Korea Observer

Thursday, April 3, 2014

JYJ, C-JeS artists donate notebooks to Leyte, Batangas children

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean boy band JYJ and other artists under C-JeS Entertainment have partnered with humanitarian organization World Vision to extend a helping hand to less affluent students of Leyte and Batangas in the Philippines.

Muntinlupa’s Miss Philippines Earth bet promotes eco-tourism

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Sarah Theresa Stewart, who is representing the City of Muntinlupa in the 2014 Miss Philippines Earth beauty pageant, is focusing on eco-tourism as advocacy.

The 20-year-old lass appealed that tourism should not be merely about promoting beautiful sites, food and shopping.

‘Avengers 2′ director apologizes to Seoul residents

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Film director Joss Whedon took to YouTube to address Seoul residents with the principal shooting of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” kicking off on March 30.

“We are going to mess it up a bit and inconvenience people for a few days and I apologize for that,” he said in a video post. “I know what’s that like. I live in Los Angeles and it happens to me all the time and it’s not fun. I hope that it will be worth it.”

Robert Downey Jr. will play Iron Man in “Avengers 2,” part of which was filmed at Mapo Bridge in Seoul on March 30 (www.newsen.com)

[Crayon Pop] 크레용팝 '어이' Uh-ee M/V

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

4Minute wins first comeback trophy

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop quintet 4Minute notched their first TV music chart triumph since making their comeback with their new mini-album “4Minute World,” which contains five tracks including the lead single “Whatcha Doin’ Today.”

The girl group performed the title track on SBS “Inkigayo” on March 30, competing with other artists including CNBLUE, Girls’ Generation, 2NE1, Orange Caramel, Boys Republic and JJCC.

4Minute showing their first comeback trophy (Twitter)

G-Dragon, Rain, Hangeng win at QQ Music Awards

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Asian pop star Rain, Big Bang’s G-Dragon and former Super Junior member Hangeng are among winners at the recently concluded QQ Music Awards, organized by China’s biggest music streaming site, QQ Music.

The awards ceremony, held at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Shenzhen, China, drew popular artists from across Asia including Jay Chou, JJ Lin and Jolin Tsai.

(Clockwise from top left) Rain, G-Dragon, Hangeng and Lyn (QQ Music and YG Entertainment)

SM Entertainment founder under tax evasion probe

A scandal is brewing at SM Entertainment but this time it's not one of its artists that is involved.

The center of the controversy is none other than Lee Soo Man, the founder of SM Entertainment, the biggest entertainment company in South Korea.

Lee Soo Man (www.newsen.com)

Jackie Chan’s K-pop boy band debuts

Jackie Chan’s K-pop boy band debuts

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Thursday, March 27, 2014

2NE1, BTOB to appear in ‘America’s Next Top Model’

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

The reality TV show “America’s Next Top Model” hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks is filming in South Korea for the program’s upcoming season and among those tapped to appear as guests are K-pop groups 2NE1 and BTOB.

2NE1 in Hong Kong and BTOB with ‘America’s Next Top Model’ judge J.
Alexander in Seoul (Facebook page and www.newsen.com)

Jackie Chan’s K-pop boy band debuts

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Film star Jackie Chan is now also managing artists, including a K-pop boy band known as JJCC, or Double JC.

The boy band just released their first single “At First,” making their debut performance on Korean TV music show “M Countdown.”

JJCC and Jackie Chan (www.newsen.com and Jackie Chan’s website)

Lee Min Ho mania sweeps Manila

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean superstar Lee Min Ho’s return to the country – a visit that lasted three days, from March 21 to 23 – drew an estimated crowd of 10,000 fans to the Smart Araneta Coliseum for a meet and greet organized by clothing brand Bench.

Photos: BENCH

Cafe set of Korean drama still draws fans

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

The popularity of Korean dramas has turned the locations where they are shot as tourist attractions. One such place is the cafe where the hit Korean drama “1st Shop of Coffee Prince” was filmed.

“1st Shop of Coffee Prince,” which aired in Korea from July to August 2007, starred actress Yoon Eun-hye and actor Gong Yoo.

Super Junior-M_SWING_Music Video (CHN ver.)

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Sunye to live in Haiti

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Sunye, leader of the Wonder Girls, took to the group’s online fan cafe to announce her plans to move to Haiti with her husband, James Park, in their effort to spread the Gospel to that Caribbean nation.

Sunye (right) and her husband James Park (www.newsen.com)

Lee Min Ho is back

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Korean superstar Lee Min Ho arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport around noon today.

