Lotte Mixed Soda has Some Pops and Fizzles

When trying Asian foods, some may gravitate toward sweets over the actual foods in order to work up some bravery before trying real meals. That’s okay; people have their quirks. If you’re a person who can relate, then Japan is the place to go if you want to experience something different when pleasing your sweet tooth.

If you like candy and pop (because here in the Midwest, it’s “pop,” not “soda”), the Lotte Mixed Soda candy may catch your fancy. Not only do you get hard candy, but you can also taste some of Japan’s pops. It’s a two-for-one deal!

Packaging

The candy bag is kawaii with the happy little pop bottles and bright colors. What’s shown on the package should be in the bag. A lot of people complained that what was shown wasn’t what they received. I received four of the five flavors shown. Instead of Bikkle, I received honey lemon water. Lotte needs to work on this in order to not misrepresent their candy.

The bag I received featured the following flavors:

• Dakara Water
• C.C. Lemon
• Genki Orange
• Honey-Lemon Water
• Dekavita C

While I received all the flavors to sample, there was a larger volume of Dakara water, so distribution does seem to be uneven. However, the clear window on the package will allow you to see what candy you have. If the candy is available in-store, you can see if you have a good mix before you buy.

For health conscious individuals, the package is written in Japanese, so you may not be able to tell what is in the candy. A former student of mine pointed out that the lemon and honey flavors have some vitamin content, but that doesn’t mean this is a healthy snack. If you want the ingredient list, you can find it on Amazon.com since many of the sellers include this information.

Review: The Flavors

Each of the five flavors provides different experiences although each candy, for the most part, tastes mostly citrusy. If they were piled—unwrapped—together, there’s really no way to tell the difference between each flavor since they all smell like cough drops and have similar coloring. With a few, you can only tell the difference through taste alone.
Dakavita C- The candy is a bright yellow, so it looks more like a lemon cough drop than candy. After popping it in my mouth, I definitely realize it’s not a cough drop! The candy, once it hits the tongue, begins to pop and fizz. It burns a little bit creating an interesting experience.

The flavor is very refreshing, like summer. If you’re a fan of Sprite, 50/50, Squirt, or Sierra Mist, Dakavita C is the perfect candy for you. This one was my favorite.

Honey Lemon- My first impression of the honey lemon flavor was that it tasted like a cough drop. Initially, it wasn’t a pleasant experience. As the candy began to melt down, the flavor got better and started to taste like watered-down lemonade. There wasn’t any effervescence which was disappointing. While the flavor improved, it was overall flat and needed something.

C.C. Lemon- This flavor is light and mild and not overwhelmingly lemon. Even the scent wasn’t lemony, but it did smell like one of those Lysol wipes after it’s been left on the counter for an hour. I didn’t care because it was tasty.

Upon biting into the candy, there was a strong burst of lemon and hints of grapefruit. I noticed there was also a return of the carbonation that Dakavita had, although it is slightly less potent. The fizz and flavor combine to make C.C.

Lemon taste better than it smells, but it is still on the bland side even though it was good.

Natchan- Natchan is a nice, iridescent orange color. The flavor is extremely light, but it is delightful even though it lacks carbonation. It has a hint of Orange Crush, but not enough to truly call this a “pop-flavored” candy. To me, it didn’t taste any different than any other orange candy available, but it’s sweetness made it a go-to flavor.
I have to admit the smiley bottle made me feel bad for feeling disappointed in the candy. The package actually guilted me into liking the flavor more.

Dakara- Popping this one into my mouth was a terrible shock, like I was getting punished for some sin I committed. The flavor is so overwhelming, it was something other-worldly. The flavor even filled my nose to where it felt like I shoved one of those pine tree air-fresheners up it.

Dakara tastes strongly of grapefruit, but there’s a woody, piney taste as well. It’s just too overwhelmingly unpleasant for my taste buds. Looking up the ingredients, one of the candies does have pine as an ingredient, and I have a feeling it’s this one. There’s just something so off-putting about this flavor that it is shocking. At first I thought it was just that one piece, but a second piece yielded the same result.

However, another family member loved it and finished the bag.

Dakara is definitely an acquired taste.

Overall

Three out of five flavors tasted too similar. The Dakavita was the best of the bunch because it truly tasted like pop, but Dakara tasted like hard-candy punishment. Dakara aside, it’s a good candy to keep around, and the price isn’t bad either. Overall, I would recommend it.

—- Joelle Halon

Following a nearly five-year hiatus, MC Mong made his return November 3 with his full-length album Miss Me or Diss Me. Since its release, the title song earned wins on Music Core and Inkigayo, the latter win causing a weird silence to befall the hosts and fans. Even though time passed, his scandal is still a sore spot for many in Korea, and his reemergence isn’t necessarily viewed as a good thing despite how well “Miss Me or Diss Me” is doing or how good the album actually is.

The Scandal

In Korea, men are required to fulfill two years mandatory military service since the country is still technically at war with North Korea. The Ministry of Defense has strict omissions that citizens need to meet in order to avoid service, but even then, some choose to still serve in some capacity like in the case of rapper Swings who has battled depression but will begin serving November 25, 2014.

Military service is a source of pride in Korea, so to not serve or to dodge service brings shame, especially if that person is a celebrity.

MC Mong announced as the winner on November 16’s edition of Inkigayo./SBS
Rewind to 2010. MC Mong has two teeth extracted instead of having them repaired, leading to an investigation.  The media has claims from a dentist that he received money from Mong to extract the teeth; Mong denied these claims.

The Seoul Central District Court filed charges against Mong on October 10, 2010 stating he was in violation of Korea’s military service laws, leading to four trials.

During the second trial in November 2010, his dentists provided evidence that his teeth were damaged and needed to be removed. The dentist who made the claims against Mong retracted his original statement and said the teeth were damaged due to poor care. This dentist also stated he did not receive money from Mong and the removal was not an evasion tactic.

Mong received a suspended six-month jail term, a year’s probation, and 120 hours of community service but was cleared of intentionally removing teeth on April 11, 2011. Courts found he deliberately delayed enlistment on false terms, though.

Because he was viewed as an evader, KBS and MBC banned him. In addition, military laws became stricter in a move known as the “MC Mong Effect.” Mong disappeared from the public eye for years before reappearing with Miss Me or Diss Me.

Miss Me or Diss Me Album

Despite KNet protests, MC Mong’s album is performing well on domestic charts. While the success may be angering for many, the album is a win with the controversies aside. What helps the album are the featuring artists including Jinsil (Mad Soul Child), Hyorin (Sistar), Ailee, Minah (Girl’s Day), Lyn, Bumkey, and Gary among others. The 13-track album is an emotional rollercoaster that provides a journey through happiness, anger, regret, and even ballsy-shamelessness to provide a song for any mood.

The opening song “The Happiest Time of My Life” enlists the help of Huh Gak. The song has a 1990s throwback feel and a layer of bright sweetness that only Huh Gak can provide. “The Happiest Time” has a certain charm to it. The piano has a wistful feel since it is slower than the rest of the song’s beat.

The one qualm I have with “The Happiest Time” is the similar chords to “I’ll Be Missing You,” Puff Daddy/P. Diddy’s 1997-hit “I’ll Be Missing You.” This is present in the first verse before shifting, but it is noticeable.

“Miss Me or Diss Me” gets help from Mad Soul Child’s Jinsil. The song is gutsy and potentially angering since it does directly reference his time away (the MV does moreso in an abstract way). The beat suggests the song is a dance track, but the lyrics turn it into something heavier and provides one of K-Pop’s better, most meaningful songs of 2014.

Jinsil from Mad Soul Child./KBeat.net

Adding Jinsil to the chorus was genius, plain and simple. Her voice is one of the most unique in the industry which helps the song become a memorable hit. Her haunting melodies layer well the track and Mong’s emotional rap. If not for the controversies, this song had potential for heavy airplay. It’s a shame a great song will become lost because of the court of public opinion.

The third track, “Be Strong,” has Ailee providing her powerhouse vocals. Ailee’s power softens here to aid in the song’s mellow sound. The lyrics are, by far, some of the best on the album as they describe being strong in the face of adversity. The lyrics read more like an inspirational greeting card with lines like “The hidden sunlight will shine on you again.” Mong’s rap and Ailee’s vocals complement each other well to strengthen the hopeful message. While listening, I was reminded of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” because the instrumentals for both assist in the aspiring message.

“New York” feels like it should be included on a drama OST. Baek Ji Young’s vocals feel very OST-ish. The 1970s US-TV-inspired instrumentals paint images of cheesy graphics, cool police cars, and the cast of Miami Vice coming forth for some action. Okay, that’s going a bit far, but that’s the image that comes to mind. Baek Ji-Young’s vocals add a sweet and savory sensation despite the song’s cheese-factor.

“Runaway” features Lyn, and like Jinsil, her voice provides a haunting quality. The song is one of many on the album that has a double meaning: It could reference running away from personal struggles or running away with a lover. Either way, the song can touch a listener’s heart.

The instrumentals stand out the most due to Lyn’s vocals. The subtle violins provide emotion and beauty. When combined, Mong seems to disappear because the rest of the song’s composition can carry a listener away.

Hyorin and LeesSang’s Gary help in “Faulty Fan.” The song is another inspiration-laced number of which Hyorin’s voice is well-suited. Gary’s rap carries the song well also. He has the right amount of magic to make the song stand out, and Hyorin’s high notes give “Faulty Fan” extra oomph. Mong is relegated to background, so he’s useless in his own song. If the song was just a Gary-Hyorin collaboration, it has hit-potential and is a perfect addition the K-Pop’s winter season.

“What Could I Do’s” R&B vibe is smooth and rich thanks to Bumkey. It has a smoky club-feel to it that adds some chill to the chorus and catchy beat. While Bumkey is a plus, “What Can I Do” is almost too simplistic. The song is nice to listen to, but it’s far from memorable.

Featuring The Channels, “Scandal” continues the smooth, retro theme introduced in “What Can I Do” and “New York.” The 1970s are alive and well as Mong covers his lack of privacy. The disco-esque sound provides some fun, but The Channels (who I am convinced should collaborate with Phantom due to similar vocals) shines bright. The Channels makes Mong fade into the background. Given how people feel about him, this might not be a bad thing.

