Korea Observer

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines - Wonder Girls leader Sunye denied a report in a Korean women’s magazine that she's getting married next month to her non-showbiz boyfriend. Sunye shot down the report via a Twitter message. “I’m informing you guys again that my next month marriage news revealed by a misreport is false. I know very well that many people are blessing my open relationship with kind words," Sunye said, according to Allkpop.com. Sunye and her boyfriend (Internet photo, wonderfulgeneration.net, allkpop.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean TV station MBC has announced that it will produce a sequel to the hit TV drama "Jewel in the Palace," a decade after the original series aired in 2003 to 2004. "Jewel in the Palace" became a top rating drama in Korea and was exported to many countries including the Philippines.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper and YouTube sensation Psy's wish to chart higher on Billboard has come true. And fellow YG Entertainment artist G-Dragon, leader of boy band Big Bang, has joined him on the charts. (Clockwise from top) Ellen and Psy doing the "Gangnam Style" dance on "Ellen"; Psy on 'Saturday Night Live' and G-Dragon

2NE1's Sandara Park has finally joined Twitter under the name @krungy21, putting the description that she is the "Pambansang krungkrung ng Pilipinas" (The Philippines' national weird or unique personality). "Krung krung" was a nickname given to Sandara when she was still active as an actress and singer in the Philippines. It means weird, unique or crazy.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean singer IU has made it to Billboard's 21 Under 21, the chart's "annual ranking of music's most powerful minors." "They've got hit records, millions of fans, and the kind of success most musicians only dream of -- and they can't even uncork a bottle of champagne to celebrate their success," according to Billboard.com.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean boy band Big Bang member Seungri has become involved in another controversy with Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily publishing photos and video of what appear to be intimate moments between him and Japanese model and actress Anna Kubo in Hong Kong.  (Videos after the cut) ( Left) Seungri and Ann Kubo having an intimate moment in Hong Kong. (Top and bottom right) Seungri's photos published in FRIDAY magazine in Japan. (Photos courtesy of appledaily.com.hk and FRIDAY magazine)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines  - Korean rapper Psy is on a roll. His hit song "Gangnam Style" has been nominated for best video in the 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA), which will be held on Nov. 11 in Frankfurt, Germany.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - A stylist and judge on the TV franchise "Korea's Next Top Model" was found dead by his sister in his home in Seoul last Sept. 15. Korean police identified the victim as Woo Jong-wan, 46. Photo courtesy of www.newsen.com

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)