Korea Observer

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin   The top 10 artists and other nominees in the 2013 Melon Music Awards have been revealed. These 10 artists are G-Dragon, EXO, BEAST, SISTAR, Davichi, Dynamic Duo, Busker Busker, SHINee, IU and Ailee. Nominees (clockwise from top left) G-Dragon, SHINee, IU and SISTAR (Photos courtesy of Melon website)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The title track from Kim Jaejoong’s first studio album has topped 10 countries including the Philippines. Jaejoong, member of boy band JYJ, released his album “WWW (Who When Why)” on Oct. 29 which included the title song “Just Another Girl.” JYJ speaking at the event in Vietnam (Photo courtesy of Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The dream of many SS501 fans finally came true when the members of the boy band reunited at a concert. Heo Young-saeng (center) with fellow SS501 members (from left) Park Jung-min, Kim Kyu-jong, Kim Hyung-jun and Kim Hyun Joong. (Courtesy of http://blog.naver.com/qhalclsrn12)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Twelve-member K-pop band EXO won the Best Korea Act in the 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards (MTV EMA), besting fellow Hallyu acts U-KISS, B.A.P, Boyfriend and girl group SISTAR.

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More photos to follow

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Korean boy band Super Junior did not disappoint thousands of fans who went to see them at their concert at the Mall of Asia Arena last Oct. 24.

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.comDon't miss any updates. Subscribe to this blog, add me to your Google+ circle or click the Google Friend Connect on the sidebar

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Heechul and Kangin, members of Super Junior who were discharged from the military this year and in 2012, respectively, will join the boy band’s Manila concert tonight.” Heechul and Kangin (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and Kangin’s Twitter)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop acts Girls’ Generation and Psy bagged nominations in the first-ever YouTube Music Awards. “These video and artist nominations are based on YOUR views, likes, comments and subscriptions over the last 12 months from September 2012,” according to YouTube’s official blog. Girls’ Generation and Psy (Photos courtesy of SMTOWN Facebook page and YG Entertainment)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The main actor in the American version of the Asian dramas “Boys Over Flowers” and “Meteor Garden” said he is secure and he does not feel any pressure playing the lead role. Joseph Almani (Photos courtesy of Mr. Almani)

Hallyu stars Bae Yong Joon and Yoon Eun Hye won the top acting awards at the Korean Entertainment 10th Anniversary Awards in Japan held on Oct. 19 at Makuhari International Exhibition Center in Chiba City.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop stars Sandara Park of 2NE1 and Ailee attended the State Dinner hosted by South Korean President Park Geun-hye for Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on Oct. 17 at the State Guest House of Cheong Wa Dae, or Blue House. Sandara Park and Ailee at the State Dinner (Video grab by Bulletin Entertainment from SBS and RTVM footages)

Wilbros company has announced today that Nichkhun's BENCHSETTER Fun Meet in Manila for BENCH clothing will be held on Nov. 9. Details to follow.  Here's my Manila Bulletin article on Nichkhun's Manila fan meet: http://www.mb.com.ph/2pms-nichkhun-to-visit-manila-in-november/

Dancer-choreographer Aimee Lee Lucas praises EXO and talks about G-Dragon, Taeyang, Park Bom and Uhm Jung Hwa in an interview with Manila Bulletin 

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Pop star Justin Bieber gave K-pop fans a surprise when he kissed 2NE1′s Sandara Park at a party after his concert in Seoul last Oct. 10. Korean American jeweler Ben Baller uploaded on his Chinese microblogging account Weibo a photo of Bieber kissing Sandara. Justin Bieber (left) kissing Sandara Park. On the right is Ben Baller. (Photo courtesy of Ben Baller’s Weibo)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Pop star Justin Bieber held his Believe Tour concert in Seoul last night and surprised the audience when he called Big Bang’s G-Dragon on stage as his guest. Justin Bieber, Psy and G-Dragon in Seoul (Photo courtesy of Scooter Braun’s Instagram)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Cameras will start rolling soon for the American adaptation of the Japanese manga “Hana Yori Dango” and one of the cast members says she is looking forward to be part of the series. Fil-Am actress Jackie Averia (Photo courtesy of “Boys Before Friends” and Averia’s Facebook pages)

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By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin “The Heirs,” the comeback drama of Korean stars Lee Min Ho and Park Shin Hye, premiered last night with mixed results in the ratings. According to TNmS Korea, the SBS drama posted a 9.9 percent rating nationwide in Korea on Oct. 10 to place 13th overall. In Seoul, it garnered a 12 percent rating to rank fifth. Park Shin Hye and Lee Min Ho at “The Heirs” press conference (Photo by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin After her agency announced that she is not renewing her contract, KARA’s Nicole Jung issued a statement that she wants to stay as member of the girl group. Last Friday, DSP Media, KARA’s agency, announced that Nicole had decided not to renew her contract, which will expire in January 2014, and that she would no longer be a part of KARA. Nicole (Photo: www.newsen.com)

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By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin One of the most popular K-pop bands is in crisis now that a member has decided to leave the group. Nicole and Jiyoung (Photo by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Actress Lee Bo Young, who starred in the successful dramas “I Hear Your Voice” and “My Daughter Seo-young,” bagged the daesang, or grand prize, at the 2013 Korea Drama Awards held on Oct. 2 in Jinju City in Gyeongsang, South Korea. Winners (from left) Lee Jung-jin, Lee Jong Suk, Lee Bo Young and Jo Yoon-hee (Photos by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The hosts and performers for the 2013 Asia Song Festival have been announced and one of them is a band from the Philippines. Clockwise from the top) 2PM, MYMP and EXO (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and EXO and MYMP official Facebook pages)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The Korean film “No Breathing” that was partly shot in Davao in the Philippines will be released on Oct. 31. (From left) Seo In Guk, Yuri and Lee Jong Suk at the “No Breathing” press conference. (Photo by www.newsen.com)