The East Light is a funky rock, pop and electronic band from South Korea, which made its long awaited debut with their 1st digital single, “HOLLA” on November 3rd of 2016.
The debut single, “Holla” (composed and produced by Midas-T) is combination of funky rock and pop that defiantly showcases The East Light members’ ability in handling instruments and live performance.
The six-members (their ages range from 14 to 17) are signed under Media Line Entertainment and all the members already have had a debut in their own way; whether through participating in audition programs, featuring movies and TV shows.
The East Light was created by the legendary composer and producer in Korean pop music – Kim Chang-hwan – who is famous for being the mastermind behind countless hits by Korean contemporary pop artists since the 90s. Kim is also the Executive producer and director of Midas ENT and the CEO of Media Line Entertainment.
The East Light is officially a six-member band, but due to the fact that WooJin Lee is only 14 years old currently; he does not currently participate in all their promotional activities. (However, we were able to attain an interview from him as well.)
The members of The East Light seem to have several things in common: They are all teenagers, still at middle or high school. They began showing genius for music and have gained recognition as prodigies at early stages of their careers.
Seokchul Lee (17) is the leader and drummer of The East Light with a very impressive musical background.
You may recognize Lee from the film, “My Boy (2013)” where he played the leading role of a child prodigy drummer, who had issues having to deal with anger management. Since 2015, Lee has been featured on Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend and performed alongside the Korean military orchestra and various orchestras; based both domestic and abroad.
The band’s vocalist, EunSung Lee (17) got his first appearance on TV since 2011; as a contestant on SuperStar K and later The Voice Kids in 2013, where he received high accolades for his angelic voice.
SeungHyeon Lee (15) is a bass guitarist of the band, who has a record of winning awards at various music competitions, since the tender age of 6.
Lee has also performed with the Korean Chamber Orchestra, appeared on TV shows like, Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend and 7080 Concert with Jang Hyunchul.
The East Light’s guitarist and composer, JunWook Kim (15), like the rest of his band mates, has been known to be a musical genius since he was in Elementary school. Kim was famed after winning the Grand Prize at the Yamaha Asian Beat Acoustic Grand Final in 2014, by performing a piece he had composed himself.
SaKang Jung (15) was also recognized for his talent in music after appearing on singing contests and TV audition programs including, SuperStar K Season 3, The Voice Kids, SNL Korea, and Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend.
And last but never the least, WooJin Lee (14) is a vocalist who has appeared in singing programs for kids, Cantabile and The Voice Kids. Lee also has experience acting in the movie, Precious Love, released in 2013.
As mentioned above, because Lee is still in Middle school; he will be joining the band to participate in their activities as soon as he is old enough.
A KCRUSH Interview with
The East Light
Hello! Could you introduce yourselves to our readers at KCRUSH?
SeokChul: Hello, my name is Seokchul Lee, and 17 years old. I’m the leader of The East Light and in charge of the drums.
EunSung: My name is EunSung and currently 17 years old. I’m the vocalist of the band.
SeungHyeon: This is SeungHyeon Lee, a 15-year-old bass guitarist of The East Light.
JunWook: Hi, I am JunWook Kim and 15 years old. I am the guitarist and also compose for the band.
SaKang: Hello, I’m SaKang Chung and aged 15. I am the vocalist of The East Light. It’s nice meeting you all!
WooJin: Hello! I am the vocalist and the youngest member of The East Light, aged 14.
Please tell us how you initially started music and playing the instruments.
SeokChul: I was able to get into various types of music from a young age through my parents’ influence. After being captivated by a drum performance by Roger Taylor from the band, Queen, I wanted to be a drummer and perform solo in front of a large audience; so I started learning the drums at age 6.
EunSung: I used to take lessons at the piano academy since I was a second grader in elementary. And one day, my piano teacher asked me to sing and complimented on my voice that got me to train on my voice as well music in general.
SeungHyeon: I got myself into music at 6 years old; after watching a video of Marcus Miller, who was playing solo on the base guitar.
JunWook: I was bored at home and wondering on what to do, when I found a guitar rotting away in the storage. I felt at that moment, that I found my other self. That’s how I started getting into playing the guitar.
SaKang: When I was younger, because both of my parents worked; I used to get into a lot of trouble and come home injured or would come home at late hours. So I got permission from my parents to attend a music academy and started music from then onwards.
WooJin: By chance, I got to watch Justin Bieber perform and was mesmerized by the performance and decided to pursue a career in music; in hope to become a great musician like him.
What kind of songs or albums are you listening to these days? Who would you say are your biggest influences in music?
SeokChul: Travis Barker has influenced me when I was learning the drum in terms of his performances, producing and DJing and I am still learning about him today. He’s my idol!
EunSung: The artists that I like are the duo, TWENTY ØNE PILØTS.
The song I listen to most often these days is “Epilogue: Young Forever” by BTS.
I relate to the lyrics so much and it deeply impacts me emotionally, so I listen to it often.
SeungHyeon: The artists I admire are Victor Wooten, Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller. “Run For Cover,” “Thunder,” “What Did He Say?” are some of the songs I listen to the most.
JunWook: I’m a fan of The Chainsmokers and frequently listen to their song, “Closer.”
SaKang: I like Bruno Mars. I think his songs suit my voice tone; I’d like to think of him as my role model.
WooJin: “Let Me Love You,” “Cold Water” and “Nothing Like Us” by Justin Bieber.
Where would you want to perform the most in the world?
SeokChul: Our CEO named us, The East Light to mean for us to become the light of the whole world, so our wish is to perform wherever we can.
EunSung: I’d love to perform in America, during the halftime of the Super Bowl.
SeungHyeon: U.K’s Wembley Stadium and Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Spain.
JunWook: I don’t have a specific location in mind, but my dream is to have a world tour.
SaKang: I want to go busking in the streets, packed with people in New York.
WooJin: I would love to perform at the Times Square, New York.
Who do you admire the most in your life?
SeokChul: My parents who initially supported me to start music in love. And our CEO, Chang-hwan Lee producer who gave me the help I needed to develop my music to the next level.
EunSung: I really admire Michael Jackson. His performances are timeless and his songs and his dance moves make me want to be like him.
SeungHyeon: Cristiano Ronald! The next things I like after the bass guitar is… soccer and soccer video games.
JunWook: I admire the producer and artist, Babyface. He has the ability to project all genre of music into his own unique style, and practically took over the Billboard charts with his work.
SaKang: Pharrell Williams. He seems to look good in whatever he wears, even though he isn’t very tall. His sense of style and wit is similar to mine, I think.
WooJin: I admire my mother who is a vocal trainer.
How many hours a day do you practice and train? Do you have a special method for dealing with stress?
SeokChul: On school days, I usually practice for about 6 hours.
For weekends, I come to the studio early and start working on some productions and practice. I don’t think I have particular way of solving stress.
EunSung: I practice from 3 to 4 hours on weekdays when I have school to attend.
On weekends, the practice goes on for about 10 hours each day. When practice is over, I like to play games and that’s how I get rid of stress.
SeungHyeon: The hours of practice really depends on the schedule. The way I deal with stress is to play soccer, video games or listen to music!
JunWook: I think I practice over 5 hours a day. A really great way to relieve stress is to listen to music at dawn.
SaKang: About 3 hours or so of practice for me. I have a really positive and active personality so I don’t get stressed out often but if I ever do get any stress, I relieve it by chatting to my closest friends over the phone.
WooJin: I practice for about 6 hours per day. For me, the way to relieve stress is to listen to EDM extremely loud!
What do you like to eat or drink the best?
SeokChul: My favorite food is hard-boiled mackerels my mother makes ~ I can always eat two bowls of rice with my mother’s boiled mackerels.
EunSung: I really like to drink coke. I normally drink a cup or two after I had a meal.
SeungHyeon: I like hamburgers and would love to try out the ones sold in the U.S.
JunWook: I like Chicken Galbi! There’s a Galbi restaurant near my home where I often go.
SaKang: My favorite food is pizza. It’s so delicious and has every right to be considered the top food. I really want to try the pizzas in the States as well.
WooJin: Spicy stir-fried pork with vegetables and Banana milk for me.
Please describe what your ideal person would be like.
SeokChul: My ideal would be someone with chubby cheeks, pale skin and overall who is just cuteness overload!
EunSung: I like someone who makes me feel good and who has an attractive and pretty smile.
SeungHyeon: My ideal is a pretty female who has a beautiful physique.
JunWook: Someone who brings a smile on my face when I’m looking at her.
SaKang: I think my taste in what I consider my ideal keeps changing as I get older. I used to like girls who are just pretty, but now my ideal is someone who understands me, who is patient with me, contacts me often, plus cute at pushing and pulling the relationship.
WooJin: I like females with waved brown or dark hair, with long arms and legs.
Are there hobbies or any special skills that you own other than music?
SeokChul: I’ve always loved music since I was a child, so my hobby is digging deeper into music.
EunSung: My hobby is playing video games; I play games to the extreme.
I like to play games like Winners on PlayStation.
SeungHyeon: I collect soccer boots, soccer uniforms, soccer player figures and Real Madrid soccer player’s cards.
JunWook: I love watching movies. From my experience, movies help me to unload unnecessary stress and motivate me to gain inspiration.
SaKang: I play many instruments. And I am also very good at noticing certain traits in people’s speech and characteristics. So I try mimicking our company’s producer or other Sunbaenim artists’ voices in front of the members which helps to brighten up the atmosphere.
WooJin: My hobbies are watching movies! I am very interested in acting so I tend to watch movies frequently.
What would be the most precious belonging that you own?
SeokChul: The set of drums that my father got for me! It’s my No. 1 treasure!
EunSung: The most precious belonging I own is my pillow, I have in the house. It’s because I love to sleep and I’ve had this pillow since I was very young. I can fall asleep really well with this pillow.
SeungHyeon: My bass guitar, soccer boots, uniforms, soccer player figures! I love soccer so much!
JunWook: My mobile. I can listen to music and communicate with people with it, so it’s something you can do everything with!
SaKang: A photograph of my family! Whenever I feel sad or down I look at the photo, I can get over the gloom.
WooJin: My first ever piano! I have it at my house ~ I normally use my first piano when I have to practice.
How do you communicate with your fans?
SeokChul: We each have our own Social networking service where we connect with our fans through messaging.
EunSung: I communicate with the fans by reading out their comments and give them shout-outs from our V Live broadcasts.
SeungHyeon: We communicate with our fans by commenting and messaging via Social networking.
JunWook: We communicate a lot with our fans via SNS! Please come and join us!
SaKang: I was the one who used to do most of the communication with our fans and was able to reply to everyone’s comments before, but I got tired after a while when we got busier with our work.
I didn’t want to upset our fans by not replying to all of their comments, so I don’t comment one-on-one as I used to nowadays.
WooJin: We use SNS messaging or online bulletins to connect with our fans.
Thank you for such an interesting interview. We wish you all the best with your new single, “Holla” and look forward to more music! As we are nearing the end of this year and soon to be starting the year, 2017 in a couple of weeks, our last question is…what are your hopes and plans for the New Year?
SeokChul: Our goal for The East light is to showcase great music to many people through working hard on our activities and craft.
EunSung: We want to get invited to perform abroad in 2017!
SeungHyeon: I hope my favorite soccer players get to become our fans!
JunWook: I wish that a lot of people would gain positive energy from our music.
SaKang: We hope to gain more fans in Korea and abroad; later tour and do live performances around the world.
WooJin: We really want to get on the Top 10 on the Billboard Charts.
— J.Chung.
2016 hasn’t been a good year for Kang Jung-Ho as the now-besieged Pittsburgh Pirates infielder found himself in trouble again following an early-morning DUI accident in Seoul, South Korea.
Following Kang’s arrest for the accident by the Seoul Gangnam District Police, it is alleged he asked his friend/passenger to lie and state he or she was driving. The unnamed friend did claim to be behind the wheel, but camera footage disproved the story. The Guardian reports that Kang is being investigated for falsifying his story.
Per Yonhap News, Kang was driving to his Seoul-area hotel in a rented BMW when he and his unnamed, 29-year-old passenger smashed into a guardrail. Debris from the impact hit a parked car and damaged it. Following the crash, CCTV cameras caught Kang fleeing the scene. He was later arrested for the incident and charged with fleeing the scene of a DUI accident. Kang, who’s blood-alcohol level was 0.084 (legal limit in Korea is 0.05), was released following the charge.
If the case proceeds, Kang could face a fine and three years in jail.
This isn’t the first issue with Kang. On June 29, 2016, a woman formally accused Kang of sexually assaulting her at Chicago’s Westin Hotel on North Michigan Avenue on June 17. In her statement, she claims she met Kang through a dating app and that the two agreed to meet. In the police report, the 23-year-old female stated that while in Kang’s room, she slipped in and out of consciousness after accepting an alcoholic beverage from him. She then claims he assaulted her. In July, police investigating the case stated the alleged victim wasn’t cooperating. In September 2016, police stated they couldn’t find the victim. Updates into the investigation have not been made since; the case still hasn’t been resolved.
Kang also made headlines earlier this year when stories circulated the Web that he and T-ARA’s Hyomin were allegedly dating. The allegations began when Hyomin threw out the first pitch at a Pirates game in September 2015. At the time, Ilgan Sports reported the two started dating January 2016. The stories were proven false, and agents for both parties clarified that the two are good friends.
Kang, who has a 4-year, $11 million contract with the Pirates, began playing in the Major Leagues in 2015. In a statement by Pirates president Frank Coonelly, the team expressed disappoint. The statement reads:
We have been made aware of the very serious charges filed against Jung Ho Kang early Friday morning in Seoul, South Korea.
