Korea Observer

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), led by Secretary Imelda Nicolas, feted the winners of the Migration Advocacy and Media (MAM) Awards held at the SSS Magsaysay Hall of the Social Security System (SSS) headquarters in Quezon City, last Thursday.

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas congratulates the 10 best media works from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Philippines, as this year’s Migration Advocacy and Media (MAM) Awards winners. Now on its fourth year, the MAM Awards, which was conceived in 2011 by the CFO, aim to recognize the significant role of the media in raising public awareness on issues related to Filipino migration, the challenges of migration and development, and advocate the cause and promote a positive image of Filipinos overseas. 1. BEST PRINT AWARD  (ARTICLE) PH, KOREA ACT TO PREVENT SHAM MARRIAGES  Author: Jonathan Hicap Publication: Manila Bulletin Philippines An article about marriage migration and the initiatives made by the Philippine and South Korea governments to end fake interracial marriages.  

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Four-sister Filipino singing group MICA got eliminated on the Korean TV talent search “Superstar K6,” ending their journey as top 8 finalist. In the Oct. 24 episode of “Superstar K6,” MICA, composed of sisters Mylene, Irene, Celina and Almira, performed Seo Taiji and Boys’ debut single “I Know.”

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin  Jiyoung and Nicole, who both left the group KARA early this year, have started solo careers in Japan and Korea, respectively. Jiyoung signed with Sweet Power agency in Japan last August to launch a career as actress. She has already appeared in the live action TV program “Hell Teacher Nube,” which is based on the manga series of the same title. Nicole (left) and Jiyoung (Photos: newsen.com and oricon.co.jp)

Hollywood actress Jessica Alba visited South Korea to attend the 2015 Spring/Summer Seoul Fashion Week. Alba arrived at Incheon International Airport in the early morning of October 21 and attended the Metro City Fashion Show held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a new landmark in Seoul which opened last March. Photos: www.newsen.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin  Lee Byung Hun, the Korean actor who gained international recognition via the films “G.I. Joe” and “Terminator,” publicly apologized to his wife, actress Lee Ming-jung, after his name was dragged into a scandal involving a model and a member of a K-pop group. www.newsen.com

The Korean police raided the offices of the sponsor and organizer of the 1st Pangyo Techno Valley Festival on October 19 as investigation was launched to know their culpability following the concert tragedy. Sixteen people died and 11 were injured when a ventilation grate they were standing on collapsed during the K-pop concert in Gyeonggi Province in South Korea last October 17.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin When Yim Siwan debuted as a member of K-pop boy band ZE:A in 2010, he also jump-started his acting career with some supporting roles in several Korean dramas. He has made a great leap since, scoring his first-ever solo lead role in “Misaeng,” a drama series that started airing on CJ E&M’s tvN on Oct. 17.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin At least 14 people are feared dead when a ventilation grate collapsed during a K-pop concert in Gyeonggi Province, according to Korean media. The Pangyo Techno Valley Festival featuring 4Minute, T-ara, Junggigo, 2BiC, TransFixion and Cherry Filter was ongoing on Friday, Oct. 17, in Bundang, Seongnam City when the accident happened. (Top) 4Minute and (bottom) the ventillation grate that collapsed. (Photos: newse.com and news.tf.co.kr)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Super Junior member Sungmin, 28, has confirmed reports about his impending marriage to musical actress Kim Sa Eun in December. In his letter to fans posted on the official Super Junior website, Sungmin confirmed that the wedding will take place on Dec.13. Super Junior’s Sungmin and Kim Sa Eun (Photos: SBS FunE)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop boy band BTS, or Bangtan Boys, will be heading to Manila for a concert in December. The seven-member K-pop group will be holding their first solo concert “2014 BTS Live Trilogy in Manila Episode II: The Red Bullet” on December 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena, according to Happee Sy of Pulp Live World Productions.

