Rain joins Cube Entertainment ahead of military discharge

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin
Asian pop star Rain has decided to join Cube Entertainment, which manages K-pop artists BEAST, 4Minute and G.NA., ahead of his scheduled discharge from the military this July.

This was announced by Hong Seung Seong, chief executive officer of Cube Entertainment, on the company’s website.

Rain (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Psy gets booed at Italian football match finals

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin
Korean rapper Psy got a taste of Italian inhospitality when he was booed by the audience at the Coppa Italia football finals between clubs Lazio and Roma last May 26.

2NE1’s CL to release first solo single

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop girl band 2NE1’s leader CL will be releasing her first solo single on May 28 entitled “The Baddest Female,” as announced by YG Entertainment.

“CL has used the phrase ‘The baddest female’ in her autograph since her debut. The solo single will be the culmination of her abilities,” a representative from YG Entertainment told ENewsWorld.

Lee Min-ho releases first album, to hold Manila concert in July

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Hallyu star Lee Min-ho has released his debut album “My Everything,” a seven-song collection that included the carrier track “Love Motion.”

The digital version was released online on May 22 while the physical album was released on May 24.

Singer tries to commit suicide after GF's death

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Singer Son Ho Young, a former member of the ’90’s boy band g.o.d., reportedly tried to kill himself after the death of his girlfriend, allegedly by lighting a coal briquette in his car in the early morning of May 24.

The suicide attempt was foiled when the inside of the car – which was at a church parking lot in Yongsan, Seoul – caught fire. He was rushed to the Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital for treatment.

Son Ho Young at the funeral (www.newsen.com)

Super Junior to hold ‘Super Show 5’ Manila in August

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean boy band Super Junior will be coming back to the Philippines to hold their world tour in August. This has been confirmed by Happee Sy of Pulp Live Productions to Bulletin Entertainment via text message.

Sy also announced on Twitter, May 22: "24 Days to CNBlue BlueMoon Tour Manila! Less than 100 days to SS5 Manila. Kpop friends, are you spazzing enough?"

Photos by SM Entertainment

Former agency CEO, singer's GF found dead

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

The former head of boy band Block B's agency and the girlfriend of singer Son Ho Young were found dead in two separate incidents of apparent suicide.

Mr. Lee, the former CEO of Stardom Entertainment, who allegedly took off with 70 million won (P2.6 million) from the boy band's parents and disappeared, was found dead in his home.

T-ara N4 to work with Chris Brown, Snoop Dogg

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

T-ara N4, the new sub-unit of girl group T-ara, will be venturing into the US market through a collaboration with Chris Brown, Snoop Dogg and other rappers. The girl group, composed of Hyomin, Eunjung, Jiyeon and Areum, recently went to the US to meet with Brown.

On May 20, T-ara N4 held a press conference in Seoul and talked about their plans.

Japan 2nd, Korea 11th in global music sales

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Japan maintained its position as the second largest music market in the world while South Korea kept its 11th place despite a decline in music sales in 2012.

In the top 20 markets for Global Recorded Music Sales in 2012, the United States is still No. 1 with sales of $4.48 billion, a decline of 0.5 percent from 2011, according to the RIAJ Yearbook 2013 issued by the Recording Industry Association in Japan (RIAJ).

Girls' Generation (top) and AKB48 (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Super Junior's Siwon on Met Gala, world tour & fashion

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Besides rapper Psy, Super Junior's Siwon also attended the famous Met Gala in New York City together with other Korean stars.

In an interview with Billboard.com before the gala, Siwon said he couldn't believe it that he was going to attend the event.

Siwon with Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld and Korean actress Jung Ryeo Won
(Photo courtesy of Jung Ryeo Won's Twitter)