A New Shining Star Emerges
J. Chung
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 oneâs 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 Franklinâs âChain of Foolsâ 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 sheâs 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 Braxtonâs 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 Supearlsâ 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 sheâd done years ago. And this isnât 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 Michelleâs first digital single, âWithout Youâ has been out since 21st March. The songâs 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 personâs 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 havenât yet watched the music video please take the time to check it out.
And donât get me wrong. âWithout Youâ is not about misery and loneliness but Michelle releases her emotions sheâs 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 doesnât like to express and show her emotions because she knows sheâll 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 âYouâ from âWithout Youâ 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 sheâs 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 wasnât 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 Michelleâs 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 youâll 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 sheâs bound to shine like a star.
Hope you guys all enjoy the short interview from Lee Michelle and wish Michelle a great career.

Got7 is a seven member boyband who made their debut officially on Mnetâs M! Countdown on 16th of January this year. Got7âs 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 Got7âs 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 âI Got7â, 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:Â 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:Â 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 traineesâ show cases, I really wanted to become one.
Yugeom:Â My dream was to become a singer since childhood.
Youngjae:Â I enjoyed cooking and art at first, but as I stared singing, I built my dreams to become a singer.
Jr:Â I wanted to be a singer since I was young.
JB:Â 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:Â My mother.
Mark:Â My parents.
Yugyeom:Â My parents.
Youngjae:Â My father.
Jr:Â My father.
JB:Â 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: Iâve traveled a lot when I was an athlete. Right now, Iâd like to visit Thailand where BamBam lives.
BamBam:Â Want to travel to Dubai.
Mark:Â Paris.
Yugeom:Â The U.S and the U.K.
Youngjae:Â Africa.
Jr: France, the U,K, the U.S.A. There are so many other countries besides that Iâd want to visit.
JB:Â The U.S and Japan.
Which color do you like the best?
Jackson:Â I like black. Most of my outfits are black.
BamBam:Â I like gold, pink and black.
Mark:Â Red.
Yugyeom:Â I like all the pastel toned colors.
Youngjae:Â Red.
Jr:Â I like blue.
JB:Â 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 canât eat spicy stuff that well.
BamBam:Â Stewed chicken.
Mark:Â I like types of stewed soups.
Yugeom:Â I like rice and meat.
Youngjae:Â I like chicken.
Jr:Â White rice.
JB:Â Korean food, I like types of stews and rice.
Do you have any bad habits?
Jackson:Â I donât have any bad habits in particular. I use my computer with the light switched off, but I want to fix that habit, âcause itâs bad for my eyesight.
BamBam:Â I keep rotating my neck, because I have pain at the back of my neck.
Mark:Â I donât have any bad habits.
Yugeom:Â I donât have any habits.
Youngjae:Â Biting my lips. I wanna fix from getting annoyed easily.
Jr:Â I have a lot of sleep in the morning.
JB:Â 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:Â There isnât any.
BamBam:Â Our members talk to each other often, so there isnât anything to complain about.
Mark:Â There isnât anything to complain about.
Yugeom:Â There isnât any.
Youngjae:Â Nope.
Jr:Â I donât have any complaints.
JB:Â There isnât 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 weâd both try very hard, and later get recognition as artists.
BamBam:Â I think the fundamental thing is to win against yourself.
Mark:Â No.
Yugeom:Â No.
Youngjae:Â There isnât anyone we consider as rivals.
Jr:Â No, there isnât.
JB:Â 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:Â I like women with short hair.
Yugeom:Â Just someone I like.
Youngjae:Â My ideal is someone I like.
Jr:Â Someone who goes well with me, who loves to do her own work, would be my ideal.
Jaebum:Â Someone who catches my eye.
Has anything changed for you after your debut?
Jackson:Â I began to see more of what I lack and thought I should put more effort into work.
BamBam:Â People recognize me when Iâm out and about.
Mark:Â When Iâm walking in the streets, sometimes I get recognized by people.
Yugeom:Â I feel that I have to get down to more practice!
