ISEF Virtual Fashion Show

There is something different about the 7^th Indonesia Sharia Economic Festival (ISEF) this year. With caution to the Covid-19 pandemic, the fashion show, which has always been an entertaining part of the event – is held online. This very first virtual fashion show in Indonesia ran from 28^th October to 31^st October 2020, featuring modest fashion by 164 designers from all over Indonesia under one big theme “Sustainable Fashion, Sustainable Lifestyle”. As the first virtual fashion show in Indonesia, kudos to the production team that certainly did a great work in compiling and editing the videos that made it so enjoyable to watch. The music and lighting ambience in each designer’s show also blended perfectly with the video shots. Here are some highlights from the virtual Modest Fashion ISEF 2020, we were given a VIP request to attend and cover.

Modernized Indonesian Heritage

Brought by Sofie – not a new name in ISEF Fashion Shows and other major Indonesian fashion shows and International fashion shows, whose collections charmingly present Lurik style with feminine hat and pants. Lurik means lines or stripes, usually refers to one of traditional Batik patterns from Yogyakarta. The whole personality is a modern woman with a strong touch of traditional heritage and culture, who stands out in such progressive times. You may find more of Sofie’s collections on Instagram @dsgnsofie.

 

 

Also showing strong Indonesian heritage is CHARVI by Febby AntiQue. In Sanskrit, Charvi means beautiful woman, and her collection in this fashion show is inspired by Princess of Jenggala, from Kingdom of Jenggala in Indonesia’s East Java that existed around 11th-12th century, who disappeared from the Palace but brought back by her-to-be husband. She combines Javanese batik, corduroy and songket – Indonesian malay ethnic weaving style – beautifully in this collection. You may find more of her collections on Instagram @febby_antique.

 

 

Bold and Classy

Nina Nugroho started her Moslem women fashion label under her family name in 2016. Since then she has joined many exhibitions of major Indonesian fashion shows as well as international fashion shows. Her design is inspired by active Indonesian Moslem women who work as professionals or entrepreneurs, looking elegant and classy. In Modest Fashion ISEF 2020, under the theme ‘Women In Power’ she presents a bold collection with combination of coat, mask, and unique head pieces that nails the fierce style. She combined Jacquard premium material with taffeta and faux leather, and additional accessories of golden metallic lace with big and small Swarovski in the shape of teardrops in each side, as well as the leaf shapes in the front. With this bold and beautiful design, she surely stole the show. You may find more of her collections on Instagram @ninanugrohostore.

 

No less fierce upstage, Neera Alatas comes with a theme ‘Swarnadwipa’ which means Sumatera Island. She brings Tapis, one of Indonesian weaving style originated from Lampung, a region part of Sumatera Island. Tapis is made by woven cotton yarn decorated with gold and silver embroidery and usually used by high class society and village elders in Lampung. Accent of boldness is presented in black, gold, blue and green blazers, enriched by face mask in black and gold. You may find more of her collections on Instagram @neeraalatas_official.

 

For his first-time exhibition in ISEF’s fashion show, Olanye by Eko Tjandra brings ready-to-wear collection with modernized Yogyakarta’s batik in black and gold combination. Olanye’s label was established in 2009 by Eko and Tjandra. The name was derived from orange, their favorite color. They usually design for stage costumes, and many Indonesian singers use their collections on stage, as well as Indonesian beauty pageant contestants. You may find more of their collections on Instagram @olanyebyekotjandra.

 

Another bold and classy collection is brought by Itang Yunasz – a famous fashion designer in Indonesia who started his career in the 1980s. His latest International Fashion Show was New York Fashion Week (NYFW) 2019, where he brought Tribal Diversity collection inspired by diversity in Indonesia. Currently he owns and manages four fashion labels: Itang Yunasz Premium, Kamilaa, Allea and Preview. In Modest Fashion ISEF 2020, he presents his collection named ‘Melting Tone’ featuring Jambi’s Batik. As said in his press conference, he found similarity between Jambi’s Batik and Patola’s motive from India, hence the collection name. This collection is dominated in red and black colors with elegant shapes. You may find more of his collections on Instagram @itangyunasz.

Edgy and Chic

Since 2018, Noor Umer has joined several exhibitions of local and national Moslem fashion shows. In Modest Fashion ISEF 2020, she brings Javanese culture represented in batik with edgy street style. The triangle shape of the hijab – making it look like a hood – is the unique characteristic of the design. You may find more of her collections on Instagram @noor.umer.

 

 

CYA by CAHYA TYANTHI. Last year she exhibited in Indonesia Muslim Fashion Festival 2019. In this year ISEF fashion show, she continues presenting her characterized design of edgy, stylish and androgynous style using the modern, surprising, asymmetric cut. You may find more of her collections on Instagram @cya.line.

 

As one of the start-up fashion designers, Iqleem brings the casual wear design in chic colors – mint, white, pastel. Cap over hijab emphasizes a young, energetic personality in sporty outfit. You may find more of Iqleem collections on Instagram @iqleemindonesia.

 

Feminine Elegance

Laudya Cynthia Bella is a well-known actress in Indonesia. She started her own fashion line named L by Laudya Cynthia Bella in 2018. As well as the initial of her name, L also means Love – as all her collections are made with love. In this show she brings the concept of daily wear with feminine touch, mostly in soft colors. While L’s specialty is head scarf, the whole collection is put together beautifully for elegant yet comfortable woman’s outfit. You may find more of her collections on Instagram @lbylcb.

 

Those are some highlights from Indonesia Modest Fashion ISEF 2020. With so many astounding fashion art and collections by highly creative and passionate designers, we are seeing so much hope – despite amid the pandemic – hope for the brighter and wonderful future. We’ll see you again in the next remarkable show.  A huge thank you to the Indonesia Fashion Chamber for the invite!

 

—–C. Mahnum

Korean fashion has over the years taken the world by storm. The fashion trends that come in and out of Korea every season leaves style enthusiasts yearning for more. Korean inspired fashion trends are even on international runways these days and looking at how things are going we are likely to see even more in the future. Fall trends in Korean fashion are one of the most exciting. These are the top trends for fall Korean fashion. These unique clothing pieces are fun and classy. They have a very unique touch when worn well. This year the trends are adorable and very easy to incorporate with a normal wardrobe.

 

Oversize turtleneck sweaters

Turtleneck sweaters are a type of clothing that have been a signature item in Korean fashion and this fall it’s taking over! The fun part is that you are not limited to the classic black fitted turtleneck sweater. This trend features turtleneck sweaters that are oversize in alluring pastel colors. The colors give the look a real feminine and beautiful look even when they are oversized. Colors like soft or powder pink, baby blue, soft mint green are just a few. In Korean fashion colors are very important and this trend makes that very clear. Oversize clothes are often really comfortable to wear so a comfortable sweater in fall is certainly gold. These fun oversize turtleneck sweaters can be worn with almost anything; a mini skirt, jeans, leggings or even hot pants. The trick is to pair them up with a bolder color and oftentimes a tight bottom will make the look so much cooler.

