JYJ, Code V and TVXQ
(Photos courtesy of C-JeS Entertainment and www.newsen.com)

Japanese Pop Star Shaves Head After Sex Scandal

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The Japanese music industry is reeling from a sex scandal involving a member of top girl group AKB48 and a Japanese-Filipino member of GENERATIONS boy band.

AKB48 member Minegishi Minami, 20, shaved her head after a Japanese weekly magazine published a report and photos of her spending the night and leaving the house of GENERATIONS member Shirahama Alan, 19. The two starred in a 2011 drama.

Billboard Exec Impressed With K-pop Artists; Hyuna Talks About Her Rumored US Debut

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The editorial director of Billboard is impressed with K-pop artists and says that the "right song" like Psy's "Gangnam Style," regardless of its language, can succeed in the US market.

Bill Werde said this as response to my question during Billboard's IAmA ("I am a") question-and-answer session on popular social site Reddit last Feb. 1.

Hyuna (Photo by www.newsen.com)

FAN EVENT: 2013 2PM LIVE TOUR in Manila "What time is it"

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Winners At The 22nd Seoul Music Awards

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - K-pop stars attended the 22nd Seoul Music Awards held last night at the SK Olympic Handball Stadium in Seoul.

Psy won the daesang, or grand prize, but he was unable to attend the awards ceremony due to his busy schedule.

Epik High's Tablo received the award on his behalf. Psy instead sent a video message to thank the organizers for the award, his agency and family. Last year, Super Junior won the daesang.

Winners (from left) SHINee, Super Junior, Lee Seung Gi and Big Bang
(Photos courtesy of sportsseoul.com)

Jay Park, G-Dragon, f(x) Bag Nominations In The Korean Music Awards

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The nominations for the 10th Korean Music Awards are out and Jay Park, G-Dragon and f(x) have made the list.

The Korean Music Awards will recognize musical talent rather than popularity or album sales. Like in previous years, most of the nominees this year are indie singers and only a few mainstream K-pop singers were recognized.

(Clockwise from top left) Jay Park, G-Dragon and f(x).
(Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and YG Entertainment)

Jay Park TV Episodes 1 to 4

Adele, Taylor Swift, Psy Top RIAA's 2012 Achievers

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has just released the year-end tally for its 2012 Gold & Platinum (G&P) Program awards.

Last year, RIAA awarded 155 album and 524 digital single certifications. It said digital music dominated in 2012, an increase of 70 in the last two years that saw 139 digital songs  being certified platinum.

RIAA bestowed the Diamond award on Adele whose "21" album became the first album in 10 years to sell more than 10 million units in less than two years, according to a statement released by the association.

Psy (www.newsen.com)

Psy, One Direction Win at NRJ Music Awards in France

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper Psy emerged as the biggest winner in France's NRJ Music Awards, taking home three awards.

Boy band One Direction won the International Group of the Year and performed the song "Kiss You."

Psy won the International Song of the Year for "Gangnam Style," edging out Rihanna's "Diamonds," Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" and Will.i.am's "This Is Love."

NRJ Music Awards winners (from left) Psy, One Direction and Carly Rae Jepsen.
(Photos courtesy of @NRJhitmusiconly on Twitter)

Big Bang Wraps Up World Tour

MANILA, Philippines - Four continents, 12 countries, 48 shows and 800,000 fans in attendance.

Korean boy band Big Bang held their "ALIVE Galaxy Tour: The Final" last Jan. 25 to 27 at the Olympics Gymnastics Hall in Seoul, South Korea as finale to their successful world tour.

Some of the Korean stars who were seen in the audience included 2NE1, Se7en, Girls' Generation and EXO.

Big Bang at their final concert in Seoul. (Photos courtesy of YG Entertainment)