Third BTS concert date added in Bulacan amid high demand

By Jonathan Hicap

Concert promoter Live Nation Philippines announced on June 17 that a third show will take place on March 16, 2027, at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan, joining the previously scheduled March 13 and 14 performances.

“ARMY. One more night, one more chance to experience BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN BULACAN,” the promoter said in its announcement, confirming the additional show for the group’s highly anticipated return to the country.   

The expansion of the concert schedule comes after widespread calls from fans, with many Filipino ARMY members urging organizers to add another date after thousands were unable to secure tickets for the initial two shows, both of which sold out quickly.

Ticket access for the newly added concert will follow a staggered sale schedule, with an ARMY Membership presale set on June 19 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., followed by the general onsale on June 20 starting 9 a.m. 

BTS' "Arirang" world tour in Bulacan (Live Nation Philippines)

BTS' "Arirang" world tour in Bulacan (Live Nation Philippines)

BTS' "Arirang" world tour in Bulacan (Live Nation Philippines)

BTS' "Arirang" world tour in Bulacan (Live Nation Philippines)

Anne Curtis, Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino lead Filipino nominees at Seoul International Drama Awards 2026

By Jonathan Hicap

Published Jun 15, 2026 05:05 pm

Filipino stars are once again making their mark on the international stage as several local actors earned nominations at the 2026 Seoul International Drama Awards (SDA), one of Asia's most prestigious television awards events.

Among the biggest Filipino names nominated for the Outstanding Asian Star category are Anne Curtis, Paulo Avelino, Kim Chiu, Dingdong Dantes, Joshua Garcia, Gerald Anderson, Carlo Aquino, Angelica Panganiban, Bela Padilla, and Shaina Magdayao.

The nominations come as the SDA announced a record-breaking year, receiving 352 drama entries from 46 countries and regions—the highest number of submissions in the festival's history. The figure surpassed the previous record of 346 entries set in 2024 and is significantly higher than last year's 276 submissions.   

For Filipino fans, the spotlight is now on the Outstanding Asian Star voting, which officially opened on June 15 and will run until July 14 through the IdolChamp app.

A total of 23 Filipino actors and actresses are competing in the category, representing some of the country's most talked-about television projects.

The Philippine nominees are:

• Paulo Avelino ("The Alibi")
• Kim Chiu ("The Alibi")
• Anne Curtis ("It's Okay To Not Be Okay")
• Carlo Aquino ("It's Okay To Not Be Okay")
• Joshua Garcia ("Love Is Never Gone," "It's Okay To Not Be Okay")
• Dingdong Dantes ("The Master Cutter")
• Gerald Anderson ("Sins of the Father," "Blood vs Duty")
• Angelica Panganiban ("The Silent Noise")
• Bela Padilla ("Blood vs Duty")
• Shaina Magdayao ("Sins of the Father")
• Charlie Dizon ("What Lies Beneath")
• Kaila Estrada ("What Lies Beneath")
• JM De Guzman ("What Lies Beneath")
• Jake Cuenca ("What Lies Beneath")
• Ivana Alawi ("Love Is Never Gone")
• Zanjoe Marudo ("The Silent Noise")
• Amy Austria ("The First Vote")
• Anton Vinzon ("The Fist")
• Katrina Halili ("The Fist")
• Roi Vinzon ("The Fist")
• Max Collins ("The Master Cutter")
• JM Ibarra ("Ghosting")
• Sofia "Fyang" Smith ("Ghosting")

(Clockwise from top left) Doh Kyung-soo, Anne Curtis, Win Metawin Opasiamkajorn, Dilraba Dilmurat, Kazuya Kamenashi and Jisoo (Photos from SDA)

The Outstanding Asian Star award recognizes performers who have made a significant impact in six participating territories: the Philippines, South Korea, China, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand.

Meanwhile, South Korea's nominees include some of the biggest names in Hallyu today, including Jun Ji-hyun, Gang Dong-won, Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung, Ji Chang-wook, Doh Kyung-soo, Kim Woo-bin, Suzy, Lim Yoon-a, Park Bo-young, and BLACKPINK member Jisoo.

