EXCLUSIVE: BEAST’s Doojoon on ‘Let’s Eat,’ his favorite dishes | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

EXCLUSIVE: BEAST’s Doojoon on ‘Let’s Eat,’ his favorite dishes | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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[Comeback Stage] 150501 BTS (방탄소년단) - I NEED U @ Music Bank

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Big Bang 2015 World Tour in Manila set on July 30 | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

Big Bang 2015 World Tour in Manila set on July 30 | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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U-KISS share deep bond with Pinoy fans | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

U-KISS share deep bond with Pinoy fans | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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‘Gangnam Style’ still rules YouTube with 2.3 Billion views | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

‘Gangnam Style’ still rules YouTube with 2.3 Billion views | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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K-pop icon search ‘KISPinoy‘ launched with U-KISS, Laboum | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

K-pop icon search ‘KISPinoy‘ launched with U-KISS, Laboum | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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K-pop icon search ‘KISPinoy‘ launched with U-KISS, Laboum

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Filipinos who aspire to become K-pop stars now have the chance to do so through reality-based talent search “KISPinoy” or “K-pop Icon Search” launched on April 22.

Gracing the presscon held at K-Pub BBQ in Taguig were K-pop stars U-KISS and Laboum and award-winning Korean actress Seo Young-hee, as well as judges Rico Blanco and Nicole Asensio. Show hosts Richard Gutierrez and Jinri Park, “KISPinoy” founder and producer Matthew Choi, composer Won Sangwoo from NH Media, president Yu Jeonghoon of YU&IQ Entertainment in Korea, and Wilma Galvante, TV5 entertainment division head, also attended the event.

“KISPinoy” is open to Filipinos who are at least 13 years old on audition date. It is said to be the biggest K-pop talent search in the country and it will air weekly on TV5 starting June 27. There will be a Korean judge on the show every week.

The champion and possibly one of the top 10 finalists will win a multi-million peso recording and management contract in Korea. From a pool of 100 selected contestants, the group will be trimmed to 30.

Asked what they look for in contestants, Blanco said he doesn’t have a set of requirement in mind.

“Great talent is when you don’t know where it’s coming from and you just get blown away by it. I would like to remain open,” he said.

Asensio echoed the notion.

“I can’t really tell you what exactly I’m looking for because I don’t know what to expect,” she said. “But I do know that we have a bunch of talented people and I do know from a little K-pop that I had the privilege to listen to, it spans many genres. There is no specific genre I’m looking for, no specific look or character.”

Asked why organizers picked the Philippines to launch the K-pop star search, producer Choi said, “We think the Philippines is the best place to launch our series.” He said Filipinos are very talented when it comes to singing.

“Personally I love this country,” he quipped.

What will the “KISPinoy” winner do in Korea?

“The winner will go to Korea and stay there to have training, not just in singing but to know the culture, language, different expressions. (The winner) will train just like any Korean artist,” he said, with the main goal of releasing an album.

U-KISS advised “KISPinoy” contestant to be confident.

“Just try your best and don’t give up because one day the results will be good for you and we will always support you guys,” Kevin said.

People can audition by recording their songs and dance performances in booths that will be set up in selected SM malls in the country. The recordings will be sent to Korea for screening.

The audition dates and venues are April 25, SM City Pampanga; April 27 and 30, Pampanga (venue to be announced); May 2 and 4, SM Southmall; May 4 and 5, Davao City (Almendras Gym); May 7 and 9, SM City Cagayan De Oro; May 9 and 11, Mandaluyong (City Hall Gym); May 12 and14, SM City North Edsa; May 13 and 15, SM City Cebu; and May 21 and 23, SM City Dasmariñas and SM City Bacolod.

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Recent Manila visitor Epik High loves Pinoy fans | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

Recent Manila visitor Epik High loves Pinoy fans | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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Girls’ Generation’s Yuri dating baseball star | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

Girls’ Generation’s Yuri dating baseball star | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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Bill filed to help Korean celebrities banned on TV | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

Bill filed to help Korean celebrities banned on TV | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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Amazing K-Pop night | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

Amazing K-Pop night | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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CL places second in TIME 100 Reader’s Poll | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

CL places second in TIME 100 Reader’s Poll | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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2NE1’s Dara to star in another web drama | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

2NE1’s Dara to star in another web drama | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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Big Bang’s new world tour brings then back to Manila | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

Big Bang’s new world tour brings then back to Manila | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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K-pop ballad queen Baek Ji Young excited to perform for Pinoy fans | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

K-pop ballad queen Baek Ji Young excited to perform for Pinoy fans | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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K-pop ballad queen Baek Ji Young excited to perform for Pinoy fans | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

K-pop ballad queen Baek Ji Young excited to perform for Pinoy fans | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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A Message from VIXX to the Philippines

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Red Velvet wins first music award, enters Billboard | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

Red Velvet wins first music award, enters Billboard | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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miss A “다른 남자 말고 너(Only You)” M/V

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Farewell Call of Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Hyuk 3/26/2015

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2NE1’s CL leads 2015 TIME 100 Reader’s Poll | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

2NE1’s CL leads 2015 TIME 100 Reader’s Poll | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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‘Jewel in the Palace’ star Lee Young-ae returns to acting after 10 years | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

‘Jewel in the Palace’ star Lee Young-ae returns to acting after 10 years | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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Shindong joins army today, Kim Hyun Joong delays enlistment | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

Shindong joins army today, Kim Hyun Joong delays enlistment | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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Lee Min Ho, Miss A’s Suzy confirmed to be dating | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

Lee Min Ho, Miss A’s Suzy confirmed to be dating | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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Committee formed to probe Korean drama kissing scene | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

Committee formed to probe Korean drama kissing scene | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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FT Island, Miss A set for comeback with new albums | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

FT Island, Miss A set for comeback with new albums | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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Dara’s web drama to air March 29

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

2NE1’s Dara is excited over her web drama “Dr. Ian” announced to air on March 29.

She took to Twitter to update her fans about it, posting, “My first drama! Dr. Ian Coming to you on March 29th.”

Most favorite Korean celebrities, singers revealed in poll

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Gallup Korea has released the result of a survey that determines the most liked personalities by Koreans in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

The survey asked 1,700 respondents aged 13 years old and above who their favorite celebrities, film stars, singers, athletes, comedians and presidents are.

(Clockwise from top left) Actor Kim Soo Hyun, singer Cho Yong Pil, comedian Yoo Jae Suk, athlete Kim Yuna and film actor Choi Min Sik (Photos: www.newsen.com)

K-pop stars grace opening of K-Star Road in Gangnam

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop stars descended on the famous Gangnam area in Seoul for the opening ceremony of K-Star Road, home to various entertainment agencies, shops, restaurants and attractions.

The K-Star Road is a kilometer stretch in Cheongdam and Apgujeong in Gangnam that features giant toys that carry the names of K-pop groups such as Girls’ Generation, 2PM, FT Island, CNBLUE, SHINee and Super Junior.

ZEST confident, ready for rape investigation

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

The agency of ZEST wants police investigation to immediately happen so they can prove their innocence in the rape complaint filed by a woman against a member of the rookie boy band.

Last March 5, a woman in her 20s filed a rape complaint with the Gangnam police against a ZEST member.

Kai falls into lift hatch in Seoul concert | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

Kai falls into lift hatch in Seoul concert | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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Super Junior-D & E releases first album

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

Super Junior-D&E composed of Donghae and Eunhyuk, have released their first studio album titled “The Beat Goes On.”

Digital copies of the album were released online last March 6. The physical copy was released on March 9.