Youngjae:Â On anything I do, I act out more carefully.
Jr:Â Thereâs 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:Â I wish Got7 will be able to show a more elaborate performance with better music.
BamBam:Â I really want us to get the new artist award. Weâll put in a lot of effort.
Mark:Â 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:Â I want to become really good at singing.
Jr:Â 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:Â My role model is G-Dragon.
Mark:Â 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, Dâangelo is the artist I like.
Could you state the school subjects you were confident in or really poor at?
Jackson:Â I was confident in economics, but I wasnât so in science.
Yugeom:Â I was very good at Korean language, but I was the least confident in math.
Youngjae:Â I was the most confident in Korean language and least confident in math.
Jr:Â I was the most confident in math and not as much in social science.
JB:Â 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:Â The first performance Got7 had I remember the best.
BamBam:Â 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:Â I remember our debut performance the most.
Yugeom:Â The first performance we had as our debut.
Youngjae:Â The first showcase we had in Korea.
Jr:Â Our debut performance.
JB:Â The first performance we had was the most memorable.
What is the one thing you can be the best at?
Jackson:Â I never give up on anything I am doing. Iâll try my best until the end.
BamBam:Â Taiwanese rapping.
Mark:Â Martial arts tricking
Yugeom:Â I can do the best free style dance.
Youngjae:Â Singing.
Jr:Â Iâm best at dancing and speaking.
JB:Â I am good at making an effort continuously.
What is the most important to you?
Jackson:Â My family and Got7 are the most important to me.
BamBam:Â My family and Got7.
Mark:Â Family.
Yugeom:Â Our team, family and everyone whom I consider precious to me. And the fans.
Younjae:Â Family, friends and the group members.
Jr:Â Family.
JB:Â Family, music.
Could you say a few words to the fans in America?
Jackson:Â Iâm going to work hard and never give up!!
BamBam:Â SEE YOU SOON ^
Mark:Â 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: Weâll come back with a great song soon. We wish youâll 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 âGirls Girls Girlsâ lyrics and English translation          Lyrics and music by Jin-Young Park
JB)ë ¸ë Ľíě§ ěěë ě ꡸ë°ě§ ëŞ°ëź ëë§ ëł´ëŠ´ ěě§ëŹě ¸ ëëźÂ ë´ Look ë´ Style ë´ Swagger
E.T) I donât even try and I donât know why, but when they see me they go crazy
My look, my style, my swagger
Jr) Oh ě돴ę˛ë ěí´ë ęˇ¸ëĽ ë´ę° ě˘ě ěłë¤ëł´ëŠ´ ę°ëłę˛ ë¤ę°ę° ꡸ëĽÂ 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 âHey girl! Howâre you doing?â (hey)
All) Girls Girls Girls They love meJackson) ëë ě ëŞ¸ě´ ě´ëŹë ęą°ë
(E.T) Whatâs up with my body
All) Girls Girls Girls They love meYugeom) ě´ëŚ´ ě ëśí° ęłě ě ěěí
E.T) From birth until forever
BamBam) ëë ëíëę¸°ë§ í´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
E.T) Even if I just show up (oh my)
Mark) ꡸뼟 ë°ëźëł´ę¸°ë§ í´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
E.T) Even if I just glance (oh my)
Yugeom) ęˇ¸ëĽ ě¨ěŹę¸°ë§ í´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
E.T) Even if I’m just breathing (oh my)
All) Girls Girls Girls They love me JB) ě´ě§ë§ ěě´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
E.T) Even if I only smile a little (oh my)
Jr) 몸ě ě´ě§ë§ íë¤ě´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
E.T) Even if I just move my body slightly (oh oh my)
Jackson) ëë ě돴ę˛ë ěí´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
E.T) Even if I do nothing (oh my)
All) Girls Girls Girls They love me
JB)ě˘ěęą´ě§ ěëě§ ěě§ ě 몰ëźë§¤ěź ě íšě´ ë돴ëë ë§ě
E.T) This girl That girl í루ě˘
ěź
Donât know whether itâs a good thing or or not
So many temptations everydayThis girl.