Thailand is also strongly represented with nominees such as Win Metawin, Gemini Norawit, Milk Pansa Vosbein, Love Pattranite Limpatiyakorn, Namtan Tipnaree, Film Rachanun, and Rebecca Patricia Armstrong.

Beyond the fan-voted categories, this year's Seoul International Drama Awards showcases productions from across Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, Oceania, and Africa. Organizers also noted a growing number of short-form drama submissions and increased participation from African countries, with Algeria, Rwanda, and Togo joining the competition for the first time.

The 21st Seoul International Drama Awards will be held on Oct. 8 at KBS Hall in Seoul, with the official list of nominees for the international competition expected to be announced later.

Lineup of new HYBE-Geffen girl group Saint Satine confirmed

By Jonathan Hicap

Published May 13, 2026 12:02 pm | Updated May 13, 2026 04:27 pm

HYBE and Geffen Records have confirmed the final lineup of their new global girl group, Saint Satine, which is set to debut following the success of KATSEYE.

The companies unveiled the members of Saint Satine through the audition program “World Scout: The Final Piece.”

The group will consist of Emily from the United States, Lexie from Sweden, Sakura from Japan, and Samara from Brazil.   

Sakura was announced as the final member of the group and expressed gratitude after securing her spot in the lineup.

“I wanted to become an artist who shines on the world stage. I am grateful to have achieved my dream,” she said.

Performance director Son Sung-deuk explained the meaning behind the group’s name, saying “‘Saint’ signifies intense charisma and musical presence, while ‘Satine’ represents a soft, elegant, and sophisticated image.”

Members of KATSEYE also attended the event announcing the new act.   

Saint Satine is scheduled to debut in the second half of the year.

Meanwhile, HYBE also unveiled a new mission statement, vision, and corporate identity as part of the company’s next phase of growth and long-term business strategy.

The company’s new mission statement is: “Discover A New Universe, Unlock An Immersive Journey.”

According to HYBE, the mission reflects its commitment to creating immersive experiences through artists, content, and services that allow fans to discover new tastes, identities, and worlds.

The company said the mission also underscores its goal of continuously delivering new experiences in response to changing times and evolving generations.

HYBE added that its previous mission statement, “We believe in Music,” will continue to serve as a guiding principle for its music businesses.   

To support its new direction, the company also introduced an updated vision statement: “Global Entertainment Lifestyle Platform Company Based on Music and Technology.”

HYBE said the revised vision highlights its ambition to grow into an entertainment lifestyle platform company powered by both music and technology.

“The most significant change in the updated vision is the explicit addition of ‘Technology,’” the company said.

“While music and fans remain at the core and utmost priority, the new vision encapsulates our commitment to advancing the industry by incorporating necessary technology to expand the boundaries of the fan experience,” it added.

Saint Satine member Lexie (Instagram)

Saint Satine member Emily (Instagram)

Saint Satine member Samara (Instagram)

Saint Satine member Sakura (Instagram)

Hearts2Hearts releases new single 'Rude!'

By Jonathan Hicap

Published Feb 21, 2026 04:10 pm   

K-pop’s rising stars Hearts2Hearts dropped their new single “Rude!,” their first music release in 2026. 

Hearts2Hearts won seven Rookie of the Year awards last year, establishing themselves as one of the industry’s most promising new acts.

“Rude!” captures the playful spirit of cheeky rule-benders who refuse to be confined by convention.     

While their previous house track “Focus” leaned into a sleek and chic mood, “Rude!” delivers brighter textures and a more dynamic take on the genre, showcasing a new dimension of the group’s evolving sound. 

In the music video for “Rude!,” the members appear as employees at a factory that manufactures social media “likes,” visualized as glowing hearts. When the emergence of a ‘fake heart’ causes the once-radiant ‘Super Heart’ to lose its glow, the members set out to restore it. The imaginative storyline mirrors the song’s vibrant, fearless energy – a reminder that authenticity always wins. 

Hearts2Hearts' "Rude!" (SM Entertainment)

Hearts2Hearts will debut the performance of “Rude!” live at their 2026 Hearts2Hearts Fanmeeting, which will be held on Feb. 21 and 22 at Olympic Hall in Seoul’s Olympic Park. 