We are extremely disappointed in Jung Ho and in his decision process during this matter. I know firsthand how foolish and dangerous it is to drive under the influence and am most thankful that, as we understand it, no one was injured.
We will have further comment once we have been able to gather all of the relevant facts and speak with the player.
Neither the Pirates organization or Major League Baseball commented on how or if Kang will face any punishment for his off-field conduct.
—-Joelle Halon
While the K-Pop scene is buzzing with excitement and electric dance tracks, sometimes this music isn’t to everyone’s liking. Some fans of the Korean music scene may crave something calmer and more melodic. Popping over to the K-Indie scene, an up-and-coming trio that’s recently started to capture a lot of attention with International fans is quietly creating waves with their album The Bay. While the album was released August 22, 2016, it’s just now catching attention several months later.
La Baie is made up of pianist Park Jinwoo, guitarist Denis Sungho, and vocalist Kim Hyemi. Together, the trio creates sultry, jazzy, and almost-New Age music (they’re officially listed as “chic pop”) that is hypnotic and rhythmic. Throughout The Bay, the trio uses a mix of French, English, and Korean to make the lyrics for each song sound enchanting, while the simplicity of the guitar and piano paired with Kim’s vocals seduce the listener into take a journey to another world of peaceful, sensual sounds that are like warm water over a weary soul.
Even though the descriptions sound cliché, they’re the only fitting way to describe the music quality The Bay presents to listeners. Instrumentals and vocals are so well executed that it’s difficult to not feel something deep within the heart. Perhaps it’s the familiarity of Kim’s vocals as she sometimes sounds BoA-esque before switching to deeper, sexier vocals. In a way, Kim is like a snake charmer charming listeners as her vocals sway back and forth between her myriad of tones. Paired with the melodic instrumentals, music on The Bay is an experience, not just background music.
The lead single, “The Bay,” captures the imagination with its slight repetition and beautiful melodies. Kim’s vocals tell a wonderful story with subtle emotion that sweeps listeners away into an ocean of fantasy. Denis and Park create a complex backtrack with the few instruments they use to add dimension. The instrumentals’ rises and falls throughout the song make it seem shorter than its 5-minute timing even though Kim is a bit monotone. With the monotone aside, the song is fresh, upbeat, and warm to entice listeners to proceed deeper into the album.
For track two, listeners are gifted with the jazzy, sexy “Voice.” Here, Kim can be likened to a graceful snake weaving through the musical scale with skill. In “Voice,” Kim uses huskier tones to enchant listeners. The song is best appreciated with the eyes closed because it’s the best way to feel the music. Denis’ guitar is light and magical to help lull listeners deeper into the mysterious wonderland “Voice” creates. Everything here is pure magic.
“Let Them Dream” picks the beat up a little more to create a soft, mid-tempo track that’s dreamy and hopeful. Kim makes good use of high notes in the chorus to make the song feel lifted and pretty. The instrumentals also have an optimistic quality to them. The song swallows listeners and envelopes them in warmth. Sometimes the instrumentals are louder than Kim, but this issue evens out as the song progresses.
Track four is “Valse D.” The track features Denis’ enchanting guitar with Kim harmonizing with it. The track features Park talking in French over the instrumentals. The music is the highlight of the track as it has moments of slow beauty followed by a moment where it sounds like frantic, old-timey movie tracks. “Valse D.” isn’t the strongest track on the album, but it’s pleasant all the same.
“Ocean” wraps around to the sultry, mysterious sound listeners are first introduced to in “Voice.” This time, Denis’ guitar charms listeners in an intense way, and it makes listeners sit back and imagine waves crashing upon the shore. Then, Kim comes in strongly to create a storm upon the ocean. Her vocals aren’t as soft in “Ocean” as they were in previous tracks. There’s a sense of urgency and desperation in her voice for this song, creating an emotional appeal that’s ripe of sadness. Park’s piano, too, helps create more urgency to give the song an intense tone. Some of the instrumentals recall sounds from “The Bay,” so the two tracks could be considered bookend songs.
Track six, “The Photographer,” begins with feelings of darkness. Kim’s vocals are haunting and feel like they come from a horror film at times as they echo and reach new lows. Denis and Park’s instrumentals also have dark tones as they sound off-key at times to make the song eerie. There are hints of Latin sound in the song, so there are many dimensions to the dark-toned tune. Around the 2:30-mark, though, Kim’s vocals feel too harsh as they’re too forceful, but this helps with the dark feel. “The Photographer” isn’t as refined as the other tracks, but it’s interesting.
“Revolutionary” is a dance track that feels like a remix with the echoing “Chopin is back” and arrangement of the vocals. There is some French-speaking overlaid on the track as well as some Spanish guitar that makes the song have a bit of a confused identity. That’s why the song is “revolutionary” as it borrows from many different spheres to come together to create an interesting piece. For those looking for something that is classical and electro-pop, “Revolutionary” will catch listeners’ attention with ease.
Finally, “Postude” features children talking over an eerie track that sounds like a skipping old record. The children speak in Korean and French while Kim’s vocals echo from a distance. The track has varying beats that start slow and pick up to a groovy, bass-filled sound. The track is short and closes the album out strangely because the children feel out of place, but the instrumentals are spot-on.
As far as music releases go this year, The Bay stands out in a positive way because it’s different, sensuous, and inviting. Each song makes a listener wanting more. La Baie’s The Bay easily earns a 4.5/5 and is a definite must-have in a music collection.
You can listen to and purchase The Bay on La Baie’s Bandcamp page. Visit them on Facebook also.
—-Joelle Halon
The Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) was held December 2, 2016. For the seventh year in a row, the awards were held outside of Korea with the event taking place at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong for the fourth consecutive year. Like with previous years, the event was riddled with poor sound and mistakes (Day6 being called Day8, for example) showing how ill-prepared the awards ceremony organizers were. Additionally, controversy came into play with two of the biggest stories this year was Taeyeon backing out of a performance with Wiz Khalifa (either due to “no explanation” or technical issues) and YG artists opting to not appear this year. Despite the show’s issues, fans’ spirits weren’t dampened as the winners were named. Without further ado, here are the 2016 MAMA winners.
Winners
2016 Best of Next Award (Female): BLACKPINK
2016 Best of Next Award (Male): Monsta X
Best Asian Artist China: Hua Chenyu
Best Asian Artist Indonesia: Isyana Sarasvati
Best Asian Artist Japan: Sekai No Owari
Best Asian Artist Singapore: JJ Jin
Best Asian Artist Thailand: Getsunova
Best Asian Artist Vietnam: Noo Phouc Thinh
Best Asian Style Award (award to most tweeted about celebrity during the ceremony): EXO
Best Band Performance: CNBLUE
Best Collaboration: Suzy (miss A) and Baekhyun (EXO) “Dream”
Best Dance Performance (Female Group): GFRIEND
Best Dance Performance (Solo): Taemin “Press Your Number”
Best Dance Performance Group (Male): BTS
Best Female Artist: Taeyeon (SNSD)
Best Female Group: TWICE
Best Male Artist: Zico
Best Male Group: EXO
Best Music Video: BLACKPINK “Whistle”
Best New Female Artist: I.O.I
Best New Male Artist: NCT 127
Best OST: Lee Juck “Don’t Worry”
Best Rap Performance: BewhY, Cjamm “Puzzle”
Best Vocal Performance Group: Davichi
Best Vocal Performance Solo (Female): Ailee
Best Vocal Performance Solo (Male): Crush
Hotels Combined Album of the Year: EXO EX’ACT
Hotels Combined Artist of the Year: BTS
World Performer: Seventeen
Worldwide Favorite Artist: GOT7
What were your thoughts on the show and the winners? Share your input on our Facebook page!
—-Joelle Halon
Asian food is always appetizing and enjoyable, but some may find it difficult to make. There are many reasons why some deem Asian food inaccessible: Ingredients, it’s time-consuming, or even not having enough skill to create tasty dishes. Never fear! We found some cookbooks that make Asian food accessible for even the novice home cook, so let’s put aside the excuses and get cooking!
But first, let’s set the mood.
Maangchi’s Real Korean Cooking: Authentic Dishes for the Home Cook– Maangchi
For followers of Maangchi’s YouTube channel and for anyone wanting to make authentic Korean cuisine at home, Maangchi’s Real Korean Cooking is a must-have. The recipes are accessible and easy-to-follow. Most of the recipes don’t use complicated ingredients, a plus for anyone who may be a novice chef or someone who cooks on a budget, but there are some recipes that require a little more exotic flavor, but fear not! The glossary has a list of substitutes if needed. Plus, the dishes all have photographs that show Korean cuisine’s appetizing side. The glossary is a useful tool because it lists ingredients in both English and Korean, so it can even be a primer for navigating a Korean grocery store. Maangchi provides several tips and techniques to make Korean cooking fun and easy. Recipes include seafood-scallion pancakes, Korean fried chicken (worth the price of admission!), and kimchi among other flavorful dishes.
Simply Ramen: A Complete Course in Preparing Ramen Meals at Home- Amy Kimoto-Kahn
For those who enjoy ramen and want to make it taste authentic, this cookbook is for you. Recipes can be used for homemade or store-bought ramen noodles, so this is a plus. However, be prepared to visit your local Asian cuisine store as there are ingredients in some of the recipes that are a little difficult to locate. Kimoto-Kahn brings several traditional recipes to life using pork, beef, chicken, seafood, veggies, and cheese that will help anyone jazz up their ramen and take it to new heights. In fact, there are over 70 recipes to make! What’s nice about it is that directions are easy to follow and fool-proof despite the need for some more specialized ingredients, so it’s a fun adventure.
Quick and Easy Thai: 70 Everyday Recipes– Nancie McDermott
For those who love Thai cooking and feared it wasn’t approachable, this cookbook will work out for you. What’s nice about this cookbook is that it doesn’t feature ingredients that may be unapproachable for some home cooks. Instead, ingredients can be found at grocery stores with ease. Recipes like Thai iced tea, mango rice, chicken coconut soup, and curry noodles are easy-to-follow and fun to make. The photos are bright, appetizing, and engaging and encourage aspiring chefs to want to make the meals. For beginners, there is a section in the book describing different Thai ingredients and cooking tools one may need, so it’s easy to be prepared for the contents in the book. One of the pluses of Quick and Easy Thai is that it makes curry appetizing as it shows you different types of curry to make depending on taste. It’s a win for everyone!
Beyond Curry Indian Cookbook: A Culinary Journey Through India– Denise D’Silva Sankhé
In Beyond Curry, D’Silva Sankhé does a great job breaking through the stereotype that everything Indian has curry. She does a nice job breaking down Indian cuisine from different locales in India from Indian-Chinese fusion foods to the Southern tip of India. Along with dishes like dosas, favorite recipes like Tandoori chicken make up different recipes featured in the book. The recipes are not time-consuming, a plus for anyone who’s on-the-go or just doesn’t want to take the time to prepare elaborate meals. Recipes are also ranked by spiciness. If you have a pressure cooker or a slow cooker, there are recipes inserted for those tools as well. Some of the rice dishes are perfect for beginners, so readers can grow with the book.
Into the Vietnamese Kitchen: Treasured Foodways, Modern Flavors– Andrea Nguyen
In this comprehensive cookbook that serves as a nice primer for Vietnamese cooking, Nguyen provides fun and simple recipes and tips. Nguyen provides great explanations of ingredients and tools used in Vietnamese cooking and even covers what fish sauces and rice brands are the best for different recipes. Nguyen adds different notes to the ends of recipes to help at-home chefs. Additionally, ingredients are listed in English and Vietnamese which makes it easy to find ingredients in the store, and she provides storage and preparation information. For those who are vegetarian, there is even information on how to make meals vegetarian-friendly. This cookbook has the potential to be a favorite in any kitchen.
Do you have any favorite Asian cookbooks you find useful? Share with us and let us know why you enjoy them.
—-Joelle Halon
Shortly after a video of female comedian(s) on SNL Korea grabbing K-pop group, B1A4 members’ private parts (?) was uploaded on 26th of October, the fans went livid.
So SNL Korea made an apology via Facebook as follows.
“Hello, this is SNL Korea. We apologize to the B1A4 members and their fans, if they were disgusted by the aggressive actions taken against the group, released through a video on Facebook yesterday (26th). It was an appropriate action toward the hosts and we will ensure nothing like this happens again. We again apologize to B1A4 and their fans.”
The video showed Seyoung Lee, a female comedian on SNL Korea Season 8, touching (or attempting to touch) B1A4 members’ specific body parts when several SNL staffs bombarded the members for greetings backstage.
Although the video was of poor-quality, it clearly showed B1A4 looking shocked and embarrassed; the members kept their hands in front of them after being violated.
The disturbing part of the video is that everyone was either laughing or cheering. Lee, in particular was seen pumping her fists in the air, mouthing the words that “she got to touch them all.”
The enraged fans who saw the uploaded video on Facebook, demanded Lee to be taken off the show as a way of punishment for sexual harassment.
One fan messaged SNL Korea’s Facebook page and asked if the female staffs groping the male genitals the norm or a part of the greeting when guests are featured in their show.
Whoever is managing the SNL Korea Facebook page, jokingly replied, “It wasn’t really touching. Hahaha.”
After the fan tried to reason with him that the situation is not a laughing matter, the page manager apologized and said they’ve taken the video down.
Seyoung Lee is a rookie comedian, who has recently been a rising talent in the comedy world through SNL Korea. Lee first got her slight taste of fame when she was featured on K-Drama, Reply 1988 (2015), as a small supporting act.
Lee made a handwritten apology to show how extremely sorry she was after the incident, but this did not in any way die down the anger of the fans; most of them still wanted her kicked off the show and face legal fine.
