KCRUSH Interview with Singer-songwriter, Alisha Jiyoung

 

*Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers? (Please tell us a little about our early life/background, your career path and etc.)

Hi, I’m Alisha. I was born in Virginia, but I moved to Seoul when I was little. I grew up living back and forth between two countries.

I’m currently living in Seoul.

 

*Tell us how you got into music.

I started listening to hip-hop and R&B when I was in 6^th grade. That’s when I got my first iPod. I’ve always been a fan of music, especially hip-hop and R&B.

But I never thought that I’d be making music myself. So, I went to college and majored in International Business. In my senior year, I was interning at a trade company and I was actually about to enter that firm right after my internship.

I’ve always loved music and I knew I had passion for it, but I never even considered becoming a musician because I thought I had no talent and I was too scared to even try in the first place. But while I was working, I kept thinking about what it’d be like if I actually gave it a try. So, I decided to take a break from school and work and “try” music because I was like “it’s now or never” lol.

I had one semester left and if I didn’t take a gap year, I’d have to graduate and get a job for real. And I was like NOPE. This is my last chance to at least try.

 

*How would you describe your sound and music?

I think my voice is unique and it has diversity. So, you won’t get sick of it. Lol. I think my voice goes well with any type of beats.

If you listen to my mixtape, it has a consistent sound throughout the whole tape because I wanted to set a certain “vibe” to it. But if you listen to my official singles, they’re all very different. It’s because I wanted to try different genres of music.

I’ve released 5 official singles so far and there’s PB R&B, hip-hop, house, jazzy R&B… and I’m always willing to try new stuff.

Other than my voice, I think my lyrics are very honest and straight up. I always write about something personal…

 

*Which artist or musician do you admire the most and why?

Rihanna. Her voice is so unique and she sounds amazing on any type of beats. And her style is amazing too. There’s no song or look that she can’t pull off.

 

*If you could spend a whole day with anyone of your choice, who would it be and why?

Syd from the band The Internet because I LOVE HER and I’m obsessed with her music and I wanna know what it’d be like to be on a date with her.

 

 

*What kind of person is your ideal date?

Someone who can make me laugh and… who has a good taste in music.

 

*What would be your hobbies or interests?

I like traveling. I work my ass off every day so that I can save up money and travel at least 2, 3 times a year.

 

*Have you seen interesting movies or musicals lately?

I’ve been more into series than movies lately. On Netflix, my favorite shows are <Orange Is the New Black> and <Black Mirror>.

 

*Do you have your own fashion code?

I’m kinda obsessed with matching the colors… With my outfits, shoes, nails, other items.

Even if it’s not something very noticeable, when the colors match, it just makes me happy. Lol.

 

*What is your favorite food or beverage?  

My favorite food is salmon. Then Mexican food & Vietnamese food.

I order a coke every time I go to a restaurant (NO DIET COKE) and when it comes to alcohol, I like Soju and white wine.

 

*What do you think you’ll be doing 15 years from now?

Hmm… I haven’t really thought about that long ahead of a future. I just hope I’m happy.

 

*What are you goals and hopes for the future?  

I hope more people listen to my music. I have so many things I wanna do. I want to perform at a jazz bar, at a club, at concerts…

I want to make a dope ass music video. I want to work with many new producers and artists. I want to make an album and have physical copies of it.

Other than music, I want to travel more and love more. <3

 

Thank you for your precious time.

 We wish you all the luck in all your endeavors…

—– J. Chung.

In 2017, Cartoon Saloon released the stunning Breadwinner, a story about a young girl trying to survive in Taliban-ruled Kabul, Afghanistan.

Based on the Deborah Ellis book of the same name, the Nora Twomey (The Secret of Kells) directed film—which is produced by Angelina Jolie and Mimi Polk Gitlin—follows 12-year-old Parvana as she navigates her world after her father, Nurullah, is arrested for allegedly insulting Taliban member, Idrees. Parvana is as resourceful as she is clever thanks to her father’s teaching and her mother’s creativity prior to the Taliban takeover. After the Taliban ruled that women cannot be outside without being completely covered or without a male escort, and after her mother gets beaten, Parvana, with the help of her sister Soraya, chops off her hair to become a boy named “Aatish” to work and make money for her family and to hopefully get her father out of prison.

While some consider The Breadwinner as a new-age Mulan, the story is much more mature due to its true-life scenarios that many Afghanis experience in their war-and-Taliban-torn country. The movie has stronger implications and meaning given its backdrop and how the events still currently unfold in the country. Whereas Mulan is a fictionalized and Disneyatized tale, The Breadwinner (while the story is fiction) is a story about the realities of small-scale terrorism that inflicts a nation.

Featuring stunning animation and storytelling, The Breadwinner is a rare film that is appropriate for adults and children. The harrowing details accounting the horrors the Taliban inflicts on its citizens are tastefully addressed. For adults, the content plays on awareness of the situation and the brutality that exists, especially toward women and children. However, for children, the actual violence is not shown, but the adults know what occurs based on sound and shadow-play.

As Parvana’s story plays out, she also tells her young brother a story about their past and what happened to their older brother, but it’s done in a way to where she creates a fairytale. The viewer does not know it’s about her brother at first, but key details reveal this is the case. There is a double-layer of tragedy in the story as we learn about her older brother’s death, but there is the added travesty of wasted talent. Parvana has storytelling skills, but she cannot market those skills due to her gender. Here, the viewer experiences what it’s like to live in the underground world of femaleness in a male-dominated, terror-riddled society. What other skills and talents lie beneath? This is how the movie makes the viewer think.

With thinking in mind, this is a film for those who enjoy critical analysis, so it would serve as a great teaching tool in the classroom. For example, each character’s name has meaning, and it’s interesting to see how the characters live up to their names. For instance, Parvana means “butterfly,” and the viewer sees the lead character transition from a young girl (a caterpillar, so to speak) to a powerful young woman with bravery and strength (the butterfly). Her boy name, Aatish, means “fire” (explained in the film). The meaning of Aatish shines through Parvana’s will and fiery personality as she stands up to the Taliban, takes on different jobs to support her family, and even fights for the right to see her father.

In addition to the character names, viewers should pay attention to how colors play a role in the film. Red and green are especially prominent.

Despite Breadwinner’s overall dark tone, there is an overall sense of hope. The viewer sees the creativity and craftiness it takes to try to overcome evil, and there are times where the feminist voice rings louder than the bombs that explode across the landscape. Besides Soraya’s tale, the viewer also experiences her mother’s anguish over the loss of her son and her husband and how she and Soraya find their voices to fight against an arranged marriage originally thought to be a way out of danger. There are many slices to the loaf of bread the Breadwinner brings to the table, and it’s interesting to see how each slice enhances the entire meal.

The Breadwinner was critically acclaimed for a reason, and it’s worth viewing due to many facets that make the film shine. It is viewer-friendly for all audiences, which is a positive, especially if the film is used as a teaching tool. The Breadwinner earns a 5/5.

The Breadwinner is available on Netflix.

 

 

—-Joelle Halon

On August 14, 2018, female rookie group, (G)I-dle released their second single, “Hann” (Alone). When the Cube Entertainment group debuted May 2, 2018 with the I Am EP and lead single “Latata,” (G)I-dle—made up of members Miyeon, Minnie, Soojin, Soyeon, Yuqi, and Shuhua—made plenty of headlines due to their catchy hit and three combined music show wins on Mcountdown and The Show. Their quick rise seemed like a fluke at first, but with “Hann,” the girls show they may be part of the new group of idol groups set to make their place in history.