 

Long plaid shirts

Button up shirts in plaid print worn over clothes are super trendy this autumn. Plaid prints are bold and fun and often come in many colors so there are certainly many options for everyone. This signature look is perfect for a casual attire and is extremely exciting for a day look. Another cool thing about this trend is that it’s easy to pull off. The long plaid shirt is worn over a set of clothes to offer layering. The only rule is to wear it over a two-piece outfit. A t-shirt and pants, a blouse and a skirt will all work fine but a dress will not really work. The whole idea is to create some layers.

 

Blazer dresses

Korean fashion has a way of taking masculine clothes and making them super chic and feminine. It does so sometimes with colors, pairings and also adding a feminine aspect to a type of clothing. Say hello to the blazer dress! This fabulous trend is super popular especially for work and corporate events. A blazer dress is generally a dress that looks like a blazer or you can also think of it as a dress that looks like a blazer. Either way this trend is very popular this fall. They come in bold and strong colors and sometimes in plaid. A blazer dress is classy, feminine and gives the strong message of being trendy and in charge! This confident trend is certainly a statement maker.

 

Nature tone woolen coats

The trend for coats this fall in Korean fashion are the usual oversize heavy woolen coats but in nature tone colors. Fall often connects us with nature so why shouldn’t our clothes do the same? This trend has very beautiful woolen coats in equally beautiful colors like sand, brown, burnt orange, dark green and hazel. These warm and nature rich colors make these loosely fitted and comfortable coats a joy to wear in autumn. Korean fashion often celebrates comfort and uniqueness and this has a similar tone to it. This trend is beyond simple and extremely easy to pull off. Once the coat is woolen and in a nature tone color it’s just right.

 

Denim jackets

Denim jackets are a very fun trend this fall. No matter how you wear them be it fitted or oversize denim jackets are an amazing Korean trend favorite. This year there are very many unique types of jeans jackets like distressed denim jackets and denim jackets with pearl bead embellishments. These embellishments give oversize jackets a very feminine and girly look. Denim jackets are the ultimate fun day wear outerwear. They can be worn with practically anything. They work just as well with dresses as they do with two piece outfits. There is a funny perception that denim jackets should not be worn with denim jeans. In Korean fashion this rule does not apply at all. The options are always endless.

 

Bucket hats

In the department of accessories bucket hats are trending this fall. They come in many colors and even different fabric types. Korean fashion keeps it fun always so lace bucket hats are not out of place at all. A beautiful lace bucket hat worn with a cute floral dress will certainly complete a fine look. For most looks though a classic black, brown or nude colored bucket hat will do. Bucket hats are best worn with the hair down to give a nice and contrasting look. Bucket hats are really fun and can be worn for both a day and night look.

References

https://www.bekorean.com/latest-2020-korean-women-fashion-trends/

https://www.bekorean.com/top-5-unique-korean-style-things/

 

—-Julieta Ajaab

 

Park Jisun, a well-known comedian was found dead at her home in the Mapo district, Seoul. It is reported that her mother, who was staying with Park to help with her recovery process after a surgery, had taken her own life also.

It has been known for some time that Park was suffering from a quite severe case of allergy to sunlight. Park was unable to apply makeup, and had to wear long sleeves all around the year due to the sensitivity of her skin.

In a telephone interview with a Korean sports journal, Park said she was undergoing an uncomplicated surgery on 23^rd of last month. The exact nature of the surgery is unknown. However, as Park has said in an interview of 2014 that her affliction involved extreme itchiness and inability to work out of doors, it would have been very hard indeed for her to work, if the condition became any worse.

Park’s mother left a page of her last words, in which she stated that her daughter’s skin conditions had worsened following treatment for another ailment. She went onto say that it was impossible for her to let her daughter die alone, and that she was heartily sorry for leaving behind her husband- Park’s father.

The bodies of Park and her mother were discovered when Park’s father, residing in Inchon, couldn’t reach his wife and daughter through the telephone. He contacted the police, who then went over to Park’s home to find what had occurred.

Park Jisun’s death came as a shock for all who heard the tragic news, as she was an icon of positivity and self-love. She was also known for her close relationship with her family, about whom she often posted witty comments online.

Park was known for her wit, and as a presenter of show cases and public speaker at schools, she was thought by many to be very considerate and humble.

However, because conventional comedy shows in Korea usually consist of weekly skits with strong characterization, Park was often known for roles that were supposed to look funny; this means that she was often laughed at for looking bad, and she readily laughed at herself too.

Park was a graduate of Korea University, one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in Korea. Park joked on more than one occasion that she had always studied hard to make up for her lack of looks. But comedy was what made her happy. According to one account about her debut, Park had followed a friend who auditioned to become a comedian, and ended up becoming a candidate herself.

Park’s extraordinary talent was recognized very early on. She made her debut in 2007, and almost immediately she was awarded as the best newcomer to comedy. In more recent years, with less conventional comedy shows on television, Park was active in radio and presenting music shows and other various events.

In revealing her skin affliction in one of her comedy award acceptance speeches, Park said that what she felt most sorry for was her inability to use makeup for comedic effects; it was something she would have preferred over bridal makeup.

Park and her mother are to be buried on Thursday; a funeral service is to be held at Mokdong Hospital, Ewha Womans University’s Medical Center.

 

–J.Chung.

 

The Seoul metropolitan government will start imposing fines of 100,000 won (approximately $88) on citizens who do not wear face masks in public from November 13. The fine could also be applied to people who wear masks under their noses.

Exceptions will be made for people under the age of 14, the disabled and those with a medical condition which makes it difficult for them to wear masks. Others can also get a 20 percent reduction of the fine if they provide a valid reason for their violation.

Fines will not be imposed for taking masks off during meals, swimming and broadcasting.

The five main areas of enforcement will be multiuse facilities, public transportation, rally sites, medical facilities and nursing homes.

Of the multiuse facilities, the rule will apply to not only bars, karaoke rooms and restaurants that are limited-entry establishments, but also 16 “medium-risk” facilities like private academies, houses of worship and indoor wedding halls.

A government official stated, “The purpose is not to levy fines but to stop the spread of COVID-19 by following social distancing guidelines. Offenders will be given a warning before they are issued a fine.”

 

–J.Chung.

 

*So good to meet you! A brief self-introduction for your overseas fans, please!

Hello, I’m the webtoonist Oh Sung-dae, author of the weekly Naver (Line) webtoon Tales of the Unusual. I’ve been in this business for over 10 years.

 

*What gave you a start in becoming a webtoonist?

Ever since childhood, I’ve always had a vague wish to become a cartoonist. But by the time I was looking for a job, it was hard to see a good future within the cartoon industry. I was actually employed by a Games company at one time, but there was a huge gap between that and what I had wanted to do.

Then I saw some hope in the new field of webtoons, which I came across by chance. I quit my job, and began uploading my work on challengers’ page for about a year and a half. Then I was offered an opportunity, and made my debut in the weekly Naver webtoon page.

​
*Tales of the Unusual started in 2013; what was your inspiration?

There was a short piece I did when I was still in the challengers’ page, called Julbyeokgui (meaning “demon of the cliff”). After my debut as a webtoonist on Naver, it got a re-run and got a good reaction from the readers. It was a most-searched-for keyword for two days. I decided to follow up on that macabre type of work, and that was the beginning for Tales of the Unusual.