The short hand written note was much less than 10 lines, the content was mostly about admitting to her wrongdoing and that she wanted to apologize to each individual who was affected.
But does this imply that she admits to sexually assaulting these males and now apologizing for it?
To make matters worse, this was not Lee’s first attempt to commit something like this but it seems she’s developing it into some kind of habit. All-male K-pop groups, Infinite and Block B were also on SNL Korea in the past and they are said to have experienced similar treatment from Lee. Their fans are currently demanding an apology as well. The proof is recorded on videos, so people can see for themselves and judge.
As of today, December 1st 2016, Lee will no longer be appearing on SNL Korea, since she was ordered to take some time off to contemplate on her misbehavior, harassment or whatever you’d prefer to call it.
The story does not end here.
Lee is currently to be investigated by the police for sexual assault; since several people took action to report her on Kukmin Ilbo Newspaper. The press released a statement that Lee will be investigated by the Women and Juvenile Division, which could lead to criminal charges.
Here is a compilation video of the three groups who are said to have been sexually harassed by Lee. Please judge for yourselves if this is sexual harassment that needs legal action and let us know your opinion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ick-qPm3fBI
*INFINITE BLOCK B & B1A4 being Molested Backstage at SNL Korea
-J. Chung.
The K-Pop scene is a saturated market that has many big-named groups like BIGBANG, EXO, Super Junior, and SHINHWA among many others. In-between those groups, there are some decent songs from groups and singers that get lost in the competitive fray, have disbanded, or never heard of at all by international fans. Often, these groups release decent to extremely good songs, but they often get zero recognition. In an effort to call attention to these groups and their music, we at Kcrush want to share some of these songs and artists. While history may have forgotten many of them, we believe that what’s old can be new again through this series.
Black Pearl “GoGoSsing” (2010)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4sP0S4CCMM
Black Pearl debuted in 2007 and had strong potential with songs like “Finally… It’s You.” The group had singers with lovely voices and strength that made them perfect additions to the OST-circuit. “GoGoSsing” was a departure from their R&B songs and ballads as it showed their cheery pop-side that resonated well with K-Pop fans in 2010. Given how 2010 was also one of the best years in recent K-Pop history with many memorable and, as some say, historic year, “GoGoSsing” didn’t stand out as much, but it’s still a solid song that’s worth a listen today.
BMK “Left Abandoned” (2003)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofgiu6dFSuI
BMK, also known as Big Mama King (Kim Hyun-Jung), is not only a singer, but she’s a lecturer for various schools also. She’s appeared on I Am a Singer and has released three albums between 2003 and 2007. Her song “Left Abandoned” has a Soul heart with loads of passion. Her strong, steady voice draws the listener into the music. Everything about the song is BIG, which is fitting for someone who goes by Big Mama King. Each note will leave you wanting more.
BPPop “Never Ever Let Me Go” (2013)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTyxpjViOSY
BPPop debuted with the J-Pop-esque song “Today.” The cutesy tune didn’t fit them well, but their comeback song “Never Ever Let Me Go” was perfect in every way because it highlighted their vocals and vulnerability. The only crime that occurred with this song was that no one paid attention to it and it slipped by unnoticed. If another group like Gfriend or APink sang it today, the song may be the hit it should have been. BPPop was a victim of a terrible debut song and lack of strong promotions, so if they were still around today (they haven’t “officially” disbanded, but core members left years ago) and this song was the hit it should have been, it would be interesting to see the type of group they’d be.
Bubble Sisters “Bubble Song” (2003)
“Bubble Song” was a good song that featured amazing vocal abilities and recalled musical eras gone by. The song could have been a standout, instead, the song got lost due to Bubble Sisters’ black-face controversy. In the MV and during live performances, Bubble Sisters donned black-face that completely underscored the quality of music the group had (and they had a killer version of “It’s Raining Men”). Today, the MV lives on as an example of cultural insensitivities and is still a conversation topic pointing to how far we still need to go to leave ignorance behind. Despite the controversy, Bubble Sisters are still around with a different lineup.
Girl Friends “Listen!” (2006)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tEYcH4bBPE
Girl Friends was a duo made up of Cool’s Yuri and Roo’ra/Diva’s Chae In. Yuri and Chae In were friends during their years in their respective groups and wanted to come together as a duo. The wish to release music together resulted in two albums: Another Myself and Addict to Times in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Both albums had R&B and dance flare, but neither charted well despite the music quality within songs like the bright, poppy “My Love Story” and rock-infused “Cider and Cola.” If you watched Reply 1997, you’re familiar with “All for You” as stars Seo In Guk and Eunji (APink) sang the song for the OST. Girl Friends had a version of the song prior to the OST release. Girl Friends’ version has slower pacing, but the familiarity of the tune is enough to pique interest.
Released in 2006 on the album Another Myself, “Listen!” has some Latin sound that accentuates Yuri and Chae In’s vocals nicely. The song is edgy and summery, giving it a timeless quality. The rap breaks fit nicely in the song, but the chorus is fun and pleasant to hear.
M.I.L.K “Come to Me” (2001)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtWUBfhdWT0
Many think M.I.L.K was signed to SM Entertainment; this is incorrect as they were signed under an SM sister company, BM Entertainment. The group experienced short-term fame between 2001 to 2003 and disbanded when Bae Yumi departed the team. They had one album: 2001’s With Freshness that produced the lead single, “Come to Me.” Besides, “Come to Me,” the group also had strong singles in “Crystal” and “Sad Letter.”
“Come to Me” is one of those songs that captures the sound and feeling of the early 2000s. Its quirky instrumentals and soft vocals have a calming quality despite it being a pop song. “Come to Me” is a reminder of simpler times before the K-Pop Machine really came alive and exploded in popularity.
Purplay “Love and Remember” (2013)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QicxVvyvMeU
Purplay is an odd inclusion to this list that mostly includes music that’s pre-2010, but they are worth mentioning because they were a group with potential that was wronged by a controversy that was beyond their control thanks to their choreographer “stealing” a dance from I.aM.mE dance crew, an issue that caused International K-Pop fans to be in an uproar and encapsulating Purplay in a whirlwind of hate. Besides the dance, weird dolphin laugh, and orgasmic grunting during the dance break, “Love and Remember” was a solid debut song that featured excellent vocals, amazing chorus, and music that set them apart from other 2013 rookies.
Sugar “Secret” (2004)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isvGbBAA7hM
Sugar existed between 2001 and 2006 and had several releases in Korea and Japan. The now-defunct group had some familiar faces on its roster including actress Park Soojin, Japanese singer and actress Lee Ayumi (also known as Iconiq and presently Ayumi Ito), and singer and actress Hwang Jungeum. During their run, Sugar experienced moderate success in both countries, but for international audiences, their success is lost.
With a strong discography on their side including songs like “Shine” and “Tell Me Why,” their 2004 song “Secret” captures the era of which it was released while still sounding relevant to today’s music thanks to its dance-heavy track and catchy chorus. While it lacks powerhouse vocals, it’s still enjoyable even today.
U;nee “Call Call Call” (2005)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuhHgZKzMaE
U;nee’s story is one of the saddest in K-Pop. When she debuted in 2003, she was touted as a dance-pop singer with many talents: She sang, dance, and rapped on her songs, and she had natural beauty to help with her all-around appeal. Her debut album, U;nee Code, was well-received by the media and public, and a star was born.
According to her mother, U;nee suffered bouts of depression due to the pressures of fame and took medication for her condition. Her company allegedly compounded her mental health by forcing her to undergo plastic surgery to change her breasts and face prior to her 2005 comeback with “Call Call Call.” Her company wanted her to have a sexier appearance to match her new image as an R&B singer, and it’s at this point fans theorize that U;nee’s fate was sealed with the image change and dark nature of the “Call Call Call” MV. The latter is unfounded speculation. In 2007 prior to her new album Habit’s release, U;nee hanged herself following a depressive episode according to her mother. She did not leave a note.
Since her death, the single “Call Call Call” and the accompanying album are considered her best work due to the diverse sound and growth exhibited in it. It’s a shame U;nee didn’t get to show off more of her talent.
There are more groups and songs to come! Stay tuned each week to see what else we dig up.
—-Joelle Halon
B.A.P mean a lot to many of their fans, and these feelings extend past their music as fans appreciate their charitable efforts as well. As the season of giving is upon us, Babyz and Warriorz followed in B.A.P and Bang Yongguk’s charitable footsteps and recently worked diligently to raise money to go toward building a school tentatively named B.A.P Town in Ghana, Africa.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHs3T-RavWs&feature=youtu.be
B.A.P’s Helping Hands collected donations through Pencils of Promise. As the fundraising page states,
B.A.P’s Helping Hands is coordinating the B.A.P Town School Campaign on behalf of BABYz all around the world to make B.A.P’s dream of building a school into a reality.
B.A.P’s School* is a non-profit project organized by fans who love B.A.P and wish to help honor them by giving education to those less fortunate. Pencils of Promise works with communities across the globe to build schools and create programs that provide education opportunities for children, no matter where they were born, or what resources they have.
Pencils of Promise have broken ground on over 200 schools throughout Ghana, Guatemala, and Laos. We are excited to join the Pencils of Promise movement that empowers lives around the world by increasing access to quality education for children in the developing world.
Please help us reach our fundraising goal by donating and generously helping us build B.A.P’s future school. Together BABYz can make a cherished dream come true for our six angels Yongguk, Himchan, Daehyun, Youngjae, Jongup and Zelo who love us unconditionally.
The non-profit fansite began accepting donations January 26, 2016. Through social media, affiliate sites and groups, and even a holiday online store, B.A.P’s Helping Hands worked tirelessly to help fulfill a dream of having a school in Africa in B.A.P’s name.
Even if there were fans who couldn’t donate monetarily, there were ways fans could help. Throughout the campaign, fans and supporters also had an opportunity to vote on logos for the school, share fanart, and vote on the name for the school.
As of November 25, 2016, donations exceeded the requested amount of $25,000. As of this writing, the group has collected $28,497.
Even though the donation goal has been met, the organization is still collecting donations through December 26, 2016. With the additional funds raise, B.A.P’s Helping Hands has other plans. With an additional $6000 past the target amount, donations will go toward e-readers for a classroom, while $10,000 goes toward a WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) infrastructure in an in-need community, while an additional $25,000 goes toward funding for teacher support and e-readers in the Ghana school the initial funds went toward.
There is still time to donate to this worthy cause. Potential donors can donate through the Pencils of Promise page. More details about donating and how to donate can be found on the B.A.P’s Helping hands website or through their Twitter and Facebook pages.
Congratulations, Babyz and Warriorz! Keep up the hard work!
—-Joelle Halon
South Korea’s first ever female President, Park Geun-hye was the first-born to Korea’s third President, Park Chung-Hee, a.k.a the military dictator in Korean history. As the daughter of the Korean President, Park Geun-hye grew up with privileges but on the other hand, she didn’t get to experience what you’d consider a normal childhood.
Circumstances got extremely harsh for her when both of her parents got assassinated. (Her mother was shot by a North Korean sympathizer in 1974, while her father was killed by his intelligence chief in 1979) Thus, it is a widely known fact that the current President grew up with only few people to trust and call close friends.
Now, one of those friends whom Park foolishly relied to take care of excessive affairs has not only put the presidency in serious jeopardy but became the main factor for the President’s current downfall.
Since late October, South Korea has been booming and rocking with countless crowds of demonstrators demanding the President to resign.
The previous weekend, organizers said over one million people gathered in Seoul alone, (and various cities around the country) as the largest demonstration that South Korea has ever had since the pro-democracy movement in the ‘80s.
One event management claimed to have gathered over 1.9 million participants in favor of Park‘s ouster.
It was announced today on November of 29th 2016, by President Park herself that she will relinquish her rights as South Korea’s President and let the Parliament decide on the time of her resignation and overall the rest of her political career.
For this article, I will cover some of the episodes that led to Korea’s biggest political scandal in modern history.
Who is Choi Soon-sil?
This woman aged 60, who goes by the name – Choi Soon-sil – and various other names, has been convicted to be the primary person (along with her siblings) responsible for making vital decisions during Park’s administration, masterminding governmental and foreign policy, extorting millions of dollars from corporations and conveniently bending the law to suit herself and her family members.
Choi, who has known the President for 40 something years, even had special access to over a hundred confidential policy documents and is also been reported to have her own set of advisers who had their hands on critical government decisions – which includes the appointment of cabinet ministers – and shutting down the Kaesong industrial park after North Korea took nuclear tests, earlier this year.
Mind you, Choi is an ordinary citizen. Not in any way a politician or someone who was hired to work at the governmental office. By normal standards, she should never have been allowed to interfere with any presidential decisions or responsibilities. As later revealed, who would have thought she would have gone as far as editing presidential speeches?
When local news media first reported allegations that Ms. Choi had edited the president’s speeches; the President’s office initial reaction was that it was “absurd” and “untrue.”
However, after the cable channel JTBC reported they had obtained a tablet computer that belonged to Choi Soon-sil that included drafts of 44 speeches and speeches that President had given as a presidential candidate and later as president. The computer’s log indicated that Choi had received the files hours or days before the President delivered the speeches to the public.
Overseeing some of the speeches was the only charge that Choi admitted to have done, she has so far denied the extortion of funds and etc.
In a televised address to the nation on Tuesday, the President also acknowledged that she had let Ms. Choi edit some of her speeches.
So this is how this scandal shook the nation and became the main story in all the media outlets in Korea, in late October of 2016.
Choi Soon-sil was staying in Germany, where she had purchased three houses, in order to primarily let her daughter, who is a dressage rider to train and reside in. Her daughter, Soora Chung also caused a stir since it was revealed in the media that Choi bribed a university to alter their admission criteria especially for her daughter to enroll in, although she was not eligible to attend.
