Girls' Generation Tops Billboard, Wins First Chart Award

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Nine-member group Girls' Generation topped two Billboard charts and won their first music chart award for "I Got A Boy."

Girls' Generation on 'M! Countdown' (Photo courtesy of M! Countdown)

Death Of Actress’ Ex-husband Highlights Suicide Problem In Korea

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – The body of former baseball player and coach Cho Sung Min, who was also the former husband of the late actress Choi Jin-sil, was cremated last Jan. 8 following his death last Jan. 6.

Family tragedy (from left): Cho Sung Min, Choi Jin-sil and Choi Jin-young (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Rain Meted Out Light Punishment For Dating Actress

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean pop star Rain has been meted out punishment of one-week probation by the Ministry of National Defense following media reports showing that he dated actress Kim Tae-hee.

Rain and Kim Tae-hee (Photos by www.newsen.com)

K-pop Artists Win At The Japan Gold Disc Award 2013

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) has announced the winners of The Japan Gold Disc Award 2013 and seven K-pop artists made it to the list.

Established in 1987, The Japan Gold Disc Award recognizes the bestselling artists in Japan based on music sales and downloads.

(Clockwise from left) Winners Jang Geun-suk, KARA, Big Bang and Girls' Generation. (Photos by www.newsen.com)

'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)