​

 

What’s your opinion on the animated version of the Beauty Water episode from Tales of the Unusual? Were you on its production team?

When compared to some of the really excellent, well-known animations made overseas, there could be room for improvement. But considering that animations are not that well-supported in Korea, I think it is a significant milestone. There were a lot of obstacles for a long time, but the creators overcame them all, and succeeded in finishing and distributing it. There have been unexpected good results too, like being invited to various film festivals and simultaneous openings in different countries.

I wasn’t much involved in the animation, though. I didn’t really want to intervene, even though I am the author of the original work. I think there are works where the original source is very important, but with some works, not so much. And I thought Tales of the Unusual was in the latter category. I wanted the animation creators to reinterpret my work as well as they could, which they did. They also appreciated my not being too pushy about it all.

 

What’s your favorite out of all of your work?

Tales of the Unusual, I have a lot of affection for A Wife’s Memory and Beauty Water.

I love what I do, but there are times when I get tired of it, frankly. But those two episodes were drawn with my full attention. As a creator, such moments are rare. I’m hoping to experience them again. Not sure of the exact correlation, but I got the best readers’ reaction with those two episodes.

 

What word would you choose to describe your work?

I think the title Tales of the Unusual is very suitable in describing my work.

 

What do you do for leisure?

I play online games, listen to music, and though I’m not very good I like to sing too. I love staying at home usually, but the current situation with the coronavirus and all is making me more of a home person.

My wife must have felt pity for me, as she takes me out sometimes. When the lockdown is over, I’m going to see friends more often and maybe do more outdoor activities.​

 

What do you do to relieve stress?

​
Playing online games before going to bed relieves stress for me. Sometimes I get a glass of beer as well.
 

If you were to advise young future webtoonists, what would you say?

Webtoons, and cartoons in general, is not all about practicing to draw. Experiencing, seeing and hearing, talking and thinking a lot is extremely important.

Webtoon is a very popular culture, for the general public. So, it has to be fun for other people, not just oneself. Endless thinking is needed to create fun for other people. These days I’ve come to think that working hard is just not enough, it doesn’t get you the results necessarily. Actually, I’m not even in the position to advise about this because it’s always hard for me too.

 

What sort of work do you want to do in the future? Tell us a little bit about your plans and hopes.

To be honest, a lot of things have run out while working on a single project for such a long time. Not just in terms of the topics, but the way I tell stories, and the passion that is required to carry on. But I’m not exactly depressed or anything, because doing cartoons was always my dream. I don’t know what kind of work I’ll be doing in the future, but I’m really looking forward to another heart-beating moment, when I can truly enjoy working again. For that to happen, I should simply carry on drawing, carry on with what I do.

 

 

–J.Chung.

 

Premiering on October 29, Special Guest Congressman Jimmy Gomez Discusses Voting

Ficto, a first-of-its-kind streaming service providing audience participation across its programming, today announced its new original show “I’ll Ask The Stupid Questions” with K-pop superstar Amber Liu. The first episode, premiering October 29th, will cover the critical topic of voting and the electoral process, ahead of the unprecedented 2020 presidential election. Liu kicks off the series interviewing Congressman Jimmy Gomez, who represents Los Angeles, and other political policy experts to discuss why people do not vote, why people should vote, the resources available, how the media can impact elections, and many other topics.

Liu is a K-pop sensation hailing from the record-breaking girl group f(x), she now enjoys a 12 million strong following on social media, who have supported her in a whirlwind career spanning beyond music. Last year, she released her full English album “X” and embarked on a national 24-city tour in early 2020. Now, she is extending her audience this Fall with her new show, streaming exclusively on Ficto. For anyone who’s ever been afraid of sounding clueless, “I’ll Ask The Stupid Questions” is a shame-free program where Liu asks the stupid questions you’re too embarrassed to ask yourself. The original show is produced by Steel Wool Entertainment and will feature Korean and English closed captioning.

From mental health to American politics and skateboarding, viewers can join the superstar and experts in their respective fields on a weekly inquisitive journey that answers the burning questions of the modern mind. The docu-series offers a closer look at one of the most successful K-Pop stars of our generation. Whether it’s learning how to skateboard with pro-skateboarder Jagger Eaton or finding out how we can support those experiencing homelessness with Amy Turk of the LA Downtown Women’s Center, the audience will be front row to a side of Liu rarely seen in her public life.

 

 

“Growing up I always felt like Curious George. I had so many questions about every little thing. As I’ve grown older, I realized that I’ve become afraid of looking clueless and dumb. I feel like that fear has stunted my personal growth and I’ve had many conversations with people who’ve felt the same way. “I’ll Ask The Stupid Questions” is me trying to learn how to be curious again. I want to normalize learning and that it’s okay to ask stupid questions because you can get some really smart answers.” said Amber Liu.

“We couldn’t be happier to work with Amber— she is one of the most talented artists out there today, and someone who cares deeply about real issues. We have been following her career closely and are really impressed with how she engages in the communities that surround her. Having her tackle these topics with vulnerability and grace is a great way to kick off our slate of Ficto’s Original Fall programming,” said Mike Esola, Founder and CEO of Ficto.

Described as a hybrid streaming service, Ficto has made headlines with its programming which allows viewers to participate in the shows that they watch whether through submissions, choices, social- based polling and location-based activations. Last month, LG announced that LG WING owners can enjoy FICTO videos full screen while simultaneously interacting with other viewers via the second screen.

 

 

Offering technology unique to its show experiences, Ficto enables social media clip sharing while complying with copyright law. LG has also teamed up with Ficto, Tubi, Rave and NAVER Whale in its new Explorer Project along with these platform partners that will elevate the mobile user experiences. Currently, there are more than 40 shows on the mobile streaming platform, with new shows premiering every week, spanning across genres— from docu-series, to lifestyle programming and entertainment variety shows.

Download Ficto today to catch the premiere of Amber Liu’s “I’ll Ask The Stupid Questions.”

Download Page: https://ficto.show/IATSQ

The Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ficto/id1461664151

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.ficto&hl=en_US&gl=US

 

About Ficto

Based in Los Angeles, Ficto is a free streaming service offering audience participation in its shows and is currently available to download on iOS and Android. Ficto has pioneered an arsenal of features for its programming including two-way engagement, livestream, monetization, location activations, and audience submissions. Ficto’s programming is built upon explosive niche audiences who are often underserved globally while providing transparent revenue share to creators and partners. For more, visit: https://ficto.tv/.

 

About Amber Liu

A California native, Amber Liu was discovered at the age of 15 at SM Entertainment’s global auditions in Los Angeles. Following a move to South Korea, she debuted in 2009 as a member of the female group f(x). The record-breaking electro-pop-based K-pop group quickly became one of the industry’s most popular and award-winning. In 2013, the group became the first K-pop act to perform at SXSW, with the New York Times’ Jon Pareles calling their performance “impeccable.” f(x)’s 2013 album ‘Pink Tape’ was called “one of the best Asian pop albums of all-time,” by Pitchfork and charted #1 on Billboards K-Pop Hot 100 and World Album charts. In 2015, Amber’s first solo release, the critically acclaimed album “Beautiful”, debuted at #2 on Billboard’s World Albums chart, with the title track’s music video, released the same day, garnering more than 1 million YouTube views in its first day of release. She has also made a career on television and film hosting travel and variety shows in South Korea and starring in the American indie film The Eagle and the Albatross. Amber’s presence on social media continues to grow globally with more than 12 million followers across her Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and more.