Co-written by Soyeon and Yummy Tone (Big Sancho), “Hann” shows that (G)I-dle are not only good at overall performance, but behind the scenes as well. Story-wise, “Hann” is about moving past a bad relationship and trying to forget the former lover. While the title is written with two Ns, it does play on the word han which refers to feeling helpless or oppressed. The title lends to the feeling that the now-ended relationship held the speaking-partner back and prevented his/her growth. With play on the meaning of helplessness and oppression, it can be assumed that some emotional abuse may have occurred. Within the MV, this is shown via the black outfits (referring to the bad memories) and the brightly colored outfits (freedom from the partnership).

“Hann” features strong vocals and melody that make the track a memorable standout, especially in a K-Pop year that’s failed to provide overall memorable hits. The single begins with a haunting whistle that immediately draws in the audience. “Hann” has many layers to the track that make it stand out because it is haunting while maintaining the brightness of a dance track due to its string and percussion composition. The rap portions, although seemingly and purposefully flat, do well to make the song hard-hitting, and the line of “do you remember, remember what you said” adds some grit. The way the track moves from expressionless rap to some cheery, brighter notes only serves as a strong enhancement to help create the contrasts from bad memories to a more hopeful outlook.

Interestingly, the chorus is simultaneously the track’s strong and weak point. Strength-wise, the “woo-hoo-hoo” portions echo the whistling that appears at the beginning and end of the track, which is a brilliant move to tie all portions of the song together. At the same time, the “woo-hoo-hoo” portion also feels lazy as if there wasn’t enough material to create a solid, lyrically-sound chorus. The chorus felt like there could have been more added to it at times, but the cliched phrase of “less is more” also feels accurate. “Hann” is an oddity in which the chorus is both a letdown and a triumph.

The visually stunning MV is artistic, simplistic, and complex at the same time. On the surface, the MV is like any other typical K-Pop MV featuring the artists posing and lying around before breaking into a dance sequence. Of course, there are the atmospheric scenery-shots of the desert and the girls’ performance space. However, some of the complexities come with the cinematic choices such as the members appearing in each other’s eyes or the zoom-in sequence where each girl is in a different pose on TV screens. These instances add interest to an otherwise typical MV that focuses on appearance, dress, and colorful scenery.

“Hann” solidifies (G)I-dle as a powerful rookie force and should help place the group in the running for any Rookie-of-the-Year awards at the end of the year. “Hann” is also stronger than “Latata” in terms of performance and arrangement. Check out “Hann” below and let us know what you think!

 

—-Joelle Halon

The Beauty Inside: A Lacking Film about an Old Cliché

In 2015, Yong Film and Next Entertainment World released The Beauty Inside, a film based on the 2012 book, Every Day. The plot follows Woo-Jin (played by multiple actors and actresses throughout the film), a soul who wakes up in a different body every day, a phenomenon that started suddenly when he was a teen. Woo-Jin does not know what body he will wake up in each day, so he could wake up as a child, an elderly person, a woman, or a man. The only way he can avoid change is if he stays awake.

While the premise sounds interesting (and it is), it’s not original as The Beauty Inside has been done before as a 2012 US mini-series starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Topher Grace, and again in 2018 with the US-released Every Day. Emilia Clark (Daenerys Targaryen, The Game of Thrones) has been announced to star in another US remake that’s set to be released in 2018 or 2019. If something works, just keep doing it, right?

In the 2015 Korean release, The Beauty Inside follows Woo-Jin as he is “reborn” daily in a new body. Only his mother and a close friend know about his condition as he stays hidden from the world as a reclusive furniture maker. With each new identity, he does venture out into the world, but no one knows he is the same Woo-Jin as the day before.

As Woo-Jin changes, one thing remains constant: His love for Yi-Soo (Han Hyo-Joo). Yi-Soo works for a local furniture store that sells Woo-Jin’s custom-made pieces. While at the store, Woo-Jin meets Yi-Soo, falls for her, and since that chance meeting, Woo-Jin makes many attempts to get to know Yi-Soo despite his unusual condition (at some point, the actions come across as almost stalkerish, but in some K-Dramas and K-Films, this is the epitome of romance). While living as one of his handsome hosts, he and Yi-Soo fall in love, thus beginning the journey of shock, acceptance, and the test of love that will either bring the pair closer or tear them apart.

Of course, we all the conclusion because it’s a fantasy-romance film.

While The Beauty Inside does have a promising premise, the story is slogged down by slow pacing, jilted dialogue, and dreary settings that make the film darker than it actually is. The film is like living in a permanent state of beige where everything feels dirty and needlessly sad. The dark scenery and sharp furniture lines make the movie feel cold and unfeeling, so if The Beauty Inside wants the audience to feel for the characters, Woo-Jin’s affliction, and the beauty of love, the positivity is lost because it’s masked by various shades of brown and grey. Even the camera work has slight sepia tones, so there is no escape from the brown mood.

The film plays on the cliché of “it’s what’s on the inside that counts,” which is true because outward appearance shouldn’t matter in love. As the relationship between Yi-Soo and Woo-Jin develop, we see Yi-Soo needing to not only fall in love with the handsome Woo-Jin she initially fell for, but for elderly people, women, and children (yes, children, so there is a weird “ick” factor even if Yi-Soo pretends her boyfriend is a friend’s child) that all make up the many facets of Woo-Jin’s existence. While it’s endearing to see Yi-Soo learn to accept the changes Woo-Jin undergoes daily, it’s also cheesy because of how far the love-over-outer-appearance cliché is driven into the viewers’ heads. Throughout the film, there’s barely any conflict between the characters except for some slightly uncomfortable scenes and a period of absence, so Yi-Soo’s acceptance of the unexplained body swaps comes across as unrealistic.

Sadly, the relationship between Yi-Soo and Woo-Jin’s many forms comes at a price as there is zero chemistry between Han Hyo-Joo and any of the actors and actresses playing Woo-Jin. This is a two-fold problem due to Han’s lack of presence (meaning that she seems to be phoning in her performance) and the inability to connect with a costar for longer than five minutes. One thing Han does do well is smile and stay in what seems like various stages of surprise (there is an ordinate amount of time spent staring), but the acts grows thin because she lacks a solid emotional range.

The film does provide many humorous moments in the form of visual gags. Woo-Jin is prepared for any identity that comes his way thanks to his collection of glasses, belts, and various clothing items. The way the camera pans across these items speaks volumes about the amount of identities Woo-Jin possesses, and it’s funny to watch how he measures his foot size, checks his glasses prescriptions, and tests outfits for his body-of-the-day. Similarly, there is some sad humor in how he uses his attractive alter-egos for one-night stands, making Woo-Jin a player. However, this does lead to some questionable plot holes in the film. If Woo-Jin is unaware of who he will turn into each morning, with his one-night stands, how does he have the right apparel on him for his grand escapes? This is one of the few elements that are unexplained in the film, so some of the holes do somewhat take away from the overall story. Other issues include the lack of explanation for his condition as well as the reveal at the end of the film (watch the credits) that also don’t help the mystery.

Overall, The Beauty Inside is a film for people who like the color brown and clichés, but that’s about all it has to offer as the story is slow and action is dull. For those who enjoy romance without the chemistry, this movie is also for you and available on Netflix!

