Korea Observer

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The dream of many SS501 fans finally came true when the members of the boy band reunited at a concert. Heo Young-saeng (center) with fellow SS501 members (from left) Park Jung-min, Kim Kyu-jong, Kim Hyung-jun and Kim Hyun Joong. (Courtesy of http://blog.naver.com/qhalclsrn12)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines  - A member of a boy band will enlist in the military in July while a Korean actor faces controversy over his exemption from military service. SS501 member Kim Kyu Jong will complete his basic military training for four weeks starting July 23, according to a notice posted by B2M Entertainment on his personal website on June 26. Kim Kyu Jong and Kim Moo Yul (Photos by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Kim Kyu Jong, member of boy band SS501, has surprised his fans by announcing that he would be enlisting in the Korean army in July. He posted a handwritten letter addressed to his fans on his official website on June 1 to break the news. Photos by www.newsen.com

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean singer and actor Kim Hyun Joong has finished promoting his first solo album in Korea and will now start his Asia tour. www.newsen.com

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin (www.mb.com.ph) MANILA, Philippines - Popular Korean singer and actor Kim Hyun Joong will visit the Philippines in August. Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com

Singer Kim Hyun Joong appeared on the episode of KBS 2TV’s “Happy Together” that aired on June 23, and talked about his individual ideal type of woman.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP  Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines – It’s very rare for K-pop stars to admit that their looks were enhanced by plastic surgery. But hallyu star Kim Hyun Joong, leader of SS501, surprised his fans and viewers when he announced on a Korean talk show program that he underwent nose surgery or rhinoplasty.

True to Korean-form, a survey was conducted in honor of Black Day--a day when single people go out to eat black bean noodles.

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]