 

The 2020 1st World Cultural Industry Forum will be broadcast live online on YouTube, Wednesday, October 28.

The growing awareness of K-Pop has increased with BTS’ Billboard #1 hits along with SuperM, BlackPink and other artists reaching the shores of the U.S. and many additional countries, the forum hopes to bring East and West through cultural and entertainment together to better understand one another.

BoA, BAEKHYUN of EXO and JOHNNY of NCT are a few of the artists to participate along with many other keynote speakers such as Lee Sooman, SM Entertainment’s Chairman, Steve Barnet, Capital Music Group’s Chairman and CEO, Joohee Cho, ABC News Seoul bureau chief will be a moderator.

[2020 1st World Cultural Industry Forum]

– 10am on Wed., October 28, 2020

-YouTube Channel Name: World Cultural Industry Forum_WCIF

-Live streaming link: wcif.world/live (open 10/28)

– Korean-English simultaneous interpretation is provided

WCIF:

World Cultural Industry Forum Is an organization initiated to create a ‘world of culture,’ and aims to serve as an agora to discuss global economic growth powered by culture.

The current ‘Information Technology-driven’ epoch has fundamentally changed our lives, including the way we enjoy and share our ‘contents.’ Now that it has become easier for the world to form a cultural consensus, culture’s impact on the economy and world peace has become a lot bigger. The music and entertainment industry, in particular, has played a significant role in facilitating international interactions, and the need for cooperation between companies and experts in the sector are still high.

 

It has been known that Lee Kun-hee, the chairman of Samsung Electronics and top economic leader of South Korea, died on 25^th October. He passed away in the Samsung Medical Center in Gangnam, Seoul, where he had been hospitalized for years; he was 78 years of age. Lee had suffered a heart attack in the Spring of 2014, it has been reported.

Over the years, while Lee’s son Jae-yong took charge as Samsung’s vice-president, there have been speculations on various occasions as to the president’s rapidly-declining health and possible death. It is now confirmed, however, that Lee Kun-hee’s reign of 33 years as the head of Samsung have officially come to an end just last Sunday.

As the son and heir of Samsung’s founder Lee Byung-chul, Lee Kun-hee was the man who turned Samsung into a conglomerate group on a global scale, and broadening the horizon for his corporation by multiplying its sectors. Samsung is now known for its semiconductors, electronic products such as televisions, smartphones and related technologies. Indeed, Lee’s achievement has set him as one of the most important figures of the history, as well as the economy, of Korea since the post-war period.    

Lee was born in 1942 in Daegu, just three years before the Liberation of the Korean peninsula from Japanese colonization and eight years before the Korean War, which was triggered after the communist state of North Korea invaded South Korea, now known as the Republic of Korea.

Lee was raised in Uiryeong-gun, or Uiryeong County, a small part of the Gyeongsangnamdo district in the southern part of Korea. Currently, it is one of the least-populated parts of Korea.

Lee was educated in Japan and Seoul, and graduated from Waseda University, Tokyo. He was also enrolled in a postgraduate program at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Lee succeeded his father Lee Byung-chul when the latter passed away  in 1987, as Samsung’s second chairman.

One well-known anecdote related to his business philosophy tells of Lee telling all the executives of Samsung to “change everything, except your wife and children”. This episode, later known as the Frankfurt Declaration, was in 1993. Following its focus on semiconductors and electronic products, Samsung became known as one of the two main brands of smartphones by the 2010s, with its Galaxy series.

In Korea, Lee has been the metaphor for wealth, entrepreneurship, and Samsung itself. He is without doubt mourned by a great number of people, most of all by his family. Lee’s widow Hong Ra-hee is the ex-director of Samsung Museum of Art; his son Lee Jae-yong is the vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, and his daughters Lee Boo-jin and Lee Seo-hyun run the Hotel Shilla and the Samsung Foundation respectively. We are now entering the third phase for the Samsung group, as its second leader Lee Kun-hee is laid to rest.

   

—-J.Chung

 

As you walk down the street in any bustling city, you may often hear K-Pop playing in the background. People everywhere are already becoming a part of the growing entertainment phenomenon known as K-Pop music. Even if you are not yet a fan of K-Pop, give it a try, you just might find it fascinating like millions of people all over the world already do. It is extremely popular and, as it continues to spread around the world, people are quickly becoming fans of its upbeat and energetic tempo.

With that being said, let’s take a look at some countries that show their immense love for K-Pop music:

Indonesia- with Indonesian K-Pop fans spending at least 24 hours each month listening to K-Pop and they are definitely the most enthusiastic. Wherever you go in Indonesia, it’s very likely that you will hear K-Pop music. In many K-Pop videos on YouTube, Indonesian fans contribute to views significantly.

Thailand- with Thailand in the second position, it seems that Southeast Asia is the most supporting region for K-Pop music. Fans in this country also visit South Korea regularly and there are also many local idol groups in Thailand that are inspired by this music. On average, Thai fans spend more than 22 hours per month enjoying K-Pop music.

Vietnam- K-Pop music is well known in Vietnam. Vietnamese fans are very enthusiastic, and many Korean idols visited the country. Fans spend 11 days each year or 22 hours each month on K-Pop content.

Malaysia- Malaysia is the fourth Southeast Asian country in this list and fans in the country have been showing their ardent support. With their relatively strong purchasing power, Malaysia is an ideal tour destination for many K-Pop artists and idols. Fans in Malaysia spend about 20 hours per month listening to K-pop music.

Brazil- K-Pop music is also making its way into the South American market. In Brazil, K-Pop idol groups are making deep impressions among fans who are extremely passionate. They spend about 17 hours each month watching and listening to K-Pop music. As one of the most populous countries, Brazil is contributing to K-Pop music views on YouTube.

Russia- as a country located in both Europe and Asia, Russians are exposed to the cultures of both worlds. There are also many K-Pop fanatics in the country as well. Various concerts have been held in the country and like India, they also spend 16 hours per month enjoying pop Korean culture, on average.

So, is this to say that K-Pop music is not enjoyed in the US or the UK? Not at all. In fact, the number of fans is so much higher in these countries that we had to leave them off of the list to ensure these other countries had an opportunity to show their love and support for K-Pop music. K-Pop has become one of the fastest growing musical genres in the US since the introduction of pop music back in the 50’s and 60’s.

 

Contact KCrush America

To learn more about K-Pop music and the performers who make it all possible, contact KCrush America today and become a part of one of the largest online K-Pop communities.

If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to share it on your favorite social media sites.

 

—-Julie Luong

 

The talk of the town during this year’s Chuseok (Korea’s most important traditional holiday akin to Thanksgiving) was definitely Na Hoon-a, a singer-songwriter in the Trot genre. His concert, with no spectators on the site, aptly devised for this ‘untact’ or ‘lockdown’ period the whole world is going through, was on television on 30th September. It was his first TV appearance in 15 years.

