Korea Observer

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin  Jiyoung and Nicole, who both left the group KARA early this year, have started solo careers in Japan and Korea, respectively. Jiyoung signed with Sweet Power agency in Japan last August to launch a career as actress. She has already appeared in the live action TV program “Hell Teacher Nube,” which is based on the manga series of the same title. Nicole (left) and Jiyoung (Photos: newsen.com and oricon.co.jp)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Six K-pop boy bands in one concert proved to be an overwhelming experience for Filipino fans. The Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert 2 held last February 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum showcased some of the best K-pop acts. A-Jax with KARA Seungyeon (All photos by Jonathan Hicap)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin KARA’S Seungyeon will be in Manila this weekend as a special guest at the MBC Music’s “Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert 2″ to be held on Feb. 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. “She will be here to support A-Jax,” a representative of the organizers told  Bulletin Entertainment . KARA’s Seungyeon (left) will be a special guest at the Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert 2 in Manila on Feb. 2 (www.newsen.com and All Access Productions)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Korean girl group KARA will be left with only three members with the departure of Nicole and Jiyoung. Nicole officially left KARA today with the expiration of her exclusive contract under DSP Media, the group’s agency. Nicole (left) and Jiyoung (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com)

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)

Hallyu stars Bae Yong Joon and Yoon Eun Hye won the top acting awards at the Korean Entertainment 10th Anniversary Awards in Japan held on Oct. 19 at Makuhari International Exhibition Center in Chiba City.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin After her agency announced that she is not renewing her contract, KARA’s Nicole Jung issued a statement that she wants to stay as member of the girl group. Last Friday, DSP Media, KARA’s agency, announced that Nicole had decided not to renew her contract, which will expire in January 2014, and that she would no longer be a part of KARA. Nicole (Photo: www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin One of the most popular K-pop bands is in crisis now that a member has decided to leave the group. Nicole and Jiyoung (Photo by 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 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)

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

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

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin   MANILA, Philippines - Pop superstar Justin Bieber, K-pop stars Jay Park and KARA, and Malaysian singer Mizz Nina will headline the MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2012, which will be held on July 14.

Watch the entire MBC K-pop Concert held in Mountainview, California. 

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Japan is now the biggest music market in the world in terms of value of singles, CDs and DVDs sold. The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) issued its yearbook "Statistics Trends: The Recording Industry in Japan 2012," which showed that Japan has overtaken the United States in music sales in 2010. KARA and Girls Generation (Photos by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines – The list of nominees for the MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2012 is out and six K-pop groups are included. 2NE1, KARA, Girls Generation, 2PM, CNBlue and SHINee got nominated along with music heavyweights like Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Bruno Mars. (Clockwise from top left) KARA, Girls Generation, SHINee &2NE1 (www.newsen.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines – K-pop group Girls Generation topped Forbes Korea’s “Power Celebrity 40” ranking for the second straight year. The list is based on the celebrities’ income, influence and reputation. Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines – Five-member girl group KARA is the most popular K-pop group in Japan, according to a survey by Japan’s biggest mobile music download website.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines - Drama and K-pop stars came together at the Mnet’s 20’s Choice Awards held July 7 at the pool area of the Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul.