Korea Observer

MANILA, Philippines - Four continents, 12 countries, 48 shows and 800,000 fans in attendance. Korean boy band Big Bang held their "ALIVE Galaxy Tour: The Final" last Jan. 25 to 27 at the Olympics Gymnastics Hall in Seoul, South Korea as finale to their successful world tour. Some of the Korean stars who were seen in the audience included 2NE1, Se7en, Girls' Generation and EXO. Big Bang at their final concert in Seoul. (Photos courtesy of YG Entertainment)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - The Japan concerts of Korean boy bands Big Bang and 2PM were selected as one of the best of 2012 by the Oricon music chart. Oricon's editor-in-chief recently published a list of the best 11 concerts in Japan which included the boy band's performances. 2PM (top) and Big Bang performing at their concerts in Fukuoka (Photos courtesy of JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) has announced the winners of The Japan Gold Disc Award 2013 and seven K-pop artists made it to the list. Established in 1987, The Japan Gold Disc Award recognizes the bestselling artists in Japan based on music sales and downloads. (Clockwise from left) Winners Jang Geun-suk, KARA, Big Bang and Girls' Generation. (Photos by www.newsen.com)

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...

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 - 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

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Members of Korean boy band Big Bang have left a big mark on the hearts of Pinoy fans after their successful concert at the Mall of Asia Arena last Oct. 24. Despite that a typhoon was threatening to ruin the big day, the arena was full and the deafening screams filled the concert venue from start to encore.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - 2NE1's Sandara Park is in the Philippines and she's busy acting as tour guide to fellow YG Entertainment artist Big Bang. Sandara reportedly arrived in the country last Oct. 22. She and the and Big Bang members reportedly went to Tagaytay yesterday, a source said. It's more fun in the Philippines. (Left) Big Bang's G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung enjoy a swim at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel while Sandara Park (right) makes a pose at Greenhills Shopping Center. (Photos courtesy of G-Dragon's Instagram and Sandara's Twitter)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - As members of boy band Big Bang make the most of their stay in the Philippines in the next few days, 2NE1's Sandara Park tells them to have "good memories" and offers to help them if they need anything. Sandara, of course, knows more about the Philippines, having lived here for many years before going back to Korea to become a member of 2NE1. Big Bang members G-Dragon, Daesung and TOP arriving at their hotel in Mandaluyong from the airport where fans (bottom) waited to welcome them. (Screen grab by Bulletin Entertainment and photo courtesy of Big Bang VIP Philippines)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Members of Korean boy band Big Bang arrived in Manila this afternoon for their concert slated on Oct. 24. The band arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 at around 3:30 PM and Filipino VIPs (the collective name of Big Bang fans) were there at the airport since morning to wait for the arrival of the group. Guards were deployed to secure the arrival area.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Who will be crowned Korea's style icon this year? From K-pop stars to sports figures, the nominees for the Style Icon Awards 2012 are a mix of the most popular celebrities in Korea. Billed as a search for the "Most Stylish Icons that Brightened 2012," the Style Icon Awards will culminate in an awarding ceremony on Oct. 25. Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and YG Entertainment

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean boy band Big Bang member Seungri has become involved in another controversy with Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily publishing photos and video of what appear to be intimate moments between him and Japanese model and actress Anna Kubo in Hong Kong.  (Videos after the cut) ( Left) Seungri and Ann Kubo having an intimate moment in Hong Kong. (Top and bottom right) Seungri's photos published in FRIDAY magazine in Japan. (Photos courtesy of appledaily.com.hk and FRIDAY magazine)

My K-pop article "K-Pop Groups Make It To Oricon 2012 Rankings"  published in the Manila Bulletin issue today, June 26, 2012. 

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Several K-pop groups made it to the list of bestselling artists in Japan for the first half of 2012. Oricon chart has released the list of top 50 singles, albums and DVDs from January to June. Photos from www.newsen.com and Facebook pages of Big Bang & Super Junior

http://www. mb . com . ph /articles/361299/spins-spin-21-greatest-kpop-songs-of-all-time

By JONATHAN M. HICAP MANILA, Philippines - Mark the date: October 24 . K-pop boy band Big Bang announced on May 31 that they will hold their Alive Concert Tour in the Philippines on October 24. Big Bang (Photo by Big Bang Facebook page)

Korean boy band Big Bang released the music video for their song "Monster."  Watch and enjoy: 

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean boy band Big Bang will release a special edition album while holding their world concert tour. The album will be called "Still Alive," and will be released in six versions online on June 3. The physical album will be released on June 6.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Rolling Stone website has picked 10 K-pop groups including 2NE1, Big Bang and Girls Generation that have the potential to break into the US music scene. The website noted that while K-pop artists BoA and Se7en failed in their American debuts in the past, "K-pop has garnered a strong following without the help of any major American backing." (Clockwise from top left) SHINee, BEAST, 2NE1 and SISTAR. (Photos by www. newsen . com )

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines - It's confirmed! K orean boy band Big Bang will hold their "Big Bang Alive Tour" concert in the Philippines this year. A post on Big Bang's official Facebook account and on YG Entertainment's Twitter account proclaimed,  "BIG BANG ALIVE WORLD TOUR 2012 in MALAYSIA and PHILIPPINES confirmed!"