The Beauty Inside earns a 2/5.

 

 

—-Joelle Halon

The recent America-based activities of Kpop giants BTS and GOT7 has catapulted Kpop into the limelight for mainstream American music fans, giving a taste of what South Korea has to offer.

To that end, we take a look at another male Kpop group – B.A.P.  that has captured the attention of international audiences.

B.A.P. sporting blonde locks during their debut in 2012.

An acronym for Best, Absolute, Perfect, B.A.P. was formed in 2012 comprising 6 members – Yongguk, Himchan, Daehyun, Youngjae, Jongup, and Zelo. From the beginning they differentiated themselves from the other typical pretty boy Kpop acts with their rougher, wild boy/man image and serious, dramatic music videos with strong and powerful dance moves.

Their debut single ‘Warrior’ was released in conjunction with their reality tv show on SBS MTV and it’s EP successfully entered Billboard’s World Albums Chart at #10. This led to more follow-up and comeback singles being released including forays into Japan in 2013 and their first full length album – First Sensibility in 2014.

The success of the album in South Korea and internationally culminated in the group commencing a world tour – the B.A.P. Live on Earth 2014 Continent Tour covering the US, Europe, Australia and Asia.

However, during the height of their success, the group’s meteoric rise was hampered by legal issues with their label due to claims of unfair working conditions and earnings distribution. Thankfully, the group settled their issues and resumed their activities in 2015 with their comeback single ‘Matrix’.

Their colorful look from their single ‘Honeymoon’ from 2017 

Since then, the group’s popularity has risen further with more album releases and world concert tours in 2016 and 2017. They most recently released their third Japanese studio album ‘Massive’ in March 2018 and participated on reality show ‘Untact Life’ aired on E! In May this year where they spent 4 days on a remote island with no phones and limited connection to the outside world – letting their fans see their personalities as they have fun completing missions and interacting with the island’s inhabitants.

Their songs resonate with their fans not only for the catchy tunes and stunning visuals but more significantly for their powerful messages addressing current issues in society such as corruption,  mental health, and others evident in songs such as ‘Ribbon In The Sky’, ‘Wake Up’, ‘Hands Up’ and many more.

The combination of individual skills and talents in the group and their heavy involvement in producing their music and shaping their image have captivated audiences around the world and turned casual listeners into avid fans. In fact, one of the members – Daehyun has also branched out into acting starring in the Korean musical ‘All Shook Up’ as Elvis Presley.

Just as it seems the group has overcome its difficulties, their fandom – named B.A.B.Y, were shaken when the group tearfully confessed during their live concert in Seoul last month that the members were each under separate contracts with different end dates and as such, it could be their last concert as a group.

However, fans remain hopeful as the group assured them that there is still time remaining on their contracts and that they are carefully considering their future among themselves. So let’s have hope and wish this talented group all the best shall we?

Meanwhile, you can get to know each member below courtesy of images from their official facebook page for a taste of why their B.A.B.Yz adore them and why you’ll love them too!

 

—-Fie Fed

Often, many dramas featuring couples always end up with happily-ever-afters, so it is refreshing to encounter a drama where everything doesn’t end up rosy or where some relationships end up making the viewer angry over some of the choices people make when pairing off.

Club Friday the Series Season 7 (Club Friday) is probably one of the best under-the-radar dramas available on Netflix right now. The Thai drama is a series of short stories that focus on different relationship issues. The premise of the show features people calling the Club Friday radio show (or appearing on the TV show as the case is for season five) to tell their relationship woes to the show hosts, and these stories are presented as flashbacks that document the relationships’ highs and lows. According to program director Saithip Montrikul Na Ayudhaya (DJ Chod, who also appears in the series), each season is based on callers’ true stories which have been dramatized for TV audiences. So far, Season Seven, which features seven mini-seasons, is the only season available in the US on Netflix. As of 2018, Club Friday is on its tenth season in Thailand. Given the way this season was, Netflix needs to make all seasons available.

Each season and mini season follows a different relationship from the point-of-view of the individual calling the show. Each season is four-to-five episodes long, and each episode ranges in time from 45-minutes to an hour, making it an easy show to binge.

The beauty of Club Friday is that every relationship featured in the different seasons is not wrapped up with a neat, tidy bow. Instead, while some do have happy endings, each relationship is flawed or broken in a way to where the characters seem accessible and relationships are relatable. The show does a great job showing the rosy beginnings of each relationship as well as the hardships that come with them. For the stories that start off as affairs, the show does well showing the breakdown—although briefly—of the initial relationships and how some of these broken marriages turn ugly or into a strong friendship.

Out of the seven story arcs, story one is the most far-fetched storyline involving a tangled love square that’s full of twisted melodrama. Beyond story one (“The Fault of Love”), though, the series develops with more realistic storylines full of heart and heartache. There are characters you will grow to adore while others you’ll grow to hate, and there are, of course, characters that fall into neither category. For example, in Season Two titled “Online Love,” viewers may feel sorry for second leading character, Roong (Kratae Supaksorn Chaimonkol), while also feeling slightly annoyed by her as the story unfolds, while love interest, Ae (Tanya Tanyares Ramnarong), is insufferable with barely any redeeming qualities. Meanwhile, in story four (“The Game of Love”), the main character, Ploy (Monchanok Saengchaipiangpen), starts off as a likable character before turning into a character who should not be cheered.

Several of the love stories have unsatisfying endings, and this is part of the show’s genius design. The audience, depending on their own life experiences, will interpret each ending differently, so it is a fun show to debate with friends (if your friends actually take the time to watch). It is interesting to discuss whether story three’s arc (“The Boring Girl I Love”) is a “happy” ending or an angering ending, or if story six (“Home”) deserves a follow-up story in another season.

The show also knows how to mess with people’s emotions. One minute, you could be laughing to feeling like you want to ring someone’s neck (“The Boring Girl I Love”), to needing Kleenex and wishing the characters nothing but the best (“True Love”).

As a whole, Club Friday does well representing different relationships and people. In this season and previous and upcoming seasons, the show has done well using people of all types from the stereotypical “pretty people” used in all dramas to those who look like average, everyday people. The show also represents the LGBTQA+ community well, as well as those with physical and mental disabilities and their pursuits for love and happiness. Club Friday is definitely more progressive than many shows offered in the US, and it should be celebrated for its diversity and openness to reach out to minority groups.

Of course, not everything is perfect with the series, but this is the case for most shows. While each mini-season presents strong, well-acted stories, it must be mentioned again that “The Fault of Love” is the weakest story out of the seven presented. It presents the most melodrama and may seem far-fetched and unrealistic to some viewers, so it is one that could be skipped over at first because it’s not the strongest story to be used as an introduction to the series. The same could be said for story seven (“Choice”) because, while interesting, is a weak closer for the season. The show is best watched out of order (I recommend watching the stories four, five, two, six, three, seven, and one in that order).

Another issue with the show may be the pacing. As is the case with most Thai dramas and movies, each story starts off slow, so the first episodes of each story arc may involve some slogging along before the tales get juicier and more interesting. Each story does get interesting to where pacing won’t be an issue, and the viewer may end up wanting more to the stories or overall season. Each story is worth hanging around for until the end. With that said, it’ll be surprising to see how so much drama and action can be packed into four-to-five episodes!

Binge-watching Club Friday won’t leave you disappointed because the show is well-written and well-executed. It is one of Netflix’s gems in their international drama selections, so give it a shot before it’s gone!