The doll girl from Sound Horizon’s “?????”: What I think the “0904” girls sounds like./YouTube
“0904” is just a weird inclusion. The song features a child singer which makes the song unnerving. The strange chatter, music box instrumentals, and soft percussion just add to the creepy factor. I was reminded of when Aramary was still with Sound Horizon and the song “?????” which features a creepy child doll. Some find children adorable, and this little girl might be a darling soul, but with the instrumentals, the song felt more suited for a horror film OST.

In any case, “0904” serves as a transition in “Sick to Death Pt. 2” featuring Sweden Laundry. Sweden Laundry’s vocals continue the chilly feel from “0904” since it’s clear she is supposed to be the adult version of the child. Mong’s presence returns; his rap sounds great with the track. The upbeat instrumentals help carry the song also, and it’s hard not to move the music.

Girl’s Day’s Minah lends her voice to the upbeat love song “Whatever.” Minah’s bright, bubbly personality sparkles as she and Mong shrug off haters. The song also has a summery vibe, so it’s perfect for being on the beach. It’s just a cute and enjoyable tune.

The joy shifts to a darker tone with “My Love.” An ode to an ex-lover, Mong and Sung Yoo Jin sing about moving on even if love still exists. The classical undertones in the instrumentals add twinges of regret and sadness. Mong’s rap carries a biting tone while Sung’s voice feels more hopeful. The differences help create a story full of desperation. Everything just falls into place nicely.

Finally, “E.R.” brings The Channels back to close the album. While listening, the song felt like One Republic let Mong sample part of “Apologize.” Mong’s rap is strong, but The Channels steals the show. The vocals just wash over and consume the listener like an emotional tidal wave. This song along with “Miss Me or Diss Me” earned the most playtime during this review. “E.R.” is just perfection and one of the top songs on the album.

Overall

Love him or hate him, MC Mong delivered one of 2014’s better albums. Miss Me or Diss Me provides many tracks that suit any mood or listener. There is a reason why the album is performing well on the charts: It’s a legit, solid album. It may not get the love the music deserves  because of the hate the artist receives. If a listener can separate the two, Miss Me or Diss Me is a hit.

Grade: A-

—- Joelle Halon

On a drizzly, dreary Saturday November 22, VIXX stopped by Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, Indiana for one of two U.S stops. For a month leading up to the concert, excited fans gathered on the Chicago VIXX!!!! Facebook fan page to discuss their biases, share information, and plan for an excellent evening. K-Pop coming to the Midwest is a rare event. VIXX joined B.A.P, who performed April 19, 2014, as the only K-Pop group to perform at Star Plaza. With high hopes in hand, the fans gathered to cheer for VIXX. Despite VIXX’s awesome performance, many fans were unhappy with the organization and how the concert was handled.

The Concert

VIXX’s performance was set to begin at 7pm, but Limelight Entertainment (the event’s organizer) delayed until 7:30 and delayed again until 7:47pm. Because of the late start, the shortened show ended around 9pm. This was due to poor organization on Limelight’s part. Regardless, VIXX’s performance made fans happy.

“Error” started the show with a roar of cheers. The opening sequence left fans pumped as the members appeared on the screen then appeared on stage. Fans danced and chanted their way through the song. Which each new song, N, Ken, Leo, Ravi, Hyuk, and Hongbin got more into it. Even with the low turnout, VIXX fed off the loud chants making for a great night.

VIXX earns credit for their stage presence. After a 13-hour flight from Korea to Chicago, then immediately being whisked away to the theatre for a few hours of prep time, the boys showed no signs of exhaustion.

Performances pleased though some sections had mild lip-syncing. The majority of the show was without lip-syncing, so it was nice to hear them perform. Leo, Hongbin, Hyuk, Ken, and N have amazing vocals, especially in “On and On,” “Eternity,” and “G.R.8.U.” Ravi’s voice is actually raspier and slightly deeper than expected; recordings don’t do him justice!

One of the best performances was “Light Up the Darkness.” VIXX gave 110 percent! Leo’s emotion gave the song so much power. Their sharp dancing proved that dancing hard isn’t an excuse for poor or lacking live vocals.

 “Only U” provided a great emotion. Even the slightest voice waver provided chills. Some fans started crying. The boys sat for this performance to allow vocals to shine. At times, Leo’s voice sounded strained, but that could have been due to a subpar sound system.

VIXX played off the fans well. When they perform on music shows, they seem reserved and businesslike; in-person, they are flirty and humorous. Celebrity Circle fans saw how much fun VIXX can be when they made eye-contact and laughed with who danced to songs like “Eternity” and “Rock Ur Body.” Even Dark Lord Leo shared many smiles.

This connection carried over to the Hi-Touch event. VIXX tried their best to make eye-contact with fans and remain charming and engaging. N, especially, worked hard to please fans.

VIXX’s professionalism should be commended most of all. During awkward moments, they kept their composure like when the “translator” only wanted to discuss herself and hug the boys. Instead of making the moment weird, they used it as a chance for audience interaction. Sadly, the boys had to do their best to keep their wits often because of Limelight’s poor execution.

Limelight the Lowlight

Everything leading up to the concert equaled disaster. One look at Limelight’s Facebook page offers a snippet of the issues concert-goers had. Those few comments don’t cover all the issues fans faced.

When the VIXX concert was announced in October, Limelight did well answering questions in a quick, friendly manner. Dealing with them provided humor and personality other companies’ lack. Limelight does know how to connect with fans.

The aforementioned aside, Limelight does not seem like it’s well-equipped to handle large-scale concerts. From the word “go” everything was a mess from miscommunication between them and Jellyfish Entertainment, VIXX’s agency, to poor information relayed to fans.

Cost

Ticket costs were high. Even on the day of the concert, many seats remained unsold, which is shameful since it sends an “I don’t care” message to VIXX. Celebrity Circle seats ranged from $220-$300; B.A.P’s tickets through Powerhouse were considerably less ($180 got me two main floor tickets a few rows behind Celebrity Circle). Granted, Celebrity Circle seats did come with a Hi-Touch, but that hardly made up for the show being out of many people’s price range. Besides, with the concert being so close to the holidays, money is tight for many. Plus, 2PM was in Chicago a few days prior leaving K-Pop fans with the choice of which group they wanted to see more.

Tickets also came with the Starlight Dream Package option which came with a snapback hat, hoodie, beanie, and light stick for $60 extra. On one hand, $60 is decent, but rolled into the cost of tickets, the price seemed outrageous. Originally, I had two Celebrity Circle seats with the dream package, so my tickets cost $620 for me and a guest. Because the cost was so high, I got refunded on the Dream Package, sold my Celebrity Circle seats, and downgraded to the $84 back-row balcony seats. The cost of Celebrity Circle tickets ate away at my soul and literally kept me awake every night because I could not justify the cost. Two tickets should not cost more than rent. However, for those who could justify the cost, thumbs up.

Lateness

VIXX is not to blame for delays.

 If a show’s start time is 7pm, then please start it at 7pm. A few minutes late? Okay, that is acceptable; but to move the time to 7:30pm then have it start around 8pm is inconsiderate. Furthermore, many fans found out the show may have been shortened to accommodate the late start so the Hi-Touch portion could be held. Compared to B.A.P’s two hour show, VIXX’s only lasted a little over an hour, and this is with the talks and breaks incorporated. For the cost of the show, this was not cool.

Miscommunication

Limelight needs to work on their communication skills if they want to be successful in concert organizing. Sure, they’re funny and relatable, but this is meaningless if everything else fails.

• Poor handling of refunds- Limelight promised it would be easy to get refunds if fans requested them. Fans waited several days to several weeks to see money appearing back in their accounts. Some fans could not get refunds at all because Limelight did not mention there was a cutoff date. Ticketmaster, however, tried their best to handle fan issues and put through some refunds even though Limelight initially denied them.
• Miscommunication on what was allowed at the event- Initially, Limelight said cameras with detachable lenses would not be allowed. This led many to believe certain cameras would be okay (iPhones, for example).  When I arrived and had my bag checked, I was told to leave my camera, iPod, and phone in the car because they had camera features:  “No cameras allowed at all.”

Some fans managed to get cameras and phones inside, so there are photos and videos floating around. However, Limelight had security telling people to put their cameras away; some security even deliberately positioned themselves in front of fans to block their cameras. Some of the event staff seemed to not care, but those wearing the black suits looked like mafia lords and like they could ‘cap you if you pressed the issue further.

If cameras were not allowed, then it should have been stated from the beginning. When some fans asked Limelight why they said some cameras were allowed, they were told the Facebook post was hacked and that was why it was posted. If that was the case, common sense would say to fix the problem and post correct information.

• Check-in- The day before the concert, Limelight posted the check-in procedures on Facebook. Not only is this bad timing because people needed to change travel arrangements, but not everyone uses Facebook so some may have missed this information. There were plenty of fans who traveled to the concert from out of state. For some, arriving for check-in times for VIP seating wasn’t possible. It did not matter because check-in started late.

Starlight Dream Package

As mentioned, the price of the Starlight Dream Package was rolled into ticket costs if fans purchased it. Fans had an option of what size and colors they wanted for their hoodies. A few fans were disappointed to learn Limelight didn’t have enough of certain sizes and colors in stock.

Limelight must have had a count of who-ordered-what because people ordered the package before the show. Therefore, they should have been prepared with enough merchandise in the right sizes to meet fan demands.

There were miscommunications with Hi-Touch holders also. Celebrity Circle fans were promised a longer experience, but they were rushed through because of the show’s late start. The same thing happened with non-Celebrity Circle fans but with a little more chaos. However, fans were happy just to see and touch VIXX; these issues seem mild compared to other problems.

The Translator

 Fans and VIXX were completely annoyed with her. A lot of us weren’t even sure she truly understood or spoke Korean. She sure did like to talk about herself though! She came across as unprofessional, especially when she stopped translating partway through to hug the members. Several times she didn’t finish translating. Leo and Ravi weren’t really amused, and N was caught giving her the stink-eye a few times. Limelight needs to consider hiring someone who can handle themselves professionally next time.