Earlier this month, her admission was cancelled because the media had caught on that Choi’s family was getting another free ride. This resulted in the president of Ewha Womans University resigning amid accusations that she had given Choi’s daughter, a favorable treatment.
On the October 30, Choi returned to Korea sooner than people expected, because she had prior told a journalist that she would not come home to face investigators. However, she was not arrested until 30 plus hours after her arrival.
For more than a whole day, she was free to visit banks and attend to her personal (or otherwise) businesses. Some sources claimed she couldn’t hide out in Germany any longer because she was already in trouble with the police for laundering money there.
On November 20, the prosecutors raided the offices linked to Choi, and she was charged for intervening with state affairs, charging conglomerates to donate millions of dollars to foundations and businesses she owned or linked to. (Choi’s niece has recently been arrested for similar illegal activities as her aunt.) Prosecutors stated the partial of the extorted sum was spent on the Choi clan’s extravagant lifestyles.
Cult Connection
Choi is the daughter of a Korean Shamanistic cult leader, Choi Tae-min, who was the founder of a cult sect called the Church of Eternal Life.
Mr. Choi was once a Buddhist monk; then later converted to Roman Catholicism and is said to declare himself a Maitreya, or a “Future Buddha.”
This situation gets more bizarre because Choi Tae-min is a religious cult figure;
Choi was a mentor for President Park Chung-Hee and remained close to him until he was assassinated in 1979. Kim Jae-gyu, the head of the Korean Central Intelligence Unit, claimed that his motive for the killing was Park’s inability to rid of Choi’s manipulation.
According to a report by the Korean intelligence agency from that era, and later published by a South Korean newsmagazine in 2007, Mr. Choi is said to have approached Park Geun-hye by telling her that he has been having dreams about her deceased mother, and that she had asked him to help her daughter.
The relationship from then onwards have been the subject of rumors that they were in an affair or had a child together. When Choi first befriended Park, he was at the time forty years her senior, right after her mother was assassinated in mid 70s. He soon acted out as a mentor for Park as he did to her father and aided her in organizing a pro-government volunteer group, Movement for a New Mind, in which Choi Soon-sil was also a youth leader.
In a 2007, through WikiLeaks, the American Embassy in Seoul reported that there is circulation of rumors that Choi Tae-min “had complete control over Park’s body and soul and that his children accumulated enormous wealth as a result.”
During his lifetime, Choi Tae-min is said to have used seven different names, married six times and used his connection to Park to his advantage until the time of his death, in 1994.
But the gossip about the relationship (although it was always denied by the Park) has not ceased even after Choi’s death.
Current state
As foreseen, Choi Sun-sil was charged with extortion and abuse of power this past weekend, while Park’s two former aides were indicted on charges of pressuring companies to donate to foundations controlled by Choi.
President Park has apologized more than twice on national TV for her ties to Choi but failed to directly address the allegations or answered any questions by the press. It seemed Park was denying all allegations she was accused of and that she was not fully aware of what Choi was up to all this time.
She even refused to be investigated after initially announcing publicly she will do everything that is asked of her, in terms of the investigation. This outraged the Korean citizens and when Park publicly acknowledged her close ties with Choi, her approval ratings dropped to the lowest ever 5%.
President Park raised controversy by dismissing the key members of her office and even went as far as dismissing the Prime minister of South Korea, Hwang Kyo-ahn via a text message
One of the questions, the President cannot or will not give answer till this very day is, what she was doing during the seven hours” in the aftermath of the Sewol ferry disaster that occurred on April 16, 2014.
Suspicions linked to Choi with the unknown whereabouts of Park, some rumors even claim that the accident was related to a sacrificial ritual and the victims were actually “offerings.”
Because Choi Tae-min died in 1994 on the 21st day of the third month, according to the lunar calendar, the 20th anniversary of his death was April 14, 2014, on the solar calendar. Family members had to perform a rite marking the 20th anniversary of Choi’s death, but Sunday was not appropriate, so the rite was performed on April 16th.
Some claim Park was in the hospital getting skin or plastic surgery even though it might not be easy to get that proof from the hospital.
Because the President was clearly absent during the first seven hours of the ferry’s sinking, (which ended up as a disaster of killing more than 300 passengers on board) people have been demanding answers.
Her spokesperson just kept repeating that the President was in her office working. This prompted public outrage for the truth. If she was working, then why couldn’t she have been giving out orders during the seven hours like any presidents would do?
The family members of the ferry disaster victims and civic group members held a press conference, demanding the President’s resignation since she is seen as responsible for the government’s belated response during the hours of the accident. They urged the government to unveil the truth about the President’s whereabouts during the first seven hours of the accident.
As the citizens gathered in front of Seoul’s City Hall and protested into the night every week, with candles lit in their hands since the very week scandal broke out, it was getting to the point where nobody could deny or ignore this outcry.
And the people have every right to be there to demonstrate because this scandal was not just a simple incident about a woman called Choi acting greedy and abusing her power in the name of politics.
Due to the outcome of this outrageous scandal, the Korean stock prices have hit a low, the nation’s financial state has vastly deteriorated, and not to mention the negative effect this had on national security.
Even the officials who supported the President through and through feel betrayed and no longer support her, while many of them sincerely advised the President it’s best to step down when she can.
The Speech
This very day on Tuesday 29th November, the President made a public speech addressed to the nation. She began by saying that it has been an honor to serve the country for the past four years and that she will let the National Assembly decide the fate of her presidency.
This was her third speech since the Choi scandal.
She stated, “I will lay my course of action and the rest of my presidential term to the decision of the National Assembly. If the political circles suggest a way I may hand over authority in order to minimize chaos in state affairs, I shall step down from the presidency according to the given timeline through legal procedure. “
Park apologized for the inconveniences the recent scandal has caused but seemed to imply that she was not the sole person responsible for the scandalous events. She continued on to stress the fact that she did not take any personal advantage for herself during her presidential administration. But that she was at fault for not “properly managing” the people around her.
This President’s speech took place just days before the plans ahead of the parliament’s vote on a presidential impeachment bill and it must have pressured her since the chances of her getting impeached is very likely at this stage.
The President continued to state, “I have now laid down everything. All I hope is for Korea to get free from this state of chaos and back on track. Since I started politics in 1998 and until now as president; I made utmost effort to work for the nation and the people. I did not work for my personal interests but only worked for what I believed to be for the country.”
President Park concluded by saying, since she has announced something that was bearing heavy on her heart, she will be withdrawing without taking additional questions from the press.
We cannot predict at this point how the ending of the last month of 2016 will be, in terms of politics along with the various chaotic incidences that has been occurring in Korea. But I hope we are all in the same mind and desire when it comes to wishing the best for everybody, as citizens of this world.
Here is a note to wish everyone a very merry “Season’s Greetings” and hope that we can all get through the end of this year the best way we can. And we really look forward to the year of 2017 which is just a month away…
Thank you very much for reading.
— J. Chung.
On November 24, 2016, many K-Pop fans were surprised by the news that H.O.T’s Moon Hee Jun announced that he is engaged to be married via a letter posted on his fan café.
In the note, Moon states, “Although I’m an adult, after talking about this I think I’m really matured. My fans, I’m getting married. Although our relationship has changed you know that for me, you’re always first. Your precious existence won’t change. I know your feeling so conveying this news is heavy to me. Thank you as always.”
Initially, it wasn’t revealed who his bride-to-be is, but it was soon announced that his soon-to-be bride is Crayon Pop’s Soyul (Park Hye-Kyung). Koen Stars and Chrome Entertainment, Moon and Park’s respective agencies, confirmed the news adding the two stars will be getting married in February 2017.
When the news broke, Park posted on Crayon Pop’s fan café: “You all must have been very surprised…I am also extremely nervous right now. I met and will be getting married to someone I love who wholeheartedly cherishes me and loves me unconditionally.” She also revealed that she has no plans to retire from the industry.
Osen reports the two have been dating since April 2016, though other sources like Soompi suggest the romance may go as far back as 2013 when the two appeared on Pretty Boy Communication.
While some Crayon Pop fans may have known about the relationship for a while, there are still those in shock due to the couple’s age difference (he’s 38, she’s 25) and the fact that Park ceased promotions during Crayon Pop’s recent “Doo Doom Chit” comeback due to an anxiety disorder. Because of the latter, some Netizens find the news suspect and wonder if Park really has an anxiety disorder. Of course, when it comes to mental illness or anxiety, it’s wrong to speculate because it really does add more anxiety, which is something Internet commentators don’t fully understand.
Since the news broke, rumors have also circulated the Web suggesting the wedding is a “shot gun wedding” and that Park is pregnant. The rumors prompted both their agencies to respond with Chrome stating “It’s not pregnancy before marriage,” while Koen Stars states, “We do not know because it’s their personal matters.”
While the news did shock initially, the couple has received support for their upcoming nuptials. Hopefully the support will continue to flood in as the happy day inches closer.
Congratulations Moon Hee Jun and Soyul!
—-Joelle Halon
2016 will go down in K-Pop history as the year of monster rookies, up-and-coming groups, and international stars. For many, this was the year where the K-Pop Star-Power Mantle got passed to groups like TWICE, I.O.I, BLACKPINK, GFRIEND, Mamamoo, and BTS among others who made their voices heard in 2016. The year presented fans with strong, viral hits that showed K-Pop still has global staying power. While the year was a strong showing for some groups, 2016 also showed that the K-Pop market may be drying up a bit with some mediocre songs by long-established groups and many debuts from groups with some already forgotten. Despite the noise from groups who surged in popularity, 2016 marks one of the weakest years in recent K-Pop history.
Of course, not all is lost! In-between weak songs and mega-hits like “Rough,” “T.T,” “Cheer Up,” “Save Me,” “Very Very Very,” “Boombaya,” and “Whistle,” there are songs that didn’t get enough credit or attention. Grab your headphones: Here is a list of songs you need to hear!
021 “Show Me”
021’s debut single “Show Me” shows that sloppy composition can sometimes work in your favor; they along with D.Holic and Matilda show that if you have the talent, bad music arrangements can be successful. The song has a good beat with a strong chorus and nice vocals. The bridge is pleasant to hear and the dance break isn’t bad either. Some of the vocals are pitchy, but 021 have potential.
4Ten “Severely”
4Ten are a group with a forever-changing name. When they debuted, they were 4Ten before changing to Poten then back to 4Ten. With each change came the addition and subtraction of members. The current lineup is the magic formula as “Severely” was one of the bops of spring with fans domestically and internationally praising it. The dance track features solid vocals and arrangement to make it memorable while highlighting how 4Ten have poten[tial] in the industry if given a chance.
A-Daily “Chu”
“Chu” isn’t among A-Daily’s strongest releases. To be honest, the song suits Crayon Pop more, but that’s neither here nor there. A-Daily are a talented group with a strong discography, but they go unnoticed due to poor and lacking promotions. “Chu” is a cute return for A-Daily that is catchy and fun. The song’s beat has “club” written all over it, so listeners are guaranteed a fun dance track that can keep them motivated.
B.A.P “That’s My Jam”
The EDM track wasn’t promoted on music shows, which is a shame because it is a quintessential summer track. The MV has themes that show Zelo and Jongup are of age, but it’s lighthearted and playful and even pokes fun at past B.A.P MVs. The song has a high replay quality due to its addictive chorus and smooth vocal performances. “That’s My Jam” shows another facet of B.A.P’s range.
B.I.G “Aphrodite”
B.I.G often catch a lot of flak because of their group name and debut song “Hello.” Since their debut, they’ve strung together better music and singing abilities. “Aphrodite” should have earned them more attention because it has everything going for it: Amazing bass, strong vocals, and superb arrangement. The only issue is that “Aphrodite” came out a few years too late. If the song came out between 2007-2010, it would have been a standout hit because it fits the sound during this era. In 2016, not so much due to the market being over-saturated. “Aphrodite” ended up lost in the fray and forgotten.
Beenzino and BoA “No Matter What”
Released as one of SM Entertainment’s station songs, “No Matter What” is a nice electronica song that makes fans nostalgic for BoA’s magic and capabilities. Beenzino’s role in the song adds a unique flavor to add some depth to the cheery song. We hope for more Beenzino/BoA collabs in the future, but hopefully with an MV that’s less frightening.
Berry Good “Don’t Believe”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAicySTsvLo
Berry Good made a comeback in October with a more mature sound that suits them well. “Don’t Believe” is one of the better releases in all K-Pop this year due to it’s strong, catchy beat, bright sound, and richer vocals. The song’s arrangement highlights Berry Good’s improved vocals. With the familiar theme of heart ache and saying goodbye, the song is as much relatable as it is a certified bop. The MV, too, has strong imagery and what some perceive as LGBTQ-friendly theming. When combined with the song, it’s an all-encompassing treat.
Billion “I Have You”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehKKf5p5qcQ
It’s surprising that Billion have held on this long because they are the definition of a nugu group. However, they’ve had nice songs even though they’re not strongly on the memorable scale. “I Have You” is a fine example of this. The song is catchy but far from memorable, but it earns a nod on this list due to improved vocals and control.
Brave Girls “Deepened”
While the lineup isn’t the same, many were surprised when Brave Girls made a comeback. “Deepened” features an R&B sound that’s pleasing to the ear and presents a throwback feel to the 1990s and early 2000s. The rap parts caught the attention of YouTube viewers for good reason as the rap performance is solid and pleasant to hear. However, the chorus stands out as the best part with its mix of low and high tones. Brave Girls earned some new fans with the song, but many others let this gem go by unnoticed.
Bulldok “How’s This?/Why Not?”
