f(x), BEAST, KARA win in Korea’s Mnet 20’s Choice Awards

By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - Drama and K-pop stars came together at the Mnet’s 20’s Choice Awards held July 7 at the pool area of the Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul.

2NE1, other K-pop groups to debut in Japanese music market

By JONATHAN M. HICAP

Manila Bulletin (www.mb.com.ph) 

MANILA, Philippines - More K-pop groups are venturing into the Japanese music market, following the moves made by other idol singers.

Rain to hold concerts in Korea before his military enlistment

By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Asian pop star Rain (비 aka 정지훈) will hold a series of concerts in Korea as a gift to his fans before he enters the military in November this year.

Stars pick Yoochun, TVXQ as best Korean idols in survey

By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – JYJ’s Micky Yoochun has been chosen as the best idol actor while boy band TVXQ was picked as having the most impressive performance by fellow Korean singers in a survey held recently.

Two Pinoy fans win in KBS K-pop contest in Seoul

By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines – Three K-pop fans, one from Singapore and two from the Philippines, won in a K-pop sing and dance contest held by Korean TV channel KBS World in Seoul, South Korea to celebrate its eighth anniversary on July 1.

GD & TOP’s album cover changed due to Playboy trademark infringement

MANILA, Philippines - Big Bang’s agency, YG Entertainment, has announced that it will stop the sale of G-Dragon and TOP’s first album after it admitted that it infringed on the bunny logo trademark of adult magazine publisher Playboy Enterprises.

GD & TOP's album in question (extreme left), which is similar to the Playboy logo (center). At right is the new cover of the album. (Photos courtesy of Playboy and YG Entertainment)

Two more Korean celebrities convicted

By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines - Two more Korean celebrities have been convicted for separate offenses by Korean courts.

Rapper Kim Jung Min of Seoul Connection was sentenced by the Seoul Central District Court to two years probation after he was found guilty of using marijuana.

(Clockwise from top left) Kim Jung Min, Kim Yong Joon, Jeong Jin-su, Lee Sung-jin, Jeon Chang-geol and Yeo Wook Hwan. (Photos courtesy of Newsen.com, Naver and edaily.co.kr)

Kim Hyun Joong: 'Woman Who Drinks Little Is Not Charming'

Singer Kim Hyun Joong appeared on the episode of KBS 2TV’s “Happy Together” that aired on June 23, and talked about his individual ideal type of woman.

Sandara Park creates buzz with anime hairstyle on 2NE1's comeback

By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - Girl group 2NE1 is creating a buzz in the K-pop music scene not only with their latest   single “I Am the Best” but also with their new fashion style.

Lawyer: Daesung may receive minor, lesser conviction in motorcyclist's death

By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines – Following the declaration of the Seoul Yeong Deung Po Police last June 24 that tagged Big Bang member Daesung as the suspect in the death of a motorcyclist that her ran over with his car last May 31, thousands of fans are asking what will happen to the K-pop idol.