Korean Music Awards 2014 nominees released

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Organizers of the 11th Korean Music Awards released the list of nominees for this year and non-mainstream artists dominated the different categories.

The Korean Music Awards recognizes talent than popularity or album sales, paving way for independent singers to be acknowledged.

(Clockwise from top) SHINee, EXO, f(x) and G-Dragon
(Photos from official Facebook pages of SHINee, EXO, f(x) and G-Dragon)

(020214) Super Junior M's 'Break Down' at DKFC 2 Manila (+playlist)

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

(020214) Super Junior M at Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert 2 Manila

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

(020214) Block B at Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert Manila

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Block B: Pinoy fans are ‘loving’

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean boy band Block B visited Manila for the second time last Feb. 1, and they were profuse in thanking Filipino fans for the support they have afforded them.

In a press conference held the same day at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, band member Jaehyo shared, “We saw a lot of fans waiting at the airport. Filipino fans are very passionate and loving.”

Block B at the ‘DKFC 2′ press conference (Photo by Jonathan M. Hicap)

K-pop band A-Jax wants to visit Boracay, Laguna

First time Manila visitors K-pop boy band A-Jax said that if they were given a chance to take a vacation, they would want to come back to the Philippines.

In a one-on-one interview with Bulletin Entertainment, A-Jax said, “We heard that Boracay is a good tourist spot. We are looking forward to see the beach. We also want to visit Laguna and enjoy the hot springs.”

A-Jax (Photo by Jonathan Hicap)

GOT7 tops Billboard chart

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

New hip-hop boy band GOT7′s debut album has topped Billboard’s World Albums chart, less than two weeks after it was released.

Seungyeon to support A-Jax in Manila concert

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

KARA’S Seungyeon will be in Manila this weekend as a special guest at the MBC Music’s “Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert 2″ to be held on Feb. 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“She will be here to support A-Jax,” a representative of the organizers told Bulletin Entertainment.

KARA’s Seungyeon (left) will be a special guest at the Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert 2 in Manila on Feb. 2 (www.newsen.com and All Access Productions)

Report: Korean actress cast in ‘Avengers’ sequel

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean actress Kim Soo Hyun (also known as Yoo Ri El and Claudia Kim) has been cast in “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” according to Korean media.

Reports were abuzz in South Korea that the actress has been chosen to be in the sequel to the 2012 blockbuster “Avengers,” which raked in $1.5 billion at the box office.

Kim Soo Hyun and the “Avengers: Age of Ultron” poster
(Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and Marvel Studios website)

Top 100 City Destinations Ranking

Euromonitor International is pleased to release the Top City Destinations Ranking, covering 100 of the world’s leading cities in terms of international tourist arrivals. Continued economic growth helped these cities collectively experience a gain of 6.6% in 2012, outpacing the 4.2% growth of overall international arrivals. 

Within the top 10, six cities are located in Asia, demonstrating the importance of the region to international travel. Overall, 32 of the top 100 city destinations are in Asia Pacific, 12 more than in second-placed Western Europe.