Korea Observer

The Korean police raided the offices of the sponsor and organizer of the 1st Pangyo Techno Valley Festival on October 19 as investigation was launched to know their culpability following the concert tragedy. Sixteen people died and 11 were injured when a ventilation grate they were standing on collapsed during the K-pop concert in Gyeonggi Province in South Korea last October 17.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop Girl group T-ara will make its first-ever visit to the Philippines for a concert, as they announced via their official Facebook page. The visit, which is tentatively scheduled around “June-July,” is part of their 2014 tour dubbed the “Kingdom Under Fire 2 Joint Concert.”

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Several Korean stars have been dragged into dating issues this week including f(x)’s Sulli and rapper Choiza. (Clockwise from top left) Sulli, Yoo Gi An, Soyeon, Oh Jong Hyuk, Kim Woo Bin and Choiza (Photos from www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin A year after Hwayoung left K-pop act T-ara amidst accusations that she was bullied, another member has decided to leave the girl group to launch a solo career. Ahreum has been announced that she will be leaving T-ara for her solo debut. Apparently, her musical preference is different from that of T-ara’s music. Ahreum (Photo by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin T-ara N4, the new sub-unit of girl group T-ara, will be venturing into the US market through a collaboration with Chris Brown, Snoop Dogg and other rappers. The girl group, composed of Hyomin, Eunjung, Jiyeon and Areum, recently went to the US to meet with Brown. On May 20, T-ara N4 held a press conference in Seoul and talked about their plans.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin   MANILA, Philippines - The producers of the drama "Five Fingers" has issued an apology to a member of K-pop group T-ara for firing her in the drama last year. Photo by www.newsen.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines - K-pop group T-ara's agency sued a dozen Korean media outlets, blaming them for the negative publicity that the girl group has been getting since the bullying controversy broke out in July. T-ara (Photo by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila, Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Nine-member K-pop group Girls Generation achieved another milestone in Japan with their single "Mr. Taxi" reached double platinum status in Japan.  (Clockwise from top left) Girls Generation, Kim Hyun Joong,  T-ara  and Bae Yong Joon. (Photos by SM Entertainment, Oricon, www.newsen.com and Keyeast)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines – Japanese girl group AKB48 swept the Billboard Japan Music Awards, bagging four awards including the Artist of the Year. AKB48 (Billboard Japan) T-ara (Billboard Japan)

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 – Korean stars have not only helped in boosting the popularity of Korean music and dramas but have driven up the sales of Korean cosmetics. SHINee for Etude House, Kim Hyun Joong for The Face Shop and Song Joong Ki for Tony Moly (Photos by Jonathan Hicap)

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin (www.mb.com.ph)  MANILA, Philippines - More K-pop groups are venturing into the Japanese music market, following the moves made by other idol singers.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines – Three K-pop fans, one from Singapore and two from the Philippines, won in a K-pop sing and dance contest held by Korean TV channel KBS World in Seoul, South Korea to celebrate its eighth anniversary on July 1.