DJ Gennie Kim eases Pinoys’ loneliness, problems in South Korea

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Seoul, South Korea – Since March last year, Filipino-Korean DJ Maria  Genevie “Gennie” Kim has been giving valuable advice, news and  information to Filipinos in South Korea through her radio program,  ”Philippine Language Multicultural Family Music Radio,” also known as  the “Multicultural Family Broadcast for Filipinos,” which streams via  the internet.

DJ Gennie Kim at the radio station (Photos: Gennie Kim and Jonathan Hicap)

Super Junior M ‘Swing’ in new album

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Super Junior M, the subunit of Korean boy band Super Junior that consists of Siwon, Donghae, Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, Eunhyuk, Sungmin, Henry and Zhoumi, is making a comeback with a new mini-album dubbed ”Swing” to be released March 21.

Super Junior M at Araneta Coliseum last February (Jonathan Hicap)

2NE1 is still on fire

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

It’s been five years since K-pop group 2NE1 debuted with “Fire” in 2009.

This year, 2NE1, composed of CL, Bom, Sandara Park and Minzy, is on the comeback trail with their new album “Crush.”

2NE1 (www.newsen.com)

EXCLUSIVE: JYJ members talk about individual projects

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Apart from their responsibilities as members of JYJ, the members of the popular boy band have pursued individual activities ranging from films, TV series, theatrical roles and solo albums. In an interview with Bulletin Entertainment, JYJ’s Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu shared some of their solo pursuits.

(Clockwise from top left) Yoochun in ‘Three Days;’ Jaejoong and Junsu performing at their solo concerts (SBS and C-JeS Entertainment)

EXCLUSIVE: JYJ gearing up for new album, concerts this year

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Popular K-pop boy band JYJ will be quite busy this year with a ramped up list of activities they have lined up.

“Finally, we will bring you a new JYJ album in the second half of this year and, of course, there will be tours for concerts,” JYJ told Bulletin Entertainment.

JYJ (Photo by C-JeS Entertainment)

EXCLUSIVE: Pinay actress Sunshine Estores balances career, family life in South Korea

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Bucheon, South Korea – Filipina Sunshine Estores landed her very first acting part as a troubled expat in the hit Korean drama “Melody of Love,” during her first audition ever, October last year.

Sunshine considers it a great blessing, especially since the last few years have been quite a struggle for her and her Korean husband, Kim Dong Seop.

Sunshine Estores

Fans brave cold weather to watch K-pop shows

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Seoul, South Korea – Korean music TV shows showcasing the most popular K-pop singers continue to draw local and international fans.

Bulletin Entertainment witnessed how these fans would even brave the coldest of weathers to see their idols in person.

Ku Hye Sun, Big Bang’s Seungri in new drama

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Ku Hye Sun, the popular female lead of “Boys Over Flowers,” and Big Bang’s Seungri will be working together on a new drama series dubbed “Angel Eyes,” which will start airing in April on Korean TV channel SBS.

This will be the 29-year-old Sun’s new drama in two years. She last starred in “Take Care of Us, Captain,” in 2012.

‘Angel Eyes’ star (clockwise from left) Ku Hye Sun, Lee Sang-yoon and Big Bang’s Seungri (www.newsen.com)

Girls’ Generation tops Forbes Korea’s 2014 celeb list

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Forbes Korea magazine has released its annual “Korea Celebrity 40″ list, which ranked the country’s most influential and popular celebrities according to product sales, media exposure, broadcasting activities and professionalism.

(Clockwise from top left) Girls’ Generation, Big Bang, EXO and miss A’s Suzy (Facebook, www.newsen.com)

Super Junior's Shindong notified for military enlistment

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Another Super Junior member will be enlisting in the Korean military this year.

Shindong, 28, has been notified by Korea’s Military Manpower Administration (MMA) to enlist on March 31.

Shindong (www.newsen.com)