KCONIC Entertainment’s Bulldok are full of familiar faces as all the members appeared on Produce 101; rapper Kimi is also a former member of the now-defunct group Scarlet. The song features a strong concept with a fierce beat and well-produced sound. Following the debut, Bulldok were among the top trends on Naver thanks to their fierce visuals and impressive song. While they were one of the rookies many watched out for, the song didn’t get as much love as it needed. However, future releases always fare better for impressive up-and-comers.
Cosmic Girl (Jooyi- formerly of RaNia) “So Then What Are You Going to Do?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dDJdIHAGnQ
A lot of K-Pop fans may have missed this release because Jooyi’s current name is similar to the girl group Cosmic Girls, which is a shame because it’s a nice return to the K-Pop scene for Jooyi. The R&B song highlights her voice beautifully as she exhibits an ability to hit high and low notes well. R&B in the K-Pop scene is often overlooked, so it’s nice to hear a song that exhibits why people should take note.
Cross Gene “Noona, You”
“Noona, You” should have been the song that earned Cross Gene the much-needed attention they deserve. The song was heading in that direction as it earned praised from international fans for its fun spirit and enjoyable sound. Casper’s rap portion stood out and caused some listeners to take notice. The MV, too, showed Cross Gene’s youthful, fun side in a humorous light. “Noona, You” had everything going for it to make it a hit, but it fell short on the charts and music shows.
D.Holic “Color Me Rad”
Please stop sleeping on D.Holic! Seriously. They’ve been consistently good and have had songs that show their many colors. “Color Me Rad” has a messy arrangement, but it works since it’s edgy and different, making it stand out from many songs this year.
Davichi “Beside Me”
When people think of Davichi, they usually consider them one of the top vocal duos in K-Pop. This thought is for good reason as they have a solid string of hits to back them. This is why it’s odd “Beside Me” didn’t get a lot of attention or music show wins because the song is glorious! The arrangement suits Davichi’s vocals beautifully, and their voices lend emotion to the story. The chorus reaches out and grabs the heart with moving delicacy to make “Beside Me” one of Davichi’s best and one of the year’s best.
Fiestar “Mirror”
Fiestar are a girl group that defines “underrated.” “Mirror” is one of the strongest songs to date due to lovely vocals and mature sexiness. The song fit Fiestar well to highlight their capabilities better than previous songs. The song came close to winning on The Show several times, so fans also viewed “Mirror” as one of Fiestar’s best.
Heize ft. Dean “Shut Up and Groove”
Heize has an unusual voice as it simultaneously high-pitched and almost whiny depending on what she sings. For “Shut Up and Groove,” the sound and tone work to create a nice summer jam. Dean’s vocals even out Heize’s pitch because he has a nice, even tone. The song is fun and enjoyable from beginning to end.
ICIA “Time Bomb”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP1hMjmxFnc
Formerly known as SIDA, ICIA got a name and member change and released “Time Bomb.” It’s low-budget and not a standout song, but it’s their best effort since their debut. It’s catchy with plenty of pep to help ICIA gain some recognition, especially since vocals are much better than from their debut.
Jessi “Excessive Love”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfLjhUauBaE
Confession: Jessi is better vocalist than she is a rapper. Of course, this is opinion, but her deep vocals have strong emotional depth that have an ability to carry a story about sadness and heartache. While “Excessive Love” has hints of Adele’s “Skyfall” in arrangement, the song is pleasant and heartrending and rich with haunting beauty. We hope to see this side of Jessi more often.
Jinsil and MC Mong “Aftereffect”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4y-aZWAxDM
MC Mong is still and enigma in South Korea due to his military service scandal, but it shouldn’t take away from his music quality. When he pairs with Jinsil (Mad Soul Child), magic happens thanks to their complementary tones and vocals. Both tend to be on the dryer side of the vocal landscape that make for interesting music. “Aftereffect” has a dreamlike quality to it that makes it a soothing tune.
Jung Joon Young “Sympathy” ft. Suh Young Eun
“Sympathy” gets the prize for being one of the year’s most masterful. The song comes complete with a symphony, emotional singing, and artful storytelling. Jung Joon Young’s voice just draws the listener in and makes him or her feel the story. Suh Young Eun’s vocals are a perfect, emotional reply to Jung’s as a couple that tries to decide how the relationship went wrong and how they drifted apart. Quietly, “Sympathy” became one of 2016’s best songs even though it had a short promotion period and not a lot of buzz. Who said you had to perform well on the charts to be dominant?
La Baie “The Bay”
As far as MVs are concerned, “The Bay’s” inclusion into the list is probably the oddest selection because the MV is trippy and psychedelic. Don’t let the MV deter you from an incredible New Age /Chic-Pop song that’s full of mystery, fantasy, and beauty. The singer sounds a lot like BoA, so there are listeners who may find the song comforting and familiar. “The Bay” takes listeners on a relaxing journey that makes the song worth its weight in gold.
Lucky J “No Love”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHwRNuNPvDc
“No Love” features strong rap and vocals to make it engaging song. Jessi’s vocals during the chorus have the right amount of distortion to make it pleasing and enjoyable, while J-Yo carries the song emotionally. One of the highlights is the use of traditional instrumentals to make the song well-grounded and haunting. Unfortunately, Lucky J went their separate ways following the release, but hopefully they’ll reconsider.
Madtown “Emptiness”
“Emptiness” sounds like a mashup of songs from B2st and WINNER, but it works for Madtown. It’s a light song that has a pleasant sound. The rap part could have been more refined, but it doesn’t detract from the song too much. “Emptiness” is a nice return for Madtown and worth a shot for potential new fans.
Matilda “You Bad! Don’t Make Me Cry”
Arrangement-wise, this song is a hot mess. It has hints of early 2NE1 combined with a dance track and reggae sound. Combined, it sounds like it doesn’t work, but listeners may find themselves warming up to this song quickly as it is catchy and groove-heavy.
Oh My Girl “Windy Day”
Oh My Girl are one of 2015’s strongest rookies, but they aren’t as popular as fellow girl group GFriend. This is a shame because OMG has more range and quirkiness. “Windy Day” is more J-Pop than K-Pop with its rock elements and cuteness, and it has a memorable fun chorus. The song is one of K-Pop’s most recognizable because it has a different sound than others released throughout the year.
Stellar “Sting”
Stellar are a group that can’t seem to make anyone happy. Since “Marionette,” they’ve struggled to find a path where no one hates them. Sexy image aside, they release great music, but no one cares. “Sting” is a return to sexy Stellar, but it’s sexy concept lite as there is more focus on breathy vocals and singing skill. “Sting” has a great beat and is arranged well to show off Stellar’s range. The chipper chorus invites listeners to groove while its mellow dance track keeps the song refreshing. “Sting” is another great hit in Stellar’s discography… if only people would listen to them!
Two-X “Over”
Many K-Pop fans waited for Two-X to return, but when they did, support for the group that was once called a group to watch in 2013 was non-existent. “Over” sports retro sound and more mature, more refined vocals that show Two-X’s growth over their hiatus. The song isn’t high on power vocals, but it’s catchy nonetheless.
Younha “Get It” ft. Ha:tfelt and Cheetah
“Get It” is a surprising release from Younha as it’s edgier than other songs in her discography. Ha:tfelt and Cheetah add interesting elements to the song that seems like different aspects of oneself coming together to exact revenge. The vocals match well throughout the song and pair nicely with the song’s beat.
Do you agree? Tell us what you think!
—-Joelle Halon
On November 7, 2016, B.A.P made their fall comeback with their second full-length album, Noir. The album, produced in part by Bang Yongguk who is on hiatus due to a panic disorder, focuses on B.A.P’s growth as artists. The album still has some of their signature sound, but there are smoother performances that highlight their maturity better than previous efforts. The album has been performing well internationally as it landed at number one on Billboard’s world album charts and appeared on the iTunes charts. Recently, the lead single, “Skydive,” won first place on The Show. With so many accolades, it appears B.A.P have another hit on their hands even if domestic audiences haven’t taken much notice.
The album kicks off with the introductory song “Le Noir.” The smooth, jazzy song helps set the mood for the album. Its tone sets the stage for a smoky lounge feel that’s dark and quiet. Vocals are soft and peaceful to invite listeners to listen closely. The brilliant softness creates a relaxing atmosphere before erupting into the harder-hitting “Skydive.”
“Skydive” features strong beats, great harmonies, and well-executed arrangements. Himchan and Daehyun’s opening lines stir excitement. There’s a solid mix of rap and vocals, so both the rap and vocal-lines have a chance to shine. While some take issue with the repetitive nature of “Skydive’s” lyrics, the song is about taking chances (“throw your body, it’s do or die, skydive, freefall”), so the repetition can be interpreted as an inner voice reminding the listener to act boldly. Jongup and Youngjae shine in their lines to add depth to the already strong single.
Track three is “Ribbon in the Sky.” Netizens view the song as a social commentary piece about the Sewol Ferry Tragedy and media and government corruption. The lyrics seemingly point to this being the case. B.A.P have a history of creating social commentary songs, so it’s not a surprise that this song does cover themes of corruption. The song has an old-school feel with some rich vocals that enhance the sound. At times, the higher notes feel out of the members’ range, but it comes together well enough to where it’s barely noticeable to the untrained ear. The background sections—the humming, hand-clapping, and “whoa” lines—make the song more interesting to hear as these elements add different layers to a song that’s one of the strongest songs on the album.
“Killer” is next and makes use of the vocal-line’s strengths. Youngjae, Daehyun, and Himchan shine with clear lines and improved English skills. Daehyun has a more refined sound due to better control and technique, while Himchan’s vocals add some much needed depth. The song has a bright beat that follows through from beginning to end. “Killer” truly highlights some of B.A.P’s stronger finesse.
Another highlight song is “Fermata.” Fermata is Italian for an “unspecified pause or rest on a musical note.” The smooth, slow track has a fitting title given the song’s cadence. The vocal line-only (Himchan, Jongup, Youngjae, and Daehyun) track has hints of R&B with lovely high notes and a relaxing beat. For anyone who doubted Himchan’s vocal ability, you need to hear this song because his tone is on-point, rich, and pretty. The only issue with “Fermata” is that Youngjae slurs some of his lyrics, so it’s not as strongly refined as other songs on Noir. With that aside, the vocal line proves their strong capabilities.
“Confession” (“Pray”) is track six and the album’s standout song. Prior to the album’s release, several B.A.P fansites indicated the song is about depression and suicide. The lyrics dark tones definitely point to this being the case. The rap-line—Yongguk and Zelo—take the reins. The opening seconds of the song are impressive with the choir chants, making the song sound heavy and epic. Zelo’s deeper vocals and a stronger ability to expand his range show how much he’s grown. Yongguk’s deep rap is rich with emotion and helps paint the lyrics’ image. The song has sharp edges that help the lyrics cut into the listener’s soul. “Confession” is the one song that’s guaranteed to stick with listeners for a long time.
“I Guess I Need U” sports nice melodies and falsettos. The chorus has pleasant harmonies that bring out some of the familiar sounds fans expect out of a mid-tempo B.A.P song. The song has an adult-contemporary feel that’s perfect for easy listening and may appeal to older fans. However, the song’s “whoa, whoa, whoa” parts feel out of place (sorry, Yongguk) and there only for filler.
“Chiquita” is track eight. The song is a quirky dance track that shows off B.A.P’s fun side. The beat has some Latin flair that makes the song fun for summer. While the track is bright with an ability to make listeners groove, the pronunciation of “Chiquita” is glaring because it’s elongated and pronounced like “she-key-da” (ʃikidɑ) to fit the meter; if it was pronounced correctly (t͡ʃiˈkit̪a), the chorus would have been thrown off, but it’s still glaring.
“Walk” is another calm track that has twinges of warmth to its composition. This is another song where the vocal-line shines. The song’s arrangement and composition are pure perfection as there is a lot of beauty within each note. Daehyun’s “baby you” in the chorus shows nice control and technique as his voice slides up and down the scale. It’s easy to play this song repeatedly.
One of the surprises on Noir is the inclusion of Jongup’s “Now.” During LOE 2016 Awake, Jongup performed his self-composed song that quickly became a fan-favorite. Jongup has a solid voice for solo work because it’s pleasant and sweet. Zelo’s rap also has hints of softness to make “Now” have a heavenly quality to it.
The Korean version of “Kingdom” also makes an appearance on the album. For LOE 2016 attendees, the song’s addition is welcome. Himchan’s intro is still perfect as his English is much clearer. The Korean version is still just as catching as the Japanese version, but it’s a shame the song wasn’t promoted in Korea. The song is still a fan-favorite, and its inclusion is proof that B.A.P do listen to what fans want since the Korean version was in-demand since the tour.
The album wraps up with the instrumental versions of “Fermata” and “Skydive.”
The album as a whole shows off B.A.P’s depth and range. They’ve mentioned often how they would like to try different genres, and their abilities to do so are showcased here. Since the lawsuit, B.A.P have had more control over their music and their efforts shine. Even though there are a few nagging elements, Noir is one of their best efforts. The album earns a 4/5.
—-Joelle Halon
On November 24, 2016, YG Entertainment confirmed what many Blackjacks were afraid to admit: 2NE1 disbanded and have actually done so back in May 2016.
In April, Minzy departed the group following the end of her contract, but YG stated that 2NE1 would continue as three members with a new song or album scheduled for the summer. Summer came and went with no 2NE1 album. Dara was busy doing MC work, while CL prepared to promote her single “Lifted” and her Hello Bi+ches USA tour. Park Bom was rarely seen even though she was spotted at the YG building, sparking some hope that a comeback was on the horizon.
