Kim Soo Hyun's new film breaks box office records

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Actor Kim Soo Hyun proved his star power when his new film "Secretly, Greatly" drew 1 million audience in just two days to break box office records in South Korea.

"Secretly, Greatly" opened in theaters in South Korea on June 5 and drew 498,284 people on the first day to set the record of having the highest first-day attendance for a Korean film.

Kim Soo Hyun (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Philippines bags 2 prizes at Korean Travel Fair

SEOUL, 4 June 2013 – The Embassy reported to the Department that Post’s Tourism office received two prizes at the recently concluded 26th Korea World Travel Fair (KOTFA).

Photo courtesy of Philippine Embassy in South Korea

Filipino entry wins best film at Jeonju Fest

SEOUL, 4 May 2013 – The lone Philippine entry to the International Competition of the 14th Jeonju International Film Festival was chosen as Best Picture among the 10 films in competition at the recently concluded nine-day festival, the Embassy said on Saturday.

B-day boy Kim Hyun Joong sells 100,000 copies of new single

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean star Kim Hyun Joong is celebrating his 27th birthday today, June 6, and has released his third Japanese single as a gift to fans.

The singer released his maxi single "Tonight" on June 5 and in just one day, it sold 101,818 copies to rank second on Japan's Oricon daily singles chart. It also contains two other songs and was released in five different CD covers.

Photos by KeyEast Entertainment

Kim Jae Won to marry pregnant girlfriend

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Hallyu actor Kim Jae Won, who starred in Korean dramas such as "Can You Hear My Heart" and "Wonderful Life", surprised his fans when he announced that he's getting married.

The wedding will be held on June 28 in Seoul and it turned out that his non-celebrity girlfriend is three months pregnant.

EXO's first studio album tops music charts

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

Boy band EXO released their first studio album "XOXO (Kiss & Hug)" on June 3 and the title song "Wolf" zoomed to the No. 1 spot on real-time charts in Korea.

Upon its release, "Wolf" topped the charts on Olleh Music, Naver Music, Soribada and Bugs.

EXO (Photo by www.newsen.com)

Ex-'American Idol,' 'Superstar K3' contestant gets suspended sentence By Jonathan M. Hicap

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

A former contestant in the Season 9 of "American Idol" and in Korea's "Superstar K3" was found guilty by a court for fraud and intimidation.

Chris Golightly was sentenced to one year in prison suspended for two years in a case filed by his former Korean girlfriend last year.

Photo by www.newsen.com

Charice Pempengco admits: Yes, I'm a lesbian

International singing sensation Charice has admitted on a Philippine showbiz TV show that she's a lesbian. 

"Opo, tomboy po ako (Yes, I'm a lesbian)," Charice told TV host Boy Abunda on the show "The Buzz," which aired June 2. 

Charice on 'The Buzz'

[OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT] Clarifications & Updates: MBLAQ First Contact Showcase Cancellation

Last March 31, Korean boy band MBLAQ was supposed to do its "MBLAQ First Contact Showcase" in the Philippines. 

However, the organizer of the event, K&P, cancelled the show hours before the showcase. 

MBLAQ (Photo by www.newsen.com)

Psy performs on 'Germany's Next Top Model,' 'The Voice of Italy'

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 
Korean rapper Psy spread his “Gentleman” fever in Europe when he performed at the finale of “Germany's Next Top Model” and “The Voice of Italy.”

Psy got reunited with supermodel Heidi Klum, who is the host of “Germany’s Next Top Model,” on the show.

Psy with Heidi Klum (Photo from Psy's Twitter account)