Club Friday the Series 7 receives a 4/5.

 

 

—-Joelle Halon

 

Would you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hello, KCRUSH America! This is Call Lee and I’m in love with R&B.

 

Tell us about your current interests and hobbies.

I’m very much immersed with ASMR these days. Because I suffer from severe insomnia and stress at times, it has really been effective in helping to soothe my mind.

Plus, I am really into cosmetics; you could call me a fanatic since I love make-up so much!!

 

How did you initially start your path in music?

I got myself into music as a member of the Elly Gang Crew, which enabled me to become a singer as Call Lee.

I started doing music when I was put into a girl group by a management company and while I was going through a hard time and hesitant on whether to pursue a music career, the leader of Elly Gang Crew recommended that I should join his crew.

He currently goes by the artist name, Slez and he was also the person to help me make up my mind on starting music properly. I met him via an online internet game by chance, and he asked if I wanted to sing for him while he rapped, all out of the blue. Hence, I became extremely absorbed and managed to write a hook and verse for the first time in my life.

I soon quit the management where I was training at and moved out of the dorm to start a new life in the crew.

 

Which song of yours are you the most attached to?

Right now, I am very fond of my own song called, “Melting Point.”

This was actually the song that I released right after taking a long hiatus from releasing any music, so I feel that it is very special.

 

Who is your favorite musician or artist?

I very much like the American singer, H.e.r because I find the sorrowful emotions from her low appealing falsetto so attractive.

And I think her songs express realistic love stories through the lyrics in the most admirable way possible.

I also like the Korean singer-songwriter, IU because it’s simply amazing to see how she can express and interpret herself through her vocals, feelings and emotions in all genres.

If you look more you look into the songs that she has written and composed, you’ll find that there are so many incredible reticent expressions in her music.

 

Can you recommend a song or an album?

I want to recommend you a K-pop song called “Jam Jam” by IU. This was composed by the singer-songwriter and record producer Sunwoo Junga who is dubbed as “the musician of musicians” in Korea, while the lyrics were co-written by IU. Pianist and composer Yoon Seok-chul (whom I’d love to work with) produced the song.

The lyrics in the chorus goes, “Sultang, tang, tang, Sarang, rang, rang, rang” and to me, this seemed to imply that although love can be sweet like sugar but you can also be hurt by it.

And somehow, the lyrics “tang, tang, tang” remind me of the sound of gunshots.

 

Do you have your own fashion code or a preference to a color?

Because I have a special love for cosmetics, I’ve tried on a large number of different colors and shades on myself.

My facial complexion turns yellowy when I put orange, so I am not much of a fan of orange-colored tones on my skin.

I think I suit colors like pink and violet quite well, whether it may be the outfits I wear or make-up. Naturally, I prefer cool tones; pink and violet type of colors.

 

 

What kind of person is your ideal person to date?

I don’t really look for anything in particular when it comes to appearance, but I like eyes that have no double eyelids.

But most importantly, someone whom I can get along with and feel connection to would be my ideal.

 

What would be your favorite food or beverage?

I love ice American because of its strong acid taste but I wasn’t able to drink a lot of it in the past due to my insomnia.

However, at the start of this year, Starbucks starting selling decaffeinated coffee. Since then, I’ve been drinking at least one a day.

I watch what I eat each day, so I often have chicken breast sandwiches from Subway because the feeling of satiety lasts for the longest time for me and the nutrients are great too.

I don’t put on any sauce or seasoned veggies and the buns are always rye bread which is full of dietary fiber.

 

Please recommend any books, movies or musicals that you’ve enjoyed recently.

I want to recommend the movie, “Microhabitat” which was released in Korea last year, in 2017.

The main character is played by actress, Esom and she portrays a woman in her 20s who struggles to supports herself while being homeless.

The character searches for happiness from the simplest things in life, and this made me reflect back on my own life as well.

The movie leaves you with a lingering placid feeling for a long time.

I don’t want to go on further to describe the movie since I don’t wish to divulge its whole storyline, so I’ll just stop right here. I highly recommend you to watch!!!

(Check the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwIA8r2Kpbk)

 

Tell us about your plans and hopes for the future.

Right now, I’m getting prepared to release a new single, this coming Fall.

I’m doing my utmost in order to show you that I have enhanced and improved as an artist, so please look out for the new single and show some love and support!!! Thank you.

And I’d like to thank KCRUSH America Magazine so very much! Love you.

 

—– J. Chung.

Rule number one: If you’re going to name your album “Great” anything, you better make sure it lives up to the name.

BIGBANG’s Seungri, who’s had two solid EPs in V.V.I.P (2011) and Let’s Talk About Love (2013), made his recent solo comeback with The Great Seungri, an album that had minimal teasers as it was about to be released.

This should have been a tip-off. Usually, entertainment companies either bombard potential audiences with too many teasers or none at all if a product is low-quality. The Great Seungri is not Seungri’s best effort, nor is it worth the hype it’s been receiving from excruciatingly bias fangirls who think anything oppa does is lined with gold. It’s okay to admit that some albums are clunkers. The Great Seungri falls into the unfortunate “clunker” category as the five-year wait since Let’s Talk About Love and the excellent  “Gotta Talk to U” did not reward fans with anything superb. If this album belonged to any other idol not named “Seungri,” not from BIGBANG, and not from a Big-Three company, it would have been considered a lackluster album with a few tracks worth discussing before it became a completely forgotten release.

While “1, 2, 3” is a fun song, it’s not fitting for a title track. The fun, upbeat music saves the tune from being a basic one, but it’s not an elite song that should be expected from Seungri. On the positive side, “1, 2, 3” has a fun MV that captures of the magic of musicals and dance movies from the 1970s and 1980s even though it is perfectly 1950s, American Bandstand. It’s simplistic and fun enough to provide reminders of the past and the excitement the music scene brought, but “1, 2, 3” fails to highlight Seungri’s vocals. The vocal distortions and lack of refinement show that Seungri has not really grown as a vocalist, and this is an issue for him given how long he’s been in the industry. “1, 2, 3” could have been a better track, but it falls flat.

The other tracks on the album suffer from the same issues: They sound promising at first, but they fail to deliver, save for “Sweet Lie” and “Alone” which mildly stand out as solid tracks even though they, too, come with flaws.

“Sweet Lie,” sound-wise, feels like a follow-up track to “Gotta Talk to U.” The breaks between the chorus and verses provide a good beat that adds interest to the song. It’s a mild dance track, but it’s soft and delivers one of the album’s best moments. Meanwhile, “Alone,” another soft track, feels most suitable to Seungri’s vocal range. The song is composed well with nice, subtle rises and falls within the verses. The instrumentals almost match “Sweet Lies,’” so the songs bookend each other well. However, if they are played back-to-back, there isn’t a lot that differentiates the two much, so it’s like listening to one long song given how both tracks have a similar layout.

Another highlight is “Mollado.” The Latin-inspired track is fun and even inspired a dance challenge that took off on social media. The catchy chorus does inspire a need to dance; it can’t be helped. This song earned the most repeats on the album, and it almost should have been the title track because it did have the potential to become a viral hit thanks to the #MolladoChallenge. However, a perfectly good song was ruined by the unnecessary rap by iKON’s B.I. Yes, rap breaks are popular in K-Pop for some reason, but not all tracks *need* a rap break. “Mollado” is one of those tracks. The inclusion of the rap turned “Mollado” into Camilla Cabello’s “Havana” where Young Thug’s wholly unnecessary rap made the song utter trash until the no-rap version was released and the track became infinitely better. Just because rap is part of the formula, it shouldn’t be a rule.

