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A New Shining Star Emerges

June 1, 2014 | 3624 Visits

A New Shining Star Emerges
J. Chung

Michelle Lee

 

Most of you would recognize and know Lee Michelle from the audition program K-pop Star back in December 2011. She certainly is the kind of person who sticks to one’s memory a long time.

Michelle took the stage away with her singing (Although some of the judges had to put in a few harsh words to criticize) when she sang Aretha Franklin’s ‘Chain of Fools’ for her first audition. She certainly had a different level of volume to her voice that made her stand out from a crowd, which is practically her trademark: Her ability as a singer.
Michelle was born on 9th of September 1991 in Paju, South Korea to a Korean mother and an African American father and her parents divorced just before Michelle was born. Michelle has one brother and three sisters (two of them now live in America) and she’s the youngest member of the family.

Michelle must have had a lot of hardships while growing up in Korea. Growing up is hard for anybody, but being an interracial child in Korea must have been more than challenging. On top of that she had to experience poverty and would frequently go to school on an empty stomach.

But amidst of all her troubles, Michelle knew she loved to sing from an early age. She recalls her childhood saying she can never forget listening and singing to Mariah Carey and Toni Braxton’s cassette tapes her mother owned and trying to match the singing pitch with her sister.

K-pop Star gave her a chance to have a shot in a singing career she expressed that she found the kpop Star experience exciting and really enjoyed herself and was able to sing as much as she wanted to.

After K-pop Star, Michelle was signed to YG Entertainment as a girl group Supearls’ member along with her Kpop Star peers Lee Jung Mi, Lee Seung Joo, and Lee Ha Yi, but later in 2013 it was reported that the Supearls had disbanded for some unknown reason. The real reason behind the disbandment is not told by either any of the former band members or YG Entertainment, so we have no way of knowing what happened exactly except there was some kind of dispute. Since leaving YG Michelle has kept herself pretty busy singing in live stages in Hongdae areas and performing gospel songs at her church.
In March 2013, Michelle signed to her current label DIMA Entertainment, to finally undergo training to become a solo artist officially, as we wished she’d done years ago. And this isn’t just my personal opinion, she has fans from all over the globe who have been waiting for her to emerge as a solo artist since day one.

Lee Michelle’s first digital single, ’Without You’ has been out since 21st March. The song’s lyrics might not be what everyone could relate to, but nevertheless her voice is so beautiful and soothing to listen to. Like the lyrics to the song, she is beautiful and meaningful and she certainly knows it.

The music video also made a massive impact on the viewers. I took the time to watch some of the reaction videos from the fans and many of them got very tearful and some even cried out loud. How one person’s work effects and tells stories of others is amazing.
The child actor who appears in her music video is of mixed race like Michelle and she plays a part. And, she draws, writes and colors banned racist words on the wall and later… well for those who haven’t yet watched the music video please take the time to check it out.

And don’t get me wrong. ‘Without You’ is not about misery and loneliness but Michelle releases her emotions she’s had for so long, overpowering her weaknesses and standing up to everything that was hurting her in life. Michelle has said in one of her interviews how she doesn’t like to express and show her emotions because she knows she’ll be in pieces if she does. She says shed a lot of tears after she watched her music video. I hope they were happy tears because she made her fans thankful and happy hearing her song.
When I first saw the title I wondered who the “You” from ‘Without You’ really was, but after seeing the MV I came to the conclusion that it does not matter at all. The lyrics are about yourself and overcoming your fears, obstacles and everything that hinders you.
Lee Michelle is an inspiration for the people who are from mixed or diverse background and she takes pride in giving her hope for others. No one should be alone and the world still has a lot of educating to do.

Everyone needs to know they are beautiful and loved, I really love the fact that Michelle is doing something great to make an impact and she’s speaking out for herself and others which is something vital for the Korean society. And, of course, for the rest of the world.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Lee Michelle, although I wasn’t lucky enough to meet her face-too-face since she was so busy. I contacted her management and, because I needed an interview within three days, they were decent enough to reply within the time limit with Michelle’s answers via email. I could feel she was such a warm and humble person through merely reading her words and I was very touched. For some of you who are wondering, her Korean is perfect as any Korean you’ll meet. And, her English is very proficient. She is definitely a full package to become a successful singer. She is so grown up for a 22 year old with such a modest and caring personality and she’s bound to shine like a star.

Hope you guys all enjoy the short interview from Lee Michelle and wish Michelle a great career.

Member 1 570x570GOT7 – Hot and Dedicated to Success  –  J Chung

Got7 is a seven member boyband who made their debut officially on Mnet’s M! Countdown on 16th of January this year.  Got7’s members are named JB (the leader, who appeared in Dream High 2) Mark, Jackson, Jr, Youngjae, BamBam and Yugeom. Unlike most other typical Korean boybands, three members of the band consist of guys who are not originally Korean.  Mark is a twenty year old Taiwanese American from Los Angeles.   Jackson is also, twenty years old from Hong Kong.  BamBam is from Thailand, and he is 17.  The rest of the members JB, Youngjae, Jr, Yugeom are born and raised in Korea.

On 10th January 2014, JYP released Got7’s debut teaser video on YouTube.  On January 15, 2014, Got7 released the music video for their debut song “Girls Girls Girls” from their first album Got it?

The album was released on the 20th, featuring six tracks including their first single “Girls Girls Girls”,  which later reached number 1 on many sites.  And, songs like “Hello,” “Playground,” “I Like You,” and “Follow Me”, also did well.  The album reached to the top on the Billboard World Album Charts and number 2 on Gaon Album Charts.  Got7, also has their own reality web show running called the Real GOT7 .

Their first single “Girls Girls Girls” was written and produced by Jin-Young Park, a.k.a JYP, the CEO who signed them.  One of the Got7 members, Jr- has the same name as JYP, thus the management decided on renaming him Junior to avoid any confusion.

GOT7, also signed a contract with Sony Music in Japan, then on 4th of April they held a showcase called “GOT7 Showcase 1st Impact in Japan” in Ryougoku Sumo Hall, Tokyo in the presence of a crowd of 10,000.

A unique point about the group is that Got7’s dance performances display moves derived from martial arts combined with b-boying and since the boys are highly proficient in b-boying and martial art tricking, it makes it all the more interesting to watch them perform.

Got7 has their official fan club called ‘I Got7’, which the boys indicate, because number 7 is considered lucky, they want the fans to say they are lucky to have all the members in the group.

Their next album will be out in late June of this year.  We managed to get their interview, and it seems that they worked extremely hard to bring this to fruition.  We wish the guys would enjoy themselves in bringing new kinds of music to the Kpop industry.  And, that they would have a massive success and stay 7.

 

Hello Got7 members!  Was becoming a singer your childhood dream, or did you have other careers in mind?

