Korean celebrity soldiers face punishment, system abolished

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Eight Korean celebrity soldiers including Se7en and Sangchu of Mighty Mouth who were involved in the massage parlor incident will be punished as the Ministry of National Defense decided to abolish the entertainment soldiers system after it received severe criticism from the public.

Se7en and Sangchu (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Mnet 20's Choice Awards winners revealed

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop diva Lee Hyori, 2NE1's CL and bands SHINee and Infinite were among the winners at Mnet's 2013 20's Choice Awards held July 18 at the Korea International Exhibition Center in Ilsan.

This is the seventh year of the awards and the ceremony was hosted by Shinhwa's Minwoo and Jun Jin and Kim Seul-gie.

(Clockwise from top left) Miss A's Suzy, Shinhwa, Infinite, SHINee and 2NE1's CL. (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Girls' Generation, Psy emerge as bestselling artists in Korea for first half of 2013

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Girls' Generation dominated albums sales in Korea while rappers Psy and Baechigi led in digital rankings for the first half of 2013.

Gaon Chart, Korea's version of Billboard, has released the rankings for January to June 2013 of album sales, digital singles and online downloads.

(Clockwise from the top) Girls' Generation, Psy and Baechigi (Photos by www.newsen.com)

2013 Video Music Award Nominations: Get The Full List!

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1710689/vma-nominations-list-2013.jhtml

2 Filipino film projects get support from Busan Int'l Film Festival's Asian Cinema Fund

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

A total of 27 film projects including two from the Philippines have been chosen by the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)'s Asian Cinema Fund (ACF) as funding recipients.

The Asian Cinema Fund aims to help "activate more independent film productions and the creation of a stable production environment for Asian filmmakers by offering funding for projects in different stages of production."

The ACF called for entries from March to May this year for three categories: Script Development Fund, Post-Production Fund and Asian Network of Documentary (AND) Fund.

Racquel Zaballero-Sanchez (left) and Jewel Maranan
(Photos courtesy of Sanchez's Facebook page and @shinematutina on Twitter

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)