2PM’s Nichkhun, Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany now a couple

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

2PM’s Nichkhun, 25, and Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany, 24, are now officially a couple, with their respective management, JYP Entertainment and SM Entertainment, confirming the matter in a statement and asking fans for understanding and support.

(Top) Nichkhun and Tiffany during the secret date in Gangnam last month; both were emcees at the Korean Wave Music in Bangkok in 2011 (Sports Seoul and MBC)

JYJ, C-JeS artists donate notebooks to Leyte, Batangas children

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean boy band JYJ and other artists under C-JeS Entertainment have partnered with humanitarian organization World Vision to extend a helping hand to less affluent students of Leyte and Batangas in the Philippines.

Muntinlupa’s Miss Philippines Earth bet promotes eco-tourism

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Sarah Theresa Stewart, who is representing the City of Muntinlupa in the 2014 Miss Philippines Earth beauty pageant, is focusing on eco-tourism as advocacy.

The 20-year-old lass appealed that tourism should not be merely about promoting beautiful sites, food and shopping.

‘Avengers 2′ director apologizes to Seoul residents

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Film director Joss Whedon took to YouTube to address Seoul residents with the principal shooting of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” kicking off on March 30.

“We are going to mess it up a bit and inconvenience people for a few days and I apologize for that,” he said in a video post. “I know what’s that like. I live in Los Angeles and it happens to me all the time and it’s not fun. I hope that it will be worth it.”

Robert Downey Jr. will play Iron Man in “Avengers 2,” part of which was filmed at Mapo Bridge in Seoul on March 30 (www.newsen.com)

[Crayon Pop] 크레용팝 '어이' Uh-ee M/V

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

4Minute wins first comeback trophy

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop quintet 4Minute notched their first TV music chart triumph since making their comeback with their new mini-album “4Minute World,” which contains five tracks including the lead single “Whatcha Doin’ Today.”

The girl group performed the title track on SBS “Inkigayo” on March 30, competing with other artists including CNBLUE, Girls’ Generation, 2NE1, Orange Caramel, Boys Republic and JJCC.

4Minute showing their first comeback trophy (Twitter)

G-Dragon, Rain, Hangeng win at QQ Music Awards

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Asian pop star Rain, Big Bang’s G-Dragon and former Super Junior member Hangeng are among winners at the recently concluded QQ Music Awards, organized by China’s biggest music streaming site, QQ Music.

The awards ceremony, held at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Shenzhen, China, drew popular artists from across Asia including Jay Chou, JJ Lin and Jolin Tsai.

(Clockwise from top left) Rain, G-Dragon, Hangeng and Lyn (QQ Music and YG Entertainment)

SM Entertainment founder under tax evasion probe

A scandal is brewing at SM Entertainment but this time it's not one of its artists that is involved.

The center of the controversy is none other than Lee Soo Man, the founder of SM Entertainment, the biggest entertainment company in South Korea.

Lee Soo Man (www.newsen.com)

Jackie Chan’s K-pop boy band debuts

Jackie Chan’s K-pop boy band debuts

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

2NE1, BTOB to appear in ‘America’s Next Top Model’

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

The reality TV show “America’s Next Top Model” hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks is filming in South Korea for the program’s upcoming season and among those tapped to appear as guests are K-pop groups 2NE1 and BTOB.

2NE1 in Hong Kong and BTOB with ‘America’s Next Top Model’ judge J.
Alexander in Seoul (Facebook page and www.newsen.com)