Jackson:  I used to be a fencer, getting the gold medal was my dream. I became interested in hop hip while being a fencer, so I was also interested in becoming a singer.

Bambam:  Yes, I wanted be a singer since I was young.

Mark:  I had no idea I would become a singer.  After getting cast and going through various trainees’ show cases, I really wanted to become one.

Yugeom:  My dream was to become a singer since childhood.

Youngjae:  I enjoyed cooking and art at first, but as I stared singing, I built my dreams to become a singer.

Jr:  I wanted to be a singer since I was young.

JB:  No, my initial dream was to be a B-boy. But, now my dream is to become a singer who makes good music.

 

Who do you most respect in the world.

Jackson:  I respect my parents. They were both athletes.  Their sincerity, and their mind to do their best is very outstanding.  I thank my parents for giving birth to me.

BamBam:  My mother.

Mark:  My parents.

Yugyeom:  My parents.

Youngjae:  My father.

Jr:  My father.

JB:  My family, because I learn a lot from my parents.

 

Are there any places in the world you want to travel in the future?

Jackson:  I’ve traveled a lot when I was an athlete.  Right now, I’d like to visit Thailand where BamBam lives.

BamBam:  Want to travel to Dubai.

Mark:  Paris.

Yugeom:  The U.S and the U.K.

Youngjae:  Africa.

Jr:  France, the U,K, the U.S.A.  There are so many other countries besides that  I’d want to visit.

JB:  The U.S and Japan.

 

Which color do you like the best?

Jackson:  I like black. Most of my outfits are black.

BamBam:  I like gold, pink and black.

Mark:  Red.
Yugyeom:  I like all the pastel toned colors.

Youngjae:  Red.

Jr:  I like blue.

JB:  Saint blue.

 

What kind of food do you like to have usually?

Jackson:  I like pizza and pasta. I also like Chinese and Korean food.  I am not picky with food, but I can’t eat spicy stuff that well.

BamBam:  Stewed chicken.

Mark:  I like types of stewed soups.

Yugeom:  I like rice and meat.

Youngjae:  I like chicken.

Jr:  White rice.

JB:  Korean food, I like types of stews and rice.

 

Do you have any bad habits?

Jackson:  I don’t have any bad habits in particular. I use my computer with the light switched off, but I want to fix that habit, ‘cause it’s bad for my eyesight.

BamBam:  I keep rotating my neck, because I have pain at the back of my neck.

Mark:  I don’t have any bad habits.

Yugeom:  I don’t have any habits.

Youngjae:  Biting my lips. I wanna fix from getting annoyed easily.

Jr:  I have a lot of sleep in the morning.

JB:  I tend to have the habit of sticking my chin out a lot.

 

Do you have any complaints about the other members, or any requests you would like to tell them?

Jackson:  There isn’t any.

BamBam:  Our members talk to each other often, so there isn’t anything to complain about.

Mark:  There isn’t anything to complain about.

Yugeom:  There isn’t any.

Youngjae:  Nope.

Jr:  I don’t have any complaints.

JB:  There isn’t anything so far, our members get along so well.

 

Are there any bands you consider a rival to Got7?

Jackson:  15&, who is also a new band in our company.  I wish we’d both try very hard, and later get recognition as artists.

BamBam:  I think the fundamental thing is to win against yourself.

Mark:  No.

Yugeom:  No.

Youngjae:  There isn’t anyone we consider as rivals.

Jr:  No, there isn’t.

JB:  Because, we are still new comers, the best thing for us right now is to just try our best.

 

What kind of person is your ideal girl?

Jackson:  A woman who is healthy.  And, someone suited to me.

BamBam:  I like women with short hair.

Yugeom:  Just someone I like.

Youngjae:  My ideal is someone I like.

Jr:  Someone who goes well with me, who loves to do her own work, would be my ideal.

Jaebum:  Someone who catches my eye.

 

Has anything changed for you after your debut?

Jackson:  I began to see more of what I lack and thought I should put more effort into work.

BamBam:  People recognize me when I’m out and about.

Mark:  When I’m walking in the streets, sometimes I get recognized by people.

Yugeom:  I feel that I have to get down to more practice!

Youngjae:  On anything I do, I act out more carefully.

Jr:  There’s more stuff to prepare for in the morning than before.

JB:  I began to think we need more practice.  And, that our skills still need more work.
We will try our best.

 

Do you have any wishes for the future?

Jackson:  I wish Got7 will be able to show a more elaborate performance with better music.

BamBam:  I really want us to get the new artist award. We’ll put in a lot of effort.

Mark:  I wish our group, Got7 will do well.

Yugeom:  I wish I could become a singer like Chris Brown and be recognised in every field.  And, also, I want our team members to be together forever.

Youngjae:  I want to become really good at singing.

Jr:  I want Got7, myself and everyone around me to become successful and live happily.

JB:  I want to understand music more and be extremely good at it.  And, learn to love it more.

 

What kind of songs or genres are you into?  Do you have any artists you like?

Jackson:  I like hip hop.  And, the artist I like is Ludacris.

BamBam:  My role model is G-Dragon.

Mark:  I like R&B and hip hop.

Yugeom:  I like hip hop, R&B.  And, Chris Brown is the artist I like the most.

Youngjae:  I like R&B.  And, I like Luther Vandross.  And, I want to sing like him.

Jr:  R&B, jazz are my favorite genres.  I like artists like Michael Jackson, Usher, Justin Timberlake.

JB:  I like genres like R&B, Soul.  And, D’angelo is the artist I like.

 

Could you state the school subjects you were confident in or really poor at?

Jackson:  I was confident in economics, but I wasn’t so in science.

Yugeom:  I was very good at Korean language, but I was the least confident in math.

Youngjae:  I was the most confident in Korean language and least confident in math.

Jr:  I was the most confident in math and not as much in social science.

JB:  I was the good at math and science, but I was not so strong in other subjects that require memorization.

 

Which performance do you remember the most?

Jackson:  The first performance Got7 had I remember the best.

BamBam:  I remember the performance we had on M Countdown in Yokohama, Japan, because it was the first time we were performing in front of a crowd that massive since our debut.

Mark:  I remember our debut performance the most.

Yugeom:  The first performance we had as our debut.

Youngjae:  The first showcase we had in Korea.

Jr:  Our debut performance.

JB:  The first performance we had was the most memorable.

 

What is the one thing you can be the best at?

Jackson:  I never give up on anything I am doing. I’ll try my best until the end.

BamBam:  Taiwanese rapping.

Mark:  Martial arts tricking

Yugeom:  I can do the best free style dance.

Youngjae:  Singing.

Jr:  I’m best at dancing and speaking.

JB:  I am good at making an effort continuously.

 

What is the most important to you?

Jackson:  My family and Got7 are the most important to me.