That girl. All day long.
Jr)Oh ë§ěě ě죟 ě°Šíę˛ íëŞ
ë§ ęł¨ëźÂ ë§ëëł´ë ¤ęł í´ëë뼟 ëěěŁźě§ ěě ě´ěŠëŠ´ ě˘ě
E.T) I wanna pick one nice girl to meet but they simply wonât let me go. What should I do (hey)
All)Girls Girls Girls They love me
Jackson) ëë ě ëŞ¸ě´ ě´ëŹë ęą°ë
E.T) Whatâs up with my body
All) Girls Girls Girls They love meYoungjae)ě´ëŚ´ ě ëśí° ęłě ě ěěí
E.T) From birth until forever
BamBam) ë ëíëę¸°ë§ í´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
Even if I just show up (oh my)
Mark) ꡸뼟 ë°ëźëł´ę¸°ë§ í´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
E.T) Even if I just glance (oh my)
Yugeom)Â ęˇ¸ëĽ ě¨ěŹę¸°ë§ í´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
E.T) Even if I’m just breathing (oh my)
All) Girls Girls Girls They love me
JB) ě´ě§ë§ ěě´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
(E.T) Even if I just smile a little (oh my)
Jr.) 몸ě ě´ě§ë§ íë¤ě´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
E.T) Even if I just move my body slightly (oh my)
Jackson) ëë ě돴ę˛ë ěí´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
E.T) Even if I do nothing (oh my)
All) Girls Girls Girls They love meBamBam) Yo uh! ęłźěĽíě§ ë§ëźęł ęłźěĽě´ëŠ´ ě˘ę˛ ě´ ě ë° ë ¸ë ę°ěŹëźęł  ěę°íě§ ë§ęł ë´ë§Â ěë ꡸ëëĄ ëŻżě´ě¤ě ꟏ěě ëŁě§ë§ęł ë´ ě기 ě ě˘ ë¤ě´ě¤ě ě´í´ę° ë ě§ ëŞ¨ëĽ´ę˛ ě§ë§ ë ěěě 먚ě ę˛ě˛ëź 죟ěěŹěëĽźÂ ë´ ëŞ¸ě´ ęˇ¸ëĽ íźěě ěĄěëšę¸°ë깸 ëë깸 ě´ě§¸ě¤ë ë˛ě¨ ëŞë˛ě§¸ ꡸ëŹëě§Â 몰ëźěěě¤Â 모뼴ë ě´ëě ě¸ę¸°ë ë체 ě´ě§¸
E.T) Yo Uh! But Iâm 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. Donât regard it twisted, please listen to me. Donât know if youâll understand, but itâs like I ate a magnet. My body pulls the girls around me, canât do a thing. So many times already today? Iâm just too damn popular
Mark) ë§ě ëě´ę° ë§ęą´ ě ęą´ ëěě´ęą´ ëëęą´ ë ěĄęł ëśěĄęł ě˘ë¤ęł ę°ě´ ëěęł ë ěë 모뼴ë ě´ě¨ęą´ě ëíëęł ě ęšë§ ě˘ ě기íěęł Â ěëĽě´ëźë ěěźëŠ´ ě˘ę˛ ě´ ě ë§ ë§¤í¸ëŚě¤ě˛ëź ëłľě ëźë í ęš ë Â ë´ ëŞ¸ě íëë° ě꾏ë ęłě ěěźë
(E.T) Right, every lady wants a piece of me. Whether they’re young or old, they grab me and say letâs play. Whether they know me or not they say âWhatcha doing?â “Letâs 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)ëë ëíëę¸°ë§ í´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
(E.T) Even if I just show up (oh my)
Mark) ꡸뼟 ë°ëźëł´ę¸°ë§ í´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
(E.T) Even if I just glance (oh my)
Yugeom) ęˇ¸ëĽ ě¨ěŹę¸°ë§ í´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
(E.T) Even if I’m just breathing (oh my)
All) Girls Girls Girls They love me JB) ě´ě§ë§ ěě´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
(E.T) Even if I just smile a little (oh my)
Jr) 몸ě ě´ě§ë§ íë¤ě´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
(E.T) Even if I just move my body slightly (oh my)
Jackson) ëë ě돴ę˛ë ěí´ë (ě´ë¨¸ë)
(E.T) Even if I do nothing (oh my)
All) Girls Girls Girls They love me
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 siblingsâ 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 motherâs 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 addedě ë°°ë after each of their names. Sun-bae is a respectful term meaning âseniorâ)
For overseeâs artists I admire Beyonce, Idia Arie and Ledisi.
