2NE1′s ‘Crush’ achieves ‘all-kill’ status

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

2NE1 swept the Korean music charts following the release of their new album “Crush” last night.

The single “Come Back Home” landed at No. 1 on several Korean real-time charts to achieve “all-kill” status.

Choi Ji Woo signs with YG Entertainment

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Top Korean actress Choi Ji Woo, credited for popularizing hallyu (Korean Wave) in Japan, the Philippines and other parts of Asia through her dramas, “Winter Sonata (2002)” and “Stairway To Heaven (2003),” has signed an exclusive contract with YG Entertainment. She joins the agency’s huge stable of talents that includes actors Cha Seung Won, Im Ye Jin, Jang Hyun Sung, Jeong Hye Young, Ku Hye Sun and Yoo In Na.

Korean actress Choi Ji Woo (www.newsen.com)

Girls’ Generation’s new album tops Korean charts, iTunes

Girls’ Generation made another successful comeback with the release of their new mini-album “Mr.Mr.” last Feb. 24.
The album, which contains six songs, including, “Mr.Mr.,” “Goodbye,” “Europa,” “Wait A Minute,” “Back Hug” and “Soul,” quickly rose to the top of several Korean music charts on its way to achieving “all-kill” status.

Kids' Choice Awards 2014 nominees are in

Here's the complete list of nominees in the 2014 Kids' Choice Awards (KCA) including the Favorite Asian Act:

Favorite TV Show

The Big Bang Theory

Good Luck Charlie

Jessie

Sam & Cat

Favorite Reality Show

America's Got Talent

American Idol

The Voice

Wipeout

‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ to be filmed in Seoul

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Marvel Studios has announced that key elements in the superhero sequel “Avengers: Age of Ultron” will be filmed in Seoul, South Korea.

It said the filming of the “Avengers” sequel will create jobs for local extras, crews and vendors that is expected to benefit the Korean film industry.

‘Avengers’ poster (Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios)

B.A.P - 1004(Angel) [K-Pop Hot Clip]

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

Learn Korean language in the Philippines and online

Korean Learning Institutes and Websites

<On-site Korean Learning Institutes>

I.      Metro Manila

1.     Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines

-          Location: 2F Mancor Corporate Center, 32^nd St. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634

-          Tel: (02) 555-1711

-          E-mail: info@koreanculture.ph.

2.     UP Department of Linguistics, UP Diliman

-     Location: Faculty center RM. 2110, UP Diliman, Quezon City 1101

-     Tel: (02) 926-9887

-     E-mail: lingg@kssp.upd.edu.ph

-     Website: http://linguistics.upd.edu.ph

Source: http://www.korean.go.kr/

2NE1′s new album release postponed

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

YG Entertainment has postponed the release of 2NE1′s second studio album “Crush” to coincide with the birthday of group member CL on Feb. 26.

“We have urgently postponed 2NE1′s 2nd album release date from the original schedule of 12am on February 24th to 12am on February 26th. The offline album will be released on March 7th as planned,” YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun Suk said.

Muntinlupa gives P100K to Filipino figure skater Michael Christian Martinez

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin/TEMPO 

Manila, Philippines – The Muntinlupa City Council passed a resolution yesterday honoring and giving P100,000 incentive to Olympian Michael Christian Martinez.

JYJ, Japanese label AVEX end legal dispute

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

JYJ and their former Japanese label AVEX have reached an agreement effectively ending their legal battle concerning the Korean boy band’s music activities in Japan.

In an announcement posted on its website, C-Jes Entertainment, JYJ’s agency in South Korea, said the two sides have reached the settlement through mediation.

(From left) JYJ’s Junsu Jaejoong and Yoochun (www.newsen.com)