BamBam:  My family and Got7.

Mark:  Family.

Yugeom:  Our team, family and everyone whom I consider precious to me. And the fans.

Younjae:  Family, friends and the group members.

Jr:  Family.

JB:  Family, music.

 

Could you say a few words to the fans in America?

Jackson:  I’m going to work hard and never give up!!

BamBam:  SEE YOU SOON ^

Mark:  I hope that we can see you guys soon…

Yugeom:  Really wanna meet you.  Want to come see you with a great performance in the future.  Please hold on.  I LOVE YOU!

Youngjae:  We’ll come back with a great song soon.  We wish you’ll stay around.

Jr:  I love you.  See you soon!

JB:  We will strive to become artists who work hard.  We ask for a lot of interest and love from you guys. ^^

 

Listen to this interview or article on your Alexa device or app: https://amzn.to/34t7TUt

Got7 ‘Girls Girls Girls’ lyrics and English translation           Lyrics and music by Jin-Young Park

JB)노력하지 않아도 왜 그런지 몰라 나만 보면 자지러져 놀라 내 Look 내 Style 내 Swagger

E.T) I don’t even try and I don’t know why, but when they see me they go crazy
My look, my style, my swagger

Jr) Oh 아무것도 안해도 ꡸냼 내가 좋아 쳐다보면 가볍게 다가가 ꡸냼 Hey girl, How’re you doing?

E.T) Oh even when I’m doing nothing, if I look and glance at them to casually say “Hey girl! How’re you doing?” (hey)

All) Girls Girls Girls They love meJackson) 나는 왜 몸이 이러는 거니

(E.T) What’s up with my body

All) Girls Girls Girls They love meYugeom) 어릴 적부터 계속 쭉 영원히

E.T) From birth until forever

BamBam) 나는 나타나기만 해도 (어머나)

E.T) Even if I just show up (oh my)

Mark) 그를 바라보기만 해도 (어머나)

E.T) Even if I just glance (oh my)

Yugeom) 그냥 숨쉬기만 해도 (어머나)

E.T) Even if I’m just breathing (oh my)

All) Girls Girls Girls They love me JB) 살짝만 웃어도 (어머나)

E.T) Even if I only smile a little (oh my)
Jr) 몸을 살짝만 흔들어도 (어머나)

E.T) Even if I just move my body slightly (oh oh my)
Jackson) 나는 아무것도 안해도 (어머나)

E.T) Even if I do nothing (oh my)

All) Girls Girls Girls They love me
JB)좋은건지 아닌지 아직 잘 몰라매일 유혹이 너무나도 많아

E.T) This girl That girl 하루종일
Don’t know whether it’s a good thing or or not

So many temptations everydayThis girl.

That girl. All day long.

Jr)Oh 마음을 아주 착하게 한명만 골라 만나보려고 해도나를 놓아주질 않아 어쩌면 좋아
E.T) I wanna pick one nice girl to meet but they simply won’t let me go. What should I do (hey)

All)Girls Girls Girls They love me
Jackson) 나는 왜 몸이 이러는 거니

E.T) What’s up with my body

All) Girls Girls Girls They love meYoungjae)어릴 적부터 계속 쭉 영원히

E.T) From birth until forever
BamBam) 난 나타나기만 해도 (어머나)
Even if I just show up (oh my)

Mark) 그를 바라보기만 해도 (어머나)

E.T) Even if I just glance (oh my)
Yugeom) 그냥 숨쉬기만 해도 (어머나)

E.T) Even if I’m just breathing (oh my)

All) Girls Girls Girls They love me
JB) 살짝만 웃어도 (어머나)

(E.T) Even if I just smile a little (oh my)

Jr.) 몸을 살짝만 흔들어도 (어머나)

E.T) Even if I just move my body slightly (oh my)

Jackson) 나는 아무것도 안해도 (어머나)
E.T) Even if I do nothing (oh my)

All) Girls Girls Girls They love meBamBam) Yo uh! 과장하지 말라고 과장이면 좋겠어 제발 노래 가사라고 생각하지 말고 내말 있는 그대로 믿어줘아 꼬아서 듣지말고 내 얘기 잘 좀 들어줘아 이해가 될진 모르겠지만 난 자석을 먹은 것처럼 주위여자를 내 몸이 그냥 혼자서 잡아당기는걸 되는걸 어째오늘 벌써 몇번째 그랬는지 몰라식을줄 모르는 이놈의 인기는 대체 어째

E.T) Yo Uh! But I’m not exaggerating, I wish I was but unfortunately I’m not. This is not a lyrics from a song, just believe my words as they are. Don’t regard it twisted, please listen to me. Don’t know if you’ll understand, but it’s like I ate a magnet. My body pulls the girls around me, can’t do a thing. So many times already today? I’m just too damn popular

Mark) 맞아 나이가 많건 적건 동생이건 누나건 날 잡고 붙잡고 좋다고 같이 놀자고 날 알던 모르던 어쨌건아 뭐하냐고 잠깐만 좀 얘기하자고 쌍둥이라도 있으면 좋겠어 정말 매트릭스처럼 복제라도 할까 날 내 몸은 하난데 요구는 계속 있으니

(E.T) Right, every lady wants a piece of me. Whether they’re young or old, they grab me and say let’s play. Whether they know me or not they say “Whatcha doing?” “Let’s talk for a while “I wish I had a twin or should I clone myself like Matrix. I only have one body, but they keep demanding me. Every lady wants a piece of me

BamBam)나는 나타나기만 해도 (어머나)

(E.T) Even if I just show up (oh my)

Mark) 그를 바라보기만 해도 (어머나)

(E.T) Even if I just glance (oh my)
Yugeom) 그냥 숨쉬기만 해도 (어머나)

(E.T) Even if I’m just breathing (oh my)

All) Girls Girls Girls They love me JB) 살짝만 웃어도 (어머나)

(E.T) Even if I just smile a little (oh my)

Jr) 몸을 살짝만 흔들어도 (어머나)

(E.T) Even if I just move my body slightly (oh my)

Jackson) 나는 아무것도 안해도 (어머나)

(E.T) Even if I do nothing (oh my)

All) Girls Girls Girls They love me

Lee Michelle 1024x514

 

Interview with Lee Michelle
J. Chung

 

Tell us about you and your family while you were growing up.

Because my mother was the head of the family, she was very strict and at times kind of stern. My siblings’ personalities were nearly all like that as well but when it was time to play, we had lots of humorous laughs and fun.
The youngest of my older sisters played a mother’s role for me a lot particularly on my character building.

 

How old were you when you started singing and when did you discover you had a talent?

Since I was 5~6 years old I used to sing along to the songs playing on TV or the radio and used to sing harmonizing with my sister. When I was a freshman in High school I learned singing at a practical music academy for a short while and the teacher there said I had talent. I started learning singing properly when I became a junior in High school.