In an official statement, YG Entertainment revealed that CL and Dara resigned with the company in May, but that in addition to Minzy, Park Bom did not resign. The statement reads:
2NE1’s exclusive contract expired in May 2016, and with Minzy leaving 2NE1, we have come to the decision to officially disband after extensive discussion with the remaining members.
As 2NE1 was YG’s official girl group for seven years, we cannot begin to express how we feel, but we determined that it was too difficult to continue. Rather than waiting an unknown amount of time for 2NE1’s next promotions, we have decided to focus on the members’ solo activities.
We sincerely thank all the fans both in Korea and abroad that have loved the group and their music for all this time.
We would like to officially announce that after last May, we resigned with CL and Sandara Park. However, unfortunately, there is no new contract with Park Bom.
While the news may come as a shock to some fans, the news isn’t surprising as the group hasn’t performed together since MAMA 2015.
The group has had its share of controversy over the years from Park Bom’s 2014 drug scandal, to CL’s multiple “MTBD”/Quran controversies, and Netizen quips about Park Bom’s ever-changing appearance. YG Entertainment, too, seem more focused on CL’s budding Western career. Prior to the disbandment news, CL stated in a Style interview that she “was in a band called 2NE1,” confirming that the group was no longer together.
CL: “I WAS in a band called 2NE1(…)” I WAS. “”I WAS”” OMG @CHAELINCL WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH 2NE1?? pic.twitter.com/WCfbBGcqQ0
— ? Chaerin World ? (@ChaerinWorld) November 10, 2016
While Minzy signed a new contract with The Music Works Entertainment to prepare for a solo debut, Park Bom remains without a company home, but that hasn’t dampened her enthusiasm. Following the disbandment news, Park Bom posted a video on Instagram with the caption “Practicing singing in order to film a video to share with you guys..!!!. Maybe it’s because it’s a song I’m singing for the first time…. I repeated it several times… Ah…”
여러분 들려주려고 노래 영상을 찍으려고 노래 연습을 하는듕..!!!. 처음 부르는 노래라 그런지….계속 몇번을했는지… 아놔… ㅠㅠ ㅋㅋㅋ:.｡..｡.:*･'(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)’･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*❤️? pic.twitter.com/H9dsBnC6OV
— Bom Park (@haroobomkum) November 25, 2016
2NE1 debuted in 2009 and had a solid run for seven years. The group initially appeared in the MV “Lollipop” for an LG Electronics CV with labelmates BIGBANG before officially debuting with “Fire” May 9, 2009. During their successful run, the group was nominated for 84 awards, winning 66 of them including the Best Asian Newcomer Award (Asia Song Festival) in 2009, Album of the Year for Crush (2010 Cyworld Digital Music Awards), and Song of the Year for “I Am the Best” (MAMA 2011) among others.
With their disbandment, 2NE1 becomes the third 2009-era girl group to disband in 2016 including 4Minute and Rainbow. They’re also the sixth well-known group to disband including the aforementioned 4Minute and Rainbow as well as KARA, SPEED, and F.Cuz; they’re the 24th confirmed disbandment this year.
What are your thoughts on the 2NE1 disbandment news? Was it a surprise or totally expected? Weigh in!
—-Joelle Halon
On November 24, 2016, YG Entertainment announced that Nam Taehyun’s contract has been nullified and that his now-former group WINNER will continue with four members with no plans to add a replacement for him.
In a statement, YG Entertainment sources said,
WINNER who had many things planned for them this year had put all their activities on hold unfortunately due to Taehyun’s mental health issues.
YG and the other members have put Taehyun’s mental health as the main priority and decided to wait for his recovery. However, due to the fact that the mental issue was one that has been present ever sine his childhood, it is impossible to predict when he will recover and when he will be able to return to activities.
After much discussions with Taehyun, we have decided that it is not possible for him to continue activities as a part of WINNER and as of November 18th, the exclusive contract between YG and Nam Tae Hyun has been terminated.
This is mainly due to the fact that Taehyun felt responsible for the fact that the team was put on halt because of him and that WINNER, who is only two years into their debut, can no longer wait to continue their activities.
Although Taehyun will no longer be with WINNER we hope that they will continue to support each other in their musical careers.
In October 2016, YG announced that Nam would be on hiatus to seek treatment for mental health reasons. The company stated then that Nam has been battling mental health issues since his trainee days, even though some sources suggest he’s been struggling since his youth. Multiple sources reported that Nam’s situation was dire and that he left the YG dorms to go home to seek therapy and treatment. Thus, WINNER’s comeback was postponed.
When news of Nam’s mental health status broke, YG Entertainment stated, “It’s a disappointing situation that the timing for WINNER’s next activity cannot be anticipated. YG hopes the WINNER members successfully overcome the team’s first crisis, and we’ll be doing our best so that they can take off once again.”
Naturally, there were Netizens that did not believe the mental health reasoning for his hiatus at the time. Netizens speculate that there were issues between Nam and his fellow WINNER members, using “evidence” from his Soundcloud to back their claims, pointing to lyrical content suggesting there was bad blood.
Prior to the announcement that Nam would no longer continue with YG and WINNER, he posted a now-deleted Instagram photo that said “I just want to sing.” Again, Netizens wondered if there were issues between him and the company and him and WINNER.
These speculations were not confirmed.
Others speculate that the post merely suggested he wanted to return to the music scene quickly because he misses making music. Given his love for music as many often note, this seems like this reason is the case more.
Surely, there is more to the story as there always is in K-Pop, but chances are we’ll never know everything completely. However, we hope to see Nam return to the music scene when he’s ready, and we wish him wellness and good health as he continues treatment and therapy.
As for WINNER, they were supposed to return during 2016’s fourth quarter. Their comeback schedule has not been released yet since the announcement of Nam’s departure.
—-Joelle Halon
If you’re like me, finding good skincare products that don’t irritate sensitive skin, cause breakouts and other flare-ups is a must and sometimes a daunting task. In previous reviews, Kcrush discovered some impressive products, while there were others that weren’t so grand.
We recently tried Elizavecca MilkyPiggy Hell-Pore, a peel-off mask that promises to remove blackheads and whiteheads to clear pores. The product has rave reviews on Amazon and across the Web, with many beauty bloggers and vloggers praising the mask for how well it removes facial gunk. With so many positive reviews, it sounds like Hell-Pore is a miracle product. Let’s find out!
Packaging
Presentation is everything. The box Hell-Pore comes in is cute with a little devil piggy chasing off the nasty blackheads from someone’s skin. The instructions for how to use the product are written in Korean with a poorly-written English blurb describing the product located on the side of the box. Ingredients
Active Ingredients: 4% Charcoal (controls sebum), Chinese Pea Shrub, and Camellia flower
Inactive Ingredients: Water, PVP Alcohol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Charcoal Powder, Titanium Dioxide, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Cosmos Bipinnatus Callus Culture Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Saccharomyces/Caragana Sinica Root Ferment Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Illicium Verum(Anise) Fruit Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica, Methyl acetate, Lithium, Magnesium, Sodium Silicate, Tetrasodium, Pyrophosphate, Fragrance
For those who are curious, an Elizavecca rep I contacted stated the product is duty-free and not tested on animals.
Use
Thankfully, the product is easy to use, so having the instructions in English wasn’t necessary.
- Wash and dry your face to remove any residue or makeup.
- Squeeze a small mound of the mask into your hands, then spread it evenly on the face while avoiding the eyes, mouth, and hairline (the latter is especially important!).
- Let the mask dry and wait about 10-15 minutes.
- After the time passes, peel the mask off. Do not pull down; pull up in order to remove debris from pores.
- Rinse any remaining mask off with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Trying It Out
It took two tries to get this mask to work correctly. The first night I tried it, it was a hot, humid night, so the mask actually didn’t set the way it was supposed to in order to work. Instead of a hard mask, I ended up with a tacky, slimy mask that didn’t do a thing. The parts that did dry didn’t work and pulled off in stringy clumps. If you want to use this mask, don’t make the same mistake I made and use it on a muggy day or evening.
The second attempt worked much better because it was used during a cooler, drier evening. Because of this slight adjustment, I found the product went on smoother and more evenly, and it actually dried the way it needed to in order to work.
When the Hell-Pore mask is initially put on, it looks like a milky grey latex Lucha Libre mask. It’s really unattractive. As it dries, it makes the skin feel tight and stiff like you either:
- Willingly had a friend pour cement on your face
- Went overboard with Botox at a back-alley Botox clinic
I’ve tried several face masks before, but none of them felt this hard or stiff. It was a different experience. While the mask makes it difficult to talk, it doesn’t feel uncomfortable, so that is a definite plus.
It should be noted, too, that the Hell-Pore mask doesn’t have a scent—at least in my experience (some have said it smells like alcohol). So those who are sensitive to different scents should not have an issue.
After the 10 to 15-minute time period passed, it was time to peel off the mask. This actually proved a difficult task for my clumsy fingers because the mask didn’t want to peel. Instead of coming off in one piece, it peeled off in strips. Because of the uneven peel, I had a lot of product left behind on my face, so I did have to wash my skin off again in order to finish removing the mask.
How’d It Do?
Looking at the mask after it was peeled off, I have to say it did a great job removing some whiteheads and superficial gunk. My skin also appeared brighter thanks to the removal of some dead skin. However, blackheads weren’t removed as well. I would have to say my Clearasonic does a better job.
I did expect my skin to be red or itchy following mask removal, so I was pleasantly surprised to see this wasn’t the case. The charcoal in the mask did a nice job helping to ease some redness I already experience, so I will provide kudos to the mask for this reason, especially since my skin tends to be on the sensitive-side.
I felt the mask could have been better given the hype surrounding the product and how well it does. It just felt lackluster and not as strong as it could have been. While it did some good, it just felt like the hype is all fluff and no substance. My cheek and jaw areas appear much better, but trouble spots on my chin, nose, and T-Zone didn’t experience much of a difference.
Other Observations
For anyone else planning to try the Elizavecca MilkyPiggy Hell-Pore mask, there are a few observations to keep in mind.
- The mask will point out how large your pores are: If you peel the mask off too soon or it doesn’t set well, when you peel it off, it will follow your skin pattern. If your pores are small, it’ll be more even. If they’re larger, your mask may look like grey Swiss cheese.
- It will have a hell-grip on your hair: There is a reason why you should avoid your hairline while using this product. It will have a death-hold on it! I made the mistake of coming too close to my hair line, getting the mask on some fly-aways, and my eyebrows. While peeling the mask off, I did manage to pull some hair out, and I’m now sporting a partial eyebrow on one side. Perhaps I could start a new eyebrow trend? Plus, it will not peel off hair well. Use this mask if you plan on taking a shower afterwards to remove any product if your hair does end up with product in it.
- It will tingle:There will be a tingling sensation with the mask. This is due to the charcoal. Don’t panic! The tingling does go away quickly. However, if the mask burns, remove immediately! Burning is never good.
- It might hurt when pulling it off:Since the mask dries super-hard, peeling it off is a pain (literally and figuratively). It might hurt as you peel it, so keep this in mind.
- Not recommend for people with dry skin and anyone prone to dry skin:The mask does tend to dry out skin. If you have dry patches on your face, this mask will make it worse as I discovered thanks to some flakiness I had following a sunburn. If your skin is prone to dryness, you may find that the product will exasperate that issue following the treatment.
- Spot-check prior to use: Do not jump in and use the product immediately. Instead, test it on the inside of your arm or the back of your hand to see if you have an allergic reaction or any other sensitivity issues.
- Open the pores with warm water first:You will thank me later if you want better results. I found washing my face with warm water then drying it and immediately putting the mask on helps more than washing with lukewarm or cool water.
- Do not use the product every day:Doing so may cause pore trauma while drying out the skin too much. Once a week will suffice for better results.
The Verdict
Given all the positive reviews for Hell-Pore, I had high expectations. While I wasn’t expecting a miracle-worker like others seem to suggest it is, I expected something a bit more potent than what I got given how the product is called Hell-Pore. Perhaps waiting 20-25 minutes for the mask to dry would work better instead of the recommended 10-15 minutes.
The verdict: Not completely impressed even though I can see how the product works well for some people.
—-Joelle Halon
On November 18, 2016, Fueled by Ramen announced One OK Rock will be releasing a new English-language album, Ambitions, on January 13, 2017. Ahead of the release, the J-Rock group released “Taking Off” and “Bedroom Warfare.” Both songs have been earning praise on different blogs and music sites, but there are many fans who feel the singles, album, all-English re-release of 2015’s 35xxxv album, and a few world and US tours are signs One OK Rock are “selling out” and losing their edge to appease a global audience. Instead of wishing the group success, many of these negative voices—which can be found on social media platforms like Twitter and YouTube—ask for the group to revert to their old style.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0mnMzAAv7Q
One OK Rock isn’t the only group to face such sellout criticism as other rock and alternative groups have experienced the same criticism. For example, when Linkin Park changed their sound in the mid-to-late 2000s, fans shared their displeasure with some still doing so to this day. While One OK Rock’s sound has changed over the years, some fans need to realize that changes are part of the music business, and change can be a good thing. This doesn’t mean that a group is selling out: It’s part of the business and part of how groups grow and improve with time.
Since debuting in 2005, One OK Rock has experienced a meteoric rise that has caught the attention of rock fans in Japan and abroad. Much of the love and praise is well-earned as the group has music that is listener-friendly, memorable, meaningful, and timeless in an ever-changing and sometimes throw-away-ish rock scene in recent years. What is impressive is that lead vocalist, Takahiro “Taka” Moriuchi doesn’t speak English as a rule, but he writes lyrics and sings in English with exceptional clarity. His talents, strong vocals, and musicality hasn’t gone unnoticed as he and his group have been invited to perform on the world music stage via various musical festivals, opening act gigs, and album appearances including the 2014 Van’s Warped Tour, joining Five Seconds of Summer in 2016, and covering “The End” on My Chemical Romance’s 10th anniversary album. Of course, this is just a handful of the group’s accolades.