Overall

VIXX did an amazing job entertaining fans despite all the issues presented. What’s sad is VIXX took to Twitter to apologize to fans for some of the issues even though it was far from their fault. Performance-wise, VIXX was electrifying and it was clear they practiced hard in order to provide an amazing evening! The majority of fans agree VIXX was better than expected and many left happy they got to see their bias group.

Sadly, the job they did seems to be overshadowed by the pitiful actions of Limelight Entertainment. They should have been behind the scenes making sure everything went well; instead, their actions made for a stressful evening. Hopefully VIXX doesn’t think the concert organization is typical of US shows because it’s not! Hopefully, despite empty seats, VIXX doesn’t feel like the Chicago-area didn’t want to see them. Looking at the Chicago VIXX!!!! fan page definitely says otherwise, but the comments also suggest cost was a reason for low turnout.

 If VIXX comes back to the Chicago-area again (which we all hope they do!), let’s hope it’s with a different organizer so things will run smoothly.

 

Note: One fan did manage to get some excellent photos! Credit to EpsilonXX for sharing!

—-Joelle Halon

Weddings are meaningful and beautiful in many countries, but besides the dress and the party, the traditions are even lovelier. Korea has many wedding traditions that are sweet and meaningful (and maybe even a little bit stressful) that the bride and groom and their respective families engage in leading up to marital bliss.

It’s Not Just About the Couple

In Korea, a marriage is not just about the couple: Marriage is about the joining of two families. According to Seoulistic, in many traditional-type marriages, an engagement is not made official until both families meet during a formal dinner. The Knot suggests the engagement dinner is also not just about families meeting, but it is also an evening of fun with gifts and possibly karaoke!

Pre-Wedding Traditions

Before the wedding, there are many traditions a bride, groom, their families, and their wedding parties may engage in in order to celebrate and prepare for the upcoming nuptials. Leading up to the wedding, gifts may be exchanged between the families and bride and groom including:

• Honsu: Household items exchanged between the bride and groom.
• Paemul and Chedan:  The bride and groom exchange clothing and jewelry.
• Yedan: Close relatives of the groom receive a gift. Before, yedan used to be a gift of silk, but today, any gift sent to the groom’s family from the bride is considered yedan.
• Cholgap: The groom’s close relatives provide monetary gifts to the new bride.
• Hamgap: Gifts given to the groom’s close friends from the bride’s family. This is delivered to the bride’s house the night before the wedding. The ham is wrapped in red cloth to ward off negativity. Inside, it contains a proposal letter from the groom’s father thanking the bride’s family and is viewed as an acceptance of the marriage. There is also a gift of red and blue silk to signify unity between the bride and groom.
• Sangsu: The bride and groom’s families exchange food and wine.

Some of these practices may not be performed for every family, but they are still considered part of the wedding traditions. However, yedan and hamgap are the most important of the traditions and are still practiced today.

Another tradition many still incorporate is the exchange of a goose. Traditionally, the groom gave the bride’s mother a goose as a promise to stand beside his new wife for life since geese mate for life. Today, a live goose isn’t gifted, but a small wooden goose is given indicating the groom will take care of his wife for life.

While preparing the day of the wedding, unlike Western culture, it is not considered bad luck if the bride and groom see each other prior to the ceremony. In fact, many couples report getting ready for the ceremony together instead of apart!

Two Ceremonies?

Many Koreans choose to embrace modern times and tradition by holding a Western-style wedding and a traditional marriage.

Western-style marriages may take place in a church or a wedding hall. The bride may wear a white wedding gown, and the groom may wear a tux familiar to Western culture. Like Western practices, the groom will wait at the alter for his bride, who is escorted down the aisle by her father. A sermon about the sanctity of marriage, the couple exchanging vows and gifts, and bow to the guests wrap up the ceremony, then photos and food follow.

After the modern ceremony, the couple may hold a traditional ceremony for family. This ceremony, called the pyebaek, the couple will wear traditional hanbok. The bride may be adorned in fancy headdress and may have three red dots (chonji and gongji) on her face to ward off evil spirits and purify the bride.

The pyebaek ceremony begins with the couple bowing deeply to their families to symbolize unification. Then, the ceremony shifts to families sharing stories on how to build a strong marriage and some fun. The couple will serve families wine as they seek advice while the families throw chestnuts and dates at the bride and groom to symbolize children.

Gifts

When attending a Korean wedding, money is the typical gift to give the couple. It is expected that money will be placed in pristine white envelopes and brand new bills will be given to the new couple.

The amount of won given depends on the relationship to the bride and groom and their parents.  For example, Korea for Expats states that acquaintances and colleagues of the bride and groom or their parents may be expected to give up to 50,000 won; if the bride, groom, or a parent of either works for the guest’s company, has a close work relationship, or a parent ranks high in the company, upwards of 100,000 won or more may be expected.

Dress Code

While attending a wedding, close family members to the bride and groom may be seen wearing traditional Korean outfits. Guests, oftentimes, are expected to wear business attire.

A Beautiful Spectacle

While there are some differences between Eastern and Western-style weddings, they have a few things in common: Traditions are beautiful, family is meaningful, and ceremonies should be rich and lovely. Perhaps you will be able to experience a Korean wedding one day to see for yourself!

—- Joelle Halon

On November 6, Block B’s Zico released his solo single “Tough Cookie.”  The song and MV caused a rift between fans due to its polarizing rap. It’s catchy-though-over-processed bridge leads to a repetitive chorus, but the lyrics cover a lot of ground despite the offensive word and imagery. The latter element taken out of consideration, Zico’s solo throws a lot of punches, but the song is nothing more than a cookie crumb.

Song

Cockiness dominates “Tough Cookie” and given Block B’s issues with their former company and their rise to popularity, the song has the right to be cocky. The lyrics cover Block B’s issues before shifting to how larger companies scouted Zico while earning respect despite playing “a part in Hallyu.” Even though idol rappers tend to get criticism, many do consider Zico to be a legitimate rapper, so his lyrics do cover what many feel about him.

The one element of the rap that stands out is the part where Don Mills calls out people from his past. This section is the most relatable portion of the song many people would love to contact past friends, bosses, and teachers to tell them “See! I made it.”  Relatable content always makes a song better; kudos for these lines!

The bridge, too, is a nice touch.  Although synthesizers are used too much, the added distortion made the bridge cool and memorable. This was “Tough Cookie’s” best part.

As a whole, it was difficult to really “feel” the song, and this is coming from someone who is a Zico and Block B fan.  After the first verse, the “Tough Cookie” crumbles and becomes lyrically obnoxious. Zico comes across as full of himself (which is typical “rap-swag,” especially in many songs from the U.S.), leading to the controversial line that has many talking. It was here the song became fairly unlistenable.

Reading the title of the single, it’s clear Don Mills collaborated on it. But, is it necessary for him to name-drop himself five times? The single no longer becomes Zico’s.  Zico should be proud he gets to work with and be mentioned alongside some of the bigger names in the industry, but if names of others need to keep being inserted, the song becomes a cry for attention over a legitimate testament for how far one’s come.  This is where the song lost me.

Another off-putting element was the use of swearing. People swear, yes, and swearing is used frequently in music, especially hip-hop (see Epik High’s recent hit “Born Hater”), but it isn’t necessary to get a point across in most cases. In a way, the questionable content seems to be more for shock value, but it’s not really shocking. Adding it these days doesn’t make a song edgy or cool because it’s like every other “hardcore” rap song out there. With that said, “Tough Cookie” isn’t really anything special in the grand scheme of things. I expected more from Zico.

As a side note, if you listen to the song long enough, the chorus starts to sound like “TOP cooking.”

MV

Soloist Zico is different than Block B Zico. Besides bathing in cookies, given the nature of the lyrics, it would have been fitting to have some wild imagery to make the video memorable. The MV is far from memorable and is really no different than many Western-style rap and hip-hop videos over the years:

1)      Gambling

2)      Auto Garages/Chop Shops

3)      Twerking

4)      Grills

And that’s just the most cliché elements without the controversial ones mentioned. “Tough Cookie” is just a boring, run-of-the-mill MV. That’s not impressive. This one, along with many other K-Pop MVs the past few years will just simply be forgotten because there is nothing that screams “pay attention to me!” For this being a Zico video, I expected some more craziness than what was presented.

Controversy

Immediately following the release, many International fans blew a collective gasket over the use of the word “faggot” and images of the Confederate Flag on Zico’s jacket.  Many fans on K-Pop news portals and forums have stated that Zico lost fans over the incident, even after Seven Seasons issued apologies for the use of derogatory language.

On one hand, the use of the flag and derogatory language sets K-Pop back since it is trying to appeal to a global audience. In one song and MV, in this now-very-PC world, several individuals could be offended given the context. For many, the Confederate Flag is a symbol of suppression, and the term “faggot” could reflect negatively toward the LGBT community given how it was used:

Rappers these days don’t have the skills so they all have a snap back fetish

You`re such a faggot bitch

In some circles, when used in this context, many could see the line as calling rappers non-masculine, which is why so many took issue to the phrasing. So, it is easy to understand why people would be mad.

On the other side of the coin, some from the LGBT community have come out to say they aren’t offended and realize the line is something in rap. The phrase is a stylistic choice, but was it the right word to use? Seven Seasons seems to feel it may have not been, thus the apology. As a whole, it is one of the many poor choices by K-Pop as a whole lately that can hinder its potential reach.

Overall

Controversy aside, “Tough Cookie” isn’t anything special. The song has a catchy bridge, but the repetitive chorus and unoriginal video makes it forgettable.  Zico’s cookie crumbled with his solo. Hopefully his next single will stand out and have some more of his goofy charms to help it be successful.

Grade: D

—- Joelle Halon

 

It’s been a while since these dramas were aired on TV. Most of them were aired 4-5 years ago and some even up to 10 years. As the number of years goes up, you can really see some major differences within the scenes and storylines. Back then love stories were more sweet and innocent and now days it’s a bit more opened to the viewers.