What is your favorite song?
It always depends. Nowadays I listen to âTreasureâ by Bruno Mars the most.
Are you satisfied of the reactions from your fans of your âWithout youâ music video?
I am just so grateful rather than just being satisfied. Iâm just very thankful âcause I hadnât thought there would be so many fans are out there liking and supporting me. All the more Iâm 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 donât 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 itâs 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. Itâs 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 couldnât 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 âI must make music if there is even just one single person in this world who is happy, encouraged or be comforted through my music.â 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 youâll only have great things coming your way.
First, I thank you all very much. Iâve 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!
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. Itâs 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 doesnât 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.
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
- 2 lbs. of Flank Steak, London Broil, OR Equivalent
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Side Dish:
- 2 Cups Jasmine or White Rice
- 3 Cups Water
Tools
- Meat Tenderizer
- Spoon
- Mixing Bowl
- Plate or Cutting Board
- Large Serrated Knife
- Ziploc Bag
- Microwave Safe Baking Dish
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Tongs
Preparation
- In a bowl, mix all the marinade ingredients together with a spoon. Ingredients should form a rust-colored paste. 1
- Take meat and drizzle it with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Massage the oil into the meat so it is evenly coated. This preps the meat to help it stay tender and moist.
- Use the meat tenderizer to pound the meat until it is a half-inch thick. This will help beat the oil into the meat better to prepare it for grilling.
- Rub the marinade paste all over the meat, coating it generously. Massage the ingredients into the meat well in order to make sure it is evenly coated for maximum flavor.
- With the serrated knife, cut the meat into strips. The strips should measure half-an-inch in thickness; length does not matter.
- Rub the meat with more marinade if you desire to coat the cut sections.
- Place the marinated meat in a Ziploc bag and place it in the fridge for 24-hours to enhance the smoky flavors.
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 donât want it to burn or get cold before the rice is ready.
- Place two cups of rice into the microwave safe dish.
- Add three cups of water to the rice and mix it up.
- Place the rice in the microwave to cook by setting the timer on two cycles: One with the timer set to seven minutes on power setting ten; the second set time for 13 minutes on power-level seven. Start the microwave to allow rice to cook.
- Spray the skillet with a nonstick cooking spray in order to prevent the meat from burning and sticking.
- Turn the stovetop dial to high heat and allow the skillet to heat up.
- When the pan is hot, place the meat in it; the meat should sizzle as it hits.
- Let the meat brown on both sides, stirring and flipping it using the tongs to make sure it doesnât stick. When meat is brown, slice a few pieces to see if it cooked throughout. Meat should be just slightly below well-done. 3
- Remove from heat.
- Serve the bulgogi immediately over rice, spooning the cooked marinade onto it.
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
While many great new K-Dramas exist, sometimes a nostalgia trip is in order to visit dramas forgotten over time.
2011-2012âs musical drama âWhatâs Upâ was the ticket. With melodrama, music and relatable characters, the initial story captivated. Toward the end, abrupt shifts caused one to scream âwhatâs up!?â
The drama follows several first-year musical students trying to find success. âWhatâs Upâ feels like a Korean version of âFameâ with the individual subplots. Each student has to overcome hardship: Do-Sung (Big Bangâs 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 fatherâs death; Byung-Gun (Cho Jung-Seok) battles stage fright; and Chae-Youngâs (Jang Hee-Jin) star faded long ago.
