Korea Observer

JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines -- A decade ago, Korean dramas were the main driver of hallyu, or the Korean wave, with such hits “Winter Sonata,” “Jewel in the Palace,” “My Name is Kim Sam Soon” and “Coffee Prince." But with the explosion of the internet and social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter in the past few years, Korean pop music, or K-pop, has overtaken Korean dramas to become the  top purveyor of the Korean wave worldwide.

JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines – The 22-year-old male contestant on reality TV show “Korea’s Got Talent,” who was laughed at by the audience for being a manual laborer, has been hailed by world media as the next Susan Boyle with his audition video on YouTube getting 6.2 million views.

Good news for Filipinos who want to learn Korean culture. The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines is offering KCC Culture Classes. Registration will be until July 5 and classes will start on July 9. 

Known for having such massive following from the K-Pop community, boasting-off back-to-back hit singles and top-selling albums, MCA Music’s Girls Generation will unleash two of its highly sought-after albums: “Hoot” mini album and “Mr. Taxi-Run Devil Run” single album during the much-awaited grand launch event titled “GG Revolution!” 

June 10, 2011 Popular French Newspaper ‘Le Monde’ and ‘Le Figaro’ Reports on SMTOWN Concert in Paris! SMTOWN LIVE WORLD TOUR in PARIS which is the first single brand concert in Europe by Korean entertainment company has been attracting an intense attention from local medias in France.  

By JONATHAN M. HICAP  Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Three Korean stars were convicted by courts in South Korea, Thursday, of marijuana charges, gambling and fraud. Korean-American rapper Crown J (real name Kei Hoon Kim) was sentenced by the Seoul Central District Court to eight months in prison and two years probation. He was also fined and ordered to do 80 hours of community service.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP  Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines – It’s very rare for K-pop stars to admit that their looks were enhanced by plastic surgery. But hallyu star Kim Hyun Joong, leader of SS501, surprised his fans and viewers when he announced on a Korean talk show program that he underwent nose surgery or rhinoplasty.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP  MANILA, Philippines -- Jo Seung Woo and Cha Ji Yeon bagged the best actor and best actress trophies in the 5th Annual Musical Awards held last night at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP  MANILA, Philippines – K-pop trio JYJ, composed of Xiah Junsu, Micky Yoochun and Kim Jaejoong, will push through with their concert Tuesday in Japan despite legal threats over contract with their Japanese agency Avex Entertainment.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP  MANILA, Philippines - Hours before they brought the house down during their concert at the Araneta Coliseum on June 4, 2NE1 members Sandara Park, Park Bom, CL and Minzy met with the press at the Hotel InterContinental Manila and talked about their career, their Filipino fans, food and even their favorite Korean idols.