Philippine Airlines is flying to the Big Apple,  New York City , on  March 15, 2015 , marking the carrier's much-awaited network expansion to the  US  east coast. In announcing the  New York  service, PAL Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Dr. Lucio C. Tan said, "This auspicious start of regular flights to  New York  will coincide with PAL's 74th founding anniversary." The four-times-a-week service –  Manila - Vancouver - New York  – will operate at Terminal 1 of New York’s  JFK  International   Airport . PAL will have full traffic rights between  Vancouver  and  New York .

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Twenty-year-old Jean Kiley Manguera has never been to South Korea. Come October, not only will she travel to that country but more importantly, she will represent the Philippines in the 2014 K-pop World Festival in Changwon.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Top agency KeyEast Entertainment has denied that actor and singer Kim Hyun Joong inflicted injuries on his girlfriend, who filed assault charges with the police last week against the star. (Photo: www.newsen.com)

​ BAE MINJU, a Korean businessman in the Philippines, died when his car was being stolen by armed men last July 27, 2014. His wife was kidnapped but later released unharmed, and the family driver was arrested for possible involvement in the crime. This is the ninth documented crime-related death of a Korean national in the Philippines since January of this year. In March, 21-year old college student LEE JI WON was abducted and murdered by suspects that include the taxi driver. It was a brutal and senseless crime that rattled the Korean community in the Philippines.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop artist Alexander Lee Eusebio is content with what he has achieved, three years after leaving U-KISS and launching his solo career. “I’m happy because I got to experience a lot,” Alexander told  Bulletin Entertainment  in an exclusive interview.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin New K-pop girl group Red Velvet, composed of Irene, Seulgi, Joy and Wendy, is gaining buzz with the video for their single “Happiness” making headlines for allegedly containing disturbing images pertaining to the Sept. 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks as with the 1945 bombing of Hiroshima.

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Thousands of outraged fans worldwide have signed a petition demanding organizers of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games to honor its commitment and let popular K-pop boy band JYJ perform during the opening ceremonies on September 19.

K-pop girl group Crayon Pop, whose car engine cylinder-like choreography in their music video became viral last year, became the opening act for pop star Lady Gaga’s concert the US. Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/crayon-pop-opens-for-lady-gagas-us-concert/

K-pop concerts have spread from East Asia and Southeast Asia including the Philippines to other regions in the world in the last four years. Read more at  http://www.mb.com.ph/k-pop-concerts-spread-around-the-world/

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 2NE1′s Manila concert slated tonight at the Mall of Asia Arena falls on the same date as their debut performance five years ago on SBS “Inkigayo.” The group members are thrilled with the coincidence.

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

By JONATHAN HICAP  The world came together to help the victims of super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name “Haiyan”) which devastated many parts of Leyte and Samar, killing 6,300 people, and causing P89.6 billion in damages. A Filipino-Korean, Jasmine Bacurnay-Lee, the first naturalized Korean to get a seat in the National Assembly, immediately worked to persuade South Korea’s National Assembly to pass a resolution to give assistance to the victims. Read more at  http://www.mb.com.ph/jasmine-lee-a-filipino-in-south-koreas-assembly/ To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

K-pop star BoA's debut Hollywood movie "Make Your Move" failed at the box office in the US and South Korea. The dance movie, headlined by BoA and Derek Hough, earned a measly $120,200 in 10 days in the US since its release last April 18, according to Box Office Mojo. Its opening weekend from April 18 to 20 earned $81,172 from 142 theaters or an average of $572. BoA and Derek Hough in "Make Your Move." (Photos: "Make Your Move" Facebook page)

A parade of stars graced the 18th China Music Awards and Asian Influential Power Grand Ceremony held in Macao recently. International stars David Beckham and Ricky Martin were among those present at the show held at Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena last April 23. Read more at  http://www.mb.com.ph/ricky-martin-exo-coco-lee-win-at-18th-china-music-awards/ To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

PRAY FOR SOUTH KOREA "One small movement for a big miracle"

K-pop boy band TVXQ’s new album has sold 252,000 copies in Japan, earning a platinum certification. Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online: http://www.mb.com.ph/tvxqs-new-album-certified-platinum/ To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Fans are outraged after food items sent to South Korea by Polish fans for SHINee’s Jonghyun ended up in the stomachs of writers of a broadcasting station.

