EXO to return with new mini-album

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Popular Korean boy band EXO will be making a comeback this month with a single dubbed “Overdose,” a hip-hop and R&B-tinged dance song written by The Underdogs.

According to SM Entertainment, this will be followed by the release of a new mini-album.

Lee Min Ho voted No. 1 ‘Asian male god’ in China

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean superstar Lee Min Ho was voted by fans as the No. 1 “Asian male god” in a poll conducted by Chinese news site www.ddyule.com.

The actor garnered a total of 10,013,151 votes to top the poll, in which he was also the sole nominee to breach the 10 million votes.

T-ara to hold first ever concert in the Philippines

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop Girl group T-ara will make its first-ever visit to the Philippines for a concert, as they announced via their official Facebook page.

The visit, which is tentatively scheduled around “June-July,” is part of their 2014 tour dubbed the “Kingdom Under Fire 2 Joint Concert.”

Lee Byung Hun cast in new ‘Terminator’ film

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean actor Lee Byung Hun, 43, has been cast in the Hollywood film “Terminator: Genesis,” the fifth in the “Terminator” franchise.

Lee Byung Hun (Photo by www.newsen.com)

2PM’s Nichkhun, Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany now a couple

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

2PM’s Nichkhun, 25, and Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany, 24, are now officially a couple, with their respective management, JYP Entertainment and SM Entertainment, confirming the matter in a statement and asking fans for understanding and support.

(Top) Nichkhun and Tiffany during the secret date in Gangnam last month; both were emcees at the Korean Wave Music in Bangkok in 2011 (Sports Seoul and MBC)

JYJ, C-JeS artists donate notebooks to Leyte, Batangas children

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean boy band JYJ and other artists under C-JeS Entertainment have partnered with humanitarian organization World Vision to extend a helping hand to less affluent students of Leyte and Batangas in the Philippines.

Muntinlupa’s Miss Philippines Earth bet promotes eco-tourism

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Sarah Theresa Stewart, who is representing the City of Muntinlupa in the 2014 Miss Philippines Earth beauty pageant, is focusing on eco-tourism as advocacy.

The 20-year-old lass appealed that tourism should not be merely about promoting beautiful sites, food and shopping.

‘Avengers 2′ director apologizes to Seoul residents

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Film director Joss Whedon took to YouTube to address Seoul residents with the principal shooting of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” kicking off on March 30.

“We are going to mess it up a bit and inconvenience people for a few days and I apologize for that,” he said in a video post. “I know what’s that like. I live in Los Angeles and it happens to me all the time and it’s not fun. I hope that it will be worth it.”

Robert Downey Jr. will play Iron Man in “Avengers 2,” part of which was filmed at Mapo Bridge in Seoul on March 30 (www.newsen.com)

[Crayon Pop] 크레용팝 '어이' Uh-ee M/V

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4Minute wins first comeback trophy

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop quintet 4Minute notched their first TV music chart triumph since making their comeback with their new mini-album “4Minute World,” which contains five tracks including the lead single “Whatcha Doin’ Today.”

The girl group performed the title track on SBS “Inkigayo” on March 30, competing with other artists including CNBLUE, Girls’ Generation, 2NE1, Orange Caramel, Boys Republic and JJCC.

4Minute showing their first comeback trophy (Twitter)