Korea Observer

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - In 2012, Korean boy band F.CUZ embarked on a new direction in their career. "We traveled to different countries so it's really memorable. We went to Japan, Taiwan and now we're here in the Philippines," said F.CUZ leader Jinon, in addition to releasing a new album. F.CUZ striking a pose after the interview with Bulletin Entertainment (Photo by Jonathan Hicap)

MANILA, Philippines - 2012 became an exciting year for hallyu or the Korean Wave, especially for K-pop. A horse-riding dance became an Internet sensation and swept the world. A number of Korean stars visited the Philippines and a three-year old legal dispute ended through a settlement. Here's Bulletin Entertainment's Top 10 Korean entertainment stories in 2012: 1. Psy - In just six months, Korean rapper Psy crossed over to the US music market with his viral song "Gangnam Style" that became a hit, achieved a billion views on YouTube and set three Guinness World Records. Psy became a staple on entertainment TV shows in the US, flew to different countries to perform and won a New Media award at the American Music Awards (AMA). Our wish in 2013: We hope that his next song will become a hit as well. (Clockwise from top left) Big Bang, Psy, Girls Generation, Wonder Girls' Sunye, JYJ and Jasmine Lee (Photos courtesy of YG Entertainment, www.newsen.com and Jas...

JYJ's Xia Junsu is included in the latest issue of KOREA magazine. The article, "K-pop Evolves," lists Korean singers who are ready to ride the new wave of K-pop after Psy. 

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Japan is the second largest music market in the world yet it seems there is lack of concerted efforts to promote Japanese artists and their music in other countries. It has a long roster of talented singers from solo artists Namie Amuro, Ayumi Namasaki and Kumi Koda to bands likes AKB48, Arashi, EXILE and SMAP.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Psy's viral hit "Gangnam Style" has been chosen as one of the best songs of 2012 by Rolling Stone magazine, SPIN magazine, and MTV. Rolling Stone released its 50 Best Songs of 2012 and "Gangnam Style" is at No. 25. (Clockwise from top left) Psy, Carly Rae Jepsen, Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift. (Photos courtesy of American Music Awards/www.amas365.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - MTV has released its Best Band Style of 2012 list and it includes K-pop bands 2NE1 and Big Bang of YG Entertainment. Europeans also voted for their favorite K-pop artists and 2NE1 and Big Bang emerged as the best bands this year. 2NE1 and Big Bang (Photos by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - TIME.com has released its Top 10 Everything of 2012 lists and it picked Korean rapper Psy's "Gangnam Style" as one of the Top 10 Songs and Top 10 Viral Videos of the year. Psy was also chosen by TIME as the No. 1 Fleeting Celebrity. Clockwise from top left) Usher, Psy, Carly Rae Jepsen and Taylor Swift. (Photos courtesy of www.amas365.com, American Music Awards, Dick Clark Productions)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin   MANILA, Philippines - Actor Sean Richard grew up yearning to find and learn about his family heritage. Richard was born to a British father and a Korean mother and grew up in the United States.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP MANILA, Philippines - K-pop's Super Junior and f(x) were honored at the 19th Republic of Korea Entertainment Art Awards. The two were chosen as Best Groups. Donghae and Yesung accepted the award on behalf  of Super Junior while Victoria, Krystal and Amber received the award for f(x). (Clockwise from top left) f(x), Super Junior, Juniel and EXO-K (Photos by SMGlobal on Twitter and www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Big Bang, Psy and Super Junior bagged the major awards at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) held in Hong Kong on Nov. 30. Big Bang won as Artist of the Year while Psy received the Song of the Year award for his global hit "Gangnam Style." (Clockwise from top left) Big Bang, Psy, Super Junior and Adam Lambert