The term Trot obviously comes from Foxtrot, although it is not so obvious when you actually listen to it. It seems to be an addition of distinctly Korean-sounding music to the post-WWII crooners’ music of jazz and standard pop, which was popular to some extent in Japan and Korea also; rather than giving way to rock-n-roll, like in the West, it retained the typically male crooner’s soloist singing and customized to regional tastes.

Na, known as the Emperor of Trot music (and even Korean music in general), says that Arirang is a better-suited name for the genre, because it has become so embodied in Korean style and sentiments that appeal to the older generation. It is either joyful or sentimental, with usual topics of love and different attitudes and philosophies of life. Trot has become much more popular recently through various television contests and audition shows.

Following this recent boom of Trot music in Korea, a concert by a legendary singer like Na Hoon-a came at the right timing. Many Koreans aged 50 and upwards have long been fans of Na’s, but perhaps the best result for Na is that his recently televised concert was a huge success in appealing to the younger Koreans who have been more or less unaware or not much interested in his music.

Na was born as Choe Hong-gi in Busan, Korea’s second major city and biggest port, supposedly on February 11th 1947. He made his debut as a singer in 1966. Na is known to be registered as being a couple of years older than his actual age, because as a young singer just making his debut back in the day, he strove to avoid being taken advantage of by the entertainment industry.

Over the decades, Na has accumulated over 120 hit songs and numerous prestigious awards. He is credited with having written more than 800 songs.

Na has been married and divorced three times – his second marriage was to the Korean star actress Kim Ji-mee in 1976, an older woman in his life. Their marriage and divorce created sensation in the Korean media. Then Na had two children with his third wife Chung Su-kyung, who was also a singer. The couple divorced in 2016.

Allegedly, Na has refused a concert in North Korea because he wanted no part in performing in a State-driven project. In a similar incident, Na refused to sing for the Samsung family because of how he defined himself as a singer of popular music that sings for the populace. These stories have helped to build Na’s public image of integrity and willpower.

Na’s solid vocal powers as well as creativity in music and performance have always been well-known to the general public, but often through hearsay rather than experience. This is because Na has been something of a veiled artist, in contrast to many other Korean entertainers who have regularly appeared on reality programs and other commercial projects. It’s no surprise, then, that many people besides his faithful fans have never seen his concert until recently.

In his September 30th concert, Na gave out messages of hope, and reminded his viewers that it had always been the people, the public, that have overcome difficulties rather than the leaders of the nation. While some of the phrases used could be interpreted as political (in a way not favorable to the current government), his sincerity has touched the hearts of many. It looks like Na’s highly successful career is going through a renascence.

 

J.Chung.

 

*Could you introduce yourself to your international fans?

Hello, I am singer Do Hyuna. I made my debut in 1997, when my song featured in a Korean TV drama. Since then, I released several albums and am currently working as a radio DJ at TBN Jeju broadcasting station.

*”Just Trust Your Noona” which was released in August has an EDM sound that feels youthful. Was there a reason for you to release a new style of music?

The song was written by myself a year ago. I composed and wrote the lyrics. At first it was a acoustic guitar folk ballad but I thought the public would want something more uplifting due to the coronavirus pandemic, so I switched the song to EDM music that the younger generation would enjoy.

I usually mix in bossa nova, rock, jazz and other genres of music when writing songs and always try to think of renovative ways to compose music. I had a lot of trouble writing “Just Trust your Noona” which was the first time I ever implemented EDM genre. I got to meet Starchild team who won the world’s EDM contest that helped to produce the song which resulted in such a sound full of energy.

 

*You wrote the song yourself. What led you to compose and write lyrics?

I think it was due to desperation. I’ve been through the past where I lost everything while being a singer and hit rock bottom. So, it is a challenge for me to try out something new each time.

 

*How are you spending time during lockdown?

I’ve been affected by the coronavirus due to the current state of public performance and the various. Artists are trying ways to perform online and I, myself am trying to communicate with people through my radio program. Just because the station’s in Jeju, it doesn’t mean the listeners are all from there. I really enjoy the two hours of talking to an audience who can connect through an app.

 

*Tell us how you spent your hiatus before making a comeback.

I had lost my voice due to depression and panic disorder. So, I couldn’t get booked for any broadcasts. My depression and panic disorder got worse and I stayed at home, not going out-of-doors.

Then one day, I got a phone call. A producer who was a fan of my music asked if I would be the DJ for his new show. I declined, but persuaded me for 2 hours so I accepted in the end. He taught me everything about broadcasting. We’ve broken records of receiving the most text messages on the show. I got offers from other stations and spent 8 years DJing. But during the time, I had to watch my peers singing and I really wanted to sing so badly that I would cry by myself.

I started to play music in my room and practice singing and trying to find ways to sing again. I was then able to gradually regain my voice and got to release new music in 9 years.

 

*How do you release stress normally?

I release stress through working out and meditation.

Through having been suffering from depression and panic disorder, I learned ways to overcome things in my own way. I try to calm myself by meditating and taking time on my own. If you sweat and work out a lot, you’ll notice a difference in your body as well. You’ll then gain confidence and be able to get rid of stress. I worked out at the fitness center a lot during my hardships. I was awarded second prize at the competition held at the fitness center. I learned how to box and ways to calm myself down through meditation and yoga. I was then able to regain my strength back to normal and was healed of my anxious mind.

 

*What did you dream of becoming before you became a singer?

My dream, when I was younger, was to become a Korean traditional dancer. A teacher recognized my potential talent during a dance class, so I was given lessons by a professional after obtaining permission from my parents.

I won awards at competitions and was awarded the gold prize as the representative at an international contest. But not long after that, my mother passed away and I became the head of the family and had to give up dancing. If that hadn’t happened, I might have become a professional dancer and be teaching students.

*How did you initially get into Trot music?

I sang a lot of pop and rock music when I was a vocalist in a band. Then I was spotted by a music director from a broadcasting station and that got me featured in an original soundtrack to a TV drama. Back then, music genres were separately broadcasted as it is now. I think it was from the late 90s that trot was separated as genre for adults. I was given songs and lyrics for adults, and was able to identify with trot music.

 

*What do you think about the current trend of trot music that is trending in Korea through music programs?

Trot music is on TV through every channel these days. It seems a tsunami of trot is coming out. I was pleased the trend is coming back at first. But at the same time, trot music seems to be all over the place, from all kinds of TV shows to auditions. I am a bit concerned that the trot trend will become tedious or distorted and be considered too light for the public.

 

*Which one of your songs is your favorite?

I personally like “Crying by Myself – 혼자 울고 있어요.” I went through some hard times when I was active in Japan briefly. I would sing the song to myself.

These days, I also like “As One –하나되어” and “Just Trust Your Noona – 누나믿고 나와” -the latter being the first song that I wrote, I like that a lot.

 

*Have you encountered any emotional incidences during your singing career?

I held my first ever concert after regaining my lost voice for 8 years and people from all over Korea came to Incheon for the show. I would never forget that.

And I recall meeting my school friend at Do Hyuna’s Music Story concert which was nice. What left a big impression on me was a fan who became my fan when I first appeared on TV came to my show 10 years later and congratulated me. That was something that I won’t forget.