With the rise comes demand, and the group has been in demand as one of the top world acts today. Instead of being one of Japan’s secret weapons as a gateway drug to the J-Rock scene, One OK Rock is now a regular introduction into today’s global rock and alternative scenes. As the group becomes more marketable, changes are bound to occur much to the chagrin of fans who’ve been there since the beginning.
Change is a two-fold thing: One type of change is for profitability while another is for growth. Sadly, money rules the music business so companies must produce music with mainstream profitability. Since One OK Rock’s signing with Fueled By Ramen, they do have a lighter, more mainstream sound. There are differences between songs like their latest songs (“Taking Off” and “Bedroom Warfare”) and earlier hits like “The Beginning,” “Kanzen Kankaku Dreamer,” and “Clock Strikes” among many others, but that doesn’t take away from how they still make great music that does catch fans and new listeners alike. The music has a different feel, but vocally and talent-wise, the same One
OK Rock still prevails.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slbGwyE_9oY
For fans, change is scary because if a group changes, fans fear they’ll never be the same and fall even further into the mainstream trap. However, without change, a group cannot grow. If a group’s sound remains unchanging, it becomes boring and predictable because the group isn’t growing. Just because the lyrics and beat change with each new album, the group is stuck in a hole because they’re not exploring their full capabilities because the group’s makeup doesn’t change. If everything stays the same as “not to ruin the integrity of the group” as some YouTube comments suggest One OK Rock should do, the same fans who dislike the group’s recent music may be complaining because the group hasn’t branched into different avenues.
Basically, if the group is popular, they’re damned if they do, damned if they don’t.
One OK Rock is heading into new territory by reaching out to Western audiences. With differences in their sound, they can reach a broader audience, earning more fans. If successful, they are also paving the way for other J-Rock groups to also break down barriers. This is an opportunity to embrace and shouldn’t be shunned.
Furthermore, the Western expansion isn’t a Doomsday scenario for One OK Rock, nor is it a guarantee that their current mainstream-friendly sound is here to stay. They still have a Japanese market to cater to, so One OK Rock has plenty of opportunity to return to a sound that’s familiar to their domestic and international fans. Right now, this foray into the Western market gives them an opportunity to discover what works and what doesn’t, and it gives them a chance to work with people they may not have been able to work with before while solely working in the Japanese market. This is a chance to expand their brand and discover themselves more. Besides, there are still several areas in which One OK Rock hasn’t changed, so the core of the group still exists despite what fans say.
Change is good. Change may be outside one’s comfort-zone, but it’s good. Change builds character, fosters self-discovery, and helps with finding an identity. Instead of saying One OK Rock is selling out or becoming too mainstream, let them test the waters and try new things. Fans who choose to go on the journey with the group may find themselves richly rewarded with stronger efforts and music down the line. Like in the case of Linkin Park, many fans look fondly upon the Era of Change and appreciate the music of the past and present more. For One OK Rock, this time will come also. For now, let them explore the different aspects of themselves and praise their efforts because they are opening doors across the world for themselves and their J-Rock Brethren.
—-Joelle Halon
We all want to put our best faces forward. Sometimes we need a little help to make sure our best faces are present and flawless. Missha’s Magic Cushion SPF 50 foundation has the potential to be a strong contender for making someone beautiful as it promises an anti-caking formula, long-term coverage, rich pigments, a flawless complexion, and sweat and sebum absorption. With this, it has SPF 50 to help protect skin from the sun. After reading positive reviews online, we decided to try the makeup to see if it lives up to the hype.
Packaging
Missha does a nice job packaging their products. This foundation comes in a pretty white box that looks like you spent a lot of money. Then, the compact is made from a sturdy white and silver plastic that has a mirror, a compartment for the makeup pad, and another compartment for the cushion makeup. Everything is kept separate, so the pad isn’t always touching the makeup, and the makeup is enclosed well so it doesn’t dry out, separate, or harden like some other liquid compacts tend to do over time. The overall presentation looks great for the price.
Ingredients
Water(Aqua). Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Glycerin, Peg-8 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima(Avocado) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Xylitol. Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Calophylum Inophylum Seed Oil, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Cereus Grandiflours (Cactus) Flower Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Oxygen, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetyl Peg/Ppg – 10/1 Dimethicone, Peg-8, Magnesium Sulfate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Stearic Acid, Alumina, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Silica, Boron Nitride, Peg-32, Dipropylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance(Parfum), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides(Ci 77499)
Application
This foundation promises an even, medium coverage. To apply, press the makeup pad into the cushion to pick up the foundation. Then, pat the makeup onto the skin; do not rub. Once there is even coverage, use a makeup sponge and roll it on the face to help smooth out the makeup. The foundation will be dewy once application is complete.
Impressions
Upon opening the compact, the product doesn’t look like much. The compact makes it look like you’re getting more makeup than what’s actually inside. The makeup pad is small and clumsy to use even for small fingers and hands. The foundation section is no more than two inches in diameter, and since it’s a cushion compact, it’s difficult to tell how many ounces are contained within the cushion.
One of the first elements I noticed about the product is that it has a light fragrance to it. In the container, it doesn’t smell bad, but when it heats up during application, the fragrance becomes stronger and starts to become weird as the day continues. The fragrance is okay if you don’t mind smelling like a light perfume, but it could be an allergy-trigger for those with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivities.
For lighter skinned individuals, this compact has some nice pale and medium shades that match well and adjust to your skin tones. For the review, we used shade 21 and it matched well. Unfortunately, for people with darker skin tones, this makeup wouldn’t work because it doesn’t have a variety of shades. This is an issue with Asian makeup brands in general.
On paper, the dewiness sounds like it would be a good thing and something that would make skin look healthy all day long. Unfortunately, this is not the case with this foundation. The dewiness looked more ruddy and sweaty; as the day wore on, the makeup looked less attractive. It started to flake in spots and settled into pores badly. After a while, the makeup wasn’t an improvement because my skin appeared much older-looking and like I engaged in a lot of drunken shenanigans.
As the day continued, I noticed that my skin started to itch and burn slightly. Apparently, there are ingredients that can serve as allergy triggers for allergy sufferers and those with sensitive skin. Check the ingredient list to see if there’s anything that can be a trigger. For me, it was the sunflower ingredients.
The one plus for the Missha cushion foundation is that it washes off well. Double-cleansing works best for removing the makeup at the end of the day.
Verdict
Even though the Missha cushion foundation has a lot of positive reviews, this foundation did not work for me. For a 30-year-old, I have a fairly young-looking face, but wearing this foundation aged me about 10 years. I did not like the coverage or the wear, and I felt worse wearing the makeup than I did without it. Of course, I don’t have quality skin, so for those with good skin, the foundation may work. For me, this was a no-go. The foundation earns a 1/5.
—-Joelle Halon
Continuing with our beauty review series, we have a bubble pore mask by that’s sure to be a hit in a skincare regimen. The blackhead O2 bubble pore pack by Caolion works hard and leaves behind soft, clean-feeling skin. While there are many positives with the mask, there are a few warnings to consider.
Packaging
The dark packaging gives the product a mysterious feel. The jar is a nice, sturdy plastic that has a good weight to it and nicely sealed to protect its integrity. When I received mine, there were multiple seals on it: One outside the jar and two inside. Even though the jar isn’t too large, there is a decent amount of product in it, so users can easily get at least several months of use if used only once a week (recommended). The mask even comes with a small plastic spoon so wearers can scoop out the product without oily or damp fingers causing the mask to bubble inside the jar.
Ingredients
Water, Cyclomethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, Ethyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Polysorbate 60, Polyethylene, Dimethicone, Avena Sativa (oat) Kernel Flour, Charcoal Powder, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Panthenol, Peg/ppg-18/18dimethicone, Peg-100 Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Palmitic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, C12-16 Alcohols, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Hyaluronic Acid, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (licorice) Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Trideceth-6, Disodium Edta
Use
To use, wash and dry face as usual. Then, use the spoon to scoop out some of the product. Then, gently massage the mask onto skin in circular motions to activate the exfoliators. Take care to avoid the mouth and eyes. Leave the mask on a few minutes until it carbonates and your face is full of tingly bubbles. Massage the product into skin again once bubbles form. Let the mask sit on your face between five to ten minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Pat dry and finish up with your regular skincare routine.
Impressions
The bubble pack is one of the strangest products I’ve used to date, but it’s strange in a good way. The bubbles tingle and sting a bit which caused my face to feel a little weird as the bubbles formed. After a minute or two, it ceases to feel odd and the mask starts to have a cooling effect. The exfoliating properties in the mask also feel like they do a nice job removing dead skin and cleansing the skin. I like this element best because it feels like it does a better job than my usual exfoliator.
I mostly love how easy-to-use this product is during the application and removal stages. With these two steps, the mask is foolproof.
One of the main ingredients for the mask is charcoal. Charcoal is making its way into a lot of cleansers these days because it works as a neutralizer for getting rid of trouble spots, extracting blackheads, and for exfoliation. Naturally, the main purpose of the mask is to exfoliate and remove blackheads. On the exfoliating front, I give the pack a solid ten out of ten because it feels like it’s working. Once the mask is washed off, there is a smoothness and a brightness left behind. As for blackhead removal, it works well on the chin area, but not so much the nose area. For this, I recommend the Milky Piggy Hell Pore peel-off mask.
When used correctly, the blackhead mask does its job well.
Warnings
Take note of the three key words above: When used correctly. What does that even mean? Well, I managed to somehow use the mask incorrectly, so there are some important lessons to learn.
I figured that once a week wasn’t enough to get the full benefits of the mask. Instead of doing my usual routine of switching moisturizing masks daily, I used the blackhead pack two days in a row. On the second day, I also thought “if ten minutes is good, 15 minutes would be better.” I was wrong on both accounts.
First, using the mask two days in a row does not improve skin; in fact, it has the opposite effect because there isn’t enough of a recovery period since charcoal tends to be a bit harsh depending on skin type. Leaving the mask on for a few minutes longer also has a negative impact. With both ill-advised decisions combined, I ended up with skin that was the equivalent of sandpaper because I sucked out every ounce of moisture I had in it. The brightness I had gave way to redness, so instead of looking fresh and exfoliated, I was one-step away from looking like the walking dead. Take my advice: Once a week is good and so is wearing the mask for under ten minutes.
Another element to keep in mind is to not, under any circumstances, stick your fingers (or any water) into the jar. Doing so will activate the bubbles and may ruin the product.
Verdict
Caolion’s blackhead O2 bubble pore pack is a nice addition to a skincare routine if used correctly. It does have a lot of benefits if not abused, and it can help skin look luminous. It’s strange at first, but that’s part of the cool factor with this product. The bubble pore pack earns a solid 4/5.
Caolion’s blackhead bubble pore pack can be purchased at Sephora for $26.
—-Joelle Halon
In our quest to always find the best beauty products available in Asia, we’re always trying new things to see what works and what doesn’t. In our recent installment, we tried the Skinfood Rice Mask Wash-Off to see if it’s worthwhile. Of course, our results may be different from yours, but it’s fun to try new things!
The rice mask promises to leave skin soft and radiant. The rice extracts are supposed to leave skin more moisturized while evening tone and brightening skin. There is also ground rice that, through massaging, removes dead skin to leave behind softness. Per Skinfood, the rice in the product provides a good source of vitamin E that “fights aging and free-radical damage,” while linoleic acids serves as an anti-inflammatory. With all that it promises, the rice mask sounds like a great option to a skincare routine.
Packaging
The mask arrives in a 100g white plastic jar. The jar is sturdy and not see-through, so the product’s integrity is well-intact. Skinfood does a nice job letting purchasers know when products are made, so you’re guaranteed fresh product when you order direct from them or through their Amazon store. The batch we purchased was manufactured August 28, 2016, so we’re within a few months of its creation.
Skinfood packages their products well! The product is well-sealed with plastic wrap and a plastic cover. If you receive an open product, chances are you didn’t receive a fresh mask and should dispose of it or send it back.
Ingredients
The rice mask has the following ingredients:
WATER, CETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CETYL ALCOHOL, GLYCERIN, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN WATER, STEARIC ACID, POLYSORBATE 80, HYDROGENATED JOJOBA OIL, GLYCERYL STEARATE, PEG-100 STEARATE, SORBITAN STEARATE, CARBOMER, DIMETHICONE, TRIETHANOLAMINE, SODIUM ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, SUCROSE COCOATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, DISODIUM EDTA, METHYLPARABEN, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, BUTYLPARABEN, FRAGRANCE
Use
The rice mask is easy-to-use and doesn’t require a lot of attention.
After washing and drying the face, apply a thin layer of the mask onto skin using gentle circular motions to allow the ground rice to exfoliate your skin. Do not rub the mask into your skin, however. Let it sit on top so it works well. Then, allow the mask to work its magic for ten-to-15 minutes before washing it off with warm water. Then, pat skin dry.
Impressions
The scent for the mask is light and unobtrusive. It smells almost like a tapioca or rice pudding, so you’re not smelling chemicals or florals. For those with scent sensitivities, the mask should not bother you.
This mask is one of the easiest masks to use from the Skinfood line. The mask has a nice texture and consistency that doesn’t feel goopy or sticky on the skin. The mask has a nice cooling effect that feels relaxing, creating a spa-like experience.