The event marks the group’s first fan meeting and is expected to highlight both the song’s addictive appeal and the members’ growing stage presence.     

The comeback also arrives just ahead of a meaningful milestone. Hearts2Hearts will celebrate their first debut anniversary on Feb. 24 before heading overseas to meet global fans. 

They will hold North American showcases in New York on March 19 and Los Angeles on March 22. The US shows will be followed by a fan meeting in Jakarta on March 28, expanding their international momentum as they step confidently into their second year.

All eyes are on Hearts2Hearts as they continue to build their distinct music universe through a diverse range of releases, which include the mysterious and dream-like “The Chase,” the bubbly disco-house “Style” and five-track debut mini album “Focus.”  

Hearts2Hearts (SM Entertainment)

Hearts2Hearts (SM Entertainment)

'APT.' by Rosé, Bruno Mars crowned IFPI's biggest-selling global single of 2025

By Jonathan Hicap

Published Feb 20, 2026 08:18 am | Updated Feb 20, 2026 01:40 pm

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) announced that "APT." by BLACKPINK's Rosé and Bruno Mars is the biggest-selling Global Single of the Year 2025. 

Garnering 2.06 billion units, "APT." grabbed the No. 1 spot with several milestones. It is the first time the IFPI Global Single Chart has been topped by an artist outside of North America or Europe, and the first time a winning single has featured non-English lyrics. 

IFPI said this meant an increasingly global nature of recorded music and the role of labels in breaking language and market barriers.  

It added that the song’s release was sustained by coordinated international label campaigns, aligning radio, digital platforms, and marketing efforts across regions. 

The top 20 IFPI Global Single Chart (IFPI)

The top 10 IFPI Global Single Chart (IFPI)

Rosé and Bruno Mars (Instagram)

This is Bruno Mars first No. 1 IFPI Global Single since “Just The Way You Are” in 2011.

IFPI CEO Victoria Oakley said, “Rosé and Bruno Mars topping the IFPI Global Single Chart with APT. is a landmark moment, not least as it's the first time a winning single has featured non-English lyrics. This year’s results also underline the global reach of today’s music market, with songs connecting across languages and borders.”

“APT.” won Song of the Year at the  MTV Video Music Awards,  Asia Artist Awards, MAMA Awards.   

It was nominated in three categories at the 68th Grammy Awards: Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year.

Placing second on IFPI’s list is “Golden” by HUNTR/X from the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.” 

“Soda Pop” by Saja Boys, also from the film, placed 13th. 

“The IFPI Global Single Chart measures consumption of a track (including remixes and alternative versions) and considers single track downloads and streaming across both free and paid platforms, translated into chart units by IFPI according to a rigorous methodology based on the relative economics of each format in each region globally,” according to IFPI. 

Also in the top 10 were Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga’s “Die With A Smile” at No. 4,  and Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “luther” at No. 8. 

IFPI represents over 8,000 record company members worldwide. 

BLACKPINK's 'Kill This Love' reaches 1 billion streams on Spotify

 

Spotify announced the 36 new members of its Billions Club for January, or songs have reached one billion streams on the music platform.  

By Jonathan Hicap

Published Feb 13, 2026 02:34 pm

These include “Kill This Love,” “Try” by Pink, “Pump It” by Black Eyed Peas, “Born to Die” by Lana Del Ray, “Shower” by Becky G, “From The Start” by Laufey, “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers, “I Like You (A Happier Song)” by Post Malone and Doja Cat, “Moral of the Story” by Ashe, “Feel This Moment” by Pitbull and Christina Aguilera, “Ribs” by Lorde, “Confident” by Justin Bieber and Chance The Rapper, and “Hate Me” by Ellie Goulding and Juice Wrld.  

K-pop girl group Everglow announces cities for 'RE:CODE' world tour

By Jonathan Hicap

Published Feb 5, 2026 10:07 am   

   Overglow (CHXXTA Company)

Korean girl group Everglow announced the lineup of cities for their upcoming world tour “RE:CODE.” 

