2NE1 (Reuters)Remix projects are very popular artistic undertakings that not many artists get to enjoy. Many international recording artists, including Justin Bieber, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears have all released remixes of their catalog. They put a new spin on their classic hits, and breathe new life into some old favorites.

I ask myself: Which K-Pop artists should release remix projects? I think the following just might have some really interesting results:

Big Bang. Big Bang's unique brand of K-Pop meets hiphop meets electronica makes this five-member Hallyu sensation a clear and easy pick for remixing. As a matter of fact, they already have! "Big Bang The Nonstop Mix" has sold almost 4,000 copies in Japan. Big Bang's catalog is probably the ripest for remixing of all active K-Pop artists today, and their emphasis on both hiphop and dance makes virtually every track remix-able and delicious! Obviously, "Fantastic Baby," the group's most club-ready track from their latest

Big Bang and 2NE1's official Twitter accountHallyu superstars BIGBANG and 2NE1 have been active on social networks for quite some time. In fact, 2NE1 member Sandara Park is well known for being the "Queen of Social Media" in the world of K-Pop. In fact, as worldwide phenoms, BIGBANG and 2NE1 are inundated with fan-inspired social media accounts. And fans themselves are known to subscribe to multiple groups and accounts.

To ensure that fans all over the world get fresh and updated information about BIGBANG and 2NE1, YG Entertainment, the geniuses behind these incredible talents, have launched the first official Twitter accounts for these groups.

Since it went live on June 15, BINGBANG's official Twitter account @YG_GlobalVIP  [https://twitter.com/#!/YG_GlobalVIP] has amassed more than 68,000 followers. 2NE1, on the other hand are up more than 35,000 followers at @GlobalBlackjack [https://twitter.com/#!/GlobalBlackjack].  So far, both accounts have tweeted about about concerts, album releases and launched a contest.

YG also

K-Pop-inspired fashion has influenced the style of today's young people. A recent visit to the first-ever "Korean fancy shop" in the Philippines, C.N.A., inspired me to write this blog on essential K-Pop accessories.

C.N.A., short for Culture Nature Art, is a concept store that has over 200 branches in Korea. Their first Philippine store is located at D University Tower in Malate and was brought in by the popular Krimmy couple who partnered with the original C.N.A. owners. The Philippine version of C.N.A. does not only offer beautiful Korean accessories but also K-Pop albums! A true one-stop shop for a K-Pop fanatic.

Check out what I think are the five essential K-Pop accessories you should own.

1. The Wire Hairband

(L) Blogger Kring Elenzano and her girls model the wire hairband (Contributed photo from C.N.A.) (R) The Wire Hairband (Photo by Catherine Deen, Accessories from C.N.A.)

The versatile wire hairband is a unique take on the classic hair accessory. Made from fabric wrapped around a thin piece of wire, this simple accessory can be worn on any occasion whether you're at home washing dishes or dressed up for a night out. While a wire headband

Super Junior (SportsKorea)It is no secret that I like K-Pop. I mean, I have been talking, spazzing out, and blogging about K-Pop for years. I am glad to see that the genre has taken over the world as evidenced by the unstoppable Hallyu phenomenon.

Still, even if I love the genre, I harbor some complaints. Here are three of my gripes, which I believe a lot of K-Pop fanatics will agree with.

GRIPE #1. What is up with the extended plays, mini albums and special editions?

Photo by Catherine Deen

The K-Pop music industry has made a business out of releasing extended plays (EPs) or mini albums and special repackaged albums for far too long.

Compared to Western releases where a full-length album is the norm, K-Pop albums are normally released as an EP with about four to five songs. Worse, some "mini albums" only contain two or three songs with one song being an instrumental version. Come on! That's not an album, that's a single!

In fairness to K-Pop, I have to admit that their package design is loads better than their Western counterparts.

South Korean actor Gong Yoo attends a press conference to promote KBS drama 'Big' at Lotte Hotel on May 29, 2012 in Seoul, South Korea. The drama will open on June 04 in South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/WireImage)Popular Korean actor Gong Yoo ("Coffee Prince," "Finding Mr. Destiny") is back in K-drama land. Fresh from the critical and box office success of his movie "The Crucible," which marked the actor's 10th anniversary in show business, Gong Yoo delights his fans once again on the small screen.

His much-anticipated drama project is a romantic comedy titled "Big." It was penned by the famed Hong sisters who wrote K-drama hits including "You're Beautiful", "My Girlfriend is a Gumiho" and "The Greatest Love".

Gong Yoo plays opposite two leading women: the beautiful Lee Min Jung ("Boys Over Flowers," "Midas") and miss A's Suzy ("Dream High").

Worked hard to achieve young physique

As an actor who never shies away from challenging roles, Gong Yoo plays two characters in the new show: one in his teens and another in his thirties.

During the press conference for "Big," Gong Yoo confidently, albeit jokingly, admitted that he possesses the body of a 20-year-old. The actor confirmed that he worked

Lee Byung Hun (LookEast festival photo)There is no stopping the Hallyu phenomenon. Korean pop culture including music, movies, drama, and fashion has infiltrated not just Korea's neighboring Asian countries but has also entered the Western market.

On June 23, another historic event for the Korean entertainment industry is set to happen. Action superstar Lee Byung Hun and veteran actor Ahn Sung-ki are scheduled to cast their hand- and footprints in front of the historic Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.  So far, only more than 200 imprints have been cast on the forecourt of the theater since the ceremony began 85 years ago.

Lee Byung Hun and Ahn Sung Ki (LookEast Festival photo)Lee Byung Hun and Ahn Sung Ki (LookEast Festival photos)Lee Byung Hun is an award winning international star who recently appeared as Storm Shadow in "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra." He will be seen in the upcoming sequel "G.I. Joe 2: The Retaliation" with Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson. Lee Byung Hun is also a top actor in Korean movies and dramas, having starred in crossover hits like "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" and "Iris".

Ahn Sung Ki is a veteran

A performer seen during the 3rd Philippine KPOP Convention held at the Megatent, Meralco Avenue, Ortigas, east of Manila, on 30 December 2011. (Ibarra Siapno/NPPA Images)A performer seen during the 3rd Philippine KPOP Convention held at the Megatent, Meralco Avenue, Ortigas, east of Manila, on 30 December 2011. (NPPA Images)No doubt about it, the Korean wave (also known as K-Wave or the Hallyu phenomenon) has landed and it has landed hard. As evidenced by the thousands who attended the Philippine K-Pop conventions, as well as the consistent sales figures of K-Pop albums and concert tickets, it is clear that many Filipinos are card-carrying members of the fandom.

Hooked by the spellbinding twists of Korean dramas and the addicting head-bopping sounds of K-Pop, Filipinos young and young-at-heart have embraced K-Pop and they are not ashamed of it.

The thing is, K-Pop fans often suffer the puzzlement, or worse, the derision of those who do not understand the genre. They often deal with questions like "How can you like something you don't understand?" Or, "Why do you like these artists who look weird?" Or, get taunted with, "You're a kimchi-noy."

But is K-Pop really alien to us? Is it a surprising that many Filipinos love K-Pop? Beyond the usual reasons—"because K-pop artists sound good," "because Koreanovelas

BIGBANG Alive Tour posterAfter months of speculation, Hallyu star BIGBANG has finally confirmed a Philippine stop as part of their worldwide "Alive" Tour 2012. YG Entertainment, BIGBANG's management, formally announced the good news through the official BIGBANG Facebook page and the YG Family Twitter account.

YG Family Twitter post confirms, BIGBANG concert in Manila (screengrab)BIGBANG Facebook confirmationFilipino VIPs, the name of BIGBANG fans, are going crazy over this confirmation as the reality of experiencing a BIGBANG concert in their native land dawns upon them.

BIGBANG is the quintessential Korean idol considered one of the top-tier artists of the K-Pop genre. As I have discussed in my article 'Why is Big Bang so Big?,"  the group composed of G-Dragon, Taeyang, T.O.P., Seungri, and Daesung has achieved tremendous accolades throughout their career.

BIGBANG is the first Korean artist to reach the top ten on the world's iTunes chart. Their latest mini album "Alive" debuted on the Billboard 200 chart at #150 solely based on sales and with no actual promotions in the United States. BIGBANG's worldwide