While wearing the mask, everything went well and felt great. After washing it off, however, the experience was less enjoyable because the mask left behind a strange film that made my skin shiny and unnatural looking. My skin was soft and felt supple, but the film felt strange and required washing it off with face wash, defeating the purpose of the mask to some degree. Thinking it was a fluke and that I didn’t wash off the mask well enough, the next day I used it again and had the same results.
Despite the film, which did eventually wear off, my skin felt radiant and it did appear much brighter. The mask isn’t a whitening mask, but it enhances skin to put your best face forward. Makeup also smoothed on better and looked more natural after the mask was used, so it appears to have been a good product… until later in the day.
After a few hours, my normally dry skin felt like it had oil poured all over it. For some reason, the rice mask made my skin go haywire to where it become unnaturally oily. At first I thought it was because of my makeup, but after washing it off, the oil production continued at an uncomfortable rate. No amount of cleansing stopped it until I switched back to my usual Skinfood honey and black sugar mask.
In addition to oily skin, my face did break out along my jaw and T-zone. CosDNA identifies some of the ingredients as skin irritants and potential breakout causers, so my sensitive skin probably reacted to one of the ingredients in it. It took a while for the breakouts to subside, so it was an unpleasant experience despite my face feeling baby-soft.
Verdict
As much as I love Skinfood products, this is one of my least favorite masks to date. I wanted to like it because of how great it feels texture-wise and while in-use, but the after effects are far too negative to even consider this a good product. For those who don’t have sensitive skin, it might be worth a try. Others have used this mask and had great results and didn’t experience the issues I did. For me, this mask isn’t worth the risks.
—-Joelle Halon
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, this past year, Nintendo promised upgrades to its aging hit game and Japanese import Animal Crossing: New Leaf. On November 2, 2016, Nintendo finally unveiled the updates in Animal Crossing: New Leaf Welcome Amiibo. The large-scale update—which can be downloaded on the Nintendo 3DS for game owners or available to purchase physically in stores soon—comes with some needed improvements to make the game fun again, but it still leaves players wanting more.
What’s New
There are several new features available on Animal Crossing: New Leaf that will delight players. Features like the new campground, player initiatives, mini games, and Amiibo compatibility help make the game fresh and exciting for fans young and old.
The Campground
The biggest addition to New Leaf is the campground run by Harvey. At the campground, you can buy exclusive furniture like tables, bikes, and yoga furniture to help enhance your home. Harvey the Dog is a throwback, 1960s-stereotype with hippie hair, clothes, and glasses. There are times when he makes obvious marijuana references when he discusses his brain being fried, but that may be over young players’ heads. He’s a friendly pooch, and he’ll even let you feed the birds if you catch him early enough in the day.
At the campground, some of the game’s special characters like Pavé, Wendell, Joan, and Copper park their RVs and spend the day unwinding. While they’re in town, players can visit their RVs, buy furniture using the new MEOW coupon system, and find out more about special characters’ lives. It’s a cute touch even though the RV feature could have been more interactive.
In addition to the daily visitors, players can invite guests and other special characters using Amiibo cards and the campground’s Wi-Fi feature. To invite special characters to the campground, use Wisp the Ghost and an Amiibo; for other villagers, players need to talk to Harvey and use Wi-Fi to summon them. At the time of testing, the Wi-Fi option wasn’t operating as Harvey kept saying he couldn’t get the doohickey to work. The campground may be a strong addition to the game once players figure out its full functionality.
Wisp
Another new addition is Wisp, the spirit who first appeared in Animal Crossing and again in City Folk. Wisp inhabits a lamp players must find and place in their home. Wisp can be used with the Amiibos to invite animal villagers over to stay at the campground, give presents, or even move into players’ towns. Wisp can be used once-a-day.
What’s nice about Wisp is that players can fill their towns with villagers they want if players have the Amiibos for them. If your town is filled to the ten-character limit, Wisp will ask characters to move out so new characters can move in quickly. While his role is minimal for now, it’s a welcome change.
Amiibo Functions
One of the biggest changes is the inclusion of Amiibo usage. As mentioned, Wisp can help players summon different characters who appear in the game, but the best surprise is how players can summon characters not in the game.
In addition to the Animal Crossing characters, players can use Amiibos from the Legend of Zelda and Splatoon series to come stay at the campground. These characters come with their own exclusive items from their respective games including outfits, wallpaper, and furniture. As an Easter egg, players who invite Zelda characters to the campground can “unlock” outfits from the upcoming Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild game.
Starting December 2, 2016, new Animal Crossing Amiibo cards will be available for sale. The cards will feature 50 brand new or previously excluded characters to help expand the rolling villager population.
Also on December 2, the exclusive Hello Kitty Animal Crossing cards will be released that will have characters donning Hello Kitty gear. The actual Hello Kitty characters will not be featured, but the exclusive furniture is enough of a temptation to make the cards worthwhile. If you can’t wait for the December 2 release dates, the Japanese and European cards are being sold on eBay.
Mini Games
Two new mini games have been included in the Welcome Amiibo update, but you need to purchase a 3DS or a Wii system from one of the RV characters (if they have the systems) or by winning them in the expanded fortune cookie roster at Timmy and Tommy’s store.
The games, Island Escape and Animal Crossing Puzzle League use Amiibo figures or cards’ special abilities to defeat puzzles and activities. Adding the mini games is a smart move as it provides a break from the mundane.
Town Initiatives
Every day, players have an opportunity to complete four initiatives to earn MEOW coupons. MEOW coupons are available at the new CAT Machine by Town Hall and allow you to buy goods at the campground. Initiatives consist of daily tasks players may engage in already such as selling fruit at Retail, buy goods at Timmy and Tommy’s, or having fossils evaluated by Blathers. There are harder tasks available like hunting isopods, finding lucky items, or even waiting around for Sahara to show up so she can “fix” players’ homes in ugly wallpaper. The initiatives help make game-play fun and are made better when players compete against each other (not in-game) to see who can complete theirs first.
Many of the initiatives can be completed in a matter of minutes, but others may take longer depending on if players must search for specific fish, insects, or items.
Lottie Joins the Party
For players who have Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, there is an option to upload your HHD player data onto New Leaf Welcome Amiibo. When this is done, Lottie comes to town to show you how the new furniture-moving functions work. Her appearance means that moving furniture in your house is more intuitive and doesn’t require placing items in pockets and drawers and moving items across the room manually. This makes things easier!
Little Things
In addition to the bigger updates, there are several small changes that make the game enjoyable to play since players may not know what’s different until they try everything and anything. Upon the first few plays, players may notice the following:
- The villager can now sit on rocks in addition to stumps and benches
- The player can now shake trees while holding onto the net, fishing pole, or slingshot
- Balloon gifts are no longer only balloon furniture as other furniture items also float overhead. This means it’s worth trying to get the balloon badges again!
- Timmy and Tommy have new fortune cookies with different prizes including Nintendogexclusives and Nintendo goodies
- The islands sell other items besides Cabana and Mermaid furniture. During recent trips, music instruments have been sold
- There’s now hidden storage available for the house. The hidden storage has several places to store more furniture, clothes, and random odds and ends
- Through the camera feature, Animal Crossing villagers can interact with real-world surroundings. This feature could have been like Pokemon Go, but it’s a basic cute feature that’s better for young players than adults looking to take gaming outside the 3DS.
It appears there may be other discoveries to come as players continue to engage in activities. Presently, the above newbies are the confirmed ones.
Still Room for Growth
While the present changes are good ones, there are some things the update “missed the boat” on that could have made the game even more enjoyable.
Full Happy Home Designer Support
While it’s great that the Welcome Amiibo update allows for easier furniture moving, there are features from HHD players should have gotten to make game-play more awesome. For example, players should have the option to place outdoor furniture outdoors where it belongs instead of in the house. The ability to use the outdoor furniture outside would make towns look more appealing instead of waiting for ugly town projects to unlock. For starters, a cute café set is better than an oil drill any day, so full customization should have been made available.
Along with the ability to customize outdoors, the indoors should have more freedom too. With HHD, players can use rugs, curtains, and ceiling fixtures to make rooms look more cozy and welcoming. These features were oddly left off for this update.
Another great feature that could have been added is the ability to expand Main Street. In HHD, players can build schools, restaurants, and hotels; in New Leaf, shops are limited. With the ability to build, more abilities and initiatives could be unlocked to generate a complete experience. Maybe there will be future updates to include more HHD features, but it took four years for New Leaf to update, so don’t hold your breath.
Overall
The Welcome Amiibo features add enough interest to New Leaf to make the game fun again. While there are many exciting things to do with the update, there’s still a lot that could have been done to fully enhance the gaming experience. If more updates are to come, New Leaf can once again become a best seller. Right now, there’s still room to grow. Animal Crossing: New Leaf Welcome Amiibo earns a 3/5.
—-Joelle Halon
The “hospital”
“Teacher, I go hospital”. Upon arrival in Korea, these words filled me with genuine concern. In the states, the hospital is reserved for tests for serious ailments, surgeries, emergency rooms, or admittance for long hospital stays for observation. In Korea, this statement can mean anything from, “I stopped by the ear nose and throat doctor for some anti-histamine”, to “I broke my leg, but they sent me back to school an hour later”. Consequently, I learned quickly not to panic when students, family or friends told me that they had visited the hospital, it usually wasn’t anything serious.
Sick days
As a foreigner, one of the biggest shocks was the realization that Koreans do not understand nor tolerate the concept of sick days. Children who are sick are sent to school regardless of their condition. Once, a student of mine who was about 7 was positively green sitting in his place at the table in the classroom. “Teacher sick”, he told me. There was nothing I could do for him as the director had parked him in the chair and told him to stay there. The lesson continued until he leaned over and vomited all over the floor. Only then was he allowed to leave the classroom. He was led downstairs and gently laid down on a floor mat to feverishly sleep and wait for his mother who would arrive at the end of the day, 8 hours later. Walking back to the classroom, I heard him whimper “Oma”, or “mama”, and my heart broke for him, knowing that he would be left alone miserably waiting for the rest of the day.
Older students and adults are not afforded the same comforts. Unless you need to go to the hospital (and be admitted), there is very little sympathy for illness. Older students who are ill generally are allowed to rest their heads on their desks (provided they are really ill, and God help them if they are faking), but they are not permitted to return home. Teachers, staff, and employees of other establishments are expected to carry on as usual. An employee might be begrudgingly permitted a half an hour to visit a pharmacy or a doctor (hospital to Koreans), but they are expected to report directly back to work.
Once, very early in my stay as a teacher in Korea, I had the misfortune to contract either the stomach flu or food poisoning. Either way, I spent a very unpleasant night and much of the morning in intestinal distress. As soon as it was a decent hour, I called my director to tell her that I was very sick, too sick to come in. After a pause and some nervous laughter on the other end of the line, came the question that I will never forget “what time you come in today”. I was absolutely flabbergasted. What do you mean, what time? American stomach flu buys you one day off, or even two, and my director wanted me to come back to work in an hour or so. After a little negotiation, it was decided. I would work in the afternoon, and I did. Chills and all.
Doctor’s Visits
Visiting the Doctor in Korea is a very efficient experience. There are no appointments. Upon arrival, your insurance card is presented, and you take a seat in a large waiting room. Within 10-30 minutes depending on the time of day, your name is called and you are escorted into a smaller waiting room with 4-5 people. There is a large chair with plenty of medical apparatus around it, and the 4-5 people who are in constant rotation to be seen look on as you have a brief conversation with the doctor. Foreigners always know where the doctors are who speak English, and although the English is often curt and limited due to the language barrier, the job is done and you are on your way within minutes:
Doctor: What’s your problem?
Patient: My nose is stopped up, and I have a rattling in my chest.
(Doctor takes a metal scope and sticks it up your nose taking a picture of your nasal cavites, both left and right)
Doctor: You have inflammation in your nose
Doctor: I give to you something for inflammation
(Doctor sprays liquid up your nose and down your throat. The metal instrument always hit my teeth, which made me cringe to see them coming, this was because my doctor was always in a hurry.)
Doctor: You have bronchitis
Doctor: I listen to your chest
(Doctor listens to chest)
Doctor: I think I give to you antibiotic. 3 days.
Patient….um, ok…. Can you tell me the name in English?
Doctor cocks head, then shakes it and says “See you again”
The whole interaction takes less than 5 minutes and then you go to the front office where you pay about $10 and they print off your prescriptions for you to take to the pharmacy. There were a couple pharmacies where some of the people spoke limited English, so I would take my prescriptions there and sometimes they would be able to tell me in English what the medication was and what it was designed to do.
The medication would be put in sealed packets by when you were supposed to take them, not by what the medication was. Each packet would have different color lettering on it to tell you when you would take it, morning, afternoon, and night. Inside each packet would be the various pills that had been prescribed to you. For bronchitis, or the flu, or a cold, it was usually anti-biotic, anti-histamine, and some variety of Tylenol. If you were coughing a lot, they would also give liquid codeine cough medicine to be taken.
Pain Medication
Not all medical needs in Korea are simple. Over the course of our three year stay, my husband was paralyzed with back pain. I received a call from my director who had taken him to the hospital that he was “in traction”. We had the only serious argument that we only had during my stay in the country that day because the doctors refused to give him anything for the pain but Tylenol. Outraged, I tried to insist that he was given something stronger. My director retorted that if I didn’t like how things were done in Korea, I could go back to America and get stronger medication.
Patient Philosophy
Hospitals seemed to be more like hotels. It was not uncommon to see patients in gowns walking the streets pushing an I.V., wearing a hospital gown. In Seoul, I spotted three patients in a very busy district of Seoul in full hospital dress scooting across the street in wheel chairs looking like they were on their way to a night on the town. Treating patients like guests who are allowed to come and go as people and not prisoners was my favorite aspect of Korean medicine, something I think the west could learn from Korean medicine.