Korea Observer

By JONATHAN M. HICAP MANILA, Philippines - The organizing committee of Korea’s 32nd Blue Dragon Film Awards 2011 revealed the nominees for this year with the film “The Frontline” getting the most nominations. Best actor nominess. (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com)

I had the chance to interview Korean pop star Jay Park last Oct. 30, 2011 for Manila Bulletin when he visited Manila for the MTV EXIT Live concert. The interview was held at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila hotel in Pasig City. Also had the chance to meet fellow K-pop writers from the Philippines' major media outlets.  MANILA, Philippines - When popular K-pop star and b-boy Jay Park visited the Philippines for a show last year, he was just starting his solo career and was determined to make it on his own. A year later, he was back in the country armed with a flourishing career, and a fiery passion to do things that he loves the most including his advocacies. 

In September, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), under the Korean Embassy in the Philippines, launched the “Pinoy K-pop Star 2011” contest to search for the ultimate K-pop singer in the country. Last October 8, the KCC held the grand finals of the contest and the winner is Karla Carreon.  Here are the finalists and Karla's winning performance after the cut: 

JAY PARK, EVALINE, PAROKYA NI EDGAR, PUPIL, EBE DANCEL, AND ITCHYWORMS TO PERFORM AT MTV EXIT FREE CONCERT ON OCTOBER 29 AT SM MALL OF ASIA CONCERT GROUNDS SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY NEW MTV EXIT CELEBRITY AMBASSADOR, DINGDONG DANTES MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking), in partnership with the Philippines Government, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Australian Government’s Agency for International Development (AusAID) today announced the return of the MTV EXIT campaign to the Philippines with a free Live concert in Manila on October 29.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines — Boy bands JYJ and TVXQ, whose members used to be in one group, have achieved No. 1 feats with their albums in Korea and Japan, respectively.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2011, MANILA:  The MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) campaign today announced plans to hold a massive live concert in Manila on October 29 at the Mall of Asia to raise awareness and increase prevention of human trafficking. Jay Park and Evaline (Photos courtesy of MTV Exit, Sidus HQ and Joseph Llanes

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines - The journey of a rock band and a story about a daughter who finds his father will be some of the featured films in the 2011 Korean Film Festival in the Philippines that will run from Sept. 20 to Oct. 2 in SM Cinemas in Manila and Cebu.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - K-pop music has been enjoying huge popularity in the Philippines in the past few years. Since 2009, popular idol groups have visited the country including SHINee, Super Junior, 4Minute and BEAST.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines – K-pop fans in the Philippines will get to experience another dose of Super Junior through a 3D concert movie that will premiere in Manila in October.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - “Full House,” the 2004 hit comedy series shown on Korean TV station KBS that helped boost the popularity of Asian pop star Rain and actress Song Hye Kyo, will have a sequel but with a different cast.