 

Could you name some of the singers/ entertainers you admire?

For Korean artists, I admire Moon-Sae Lee, Yong-Pil Cho and Lyn. (She added선배님 after each of their names. Sun-bae is a respectful term meaning ‘senior’)
For oversee’s artists I admire Beyonce, Idia Arie and Ledisi.

 

What is your favorite song?

It always depends. Nowadays I listen to ‘Treasure’ by Bruno Mars the most.

 

Are you satisfied of the reactions from your fans of your ‘Without you’ music video?

I am just so grateful rather than just being satisfied. I’m just very thankful ‘cause I hadn’t thought there would be so many fans are out there liking and supporting me. All the more I’m just happy because of the people who are content from listening to my music.

 

If you were to have three wishes, what would you wish for?

I don’t have any wishes, I am just content with the current life God has given me.

 

Do you have any special skills?

I am able to think positively in any given situation, even if it’s the gloomiest state. I am at times more naive than I need to be.

 

What is most important to you?

In meeting with God.

 

Do you have a boyfriend or a crush?

I sometimes make one up when I sing.

 

Tell us more about your ideal person.

I like someone who is like a bear. My ideal is someone who is heavy and attractive, rather than a tall person with good looks.

 

What are the kind of clothes you enjoy wearing normally?

I like wearing shirts, Man to Man T-shirts and jackets. It’s always the best to dress casually.

 

In the past, have you had part-time jobs or other kinds of work while you were at school?

When I was a high schooler I had to earn the tuition fee for the academy so I got a job at a fast food restaurant. I took orders, worked as a cashier and made burgers.

 

Michelle, you are so busy these days but what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love to watch videos of other artists on youtube, I can also watch concerts I couldn’t go to in person. When I listen to diverse music I often feel that I want to make better music.

 

What are your dreams and plans for the future?

When I first started music I had in mind that “I must make music if there is even just one single person in this world who is happy, encouraged or be comforted through my music.” I wish I would continue without losing that in mind and make music of diverse genres and contents.

 

Currently the craving for Kpop in the U.S is huge. Please say a few words to the American fans and also the fans from everywhere else! We wish you the best for your career and hope you’ll only have great things coming your way.

First, I thank you all very much. I’ve always considered myself a very small person, thank you very much for loving me and my music.I sing about something not everyone can sing about, but I hope make music that anyone can sing along to easily. Please root for me, I am going to try to be that kind of an artist.A singer who sings about life. Thank you!

 

Lee Michelle 1024x380

Smile Lee Michelle Without YouMichelle Lee

 

Michelle Lee is a Korean female singer and music instructor from Paju, South Korea. After successfully auditioning for K-pop Star Season 1 in 2011, she eventually was signed to YG Entertainment as part of a new girl group called Su:Pearls. However, after two years of training, the group was suddenly disbanded before they could debut, and Lee’s contract was nullified.

This is Kcrush first magazine issue. you can buy it for $6.75 .

Bulgogi beef, a staple in Korean cuisine, is a dish that is made with thin slices of marinated beef. Bulgogi translates to fire meat in Korean since it is usually cooked on a grill.**
According to CNN, bulgogi was named one of the tastiest meals in the world in 2011. It’s easy to taste why! The grilled meat is rich in smoky warmth due to hints of cayenne and serrano peppers with just enough honey-sweetness to temper the taste.  Served over rice, this dish is a filling, delightful meal.

While bulgogi is a favorite for many Koreans and International food lovers, one of the qualms people may have is the soy sauce used to marinate the meat. Some people may not like the taste, and others may be allergic. If you fit into either category, bulgogi may seem like a food that needs to be avoided. It doesn’t have to be the case!

After some trial-and-error, a recipe does exist to make bulgogi that tastes just as good as the soy sauce version, and all it takes is a few simple ingredients you may have in your house right now.

**This recipe will use a cast iron skillet.

Main Dish
Picture3

 

Marinade Ingredients

¡ 1 ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper

¡ ½ tsp Serrano Peppers (optional)

¡ 2 tsp Paprika

¡ 2-2 ½ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

¡ 1 tbsp. Garlic Powder OR Six Medium Cloves of Garlic, Minced

¡ 1/3 Cup of Sugar

¡ ½ tsp-1 tbsp. Honey

¡ ½ tsp Sea Salt

 

Additional Ingredients

 

Side Dish:

 

Tools

1. When mixed, the marinade ingredients will turn rust red.

1. When mixed, the marinade ingredients will turn rust red.

Preparation

2 Drizzle about two tables on the meat and massage it in. Use a tenderize to make the meat thinner prior to adding the marinade paste. Massage the paste into the meat, then slice it, bag it and place it in the fridge for 24-hours.

2 Drizzle about two tables on the meat and massage it in. Use a tenderize to make the meat thinner prior to adding the marinade paste. Massage the paste into the meat, then slice it, bag it and place it in the fridge for 24-hours.

 

 

 

 

 

Side-Dish Prep

20-minutes before cooking the beef, cook the rice. Since the meat will cook quickly, you don’t want it to burn or get cold before the rice is ready.

3 The marinade should also still be in the pan since you need it as a garnish at the end.

3 The marinade should also still be in the pan since you need it as a garnish at the end.

There you have it: Tasty, delicious bulgogi that is tasty for all foodies! Just wait until you try it!
Is there any Asian cuisine you want to learn how to cook? Let us know so we can create a reader-friendly recipe for you!

JAE-HUN (LIM JU-HWAN) AND TAE-YI (KIM JI-WON) IN "WHAT'S UP"/DRAMA FEVER

JAE-HUN (LIM JU-HWAN) AND TAE-YI (KIM JI-WON) IN “WHAT’S UP”/DRAMA FEVER

While many great new K-Dramas exist, sometimes a nostalgia trip is in order to visit dramas forgotten over time.
2011-2012’s musical drama “What’s Up” was the ticket. With melodrama, music and relatable characters, the initial story captivated. Toward the end, abrupt shifts caused one to scream “what’s up!?”
The drama follows several first-year musical students trying to find success. “What’s Up” feels like a Korean version of “Fame” with the individual subplots. Each student has to overcome hardship: Do-Sung (Big Bang’s Daesung) and Doo-Ri (Lim Ju-Eun) search for identities outside family secrets and expectations; Jae-Hun (Lim Ju-Hwan) wants to escape his criminal past; Tae-Yi (Kim Ji-Won) remains haunted by her father’s death; Byung-Gun (Cho Jung-Seok) battles stage fright; and Chae-Young’s (Jang Hee-Jin) star faded long ago.
Each character’s growth made the plot realistic. It was like watching close friends find their identities.
Two storylines shined: Jae-Hun and Tae-Yi’s sadness-marred romance and Doo-Ri and teacher Sunwoo’s
(Oh Man-Seok)
ill-fated, one-sided love. The series’ writers excelled since both stories brought a good share of laughter and tears given Tae-Yi’s sweet awkwardness and Doo-Ri obsessive tendencies.
However, Do-Sung and Chae-Young’s plots felt incomplete. Writers needed to focus more on why Do-Sung had to hide his identity and deny he’s his mother’s son. With Chae-Young, viewers can assume the entertainment industry treated her poorly, but this doesn’t explain her manipulative tendencies.
One questionable inclusion was Cho Jung-Seok’s Byung-Gun. Byung-Gun served as comic. His scenes felt irritating since his humor came across as forced, but that might be the character’s personality. His inclusion may be good for viewers who can relate to his fears, but the writers could have done more with him than a few great

