Girls' Generation Dominates Gaon Charts

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Nine-member Girls' Generation dominated Korea's Gaon charts for January, copping No. 1 in album sales, singles, streaming and downloads.

Girls' Generation (www.newsen.com)

Korea's Top 20 Favorite TV Shows

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Entertainment program "Infinite Challenge" is the No. 1 favorite TV program in South Korea, according to the latest survey conducted by Gallup Korea.

Gallup Korea surveyed 1,511 respondents aged at least 19 years old from Jan. 28 to Feb. 1 and asked them about their favorite Korean TV programs.

Infinite Challenge (MBC)

Kim Hyun Joong Withdraws From TV Drama, To Perform In Brazil

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Hallyu star Kim Hyun Joong has decided to withdraw from his comeback TV drama following a dispute between TV station KBS and a production company.

Kim Hyun Joong (Photo courtesy of Key East Entertainment)

Wonder Girls' Sunye, Husband Leave For Canada

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Wonder Girls' leader Sunye, who got married last Jan. 26 in Seoul, left for Montreal, Canada this morning together with her husband, James Park, to live there for the time being. Park's parents also live in Montreal.

Psy Nominated In Billboard Latin Music Awards + Complete List of Nominees

By JONATHAN M. HICAP

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper Psy got nominated in the 2013 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will honor the best in Latin Music.

The awards ceremony will be held on April 25 at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami in Florida.

Japanese Women Pick K-pop Artists They Want To Gift With Chocolates On V-Day

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Valentine's Day is getting closer and Japanese women have picked K-pop groups they want to gift with chocolates on the red-letter occasion.

A total of 1,000 respondents were asked by MPost, a Japanese site that is devoted to the Korean Wave, to answer a survey about Valentine's Day.

Caption: (Clockwise from the top) JYJ, Code V and TVXQ
(Photos courtesy of C-JeS Entertainment and www.newsen.com)

Japanese Pop Star Shaves Head After Sex Scandal

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The Japanese music industry is reeling from a sex scandal involving a member of top girl group AKB48 and a Japanese-Filipino member of GENERATIONS boy band.

AKB48 member Minegishi Minami, 20, shaved her head after a Japanese weekly magazine published a report and photos of her spending the night and leaving the house of GENERATIONS member Shirahama Alan, 19. The two starred in a 2011 drama.

Billboard Exec Impressed With K-pop Artists; Hyuna Talks About Her Rumored US Debut

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The editorial director of Billboard is impressed with K-pop artists and says that the "right song" like Psy's "Gangnam Style," regardless of its language, can succeed in the US market.

Bill Werde said this as response to my question during Billboard's IAmA ("I am a") question-and-answer session on popular social site Reddit last Feb. 1.

Hyuna (Photo by www.newsen.com)

FAN EVENT: 2013 2PM LIVE TOUR in Manila "What time is it"

Want to meet the Hottest boys? 
Be among the first online buyers of tickets to the 2013 2PM LIVE TOUR in Manila "What time is it" concert and get the chance to join the Meet & Greet! Those who get tickets via SMtickets.com until February 14 are qualified to be drawn as one of the 150 lucky fans!

Winners At The 22nd Seoul Music Awards

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - K-pop stars attended the 22nd Seoul Music Awards held last night at the SK Olympic Handball Stadium in Seoul.

Psy won the daesang, or grand prize, but he was unable to attend the awards ceremony due to his busy schedule.

Epik High's Tablo received the award on his behalf. Psy instead sent a video message to thank the organizers for the award, his agency and family. Last year, Super Junior won the daesang.

Winners (from left) SHINee, Super Junior, Lee Seung Gi and Big Bang
(Photos courtesy of sportsseoul.com)