'Gangnam Style' In Top 10 Songs In US, UK In 2012

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper Psy's "Gangnam Style" is in the Top 10 biggest selling singles in the US and UK in 2012.

The viral hit sold 3.59 million downloads in the US last year, according to Billboard.

Psy with MC Hammer at the New Year's Eve event in the US. (Photo courtesy of Psy's Twitter account)

JYJ standee at Tony Moly shop in Alabang

I was at the mall earlier and passed by the Tony Moly branch at Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City. 

Block B Sues Agency To Terminate Contracts

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The seven members of K-pop boy band Block B, which debuted in 2011, have sued their agency, Stardom Entertainment, to annul their exclusive contracts, accusing the company of not paying their income.

Block B (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Girls' Generation Rules Music Charts With New Album

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - K-pop group Girls' Generation welcomed the new year with a bang by releasing their fourth album "I Got A Boy."

Girls' Generation performing on 'M! Countdown' (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com)

Korean Doll Craft on exhibit at the Podium in Mandaluyong City

The Korean Cultural Center, in cooperation with The Podium, will be launching the Hanji Doll Craft Exhibit on January 9 as part of its efforts to promote Korean culture to the Filipinos.

New Power Couple: Rain, Kim Tae Hee Dating

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Hallyu pop star Rain and popular actress Kim Tae Hee have been revealed to be dating, creating a firestorm on Korean Internet portals and forums, and among fans.

(Top) The photos showing Rain and Kim Tae Hee dating. (Below) The two worked together in
an ad for an e-commerce site in Korea (Photos courtesy of Dispatch and www.newsen.com)

MY INTERVIEW: Korea's F.CUZ Embarks On New Direction

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - In 2012, Korean boy band F.CUZ embarked on a new direction in their career.

"We traveled to different countries so it's really memorable. We went to Japan, Taiwan and now we're here in the Philippines," said F.CUZ leader Jinon, in addition to releasing a new album.

F.CUZ striking a pose after the interview with Bulletin Entertainment (Photo by Jonathan Hicap)

Manila Bulletin Entertainment's Top 10 Korean Entertainment Stories

MANILA, Philippines - 2012 became an exciting year for hallyu or the Korean Wave, especially for K-pop. A horse-riding dance became an Internet sensation and swept the world. A number of Korean stars visited the Philippines and a three-year old legal dispute ended through a settlement.

Here's Bulletin Entertainment's Top 10 Korean entertainment stories in 2012:

1. Psy - In just six months, Korean rapper Psy crossed over to the US music market with his viral song "Gangnam Style" that became a hit, achieved a billion views on YouTube and set three Guinness World Records. Psy became a staple on entertainment TV shows in the US, flew to different countries to perform and won a New Media award at the American Music Awards (AMA).

Our wish in 2013: We hope that his next song will become a hit as well.

(Clockwise from top left) Big Bang, Psy, Girls Generation, Wonder Girls' Sunye, JYJ and Jasmine Lee
(Photos courtesy of YG Entertainment, www.newsen.com and Jasmine Lee's Facebook account)

JYJ's Junsu in the December 2012 issue of KOREA magazine

JYJ's Xia Junsu is included in the latest issue of KOREA magazine. The article, "K-pop Evolves," lists Korean singers who are ready to ride the new wave of K-pop after Psy. 

MTV 81 To Showcase J-pop, Culture

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Japan is the second largest music market in the world yet it seems there is lack of concerted efforts to promote Japanese artists and their music in other countries.

It has a long roster of talented singers from solo artists Namie Amuro, Ayumi Namasaki and Kumi Koda to bands likes AKB48, Arashi, EXILE and SMAP.