This brings up some of the issues with The Great Seungri: Four of the nine tracks have featured artists. If fans are made to wait five years between releases, please make the album all about the artist, not the artist and who’s featured with him or her. The Great Seungri comes across as Seungri and Friends more than a strong solo effort. Even in the MV for “1, 2, 3,” Anda was featured, which led to plenty of articles about her featuring and how she joined YG Family, overshadowing Seungri’s actual efforts. Featuring artists should not make more news than the actual album artist.

Other weaknesses for The Great Seungri include the basicness of many of the songs. For example, “Love is You” has some strong points, much like “Mollado,” “Alone,” and “Sweet Lie” have strengths. The R&B track has a solid chorus with instrumentals to match. Seungri’s vocals sound good layered alongside Blue.D’s vocals, but the “love is you” line is repetitive, and the track itself is not anything special. It’s a typical filler track that has a sexy quality to it, but it’s not strongly memorable as a standalone song.

“Be Friend” wanted to be a good track, but nasally vocals, weak chorus, and filler content (“whoa-oh-oh” an “clap, clap, clap”) make the song feel amateur at best. Meanwhile, “Hotline” borrows some of PSY’s “Gentleman” beats, so it essentially sounds like a song that was heard before. The bridges leading into the chorus are some of the bright spots, but it’s another song that does not do justice to Seungri’s vocals.

“Good Luck to You” wraps up the album, and like other tracks, the instrumentals and vocal distortions take a lot of attention away from the actual vocals. While simple songs can be pleasant, the track is almost too simplistic in turns of lyrics and arrangement that it doesn’t add a strong exclamation to climax the album.

The Great Seungri begs to be liked, especially since Seungri—despite his player reputation—is probably the most likeable member in BIGBANG. He’s charming, charismatic, and wickedly humorous, but these traits did not carry over to this album. Sadly, this album feels more like a throwaway rookie album compared to V.V.I.P and Let’s Talk About Love. The latter, if it wasn’t promoted around the same time as G-Dragon’s Coup d’Etat, more than likely would have been more successful. The Great Seungri has been ranked number one a few times since it’s release, but is this due to fans missing BIGBANG, fangirl bias, or actual album quality? The lines are often blurred in the K-Pop world, but if fans were honest, they might hear that this album is not the best one available right now.

The Great Seungri earns a 2/5.

 

—-Joelle Halon

 

On July 27, 2018, Kim Dong Yoon, a member of the rookie group Spectrum passed away. His agency, WYNN Entertainment, confirmed the news. WYNN Entertainment released a statement on the group’s fancafe following media reports of Kim’s passing.

Hello, this is WYNN Entertainment.

We apologize for the sudden and sad news. On July 27, our company’s artist, Spectrum member Kim Dong Yoon, has left the world. Hit with such sudden, sad news, the deceased’s family, the Spectrum members, and all of the WYNN Entertainment staff are mourning the deceased with heavy hearts.

We are in so much pain and so sorry to have to deliver this news to the fans who gave Dong Yoon so much love and care.

The funeral will be held quietly in accordance to the wishes of the bereaved’s family. We would like to offer our condolences to the deceased.

Kim turned 20-years-old on June 3, 2018. As the main rapper, he debuted in Spectrum May 10, 2018. He also appeared on MIXNINE in Team Super Freak where he ranked fifth in individual standings and placed 21^st overall for male idols. He was eliminated in episode 13.

Details surrounding Kim’s death have not been released as of this writing.

We at Kcrush send our condolences to Kim Dong Yoon’s family, friends, Spectrum members, and fans.

 

 —-Joelle Halon

Denis Ten performs “The Greatest Showman” during his Denis and Friends show in June 2018. Photo provided by @akk_Tang on Twitter. Thank you for allowing us to us to use your photo.

Almaty, Kazakhstan: On Tuesday July 19, 2018, Olympic figure skater, Denis Ten, succumbed to his injuries following a stabbing in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The 25-year-old had many accomplishments throughout his career which made him one of the sport’s most celebrated athletes.

Ten has the distinction of being Kazakhstan’s first Olympic medalist. In 2014 during the Sochi Olympics, Ten earned the figure skating bronze medal, standing on the podium alongside Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu (gold) and Canada’s Patrick Chen (silver). He also holds the distinction of being the first Kazakh skater to medal at the World Figure Skating Championships, Four Continents Championship, and the Asian Winter Games. During his 2008-2009 Junior season, Ten became the first Kazakh skater to win an International Skating Union-sanctioned event.

Ten’s tragedy is a sad reminder that no one is immune to violence.

According to Kazinform, the stabbing incident occurred at 3pm local time when Ten tried to stop two men from stealing his car mirrors. The men stabbed Ten in the thigh before running off. According to reports, Ten lost three liters of blood and passed out at the scene before someone called for an ambulance.

Witnesses at the scene state that three men were fighting before “one fell down.” A woman at a shop and a man who exited a vehicle tried to help Ten.

Ten underwent surgery to repair the damage, but he succumbed to his injuries three hours later.

“Unfortunately, he is not with us anymore,” said Yernar Akimkulov, spokesman from the Ministry of Healthcare.

In a Facebook message translated by Kazinform, Kazakh Minister of Culture and Sport Arystanbek Mukhamediuly said:

Denis Ten is an incredible figure skater, the legend of our sport, our pride. He passed away despite the best doctors were fighting for his life. He was only 25. It is a horrific and unfair tragedy. This is a huge loss for his family and for all of us who knew, loved and respected him genuinely. […] And today our “golden boy” is gone as a result of the knife attack… It would be a miracle to save Denis. We believed in this miracle till the bitter end. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to his family. This is an unthinkable tragedy and irreparable loss.

Suspects Captured

On July 20, 2018, one of the suspects in Ten’s murder was apprehended. Nuraly Kiyasov, who hails from the Zhambyl region, was detained and confessed to the crime.

“[Kiyasov] confessed his guilt in the presence of an attorney,” said Prosecutor Berik Zhuyrektayev in a televised statement.

Following an All-Points Bulletin, the second suspect, Arman Kudaibegenov, a native of the Kyzylorda region, was also detained. Both men are expected to be investigated fully and face life-imprisonment.

A Bright Light

Denis Ten, who was twice ranked the third best figure skater in the world (2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons) by the ISU, was a throwback to a time when artistry dominated figure skating. He exuded elegance on the ice with his powerful performances, and he was always a classy figure even when injuries nagged some of his seasons.

According to his fellow figure skaters, Ten was a kind, charismatic, and lovely person on and off the ice. These traits were often seen during his interactions with fans at ice shows and on social media. Ten always made it a point to not only welcome Kazakh fans into his world, but fans from the international community. Often, he would ask fans to reach out to him, send him messages, and even email him directly to communicate and share fan mail and videos. He also took time to respond to Twitter messages, a rare kindness in the digital age especially for celebrities who are often too big and too important to respond to the “little person.” Ten was never “above” anyone, and the fact that he took time to correspond with fans definitely speaks volumes about who he was as a person.

His fellow skaters also had plenty to say about the kindness and joy that embodied Ten, making his loss more impactful and tragic.

On social media, those who’ve trained and performed alongside Ten shared their condolences.

