Korea Observer

​ BAE MINJU, a Korean businessman in the Philippines, died when his car was being stolen by armed men last July 27, 2014. His wife was kidnapped but later released unharmed, and the family driver was arrested for possible involvement in the crime. This is the ninth documented crime-related death of a Korean national in the Philippines since January of this year. In March, 21-year old college student LEE JI WON was abducted and murdered by suspects that include the taxi driver. It was a brutal and senseless crime that rattled the Korean community in the Philippines.

Korean Learning Institutes and Websites <On-site Korean Learning Institutes> I.       Metro Manila 1.      Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines -           Location: 2F Mancor Corporate Center, 32 nd St. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634 -           Tel: (02) 555-1711 -           E-mail: info@koreanculture.ph . 2.      UP Department of Linguistics, UP Diliman -      Location: Faculty center RM. 2110, UP Diliman, Quezon City 1101 -      Tel: (02) 926-9887 -      E-mail: lingg@kssp.upd.edu.ph -      Website: http://linguistics.upd.edu.ph Source: http://www.korean.go.kr/

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin A new director has been appointed as head of Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines following the end of the tour of duty of Director Hwang Seong-un. Oh Choong Suk arrived in Manila last week to assume his new post as Counsellor for Culture and Public Relations at the Korean Embassy in Manila and head of KCC Philippines. Counsellor Oh Choong Suk is the new head of the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The recent release of the animated feature film “The Nut Job” in North America highlights the growing South Korean film industry.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea extends its deepest sympathies and support to the victims and bereaved families affected by Typhoon Haiyan (“Yolanda”), which struck the Philippines last November 8, 2013.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The Korean government’s support to its film industry has aided its growth by providing funds in various programs including research and development, international co-productions and technology. (From left) KOFIC’s Jiyin Park, Filipino director Ato Agustin, CJ Entertainment’s Tae-sun Jung and Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Editor Isabel de Leon (Photo by Jonathan Hicap)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin With the popularity of Korean dramas in the Philippines and the active participation of Filipinos in film festivals in South Korea, a collaboration between the two countries is possible. South Korea’s Ambassador Hyuk Lee (center) with (from left) Prof. Patrick Campos, Prof. Roland Tolentino, Tito Valiente and Director Seong-un Hwang at the 2013 Hallyu Forum. (Photo by Jonathan Hicap)

Along with the immense popularity of Hallyu in the Philippines, Korean food has been gaining more and more momentum in the local food scene, with numerous Korean restaurants mushrooming virtually everywhere.

The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines and the Korea Tourism Organization Manila Office will be awarding an all-expense paid trip to Korea for the winner of the upcoming 2013 Korean Speech Contest on April 27.

The Korean Cultural Center and the Association of Korean Folk Painting Artists will be opening the exhibit   Minhwa: The Meaning of Symbols in Folk Painting   on March 8 , featuring eight Korean artists whose works highlight the importance of   minhwa   or folk painting in the Korean socio-historical landscape.

The Korean Cultural Center, in cooperation with The Podium, will be launching the Hanji Doll Craft Exhibit  on January 9  as part of its efforts to promote Korean culture to the Filipinos.

The KOREA Council of Sports for All and the Korea Sports Promotion, together wit h the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, donated 100 soccer balls and 100 shirts last February 21 in the hopes of promoting Korea's major sports to the Filipinos. The formal turnover of donations was held at the Korean Cultural Center in Taguig.   Photo courtesy of the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines

In September, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), under the Korean Embassy in the Philippines, launched the “Pinoy K-pop Star 2011” contest to search for the ultimate K-pop singer in the country. Last October 8, the KCC held the grand finals of the contest and the winner is Karla Carreon.  Here are the finalists and Karla's winning performance after the cut: 

Good news for Filipinos who want to learn Korean culture. The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines is offering KCC Culture Classes. Registration will be until July 5 and classes will start on July 9. 

From the Filipinos’ growing interest in the Korean culture stems a great opportunity for strengthening the cultural relations between the two countries. On May of this year, the Korean Cultural Center will finally open its doors to the public.