‘Jewel in the Palace’ marks 10th anniversary

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

A decade after it made history by becoming one of the highest Korean dramas of all time, “Jewel in the Palace,” or “Dae Jang Geum,” is still popular today in many countries.

What's next for the Korean Wave?

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

In the last few years, the Korean Wave, or Hallyu, has spread in many countries.

From Asia, Hallyu has found its way to other regions like in Latin America, North America and Middle East.

Hallyu stars (clockwise from top left) Super Junior, Choi Ji-woo and Bae Yong-joon in 'Winter Sonata,' Big Bang and Lee Young Ae in 'Jewel in the Palace' (Photos by www.newsen.com)

Lee Young-ae to open a Hallyu store

Actress Lee Young-ae has decided to open a Hallyu store in Samcheong-dong, central Seoul, an area popular with tourists.

Lee Young-ae (Photo by Korea JoongAng Daily)

Will 'Jewel in the Palace 2' Become A Hit?

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean TV station MBC has announced that it will produce a sequel to the hit TV drama "Jewel in the Palace," a decade after the original series aired in 2003 to 2004.

"Jewel in the Palace" became a top rating drama in Korea and was exported to many countries including the Philippines.

'Jewel in the Palace' star is now a mom of twins

My article from the Manila Bulletin online edition:

By JONATHAN M. HICAP

MANILA, Philippines (Feb. 23, 2011) - Top Korean actress Lee Young-ae, who played Jang-Geum in the highly popular Korean drama “Jewel in the Palace," is now a proud mother of fraternal twins: a boy and a girl.

Lee Young-ae as Jang Geum in "Jewel in the Palace" (Photo courtesy of MBC)

Hanbok: Korea's traditional dress

You see it on Korean dramas and films. In the hit Korean drama series "Jewel in the Palace", the hanbok, Korea's traditional dress, gained prominence as it was a period drama.

Hanbok is South Korea's traditional dress that is worn in many occasions especially when Koreans celebrate Chuesok, or harvest festival, and Seollal, or Lunar New Year.