Korea's IU Makes It To Billboard's 21 Under 21 List

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean singer IU has made it to Billboard's 21 Under 21, the chart's "annual ranking of music's most powerful minors."

"They've got hit records, millions of fans, and the kind of success most musicians only dream of -- and they can't even uncork a bottle of champagne to celebrate their success," according to Billboard.com.

Big Bang's Seungri And Model Anna Kubo: Are They Lovers?

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean boy band Big Bang member Seungri has become involved in another controversy with Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily publishing photos and video of what appear to be intimate moments between him and Japanese model and actress Anna Kubo in Hong Kong. (Videos after the cut)

(Left) Seungri and Ann Kubo having an intimate moment in Hong Kong. (Top and bottom right) Seungri's photos published in FRIDAY magazine in Japan. (Photos courtesy of appledaily.com.hk and FRIDAY magazine)

Psy, Super Junior, Hangeng Nominated in 2012 MTV EMA | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines  - Korean rapper Psy is on a roll.

His hit song "Gangnam Style" has been nominated for best video in the 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA), which will be held on Nov. 11 in Frankfurt, Germany.

'Korea's Next Top Model' Judge Found Dead

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - A stylist and judge on the TV franchise "Korea's Next Top Model" was found dead by his sister in his home in Seoul last Sept. 15. Korean police identified the victim as Woo Jong-wan, 46.

Photo courtesy of www.newsen.com

Psy's 'Gangnam Style' Debuts On Billboard Hot 100, Sets Records

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper Psy's US promotion for his hit song "Gangnam Style" has finally paid off big time.

"Gangnam Style" has debuted on Billboard's coveted Hot 100 chart at No. 64, the highest rank achieved by a K-pop artist on the singles chart since 2001.

T-ara's Agency Gets Back At Korean Media | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - K-pop group T-ara's agency sued a dozen Korean media outlets, blaming them for the negative publicity that the girl group has been getting since the bullying controversy broke out in July.

T-ara (Photo by www.newsen.com)

(VIDEO) Psy Teaches Britney Spears The 'Gangnam Style' Dance On 'Ellen'

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Pop superstar and  "X-Factor' judge Britney Spears' wish to learn the now famous "Gangnam Style" dance has finally come true.

Last Aug. 29, Spears tweeted that she loved the music video of Korean rapper and YouTube sensation Psy and wanted to learn the choreography.

Psy Attends VMA, Performs 'Gangnam Style' At Pre-show

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper and YouTube sensation Psy attended his first MTV Video Music Awards ceremony today, walking down the red carpet and appearing on stage.

The singer, whose viral music video "Gangnam Style" has racked up 115 million views on YouTube, appeared on the VMA stage with host Kevin Hart.

Psy on the VMA red carpet and with Grammy winner John Mayer at the MTV pre-show party.
(Photos courtesy of MTV and jmpicspam on Twitter)

15,000-seater K-pop Concert Hall To Be Built In Seoul

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The Korean government's show of support to the K-pop and tourism industries includes the construction of a 15,000-seater concert hall in Seoul.

The planned concert venue is estimated to cost about 200 billion (about P7.38 billion) to construct with the government providing 25 billion won (P924 million), according to Korea's Ministry of Strategy and Finance.

(Clockwise from top left) KARA, Lee Min-ho, 2NE1 and Big Bang.
(Photos by www.newsen.com, MTV and YG Entertainment)

14 El Monte city (in California) pool workers fired for filming 'Gangnam Style' spoof

EL MONTE - Fourteen city pool workers landed in hot water this week after a video surfaced of them performing a parody of the viral Korean pop music video "Gangnam Style" at the El Monte Aquatic Center.

The 13 lifeguards and pool manager were fired Wednesday.

Several of the former employees said the city's decision went too far and that they were off the clock when they filmed the video.