Korea Observer

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper Psy's US promotion for his hit song "Gangnam Style" has finally paid off big time. "Gangnam Style" has debuted on Billboard's coveted Hot 100 chart at No. 64, the highest rank achieved by a K-pop artist on the singles chart since 2001.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines - K-pop group T-ara's agency sued a dozen Korean media outlets, blaming them for the negative publicity that the girl group has been getting since the bullying controversy broke out in July. T-ara (Photo by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Pop superstar and  "X-Factor' judge Britney Spears' wish to learn the now famous "Gangnam Style" dance has finally come true. Last Aug. 29, Spears tweeted that she loved the music video of Korean rapper and YouTube sensation Psy and wanted to learn the choreography.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper and YouTube sensation Psy attended his first MTV Video Music Awards ceremony today, walking down the red carpet and appearing on stage. The singer, whose viral music video "Gangnam Style" has racked up 115 million views on YouTube, appeared on the VMA stage with host Kevin Hart. Psy on the VMA red carpet and with Grammy winner John Mayer at the MTV pre-show party. (Photos courtesy of MTV and jmpicspam on Twitter)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - The Korean government's show of support to the K-pop and tourism industries includes the construction of a 15,000-seater concert hall in Seoul. The planned concert venue is estimated to cost about 200 billion (about P7.38 billion) to construct with the government providing 25 billion won (P924 million), according to Korea's Ministry of Strategy and Finance. (Clockwise from top left) KARA, Lee Min-ho, 2NE1 and Big Bang. (Photos by www.newsen.com, MTV and YG Entertainment)

EL MONTE - Fourteen city pool workers landed in hot water this week after a video surfaced of them performing a parody of the viral Korean pop music video "Gangnam Style" at the El Monte Aquatic Center. The 13 lifeguards and pool manager were fired Wednesday. Several of the former employees said the city's decision went too far and that they were off the clock when they filmed the video.

Psy To Attend MTV VMA; 'Gangnam Style' Poised To Reach 100 Million Views Today | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

Winners At The Seoul International Drama Awards 2012 | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online The Philippines' Maalaala Mo Kaya drama also won a special prize. Congratulations to all the winners!