Korea Observer

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 A much-awaited K-pop concert in Singapore that would have featured acts like EXO, SHINee and KARA was cancelled by the organizer due to “contractual obligations” to a Korean broadcasting company. Fans are angry and scrambling to get ticket refunds after Fatfish Entertainment announced that the “MBC Korean Wave In Singapore 2013″ concert would not push through. Teen Top, B1A4 and miss A at the press conference in Singapore for the concert last August (Photos from the MBC Korean Music Wave in Singapore 2013 Facebook page)

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

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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)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean boy band Super Junior won the Disk Daesang, or album of the year, on the first day of the 27th Golden Disk Awards held on Jan. 15 at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Super Junior won the grand prize for their sixth album "Sexy, Free & Single." The award was based on album sales and ratings from judges. Super Junior (top) and FNC Entertainment artists FT Island, CN Blue and Juniel (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and CNBlue_4 on Twitter)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Boy bands Super Junior, SHINee and FT Island held their various concerts over the weekend in Korea, Japan and Taiwan. After touring seven countries, Super Junior ended their Super Show 4 world tour on May 26 and 27 with encore concerts at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul. FT Island, Super Junior and SHINee. (Photos courtesy of their Facebook pages)