“TWO STORYLINES SHINED: JAE-HUN AND TAE-YI’S SADNESS-MARRED ROMANCE AND DOO-RI AND TEACHER SUNWOO’S (OH MAN-SEOK)
ILL-FATED,
ONE-SIDED LOVE.”

“WHAT’S UP” HAD MANY MUSICAL TRIUMPHS. EACH SONG HAD MEANING AND MOVED THE PLOT FORWARD, ADDING A FUN ELEMENT”

CHO JUNG-SEOK AS BYUNG-GUN/DRAMA FEVER

CHO JUNG-SEOK AS BYUNG-GUN/DRAMA FEVER

telling her parents’ story to Jae-Hun. Doo-Ri’s cover of Four Non-Blonde’s “What’s Going On” may seem out of place, but it makes sense in setting up a poignant scene with Sunwoo viewers may not soon forget.
The showstopper, however, was Tae-Yi and Byung-Gun’s cover of Laura Pausini’s “It’s Not Goodbye.” The actors portrayed the emotion in the song, making it undeniably haunting. The song set the bar high for the others in the drama. Sadly, while the other songs were great, they did not reach the epic level of “It’s Not Goodbye.”
“What’s Up” was intended to be a multi-season drama but was dropped after not having a network or a timeslot. This issue caused the series to suffer since there are many loose ends, especially given Chae-Young’s and Do-Sung’s deal and the sparks Tae-Yi and Jae-Hun had despite two massive obstacles in their way. The last two episodes felt like there was a huge “to be continued” sign looming overhead. But, it seems the audience will never know what could have been.
Overall, strong acting, great songs and good writing make “What’s Up” an unforgettable drama. However, it would be nice to have some closure for the stories that began the final two episodes. “What’s Up” is a rough diamond, but well worth the time to get involved.
Despite weak points, writers did well with character development and casting.
Lim Ju-Hwan’s Jae-Hun was perfect. His skills made the ex-criminal sympathetic. Equal parts bad boy and sweetheart, Jae-Hun wore his heart on his sleeve when conning and caring about people. Lim Ju-Hwan transitioned to each complex side of Jae-Hun with ease. When paired with Kim Ji-Won’s Tae-Yi, magic happens.
Kim and Lim Ju-Hwan have amazing chemistry. They have the ability to be cute together, yet, the agonizing heartbreak they experience can tear a person apart. It’s easy to root for these two considering how much Jae-Hun and Tae-Yi grew up when they realize one tragic night tied their fates together.
The same can be said about Lim Ju-Eun’s Doo-Ri and Oh Man-Seok’s Sunwoo. Lim Ju-Eun perfects Doo-Ri’s wild-eyed look and emotional neediness in a borderline creepy way. Her need to be loved is evident, but her desperate attempts like camping out at Sunwoo’s place may make viewers cringe.
Oh portrays Sunwoo’s drunken stupor and obstinate but wise nature effortlessly. Combined, Doo-Ri and Sunwoo are oil and water, but this makes their interactions more believable.
One questionable inclusion was Cho Jung-Seok’s Byung-Gun. Byung-Gun served as comic. His scenes felt irritating since his humor came across as forced, but that might be the character’s personality. His inclusion may be good for viewers who can relate to his fears, but the writers could have done more with him than a few great songs and weak story.
“What’s Up” had many musical triumphs. Each song had meaning and moved the plot forward, adding a fun element. Tae-Yi’s “Stupid Cupid,” for example, did a nice job telling her parents’ story to Jae-Hun. Doo-Ri’s cover of Four Non-Blonde’s “What’s Going On” may seem out of place, but it makes sense in setting up a poignant scene with Sunwoo viewers may not soon forget.
The showstopper, however, was Tae-Yi and Byung-Gun’s cover of Laura Pausini’s “It’s Not Goodbye.” The actors portrayed the emotion in the song, making it undeniably haunting. The song set the bar high for the others in the drama. Sadly, while the other songs were great, they did not reach the epic level of “It’s Not Goodbye.”
“What’s Up” was intended to be a multi-season drama but was dropped after not having a network or a timeslot. This issue caused the series to suffer since there are many loose ends, especially given Chae-Young’s and Do-Sung’s deal and the sparks Tae-Yi and Jae-Hun had despite two massive obstacles in their way. The last two episodes felt like there was a huge “to be continued” sign looming overhead. But, it seems the audience will never know what could have been.
Overall, strong acting, great songs and good writing make “What’s Up” an unforgettable drama. However, it would be nice to have some closure for the stories that began the final two episodes. “What’s Up” is a rough diamond, but well worth the time to get involved.

“WHAT’S UP.” IS A ROUGH DIAMOND, BUT WELL WORTH THE TIME TO GET INVOLVED”

K-Pop Rookies January-June 2014: The Best and Most Notorious Debuts

Joelle Halon

The first half of 2014 started out with a bang with major releases from EXO, Infinite, Girls’ Generation, and 2ne1. Often lost in the shuffle are the potential next generation K-Pop stars. 2014 hasn’t had a shortage of rookies—43 officially debuted so far—generating a lot of buzz of who could be “the” next big group.
Some groups appear to have what it takes, others not so much. Here is a ranking of some of the artists who have potential and some who need a little more work.

The Best

AKMU in "200%"./ via YouTube

AKMU in “200%”./ via YouTube

Akdong Musician| Debut: April| Songs: “Melted,” “200%,” “Give Love”
Dubbed “super rookies” by many K-Pop websites, Akdong Musician have maturity past their ages. At aThe Best
Akdong Musician| Debut: April| Songs: “Melted,” “200%,” “Give Love”
Dubbed “super rookies” by many K-Pop websites, Akdong Musician have maturity past their ages. At ages 18 and 14 (Korean ages), siblings Lee Chan-Hyuk and Lee Soo-Hyun have a special something that helped them dominate the charts.
Their emotion-packed ballad “Melted” showed a remarkable deepness and ability to understand humanity through simple lyrics and haunting vocals. “200%” and “Give Love” showed their youth and abilities to have fun. Expect the duo to pick up many awards at the end of the year.

