Korea Observer

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 2NE1 swept the Korean music charts following the release of their new album “Crush” last night. The single “Come Back Home” landed at No. 1 on several Korean real-time charts to achieve “all-kill” status.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Top Korean actress Choi Ji Woo, credited for popularizing hallyu (Korean Wave) in Japan, the Philippines and other parts of Asia through her dramas, “Winter Sonata (2002)” and “Stairway To Heaven (2003),” has signed an exclusive contract with YG Entertainment. She joins the agency’s huge stable of talents that includes actors Cha Seung Won, Im Ye Jin, Jang Hyun Sung, Jeong Hye Young, Ku Hye Sun and Yoo In Na. Korean actress Choi Ji Woo (www.newsen.com)

Girls’ Generation made another successful comeback with the release of their new mini-album “Mr.Mr.” last Feb. 24. The album, which contains six songs, including, “Mr.Mr.,” “Goodbye,” “Europa,” “Wait A Minute,” “Back Hug” and “Soul,” quickly rose to the top of several Korean music charts on its way to achieving “all-kill” status.

Here's the complete list of nominees in the 2014 Kids' Choice Awards (KCA) including the Favorite Asian Act: Favorite TV Show The Big Bang Theory Good Luck Charlie Jessie Sam & Cat Favorite Reality Show America's Got Talent American Idol The Voice Wipeout

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Marvel Studios has announced that key elements in the superhero sequel “Avengers: Age of Ultron” will be filmed in Seoul, South Korea. It said the filming of the “Avengers” sequel will create jobs for local extras, crews and vendors that is expected to benefit the Korean film industry. ‘Avengers’ poster (Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios)

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Korean Learning Institutes and Websites <On-site Korean Learning Institutes> I.       Metro Manila 1.      Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines -           Location: 2F Mancor Corporate Center, 32 nd St. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634 -           Tel: (02) 555-1711 -           E-mail: info@koreanculture.ph . 2.      UP Department of Linguistics, UP Diliman -      Location: Faculty center RM. 2110, UP Diliman, Quezon City 1101 -      Tel: (02) 926-9887 -      E-mail: lingg@kssp.upd.edu.ph -      Website: http://linguistics.upd.edu.ph Source: http://www.korean.go.kr/

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin YG Entertainment has postponed the release of 2NE1′s second studio album “Crush” to coincide with the birthday of group member CL on Feb. 26. “We have urgently postponed 2NE1′s 2nd album release date from the original schedule of 12am on February 24th to 12am on February 26th. The offline album will be released on March 7th as planned,” YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun Suk said.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin/TEMPO  Manila, Philippines – The Muntinlupa City Council passed a resolution yesterday honoring and giving P100,000 incentive to Olympian Michael Christian Martinez.