In Kazakhstan, Ten was known as the “Golden Boy.” He is often credited for the rise of sports in Kazakhstan and inspiring other Kazakhstanis to engage in sport. Over the years, Kazakhstan has developed world-class athletes in not only Denis Ten, but MMA fighter Nurzhamal Sadykova, freestyle skier Yuliya Galysheva, figure skater Elizabet Tursynbayeva, and short-track speed-skater Denis Nikisha among many other athletes who compete on the global scale.

Following the tragedy, Kazakhstan’s Head of State, Nursultan Nazarbayev, personally condoled the Ten family, further accentuating the impact Ten had on his country and countrymates.

In a statement, Aidos Ukibai, the Kazakh President’s Press Secretary, said,

With deep sorrow and much regret, the Head of State learned the news about the tragic death of Denis Ten, young, gifted, with a lot of energy, new plans and hopes, beautiful man who was respected and loved in many countries of the world and especially in his Homeland, Kazakhstan. The President immediately sent a telegram of condolences to the family and friends of the athlete, who, over the course of his short but bright life, did a lot for the national figure skating development and the rise of the Kazakh sport as a whole. Moreover, Nursultan Nazarbayev personally expressed his sincere condolences to Denis Ten’s parents, who brought up a wonderful son, a true patriot who set a worthy example for our youth. The Head of State said that the untimely death of Denis is a grievous, irreparable loss for his family and friends, and for the entire country. Expressing the words of support and sympathy for the parents of the figure skater, the President of Kazakhstan assured them that the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice

Ten’s personality and good nature not only earned him fans within his own country, but worldwide where his untimely death has impacted many. Kazakhstani embassies have opened their doors to mourners to sign condolence books and lay flowers in his memory.

In South Korea, The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kim Dae-sik, also expressed his condolences to Ten’s family and friends. In a memo, Kim said, “The news about the sudden death of prominent figure skater Denis Ten shocked me and all the staff of the Embassy of Korea in Kazakhstan. Words cannot express the sorrow we now feel. We extend our sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of Denis Ten. Being a prominent talent, he was also a good-natured person who always helped and cared for his family.”

Humble Figure Who Was Larger Than Life

Ten, who is of Korean heritage, was the great-great-grandson of Min Geung-ho, a Korean independence fighter general who helped Korea fight for independence from Japan.

Ten was more than just a figure skater. He was an aspiring film director, a passionate photographer, a soon-to-be MBA-holder at the Business School of the Kazakh-British Technical University, and the official ambassador for the Olympic Bidding Committee for “Almaty 2022.” In 2002, he was also part of a choir that won the silver medal at the World Choir Games. Growing up, he was also active in tennis, acrobatics, swimming, Taekwondo, and karate.

Often hailed as a “bright example to young Kazakhstani patriots,” Ten held master classes for young up-and-coming skaters to teach them the craft. He also had his own ice show, Denis and Friends that was held annually since 2014. Ten, who has fan clubs all over the world, was considered a “friend to the world.” Ten’s warmth and contributions to figure skating and his country were even noticed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who called Ten the “symbol of friendship” between Japan and Kazakhstan.

Six days prior to his death, Ten revealed that he submitted an entry to director Timur Bekmambetov’s Screenlife Project competition. His film idea featured a relationship between a young woman who is hearing-impaired and a young man who is speech-impaired. Ten’s fans have asked Bekmambetov—known for his films Ben-Hur (2016) and Wanted (2008)—to make Ten’s movie dream a reality.

“This is an enormous tragedy,” Bekmambetov said. “We will try to make his ideas a reality, so that we can dedicate a film to the talented Ten.”

To say Ten lived a colorful life is an understatement.

Memorials and Civil Funeral Held

In Almaty, Ten’s home city and the place of his passing, citizens want to honor his memory by arranging a crowd-funded memorial at the Medeo High-Mountain Skating Rink.

In a Facebook post, Aziza Utegenova, an advertising agency director said, “What can we do for Denis? I can arrange a crowdfunding. Denis should remain in the history of Almaty. It cannot be otherwise! Our hearts are filled with sorrow! The hero passed away. Young. Handsome. Talented. We need a place to remember everything that he gave to his country! He deserves such a present! We did not save him, let’s at least preserve the memory of him. Let’s not wait. Let’s install a memorial commemorating Denis, not somewhere but at Medeo!”

Aigerim Niyazbekova, Marketing Director at the Medeo Corporation, said, “We absolutely support this idea. The only thing is, it is a state-owned structure, a property of Almaty city. At the moment, we are negotiating with the City Hall. As soon as this initiative is approved, we will decide on the location.”

Meanwhile, Almaty and Astana canceled all entertainment events July 20-22, 2018 to pay respects to Ten. Gakku TV and Toi Duman will broadcast shows in black and white due to Ten’s passing, and radio stations Gakku FM, Love Radio, and Dacha FM canceled their entertainment programs as well.

At 10am on July 21, 2018, Ten’s civil funeral took place at the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in Almaty. In Astana, a “mourning rally” was held at the Barys-Arena. Several well-known Kazakhstani athletes and dignitaries attended the rally, including the Ambassador of Japan, Ichiro Kawabata.

 

We at Kcrush extend our deepest condolences to Ten’s family, friends, and countrymen during this tragic time. He was a young talent taken too soon.

 

 

—-Joelle Halon

 

Would you please introduce yourself to our readers?

Hello, I’m Carmine. I am a rapper, singer and songwriter. I started using the name, “Carmine” when I released my first mix tape, OWN.

Last year in 2017, I also released a single which was titled, “Sorry”.

I originally trained to become a producer, so I also arrange songs and make beats myself.

 

How did you start music?

When I was a university student, I joined a Hip Hop crew and did busking on streets which I grew to enjoy very much.

At the time, I was a rapper and I had just started learning MIDI since I wanted to make my own beats and I wrote lyrics. That is how I started taking songwriting seriously.

 

What would be your favorite song of yours?

The favorite song that I wrote and recorded is a track called, “It’s okay.” (괜찮아 in Korean)

It’s a shame that in many ways, I can feel technical deficiency in the vocals, recording and etc.

However, I poured all my emotions in the most honest way into the song and I am very fond of its lyrics.

 

Which artist or musician do you like the most?

My favorite artist is Henry because he can cover various genres of music. And most of all, I find his voice is very sweet.

In terms of foreign artists, I enjoy listening to 11:11. (11:11 is a singer, songwriter and producer from Toronto, Canada.)

It is somewhat sad that most of his songs are not publicly available in the Korean music association currently.

 

Recommend us a song that you listen to often.

I’d like to recommend Henry’s “I would”. It has been my all-time favorite Henry song since I heard it for the first time.

 

Tell us about your hobbies and interests, these days.

Obviously, my biggest interest is music currently. I try to listen to as much music as possible – various music genres and not just Hip hop and R&B.

I also enjoy going to watch musicals. I go to theaters quite often when I have the time.

I like the fact that I can refresh my mind and get different feelings from listening to other genres of music.

 

Do you have a favorite color or a special fashion code of your own?

My favorite color would be red. I prefer burgundy or maple red, rather than the standard, primary red. And this is where I got the name, “Carmine.”

I am not really into fashion much and I don’t think I have a strong fashion code that I can call my own yet.

 

What kind of person would be your ideal date?

My ideal date would be someone that I can communicate well with, who shares the same interests with me.

I’d like to be able to go to concerts with him and since one of my hobbies is playing games, it would be great if that someone can enjoy games with me as well.