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Popular Korean boy band EXO will be making a comeback this month with a single dubbed “Overdose,” a hip-hop and R&B-tinged dance song written by The Underdogs. According to SM Entertainment, this will be followed by the release of a new mini-album.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Korean superstar Lee Min Ho was voted by fans as the No. 1 “Asian male god” in a poll conducted by Chinese news site www.ddyule.com. The actor garnered a total of 10,013,151 votes to top the poll, in which he was also the sole nominee to breach the 10 million votes.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop Girl group T-ara will make its first-ever visit to the Philippines for a concert, as they announced via their official Facebook page. The visit, which is tentatively scheduled around “June-July,” is part of their 2014 tour dubbed the “Kingdom Under Fire 2 Joint Concert.”

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Korean actor Lee Byung Hun, 43, has been cast in the Hollywood film “Terminator: Genesis,” the fifth in the “Terminator” franchise. Lee Byung Hun (Photo by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 2PM’s Nichkhun, 25, and Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany, 24, are now officially a couple, with their respective management, JYP Entertainment and SM Entertainment, confirming the matter in a statement and asking fans for understanding and support. (Top) Nichkhun and Tiffany during the secret date in Gangnam last month; both were emcees at the Korean Wave Music in Bangkok in 2011 (Sports Seoul and MBC)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Korean boy band JYJ and other artists under C-JeS Entertainment have partnered with humanitarian organization World Vision to extend a helping hand to less affluent students of Leyte and Batangas in the Philippines.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Sarah Theresa Stewart, who is representing the City of Muntinlupa in the 2014 Miss Philippines Earth beauty pageant, is focusing on eco-tourism as advocacy. The 20-year-old lass appealed that tourism should not be merely about promoting beautiful sites, food and shopping.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Film director Joss Whedon took to YouTube to address Seoul residents with the principal shooting of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” kicking off on March 30. “We are going to mess it up a bit and inconvenience people for a few days and I apologize for that,” he said in a video post. “I know what’s that like. I live in Los Angeles and it happens to me all the time and it’s not fun. I hope that it will be worth it.” Robert Downey Jr. will play Iron Man in “Avengers 2,” part of which was filmed at Mapo Bridge in Seoul on March 30 (www.newsen.com)

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop quintet 4Minute notched their first TV music chart triumph since making their comeback with their new mini-album “4Minute World,” which contains five tracks including the lead single “Whatcha Doin’ Today.” The girl group performed the title track on SBS “Inkigayo” on March 30, competing with other artists including CNBLUE, Girls’ Generation, 2NE1, Orange Caramel, Boys Republic and JJCC. 4Minute showing their first comeback trophy (Twitter)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Asian pop star Rain, Big Bang’s G-Dragon and former Super Junior member Hangeng are among winners at the recently concluded QQ Music Awards, organized by China’s biggest music streaming site, QQ Music. The awards ceremony, held at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Shenzhen, China, drew popular artists from across Asia including Jay Chou, JJ Lin and Jolin Tsai. (Clockwise from top left) Rain, G-Dragon, Hangeng and Lyn (QQ Music and YG Entertainment)

A scandal is brewing at SM Entertainment but this time it's not one of its artists that is involved. The center of the controversy is none other than Lee Soo Man, the founder of SM Entertainment, the biggest entertainment company in South Korea. Lee Soo Man (www.newsen.com)

Jackie Chan’s K-pop boy band debuts Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The reality TV show “America’s Next Top Model” hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks is filming in South Korea for the program’s upcoming season and among those tapped to appear as guests are K-pop groups 2NE1 and BTOB. 2NE1 in Hong Kong and BTOB with ‘America’s Next Top Model’ judge J. Alexander in Seoul (Facebook page and www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Film star Jackie Chan is now also managing artists, including a K-pop boy band known as JJCC, or Double JC. The boy band just released their first single “At First,” making their debut performance on Korean TV music show “M Countdown.” JJCC and Jackie Chan (www.newsen.com and Jackie Chan’s website)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Korean superstar Lee Min Ho’s return to the country – a visit that lasted three days, from March 21 to 23 – drew an estimated crowd of 10,000 fans to the Smart Araneta Coliseum for a meet and greet organized by clothing brand Bench. Photos: BENCH

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The popularity of Korean dramas has turned the locations where they are shot as tourist attractions. One such place is the cafe where the hit Korean drama “1st Shop of Coffee Prince” was filmed. “1st Shop of Coffee Prince,” which aired in Korea from July to August 2007, starred actress Yoon Eun-hye and actor Gong Yoo.

