2NE1 to appear on US show ‘The Bachelor’

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean pop group 2NE1 will be appearing as guests in the new season of the American dating show “The Bachelor.”

The reality TV show will premiere on Jan. 6 next year on ABC with 32-year-old Juan Pablo Galavis, a former professional football player, as the bachelor.

“The Bachelor” Juan Pablo Galavis (top) and 2NE1. (Photos courtesy of “The Bachelor”/ABC and www.newsen.com)

Kim Hyun Joong wins Buzz award for fifth straight year

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean star Kim Hyun Joong won at the Yahoo! Asia Buzz Awards for the fifth year in a row.

The actor and singer won the top idol award at the ceremony held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Hong Kong.

Kim Hyun Joong at his drama showcase (Photo by www.newsen.com)

Korean stars fined for illegal gambling

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Three Korean celebrities were found guilty by a court of betting on illegal online gambling.

The Seoul Central District Court ordered entertainer Boom, singer Andy of boy band Shinhwa and comedian Yang Se-hyung to pay fines based on the amount of money they gambled.

(From left) Boom, Andy and Yang Se-hyung. (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Jang Geun Suk donates ₱4M to ‘Yolanda’ relief drive

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Hallyu actor and singer Jang Geun Suk has donated 100 million won (P4.12 million) to help survivors of super typhoon “Yolanda” in the Philippines.

Jang Geun Suk, who currently stars in the Korean drama “Beautiful Man,” gave his donation to UNICEF.

Korean star Jang Geun Suk (Photo by www.newsen.com)

MANILA BULLETIN: Boy band A-Prince, Eddie Chun, Pinoy scholars raise P232,000 in Korea for typhoon victims

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop boy band A-Prince, Eddie Chun band and the Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea (PIKO) have raised a total of 5.67 million won, or about P232,000 won, in a charity concert in Seoul for the victims of Typhoon “Yolanda” in the Philippines.

Boy band A-Prince with Filipino scholars after the concert (top) and while holding donation boxes at the event. (Photos by Jonjon Samson)

Nichkhun makes fans aflutter, helps typhoon victims at fun meet

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

When boy band 2PM member Nichkhun arrived in the Philippines last Nov. 7, Typhoon “Yolanda” (international name “Haiyan”) was already threatening the Visayas region with storm signal warning raised to No. 4, the highest level.

2PM’s Nichkhun and his fans at the BENCHSETTER Fun Meet. (Photos courtesy of BENCH’s Instagram and Philippine K-pop Committee’s Twitter)

Korea donates $5M to PH; K-pop fans help ‘Yolanda’ victims

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

The government of South Korea will be donating $5 million (about P219 million) worth of humanitarian assistance to the victims and families affected by Typhoon “Yolanda” in the Philippines.

K-pop fan clubs, on the other hand, are helping in the relief efforts through donation drives and volunteering.

Fans of (from the top) Girls’ Generation, CNBLUE, 2PM, DBSK and others are helping in providing assistance to the victims of Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in the Philippines (Photos from Facebook pages of Girls’ Generation, CNBLUE and 2PM, and www.newsen.com)

Please DONATE for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines

From the Philippine Red Cross

Go to http://www.redcross.org.ph/donatenow to make your donation

Asian Games Centennial Music Gala in Boracay featuring JYJ postponed

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

The Asian Games Centennial Festival (AGCEF) scheduled to be held in Boracay in Aklan from Nov. 27 to 29 has been postponed following the onslaught of super typhoon “Yolanda” (internatioonal name “Haiyan”) in the country.

Part of the AGCEF was the Asian Games Centennial Music Gala that was supposed to feature K-pop boy band JYJ, composed of Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu, and other Asian artists.

Boy band JYJ (Photo courtesy of 2014 Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee)

Korea to provide US$5M worth of humanitarian aid to 'Yolanda' victims

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea extends its deepest sympathies and support to the victims and bereaved families affected by Typhoon Haiyan (“Yolanda”), which struck the Philippines last November 8, 2013.