 

What is your favorite food or beverage?

My favorite drink is Milkis. In the past, I loved the beverage so much that I’d drank at least one can a day.

But because I’m trying to drink less carbonated beverages, I haven’t been drinking much of it recently.

 

Recommend us any books, movies or musicals you’ve

*I didn’t get to watch or read anything much these days but I really enjoyed the musical, Aida which I watched at the beginning of the year, 2017.

Since I loved the songs from the musical, I still listen to it frequently.

Since then, I grew fond of musicals and have watched about ten musicals so far.

 

Could you share some of the experiences you had during the “One Summer Night in Seoul” performance in June?

I was the first one to perform and I could not see the audience, so I was quite embarrassed to perform at first.

Because the lighting on the stage was too bright in my eyes, I could not make out much of the audience either.

Every time I paused to comment in between the songs, I think I must have looked very bewildered and nervous.

Of course, I knew the audience were all sitting in their seats but it felt like I was singing in an empty space, a lot of the time.

Nevertheless, the concert was so good and I would definitely want to do it again, if given the opportunity.

 

Where would you most like to travel?

I have dreamt of travelling across the westside of the U.S in a camping car. The only trouble is that I have aviophobia so I am not sure when I would be able to fulfill that dream.

Recently, I visited the Suncheon Bay which was very enjoyable.

However, due to the weather being extremely hot this summer, I couldn’t get around to explore as much as I wanted to so I really want to revisit during the fall.

 

Who do you respect the most in the world and why?

I respect my mother the most – She lives her life in a very positive way and she’s been my rock that I can depend on during all my times of trouble.

She is also the person that I want to take after the most.

I also have respect for Korean singer, Jang Nara – I’ve been her fan since I was young and I see her as a very cool individual.

I want to be able to donate and share much of what I have, just like she does.

 

Let us know about your hopes and goals for the future.

I fell into a deep slump for six months, from the end of last year until the start of this year. Because I was not in a very good state, it was very difficult for me to concentrate on working on any music.

During that period, I didn’t feel well enough to concentrate on my music.

Now that I’ve overcome and fully energized, I would like to do as much as I can from now on.

To put it more specifically, becoming the ‘composer debut’ this year is my goal. I would also like to actively work on both composing and performing.

I want to develop into an artist who can express diverse emotions and feelings through music. I still have a long way to go but I will gradually enhance myself in time.

I would grateful if you would listen and relate to my music. Thank you.

 

 

— J. Chung.

Red house – 긴 밤 (Endless night) MV English Subbed

This Wednesday only series will provide English subtitles on select videos. We hope you will enjoy.

South Korea, widely known and respected for its huge beauty and cosmetic brands has gradually entered the entertainment scene with the country’s styled music genre. With the increasing rise in Korean pop or K-pop, it comes as no surprise that a lot of bands and choreographers are emerging in South Korea. Some of these brands hold a huge fan base and regularly perform in a variety of shows and concerts. When music groups perform to the delight of their fans with an equally well rehearsed and choreographed dance, it’s only natural fans would want to have an idea who is pulling the strings behind the scene. So if Korean dance artists intrigue you and you want to know the Country’s top Choreographers, you’ll find out these and more in this list of top 5 choreographers making waves and gaining traction in South Korea. However, this list is in no specific order of who the best is in K-pop.

1. Keone Madrid

This choreographer gained massive attention when he was credited to be behind the popular move in one of BTS’ songs. The moves were generally overly difficult for even the best professional dancers to perform, and is part of a husband-wife dance team which has performed in a host of international music videos.

2.Ko Kyungjun

Another top K-pop choreographer with a considerable fanbase, Ko Kyungjun was the main artists and leads the DQ Agency Dance Team. The Starship Entertainment affiliated team has allowed Ko to showcase his best talents, gathering massive audience in 2016 as he choreographed two of ASTROS’s title songs and also the choreography for MONSTA X and SISTAR.

3.Kim Tae Woo

Popularly called Kasper, this South Korean choreographer hails from 1 Million Dance Studios and teaches dance at SM entertainment. He made headlines after starring in on SBS’s songs and tours with SM Town. The artist is known to be the brain behind songs from Taemin and has also been featured in numerous K-pop songs with massive audience appeal.

4.Blazer Pyo

Blazer Pyo works with JYP Entertainment and has been responsible for training a large number of the company’s foremost choreographers. He became a topic of discussion after starring in Mnet’s dance show. He has since been featured in other performances, getting more spotlight and has a good fan base to his name.

5.Rocky

Rocky made his mark and sent waves of his choreographic style in many of ASTRO’s songs. He was an assistant choreographer for SBS Inkigayo UDF stage performance and has also been allowed to assume lead roles in the choreography of many ASTRO songs.

Although not exhaustive, this list is just a glimpse into choreographers taking centre stage and gaining massive attention in South Korea’s Genre of Pop music – “K-pop”.  As the music brand gathers more favourites in Asia and larger worldwide fan base, new South Korean Choreographers, bands and artists are sure to emerge and as this happens in the rapidly developing Korean Pop music genre, the list can only grow longer.

 

—-S. Clare

 

015B x 유라(youra) – 나의 머리는 녹색 My Hair Is Green Official M/V English Subbed

This Wednesday only series will provide English subtitles on select videos. We hope you will enjoy.

Netflix has a vast library of K-dramas and J-Dramas worth checking out. One of those dramas is Erased (Boku Dake ga Inai Machi or The Town Where Only I Am Missing), a 12-episode series based on the manga of the same name. For those familiar with the manga, Netflix’s version of Erased is one of many TV and film adaptations. However, it is the best adaptation given how well it follows Kei Sanbe’s manga. The story does not deviate, and key elements—both good and bad—are strongly present.

Erased tells the story of Satoru Fujinuma who experiences a phenomenon called “Revival” that sends him back in time to prevent life-threatening tragedies. After a tragedy, Satoru is sent back to 1988 to work on preventing the recent crime along with other criminal incidents that impacted three people around him.

The well-cast characters provide sweetness, chills, and hints of realism as the story and friendships unfold. While the central relationship is initially between the adult-Satoru (Yûki Furukawa) and Airi (Mio Yûki), young Satoru (Reo Uchikawa) and Kayo (Rinka Kakihara) is the relationship viewers may find themselves rooting for since the young actors do well at subtle acting that play strong roles as the series unfolds.

As for the story, this melodramatic thriller demands attention from beginning to end. Erased is not an empty drama: It does require thinking as each episode lays out a clue as to who committed the crimes that shook Satoru’s small town in the 1980s… a crime-spree that still occurs in the present time and follows Satoru to his new home in the mid-2000s. However, the viewer may figure out who the criminal is quickly, but this will not detract from the overall story.

The story weighs heavily on the importance of friendship along with accepting individuals that society otherwise tosses aside. This is where the beauty of Erased lies: It challenges the viewer to look at others around them to learn their stories and to even help those in need. This motif plays heavy throughout the show as seen in the 1988 sequence. The child actors do well playing off each other as they reach out to Kayo to try to save her, especially since the scenes feature the children in their childlike innocence while trying to navigate very-adult problems such as abuse and intense loneliness. Here, it’s helpful that Satoru still has his adult, 2006-brain intact because it comes in handy with the mistakes the children make in their investigations.