 

*How do you want to be remembered?

Before, I wanted to be remembered as a star who had hit songs. But after going through many hardships, when I couldn’t sing anymore, I had no desire but to sing. When I regained my voice and was able to sing in front of an audience, I want to be remembered as a friend, a family member to them. I want my songs to comfort them in times of sadness, as Do Hyuna the person not just a singer.

 

*What are your plans for the future?

Because of the coronavirus, there has been many changes to the broadcasting world and performances in arts. I mean to press on ahead with my radio program. I get offers from other stations too but don’t know what the outcome would be right now, but I plan to keep communicating with my listeners.

I also plan to hold a charity concert for everyone who is having a hard time due to the coronavirus. I am currently active as a NGO ambassador, so I am ready to go overseas wherever I am needed.

 

*Thank you for the interview. Please leave one last word of encouragement to the fans.

I will always be singing around you. I would appreciate it so much if you would love me and my music always. I hope you’ll stay healthy and happy! I love you all! ^^

  

 

–J.Chung.

Topeka has a host of exciting, diverse offerings this fall, including more of their first-in-kind Front Row shows which create one-on-one connections between artists and fans.

Upcoming events include a workshop “Around the Kitchen Table” with Katianna & John Hong of The Culinary Institute of America on November 8, 2020.

Katianna Hong

 

November 8
Katianna (CIA ’05) & John Hong

Demonstration Date: Sunday, November 8, 2020
Doors: 4:45pm ET // 3:45pm CT // 1:45pm PT
Show: 5:00pm ET // 4:00pm CT // 2:00pm PT

Chef Katianna Hong has worked her way up in some of the best kitchens throughout the country, including being former Chef at The Charter Oak and former Chef de Cuisine at The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa. During her time at The Restaurant at Meadowood, she was the only female Chef de Cuisine in a U.S. Michelin three-starred restaurant. She has been honored as San Francisco Magazine’s “Rising Star Chef” and one of Food and Wine Magazine’s “Best New Chefs.”

Chef John Hong realized he belonged in the kitchen after a short stint in college. After graduating culinary school in Chicago and working at three Michelin-starred Alinea, he made the decision to move west. When he landed in the Napa Valley, he worked his way up at The Restaurant at Meadowood, another Michelin-starred restaurant, to become the Chef de Cuisine. In 2016, he was honored by the Asian Business Association as “Chef of the Year.”

Ticket Purchase and additional information can be found HERE!

Topeka’s first-in-kind “Front Row” show experience creates authentic, one-on-one connections between artist and fan, offering the unique opportunity for ticketholders to engage with their favorite artists during the performance. Learn more about the Front Row Experience HERE.

About Topeka: Created by Andy Levine, Topeka has enjoyed growing success since its inception, allowing artists and fans to connect face-to-face via live interactive video. Topeka’s innovative “Front Row” show experience creates the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fans to engage with their favorite artists during the performance, building real, authentic connections. From mini-concerts and listening parties to private lessons, workshops, group Q&As and more, Topeka offers an array of experiences to form these personal relationships. Each Hang Session via Topeka supports their partnership with Circles Morningside, the Atlanta-based chapter of Circles USA, and their 12-week Apprenticeship Program. For more details visit topeka.live to connect, to share, to learn, to…peka. #meetyouintopeka

Watch an example of Topeka’s Hang Sessions HERE and visit Topeka.live for more information.

 

© AFP via Getty Images

For the first time, a female will become director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO) – after it was narrowed down to two candidates – from South Korea and Nigeria.

“Our aim continues to be to encourage and facilitate the building of consensus among members, and to assist in moving from this final slate of two candidates to a decision on appointment,” WTO General Council Chairman David Walker stated.

Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee are racing to become the next director-general of WTO. Between Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Yoo Myung-hee – one winner will be announced in November.

If things work out for her, Okonjo-Iweala would become the first World Trade Organization chief from Africa. She is a Nigeria’s finance minister, and served as a managing director at the World Bank.

Yoo is South Korea’s trade minister, who has had a 25-year career in the Korean government. She helped boost South Korea’s trade network through bilateral accords with China, the E.U., the U.K. and America. Yoo is the third Korean to run for the top post of the Geneva-based trade body.

Ambassadors to the WTO said that Tokyo and Beijing were likely to exercise a de facto veto against Ms Yoo because of political tensions with Korea, despite their claims that they will support the candidate with the most merit. Japan reportedly has been against Yoo’s bid to run for the top seat at the WTO.

The director-general of WTO serves a renewable term of four years. This position became available due to a resignation of Roberto Azevedo who held the job since 2013, until this past September.

 

J.Chung.

 

SG Entertainment, the first entertainment agency in Korea founded by two Europeans, today announced the release of Blackpink’s ‘ICE CREAM’ cover music video on their official YouTube channel.

Yelin Lee and Jiyeon Kim, the main trainees of SG Entertainment, as well as the new trainee, star in the music video. The video is reinterpreted in a colorful and bright way to convey the message of hope and happiness to the people around the world who are experiencing hard times due to the COVID-19 situation.

The beginner trainee is Jiyoon Kim, who has a unique talent for both vocal and dance skills. Her wide vocal range, trained through her extensive choir experience, as well as her powerful dance skills show great promise.

SG Entertainment’s CEO Joon-Hae Spielmann said: “Currently, four trainees are being trained in our own system, which is a fusion of the French and the Korean methods, and we are planning to recruit several more trainees for the upcoming girl group.”

SG Entertainment is recruiting several additional trainees with great talent and skills to perform on the global stage with their debut planned for next year.

The cover music video will be released at 1pm KST.

SG Entertainment YouTube Channel URL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EwtNO0YZNs

 

About SG Entertainment:

Part of SG Group, SG Entertainment is the first Korean cultural content production company founded by French producers. With a strong focus on creativity, SG Entertainment strives to produce engaging and appealing content to inspire the younger generations to develop a positive attitude towards their future and take their lives in their own hands. The company’s mission is to find, train and empower performers, creators, models and thought leaders to define the way forward so that everyone can find their place and envision a harmonious tomorrow for all. www.sg-ent.com

 

DREAMCATCHER is back with their second online concert, [Dystopia: Seven Spirits], accompanied by a Live band scheduled to be held on Saturday, November 7, starting at 10 PM KST.

DREAMCATCHER collaborates once again with MyMusicTaste; a technology-forward platform, that not only allows fans to request physical concerts of their favorite artists in their cities, but also provides the newly added feature of online streaming, which allows artists and fans to stay connected in the pandemic age.

This show comes after DREAMCATCHER’s successful comeback and completion of their first online concert which was also actualized through the overwhelming requests of fans on MyMusicTaste. In today’s reality of restricted travels and social distancing, this unique online concert will allow global fans of the Seoul-based group to experience their music and energetic performances from the comfort of their homes.

