Korea Observer

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, Manila Bulletin Filipinos who aspire to become K-pop stars now have the chance to do so through reality-based talent search “KISPinoy” or “K-pop Icon Search” launched on April 22. Gracing the presscon held at K-Pub BBQ in Taguig were K-pop stars U-KISS and Laboum and award-winning Korean actress Seo Young-hee, as well as judges Rico Blanco and Nicole Asensio. Show hosts Richard Gutierrez and Jinri Park, “KISPinoy” founder and producer Matthew Choi, composer Won Sangwoo from NH Media, president Yu Jeonghoon of YU&IQ Entertainment in Korea, and Wilma Galvante, TV5 entertainment division head, also attended the event. “KISPinoy” is open to Filipinos who are at least 13 years old on audition date. It is said to be the biggest K-pop talent search in the country and it will air weekly on TV5 starting June 27. There will be a Korean judge on the show every week. The champion and possibly one of the top 10 finalists will win a multi-million peso record...

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop artist Alexander Lee Eusebio is content with what he has achieved, three years after leaving U-KISS and launching his solo career. “I’m happy because I got to experience a lot,” Alexander told  Bulletin Entertainment  in an exclusive interview.

MTV announced the nominees in the 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards and among them are Korean singers EXO and U-KISS and the Philippines' Sarah Geronimo. This year, MTV EMA listed nominees under the Worldwide Act category by territory. (Clockwise from top left) Sarah Geronimo, EXO, SISTAR and U-KISS  (Photo by MTV EMA, EXO Facebook page and www. newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin It's been two years since Alexander "Xander" Lee Eusebio launched his career as a solo artist after his stint as an original member of K-pop boy band U-KISS ended in March 2011. He found himself at a crossroad at the time, thinking very hard even if he would continue his career or not. Former U-KISS member and now solo artist Alexander ‘Xander’ Lee Eusebio answers questions at his Manila press conference hosted by Kring Elenzano (Photo by Jonathan Hicap)

U-KISS has released the group's third full-length album "Collage" last March 7.  And may wish is that U-KISS will finally win a music TV chart award because the boys deserve it. 

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Jane was early at the Mall of Asia concert grounds last Jan. 19. She was excited that she would finally see her favorite K-pop group, Girls' Generation. (Clockwise from left) Infinite's Hoya, Girls' Generation, EXO and U-Kiss (Photos courtesy of StarN http://star.fnnews.com)

Everyone's excited for the forthcoming Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert that will be held on Jan. 19, 2013 at the Mall of Asia Open Grounds in the Philippines.  The concert will feature Girls Generation, INFINITE, UKISS, EXO, Tasty and Tahiti. Here are their messages for Filipino fans about the concert: 

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Fans can expect a lot more when the Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert is held in the Philippines in January next year, especially that meet-and-greet events will be held. This will be the first time that a K-pop concert in the Philippines will feature six K-pop idol groups. Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and SM Entertainment

U-KISS members Kevin, AJ and Eli  joined Chef Seri in making different Korean dishes on KBS "Star Kitchen."