#1 overplayed dramas of all time: Coffee Prince

This is one of the most popular dramas of all time. Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye plays the main role in this drama. It’s about a romance between a tomboyish woman (Yoon Eun Hye) who dresses like a boy to get to work. The guy (Gong Yoo) doesn’t know that it’s a girl dressing up like a man at first but soon he figures it out and that’s where the romance begins.

#2 Boys Over Flowers

Okay, if you know about Korean dramas, there’s no way you would have skipped this drama unless you’re a guy. Literally every single person who I’ve talked to who is familiar with Korean dramas has seen this one. The main characters are played by Gu Hye Sun, Lee Min Ho, Kim Hyun Joong, Kim Bum, Kim Joon, and Kim So Eun. This drama is based on a Japanese manga series written by Yoko Kamio. It’s about a poor girl who goes to an exclusive academy school who gets the attention of F4 who are the most rich, handsome, and popular at the school. They don’t start off too good with each other but things get better as the story goes on.

 #3 Secret Garden

Again, another popular drama that most people are familiar with. The characters are played by Ha Ji Won and Hyun Bin. This story is about a stuntwoman who wants to become a stunt director and a CEO of a department store. Even though the two characters live in different worlds, they end up meeting by some kind of fate. The woman has been by herself since a young age and she gave her all to martial arts and became a stuntwoman. And that’s when the guy comes into the story; he doesn’t care about romance and all he wants is a marriage that will give advantages to him. He’s rich, good looking and insensitive and any woman will die to go on a date with him. It all begins when they end up switching bodies with each other.

#4 My Girlfriend is a Nine Tailed Fox

The roles are played by Lee Seung Gi and Shin Min Ah. Daw Woong (Lee Seung Gi) is a normal student who is in college who wants to become a star. One day by accident, he released a gumiho (a legendary fox with 9 tails) who has been sealed away for a long time. He gets scared and starts running away, but he fell off of a cliff. He was about to die but the gumiho saved him by giving him her “fox bead”.  When he woke up, he sees a mysterious girl in front of him and he treats her like she was ill until finally realizing she was a gumiho.  According to myth, gumihos eat human livers and Dae Woong is scared. The gumiho takes advantage of this by sticking by his side. He buys her expensive meat to keep her happy so that she wouldn’t eat him. She doesn’t have any intention of hurting anyone though. She just wants to become human, so they make a deal with each other.

—- Juyeon Oh

It was about 5 years ago when the popular rapper/entertainer MC Mong pulled out eight (8) of his perfectly healthy teeth so that he wouldn’t have to join the military. At that time he was getting so much hate that when his trial was held at the court, he made a “promise” to the judge that he will do his service in military once his condition was better.  The judge didn’t give him too much of a punishment, it was mainly just hours of community service and he was free.  After this incident, he left the entertainment industry and people really thought that he realized what he did was wrong and that he would go serve in the military, but all of that was a show to make the hate go away.

It turns out that he has been releasing his songs by having other artists sing them. To make sure no one found out, he didn’t use his name he used his manager’s name to get the credit for making music. People had no idea about this until recently.  It was so shocking that he was making money all these years and he fooled everyone by having us think he left the industry for good.  He secretly released songs for 5 years while being away from the public, and when he reached the age of 35, he came back to release his album “Miss me or Diss me” which sounds very offensive.  The title of his album makes it sound like he doesn’t care about what he has done and to gain more attention, and to have more people buy his music, he cooperated with many popular artists so that their fans would also listen to his music.

In South Korea, when you reach the age of 35, you don’t have to serve in the military but if you’re under that age, it’s mandatory for everyone.  For him to make a comeback like nothing is wrong is just unbelievable.  He’s not the only person who doesn’t want to serve in the military but 99.9% of people do because for one, it’s mandatory, and two, they do it to protect the country so for MC Mong to get away from it just like that is very selfish.  He came back just in time so he wouldn’t be “forced” into serving for the country.  This just shows that he’s been shooting for this time all along.  He waited until he reached the age of 35 to make a comeback because then, the law can’t force him into serving.  I used to be one of his biggest fans because I thought he was hilarious when he did variety shows and he was also a good rapper. A lot of other people liked him back then too, there was very limited amount of hate comments about him back then because everyone liked him, but now, it’s such a shame that I liked him for so long.

He deserves all the hate he gets and I don’t understand why some people are still standing up for him. If he wasn’t a celebrity and was a normal person, it might have been possible for him to have gone to jail at that time. It just sucks that he gets special treatment just because he’s famous and when a normal person does the same thing, they receive a much greater punishment.  In my opinion, I think he should just leave the entertainment/music industry for good because it’s perfectly clear that people don’t want to see him on TV making money when he has done nothing good.

— Juyeon Oh

YG Entertainment has had a great year so far. It all started with 2NE1 in the beginning of the year that made a huge hit.   After that, Taeyang, AKMU, and Epik High all made it on the top charts. With having hits from all these artists, you can for sure say that YG has had one of the busiest and yet the most successful year. Many people are looking forward to who the next artist will be.

In January, 2015, YG has announced that a new boy group called IKON will debut. IKON has 7 members and out of the 7 members, 6 of them have been in a previous survival program called ‘WIN: Who Is Next’ as Team B along with Team A who is now known as Winner.

Team A and Team B had to win a certain amount of battles in order to debut. They competed against each other in singing and dancing and how the winning team was chosen was by 70% votes from the people (not only in South Korea but other countries like Japan, Singapore, United States, and etc., participated) and 30% of votes from the judges from YG Entertainment.  It was a very close battle where you had no clue as to who was going to win. Team B unfortunately lost the battle but another choice was given to them about a year later.

YG released another survival program and this time it was kind of different. The group name they will be debuting is IKON and there are only 7 spots. The show only had Team B who had 6 people, and 3 more members were added to make it more challenging. They all did their best to gain their spots and at the end, all 6 members of Team B made it into IKON and an additional member named Jung Chanwoo made it.  Most people are already familiar with the 6 members since they’ve already appeared on ‘WIN: Who Is Next’ but most don’t really know about Chanwoo because he’s new.  Even with the new member IKON is receiving so much attention already and they haven’t even officially debuted yet.  It’s crazy to see all the fans they gained just by being on the survival shows!  And to those of you who don’t know the members, I’ll introduce them to you.

B.I: Leader, known for his amazing rap skills, choreography, and making music.

Bobby: outstanding rapper who appeared on the show called ‘Show Me The Money’, which is a rapping contest show and he won against all his competitors.

Kim Jinhawn: has amazing vocal and dancing techniques, and he’s the oldest member.

Goo Junhoe: main vocal and is also a great dancer.

Song Yoonhyung: vocal, his singing improved a lot since the survival program against Team A.

Kim Donghyeok: vocal, has a very light toned voice and he also improved a lot since the survival program.

Jung Chanwoo: played as the actor’s Lee Minho’s younger version of character in the drama Boys Over Flowers.  Has a great voice and can dance well.

The next upcoming artist besides IKON is the new girl group. I don’t have too much information on this group yet because YG didn’t really make it clear.  They’ve been promoting the group for almost 2 years now saying they’ll be debuting soon but no one really knows when this will happen.  Two years ago, they were supposed to debut in the fall, but they kept moving the date, so who knows when.  I’m guessing sometime next year though since they don’t have any other girl groups besides 2NE1 and 2NE1 already released an album the beginning of this year.

—Juyeon Oh

Running Man

First aired on July 11, 2010. The show is considered as urban action variety and there hadn’t been a show like this before so the idea was very unique and it instantly became a hit. The members and guests have to complete missions to win the race and the winner is usually given a small amount of gold as a reward. It is mainly focused on playing games against each others teams. Yoo Jae Suk is the main MC of this program who is also one of the main members. This show is also popular in other parts of Asia and some European countries. It became so popular that the fans are making subtitles for a number of languages.

 We Got Married

This is a Sunday night program. It was first broadcasted in 2008 and the show is about pairing up celebrities to show what it would be like if they were married. Every week the couples are assigned to missions that they have to complete and it also shows interviews of the casts to reveal their feelings and thoughts.

This show is now at season 4 and the couples include: Nam Goong Min & Hong Jin Young, Hong Jong Hyun & Kim Yura, and Song Jae Rim & Kim So Eun.

Infinite Challenge

It was first aired back in 2005 and this is their 9^th year of broadcasting it. About 13% to 17% of people watch this program every Saturday night.  It’s the most viewed variety show in Korea.  This show was called the nation’s top variety and Korea’s fist variety show for being successful for over 9 years.  Just like other TV shows, they sometimes invite celebrity guests to join them.

Roommate Season 2

Roommate is back with Season 2.  Season 1 has received a lot of negative feedback due to the editing not being clean and showing content that was not necessary. Many thought Season 2 was going to be the same, but it turns out it wasn’t.  It actually became a huge hit with all the new members.  The new members are: Bae Jong Ok, Jackson from GOT7, Park Joon Hyung from g.o.d., Sunny from Girls Generation, Heo Young Ji from KARA, Otani Ryohei, and Lee Gook Joo.

One Night and Two Days

This show has some really good ratings and fans love the new season.  The new members are Kim Joo Hyuk, Defconn, Kim Jun Ho, and Jung Joon Young along with the old members Cha Tae Hyun, and Kim Jong Min. The members seem to be getting a long really well together and they’re a great combination. Each of their personalities is different so it’s very entertaining to watch them deal with each other sometimes.  And, watching their morning missions never gets old where they travel to the most random places.

Kpop Star Season 4

Along with their success with Seasons 1, 2, and 3, they are back with Season 4.  This year is supposed to be the biggest season they’ve had so far.  There are a lot more talented contestants and the viewers can’t wait to see it on TV.  This is the most popular audition program.  While other audition programs seem to be losing viewers and ratings, this one just keeps on going.  I guess more people are interested by the fact that the head of the companies are the judges.  Other programs just have good artists come in to be the judge, but this one is different.  If they show enough talent but end up getting eliminated, if one of the judges likes you, they will give you a contract after the show is over, which is why so many people audition for this show.  And “almost” all the people who were on this show and got into companies gain a lot of attention and are now living their dreams.

