Korea Observer

2PM's Nichkhun immortalized at Madame Tussauds Bangkok | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

Via  http://www.redcross.org.ph/donatenow DONATE NOW Emergency Alert: Typhoon Sendong Tropical Storm Sendong (international name: Washi) ravaged Mindanao, slamming it with devastating rains and unleashing flash floods and landslides that have left a horrifying trail of destruction. As of 10AM, the death toll has reached 497 (Cagayan De Oro 215, Iligan City 195, Bukidnon 47, Negros Oriental 22, Lanao del Norte 9, Compostela Valley 5, Zamboanga del Norte 3, Surigao del Sur 1). Most of the dead were asleep Friday night when raging floodwaters pounded their homes from rivers and cascaded from mountain slopes following 12 straight hours of heavy rains in Mindanao. 

By JONATHAN M. HICAP MANILA, Philippines - The organizing committee of Korea’s 32nd Blue Dragon Film Awards 2011 revealed the nominees for this year with the film “The Frontline” getting the most nominations. Best actor nominess. (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com)

I had the chance to interview Korean pop star Jay Park last Oct. 30, 2011 for Manila Bulletin when he visited Manila for the MTV EXIT Live concert. The interview was held at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila hotel in Pasig City. Also had the chance to meet fellow K-pop writers from the Philippines' major media outlets.  MANILA, Philippines - When popular K-pop star and b-boy Jay Park visited the Philippines for a show last year, he was just starting his solo career and was determined to make it on his own. A year later, he was back in the country armed with a flourishing career, and a fiery passion to do things that he loves the most including his advocacies. 

In September, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), under the Korean Embassy in the Philippines, launched the “Pinoy K-pop Star 2011” contest to search for the ultimate K-pop singer in the country. Last October 8, the KCC held the grand finals of the contest and the winner is Karla Carreon.  Here are the finalists and Karla's winning performance after the cut: 

JAY PARK, EVALINE, PAROKYA NI EDGAR, PUPIL, EBE DANCEL, AND ITCHYWORMS TO PERFORM AT MTV EXIT FREE CONCERT ON OCTOBER 29 AT SM MALL OF ASIA CONCERT GROUNDS SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY NEW MTV EXIT CELEBRITY AMBASSADOR, DINGDONG DANTES MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking), in partnership with the Philippines Government, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Australian Government’s Agency for International Development (AusAID) today announced the return of the MTV EXIT campaign to the Philippines with a free Live concert in Manila on October 29.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines — Boy bands JYJ and TVXQ, whose members used to be in one group, have achieved No. 1 feats with their albums in Korea and Japan, respectively.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2011, MANILA:  The MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) campaign today announced plans to hold a massive live concert in Manila on October 29 at the Mall of Asia to raise awareness and increase prevention of human trafficking. Jay Park and Evaline (Photos courtesy of MTV Exit, Sidus HQ and Joseph Llanes

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines - The journey of a rock band and a story about a daughter who finds his father will be some of the featured films in the 2011 Korean Film Festival in the Philippines that will run from Sept. 20 to Oct. 2 in SM Cinemas in Manila and Cebu.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - K-pop music has been enjoying huge popularity in the Philippines in the past few years. Since 2009, popular idol groups have visited the country including SHINee, Super Junior, 4Minute and BEAST.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines – K-pop fans in the Philippines will get to experience another dose of Super Junior through a 3D concert movie that will premiere in Manila in October.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - “Full House,” the 2004 hit comedy series shown on Korean TV station KBS that helped boost the popularity of Asian pop star Rain and actress Song Hye Kyo, will have a sequel but with a different cast.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean TV talent search show “Star King” has issued an apology after a recent episode came under fire from viewers who criticized the show for depicting a wrong portrayal of Saudi Arabians and Muslims in general.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines – Five-member girl group KARA is the most popular K-pop group in Japan, according to a survey by Japan’s biggest mobile music download website.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean actress Han Ye Seul, who abandoned the filming of her drama, returned to Korea on Wednesday afternoon, just two days after she left for the US. Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com

MANILA, Philippines - Korean actress Han Ye Seul is now the subject of criticisms and a lawsuit for being unprofessional after she failed to appear on the set of her drama “Spy Myung Wol” and headed to the United States without permission. Eric Mun and Han Ye Seul (Photo courtesy of www.newsen.com)

MANILA, Philippines -- The first-ever “high-five” experience in the country happens when Kim Hyun Joong visits the country in The Hi-Five Touch Event on Aug. 25 at the TriNoma Activity Center to promote his brand new album “Break down,” distributed by PolyEast Records.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Young Korean actor Yoo Seung Ho suffered severe facial fractures after his car slipped and crashed on a highway in Andong in Gyeongsangbuk province in Korea on July 29. The accident occurred as the actor was on his way to the filming of his drama “Warrior Baek Dong Soo.”

