Korea Observer

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 Korean boy band Infinite fulfilled their pledge of making lasting memories with their Filipino fans upon their arrival on Nov. 2 when they held their concert “2013 Infinite 1st World Tour: One Great Step” at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday. Sungkyu, Hoya, Dongwoo, L, Woohyun, Sungyeol and Sungjong headline the concert that ran for almost three hours, showcasing their vocal talents and impressive dance routines. “I missed you so much,” Hoya told the fans at the concert. Infinite opened the concert with “Destiny,” the group’s latest single that won them awards on music TV shows in Korea. They followed this with “Tic Toc” and “Paradise” from their first studio album and its repackaged version released in 2011. Other songs performed were “Wings,” “Inception,” “She’s Back,” “Man in Love,” “The Chaser,” “Nothing’s Over,” “Cover Girl” and “BTD.” Infinite H’s Hoya and Dongwoo performed “Special Girl” while Sungyeol and Sungjong s...

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin When Korean boy band Infinite visited and performed in the Philippines for the first time last January, they said they were deeply moved by the response of Filipino fans.  

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop boy band Infinite will be holding their world tour in the Philippines in November. Woollim Entertainment, the band’s agency, announced the tour on the Infinite website this morning.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop diva Lee Hyori, 2NE1's CL and bands SHINee and Infinite were among the winners at Mnet's 2013 20's Choice Awards held July 18 at the Korea International Exhibition Center in Ilsan. This is the seventh year of the awards and the ceremony was hosted by Shinhwa's Minwoo and Jun Jin and Kim Seul-gie. (Clockwise from top left) Miss A's Suzy, Shinhwa, Infinite, SHINee and 2NE1's CL. (Photos by 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)

Infinite answers questions from fans:  Email me at sangchusan(at)gmail.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean boy band CN Blue debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's World Albums chart with their new album "Re:BLUE." "Re:BLUE" is the band's fourth mini-album and contains six tracks including the title song "I'm Sorry," "Coffee Shop" and "Where You Are." This is the first time that CN Blue has topped the chart. Infinite H, a subunit of boy band Infinite, also debuted on the chart, placing at No. 8 with their first album "Fly High" while Girls' Generation's "I Got A Boy" is at No. 10.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Jane was early at the Mall of Asia concert grounds last Jan. 19. She was excited that she would finally see her favorite K-pop group, Girls' Generation. (Clockwise from left) Infinite's Hoya, Girls' Generation, EXO and U-Kiss (Photos courtesy of StarN http://star.fnnews.com)

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)

Everyone's excited for the forthcoming Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert that will be held on Jan. 19, 2013 at the Mall of Asia Open Grounds in the Philippines.  The concert will feature Girls Generation, INFINITE, UKISS, EXO, Tasty and Tahiti. Here are their messages for Filipino fans about the concert: 

Several K-pop singers have been nominated in the Billboard Japan Music Awards 2012. Nominated for the Top Pop Artist 2012 category are Girls' Generation, KARA, Super Junior, CNBlue,  TVXQ and Jang Geun Suk along with EXILE, AKB48, SKE48, SMAP, Hey! Say! JUMP, Carly Rae Jepsen, NYC, NMB48, Rihanna,  Kis-My-Ft2  and Mr. Children among others. Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Fans can expect a lot more when the Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert is held in the Philippines in January next year, especially that meet-and-greet events will be held. This will be the first time that a K-pop concert in the Philippines will feature six K-pop idol groups. Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and SM Entertainment

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines – Indie band Jang Kiha and the Faces swept the 9th Korean Music Awards, winning four awards including Album of the Year. Held on Feb. 29, the Korean Music Awards recognized the musical talent of Korean singers rather than their popularity or album sales. IU, 2NE1 and Infinite (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines – Three K-pop fans, one from Singapore and two from the Philippines, won in a K-pop sing and dance contest held by Korean TV channel KBS World in Seoul, South Korea to celebrate its eighth anniversary on July 1.