—- Juyeon Oh

With people’s thirst for K-Pop and K-Dramas comes a need to want to learn Korean. Besides recruiting the help of native Korean speakers, perhaps the best way to learn is through being forced to do it by living in Korea. Many of us Koreaboos may not have the time and money to travel to and spend time in Korea, so language learning has to be done using other means. Thankfully, with the rise of Hallyu, more sources have become available to help with Korean learning. Perhaps you may find some of these sources helpful!

Online Learning

If you prefer to learn language using the Web, there are several Korean learning websites available that can help build speaking and writing confidence through the use of videos, quizzes, and digital flashcards. Through online learning, you can learn some useful phrases and hear pronunciation, something a textbook cannot do unless it has a DVD.

Talk to Me in Korean

Launched in 2009, TTMIK provides many sources for Korean learning.

If you are an audio and visual learner, the site has many YouTube videos that can take you through vocabulary and word pronunciation to help with language development. The TTMIK team, Hyunwoo Sun, Stephanie Morris, Hyojin An, Kyeong-Eun Choi, Seokjin Jin, and Kyung-Hwa Sun, provide easy-to-understand videos with clear instruction that will help anyone from absolute beginners to advance learners.

The site has many other perks besides videos. TTMIK also has audio books for vocabulary, verbs, and basic sentences and character writing that can help get learners started. Some other special features include:

• Ask Hyojin:  A podcast where users can ask Hyojin language questions and she’ll respond with helpful responses.
• Learn Korean with K-Pop and Korean Drama Phrases: While these sections haven’t been updated since 2012, there are some valuable videos here for those who want to learn through the music and dramas that is spreading internationally. TTMIK picks simple, useful phrases from the songs, breaks them down, and explains how they’re used, adding an element of fun.
• Grammar: The grammar section is broken up into levels, so you can start anywhere you feel comfortable. You can start with easy phrases like “hello” and “excuse me” and work your way up to tougher idioms.
• Culture Ramblings:  The staff discusses Korean culture and Korea in a relaxed setting.

TTMIK also offers paid memberships to certain services. For example, Haru Korean provides daily exercises through your smartphone or tablet, and you can go here to see corrections for your writing via one-on-one sessions. You can also sign up for live one-on-one sessions with TTMIK staff to help you learn how to speak.

The benefits of TTMIK are plentiful, though one of the downfalls is the erratic updates. Some content hasn’t been updated in years while others haven’t been updated in weeks or months. Since it’s a learning site, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue, but with special sections like learning with dramas and music and culture, times and subjects do change, and the group is behind the eight-ball here.

Visit Korea

Visit Korea is the official site for Korean tourism. The section titled “Let’s Learn Korean” has links to KBS’ “Let’s Learn Korean” pages.

There are 30 chapters listed on the Visit Korea page that can help with basic phrases if you travel to Korea such as what to use when navigating the airport, subway, or taxi. There are also basic phrases about holidays, introductions, and making appointments. The lessons are simple, so anyone may find them helpful.

For beginners, one of the advantages “Let’s Learn Korean” has is that phrases are written in Hangeul with the Romanization underneath, a helpful tool for anyone learning characters and how they sound.

The page is pretty basic, but it’s effective. However, it does have some drawbacks. For some features to work, users would have to have Windows Media Player installed to hear “Dialogue on Demand.” Users will also need an updated version of Adobe Flash for interactive content.

LOECSEN

The free language lessons on LOECSEN provide some useful phrases and content that will get language learners heading in the right direction. Plus, the cute stick-figure images may make learners feel more at ease with learning since content feels more accessible.

Like Visit Korea’s content, LOECSEN focuses on simple phrases that can help you get by in Korea. There are different categories like “Essentials” that can help you speak politely to the people you meet to even learning color names.

As you go through and learn the basics provided, you can quiz yourself by listening to the words and clicking on the corresponding phrase. The quizzes are a nice touch in helping to reinforce what you learn.

There is an option to download the audio and learning tools, but these have a fee payable by PayPal or credit card. However, since the quizzes and audio are already available, this may not be necessary.

Apps

If your preferred mode of technology is a mobile device, there are some apps available to help you on your language-learning journey.

Hangeul 101

Ubik Technology’s free version of Hangeul 101 is a nice source for learning Korean characters and how they sound. The app provides Romanized forms of the characters so you can see what they say, and there is audio so you can hear how the characters sound. Users also have access to 28 quizzes that can help with memorization.

The pay version of the app has ads removed, audio for 140-characters, syllable quizzes, and a Korean keyboard for further practice.

The app is really only good for practicing Korean characters, which is good if it’s an area of which help is needed. The app is easy to use, though audio sounds muddled at times. There are times when characters sound alike, so it’s hard to differentiate between different sounds depending on which character family you’re listening to at the time. But, it is worth a shot.

Books

If you’re a traditional learner who prefers workbooks and CDs over Internet sources and apps, there are plenty of workbooks available in bookstores and online retailers that may be worth your while.

Korean for Beginners: Mastering Conversational Korean

This workbook does well with making Korean accessible to learners. From teaching Hangeul writing and speaking and Korean phrases to the helpful CD-ROM featuring native Korean speakers, the workbook makes it simple for a learner to approach the language at their own pace.

The book does well explaining grammar rules and adapts these rules so they’re easy to understand by an English speaker. The content isn’t dry either, which makes the workbook engaging and fun to use. The cultural tips and tricks and humor sprinkled in make learning fun, so it can be engaging for many.

Living Language Korean, Complete Edition

Living Language packs a punch because it comes with a lot of tools to help with learning. The complete edition comes with three course books, a reading and writing guide, nine CDs, and access to the online classroom. Each provides learners with vocabulary-building exercises, flashcards, games, writing and speaking exercises that are designed for different stages of learning. If you’re a beginner, the whole series will be useful for building and reinforcing what you need to be a successful Korean speaker; for those in more advanced stages, Living Language can serve as a way to “brush up” on past learning.

For Living Language to work, you will need to dedicate a lot of time to studying because each lesson builds upon each other. If you don’t have time to keep practicing, this may not be the series for you, but an app or website learning system might be. It all depends on your time and patience levels!

Create Friendships

Workbooks and online content provide an opportunity to read on the subject and practice writing skills, but how characters sound may not translate well. CDs and online programs can only go so far in terms of usefulness, so it may be helpful to recruit the help of a friend or a native Korean speaker to help you through the content.

If you’re lucky, local universities may have students from Korea who are interested in learning English as you are in learning Korean! Setting up a language exchange can be beneficial for everyone involved as you learn about each other and your cultures while forging a new friendship!

With so many sources available, there’s no excuse to not learn Korean! Let’s learn together starting today! Hwaiting!

— Joelle Halon

If you’re ever planning to visit Korea – you’re likely to come through Incheon International Airport if you’re travelling from outside Asia.  In this article, I provide info on the best rated airport in the world, why and when the Incheon International Airport was constructed and what it can offer to its passengers and users.

Incheon International Airport is the largest of the eight International airports in South Korea and one of the largest airports in the world in terms of scale and its workforce.  Incheon International Airport ranks eighth as Asia’s busiest airport, the world’s fourth busiest airport by cargo traffic and the world’s ninth busiest airport in terms of international passengers according to a 2013 report.

The Seoul Olympics was held in 1988, which resulted in the rise of air traffic, so during the ‘90s the Gimpo Airport needed an alternative due to the fact it could not manage the increased number of passengers.   The construction of the Incheon airport began in November, in the year of 1992 and after nearly a decade of construction and preparation the airport was officially open in March of 2001.  Just in time before the 2002 World Cup was held in Korea.

Even though Incheon is not within Seoul, the airport is located and built so that travelling to Seoul and other cities in Korea can be done easily.  The Incheon International Airport Railroad, plus the Airport subway line connect to Seoul Station. The regular trains, which stops at all stations takes about 50 minutes to reach Seoul Station.

Other than the airport service, the airport provides a golf course, spa, private sleeping rooms, an ice skating rink, a casino and a Museum of Korean Culture.  (Some sources say that this airport is said to be quite comfortable and super safe to sleep in as well)

The Incheon International Airport is known for its efficiency since it holds record for being one of the fastest for custom processing.  The average departure and arrival takes only 19 minutes (The world-wide industry’s average is 60 mins) and 12 minutes (45 mins) respectively, which is considerably faster than the airports in other countries.  The airport is also proud to state; it has only a 0.0001% rate of baggage mishandling, making it great news for passengers making Incheon International Airport not only a highly efficient, but a trustworthy airport.

From the year of 2005 to present; Incheon International airport was voted as the best airport worldwide by Airports Council International.  Its duty-free stores have been rated the world’s top for the last three years consecutively rated by Business Traveller.

The secret of the airport’s success and good evaluation is probably due to the fact that the airport is very organized, clean and very proficiently managed and most of all, the International Airport is highly considerate of the passengers’ needs, offers many diverse experiences and services for them.

Find out for yourselves if the Incheon International Airport’s service deserves to have its title for the best ranking airport in the world.

 

 

— J. Chung

China and Hong Kong have a rich history of ghost stories that have been around for centuries. Even today, some of these stories live on and others have been added. Today, many in China have claimed to experience some paranormal occurrences while others thrive in traditional yarns. Here are some past-meets-present tales that are sure to make you want to explore China’s ghostly history.

Tuen Mun Road (Hong Kong)

Drivers on Tuen Mun Road have reported visions of ghosts wandering the highway. Unsuspecting drivers cruising along the road may find spirits appearing seemingly out of nowhere or running in front of other vehicles, causing drivers to swerve and get into accidents. The apparitions people see may be the spirits of accident victims who may be looking for others to join their party.

The Ghost Bride
Many Chinese ghost stories show that the spirits may have ill intentions toward the living. The story of the “Maiden in White” is one such example.

Dating back to the 9th Century A.D., follows a young scholar as he falls immediately in love with a young woman walking the halls of the temple he resided. She told him she came from a town near the mountains, and even though the scholar knew this wasn’t the case, he did not question her. The two talked all night, and he fell deeply in love. The pair married immediately.