DREAMCATCHER debuted in January 2017, with the single “Nightmare” and quickly caught the attention of music critics with their unique “Young Metal” sound, and intoxicatingly enthralling choreography. Voted no.3 on Billboard’s Best New K-Pop Acts in 2017, the group’s worldwide fame has grown exponentially since; their title track, “데자부 (Deju Vu),” from their special mini-album Raid of Dream released in September 2019 entered Billboard’s World Albums Chart at no.10. Shortly after its release, Raid of Dream also topped the iTunes album charts of nine different regions—Argentina, Peru, Finland, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates—and entered the top five iTunes album rankings in ten additional countries, further solidifying DREAMCATCHER’s rapidly increasing K-pop influence.

Recently DREAMCATCHER made a very successful release of their fifth mini-album “Dystopia: Lose Myself”. This album continues the Dystopia trilogy, in which the members take the role of tree spirits living in a dystopian world. Once a Utopia, the world that they used to know has changed drastically due to the continuous spread of negativity. With their new title song “BOCA” (translated as ‘mouth’ from Spanish), DREAMCATCHER members proclaim that they will now try to fix the world by shutting out the hate. The title, [Dystopia: Seven Spirits], was inspired by the symbolic message that DREAMCATCHER continues to bring with their music by reflecting the modern “witch-hunting” that exists in today’s society.

[Dystopia: Seven Spirits] concert streamers are in for a special treat: this online concert will mark the comeback of DREAMCATCHER’s member, HANDONG, who wasn’t able to participate in the first show due to her activities abroad.

DREAMCATCHER is composed of seven female members: JI U, SU A, SIYEON, YOOHYEON, DAMI, HANDONG, and GAHYEON.

Tickets for [Dystopia: Seven Spirits] will go on sale starting October 16 at 10 AM KST, onMyMusicTaste.com

Further information regarding ticketing and the show itself can be found throughhttps://mmt.fans/iJQT​ or other social media channels of MyMusicTaste.

 

About MyMusicTaste:

MyMusicTaste is a fan initiated live event making service that brings fans, artists and promoters from all over the world together in one place to create a valuable and meaningful concert experience for everyone involved. MyMusicTaste puts the power in the fans’ hands, allowing fans to request their favorite artist’s concert in their city. With the mission to connect and amplify the voices of fans all over the world, MyMusicTaste successfully promoted concerts of artists such as EXO, GOT7, MONSTA X, The xx, Machine Gun Kelly, and more in over 57 different cities. With the simple idea–empowering fans to bring their favorite artist’s concert in the city of their choice based on fandem and–MyMusicTaste is challenging the $27 billion concert market through cutting-edge technology and sophisticated, user-friendly service. Currently, www.mymusictaste.com supports more than 30 countries and offers 15different languages.

 

About DREAMCATCHER COMPANY:

Established in 2008, DREAMCATCHER COMPANY is a South Korean record label and entertainment agency founded by the prominent production duo E-tribe. Since the debut of its first artist Nassun, the company has grown in size over the years, producing artists and idol groups under its own name. V.O.S, Dalshabet, and DREAMCATCHER are the major artists that are currently associated with the label. Recently, the company also launched subsidiary labels HF Music Company, Dreamcatcher Company, and D1CE Entertainment and is garnering much attention and recognition from the public as the rising creator of future K-pop artists.

 

Japanese mannequin rap duo FEMM made waves when their track ‘Fxxk Boyz Get Money’ was picked up by influencers in the United States, Europe and around the world. Now they are back with new song ‘Chewing Gum Cleaner’, which hit digital stores and streaming services on October 16, along with a cool new sci-fi anime-influenced music video on YouTube.

FEMM – ‘Chewing Gum Cleaner’ music video:

https://youtu.be/WbD8Lb3x65E

FEMM – ‘Chewing Gum Cleaner’ download/streaming:

https://FEMM.lnk.to/ChewingGumCleaner

The track was produced by KiWi, who has previously released music on Diplo’s record label Mad Decent and collaborated with 88rising. KiWi is associated with a dark, anarchic sound, resulting in the bass-heavy Gothic horror of ‘Chewing Gum Cleaner’.

The music video was made in collaboration with visual director Midori Kawano, creator of the RGB_Light fashion lighting product (which is used to cool effect in the video) and who also worked on the music video for ‘Fxxk Boyz Get Money’.

The video incorporates footage from FEMM’s 2018 live performance event ‘DOLLHOUSE’, giving a sneak peek into this innovative multimedia art show that ran for one month in Tokyo. During the show’s run, visitors had their bodies captured and modeled in CG by FUTURE REAL 3D AVATAR LAB, resulting in an eye-catching dance scene in the ‘Chewing Gum Cleaner’ video where around 700 CG avatars of real FEMM fans groove together in a virtual space. The 3D CG work includes visual production from BRDG members Keijiro Takahashi, Ken-ichi Kawamura and Kota Yamaji.

The costumes in the video were created by GM Atelier, a Japanese costume and special-effects makeup house that has exhibited at Paris Fashion Week. FEMM’s bold and stylish power suit outfits are inspired by anime masterpieces such as ‘Ghost in the Shell’ and ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’, bringing the world of Japanese sci-fi animation to life.

 

 

‘Chewing Gum Cleaner’ is accompanied by a bonus track, ‘Dead Of Night’, which is a dark electro hip-hop tune with romantic melodies and deep lyrics. The song was originally produced as part of FEMM’s groundbreaking AR live performance at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, USA, in 2018. The duo recently posted a clip on Instagram featuring voguing and finger-tutting dance routines in typically mechanical FEMM style.

FEMM – ‘Dead Of Night’ (Instagram)

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CGEzJwshAZz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

See below for links to more info on FEMM, and check out sticky new tune ‘Chewing Gum Cleaner’ today!

FEMM links:

Official website: https://femms.jp/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/femm____/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FEMM____

# # #

Images: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kj3d0ayt29bmkmq/AAAphElNdzUJxDQxvQ8g-5r2a?dl=0

For further inquiries, please contact: pressrelease@av.avex.co.jp

 

Many Koreans state that they put on weight during lockdown.

According to a survey when interviewing 5,016 adults – 44 percent said they gained weight in 2020, during the lockdown. 24 percent said they lost weight – while the rest stated their weight stayed the same.

30 percent said they’ve gained more than 3 kg, 29 percent between 2 kg and 3 kg, and 28 percent 0.5~1 kg.

They were also asked about the main reason for their weight gain. 56 percent said it was due to more time spent at home, 37 percent less exercise, 27 percent overeating and 21 percent more time spent watching TV. 65 percent of women and 50 percent of men said they attempted to go on a diet.

Korea has one of the lowest obesity rate in the world, but the rate of obesity is fastly increasing in the country. According to the National Health Insurance Service, about 4 percent of the adult population is obese in Korea, and about 30 percent are overweight. In Korea, individuals are considered overweight when their body mass index is 25 or over.

Obesity is also on the rise among younger generation of people. The obesity rate among men has surprisingly reached 45.7 percent, and Korea has seen the number of extremely obese people with a BMI of more than 30 almost double in the last 20 years.

 

J.Chung.

Chie Izuno works full time at an office Branch. Though she’s 30, she’s very young at heart and kind of innocent. She tries hard to go into the dating field but finds herself struggling due to her weight and self-esteem issues. She meets up with one of the company’s investors, Jin Harada, a super sucessful and young business man. However Jin has a severe lack of social skills. Chie strives to make a deal with Jin in order to aide her in her goal to lose weight and gain confidence, she tells Jin she can help him with his own flaws. Where will this agreement lead them to, and can two total opposites and flawed individuals overcome their personal demons?