DJ Gennie Kim eases Pinoys’ loneliness, problems in South Korea

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Seoul, South Korea – Since March last year, Filipino-Korean DJ Maria Genevie “Gennie” Kim has been giving valuable advice, news and information to Filipinos in South Korea through her radio program, ”Philippine Language Multicultural Family Music Radio,” also known as the “Multicultural Family Broadcast for Filipinos,” which streams via the internet.

DJ Gennie Kim at the radio station (Photos: Gennie Kim and Jonathan Hicap)

Super Junior M ‘Swing’ in new album

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Super Junior M, the subunit of Korean boy band Super Junior that consists of Siwon, Donghae, Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, Eunhyuk, Sungmin, Henry and Zhoumi, is making a comeback with a new mini-album dubbed ”Swing” to be released March 21.

Super Junior M at Araneta Coliseum last February (Jonathan Hicap)

2NE1 is still on fire

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

It’s been five years since K-pop group 2NE1 debuted with “Fire” in 2009.

This year, 2NE1, composed of CL, Bom, Sandara Park and Minzy, is on the comeback trail with their new album “Crush.”

2NE1 (www.newsen.com)

EXCLUSIVE: JYJ members talk about individual projects

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Apart from their responsibilities as members of JYJ, the members of the popular boy band have pursued individual activities ranging from films, TV series, theatrical roles and solo albums. In an interview with Bulletin Entertainment, JYJ’s Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu shared some of their solo pursuits.

(Clockwise from top left) Yoochun in ‘Three Days;’ Jaejoong and Junsu performing at their solo concerts (SBS and C-JeS Entertainment)

EXCLUSIVE: JYJ gearing up for new album, concerts this year

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Popular K-pop boy band JYJ will be quite busy this year with a ramped up list of activities they have lined up.

“Finally, we will bring you a new JYJ album in the second half of this year and, of course, there will be tours for concerts,” JYJ told Bulletin Entertainment.

JYJ (Photo by C-JeS Entertainment)

EXCLUSIVE: Pinay actress Sunshine Estores balances career, family life in South Korea

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Bucheon, South Korea – Filipina Sunshine Estores landed her very first acting part as a troubled expat in the hit Korean drama “Melody of Love,” during her first audition ever, October last year.

Sunshine considers it a great blessing, especially since the last few years have been quite a struggle for her and her Korean husband, Kim Dong Seop.

Sunshine Estores

Fans brave cold weather to watch K-pop shows

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Seoul, South Korea – Korean music TV shows showcasing the most popular K-pop singers continue to draw local and international fans.

Bulletin Entertainment witnessed how these fans would even brave the coldest of weathers to see their idols in person.

Ku Hye Sun, Big Bang’s Seungri in new drama

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Ku Hye Sun, the popular female lead of “Boys Over Flowers,” and Big Bang’s Seungri will be working together on a new drama series dubbed “Angel Eyes,” which will start airing in April on Korean TV channel SBS.

This will be the 29-year-old Sun’s new drama in two years. She last starred in “Take Care of Us, Captain,” in 2012.

‘Angel Eyes’ star (clockwise from left) Ku Hye Sun, Lee Sang-yoon and Big Bang’s Seungri (www.newsen.com)

Girls’ Generation tops Forbes Korea’s 2014 celeb list

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Forbes Korea magazine has released its annual “Korea Celebrity 40″ list, which ranked the country’s most influential and popular celebrities according to product sales, media exposure, broadcasting activities and professionalism.

(Clockwise from top left) Girls’ Generation, Big Bang, EXO and miss A’s Suzy (Facebook, www.newsen.com)

Super Junior's Shindong notified for military enlistment

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Another Super Junior member will be enlisting in the Korean military this year.

Shindong, 28, has been notified by Korea’s Military Manpower Administration (MMA) to enlist on March 31.

Shindong (www.newsen.com)

FYI for LMH: What You Need to Meet Lee Min Ho

Monday, March 3, 2014

2NE1′s world tour kicks off in Seoul

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

2NE1′s “All or Nothing” world tour got off to a big start on March 1 and 2 at the SK Handball Arena in Seoul, South Korea, with an estimated 12,000 domestic and international fans in attendance.

Gold Disc Awards 2014 winners announced

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Japanese girl group AKB48 and boy band One Direction won as Artists of the Year at the recently concluded Japan Gold Disc Awards 2014.

Several K-pop artists also emerged as winners in the prestigious awards, including TVXQ, Girls’ Generation and BAP.

Girls' Generation 소녀시대_'Mr.Mr.'_Music Video

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

2NE1′s ‘Crush’ achieves ‘all-kill’ status

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

2NE1 swept the Korean music charts following the release of their new album “Crush” last night.

The single “Come Back Home” landed at No. 1 on several Korean real-time charts to achieve “all-kill” status.