Depending on which translation you read, there are different accounts of when the couple wed: Some suggest they married within a week, while others state they married the night they met. Either way, they really didn’t get to know each other that well.

Some after their marriage, the young woman wanted to return home and told her new husband not to follow as she worried her family would not approve of their marriage. Before she left, he gave her a white jade ring so she would not forget him. As she walked away, her husband watched as she disappeared from sight. He ran toward her location to see where she went only to find hundreds of white lilies basking in the moonlight.

Knowing he married a ghost, he picked the lilies and brought them back to room where he noticed his jade ring. Within a course of ten days, he fell ill and passed away.

The ending of the story has different translations as well with some suggesting he died of a broken heart and he joined his young lover in the afterlife. Other translations state his young bride was a toxic lover who wanted to kill the young man. It seems the interpretation depends on how much of a romantic the reader is and how they feel about ghosts.

All Aboard the Midnight Bus

In Beijing, the story of the Midnight Bus is fairly well-known. But are you a visitor willing to find out what bus is the bus of doom?

According to the urban legend, an older gentleman and a young man boarded a bus. The old man sat in the front while the young man rode in the back. The bus picked up two more passengers at another stop. As the bus continued its route, the old man grew angry and accused the young man of theft. As they argued, the old man told his younger counterpart to come with him to the police station to clear the matter up. As the two got off the bus and it sped away, the old man said he saved both their lives as he noticed the other two passengers had no feet and were floating; the two other passengers were ghosts.

After the bus’ journey, it turned up missing. When found several days later away from its route, the bus driver was dead and badly decomposed, and the bus ran on blood. How’s that for a creepy ride?

Tsung Tsai Yuen (Hong Kong)
In 1955, a picnic in Tsung Tsai Yuen turned deadly when a sudden downpour caused a mudslide that killed several children and teachers from St. James Primary School. Since then, passersby and drivers often see ash and mud-covered children wandering the Mang Gui Kiu Bridge. Some say they see white shadows darting around and the outlines of children playing in the fields.

Since the incident, a placard was erected to appease the spirits, but to this day, some may see the children play.

What are some of your favorite ghost stories and urban legends from China? Share with us because we love a good haunt!

 

— Joelle Halon

Like Japan, Korea also has its share of tales of things that go bump in the night.  Whether you’re studying for an exam or taking a soothing dip, you better always keep an eye out for some ghosts and spirits because some may intend to kill!

Mul Gwishin

 

 

If you’re swimming during the summer, maybe you should panic if you feel something grabbing at your ankles because a mul gwishin may be dragging you to your death!

Mul gwishin are the lonely souls of drowning victims who do not want to swim the cold waters alone and want someone to keep them company. Their actions have led to the phrase “mul gwishin tactics” in Korea which is a take on “misery loves company.” If you are burdened with something, you may pull a mul gwishin tactic to drag someone into your misery like suggesting someone is willing to help you on a project to your teacher or boss even though that person may not want to do so: “If you go down, you’re going down with me!”

 

 

Beware, the Gumiho
One of the most popular legends in Korea involves Gumiho or nine-tailed foxes. According to lore, Gumiho are foxes who have lived for 1,000 years. These foxes have shape-shifting abilities, but mostly they take the form of a beautiful young woman who then causes a young man to fall in love with her just so she can one day eat his liver to gain human form.

But, the aforementioned is just one of the many accounts of the Gumiho tale. Other narratives include:

• Gumiho disguising themselves as young brides. Their true fox form is revealed once their clothes are removed.
• Some accounts suggest that if a Gumiho can hide his identity, remains a helpful individual, and does not kill a human for 100 days, he can become human or risk being turned into an evil spirit. A take on this tale is the theme of Gu Family Book.
• If a Gumiho falls in love with a human, marries, and lives with that person for a 100 days without his or her true form discovered, he or she will become human.
• If Gumiho abstain from eating a human for 1,000 days, he or she can become human.
• If the man a Gumiho falls in love with knows her true identity and keeps it a secret for ten years, she can become human; otherwise, she will turn to foam.

Has your date been acting weird lately? Maybe that person is hiding a Gumiho identity.

The Cheonyeo and Chonggak Gwishin

 

 

The Cheonyeo gwishin is said to be a young woman from traditional Korea who did not completely fulfill her womanly duties of serving her father, husband, and sons. A woman who dies as a virgin ghost led a meaningless life.Because of this, her spirit is not allowed to depart this world. Since her spirit cannot leave, people often see the virgin ghost wandering in her traditional sobok, her long black hair flowing free.

Although rare in Korean lore, there is a male counterpart for the Cheonyeo gwishin called the Chonggak gwishin. Like the Cheonyeo, he did not fulfill his duties as a man and cannot depart this world.

In order to help the souls pass, shamans may hold soul weddings for a Cheonyeo-Chonggak couple so they may find peace. Other ways to appease their souls include phallic sculptures and annual food offerings to the souls.

Nighttime Study Periods are Killer!

 

 

Schools are not a safe place during exam time, especially when you have to stay for late night study sessions. There may be dark hallways and classrooms that creak and moan sending shivers down your spine while you diligently hit the books.

There are many stories about school hauntings from children sitting in the dark reading to high school girls who’ve committed suicide beckoning to the living to join them. Statues and paintings seemingly come alive as the night wears on adding to the fear factor.

One such story involves a painting of Ryu Gwansun, a student from Ewha Womans University. She is known as being a martyr during the 1919 March 1st Movement where she and her family actively protested the Japanese occupation of Korea.  She was arrested during the protests and sentenced to jail time where she was beaten and tortured, but she stood by Korea’s need for independence until she died in prison.

Students say that if you stare at her picture and say her name, her portrait will move. Some say her statue walks around every March 1 shouting for Korean independence. Others say that certain ways you look at her portrait, you can see the scars of her torture.

No matter where you go, schools have interesting stories of hauntings. Are any schools safe?

What Korean ghost stories have you heard? Share with us! We enjoy a good scare!

— Joelle Halon

Halloween is here again, and most countries have urban legends or ghost stories that may spook those who are weak at heart. Over the years, Japan has been known for their haunts and horrors, and the world knows them best for their spooktacular movies! Many of the films are based on stories that have been around for years. Here are some that may provide some chills!

The Lady in the Water
Originating in Kyudu but with sightings in Fukushima and Niigata, the nure-onna or “wet woman” haunts the shores thirsting for blood.

The serpent woman gets her name from her wet appearance, but her forked-tongue, serpent eyes, and snake-like body may distract you from her wetness as she uses her trickery to harness her prey.

As the legend goes, nure-onna appears to be in distress either by looking like she’s drowning or appealing for help with what appears to be a baby bundled in a blanket. Her distress attracts a passerby who agrees to assist her. As the person comes forward, she wraps him with her tail or hands him the “infant”; the infant becomes heavy, immobilizing the victim as nure-onna drains the blood from his body with her tongue.

When in Japan, stay away from the water because if you run into a young woman who wants to hand you her child, you might become nure-onna’s next victim!

 “Are you there, Hanako-san?”
According to this urban legend, if you’re in an elementary school washroom, you can summon the child Hanako.

If you’re courageous enough to call upon Hanako, step inside the school bathroom and go to the third stall, knock three times, and politely ask “Are you there, Hanako-san?” If she responds with “Yes, I am here,” you may push open the door to reveal a little girl sporting a bob cut and a red World War II-era school uniform. If you keep your fear in check, she’ll disappear and let you go, otherwise, you risk being pulled into the toilet to join her in death!

There are other stories involving toilets including the tale of Kashima Reiko where a female ghost without legs asks for her legs.

Another story involves Aoi Manto. He asks bathroom users if they want a red cup or a blue cup. If a person says “red cup,” he or she will be slashed in the neck and back. If someone says blue cup, they will be killed by hanging.

“Am I pretty?”
If you’re a child walking alone at night and you come across a young woman in a surgical mask, you better hope she’s not Kuchisake-onna, or the “slit-mouth woman.” If she approaches you and asks if she’s pretty, you better think of an escape plan… or can you escape?

As the story goes, Kuchisake approaches children to ask if they think she’s pretty. If the child says “no,” Kuchisake stabs him to death with scissors. If the child says “yes,” she removes her mask to reveal her slashed mouth and asks “am I pretty even now?” If the child says “no,” Kuchisake chops her in half. If the answer is “yes,” the child’s mouth is slashed from ear-to-ear before Kuchisake disappears into the night.

No matter what, you’re doomed.

And don’t bother running before you answer her questions because she will follow you!
However, some versions of the tale suggest if you ask her if she thinks you’re pretty or tell her she’s average-looking, it will confuse her, giving you an opportunity to flee.

Cut in Two
If you hear a distinct scratching sound while wandering around at night, run and don’t question why you are running!
The beautiful young ghost Teke Teke is named for the scratching sound that accompanies her as she uses her hands to drag herself toward an unsuspecting victim. If you cannot outrun her, prepare to be sliced in half and become a Teke

Teke ghost too!

Why is she so cranky? The young lady was walking home one night and fell on the railroad tracks. As she fell, a train came and cut her in half. Now she wanders around looking for revenge.

Keep Moo-ving

According to urban folklore, the cow head story is so scary, no one really knows what the story’s about! Anyone who tries to tell the story either dies or suffers from strange illnesses or loses their memory.

One story that’s been passed around involves a bus full of children listening to their teacher tell the cow head story.

As he continued, he became entranced and more emphatic. Then, the next thing anyone knew, the bus crashed and the children were lying around twitching and foaming at the mouth. Rescuers were able to snap them out of their trance, but no one remembers what happened or anything about the story.

Apparently, cow heads possess strange powers.

What other strange urban legends and ghost stories have you heard from Japan? Share with us in the comments!

 

— Joelle Halon

Tattoos, in many cases, are cool. On some idols, tattoos look great even if they’re fake.

Zelo (L) and Himchan’s (R) tattoos were a result of Henna art. In Himchan’s image, you can see it being applied/via TS Entertainment and Twicsy

 A while back, we provided some information on tattoos in Korea, and we looked at some idols and their tattoos to see what’s real or potentially fake. We continue that exploration in part two of our series with new idols and new tattoos!

