Cafe set of Korean drama still draws fans

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

The popularity of Korean dramas has turned the locations where they are shot as tourist attractions. One such place is the cafe where the hit Korean drama “1st Shop of Coffee Prince” was filmed.

“1st Shop of Coffee Prince,” which aired in Korea from July to August 2007, starred actress Yoon Eun-hye and actor Gong Yoo.

Super Junior-M_SWING_Music Video (CHN ver.)

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Sunye to live in Haiti

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Sunye, leader of the Wonder Girls, took to the group’s online fan cafe to announce her plans to move to Haiti with her husband, James Park, in their effort to spread the Gospel to that Caribbean nation.

Sunye (right) and her husband James Park (www.newsen.com)

Lee Min Ho is back

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean superstar Lee Min Ho arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport around noon today.

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