Korea Observer

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) denied that it has awarded Korean rapper Psy's hit single "Gangnam Style" with a double-platinum or multi-platinum certification. A report by a Korean news agency quoted YG Entertainment, Psy's Korean agency, as saying that RIAA has certified Psy's hit single with a double-platinum award. Photos courtesy of Psy's Facebook page and YG Entertainment

Statement from the Korean Embassy in the Philippines regarding the 6 Nong Shim noodles that were recalled by the Philippine government:  The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) requested Nong Shim Co. Ltd. to recall the six noodle brands immediately after the former learned of the news that benzopyrene was detected recently. But the KFDA conducted the test and issued a certificate dated November 7, 2012 that the level of benzopyrene found in the noodle powder, which ranges from 0.4 to 1.6 ppb, was extremely low and has no harmful effect on the human body.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines - Hallyu stars Kim Hyun Joong and Song Seung-heon will be immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds wax museum in Busan, South Korea. The wax figures of the two Korean stars will be unveiled in December, according to an announcement by Madame Tussauds Busan. Kim Hyun Joong and Song Seung-hon (Photos courtesy of Madame Tussauds Busan)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Rapper Psy will be awarded the Order of Cultural Merit award by South Korea for his contribution to spreading hallyu, or Korean wave, through his hit song "Gangnam Style." The announcement was made by Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which will bestow the award on Psy and nine other personalities. US President Barack Obama (top photo) and Psy (bottom) in Paris. (Photos courtesy of  President Barack Obama and  Cauet sur NRJ  Facebook pages)  

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Boy band JYJ member Jaejoong didn't disappoint his 4,000 supporters by showing up at his first fan meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia. Before he went to Indonesia, the singer and actor was suffering a bad case of sore throat. Despite this, he decided to go on with the fan meeting held at the Mata Elang International Stadium.

Several K-pop singers have been nominated in the Billboard Japan Music Awards 2012. Nominated for the Top Pop Artist 2012 category are Girls' Generation, KARA, Super Junior, CNBlue,  TVXQ and Jang Geun Suk along with EXILE, AKB48, SKE48, SMAP, Hey! Say! JUMP, Carly Rae Jepsen, NYC, NMB48, Rihanna,  Kis-My-Ft2  and Mr. Children among others. Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com

BY JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines - Super Junior's leader Leeteuk seems to be adjusting well to his new endeavor in the Korean military. A photo of Leeteuk smiling brightly together with other trainees was posted on the 306th Army Reserve online cafe. Leeteuk (center) together with Mighty Mouth's Sangchu and other trainees. (Photo courtesy of 306th Army Reserve online cafe)

BY JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - The cast of the hit musical TV series "Glee" has been bitten by the "Gangnam Style" bug and they will cover the song in an upcoming episode. "Glee" has released a teaser of the "Gangnam Style" number that will be featured in the show.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Korean boy band Super Junior will have to go on with their activities without their leader Leeteuk in the next two years. Leeteuk will be enlisting in the Korean military today as part of the mandatory service of all male Korean citizens. Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Members of Korean boy band Big Bang have left a big mark on the hearts of Pinoy fans after their successful concert at the Mall of Asia Arena last Oct. 24. Despite that a typhoon was threatening to ruin the big day, the arena was full and the deafening screams filled the concert venue from start to encore.