Mamamoo| Debut: January| Song: “Don’t Be Happy”

Solar, WhaSa, WheeIn, and Moon Byul in "Peppermint Chocolate."/via YouTube

Solar, WhaSa, WheeIn, and Moon Byul in “Peppermint Chocolate.”/via YouTube

“Power” is the buzzword associated with Mamamoo because they have it all. The girls provide something fresh to the K-Pop world with their jazzy voices and throwback style.
Since their debut, Mamamoo has already gained an international following despite minimal promotions on music shows. Of course, following up their debut single with “Peppermint Chocolate” with K.Will and Wheesung didn’t hurt their potential surge.

 

 

 

Kiss&Cry| Debut: January| Song: “Domino Game”

Soyumi, Dia, HaeNa, and BoHye in "Domino Game."

Soyumi, Dia, HaeNa, and BoHye in “Domino Game.”

Kiss&Cry thrilled with robust vocals and stage presence. They came bursting out of the gates with vocals unmatched by many other rookies, and with Dia releasing single recordings, Kiss&Cry is doing what they can to remain ever-present. “Domino Game” caught the attention of many listeners, and the fun dance made the video enjoyable. Weakness is not in Kiss&Cry’s vocabulary, which is why they have the ability to stand tall in the K-Pop world.

 

 

 

Lee Michelle| Debut: March| Song: “Without You”

Lee Michelle| Debut: March| Song: “Without You”

Lee Michelle| Debut: March| Song: “Without You”

Lee Michelle has enough depth to her soul, she could challenge the deepest ocean. “Without You” was an explosive debut, and one that definitely deserves more love and attention.  Her deep vocals and ability to tell a story make Lee stand out. The one downfall was minimal promotion. If she was promoted more, “Without You” would have earned the attention it deserved.

 

 

 

 

Solid Starts

GOT7| Debut: January| Song: “Girls, Girls, Girls”

Mark, JB, Jr., Jackson, YooGyeom, BamBam, and YoungJae make up GOT7./via YouTube

Mark, JB, Jr., Jackson, YooGyeom, BamBam, and YoungJae make up GOT7./via YouTube

GOT7 already earned a large fanbase, and it’s easy to see why. Good-looking and charismatic, the boys definitely charmed their way into many a female heart. They dance well and have the talent, so it’s unfortunate their debut song didn’t show their vocal talents. The song was a bit bland, but their mini album had many other songs that suggest the boys have what it takes.

 

 

Lip Service| Debut: March| Song: “Yum, Yum, Yum”

Lip Service in "Yum, Yum, Yum."/ via YouTube

Lip Service in “Yum, Yum, Yum.”/ via YouTube

Bipa and Kora are going to be a fun group to watch. They’re spunky with a wicked sense of humor. What’s not to like? While they appeared on a few of the music shows, some more appearances will really help the girls because they are quirky and enjoyable.  Plus, “Yum, Yum, Yum” endeared itself to K-Pop fans with food-themed lyrics. It will be interesting to see what lies beneath this potential winner of a duo.

 

 

BTL| Debut: May| Song: “Too G”

QL, DoKa, Yu.A, Robin, JiSu, Max, Jay, Allen, and Jean Paul in "Too G."/ via YouTube

QL, DoKa, Yu.A, Robin, JiSu, Max, Jay, Allen, and Jean Paul in “Too G.”/ via YouTube

Beyond the Limit (BTL, not to be confused with Bacon, Tomato, Lettuce) have amazing visuals and a nice track in “Too G” due to its addictive chorus. They’ve already impressed on their Music Core and Inkigayo debuts, so they will earn fans, and video teasers promised a nice treat for fans looking for beefcake.
While they have some positives, they risk falling into the generic boyband category if they lose steam with their concept. Some fans see some similarities between BTL and EXO during their “Mama” days, so they may have to work harder to prove themselves.

 

Scarlet| Debut: February| Song: “Do Better”

Aromi, Sara, RaByul, JiHye, and YeRim dance in "Do Better."/via YouTube

Aromi, Sara, RaByul, JiHye, and YeRim dance in “Do Better.”/via YouTube

Scarlet debuted with little hype, and it took a while to find out what the girls’ names are, but despite this, they show a lot of promise. “Do Better” was a solid song that quickly developed a niche group of fans. The song’s MV was riddled with awkward English (what’s a “boggy slushie”?) and cheesy graphics, and the dance left a lot to be desired. There’s still room for Scarlet to “do better.”

 

 

 

Weakest Links

Aila| Debut: January| Song: “Pretty Pretty Pretty Girl”

RaHee, ShiYeon, Yena, and Kelly perform on Music Core./via YouTube

RaHee, ShiYeon, Yena, and Kelly perform on Music Core./via YouTube

Aila’s debut stage was painful to watch on Music Core before they disappeared somewhere. The girls, Ra-Hee, Shi-Yeon, Yena, and Kelly, looked too old to be flouncing around in cute Lolita dresses, and their vocals were all over the place. It was difficult to take them seriously. It was hard to not feel bad for them as there was little crowd reaction as the “thumbs down” mounted on YouTube.

Hopefully their company, Plane Entertainment, thinks of a new concept or else these girls do not have a chance at survival.

 

M.O.A| Debut: February| Song: “I’ll Call Ya”

Hika, Yui, Jelly, Hyena, JaYoung, ChanHee, and Miva perform "I'll Call Ya" on Show Champion.

Hika, Yui, Jelly, Hyena, JaYoung, ChanHee, and Miva perform “I’ll Call Ya” on Show Champion.

The M.O.A girls unfortunately, have little chance to make waves. KBS banned their first attempt at the “I’ll Call Ya” MV due to poor quality; the second attempt wasn’t much better. Professional Entertainment is not very professional.
The girls have pitchy vocals. Their song, while catchy at some parts, lacked finesse and could easily annoy listeners with the high-pitched, jilted chorus.
If the company can get their act together, get the girls a better choreographer, vocal coach, and perhaps a budget for a real video, they may have a chance.

 

JJCC| Debut: March| Song: “At First”

SimBa, EDDY, Prince Mak, E.co, and San-Cheong pose on their first mini album's cover./via Google

SimBa, EDDY, Prince Mak, E.co, and San-Cheong pose on their first mini album’s cover./via Google

JJCC should have been more impressive considering they are Jackie Chan’s group. Instead of a charismatic, action-packed debut, the boys performed a mediocre song that was barely memorable. However, they are handsome men, and Jackie Chan is behind them, so one weak start will not wipe them off the map. They may do just fine in upcoming promotions.

