Fans rejoice as KFTC rules in favor of JYJ

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Fans of JYJ welcomed the decision of the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) to issue a corrective order against SM Entertainment and the Korean Federation of Pop Culture and Art Industry (KFPCAI) for interfering in the boy band's activities.

In a decision, the KFTC said SME and KFPCAI worked to impede JYJ's TV appearances and activities as a singer after the three members of the boy band sued SME in 2009 to annul their exclusive contracts with the entertainment agency.

JYJ (Photo by www.newsen.com)

Top Korean TV drama director-producer found dead

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

One of Korea's well-known TV drama directors and producers was found dead on July 23 in an apparent case of suicide.

Kim Jong-hak, 62, who directed Korean dramas such as "Faith" starring Lee Min-ho and "The Legend" starring Bae Yong Jun, allegedly killed himself in a gositel, or a small rented room, in Gyeonggi province in Korea.

Im Jong-hak (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Kate Middleton Royal Baby FIRST APPEARNECE! Prince Williams and Kate Mid...

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Jay Park to hold first European tour

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop rapper Jay Park will embark on his first European tour in September.

The tour will be held in the last week of September and will kick off in London, United Kingdom. This will be followed by concerts in Amsterdam in The Netherlands and in Germany.

"Yes, I'm going to be in Europe in September," Jay Park confirmed in a video that he posted on his official Facebook page.

Jay Park (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Grammy.com spotlights on JYJ's Junsu

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

JYJ member Junsu said music is his life and the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, had a major influence in his career.

"Ever since I was a kid, music has always been in my life and it is the only thing that I know and I can do," Junsu told Grammy.com in an exclusive interview.

Junsu at his press conference in Bangkok last July 19. (Photo by www.newsen.com/C-JeS)

Billboard: 2NE1 Talks Long-Awaited Return, U.S. Debut Rumors: Exclusive Video Q&A | Billboard

2NE1 Talks Long-Awaited Return, U.S. Debut Rumors: Exclusive Video Q&A | Billboard

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Xia Junsu GRAMMY Exclusive

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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)