Each characterâs growth made the plot realistic. It was like watching close friends find their identities.
Two storylines shined: Jae-Hun and Tae-Yiâs sadness-marred romance and Doo-Ri and teacher Sunwooâs
(Oh Man-Seok)
ill-fated, one-sided love. The seriesâ writers excelled since both stories brought a good share of laughter and tears given Tae-Yiâs sweet awkwardness and Doo-Ri obsessive tendencies.
However, Do-Sung and Chae-Youngâs plots felt incomplete. Writers needed to focus more on why Do-Sung had to hide his identity and deny heâs his motherâs son. With Chae-Young, viewers can assume the entertainment industry treated her poorly, but this doesnât explain her manipulative tendencies.
One questionable inclusion was Cho Jung-Seokâs Byung-Gun. Byung-Gun served as comic. His scenes felt irritating since his humor came across as forced, but that might be the characterâs 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
âTWO STORYLINES SHINED: JAE-HUN AND TAE-YIâS SADNESS-MARRED ROMANCE AND DOO-RI AND TEACHER SUNWOOâS (OH MAN-SEOK)
ILL-FATED,
ONE-SIDED LOVE.â
âWHATâS UPâ HAD MANY MUSICAL TRIUMPHS. EACH SONG HAD MEANING AND MOVED THE PLOT FORWARD, ADDING A FUN ELEMENTâ
CHO JUNG-SEOK AS BYUNG-GUN/DRAMA FEVER
telling her parentsâ story to Jae-Hun. Doo-Riâs cover of Four Non-Blondeâs âWhatâs Going Onâ 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-Gunâs cover of Laura Pausiniâs âItâs Not Goodbye.â 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 âItâs Not Goodbye.â
âWhatâs Upâ 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-Youngâs and Do-Sungâs 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 âto be continuedâ sign looming overhead. But, it seems the audience will never know what could have been.
Overall, strong acting, great songs and good writing make âWhatâs Upâ an unforgettable drama. However, it would be nice to have some closure for the stories that began the final two episodes. âWhatâs Upâ 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-Hwanâs 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-Wonâs 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. Itâs 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-Eunâs Doo-Ri and Oh Man-Seokâs Sunwoo. Lim Ju-Eun perfects Doo-Riâs 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 Sunwooâs place may make viewers cringe.
Oh portrays Sunwooâs 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-Seokâs Byung-Gun. Byung-Gun served as comic. His scenes felt irritating since his humor came across as forced, but that might be the characterâs 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.
âWhatâs Upâ had many musical triumphs. Each song had meaning and moved the plot forward, adding a fun element. Tae-Yiâs âStupid Cupid,â for example, did a nice job telling her parentsâ story to Jae-Hun. Doo-Riâs cover of Four Non-Blondeâs âWhatâs Going Onâ 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-Gunâs cover of Laura Pausiniâs âItâs Not Goodbye.â 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 âItâs Not Goodbye.â
âWhatâs Upâ 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-Youngâs and Do-Sungâs 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 âto be continuedâ sign looming overhead. But, it seems the audience will never know what could have been.
Overall, strong acting, great songs and good writing make âWhatâs Upâ an unforgettable drama. However, it would be nice to have some closure for the stories that began the final two episodes. âWhatâs Upâ is a rough diamond, but well worth the time to get involved.
âWHATâS UP.â IS A ROUGH DIAMOND, BUT WELL WORTH THE TIME TO GET INVOLVEDâ
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, Girlsâ Generation, and 2ne1. Often lost in the shuffle are the potential next generation K-Pop stars. 2014 hasnât had a shortage of rookiesâ43 officially debuted so farâgenerating a lot of buzz of who could be âtheâ 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
Akdong Musician| Debut: April| Songs: âMelted,â â200%,â âGive Loveâ
Dubbed âsuper rookiesâ by many K-Pop websites, Akdong Musician have maturity past their ages. At aThe Best
Akdong Musician| Debut: April| Songs: âMelted,â â200%,â âGive Loveâ
Dubbed âsuper rookiesâ 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 âMeltedâ showed a remarkable deepness and ability to understand humanity through simple lyrics and haunting vocals. â200%â and âGive Loveâ 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: âDonât Be Happyâ
âPowerâ 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 âPeppermint Chocolateâ with K.Will and Wheesung didnât hurt their potential surge.