Himchan and Zelo (B.A.P)

Although he’s known as Tatsmato, Himchan’s tats during B.A.P’s “No Mercy” era were definitely fake and sadly look like poor wet-and-stick ones from the 1990s.”Power” and “Warrior” era tats and body paint looked more appealing. There’s no indication he has any real ones unless he keeps them well-hidden.

Periodically, we’ll see Zelo with some convincing tattoos ranging from text to tribal tattoos on his arms, chest, and back. He pulls the look off well! Right now, the loveable giant maknae doesn’t have any tattoos, but if he did, fans may approve.

Chunji and C.A.P’s tattoos show off their different personalities/via MyLine-Kakao latter

Chunji and C.A.P (TEENTOP)

Both C.A.P and Chunji sport real tattoos. C.A.P has an angel on his left shoulder blade, what appears to be a large hand on the left side of his chest, and a small tattoo on the back of his neck.  Some pictures show he has more, but it’s unclear if these were for promotions, but confirmed tattoos stand at three.

Chunji’s tattoo is more elegant. Located on his right shoulder, Chunji has “this too shall pass away” written in script.

Yuchun’s tattoo collection/via Tatist

Yuchun and Jaejoong (JYJ)

Yuchun and Jaejoong have many tattoos they can brag about including matching tattoos they have in honor of TVXQ.

Yuchun’s tattoos include:

• Indian Feathers: The feathers are a symbol of strength, protection, and brotherhood. His brother has the same tattoo, showing their connection.
• “Always keep the faith”: He and Jaejoong both have this tattoo over their hearts. Both members got this one after filing a lawsuit against SM Entertainment.
• “My Jaejung Yuhwan Junsu” and a Phoenix Wing: Yoochun added these close by his “always keep the faith” tattoo. The tattoo is for his group mates and his brother.
• “TVFXQMYC”: The tattoo stands for “TVXQ Micky Yuchun.” It is located on his lower back.
• “?????” next to a picture of his mother: An image of his mom and the Thai word for “Micky” is located on his right shoulder blade.

Jaejoong’s tattoo collection/via fanficyunjae

Jaejoong has considerably more tattoos than Yuchun, including:

• “TVfXQ Soul”: The Old English text adorns his upper back just below his neck. He had this one done in 2008 while JYJ was still part of TVXQ.
• “Micky Junsu”: Located on his lower back, Jaejoong states this tattoo is a memorial for JYJ’s debut. Junsu’s and Yuchun’s names flank Jaejoong’s tattoo on his lower spine: Roman numerals for his date of birth.
•  “The pleasure of the mighty are the tears of the poor” and “A song will outlive all sermons in memory”: Probably two of Jaejoong’s most awesome tattoos, the text form two clefs and grace both his shoulder blades. Between these two are the words “hope to end.” When combined with the “TVfXQ Soul” tattoo, the look is inspiring and visibly pleasing.
• 
• Wings: In 2008, Jaejoong added lightly shaded wings to the tattoos on his upper back. The wings resemble sprite wings and make the text of his clef tattoos pop.
• “Deferto Neminem”: The tattoo means “accuse no man” and comes from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. He has this tattooed right above his “keep the faith tattoo” on the left side of his chest.
•  “Ohne Glauben Bist Du Tot”: Located on his spine, the tattoo , written in German, translates to “without faith, you are dead.”
• 

Girl’s Day’s Minah looks cute and confident with her fake tattoo/via Girls_Day_Minah

(Minah) Girl’s Day

In 2013, Minah took to Instagram to show off her pretty “carpe diem” tattoo on her hand. While it looked convincing, it was a henna tattoo for “Female President” promotions. On various programs, all the Girl’s Day ladies can be seen with them here and there.

Lee Hyori

Hyori’s right arm is the canvas for two of her tats/via Oh Kpop

Aside from her healthy lifestyle, great sense of humor, and upbeat tracks, Lee Hyori is also known for her tattoos. On her left wrist, she has a sun, moon, and star. On the same arm, she has “Walk lightly in the spring, mother earth is pregnant” written. Lee is a known to love life and nature, so both tattoos pay homage to these interests.

Lee also has “LOVE” tattooed on the back of her neck.

Huh Gak

Located on his left shoulder, Huh Gak has a microphone wearing a crown with “Little Giant” beneath it. In February 2013, he explained the meaning behind the tattoo on “Interview Daily” as it has to do with his win on “Super Star K2.”

Huh Gak’s tattoo symbolizes his win on “Super Star K2,” his dream to be a singer, and his first album/via Soompi

“Back then I tried to think about how I keep those feelings,” he said. “I asked people around me how I could preserve what was happening to me, and I decided to get a tattoo. I considered a microphone with a crown on it. There are different types of microphones from karaoke mics to studio mics but I decided on this design.”

Wa$$up’s Nada shows off her collarbone tattoo/via One Hallyu

The “Little Giant” is a reference to his first album.

Nada (Wa$$up)

Wa$$up’s resident rapper Nada has a tattoo along her left collarbone that appears to say “Stay with me” with a star, but images of the tattoo often have something obstructing it, so complete text is often unseen. The cursive is pretty and ladylike, softening Nada’s often hard-edged appearance.

Kangin and Shindong (Super Junior)

Both Kangin and Shindong got their tattoos in 2008, but one is a little more well-done than the other.

Kangin (L) and Shindong’s (R) tattoos they received in 2008/via Tattooism

Shindong’s tattoo on his left arm is elaborate, featuring a crying female wearing ruffles and a crown. The shading and effort really catches the eye. The text states “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”

Kangin’s is done in a similar writing style and color scheme as Bang Yongguk’s “Viva la revolucion” and “make art not war” tattoos, so style-wise, it looks cool. The tattoo should say “actions are more precious than words,” but it says “actions are more prection than words.” Sadly, an Engrish moment is permanently etched into his back although it is stylish!

Of course, there are many more idols with tattoos! We’ll be sure to bring you more in the future!

— Joelle Halon

In September, we posted some misheard K-Pop lyrics because it’s part of the fun of being a K-Pop fan. Of course, ears don’t just get better after one misheard song. So I’m back for some more shenanigans with more songs that you may never hear the same way again!

Laboum “Pit-a-Pat”

Looking at the actual lyrics, this just doesn’t make sense.

N-Sonic “Pop Beyond”

“Pop Beyond” sounds like “Papillon,” but no butterflies or cute, fluffy puppies make an appearance in the MV. But, it does offer casserole.

2ne1 “Gotta Be You”

Either way, this is a messy and potentially food-poisoning-inducing combination.

T-ara “Sexy Love”

Whatever catches your fancy, I guess.

B.A.P “Warrior”

It’s Daehyun’s line, and Daehyun loves food. Seems legit!

T.O.P “Doom Dada”

“Doom Dada” is fairly abstract, so why can’t grandma and grandpa be so too?

Teen Top “Supa Love”

Sometimes the need for chicken noodle soup trumps all other needs.

Secret “Madonna”

The song a lot of us sing on Pay Day, right?

There’s always more misheard lyrics in store! For our next installment, do you have any you want to share? Let us know below or share on our Facebook or new forums!

— Joelle Halon

Do you enjoy watching variety shows?   If so, there is a show called ‘Roommate’ I would like to recommend.   You might have already heard of this show because it’s been aired for a couple of months and Season 1 has just ended not too long ago.   Let me tell you this, Season 1 was not so great.   There have been too many issues between the members and the viewers complained that they didn’t even look like family (which they’re not obviously, but in the show they’re living together as a “family”).   Some members didn’t even get along with each other.

When this show first started, many people were excited to watch it, because the idea of this show was very unique and so different from other shows.   They never had a show where a bunch of celebrities are living in the same house together.   The fans were dying to watch their favorite celebrity live with other people.   It gave them a chance to show the audience who they really were, and how they acted when living with others.   Because, people were so thrilled to watch, made it a bigger disappointment.

The first episode was okay, but after that it just seemed like they were dragging it forever.   They would give a sneak peak of next week’s episode, but once it got to that week, they actually never showed what was on the sneak peak.   They only used it to gain more viewers, which didn’t work very well after the audience got tired of it.   People got excited when they saw the sneak peak, but they either broadcasted it a few weeks later, or not at all.

Overall, the show was very unorganized.   It showed some content that wasn’t necessary such as the members arguing, making love lines between the members when it clearly showed they had no interest, and other things.   When this show was getting ready for Season 2, six out of 11 members quit the show.   Park Bom was the first one to leave, because she was dealing with her drug problems, and Lee Sora left not so long after Bom.   People are saying that Lee Sora left because her only friend in the house was Bom, so when Bom left, Lee Sora decided to leave as well. Song Ga Yeon also quit to focus more into UFC, Shin Sung Woo, Hong Soo Hyun, and EXO’s Chanyeol left, so they can focus more on their careers. The format of this show was very messy.  Overall it was not pleasing to watch.   However, Season 2 is great.   They should have just done this with the first season, because surprisingly Season 2 is a hundred times better than Season 1.

Season 2 has seven new members to fill in the empty spots: Lee Guk Joo who is a popular comedian, SNSD’s Sunny, GOT7’s Jackson, Kara’s Young Ji, GOD’s Park Joon Hyung, actor Otani Ryohei, and Bae Jong Ok.

Season 2 has only aired two episodes, but its already getting compliments from the audience and you can really see the improvements from Season 1.   These seven new members have their own styles and this time all the members seem to be getting along especially now that they have 2 comedians living in the house, they’re always having a good time. I’m a fan of this show myself, and I’m glad that they’re finally looking like a real family.   There are still some awkward moments every now and then since they haven’t been with each other for long, but you can really see a special bond between them and it will grow even stronger as they get more comfortable with each other as the show continues.

I recommend watching Season 2 of Roommate.