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Sunye, leader of the Wonder Girls, took to the group’s online fan cafe to announce her plans to move to Haiti with her husband, James Park, in their effort to spread the Gospel to that Caribbean nation. Sunye (right) and her husband James Park (www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Korean superstar Lee Min Ho arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport around noon today.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Seoul, South Korea – Since March last year, Filipino-Korean DJ Maria  Genevie “Gennie” Kim has been giving valuable advice, news and  information to Filipinos in South Korea through her radio program,  ”Philippine Language Multicultural Family Music Radio,” also known as  the “Multicultural Family Broadcast for Filipinos,” which streams via  the internet. DJ Gennie Kim at the radio station (Photos: Gennie Kim and Jonathan Hicap)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Super Junior M, the subunit of Korean boy band Super Junior that consists of Siwon, Donghae, Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, Eunhyuk, Sungmin, Henry and Zhoumi, is making a comeback with a new mini-album dubbed ”Swing” to be released March 21. Super Junior M at Araneta Coliseum last February (Jonathan Hicap)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin It’s been five years since K-pop group 2NE1 debuted with “Fire” in 2009. This year, 2NE1, composed of CL, Bom, Sandara Park and Minzy, is on the comeback trail with their new album “Crush.” 2NE1 (www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Apart from their responsibilities as members of JYJ, the members of the popular boy band have pursued individual activities ranging from films, TV series, theatrical roles and solo albums. In an interview with  Bulletin Entertainment , JYJ’s Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu shared some of their solo pursuits. (Clockwise from top left) Yoochun in ‘Three Days;’ Jaejoong and Junsu performing at their solo concerts (SBS and C-JeS Entertainment)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Popular K-pop boy band JYJ will be quite busy this year with a ramped up list of activities they have lined up. “Finally, we will bring you a new JYJ album in the second half of this year and, of course, there will be tours for concerts,” JYJ told  Bulletin Entertainment. JYJ (Photo by C-JeS Entertainment)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Bucheon, South Korea – Filipina Sunshine Estores landed her very first acting part as a troubled expat in the hit Korean drama “Melody of Love,” during her first audition ever, October last year. Sunshine considers it a great blessing, especially since the last few years have been quite a struggle for her and her Korean husband, Kim Dong Seop. Sunshine Estores

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Seoul, South Korea – Korean music TV shows showcasing the most popular K-pop singers continue to draw local and international fans. Bulletin Entertainment  witnessed how these fans would even brave the coldest of weathers to see their idols in person.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Ku Hye Sun, the popular female lead of “Boys Over Flowers,” and Big Bang’s Seungri will be working together on a new drama series dubbed “Angel Eyes,” which will start airing in April on Korean TV channel SBS. This will be the 29-year-old Sun’s new drama in two years. She last starred in “Take Care of Us, Captain,” in 2012. ‘Angel Eyes’ star (clockwise from left) Ku Hye Sun, Lee Sang-yoon and Big Bang’s Seungri (www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Forbes Korea magazine has released its annual “Korea Celebrity 40″ list, which ranked the country’s most influential and popular celebrities according to product sales, media exposure, broadcasting activities and professionalism. (Clockwise from top left) Girls’ Generation, Big Bang, EXO and miss A’s Suzy (Facebook, www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Another Super Junior member will be enlisting in the Korean military this year. Shindong, 28, has been notified by Korea’s Military Manpower Administration (MMA) to enlist on March 31. Shindong (www.newsen.com)