Jay Park to hold first European tour

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop rapper Jay Park will embark on his first European tour in September.

The tour will be held in the last week of September and will kick off in London, United Kingdom. This will be followed by concerts in Amsterdam in The Netherlands and in Germany.

"Yes, I'm going to be in Europe in September," Jay Park confirmed in a video that he posted on his official Facebook page.

Jay Park (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Grammy.com spotlights on JYJ's Junsu

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)

Billboard: 2NE1 Talks Long-Awaited Return, U.S. Debut Rumors: Exclusive Video Q&A | Billboard

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

Xia Junsu GRAMMY Exclusive

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

Korean celebrity soldiers face punishment, system abolished

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)

Mnet 20's Choice Awards winners revealed

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)

Girls' Generation, Psy emerge as bestselling artists in Korea for first half of 2013

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)

2013 Video Music Award Nominations: Get The Full List!

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

2 Filipino film projects get support from Busan Int'l Film Festival's Asian Cinema Fund

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

Psy's 'Gangnam Style' celebrates 1st anniversary

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)