Have you ever wanted to explore the world of k-pop trainees? But more than just research, you wanted to walk a day in the kicks of an idol in training? Now you have your chance thanks to Jessica Jung, an inside source in the industry.

Jessica Jung was a member of Girls’ Generation (which needs no introduction), a solo artist, actress, creator of a fashion line and now, author. She just released her first young adult novel, Shine, through Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Considering Jessica’s experience, what better topic to write on than that of a k-pop trainee in the making? If you’ve ever dreamed of living life as an idol and wondered the ins and outs of the trainee world—now is your chance to fully immerse yourself from home!

Shine follows a Korean-American named Rachel, working hard to get her shot at stardom as a trainee at one of Seoul’s largest k-pop labels. Of course, this involves blood, sweat, and tears. Rachel starts to fall for the dreamy, established idol at her label and must navigate the waters of romance amidst the stress of hoping to debut. Will Rachel survive the hustle life and make it into the luxe, high-stakes world of the k-pop industry? Only one way to find out!

The question on most minds is how much is this novel based on Jessica’s personal experience? In an interview with Variety, Jessica in regards to this question said: Rachel and I are very similar, but I did fictionalize everything. But I hope it will be an Easter egg hunt for people. I want them to find clues along the way, figure out who’s who, what’s what, have fun with it and enjoy it.  That will certainly be enough motivation to pick up a copy of Shine, especially for fans of Girls’ Generation!

 

This novel touches on some of the controversial issues within the industry. Bullying because of competition between trainees and mistreatment of female stars versus male ones is explored within the pages of Shine. Jessica incorporates this into her fiction work as a way to let readers know what goes on behind the scenes and to raise awareness of the issues that exist in the k-pop world. In her interview with Variety, she talks about this in stating, “Koreans in general, they’re very conservative in every way, so it’s not easy to really speak up. It can be very sensitive. But I think I was brave enough to do that.” ¹

Another unique feature of Shine is the use of Korean. The author purposefully left some words untranslated, knowing k-pop fans would enjoy the authenticity and opportunity to learn words in Korean. She wasn’t wrong! Part of the fun of k-pop is learning a new language along the way, and it’s awesome that Jessica considered this when composing her novel!

 

Jung is one of the first K-pop stars to write a novel based on an idol career. In writing this book, she mentioned wanting the reader to walk away with a positive view of their dreams. It’s okay to fight for yourself and work hard to achieve your ambition. Let character Rachel Kim inspire you to find your voice and be dedicated to your goals! Devouring this book in one sitting is totally acceptable. Live your dreams!

 

—-Ellie Boyd

 

Songpyeon is a traditional Korean dessert which is usually eaten during the Korean autumn harvest festival, Chuseok. Historically, records of songpyeon date from the Goryeo era.

Songpyeon is a half-moon shaped rice cake that often contains sweet or semi-sweet fillings, like soybeans, chestnuts, jujubes, dates, beans, sesame seeds, or honey – then steamed over a layer of pine needles.

 

Ingredients

Basic white dough

Sift 1 cup of frozen rice powder

3 tbsp of boiling hot water

Pine needles

Cold water

Sesame oil

Mugwort powder

Blueberry juice

Strawberry Jell-o powder

Green dough

1 cup of frozen rice powder

1 tsp of mugwort powder

3 tbsp of boiling hot water

Pink dough

1 cup of frozen rice powder

A pinch of strawberry Jell-o powder

3 tbsp of boiling hot water

Purple dough

1 cup of frozen rice powder

3~4 tbs of cooked blueberry juice

 

Fillings

1/2 cup of roasted sesame seeds

2 Tbs of honey

1/8 tsp of sea salt

 

Instructions

To make the filling:

Grind the sesame seeds in a blender for about 20 secs.  Transfer ground sesame to a bowl and mix in brown sugar and a pinch of salt.

 

To make the dough:

Prepare 3 cups of rice powder and sift into a large bowl.

Divide the rice powder into 3 bowls. Each bowl should equally contain 1 cup of rice powder.

To prepare the basic white dough, add 3 tbsp of boiling water to the rice powder and mix it with a spatula. When the dough is cool enough, knead for about 5 mins. Wrap with cling film and set aside.

To prepare the green dough, add 1 tsp of mugwort powder and 3 tbsp boiling hot water to the rice powder and mix it with a spatula. When the dough is cool enough, knead for about 5 mins, then wrap with cling film and set aside.

To prepare the pink dough, add a pinch of strawberry Jell-o powder and 3 tbsp boiling hot water to the rice powder and mix it with a spatula. When the dough is cool enough to handle, knead for about 5 mins, then wrap with cling film and set aside.

To prepare the purple dough, add 1/4 cup blueberries and 1/4 cup water, then blend in the microwave for 45 sec then strain.

 

To assemble the Songpyeon:

Tear off the dough enough to make 1-inch ball. Make a well in the ball with your thumb, and stretch the dough outwards with both of your thumbs to expand the opening. Fill the well with tsp of filling, then seal tightly by squeezing the edges together. Squeeze the whole rice cake lightly in your and shape it to resemble a half moon.

Prepare a steamer by bringing water to boil over high heat. Place a thin layer of pine needles on the steamer insert. When it starts to steam, place the rice cakes on the steamer insert without the pieces touching. Cover with a thin layer of pine needles. Cover and steam for 20 mins.

Prepare a big bowl of cold water, then remove the rice cakes from the steamer with a tong or a spoon. Immediately immerse then into cold water for a quick rinse, removing all the pine needles. Then transfer the rice cakes to a colander to drain. Lightly rub the oil on the rice cakes. Serve warm.

 

–J.Chung.

 

We would like to thank Kim Ye-hyun of Fit & Hill Fitness for giving us a great interview. We wish him all the best in the future!

 

Hello, thanks for taking the time out for a KCrush interview. Would you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hello, my name is Kim Ye-hyun – I am the representative of Fit & Hill Fitness and a sports entertainer. I was a fencer since I was at school and currently work as a personal trainer and sports model.

 

Please tell us about your sport for those who may not be aware. 

Fencing is a sport that two players combat each other by stabbing or contacting with swords. It is also a fitness sport that helps to create a balanced body structure.

 

Do you have any advice for beginners?

To eat, sleep and work out diligently. Most of all, it is best to make a habit of working out continuously.

 

How many hours do you train a day?

I do cardio excercise and weight training – 2 hours each, daily.

 

Is there a secret to being great at a certain sport?

Doing various routines in order to find the right sport for you is key.

 

What do you like to do for leisure?

I enjoy going to see musicals, plays and movies.

 

What would be your fav food/berverage?

I like everything except chicken breast. I especially like yukhoe, salmon, burgers the most.

 

Name a movie, book or a musical that you enjoyed recently.

Musicals – Laundry and Jekyll and Hyde.

 

Where do you think is the best place for travelling in Korea? 

Gwangalli.

 

What are your future plans and goals?

My goals are to take care of more bodies of others and become a natural sports model through many activities as a sports entertainer.

 

J.Chung.