Korea Observer

By JONATHAN M. HICAP  Super Junior’s Siwon has invited Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines to be his guest on the boy band’s next concert after learning that she’s his fan.

Leeteuk congratulates Miss U Pia Wurtzbach | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Did Oh My Girl ‘lie’ in attempt to enter US? | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Bang a drum | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Most mentioned on Instagram in 2015 | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

JYJ law passed by Korea’s National Assembly | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Big Bang, EXO top 2015 Mnet Asian Music Awards | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

‘Gangnam Style’ made Psy dislike music | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Koreans pick top 10 TV programs | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Jay Park slams report seemingly linking him to illegal drugs | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Korean student who covered Adele appears on ‘Ellen’ | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

2NE1 on comeback path? | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

EXO coming to Manila | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

CONCERT REVIEW: Infinite enthralls Manila in ‘best concert ever’ | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

F(x) tops Billboard chart | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Pinoy group Se-Eon wins 3rd place in K-pop Festival | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Stars, icons honored at Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards | mb.com.ph | Philippine News 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

Best hallyu contents in 20 years | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

K-pop tunes included in magazine’s ‘50 Greatest Boy Band Songs of All Time’ | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

By JONATHAN HICAP Seoul, South Korea – The first broadcasting theme park in South Korea is now open and it will let you interact with your favorite K-pop stars, actors and actresses in a virtual setting.

Seoul Girls Collection Manila-bound in November | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Seoul steps up tourism efforts after MERS outbreakat | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

‘Running Man’ star Haha thanks Pinoy fans | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

miss A’s Suzy coming to PH | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Yoona, Lee Seunggi break up | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

A memorable Big Bang night ‘MADE’ in Manila | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Kim Woo Bin, Shin Min Ah admit to relationship | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Taecyeon meets fans in Hong Kong | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Lee Min Ho, Moon Chae-won to receive top awards at BiFan | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Girls’ Generation’s ‘Party’ tops charts, earns 6M views on YouTube | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

UP student wins 2015 Korean Speech Contest | mb.com.ph | Philippine News 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

2015 Pop Quiz Korea contest set | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Kahayag Dance Company wins grand prize at World Cultural Dance Festival in Korea | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke invade Seoul sans Lee Byung Hyun for ‘Terminator Genisys’ | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Korean actors, directors, animator invited as Oscars Academy members | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Confirmed: Wonder Girls to make a comeback | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Report: Sulli leaves f(x) to pursue acting career | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

K-pop star Kim Hyun Joong deployed at South Korea-North Korea border | mb.com.ph | Philippine News 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

The most influential K-pop stars on Instagram | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

KCC launches ‘Old & New’ art exhibit | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Park Han-byul visits Cebu | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Pinoy K-pop fan apologizes for online bomb threat | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Lee Min Ho confirmed to star in action-comedy film | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

EXO sells over a million copies of new album | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

MERS spook Korean entertainment industry | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Pop star and actor Kris Wu, former member of K-pop boy band EXO, has scored another coup by gracing the cover of Vogue China magazine with model and reality TV star Kendall Jenner. Photo: Vogue China

Korean stars Won Bin, Lee Na-young marry | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

2PM’s Nichkhun, Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany split up | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Korean TV channel’s docu puts spotlight on Kopino issue | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

By JONATHAN HICAP  Korean actor Song Joong-ki was discharged from the army on May 26 after serving 21 months on active duty. The 29-year-old star, who rose to fame via the Korean drama “Sungkyunkwan Scandal” in 2010, stepped out of a military camp in Gangwon Province in South Korea at about 8 a.m. and was greeted by fans and media. Photos by www.newsen.com

By JONATHAN HICAP  Actress Chloë Moretz has wrapped up her Seoul visit, which included appearances on the Korean reality TV show “We Got Married” and on “SNL Korea.” Moretz arrived in South Korea last May 19 together with her brother Trevor and mom Teri. While there, they were able to experience Korean culture including wearing the traditional dress “hanbok.” (Clockwise from left) Chloë Moretz in Seoul with brother Trevor and with Korean-American singer Eric Nam (Photos from Moretz and Nam’s Instagram accounts)

By JONATHAN HICAP  The 26-year-old Korean singer Jung Joon-young, who finished in the top 3 of the talent show “Superstar K4,” has posted “wonderful photos” of the Philippines on his blog. Jung Joon-young in Batangas and at Bonifacio Global City (Photos courtesy of Jung Joon-young’s blog)

By JONATHAN HICAP  Korean actor Lee Je-hoon visited the Philippines to meet children and families who were affected by typhoons and participate in the reconstruction of a mangrove project in Cebu. Lee Je-hoon went to the country as part of the “Love Challenge” project by OXFAM Korea and Korean TV channel MBC, a global sharing initiative which seeks to generate donations for projects covering disasters, water, hygiene, food and women. Photos courtesy of SARAM Entertainment

2PM to make comeback in mid-June | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

WATCH: Koreans rate Pinoy celebrities | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Bae Yong Joon, Park Soo Jin to marry | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Korean stars donate to Nepal earthquake relief funds | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Red Velvet’s manager caught on video cursing at fans; agency apologizes | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

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BTS wins first TV music show trophy | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines 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  A sea of red light sticks swamped the Mall of Asia Arena last Saturday as K-pop boy band VIXX held their first-ever concert here titled “VIXX Live Fantasia in Manila Utopia.”

