Korea Observer

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Two more Korean celebrities have been convicted for separate offenses by Korean courts. Rapper Kim Jung Min of Seoul Connection was sentenced by the Seoul Central District Court to two years probation after he was found guilty of using marijuana. (Clockwise from top left) Kim Jung Min, Kim Yong Joon, Jeong Jin-su, Lee Sung-jin, Jeon Chang-geol and Yeo Wook Hwan. (Photos courtesy of Newsen.com, Naver and edaily.co.kr)

Singer Kim Hyun Joong appeared on the episode of KBS 2TV’s “Happy Together” that aired on June 23, and talked about his individual ideal type of woman.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines - Girl group 2NE1 is creating a buzz in the K-pop music scene not only with their latest   single “I Am the Best” but also with their new fashion style.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines – Following the declaration of the Seoul Yeong Deung Po Police last June 24 that tagged Big Bang member Daesung as the suspect in the death of a motorcyclist that her ran over with his car last May 31, thousands of fans are asking what will happen to the K-pop idol.

Lawyer: Daesung may receive minor, lesser conviction in motorcyclist's death | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

Korea’s first pop concert hall opened in Seoul on June 22. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation cooperated for the establishment of the concert hall by renovating Olympic Hall, located inside Olympic Park. With newly upgraded facilities, the main concert hall can accommodate up to 3,000 people and the adjacent small concert hall can accommodate up to 240 people.

Richard Gere shared personal photographs which he says attest to the cruelty inflicted by the Chinese on Tibetans in Seoul Wednesday. An avid Buddhist and supporter of the Dalai Lama, the Hollywood actor took the initiative to make strong political statements regarding human rights in Tibet. From Korea.net

Fresh off the MuchMusic Awards, which she  opened  and  closed  in Canada last Sunday,  Lady Gaga  kicked off the MTV Video Music Aid Japan benefit show as part of a two-hour event that was expressly devised to benefit the Japanese Red Cross. The event was broadcast live from Makuhari Messe and aired to more than 30 million households on MTV Japan, MTV Korea, MTV SEA and MTV China.

In the “Entertainment Era” corner on the episode of “Live Info Show” that aired on June 15, the cameramen paid a visit to the place where singer Lee Joon’s commercial for underwear was being filmed.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines - Big Bang member Daesung has been found by the Korean police to have caused the death of a motorcyclist during a traffic accident last May 31. The Seoul Yeong Deung Po police held at briefing Friday morning and announced the results of its investigation and autopsy by the National Forensic Service.