Korea Observer

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - The nominations for the 10th Korean Music Awards are out and Jay Park, G-Dragon and f(x) have made the list. The Korean Music Awards will recognize musical talent rather than popularity or album sales. Like in previous years, most of the nominees this year are indie singers and only a few mainstream K-pop singers were recognized. (Clockwise from top left) Jay Park, G-Dragon and f(x). (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and YG Entertainment)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has just released the year-end tally for its 2012 Gold & Platinum (G&P) Program awards. Last year, RIAA awarded 155 album and 524 digital single certifications. It said digital music dominated in 2012, an increase of 70 in the last two years that saw 139 digital songs  being certified platinum. RIAA bestowed the Diamond award on Adele whose "21" album became the first album in 10 years to sell more than 10 million units in less than two years, according to a statement released by the association. Psy (www.newsen.com)

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper Psy emerged as the biggest winner in France's NRJ Music Awards, taking home three awards. Boy band One Direction won the International Group of the Year and performed the song "Kiss You." Psy won the International Song of the Year for "Gangnam Style," edging out  Rihanna 's "Diamonds," Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" and Will.i.am's "This Is Love." NRJ Music Awards winners (from left) Psy, One Direction and Carly Rae Jepsen. (Photos courtesy of @NRJhitmusiconly on Twitter)

MANILA, Philippines - Four continents, 12 countries, 48 shows and 800,000 fans in attendance. Korean boy band Big Bang held their "ALIVE Galaxy Tour: The Final" last Jan. 25 to 27 at the Olympics Gymnastics Hall in Seoul, South Korea as finale to their successful world tour. Some of the Korean stars who were seen in the audience included 2NE1, Se7en, Girls' Generation and EXO. Big Bang at their final concert in Seoul. (Photos courtesy of YG Entertainment)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean boy band CN Blue debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's World Albums chart with their new album "Re:BLUE." "Re:BLUE" is the band's fourth mini-album and contains six tracks including the title song "I'm Sorry," "Coffee Shop" and "Where You Are." This is the first time that CN Blue has topped the chart. Infinite H, a subunit of boy band Infinite, also debuted on the chart, placing at No. 8 with their first album "Fly High" while Girls' Generation's "I Got A Boy" is at No. 10.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Two Korean actresses are being investigated for the illegal use of the drug propofol, a sedative and anesthetic, which was suspected to be cause of Michael Jackson’s death. According to Korean media, Jang Mi In Ae and Lee Seung Yeon were identified by Korean prosecutors as the ones who used the drug for non-medical purposes. “Lee and Jang are among the female celebrities on the lists that the prosecution confiscated in December from seven hospitals in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul, one of the most affluent districts in Seoul where a number of cosmetic surgery and dermatology clinics are located,” Korea Times reported. JANG MI IN AE and Lee Seung Yeon (Photos by www.newsen.com)