EXCLUSIVE: BEAST’s Doojoon on ‘Let’s Eat,’ his favorite dishes | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines 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

Big Bang 2015 World Tour in Manila set on July 30 | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

U-KISS share deep bond with Pinoy fans | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

‘Gangnam Style’ still rules YouTube with 2.3 Billion views | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

K-pop icon search ‘KISPinoy‘ launched with U-KISS, Laboum | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, Manila Bulletin Filipinos who aspire to become K-pop stars now have the chance to do so through reality-based talent search “KISPinoy” or “K-pop Icon Search” launched on April 22. Gracing the presscon held at K-Pub BBQ in Taguig were K-pop stars U-KISS and Laboum and award-winning Korean actress Seo Young-hee, as well as judges Rico Blanco and Nicole Asensio. Show hosts Richard Gutierrez and Jinri Park, “KISPinoy” founder and producer Matthew Choi, composer Won Sangwoo from NH Media, president Yu Jeonghoon of YU&IQ Entertainment in Korea, and Wilma Galvante, TV5 entertainment division head, also attended the event. “KISPinoy” is open to Filipinos who are at least 13 years old on audition date. It is said to be the biggest K-pop talent search in the country and it will air weekly on TV5 starting June 27. There will be a Korean judge on the show every week. The champion and possibly one of the top 10 finalists will win a multi-million peso record...

Recent Manila visitor Epik High loves Pinoy fans | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Girls’ Generation’s Yuri dating baseball star | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Bill filed to help Korean celebrities banned on TV | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Amazing K-Pop night | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

CL places second in TIME 100 Reader’s Poll | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

2NE1’s Dara to star in another web drama | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Big Bang’s new world tour brings then back to Manila | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

K-pop ballad queen Baek Ji Young excited to perform for Pinoy fans | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

K-pop ballad queen Baek Ji Young excited to perform for Pinoy fans | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

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Red Velvet wins first music award, enters Billboard | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines 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

2NE1’s CL leads 2015 TIME 100 Reader’s Poll | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

‘Jewel in the Palace’ star Lee Young-ae returns to acting after 10 years | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Shindong joins army today, Kim Hyun Joong delays enlistment | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Lee Min Ho, Miss A’s Suzy confirmed to be dating | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Committee formed to probe Korean drama kissing scene | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

FT Island, Miss A set for comeback with new albums | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines 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 Dara is excited over her web drama “Dr. Ian” announced to air on March 29. She took to Twitter to update her fans about it, posting, “My first drama! Dr. Ian Coming to you on March 29th.”

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Gallup Korea has released the result of a survey that determines the most liked personalities by Koreans in celebration of its 40th anniversary. The survey asked 1,700 respondents aged 13 years old and above who their favorite celebrities, film stars, singers, athletes, comedians and presidents are. (Clockwise from top left) Actor Kim Soo Hyun, singer Cho Yong Pil, comedian Yoo Jae Suk, athlete Kim Yuna and film actor Choi Min Sik (Photos: www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop stars descended on the famous Gangnam area in Seoul for the opening ceremony of K-Star Road, home to various entertainment agencies, shops, restaurants and attractions. The K-Star Road is a kilometer stretch in Cheongdam and Apgujeong in Gangnam that features giant toys that carry the names of K-pop groups such as Girls’ Generation, 2PM, FT Island, CNBLUE, SHINee and Super Junior.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The agency of ZEST wants police investigation to immediately happen so they can prove their innocence in the rape complaint filed by a woman against a member of the rookie boy band. Last March 5, a woman in her 20s filed a rape complaint with the Gangnam police against a ZEST member.

Kai falls into lift hatch in Seoul concert | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines 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  Super Junior-D&E composed of Donghae and Eunhyuk, have released their first studio album titled “The Beat Goes On.” Digital copies of the album were released online last March 6. The physical copy was released on March 9.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin EXO’s Kai was injured when he fell into a lift hatch during a recent concert that formed part of their “EXOPLANET #2: The EXO’luXion,” tour launched March 7 at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena. The incident was caught on a video posted by a fan on YouTube.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop idol groups Super Junior, Girls’ Generation and Red Velvet will be coming to Manila in April for a concert. Dubbed “Best of Best in Manila,” the concert will be held on April 12 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

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

Malaysian authorities are investigating the fan meeting of K-pop boy band B1A4 in Kuala Lumpur last Jan. 10 after a video showed the boys hugging and kissing Muslim fans on the forehead on stage in violation of Islamic code of conduct. Read more at  http://www.mb.com.ph/b1a4s-malaysia-fan-meeting-being-investigated-for-inappropriate-behavior/ To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The continuing popularity of Hallyu, or Korean Wave as evidenced in the proliferation of Korean dramas and K-pop music across the globe have led to South Korea being among most favored destinations of 2014.

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