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean actor Shin Dong Wook has been discharged from the army after being afflicted with a rare neurological disease called complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), which is characterized by intense and chronic pain. Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korea is banking on the popularity of boy band Super Junior to promote the country and the Korean Wave and attract more visitors.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean singer and actor Kim Hyun Joong has finished promoting his first solo album in Korea and will now start his Asia tour. www.newsen.com

By JONATHAN M. HICAP MANILA, Philippines – This year’s Seoul International Drama Awards ceremony will be held on August 31 and organizers have announced the nominees for different categories which were selected from 204 dramas submitted from 37 countries. Best Korean actor nominees (clockwise from top left) Hyun Bin, Song Seung-heon, Jang Geun-suk, Park Yoochun and Kang Ji-hwan

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean actress and singer Eugene (real name Kim Yoo Jin), 30, married actor Ki Tae-young, 33, on July 23 at the Seoul Central Church in Anyang City in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. From www.newsen.com

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines – Korean TV station KBS has admitted to canceling the scheduled TV appearance of boy band JYJ to promote Jeju Island because of the latter’s ongoing lawsuit against SM Entertainment.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Popular Korean star, Song Joong Ki, 27, one of the busiest and most popular actors and product endorsers in Korea today, recently visited Cebu for a working vacation.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Big Bang member Daesung has reached a financial settlement agreement with the family of Mr. Hyun, the dead motorcyclist who the Korean police said was killed by the singer.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines – K-pop trio JYJ, composed of Xiah Junsu, Kim Jaejoong and Micky Yoochun, will file a complaint against Korean TV station KBS for canceling the group’s scheduled TV appearance aimed at promoting Jeju Island to be one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines - Big Bang member Daesung will get a chance to perhaps redeem himself and explain his side on his involvement in the death of a motorcyclist last May 31.

How well do you know Korea? Come and meet the charms of Korea at Touch Korea! You are warmly invited!

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Thai hunk actor Mario Maurer has confirmed himself that he will visit the Philippines.  On his Twitter account, Mario posted the message 'See you soon Philippines', confirming talks that he will visit the Philippines. 

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin (www.mb.com.ph) MANILA, Philippines - Popular Korean singer and actor Kim Hyun Joong will visit the Philippines in August. Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines - Drama and K-pop stars came together at the Mnet’s 20’s Choice Awards held July 7 at the pool area of the Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin (www.mb.com.ph)  MANILA, Philippines - More K-pop groups are venturing into the Japanese music market, following the moves made by other idol singers.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Asian pop star Rain ( 비 aka  정지훈)  will hold a series of concerts in Korea as a gift to his fans before he enters the military in November this year.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines – JYJ’s Micky Yoochun has been chosen as the best idol actor while boy band TVXQ was picked as having the most impressive performance by fellow Korean singers in a survey held recently.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines – Three K-pop fans, one from Singapore and two from the Philippines, won in a K-pop sing and dance contest held by Korean TV channel KBS World in Seoul, South Korea to celebrate its eighth anniversary on July 1.

MANILA, Philippines - Big Bang’s agency, YG Entertainment, has announced that it will stop the sale of G-Dragon and TOP’s first album after it admitted that it infringed on the bunny logo trademark of adult magazine publisher Playboy Enterprises. GD & TOP's album in question (extreme left), which is similar to the Playboy logo (center). At right is the new cover of the album. (Photos courtesy of Playboy and YG Entertainment)

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Two more Korean celebrities have been convicted for separate offenses by Korean courts. Rapper Kim Jung Min of Seoul Connection was sentenced by the Seoul Central District Court to two years probation after he was found guilty of using marijuana. (Clockwise from top left) Kim Jung Min, Kim Yong Joon, Jeong Jin-su, Lee Sung-jin, Jeon Chang-geol and Yeo Wook Hwan. (Photos courtesy of Newsen.com, Naver and edaily.co.kr)

Singer Kim Hyun Joong appeared on the episode of KBS 2TV’s “Happy Together” that aired on June 23, and talked about his individual ideal type of woman.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines - Girl group 2NE1 is creating a buzz in the K-pop music scene not only with their latest   single “I Am the Best” but also with their new fashion style.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines – Following the declaration of the Seoul Yeong Deung Po Police last June 24 that tagged Big Bang member Daesung as the suspect in the death of a motorcyclist that her ran over with his car last May 31, thousands of fans are asking what will happen to the K-pop idol.