Kiss&Cry| Debut: January| Song: âDomino Gameâ
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. âDomino Gameâ caught the attention of many listeners, and the fun dance made the video enjoyable. Weakness is not in Kiss&Cryâs vocabulary, which is why they have the ability to stand tall in the K-Pop world.
Lee Michelle| Debut: March| Song: âWithout Youâ
Lee Michelle has enough depth to her soul, she could challenge the deepest ocean. âWithout Youâ 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, âWithout Youâ would have earned the attention it deserved.
Solid Starts
GOT7| Debut: January| Song: âGirls, Girls, Girlsâ
GOT7 already earned a large fanbase, and itâs 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 itâs unfortunate their debut song didnât 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: âYum, Yum, Yumâ
Bipa and Kora are going to be a fun group to watch. Theyâre spunky with a wicked sense of humor. Whatâs 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, âYum, Yum, Yumâ 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: âToo Gâ
Beyond the Limit (BTL, not to be confused with Bacon, Tomato, Lettuce) have amazing visuals and a nice track in âToo Gâ due to its addictive chorus. Theyâve 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 âMamaâ days, so they may have to work harder to prove themselves.
Scarlet| Debut: February| Song: âDo Betterâ
Scarlet debuted with little hype, and it took a while to find out what the girlsâ names are, but despite this, they show a lot of promise. âDo Betterâ was a solid song that quickly developed a niche group of fans. The songâs MV was riddled with awkward English (whatâs a âboggy slushieâ?) and cheesy graphics, and the dance left a lot to be desired. Thereâs still room for Scarlet to âdo better.â
Weakest Links
Aila| Debut: January| Song: âPretty Pretty Pretty Girlâ
Ailaâs 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 âthumbs downâ 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: âIâll Call Yaâ
The M.O.A girls unfortunately, have little chance to make waves. KBS banned their first attempt at the âIâll Call Yaâ MV due to poor quality; the second attempt wasnât 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: âAt Firstâ
JJCC should have been more impressive considering they are Jackie Chanâs 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-Kâs Overdose has Highs, Lows
Joelle Halon

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-Kâs 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
âOverdoseâ
âOverdoseâ has an exciting, heart-pounding beat that makes it worthy of being the title track.
âOverdoseâ isnât 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 EXOâs appeal when they released âMamaâ was the bombastic, electrifying rap. EXO stood out then because of the hardcore influences, but with âOverdose,â the rap didnât stand out from what other K-groups are doing.
Of course, âOverdoseâ wouldnât 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.
âMoonlightâ
SM songs usually have weak lyrics, but âMoonlightâ breaks the mold and stands out as a lyrically-impressive piece.
Based on the title alone, âMoonlightâ sounds like it would be a continuation of the wolf theme carried out in âWolfâ and âGrowl.â It isnât, but it is a heartbreaking tale of the one-who-got-away: âA place where I canât touch you and canât even hold you.â
Given the lyricâs beauty, the song failed to impress once put to music. Itâs a ballad as come to be expected given the tone of the lyrics, but itâs nothing special. âMoonlightâ 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.
âThunderâ
Like âMoonlight,â âThunderâ has a strong lyrical presence. However, the two songs are almost too similar in content to the point the lyrics feel almost interchangeable. But, âThunderâ takes the theme from both songs a little further by covering finding lost love.
âThunderâ has a significantly better sound; the mid-tempo beat saves the song. EXO also exhibits great falsettos, and the âooh, ooh, oohâ portions just sound amazing when heard through headphones. EXO-Kâs voices blend well with the âboomâ and âthunderâ repeats, and the last verse has a solid bass, adding a nice feel to the song.
