My exclusive story: RIAA In The US Denies Certifying Psy's 'Gangnam Style'

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) denied that it has awarded Korean rapper Psy's hit single "Gangnam Style" with a double-platinum or multi-platinum certification.

A report by a Korean news agency quoted YG Entertainment, Psy's Korean agency, as saying that RIAA has certified Psy's hit single with a double-platinum award.

Photos courtesy of Psy's Facebook page and YG Entertainment

Korean Embassy requests Philippines to lift ban on 6 Korean instant noodles

Statement from the Korean Embassy in the Philippines regarding the 6 Nong Shim noodles that were recalled by the Philippine government: 

The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) requested Nong Shim Co. Ltd. to recall the six noodle brands immediately after the former learned of the news that benzopyrene was detected recently.

But the KFDA conducted the test and issued a certificate dated November 7, 2012 that the level of benzopyrene found in the noodle powder, which ranges from 0.4 to 1.6 ppb, was extremely low and has no harmful effect on the human body.

Kim Hyun Joong, Song Seung-heon To Get Own Wax Figures

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 
MANILA, Philippines - Hallyu stars Kim Hyun Joong and Song Seung-heon will be immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds wax museum in Busan, South Korea.
The wax figures of the two Korean stars will be unveiled in December, according to an announcement by Madame Tussauds Busan.

Kim Hyun Joong and Song Seung-hon (Photos courtesy of Madame Tussauds Busan)

Psy To Receive Korea's Order of Cultural Merit; Obama Says He Can Dance 'Gangnam Style'

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Rapper Psy will be awarded the Order of Cultural Merit award by South Korea for his contribution to spreading hallyu, or Korean wave, through his hit song "Gangnam Style."

The announcement was made by Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which will bestow the award on Psy and nine other personalities.

US President Barack Obama (top photo) and Psy (bottom) in Paris.
(Photos courtesy of  President Barack Obama and Cauet sur NRJ Facebook pages)  

Jaejoong Meets Fans In Indonesia Despite Illness

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Boy band JYJ member Jaejoong didn't disappoint his 4,000 supporters by showing up at his first fan meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Before he went to Indonesia, the singer and actor was suffering a bad case of sore throat. Despite this, he decided to go on with the fan meeting held at the Mata Elang International Stadium.

K-pop Artists Nominated In Billboard Japan Music Awards 2012

Several K-pop singers have been nominated in the Billboard Japan Music Awards 2012.

Nominated for the Top Pop Artist 2012 category are Girls' Generation, KARA, Super Junior, CNBlue,  TVXQ and Jang Geun Suk along with EXILE, AKB48, SKE48, SMAP, Hey! Say! JUMP, Carly Rae Jepsen, NYC, NMB48, Rihanna, Kis-My-Ft2 and Mr. Children among others.

Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com

Super Junior's Leeteuk Enjoying Army Life

BY JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - Super Junior's leader Leeteuk seems to be adjusting well to his new endeavor in the Korean military.

A photo of Leeteuk smiling brightly together with other trainees was posted on the 306th Army Reserve online cafe.

Leeteuk (center) together with Mighty Mouth's Sangchu and other trainees.
(Photo courtesy of 306th Army Reserve online cafe)

'Glee' Goes 'Gangnam Style,' Psy Makes First Appearance In Canada

BY JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The cast of the hit musical TV series "Glee" has been bitten by the "Gangnam Style" bug and they will cover the song in an upcoming episode.

"Glee" has released a teaser of the "Gangnam Style" number that will be featured in the show.

Goodbye Leader Leeteuk; See You In 2014

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean boy band Super Junior will have to go on with their activities without their leader Leeteuk in the next two years.

Leeteuk will be enlisting in the Korean military today as part of the mandatory service of all male Korean citizens.

Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com

Fans Pick Highlights Of Big Bang's Manila Concert

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines - Members of Korean boy band Big Bang have left a big mark on the hearts of Pinoy fans after their successful concert at the Mall of Asia Arena last Oct. 24.
Despite that a typhoon was threatening to ruin the big day, the arena was full and the deafening screams filled the concert venue from start to encore.