Korea Observer

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Korean star Kim Hyun Joong won at the Yahoo! Asia Buzz Awards for the fifth year in a row. The actor and singer won the top idol award at the ceremony held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Hong Kong. Kim Hyun Joong at his drama showcase (Photo by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Three Korean celebrities were found guilty by a court of betting on illegal online gambling. The Seoul Central District Court ordered entertainer Boom, singer Andy of boy band Shinhwa and comedian Yang Se-hyung to pay fines based on the amount of money they gambled. (From left) Boom, Andy and Yang Se-hyung. (Photos by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Hallyu actor and singer Jang Geun Suk has donated 100 million won (P4.12 million) to help survivors of super typhoon “Yolanda” in the Philippines. Jang Geun Suk, who currently stars in the Korean drama “Beautiful Man,” gave his donation to UNICEF. Korean star Jang Geun Suk (Photo by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop boy band A-Prince, Eddie Chun band and the Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea (PIKO) have raised a total of 5.67 million won, or about P232,000 won, in a charity concert in Seoul for the victims of Typhoon “Yolanda” in the Philippines. Boy band A-Prince with Filipino scholars after the concert (top) and while holding donation boxes at the event. (Photos by Jonjon Samson)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin When boy band 2PM member Nichkhun arrived in the Philippines last Nov. 7, Typhoon “Yolanda” (international name “Haiyan”) was already threatening the Visayas region with storm signal warning raised to No. 4, the highest level. 2PM’s Nichkhun and his fans at the BENCHSETTER Fun Meet. (Photos courtesy of BENCH’s Instagram and Philippine K-pop Committee’s Twitter)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The government of South Korea will be donating $5 million (about P219 million) worth of humanitarian assistance to the victims and families affected by Typhoon “Yolanda” in the Philippines. K-pop fan clubs, on the other hand, are helping in the relief efforts through donation drives and volunteering. Fans of (from the top) Girls’ Generation, CNBLUE, 2PM, DBSK and others are helping in providing assistance to the victims of Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in the Philippines (Photos from Facebook pages of Girls’ Generation, CNBLUE and 2PM, and www.newsen.com)

From the Philippine Red Cross Go to  http://www.redcross.org.ph/donatenow   to make your donation

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin The Asian Games Centennial Festival (AGCEF) scheduled to be held in Boracay in Aklan from Nov. 27 to 29 has been postponed following the onslaught of super typhoon “Yolanda” (internatioonal name “Haiyan”) in the country. Part of the AGCEF was the Asian Games Centennial Music Gala that was supposed to feature K-pop boy band JYJ, composed of Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu, and other Asian artists. Boy band JYJ (Photo courtesy of 2014 Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee)

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea extends its deepest sympathies and support to the victims and bereaved families affected by Typhoon Haiyan (“Yolanda”), which struck the Philippines last November 8, 2013.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Six Korean celebrities are being investigated by authorities for illegal online gambling. Comedians Lee Soo-geun and Yang Se-hyung, actor Tak Jae-hoon and, singer Tony Ahn, entertainer Boom and Andy of boy band Shinhwa were summoned by the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office on suspicion of betting on illegal online gambling. Clockwise from top left) Lee Soo-geun, Andy, Boom, Tak Jae-hoon, Tony Ahn and Yang Se-hyung. (Photos by www.newsen.com)