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K-Pop’s biggest stars invade Manila for KISPINOY Grand Launch
The biggest K-Pop Icon Search (KISPINOY) kicks off with a free concert featuring two of the hottest K-Pop groups U-KISS and LABOUM on April 22 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Music Hall.
KISPINOY is a reality-based talent hunt that will discover young and talented Filipino K-Pop performers. Airing weekly on primetime on TV5 in June, the hopefuls will vie for the chance to be the newest toast of the Asian and global music industry. A multi-million peso recording and management contract in Korea awaits the champion, and possibly another one from the top 10 finalists.
KISPINOY is a reality-based talent hunt that will discover young and talented Filipino K-Pop performers. Airing weekly on primetime on TV5 in June, the hopefuls will vie for the chance to be the newest toast of the Asian and global music industry. A multi-million peso recording and management contract in Korea awaits the champion, and possibly another one from the top 10 finalists.
YU&IQ International, Inc., in partnership with YU&IQ Entertainment and NH Media, is the producer of the show. YU&IQ Entertainment (formerly Ryu’s Entertainment) is a major investor of KISPINOY. The company is behind the careers of award-winning film and television artists like Seo Young-hee and Lee Mun Sik. NH Media is a South Koran record label and entertainment agency that counts in its roster of stars U-KISS, South Korean actor and singer Lim Chang Jung, The Ray, veteran South Korean rock musician Kim Jeong Seo, and LABOUM.
Joining U-KISS and LA-BOUM at the KISPINOY Grand Launch is Korean actress Seo Young-hee.
U-KISS, or Ubiquitous Korean International Idol Super Star, was formed by NH Media in 2008. The members are Shin Soohyun, Yeo Hoonmin, Lee Kiseop, Kevin Woo (Woo Sunghyun), and Jun (Lee Jun Young).
LABOUM is a girl group that debuted in 2014 under NH Media and Nega Network. Their name means “the party” in French. Members are Kim Yu-jeong, Jung So-yeon, ZN (born Bae Jin-yea), An Sol-bin, Kim Yul-hee, and Yeom Hae In.
South Korean actress Seo Young-hee is best known for her supporting role in the thriller The Chaser (2008) and her award-winning lead role in the horror film Bedevilled (2010).
South Korean actress Seo Young-hee is best known for her supporting role in the thriller The Chaser (2008) and her award-winning lead role in the horror film Bedevilled (2010).
Resident Filipino judges are singer-songwriter-record producer Rico Blanco and budding host and singer Nicole Laurel Asensio while every week, some of Korea’s most prominent artists will be seen as guests, judges, and mentors on the show.
The former main man of the pop-rock alternative band Rivermaya, Rico Blanco launched his solo career in 2008 with his first solo album “Your Universe.” He won the Vocalist of the Year award in the 2008 NU Rock Awards. A man of many talents, Blanco has also branched out into acting.
The former main man of the pop-rock alternative band Rivermaya, Rico Blanco launched his solo career in 2008 with his first solo album “Your Universe.” He won the Vocalist of the Year award in the 2008 NU Rock Awards. A man of many talents, Blanco has also branched out into acting.
The granddaughter of theater greats Fides Cuyugan-Asensio and Celia Diaz-Laurel and the daughter of former singer Iwi Laurel (of “Special Memory” fame), Nicole Laurel Asensio has performing in her DNA. The lass only recently signed a recording and management deal with MCA Universal. She currently hosts and co-produces a comedy show on nmftv.com.
Hosting KISPINOY are actor-host Richard Gutierrez and Korean model Jinri Park.
Gutierrez has had a long, successful career with his former network, appearing alternately in fantasy series like Mulawin and Captain Barbell, comedies like Full House (the Filipino version of a hit Korean series), and action-adventure shows such as Asero and Zorro. He is no stranger to hosting, having taken on hosting duties in some documentary shows and the reality program Survivor Philippines.
Providing a Korean flavor to the line-up of hosts is Korean model, disc jockey and cosplayer Jinri Park. Jinri moved to Cebu with her Korean family when she was six years old and describes herself as a Filipina at heart.
KISPINOY is open to all Filipinos ages 13 and up. Those interested can record their songs and dance performances in booths that will be set up in designated SM malls nationwide. These recordings will be sent to Korea for screening.
The audition dates and venues are as follows: April 22-23, SM Mall of Asia; April 24-25, SM City Pampanga; April 27-30, Pampanga (venue to be announced); May 2-4, SM Southmall; May 4-5, Davao City (Almendras Gym); May 7-9 SM City Cagayan De Oro; May 9-11, Mandaluyong (City Hall Gym); May 12-14, SM City North Edsa; May 13-15 SM City Cebu; and May 21-23, SM City Dasmarinas and SM City Bacolod.
KISPINOY is supported by the Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, the Korean Cultural Center, Bangs Tony and Jackey, KPub BBQ Restaurant, Mandaluyong City Government, and SM Supermalls.
To catch more of the KISPINOY fever, connect with them through their social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.
