Korea Observer

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin JYJ member Junsu said music is his life and the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, had a major influence in his career. "Ever since I was a kid, music has always been in my life and it is the only thing that I know and I can do," Junsu told Grammy.com in an exclusive interview. Junsu at his press conference in Bangkok last July 19. (Photo by www.newsen.com/C-JeS)

2NE1 Talks Long-Awaited Return, U.S. Debut Rumors: Exclusive Video Q&A | Billboard Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:Email me at sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:Email me at sangchusan(at)gmail.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Eight Korean celebrity soldiers including Se7en and Sangchu of Mighty Mouth who were involved in the massage parlor incident will be punished as the Ministry of National Defense decided to abolish the entertainment soldiers system after it received severe criticism from the public. Se7en and Sangchu (Photos by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop diva Lee Hyori, 2NE1's CL and bands SHINee and Infinite were among the winners at Mnet's 2013 20's Choice Awards held July 18 at the Korea International Exhibition Center in Ilsan. This is the seventh year of the awards and the ceremony was hosted by Shinhwa's Minwoo and Jun Jin and Kim Seul-gie. (Clockwise from top left) Miss A's Suzy, Shinhwa, Infinite, SHINee and 2NE1's CL. (Photos by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Girls' Generation dominated albums sales in Korea while rappers Psy and Baechigi led in digital rankings for the first half of 2013. Gaon Chart, Korea's version of Billboard, has released the rankings for January to June 2013 of album sales, digital singles and online downloads. (Clockwise from the top) Girls' Generation, Psy and Baechigi (Photos by www.newsen.com)

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1710689/vma-nominations-list-2013.jhtml

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin A total of 27 film projects including two from the Philippines have been chosen by the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)'s Asian Cinema Fund (ACF) as funding recipients. The Asian Cinema Fund aims to help "activate more independent film productions and the creation of a stable production environment for Asian filmmakers by offering funding for projects in different stages of production." The ACF called for entries from March to May this year for three categories: Script Development Fund, Post-Production Fund and Asian Network of Documentary (AND) Fund. Racquel Zaballero-Sanchez (left) and Jewel Maranan (Photos courtesy of Sanchez's Facebook page and @shinematutina on Twitter

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin A year ago yesterday, Korean rapper Psy released a quirky and funny music video titled "Gangnam Style" on YouTube that featured a horse-riding dance. "Gangnam Style" was the title track of Psy's new album "Psy 6 (Six Rules), Part 1," which was also released on July 15, 2012. Psy performing in Korea, on the "Ellen Show" and gracing the Billboard magazine. (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com, "Ellen" show and Billboard)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Chinese pop star Hangeng is set to do his first Hollywood film. The former member of K-pop boy band Super Junior has been cast in the American movie "Transformers 4," sending his fans into a frenzy. Hangeng (Photo by www.michaelbay.com)