Korea Observer

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The popularity of Korean dramas has turned the locations where they are shot as tourist attractions. One such place is the cafe where the hit Korean drama “1st Shop of Coffee Prince” was filmed. “1st Shop of Coffee Prince,” which aired in Korea from July to August 2007, starred actress Yoon Eun-hye and actor Gong Yoo.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Bucheon, South Korea – Filipina Sunshine Estores landed her very first acting part as a troubled expat in the hit Korean drama “Melody of Love,” during her first audition ever, October last year. Sunshine considers it a great blessing, especially since the last few years have been quite a struggle for her and her Korean husband, Kim Dong Seop. Sunshine Estores

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Top Korean actress Choi Ji Woo, credited for popularizing hallyu (Korean Wave) in Japan, the Philippines and other parts of Asia through her dramas, “Winter Sonata (2002)” and “Stairway To Heaven (2003),” has signed an exclusive contract with YG Entertainment. She joins the agency’s huge stable of talents that includes actors Cha Seung Won, Im Ye Jin, Jang Hyun Sung, Jeong Hye Young, Ku Hye Sun and Yoo In Na. Korean actress Choi Ji Woo (www.newsen.com)

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.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The Korean Film Archive (KOFA) has released its list of top 100 Korean films in celebration of its 40th anniversary. The list was chosen by 62 film scholars, film critics, industry professionals and officials through a survey. The top 100 Korean films were chosen by critics and industry professionals )Photo courtesy of Korean Film Archive)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The numbers are in and local films dominated the box office in South Korea in 2013. Korean films captured nine of the top 10 highest-grossing films of the year, based on figures from the Korean Film Council (KOFIC). Park Shin Hye, Ryu Seung-ryong and Kal So-won in the top top-grossing film ‘Miracle in Cell No. 7′ (Photos by the film’s official Facebook page)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin “No Breathing,” the Korean film that was shot partly in the Philippines, has earned $2 million at the box office since its release last Oct. 30. The movie has garnered 318,766 in attendance and has earned 2.15 billion won (about $2 million and P87.6 million) in South Korea as of Nov. 5, according to data from the Korea Film Council’s website. Clockwise from top) Lee Jong Suk, Yuri and Seo In Guk in ‘No Breathing’ (Photos from ‘No Breathing’)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin “The Heirs,” the comeback drama of Korean stars Lee Min Ho and Park Shin Hye, premiered last night with mixed results in the ratings. According to TNmS Korea, the SBS drama posted a 9.9 percent rating nationwide in Korea on Oct. 10 to place 13th overall. In Seoul, it garnered a 12 percent rating to rank fifth. Park Shin Hye and Lee Min Ho at “The Heirs” press conference (Photo by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Actress Lee Bo Young, who starred in the successful dramas “I Hear Your Voice” and “My Daughter Seo-young,” bagged the daesang, or grand prize, at the 2013 Korea Drama Awards held on Oct. 2 in Jinju City in Gyeongsang, South Korea. Winners (from left) Lee Jung-jin, Lee Jong Suk, Lee Bo Young and Jo Yoon-hee (Photos by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The Korean film “No Breathing” that was partly shot in Davao in the Philippines will be released on Oct. 31. (From left) Seo In Guk, Yuri and Lee Jong Suk at the “No Breathing” press conference. (Photo by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Filipino director, producer and writer Pepe Diokno says Korean film grants have helped his projects get off the ground and urged other filmmakers to try his experience. Filipino director Pepe Diokno (Photo courtesy of Diokno’s Facebook page)

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)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin A decade after it made history by becoming one of the highest Korean dramas of all time, “Jewel in the Palace,” or “Dae Jang Geum,” is still popular today in many countries.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin A drama series from Israel won the grand prize while Hollywood actress Lucy Liu won as best actress in the Seoul International Drama Awards 2013 held on Sept. 6 at the National Theater of Korea. “Prisoners of War 2,” which became the top rated drama in Israel, bagged the top prize selected among all the nominees for TV movie, mini-series, serial and series categories. Kim Yun-jin, Lee Jun-ki, Suzy and Jaejoong at the Seoul International Drama Awards 2013. (Photos by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop group JYJ member Kim Jaejoong has won the Best Hallyu Drama OST award at the 2013 Seoul International Drama Awards. Jaejoong will be receiving the award at the ceremony, which will be held on Sept. 5 at the National Theatre of Korea.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin "You're The Best, Lee Soon Shin," the KBS2 weekend drama of K-pop princess IU and actor Jo Jung-suk, aired its 50th and last episode in South Korea on Aug. 25 and ended a successful five-month run on top of the ratings. Photo: KBS

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Thriller "Hide and Seek" and the drama "The Flu" topped the box office in Korea, earning a combined total of 30,817,723,000 won (about P1.2 billion) since the two films opened last Aug. 14. As of Aug. 19, "Hide and Seek," stars Son Hyeon-joo, Moon Jeong-hee and Jeon Mi-seon, has grossed a total of 16.85 billion won (about P658.35 million) as of Aug. 19 to top the box office. A scene from "Hide and Seek" (left) and "The Flu" star Jang Hyuk (right) (Photos by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Nine Korean films have been selected to compete for the country's entry to the Oscars next year, according to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC). One entry will be chosen among the nine as South Korea's entry to the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. A scene from the 'Berlin Film' (left) and Song Joong-ki in 'The Werewolf Boy' (Photos by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Korean actors Lee Jong-suk and Seo In-guk arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday for the filming of the movie "No Breathing." The two arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and boarded their flight to Davao, where the film will be shot. Lee Jong-suk and Seo In-guk at Incheon International Airport (left) on their way to Manila and upon their arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 (right). (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and @maraiph on Twitter)