Korea Observer

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Forbes Korea magazine has released its annual “Korea Celebrity 40″ list, which ranked the country’s most influential and popular celebrities according to product sales, media exposure, broadcasting activities and professionalism. (Clockwise from top left) Girls’ Generation, Big Bang, EXO and miss A’s Suzy (Facebook, 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)

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 MANILA, Philippines - K-pop stars attended the 22nd Seoul Music Awards held last night at the SK Olympic Handball Stadium in Seoul. Psy won the daesang, or grand prize, but he was unable to attend the awards ceremony due to his busy schedule. Epik High's Tablo received the award on his behalf. Psy instead sent a video message to thank the organizers for the award, his agency and family. Last year, Super Junior won the daesang. Winners (from left) SHINee, Super Junior, Lee Seung Gi and Big Bang (Photos courtesy of sportsseoul.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Rolling Stone website has picked 10 K-pop groups including 2NE1, Big Bang and Girls Generation that have the potential to break into the US music scene. The website noted that while K-pop artists BoA and Se7en failed in their American debuts in the past, "K-pop has garnered a strong following without the help of any major American backing." (Clockwise from top left) SHINee, BEAST, 2NE1 and SISTAR. (Photos by www. newsen . com )

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines – The 2010 hit series “Secret Garden” was voted as the most favorite Korean drama by international fans, according to a survey.

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.

News from the Manila Bulletin newspaper: By JONATHAN M. HICAP MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Gaon Chart, South Korea’s version of the Billboard charts, has named K-pop boy band Super Junior the bestselling artist in South Korea for 2010. [caption id="attachment_95" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Super Junior receiving the Gaon award from Minister Choung Byoung-gug of Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. (Photo courtesy of www.newsen.com)"] [/caption]