Korea Observer

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 swept the Korean music charts following the release of their new album “Crush” last night. The single “Come Back Home” landed at No. 1 on several Korean real-time charts to achieve “all-kill” status.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Top Korean actress Choi Ji Woo, credited for popularizing hallyu (Korean Wave) in Japan, the Philippines and other parts of Asia through her dramas, “Winter Sonata (2002)” and “Stairway To Heaven (2003),” has signed an exclusive contract with YG Entertainment. She joins the agency’s huge stable of talents that includes actors Cha Seung Won, Im Ye Jin, Jang Hyun Sung, Jeong Hye Young, Ku Hye Sun and Yoo In Na. Korean actress Choi Ji Woo (www.newsen.com)

Girls’ Generation made another successful comeback with the release of their new mini-album “Mr.Mr.” last Feb. 24. The album, which contains six songs, including, “Mr.Mr.,” “Goodbye,” “Europa,” “Wait A Minute,” “Back Hug” and “Soul,” quickly rose to the top of several Korean music charts on its way to achieving “all-kill” status.

Here's the complete list of nominees in the 2014 Kids' Choice Awards (KCA) including the Favorite Asian Act: Favorite TV Show The Big Bang Theory Good Luck Charlie Jessie Sam & Cat Favorite Reality Show America's Got Talent American Idol The Voice Wipeout

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Marvel Studios has announced that key elements in the superhero sequel “Avengers: Age of Ultron” will be filmed in Seoul, South Korea. It said the filming of the “Avengers” sequel will create jobs for local extras, crews and vendors that is expected to benefit the Korean film industry. ‘Avengers’ poster (Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios)

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

Korean Learning Institutes and Websites <On-site Korean Learning Institutes> I.       Metro Manila 1.      Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines -           Location: 2F Mancor Corporate Center, 32 nd St. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634 -           Tel: (02) 555-1711 -           E-mail: info@koreanculture.ph . 2.      UP Department of Linguistics, UP Diliman -      Location: Faculty center RM. 2110, UP Diliman, Quezon City 1101 -      Tel: (02) 926-9887 -      E-mail: lingg@kssp.upd.edu.ph -      Website: http://linguistics.upd.edu.ph Source: http://www.korean.go.kr/

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin YG Entertainment has postponed the release of 2NE1′s second studio album “Crush” to coincide with the birthday of group member CL on Feb. 26. “We have urgently postponed 2NE1′s 2nd album release date from the original schedule of 12am on February 24th to 12am on February 26th. The offline album will be released on March 7th as planned,” YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun Suk said.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin/TEMPO  Manila, Philippines – The Muntinlupa City Council passed a resolution yesterday honoring and giving P100,000 incentive to Olympian Michael Christian Martinez.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin JYJ and their former Japanese label AVEX have reached an agreement effectively ending their legal battle concerning the Korean boy band’s music activities in Japan. In an announcement posted on its website, C-Jes Entertainment, JYJ’s agency in South Korea, said the two sides have reached the settlement through mediation. (From left) JYJ’s Junsu Jaejoong and Yoochun (www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin A new director has been appointed as head of Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines following the end of the tour of duty of Director Hwang Seong-un. Oh Choong Suk arrived in Manila last week to assume his new post as Counsellor for Culture and Public Relations at the Korean Embassy in Manila and head of KCC Philippines. Counsellor Oh Choong Suk is the new head of the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Fans of Korean superstar Lee Min Ho would do well to get ready come March when their idol visits the country for the third time. Filipino clothing brand, Bench, announced the singer-actor’s visit via Twitter on Feb. 14, posting, “IT’S OFFICIAL! @ActorLeeMinHo is coming back to Manila on March!” Lee Min Ho (www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 2NE1, CNBLUE and Girls’ Generation are going head to head this month, with each group releasing separate albums on Feb. 24. SM Entertainment was the first to lay claim on the date, when it announced the release the new album of Girls’ Generation titled “Mr.Mr.” (From the top) 2NE1, CNBLUE and Girls’ Generation (YG Entertainment, FNC, SM Entertainment)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Twelve artists who topped Korea’s premier music chart in 2013 were recognized at the 3rd Gaon Chart K-pop Awards held on Feb. 12 at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul, with each getting a Song of the Year award for their respective hits. (Clockwise from top left) SISTAR, EXO, Cho Yong Pil, 4Minute, IU and Girls’ Generation. (www.newsen.com)

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

Top K-pop act Girls’ Generation will be making their much-awaited comeback this month with a new mini-album.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop groups f(x) and EXO were honored at the 20th Republic of Korea Entertainment Arts Awards held at the Seongnam Arts Center Opera House. The two bagged the Best Group awards. F(x)’s Krystal accepted the award while all EXO members were in attendance. (Clockwise from top left) F(x)’s Krystal, EXO, Jung Won and Boys Republic (Photos by www.newsen.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 The recent release of the animated feature film “The Nut Job” in North America highlights the growing South Korean film industry.

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 Six K-pop boy bands in one concert proved to be an overwhelming experience for Filipino fans. The Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert 2 held last February 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum showcased some of the best K-pop acts. A-Jax with KARA Seungyeon (All photos by Jonathan Hicap)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Organizers of the 11th Korean Music Awards released the list of nominees for this year and non-mainstream artists dominated the different categories. The Korean Music Awards recognizes talent than popularity or album sales, paving way for independent singers to be acknowledged. (Clockwise from top) SHINee, EXO, f(x) and G-Dragon (Photos from official Facebook pages of SHINee, EXO, f(x) and G-Dragon)

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 Korean boy band Block B visited Manila for the second time last Feb. 1, and they were profuse in thanking Filipino fans for the support they have afforded them. In a press conference held the same day at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, band member Jaehyo shared, “We saw a lot of fans waiting at the airport. Filipino fans are very passionate and loving.” Block B at the ‘DKFC 2′ press conference (Photo by Jonathan M. Hicap)

First time Manila visitors K-pop boy band A-Jax said that if they were given a chance to take a vacation, they would want to come back to the Philippines. In a one-on-one interview with  Bulletin Entertainment , A-Jax said, “We heard that Boracay is a good tourist spot. We are looking forward to see the beach. We also want to visit Laguna and enjoy the hot springs.” A-Jax (Photo by Jonathan Hicap)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin New hip-hop boy band GOT7′s debut album has topped Billboard’s World Albums chart, less than two weeks after it was released.