The “RE:CODE” tour will kick off in Seoul and continue in seven cities across North America from April 17 to May 8. 

After visiting North America, they will also meet fans in Latin America and Europe, including Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Milan, Munich, Budapest, Berlin, Warsaw, Amsterdam, Paris, and London.    

RE:CODE North America Tour Schedule 

April 17: New York

April 19: Dallas

April 23: San Francisco   

April 25: Los Angeles

April 30: Calgary

May 3: Toronto

May 8: Montreal

“I am especially excited as this tour will give us the opportunity to meet fans around the world in person. We are preparing the performances with a new mindset, hoping that our fans are looking forward to the stages that are ready to unveil,” said member Sihyeon.  

Everglow held their Asia fan meeting tour from October to December last year in Seoul, Osaka, Tokyo, Taipei, and Hong Kong, but the “RE:CODE” is their first world tour after rebranding as a quartet under their new management company, and will serve as an important starting point for the group to accelerate their global activities.    

With the world tour, they aim to showcase their powerful performance skills that are well-known to many fans, and to introduce a new theme and message that will represent the group’s next chapter.

“We are truly happy and delighted to be able to meet fans from all over the world through this tour. We are preparing diligently, and plan to showcase a wide range of new sides and fresh energy on stage that is different from what we have shown before,” said member Onda.

The cities for Everglow's world tour (CHXXTA Company)

Everglow (CHXXTA Company)

BLACKPINK set for comeback with new album 'Deadline' in February

By Jonathan Hicap

Published Jan 15, 2026 03:53 pm

BLACKPINK (Instagram)

K-pop girl group BLACKPINK will be returning to the music scene with the release of their third mini-album “Deadline” on Feb. 27. 

On Jan. 14, a video announcing BLACKPINK’s new album was uploaded on YouTube. 

The album's title, "Deadline,” is the same name of BLACKPINK’s current world tour. Fans expressed excitement for BLACKPINK’s new album.    

Last year, with their digital single "Jump," BLACKPINK achieved their third No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200. 

YG Entertainment, BLACKPINK’s agency, earlier announced the group’s comeback. The agency said they have already finished filming the music video and other major album works and are currently in post-production. 

"We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the fans who have waited for a considerable amount of time. We plan to repay you with high-quality music, so please show lots of interest,” said the agency, Korean media reported. 

BLACKPINK’s world tour covers 16 cities with 33 shows. They held the concert tour in the Philippines on Nov. 22 and 23 last year at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.   

They will perform at the Tokyo Dome in Japan from Jan. 16 to 18, and will end the tour at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on Jan. 24 to 26. 

BLACKPINK (Instagram)

The announcement about BLACKPINK's new album "Deadline" (Screenshot from BLACKPINK video on YouTube)

Gwyn Dorado, 5 others sign exclusive contracts with Music Farm

By Jonathan Hicap

Published Jan 7, 2026 09:48 am

Filipino singer Gwyn Dorado (Screenshots from JTBC videos on YouTube)

The top six contestants on the Korean TV singing competition “Sing Again 4” have signed exclusive contracts with entertainment agency Music Farm. 

During the finale of the TV show on Jan. 6, Lee Oh-wook was declared the winner while Filipino singer Gwyn Dorado placed second, followed by Kim Jae-min and Slowly. 

Music Farm is home to artists Lee Juck, Kim Dong-ryul and John Park.    

The agency announced on Jan. 7 that it has signed two-year exclusive contracts with Lee Oh-wook, Dorado, Kim Jae-min, Slowly, Seodo and Gyuri. 

"We have signed a two-year exclusive management contract with the top 6 of 'Sing Again 4' (Lee Oh-wook, Dorado, Kim Jae-min, Slowly, Seodo, and Gyuri). We will support their albums, performances, and broadcast activities,” Music Farm announced. 

They will begin their activities with the “Sing Again 4” nationwide tour concert in South Korea in February. 

The final top 10 will be participating in the concert tour starting in Busan on Feb. 7 followed by Seoul from Feb. 12 to 15, Incheon on Feb. 21 and Daegu on Feb. 28.   

The participants will perform the songs they sang on the show. 

