Psy's 'Gangnam Style' celebrates 1st anniversary

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

A year ago yesterday, Korean rapper Psy released a quirky and funny music video titled "Gangnam Style" on YouTube that featured a horse-riding dance.

"Gangnam Style" was the title track of Psy's new album "Psy 6 (Six Rules), Part 1," which was also released on July 15, 2012.

Psy performing in Korea, on the "Ellen Show" and gracing the
Billboard magazine. (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com, "Ellen" show and Billboard)

Hangeng cast in 'Transformers 4' movie

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Chinese pop star Hangeng is set to do his first Hollywood film.

The former member of K-pop boy band Super Junior has been cast in the American movie "Transformers 4," sending his fans into a frenzy.

Hangeng (Photo by www.michaelbay.com)

[MV] XIA(준수)_Incredible (feat. Quincy) (인크레더블 Feat. 퀸시)

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:Email me at sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Kim Hyun Joong, TVXQ get gold status in Japan

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop acts Kim Hyun Joong and TVXQ's respective singles have been certified gold in Japan.

Kim Hyun Joong's third Japanese single "Tonight" and TVXQ's new single "Ocean" have sold at least 100,000 copies each, according to the latest certifications issued by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).

Kim Hyun Joong and TVXQ (Photos by KeyEast and TVXQ Facebook page)

Another member leaves T-ara

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

A year after Hwayoung left K-pop act T-ara amidst accusations that she was bullied, another member has decided to leave the girl group to launch a solo career.

Ahreum has been announced that she will be leaving T-ara for her solo debut. Apparently, her musical preference is different from that of T-ara’s music.

Ahreum (Photo by www.newsen.com)

CEU Dentistry student crowned 2013 Pinoy K-pop Star

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

A week before the finals of the 2013 Pinoy K-pop Star, 18-year-old Kristine Bernadette Solis was suffering from pharyngitis, or inflammation of the throat, that she was unable to practice her song "Can't Let You Go" by Seo Young Eun, an original soundtrack for the hit drama "49 Days."

What she could only do was listen to the song over and over. She was only able to practice her piece the night before the finals.

Pinoy K-pop Star 2013 winner Kristine Bernadette Solis (center) together with judges Director Hwang Seong-un (left) of KCC in the Philippines and Director Kim Yoon-sik (right) of the Korea Copyright Commission. (Photo by KCC Philippines)

MY EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Filipino theater student to debut in Korean film with Jang Hyuk and Soo Ae

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

In 2011, Lester Avan Andrada, a Communication Arts majoring in Theater student at the University of the Philippines in Los Banos (UPLB), became an exchange student at the Far East University (FEU) in Korea.

As he was training at FEU-Korea's Theater and Acting Department, he saw an ad for a role in a Korean film posted by a talent agent in March last year. He tried his luck and auditioned the following month.

Rain discharged from the Korean army

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Asian pop star Rain has been discharged from the Korean army at about 8 a.m. today after serving for 21 months.

Hundreds of fans including from Korea, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Turkey, Malaysia and the US and the media waited for him outside the Ministry of National Defense office in Yongsan, Seoul.

Photos by www.newsen.com

Lee Hyori getting married, Won Bin in a relationship

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop diva Lee Hyori, 34, is getting married to her boyfriend, musician Lee Sang Soon, 40, according to reports.

The two are reportedly planning to wed in September in Jeju Island in Korea.

(Clockwise from top left) Lee Hyori, Lee Sang Soon,
Lee Na Young and Won Bin. (Photos by www.newsen.com)

CNBLUE's agency asks court to issue order vs indie band

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Back in February, indie band Crying Nut filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against pop rock band CNBLUE and its agency, FNC Entertainment, for using one of its songs on a TV show and DVD without permission.

Now, FNC Entertainment has asked a Korean court to order indie band Crying Nut to delete posts on the latter's website pertaining to the lawsuit.

CNBLUE in Manila (Photo courtesy of CNBLUE's Facebook page)