Blueprint for K-pop's future presented at the 2013 GCEF

Behind the rising popularity of Korean pop singers on the global stage lies the power of media outlets and user-driven websites such as YouTube. 

“With the advent of YouTube, the boundaries between countries are collapsing. YouTube serves as a tool linking a person to a person, a country to a country, in real time. Now any high-quality and creative content can be spread all over the world in a split second.” 

Korea.net

KBS World: Learn Korean

KBS World has a new website to learn the Korean language

Leader of K-pop Band Ulala Session Succumbs To Cancer

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The leader of popular Korean band Ulala Session passed away on Feb. 11 due to stomach cancer. He was 33. Lim Yoon Taek died in a hospital at about 8 p.m. He was surrounded by family and friends when he passed away.

Photo by www.newsen.com

Girls' Generation Dominates Gaon Charts

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Nine-member Girls' Generation dominated Korea's Gaon charts for January, copping No. 1 in album sales, singles, streaming and downloads.

Girls' Generation (www.newsen.com)

Korea's Top 20 Favorite TV Shows

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Entertainment program "Infinite Challenge" is the No. 1 favorite TV program in South Korea, according to the latest survey conducted by Gallup Korea.

Gallup Korea surveyed 1,511 respondents aged at least 19 years old from Jan. 28 to Feb. 1 and asked them about their favorite Korean TV programs.

Infinite Challenge (MBC)

Kim Hyun Joong Withdraws From TV Drama, To Perform In Brazil

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Hallyu star Kim Hyun Joong has decided to withdraw from his comeback TV drama following a dispute between TV station KBS and a production company.

Kim Hyun Joong (Photo courtesy of Key East Entertainment)

Wonder Girls' Sunye, Husband Leave For Canada

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Wonder Girls' leader Sunye, who got married last Jan. 26 in Seoul, left for Montreal, Canada this morning together with her husband, James Park, to live there for the time being. Park's parents also live in Montreal.

Psy Nominated In Billboard Latin Music Awards + Complete List of Nominees

By JONATHAN M. HICAP

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper Psy got nominated in the 2013 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will honor the best in Latin Music.

The awards ceremony will be held on April 25 at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami in Florida.

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.