âRunâ
If âOverdoseâ wasnât the title track, âRunâ definitely should be! This song is just addictive fun. Itâs an awesome dance track with a bit of a â90s 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 arenât as spectacular as âThunderâ and âMoonlight,â but it doesnât 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, itâs a simple, cute song.
At times, the music does drown out EXOâs 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.
âLove, Love, Loveâ
After a few listens, the title looked like EXO was begging fans to âlove, love, loveâ this track. It didnât 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 ââCause, youâre my earth, air, water, fire (Youâre my) earth, air, water, fireâ line. This just didnât fit with the song as a whole.
Another element that didnât work was how the chorusâ beat and EXOâs singing reflected the old childrenâs song âNana, Nana, Fufu.â 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 âI Donât Knowâ with the âTen Little Indiansâ beat. Male groups cannot pull this off as well.
One of the better elements of âLove, Love, Loveâ 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 EXOâs âMamaâ and âHistoryâ 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

Of course, it still sold thousands and it is dominating the charts, so fans are thrilled and thatâs what matters. Overall, it was just not as exciting as expected.
Joelle Halon
[dropcap size=big]K[/dropcap]-Popâs diversity knows no bounds, which is why itâs 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 youâre new to the K-Indie scene, here are five artists you should know to start you on your K-Indie journey!
Neon Bunny

Neon Bunnyâs soft voice adds a retro touch to her electronic sound in songs like âPlastic Heartâ and âBubblesâ from her 80s-inspired album Happy Endings, which serves a great introduction to her music.
Besides her retro-electronic sound, Neon Bunny isnât afraid of edgy lyrics. âOh My Princeâ features some swearing which many mainstream artists tend to shy away from, but this is part of her appeal.
 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 Eggâs music is rich in beauty and simplicity. Listeners may find theyâre influenced by John Mayer and Maroon 5 among other artists in their sound. Their newest song, â?? ?â has a John Mayer-type groove, so even Western-music lovers may fall in love.
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, âhumming girlâ 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 âHawaiian Couple,â âYou That Day,â and âGive Me Your Tonight.â In May 2014, they released a song with G.NA, âScully Doesnât Know,â closing the gap between Indie and mainstream K-Pop.

Kim and Jangâs voices blend beautifully, which gives them their strong soothing quality. While they havenât released many songs, they do have several memorable jams under their belts including the coffee-shop ballad âFrappuccinoâ that is worthy of play on a lazy Sunday morning.

Rock band Blue Near Mother has been making a lot of noise lately, and for good reason! With songs like âChangeâ and âI Believeâ 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 oneâs self. In todayâs world, a little positivity can go a long way.
The groupâs 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 todayâs K-Pop, hit the Indie scene to see what you find. With many genres covered, it wonât 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, âhumming girlâ 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 âHawaiian Couple,â âYou That Day,â and âGive Me Your Tonight.â In May 2014, they released a song with G.NA, âScully Doesnât Know,â 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 âYou Who Came from the Stars,â women often look like they barely wear makeup due to their luminous skin. According to Linda Moerch, author of âThe Price of Beauty in South Korea,â the better oneâs 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 oneâs youthfulness.
Watching actresses on screen is enough to give anyone skin envy, but how do they achieve such flawless skin?
The âInsideâ Scoop
Koreans work hard to maintain 돟ę´íźëś (mul kwangpi bu) or âradiant, dewy skin.â The saying âbeauty is skin deepâ is true as the moisturizing process begins. Since skin reflects oneâs 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. Thatâs 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 moisturizerâs 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 âGet It Beauty,â 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 âTexture,â 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.
Anyone Can Do It
While moisturizing methods seem difficult, there is a reason why Korea is revered as one of the worldâs 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!
Celebrities also have their own methods for application. Actress Go Hyung-Jung, author of the book âTexture,â 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 âMusic Coreâ host Kim Sohyun uses Teenage Nature (tn) moisture cocktail cream. She demonstrated how she uses it in a 2013 episode of âGet It Beauty.â The moisture cocktail cream is available through ibuybeauti.com for under $25.
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