The top six contestants who signed exclusive contracts with Music Farm. They are (clockwise from top left) Lee Oh-wook, Gwyn Dorado, Kim Jae-min, Slowly, Seodo and Gyuri.   

The poster for the "Sing Again 4" nationwide concert tour (JTBC)

TWICE to proceed with Hong Kong concerts

By Jonathan Hicap

Published Dec 4, 2025 12:19 pm

TWICE in Taiwan (X)

K-pop girl group TWICE will proceed with their two-day “This Is For” concert on Dec. 6 and 7 in Hong Kong, their agency announced on Dec. 4. 

“First and foremost, we would like to express our deepest condolences to the victims of the recent incident in Hong Kong, as well as to their families and loved ones. Our thoughts are with everyone affected,” JYP Entertainment said in a notice. 

It added, “Regarding the TWICE This Is For Hong Kong concerts scheduled for December 6 and 7, we held many discussions and gave careful consideration to whether it would be appropriate to proceed under such heartbreaking circumstances.”   

TWICE in Taiwan (X)

“Together with our concert promoter, Live Nation, we have been closely monitoring the situation. After thoughtful deliberation, we have decided to proceed with the concerts at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong,” it said. 

The agency added, “Given the gravity of the situation, we will approach the performances with sincere respect and remembrance. We truly hope that these concerts can offer, even in a small way, comfort and strength to those finding their way forward after the tragedy. This hope guided our decision to move forward.”

“Once again, we express our deepest sorrow for the victims of this devastating incident and extend our heartfelt sympathies to their families and to all those affected. We sincerely hope for a swift and steady recovery,” it said. 

Fire hit the Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po District in Hong Kong on Nov. 26.     

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government announced that as of Dec. 3, 159 died in the fire. 

Yearender: YouTube reveals top 10 music videos in PH for 2025

By Jonathan Hicap

Published Dec 4, 2025 09:27 am

YouTube revealed the top 10 music videos in the Philippines in 2025, showcasing diverse songs that captured the country’s attention throughout the year. 

Filipino rapper Skusta Clee earned the No. 1 spot with his viral song “Kalimutan Ka,” which was uploaded on YouTube on Feb. 14 this year. The music video has garnered 126.99 million views on YouTube as of this writing.

Other OPM songs also made it to the top 10.  Earl Agustin’s “Tibok” ranked No. 4; Nateman’s “IMMA FLIRT” ft. Lucky at No. 5; Ryouji’s “b4 i let u go” ft. CK YG at No. 6; Guddhist Gunatita’s “Sulitin” at No. 9; and Supafly’s “Puff Me Up” at No. 10.   

"KPop Demon Hunters" (Netflix)

YouTube released its Global Culture & Trends Report for 2025 (YouTube blog)

Skusta Clee (Screenshot from YouTube)

The unique trend this year is the massive success of Sony Pictures Animation's “KPop Demon Hunters.”

Four videos from the film ranked in the top 10 in the Philippines, indicating a rising interest in music connected to animated narratives and the global appeal of K-pop-inspired sounds.

“Golden” (826.18 million views on YouTube to date) garnered second place while “Soda Pop” is at No. 3; “How It's Done” at No. 7; and “Your Idol” at No. 8.

The ranking is “based on in-country views of official music videos that debuted in 2025. Excluding live performance videos and art track videos,” according to the YouTube Global Culture & Trends Report 2025.   

The Top 10 Music Videos on YouTube in the Philippines in 2025: 

1. Kalimutan Ka - Skusta Clee

2. Golden (KPop Demon Hunters) - Sony Pictures Animation          

3. Soda Pop (KPop Demon Hunters) - Sony Pictures Animation

4. Tibok - Earl Agustin

5. IMMA FLIRT - Nateman ft. Lucky

6. b4 i let u go - Ryouji ft. CK YG

7. How It's Done (KPop Demon Hunters) - Sony Pictures Animation          

8. Your Idol (KPop Demon Hunters) - Sony Pictures Animation          

9. SULITIN - Guddhist Gunatita          

10. PUFF ME UP - SUPAFLY ft. Gat Putch, Gaspari, OG Cry, Ghoti scale, Sica