Lawyer: Daesung may receive minor, lesser conviction in motorcyclist's death | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

Korea’s first pop concert hall opened in Seoul on June 22. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation cooperated for the establishment of the concert hall by renovating Olympic Hall, located inside Olympic Park. With newly upgraded facilities, the main concert hall can accommodate up to 3,000 people and the adjacent small concert hall can accommodate up to 240 people.

Richard Gere shared personal photographs which he says attest to the cruelty inflicted by the Chinese on Tibetans in Seoul Wednesday. An avid Buddhist and supporter of the Dalai Lama, the Hollywood actor took the initiative to make strong political statements regarding human rights in Tibet. From Korea.net

Fresh off the MuchMusic Awards, which she  opened  and  closed  in Canada last Sunday,  Lady Gaga  kicked off the MTV Video Music Aid Japan benefit show as part of a two-hour event that was expressly devised to benefit the Japanese Red Cross. The event was broadcast live from Makuhari Messe and aired to more than 30 million households on MTV Japan, MTV Korea, MTV SEA and MTV China.

In the “Entertainment Era” corner on the episode of “Live Info Show” that aired on June 15, the cameramen paid a visit to the place where singer Lee Joon’s commercial for underwear was being filmed.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines - Big Bang member Daesung has been found by the Korean police to have caused the death of a motorcyclist during a traffic accident last May 31. The Seoul Yeong Deung Po police held at briefing Friday morning and announced the results of its investigation and autopsy by the National Forensic Service.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Oricon chart has released the list of the Top 50 artists in the Japanese music market for the first half of 2011, based on singles, albums and DVD sales. While the rankings are dominated by Japanese singers, six K-pop singers made it to the list, namely TVXQ, Big Bang, KARA, CNBlue, Girls Generation and Jang Geun Suk.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean stars are threatening to stop appearing in dramas and films due to unpaid talent fees amounting to 2.2 billion won (about P88.78 million) that production companies owe them.

KBS’s new Monday and Tuesday drama “Beautiful Spy" (directed by Hwang In Hyuk, written by Kim Eun Young and Kim Jeong Ah), which will begin airing on July 11, disclosed stills taken on the overseas location in Singapore. 

By JONATHAN M. HICAP MANILA, Philippines - K-pop groups KARA, Big Bang and Girls Generation continued their rise in the Japanese music market. The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) released its latest certifications for May on mobile phone and PC downloads showing KARA achieving two feats.   

By JONATHAN M. HICAP  Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - K-pop boy band SHINee’s lead vocalist Jonghyun and actress Shin Se Kyung have ended their eight-month relationship because of their demanding schedule. Shin’s agency was quoted as saying that the Jonghyun and Se Kyung’s busy schedule prevented them from seeing each other regularly that led to their breakup although they decided to remain friends, according to Korean media.

MESSAGE FROM SHINee:  We are SHINee :) We will finally debut in Japan on June 22nd and will get to meet more fans in Japan! What a good news! right?

The magazine contains various episodes and information about Kong Yoo (or Gong Yoo) such as his movies, TV commercials, stories happening during his poster shoots, travels, favorite music, books, hobbies, and his friends. A person from the publishing company of “Monster” said, “As the magazine contains various well-written content, the number of readers has been increasing thanks to word-of-mouth among Japanese fans. As readers are very much satisfied with the magazine, it is expected to have increased sales in the future.”

By JONATHAN M. HICAP K-pop boy band BEAST concluded the promotions of their first studio album “Fiction and Fact” on a high note, topping music charts and sweeping awards on Korean TV music shows. The album was released online on May 17 and on the same week, the group began performing the title track “Fiction” on TV shows Mnet “M! Countdown”, KBS “Music Bank”, MBC “Music Core” and SBS “Inkigayo”.