EXO-K’s Overdose has Highs, Lows

Joelle Halon

Picture2Since 2012, EXO has amazed the K-Pop world with their quick rise to stardom. Since then, fans have eaten up every release from “Mama” to “Growl” to “Miracles in December.”

In May, EXO released their long-awaited second mini-album Overdose following a delay to mourn the lives lost during the Sewol Ferry tragedy.

Even though it only has five songs, it is sure to please any EXOtic.

EXO-K’s album lit the music charts on fire even before its release, ranking high on many music charts and winning many of the music shows once it officially came out. But, did EXO-K live up to all the hype with Overdose, or is the group losing steam?

Track Reviews

“Overdose”

“Overdose” has an exciting, heart-pounding beat that makes it worthy of being the title track.

“Overdose” isn’t shy. For dance-track lovers, the song has dubstep layers with an addictive chorus. It has a strong electronic sound, adding to the fun.

While the chorus is outstanding, the rap portions feel weak. Part of EXO’s appeal when they released “Mama” was the bombastic, electrifying rap. EXO stood out then because of the hardcore influences, but with “Overdose,” the rap didn’t stand out from what other K-groups are doing.

Of course, “Overdose” wouldn’t have worked with a metal-type rebel yell, but it felt like something was missing in the rap portions. A little more power could have made an already great song become amazing.

“Moonlight”

SM songs usually have weak lyrics, but “Moonlight” breaks the mold and stands out as a lyrically-impressive piece.

Based on the title alone, “Moonlight” sounds like it would be a continuation of the wolf theme carried out in “Wolf” and “Growl.” It isn’t, but it is a heartbreaking tale of the one-who-got-away: “A place where I can’t touch you and can’t even hold you.”

Given the lyric’s beauty, the song failed to impress once put to music. It’s a ballad as come to be expected given the tone of the lyrics, but it’s nothing special. “Moonlight” comes across as a forgettable, throwaway tune. It has a nice R&B beat, and the echoes provide a haunting touch, but the music makes the song unmemorable.

“Thunder”

Like “Moonlight,” “Thunder” has a strong lyrical presence. However, the two songs are almost too similar in content to the point the lyrics feel almost interchangeable. But, “Thunder” takes the theme from both songs a little further by covering finding lost love.

“Thunder” has a significantly better sound; the mid-tempo beat saves the song. EXO also exhibits great falsettos, and the “ooh, ooh, ooh” portions just sound amazing when heard through headphones. EXO-K’s voices blend well with the “boom” and “thunder” repeats, and the last verse has a solid bass, adding a nice feel to the song.

“Run”

If “Overdose” wasn’t the title track, “Run” definitely should be! This song is just addictive fun. It’s an awesome dance track with a bit of a ‘90s feel mixed with some Spaghetti Western soundtrack nuances. Hopefully, EXO-K chooses to release this one prior to the summer months because it has the potential to earn plenty of air time as a great summer tune.

The lyrics aren’t as spectacular as “Thunder” and “Moonlight,” but it doesn’t matter because the beat and sing-along-factor win for this song. The lyrics reflect a summer fling and recalling those memories. Besides being fun, it’s a simple, cute song.

At times, the music does drown out EXO’s voices, especially at the bridge. If the music was toned down just a tad, the overall song would have been perfect. However, this minor issue is easy to overlook.

“Love, Love, Love”

After a few listens, the title looked like EXO was begging fans to “love, love, love” this track. It didn’t work since this is the weak-link on the album and a hot mess. It felt like two songs spliced together with the tempo shift that came with “‘Cause, you’re my earth, air, water, fire (You’re my) earth, air, water, fire” line. This just didn’t fit with the song as a whole.

Another element that didn’t work was how the chorus’ beat and EXO’s singing reflected the old children’s song “Nana, Nana, Fufu.” This made the song feel more annoying than enjoyable because of how childish it sounds. Few artists can pull off these elements, but they are usually female and walking the fine aegyo-line, much like Fiestar did with “I Don’t Know” with the “Ten Little Indians” beat. Male groups cannot pull this off as well.

One of the better elements of “Love, Love, Love” is how the music featured traditional Asian instruments. This was awesome considering how the elements of nature played a part in the actual song. In a way, the song recalls EXO’s “Mama” and “History” days when each member reflected a different element of nature. This was a coy nod to their past, making the song slightly better than what it is.

Overall

Picture1While Overdose has a couple of great standout songs in “Overdose” and “Run,” the overall album wasn’t as impressive as their debut or first full-length albums. They have improved lyrically, but the overall album felt like something was missing.

Of course, it still sold thousands and it is dominating the charts, so fans are thrilled and that’s what matters. Overall, it was just not as exciting as expected.

 

Joelle Halon

[dropcap size=big]K[/dropcap]-Pop’s diversity knows no bounds, which is why it’s such a great genre of which to be involved. While many focus on the mainstream music, there is a K-Music world many tend to ignore.

The K-Indie scene is rich with strong vocals, meaningful songs, and artists that deserve recognition. Some K-Indie artists like Nell and Park Ji Yoon managed to transition to mainstream well, and other artists have potential to do so too!

If you’re new to the K-Indie scene, here are five artists you should know to start you on your K-Indie journey!

Neon Bunny
neon_bunny-via YouTubeOriginally a keyboardist for ???? (Black Shirts), Kim Yu-Jin debuted as a solo act in 2012 with Seoulights. She shocked the K-Pop world when she nabbed the Best Pop Album Award from IU at the Korean Music Awards that same year.

Neon Bunny’s soft voice adds a retro touch to her electronic sound in songs like “Plastic Heart” and “Bubbles” from her 80s-inspired album Happy Endings, which serves a great introduction to her music.
Besides her retro-electronic sound, Neon Bunny isn’t afraid of edgy lyrics. “Oh My Prince” features some swearing which many mainstream artists tend to shy away from, but this is part of her appeal.

Standing Egg-via standingeggDOTcom

 Standing Egg

Acoustic group Standing Egg is one of the quintessential K-Indie artists. Since 2010, the trio and sometimes quartet has had a rotating roster of Indie artists playing for them including Clover (Vocals, guitar), Han Kyul (Double bass), and Hana (Djembe). Sound-wise, they are a Jack-of-all-trades group, often experimenting with jazz, Bossa nova, folk, R&B, punk, and reggae!
Standing Egg’s music is rich in beauty and simplicity. Listeners may find they’re influenced by John Mayer and Maroon 5 among other artists in their sound. Their newest song, “?? ?” has a John Mayer-type groove, so even Western-music lovers may fall in love.

