Korea Observer

Remaining CNBLUE members renew contract, to release new album this year : The remaining three members of K-pop band CNBLUE have renewed their contract with their agency and will release an album this year. Agency FNC Entertainment announced that it signed new contracts with CNBLUE’s Jung Yong-hwa, Kang Min-hyuk and Lee Jung-shin. “We will do our best to provide the best support […]

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 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 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 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 Korean rapper Psy and boy band EXO bagged the most-prized trophies at the 28th Golden Disk Awards held on Jan. 16 at the Kyunghee University’s Grand Peace Palace. Psy took home the Digital Daesang, or Song of the Year, for “Gentleman,” his follow-up track to his viral hit “Gangnam Style.” (Clockwise from top left) Psy with SHINee’s Minho, EXO, BEAST, SHINee and Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon and Tiffany. (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com, isplus.joins.com and No Cut News)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Actress Lee Bo Young bagged the Daesang, or Grand Prize, at the 2013 SBS Drama Awards for her role in the hit drama “I Hear Your Voice.” The awards recognized stars who appeared on SBS projects for the year. Besides winning the Daesang, Lee Bo Young also took home the Producers’ Award and Top 10 Stars Award. 2013 SBS Drama Awards winners (from top left) Lee Bo Young, Jo In-sung, Lee Min Ho, Park Shin Hye, Lee Jong Suk and Kang Min-hyuk (Photos by www.newsen.com and SBS)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Boy band EXO and SHINee’s Choi Minho became the most searched K-pop group and Korean personality in the Philippines in 2013, respectively. Google Philippines released its annual year-end Zeitgeist, a collection of the top search queries by Filipinos on google.com.ph. (Clockwise from top left) SHINee's Minho, EXO, Jang Geun Suk, Girls' Generation, Yoo In Na and SHINee. (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and EXO's Facebook page)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The government of South Korea will be donating $5 million (about P219 million) worth of humanitarian assistance to the victims and families affected by Typhoon “Yolanda” in the Philippines. K-pop fan clubs, on the other hand, are helping in the relief efforts through donation drives and volunteering. Fans of (from the top) Girls’ Generation, CNBLUE, 2PM, DBSK and others are helping in providing assistance to the victims of Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in the Philippines (Photos from Facebook pages of Girls’ Generation, CNBLUE and 2PM, and www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Kim Hyun Joong and girl group KARA claimed the top spots on the latest Billboard charts while other K-pop artists are also enjoying chart success in Japan.   According to the latest Billboard charts, Kim Hyun Joong's third mini-album "Round 3" debuted at No. 1 on the World Albums chart. Photos: www.newsen.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Girls' Generation dominated albums sales in Korea while rappers Psy and Baechigi led in digital rankings for the first half of 2013. Gaon Chart, Korea's version of Billboard, has released the rankings for January to June 2013 of album sales, digital singles and online downloads. (Clockwise from the top) Girls' Generation, Psy and Baechigi (Photos by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Back in February, indie band Crying Nut filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against pop rock band CNBLUE and its agency, FNC Entertainment, for using one of its songs on a TV show and DVD without permission. Now, FNC Entertainment has asked a Korean court to order indie band Crying Nut to delete posts on the latter's website pertaining to the lawsuit. CNBLUE in Manila (Photo courtesy of CNBLUE's Facebook page)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin If there's one thing that endeared Korean boy band CNBLUE more to their fans during their "Blue Moon: 2013 CNBLUE World Tour" in Manila concert on June 15, it was their effort to connect to the audience by speaking in Filipino and English. From "Masaya ba kayo? (Are you happy?)," "Sabay-sabay (All together now)," "Kantahin (kantahan) natin siya (Let's sing for him (Yonghwa))," "Nagugutom na ako (I'm hungry)" to "I love you Philippines," "Make some noise," CNBLUE made sure that the fans who went to the concert at Araneta Coliseum would have fun and could relate to what they were saying.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin If given the chance to visit a place in the Philippines besides Manila, K-pop rock band CNBLUE said they want to visit Cebu, which has become a popular destination for Korean tourists and celebrities. "Cebu [for] fishing," said 21-year-old Jungshin.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Korean pop rock band CNBLUE arrived in Manila this morning, a day before their scheduled concert on Saturday. CNBLUE landed at around 11:10 a.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Terminal 1 via Asiana Airlines flight OZ 701 from Seoul, South Korea. Photo from CNBLUE Philippines Facebook page

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Korean pop rock band CNBLUE will be holding their first ever concert in the Philippines. The 2013 CNBLUE Blue Moon World Tour in Manila will be held on June 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Boy band CNBlue will be having their first Manila concert on June 15 at the Araneta Coliseum.  The promoter has released the ticket prices to the concert.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA,  Philippines - Korean star Park Shin Hye held her first fan meeting in Manila last March 16 and surprised everyone when she sang the Filipino song "Kailan" by MYMP. The popular actress sang, danced and played games with fans as she kicked off her six-country Kiss of Angel Asia Tour in the Philippines.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines--Popular Korean actress Park Shin Hye looked beautiful, radiant and elegant as she entered the Ruby Room inside the Manila Diamond Hotel at the presscon for her Asia Tour "Kiss of Angel in Manila" fan meeting scheduled on March 16 at the Aliw Theater. Award-winning Korean actress Park Shin Hye answers questions at her presscon.  Kring Elizano emceed the event. (Photos by Jonathan Hicap)