Choi Ji Woo signs with YG Entertainment

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Top Korean actress Choi Ji Woo, credited for popularizing hallyu (Korean Wave) in Japan, the Philippines and other parts of Asia through her dramas, “Winter Sonata (2002)” and “Stairway To Heaven (2003),” has signed an exclusive contract with YG Entertainment. She joins the agency’s huge stable of talents that includes actors Cha Seung Won, Im Ye Jin, Jang Hyun Sung, Jeong Hye Young, Ku Hye Sun and Yoo In Na.

Korean actress Choi Ji Woo (www.newsen.com)

Girls’ Generation’s new album tops Korean charts, iTunes

Girls’ Generation made another successful comeback with the release of their new mini-album “Mr.Mr.” last Feb. 24.
The album, which contains six songs, including, “Mr.Mr.,” “Goodbye,” “Europa,” “Wait A Minute,” “Back Hug” and “Soul,” quickly rose to the top of several Korean music charts on its way to achieving “all-kill” status.

Kids' Choice Awards 2014 nominees are in

Here's the complete list of nominees in the 2014 Kids' Choice Awards (KCA) including the Favorite Asian Act:

Favorite TV Show

The Big Bang Theory

Good Luck Charlie

Jessie

Sam & Cat

Favorite Reality Show

America's Got Talent

American Idol

The Voice

Wipeout

‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ to be filmed in Seoul

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Marvel Studios has announced that key elements in the superhero sequel “Avengers: Age of Ultron” will be filmed in Seoul, South Korea.

It said the filming of the “Avengers” sequel will create jobs for local extras, crews and vendors that is expected to benefit the Korean film industry.

‘Avengers’ poster (Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios)

B.A.P - 1004(Angel) [K-Pop Hot Clip]

Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com

Learn Korean language in the Philippines and online

Korean Learning Institutes and Websites

<On-site Korean Learning Institutes>

I. Metro Manila

1. Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines

- Location: 2F Mancor Corporate Center, 32^nd St. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634

- Tel: (02) 555-1711

- E-mail: info@koreanculture.ph.

2. UP Department of Linguistics, UP Diliman

- Location: Faculty center RM. 2110, UP Diliman, Quezon City 1101

- Tel: (02) 926-9887

- E-mail: lingg@kssp.upd.edu.ph

- Website: http://linguistics.upd.edu.ph

Source: http://www.korean.go.kr/

2NE1′s new album release postponed

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

YG Entertainment has postponed the release of 2NE1′s second studio album “Crush” to coincide with the birthday of group member CL on Feb. 26.

“We have urgently postponed 2NE1′s 2nd album release date from the original schedule of 12am on February 24th to 12am on February 26th. The offline album will be released on March 7th as planned,” YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun Suk said.

Muntinlupa gives P100K to Filipino figure skater Michael Christian Martinez

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin/TEMPO

Manila, Philippines – The Muntinlupa City Council passed a resolution yesterday honoring and giving P100,000 incentive to Olympian Michael Christian Martinez.

JYJ, Japanese label AVEX end legal dispute

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

JYJ and their former Japanese label AVEX have reached an agreement effectively ending their legal battle concerning the Korean boy band’s music activities in Japan.

In an announcement posted on its website, C-Jes Entertainment, JYJ’s agency in South Korea, said the two sides have reached the settlement through mediation.

(From left) JYJ’s Junsu Jaejoong and Yoochun (www.newsen.com)

New Korean Cultural Center PH director named

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

A new director has been appointed as head of Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines following the end of the tour of duty of Director Hwang Seong-un.

Oh Choong Suk arrived in Manila last week to assume his new post as Counsellor for Culture and Public Relations at the Korean Embassy in Manila and head of KCC Philippines.

Counsellor Oh Choong Suk is the new head of the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines

Lee Min Ho to visit in Philippines anew in March

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Fans of Korean superstar Lee Min Ho would do well to get ready come March when their idol visits the country for the third time.

Filipino clothing brand, Bench, announced the singer-actor’s visit via Twitter on Feb. 14, posting, “IT’S OFFICIAL! @ActorLeeMinHo is coming back to Manila on March!”

Lee Min Ho (www.newsen.com)

2NE1, CNBLUE, Girls’ Generation to release albums on same date

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

2NE1, CNBLUE and Girls’ Generation are going head to head this month, with each group releasing separate albums on Feb. 24.

SM Entertainment was the first to lay claim on the date, when it announced the release the new album of Girls’ Generation titled “Mr.Mr.”

(From the top) 2NE1, CNBLUE and Girls’ Generation (YG Entertainment, FNC, SM Entertainment)

3rd Gaon K-pop Awards winners

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Twelve artists who topped Korea’s premier music chart in 2013 were recognized at the 3rd Gaon Chart K-pop Awards held on Feb. 12 at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul, with each getting a Song of the Year award for their respective hits.