Humming Urban Stereo-via YouTubeHumming Urban Stereo

Since 2004, Humming Urban Stereo has proven why they have mainstream appeal. The electro-pop group released thirteen full and mini albums total, making them one of the most productive Indie groups!
Once a trio, “humming girl” Lee Jin-Hwa passed away in Japan in recent years; she had heart disease. Even in her absence, Humming Urban Stereo remains strong.
While classified as electro-pop, Humming Urban Stereo also experiments in Acid Jazz, Bossa Nova, and Jazz. Some of their most-loved songs include “Hawaiian Couple,” “You That Day,” and “Give Me Your Tonight.” In May 2014, they released a song with G.NA, “Scully Doesn’t Know,” closing the gap between Indie and mainstream K-Pop.

 

J-Walk Love...Painfully- via YouTubeFans of the first generation of modern K-Pop should fall in love with J-Walk, an Indie made up of two former members of Sechskies: Kim Jae Duc and Jang Su Won. The duo drifted slightly from their pop roots to perform softer songs that float along the ballad line.
Kim and Jang’s voices blend beautifully, which gives them their strong soothing quality. While they haven’t released many songs, they do have several memorable jams under their belts including the coffee-shop ballad “Frappuccino” that is worthy of play on a lazy Sunday morning.

 

 

 

 

Blue Near Mother-via YouTubeBlue Near Mother
Rock band Blue Near Mother has been making a lot of noise lately, and for good reason! With songs like “Change” and “I Believe” earning radio play on Arirang Radio, they are gaining the right attention at the right time.
Blue Near Mother has a lot of heart and soul. Their lyrics contain positive messages about bettering one’s self. In today’s world, a little positivity can go a long way.
The group’s vocals are rich and lack the hard edge many K-Indie rock groups like Toxic have. If they were more mainstream, they would compete with groups like FTIsland and CNBLUE since they have more of an all-ages appeal.
K-Indie has something for everyone. If you need a break from today’s K-Pop, hit the Indie scene to see what you find. With many genres covered, it won’t be hard to find something appealing!

Humming Urban Stereo
Since 2004, Humming Urban Stereo has proven why they have mainstream appeal. The electro-pop group released thirteen full and mini albums total, making them one of the most productive Indie groups!
Once a trio, “humming girl” Lee Jin-Hwa passed away in Japan in recent years; she had heart disease. Even in her absence, Humming Urban Stereo remains strong.
While classified as electro-pop, Humming Urban Stereo also experiments in Acid Jazz, Bossa Nova, and Jazz. Some of their most-loved songs include “Hawaiian Couple,” “You That Day,” and “Give Me Your Tonight.” In May 2014, they released a song with G.NA, “Scully Doesn’t Know,” closing the gap between Indie and mainstream K-Pop.

Korean women are known for their fresh, glowing, youthful skin. Looking at actresses in many K-Dramas like “You Who Came from the Stars,” women often look like they barely wear makeup due to their luminous skin. According to Linda Moerch, author of “The Price of Beauty in South Korea,” the better one’s complexion is, the more highly thought of that person is in society since clean, clear skin is a symbol of purity.
Seoul and other big cities in Asia like Shanghai and Beijing have issues with pollution, too. A strict moisturizing routine helps protect skin from the harsh elements, prolonging one’s youthfulness.
Watching actresses on screen is enough to give anyone skin envy, but how do they achieve such flawless skin?

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The “Inside” Scoop
Koreans work hard to maintain 물광피부 (mul kwangpi bu) or “radiant, dewy skin.” The saying “beauty is skin deep” is true as the moisturizing process begins. Since skin reflects one’s health, drinking plenty of water helps with skin elasticity and dryness, providing a youthful appearance. A good diet prevents skin from aging quickly, creating a gorgeous glow. Many feel these steps even slow the aging process.
Taking the time to consider a healthy diet and the multi-step process of moisturizing is beneficial. That’s why so many Korean women look so young regardless of age.
Cleanliness Before Moisture
Cleansing and exfoliating is a valuable part of a healthy skin regime. Not cleansing enough clogs pores, impeding the moisturizer’s ability to soak into skin. Exfoliation unclogs pores, but doing this too much may damage skin, causing red scaly patches. Exfoliating every two days may be ideal.
When cleansing, celebrities like singer/actress Suzy Bae swears by 4-2-4.
Four-two-four involves using cleansing oil for four minutes. The oil breaks down makeup while replenishing skin. Next comes a foam cleanser for two minutes to clear pores. Finally, rinsing with cool water for four minutes removes impurities while closing pores. Cool water also increases blood circulation, creating rosy cheeks and reduces puffiness. Besides cool water, some celebrities even rinse with cold lemon water to tone and tighten skin while the lemon dissolves toxins.
While following this method seems cumbersome, on “Get It Beauty,” Bae and her makeup artist, Hong Sung Hee, swears it helps makeup glide on better for a more natural appearance.

Moisturizing: A Multi-Step Process
Across Asia, moisturizing is a timely but serious process. Celebrities may use between ten-to-20 moisturizers on their face to lock in moisture! Why so many? Paired with a balanced diet, the two work together to create a flawless, bright complexion.
Layering moisturizers is the best way to achieve flawless skin. Since celebrities use so many, there is an application method.
When applying moisturizer, start with the lightest ones like water-based serums and moisture sprays first. Medium-weight creams like day or night creams and eye serums would be next, followed by the heavier creams like wrinkle reducers last since they are the heaviest. Layering lightest to heaviest helps skin absorb moisturizer better.
Celebrities also have their own methods for application. Actress Go Hyung-Jung, author of the book “Texture,” suggests warming moisturizer to help it soak into skin. Other actresses and skin specialists suggest applying moisturizer in an upward fashion to lift and tighten skin.

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Anyone Can Do It
While moisturizing methods seem difficult, there is a reason why Korea is revered as one of the world’s skin care leaders. Anyone can follow this method regardless of how many products they have in their makeup cabinets. Just remember good cleansing skills, exfoliation, and layering moisturizers, and anyone can have the healthy skin of the stars!

 

 

 

 

 

 

AToQNGEVpjt8AAAAAElFTkSuQmCCCelebrities also have their own methods for application. Actress Go Hyung-Jung, author of the book “Texture,” suggests warming moisturizer to help it soak into skin. Other actresses and skin specialists suggest applying moisturizer in an upward fashion to lift and tighten skin.
Across Asia, moisturizing is a timely but serious process. Celebrities may use between ten-to-20 moisturizers on their face to lock in moisture! Why so many? Paired with a balanced diet, the two work together to create a flawless, bright complexion.
Layering moisturizers is the best way to achieve flawless skin. Since celebrities use so many, there is an application method.
When applying moisturizer, start with the lightest ones like water-based serums and moisture sprays first. Medium-weight creams like day or night creams and eye serums would be next, followed by the heavier creams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Child actress and “Music Core” host Kim Sohyun uses Teenage Nature (tn) moisture cocktail cream. She demonstrated how she uses it in a 2013 episode of “Get It Beauty.” The moisture cocktail cream is available through ibuybeauti.com for under $25.

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