—- Juyeon Oh

Things have not been going so smoothly for Girls Generation for the past few months. It was September 29th, when Jessica, the member of Girls Generation posted on Weibo that she is no longer part of the group and that she has been kicked out.  She wrote, “I was excited about our upcoming fan events only to shockingly be informed by my company and 8 others that as of today, I’m no longer a member.   I’m devastated – my priority and love is to serve as a member of GG, but for no justifiable reason, I am being forced out.”   This was very shocking news because there has been way too many problems with SM.   First we have JYJ’s lawsuit, Hangeng’s lawsuit, Kris’s lawsuit, and Sulli’s temporary leaving the group, and now this.   No one has been “forced” out of a group before.  But it turns out it wasn’t as big of a deal; she just made it sound that way.

A few months ago, Jessica talked with SM and the members about leaving the group because she was busy with her new fashion line ‘BLANC’, so it was very hard for her to participate in all their schedules.   They came to an agreement that she would leave the group after one more album, but SM decided to move the date up, a day before their fan meeting in China.   Apparently Jessica had no idea that the date for her to leave the group was moved closer and it was surprising that the 8 members agreed to this.   I was very surprised by the decision they made because they’ve known each other for 15 years, so it must have been very hard for them to decide.   I understand that Jessica is very confused and is hurt by the members and SM, but I feel like she’s only thinking about herself.   She needs to put herself in others’ shoes because so far, it’s just making her look selfish.

It turns out that she’s been telling the members about getting married to her boyfriend, Tyler Kwon and she told the members that if it’s okay with them, she would still like to be apart of the group.   What she said was very selfish because she’s not thinking about how the members are feeling.   I mean, no idol group member has been married while still working with the group, besides Sunyae from “Wonder Girls”, but this is different.   Her boyfriend has been with Jessica at most of her schedules and I can’t imagine how frustrated the members would be.   Being a celebrity is her job, and she won’t be able to focus on work if her boyfriend follows her everywhere she goes.   She was with her boyfriend in New York and they returned to Korea a day before the fan meeting that was held in China.  This just shows that she doesn’t even care anymore.   She’s just so into him that she can’t see what’s happening around her.

Idols always do something special for fan meetings such as a cute dance, or sing, etc. And, for her to return a day before is just unbelievable.   Right now, I can’t imagine what the members are going through.   I would love for Jessica to go back to the group, but with all the things that have happened in the last couple of months at SM, I doubt that will ever happen.   I’m not hating on her, I’m just stating that she could have handled things better.   She still loves and wants to be a part of the group.

With this all said, I just wish the best for Jessica and the 8 members. They still have a bright future facing them and I hope everything goes well.

—- Juyeon Oh

The emergence of Kpop stars in the recent years came with some interesting phenomenon.  Those who follow Kpop should know that there are four sacred duties, for every Korean national, of which one applies to all male citizens—that is the duty to defend one’s nation.  What it means is that each and every Korean male is drafted to the army, when they come of age, for the service that would ratify him as a “true-worthy” Korean.   This is not a problem if you were born in Korea and/or a Korean citizen, but what about those who are Korean by blood only?

Take the example of Yoo Seungjun.   He grew up in US from a young age with the green card, and naturalized to become a US citizen in 2002.   Promptly, it was viewed as an attempt to evade the draft by the Korean government, and he was banned from entering Korea.   The backlash by the fans were even harsher to the point that Yoo expressed no desire to return to Korea even if his ban were to be lifted.

There are some, however, such as Andy Lee of Shinhwa or Tony An of H.O.T. who denounced their US citizenships and voluntarily enlisted to the Korean Army.   Before them, there were also others in the past: notably Cha In-pyo, Yoo Gun, Yiruma a.k.a. Lee Ru-ma, as well as Yoo Seung-chan.   They all were greeted by the fans with the utmost heroic chant for their bravery to become “fully” Korean.   Conversely, it is a disheartening irony that Koreans themselves do not necessarily enjoy being drafted. There are plenty of people who beat the system to avoid their service duty using excuses such as physical fitness, studying abroad, emigrating out of the country, or in some cases bribery.   So why the duplicity in expecting Kpop stars to perform this duty that they themselves do not highly regard?

It is the price that Kpop celebrities abroad must pay in order to garnish the fame in Korea.   It is like paying tariff on their success just because they somehow retained a portion of Korean blood in their veins.   Any which way you put it, it is not a good trend for the long run.   Kpop is globally ascending to take charge in advancing beyond Asia to other parts of the world.   In doing so, Koreans must keep open minded on Kpop stars.   Imagine that the American public expecting John Lennon or Paul McCartney to be enlisted in the U.S. Army to continue performing when the Beatles landed on American soil.

It is no longer the case that Kpop stars are coming out of the U.S. alone.   They are now coming from everywhere.   Tablo who was involved in academic scandal is from Canada.   Marco who unsuccessfully tried to naturalize is from Argentina.   Kevin who is the member of Children of Empire grew up in Australia.   Alexander of the boy band U-KISS crossed the ocean from Hong Kong.

The standard for Kpop celebrities is indeed high as it should be.   Nevertheless, there is a sentiment that there might exist some double-standards deep down in the minds of the Korean public.   Some carefully speculate that Tablo’s scandal would not have been such a tantalizing issue had he enlisted in the Korean Army.   Tablo was indeed haunted by the cyber lynch continually long after he was exonerated. Marco was even denied of his request for naturalization that he filed before he became famous, which should be almost automatic for a foreign national with the natural Korean heritage.   Even so, he will be expected to join the Army to continue his career in Korea.

The bottom-line is that Korea must open up on such things as what they expect of Kpop celebrities in order to usher the global Kpop Era.   Without flexibility, the fire may burn out before it reaches its peak. Worse yet, Kpop will flourish elsewhere in the world while Korea is alienated by their own Kpop stars for the good times.   The Kpop celebrities do not need to be patronized.   They just need to be who they are for better or worse.   They are not heroes.   They are very hard working celebrities.

—- Jonathan You

 A few days ago, the leader of an idol group Lee Hoo decided to stick up for his team members. He wrote on his SNS that his company, Star Empire Entertainment wasn’t paying them what they deserve. He said that out of 10, the company takes seven and the nine members are left with three. They have to split the money from the remaining three, so if they were to make $100, the company would take $70 and the members are only left with $30, but they have to split the $30 nine ways, which will only leave them with $3.30 per person. When more and more people started to read what he wrote on his SNS, they bashed the company saying they deserve better and that they’re not treating their artists’ right. This issue spread instantly and became public on every Korean site.

The fans cheered him on wishing the best for the group and they became very angry with the company for treating their artist this way.   Everything was fine, but in less than 12 hours, Lee Hoo updated his SNS and wrote that everything worked out fine and he wrote about his love for the members and the company. This is when it got serious. People who have been cheering him on felt like they were used. If this problem was to be solved this quickly, from the beginning, it wasn’t necessary for him to post it online where everyone could see it. He should have thought about this issue more carefully and it should’ve been solved between the members and the company. But, because he made it public, it involved everyone, which is why people are now bashing him.

The foreigner fans do not understand this issue as much as Koreans, because they don’t understand everything he said, which is why they’re sticking up for him. Koreans think that he only brought up the issue to get people to support him, which would give him the power to possibly win against the company. His sentence structures were also very messy. At first he made the company and the CEO the bad guys, but less than 12 hours later, he posted another comment saying that everything has worked out and that he loves ZE:A and the company. It makes no sense that the problems were solved so quickly and if it was going to be this simple, why did he made it public? He could have just talked with the CEO and the problem could have been fixed just between them. And, if you haven’t noticed, none of the members have said anything about this, and they probably would have if this were such a big issue like the way Lee Hoo made it sound like, but it wasn’t.

He also talked about other companies and TV producers, which wasn’t necessary to get them involved, because they had nothing to do with this problem. Even though this issue is over now, because he mentioned other companies and TV producers, it might be hard for him to get future jobs in the entertainment industry because they will be afraid he will say things about them. I do give him credit for sticking up for the team, but this whole thing could have been easily solved if he’d talked with the company first before he made it into a big deal. I can’t imagine how the company felt hearing such news from the Internet.  They probably felt backstabbed or something. What people don’t understand about this issue is that it takes up to $3 to $10 million to produce a group and if you think about it, Star Empire isn’t that big of an entertainment company. So, for them to provide the groups with traveling, food, home, tour, etc., that would literally equal to 7 out of 10.

My point is that instead of complaining about it online, why not just go talk with the company and try to get the problem fixed?

—- Juyeon Oh

Korean people are known for their casual, but unique fashion styles.   Many have great style and when I was looking through some Korean fashion magazines, I was amazed by the concepts and how much effort is put into every little detail.   Have the craziest ideas and somehow managing to pull them off.   It may be hard for the students to wear what they want during the week ,because it’s school code to wear uniforms throughout the week, but on the weekends, they fully dress up.   Most people dress like people living in New York, and they love wearing designer clothes.   In fact, a lot of them only wear brand named clothes even if it’s hard for them to afford it.   Clothes that are name brand are expensive in the United States, but it’s even more expensive in Korea.   The price usually doubles or even triples, so if you’re living in the United States and you think that clothes are expensive, you’re wrong!   You should be very thankful to be able to buy it at lower prices, because when these products are shipped overseas, they will become really expensive.

Because fashion is so important in Korea, there are a lot of Internet shopping sites those teenagers own.   Yes, I said teenagers.   These teenagers from age 17~25 usually, are the CEOs of these clothing websites and if it becomes popular, they can make a lot of money from them.   There are also many models used to advertise clothes on these sites and it’s very common for the CEO to participate as a model.  To give you an idea of how Koreans’ dress, a great example would be G-Dragon of Big Bang.   If you’re not familiar with him then you should look him up because this guy has some of the best/craziest ideas when it comes to fashion.   He is very well known to many designers, so popular that these designers/companies send him free products to try on and if he ever wears them out in the public, it will instantly become popular.

Models are also a great example.   If you look into fashion blogs, magazines, etc., there are a lot of models with great styles.   Even though they kind of have to look their best since it’s their job, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore how great they look.   Normal people might not go as full out as these people, but they still dress really nicely.   They are highly interested in brand named clothes, shoes, and accessories.

Like I said before, brand named items are very expensive in Korea, so for people to keep liking them and buying them, you can really see their love for fashion.