Erased uses stark, amazingly executed cinematography to help with the story. The themes of friendship are a bright spot in a story that relies on betrayal, murder, and circumstance, and the latter themes are often represented by winter, smoke stacks, and vast, frozen landscapes. The scenery shots have feelings of foreboding, so it is easy to tell the mood of a particular episode as the series progresses. The artistic touches make a difference.

The highlights for Erased do lie in the amazing cast and how believable they are in each role. Rinka Kakihara and Reo Uchikawa are splendid as young Kayo and Satoru, while Shigeyuki Totsugi does well at making viewers’ skin crawl as Gaku Yoshiro. The cast makes the show, and that makes up for some of the shortcomings.

And, there are shortcomings, but these issues do not strongly impact the story other than making a viewer roll his or her eyes a bit.

Some may find fault in the show’s pacing, which is understandable considering that the story is condensed into 12, half-hour episodes. The brevity didn’t allow for strong character development, and this could have been a chance to add more details to the characters beyond what the manga presents. Given how Erased is supposed to follow Satoru and how he helps prevent tragedy, it’s expected that he should be impacted in some way and experience stronger growth than what’s portrayed. There are glimpses of development and regret, though, especially since Satoru maintains memories of the old past and new past as well as the old and new present. Here, his actions and reactions with Airi are vital to his character, so it’s important to pay attention to how he interacts with her in both lifetimes Satoru lives.

Of course, the tired trope of falling into a coma is also present. This is an issue with the manga, film, and drama. Yes, the author used this as a plot point to help with the time jump, but it’s not creative. In fact, it’s lazy writing even if it is relevant to the story. This was something that could have been changed for dramatic purposes, but it wasn’t. For those who didn’t read the manga, this will be an annoying plot-point that does scream laziness and lack of creativity given the 12-episode arc. Yes, this is true to the manga, but it’s still irksome.

And, it happens not once, but twice.

Another issue is the final episode which may feel anticlimactic due to the show’s pacing. The showdown between protagonist and antagonist feels completely rushed and like the show needed to be wrapped up in the most dramatically dull way possible. Again, it’s true to the original source material, but more could have been done. Some viewers may feel let down given the buildup to this moment.

Despite the downfalls, the show is, overall, well-done. The downfalls, while annoying, don’t impact the narrative too much. The cast, cinematography, and ability to draw the viewer in for an easy-binge far outweigh the negatives. Overall, Erased earns an 8/10 and should be added to your Netflix watch list.

 

 

—-Joelle Halon

Overview

Chinese Name: 黃景瑜

Star Sign: Sagittarius

Nationality: Chinese

Pinyin: Huáng Jǐngyú (Mandarin)

Born: 30 November 1992

Birthplace: Dandong, Liaoning, China

Ethnicity: Han

Chinese Zodiac: Monkey

Education: Liaodong University

Gender: Male

Height: 187 cm

Weight: 80 kg

Occupation: Actor, model

Years active: 2013–present

Beginnings

Huang Jingyu also known as Johnny Huang is a Chinese actor and model. Born on November 30, 1992, Huang Jingyu first started his career as a model before branching into acting.

2013

Starting in 2013, he appeared several times as a model in the Hunan Satellite TV variety show, “I’m a Great Beauty”.

2016

Huang made his acting debut in the 2016 web drama as Gu Hai in “Addicted”, this show was also known as “Heroin”. The story of this web series was based on the boys love novel “Are You Addicted?”  Unfortunately, the popular web series was eventually banned by SAPPRFT. Due to his extraordinary character in the series, he was called “National Husband” in China.

2017

Huang won many fans in less than a year after becoming famous. It seems like the followers in his Weibo account went from 1 million to 4 million overnight.

The same year, he was cast in his first film, “Guns and Kidneys.”  He also had a supporting role in the fantasy web drama “Demon Girl 2” which provided him the honor of being the “The Most Handsome Nurhaci in History” after he took on the role of Nurhaci.

As his fame grew, Huang went on to become a household name, winning many popularity awards and becoming the first celebrity to be featured on the bank card of the China Merchants Bank.

In December 2017, he was chosen as the first male ambassador of the international brand Pantene.

2018

In 2018, he was appointed as the new spokesperson and ambassador of two perfume brands, Dior Fragrance and Elizabeth Arden.

Later, Huang starred in the patriotic action film “Operation Red Sea” directed by Dante Lam. The film has grossed US$579 million, making it the second highest-grossing film in China.

Huang also has appeared in the popular youth drama film “Wild Grass” and the television dramas “The Thunder” and “The Love Knot: His Excellency’s First Love” in the same year

Johnny loves Jiu-jitsu

Jujitsu is a not very well known sport, which emphasizes self-defense. Competitors control and submit to each other by using their bodies turning and thus earn points. In the end, whoever gets a better position will win the combat. Johnny said that this is similar to playing chess, not only are the skills and physical skills compared, but also the mind (in the strategy). In China, this sport is not very popular, only two men have won the black belt and we’re sure Johnny will do his best to become the third.

Did you know Johnny currently holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu AND has participated in many open tournaments from the BJJ Shanghai Institute? According to Huang, this is a type of martial arts which uses body movements to control the opponent. The game is mainly about strength and finesse, based on taking the control position to win.

Huang Jingyu, likes, dislikes and more!

In his private time, he is 100% an athlete, keeping busy with things such as riding a motorcycle, skateboarding, swimming, boxing, and gymnastics. He loves to listen to Post-rock music when relaxing and even confessed he would like to be alone at times. Being alone allows him to clear his mind and soul and he doesn’t have to think about anything at all. People have spread rumours that he’s addicted to his phone and staying online, but that simply isn’t true. He doesn’t like to be sucked into electrical devices and doesn’t even like to play any online games.

[Photo/Official Twitter account of @H_Johnny92]

[Photo/Official Instagram account of @jingyuhuangjingyu]

The Sagittarius said that he had no plans for the future at all. He was the kind of person who just worked ahead, tried to find the opportunity to do new things, and filming was one of those.

He’s demonstrated his love for himself when talking about which body parts made him the most satisfied saying, “Downwards from the ankle I am satisfied, Upwards from the ankle I feel extremely happy, haha… Hamstrings, shoulders, biceps, face are satisfactory too! “.

He likes spacious and comfortable clothes, he also very keen on Oversize fashion. According to him, wearing what he likes makes him feel confident and look handsome.

He even talked about sex and love! He said “I think love has no limits, limits of race, sex does not exist in the true love. All those who truly love each other should be blessed!”  If that isn’t words from an angel, I don’t know what is!

Latest Accomplishments

2016

• Media Recommended New Idol Award from the 16th Top Chinese Music Awards
• Dream Fashionable Figure Award from Cosmo Fashion for Dream Award Ceremony
• Rising Idol of the Year Award from the 23rd Cosmo Beauty Ceremony
• New Force National Idol Award from the 2016 Netease Attitude Awards
• Promising Idol of the Year Award from the Youku Young Choice Award Ceremony

2017

• Most Popular Promising Newcomer Award from the 2016 Powerstar’s Award Ceremony
• Most Popular Male Artiste of the Year Award from the 2017 Instyle Icon Awards
• New Artiste of the Year Award from the GQ Men of the Year 2017
• Beautiful Idol of the Year Award from the 24th Cosmo Beauty Ceremony
• Entertainment Figure of the Year Award from 8th DoNews Award Ceremony

2018

• Most Commercially Valuable Actor Award from QQ interest tribe “Heart Awards Night”

 

 Watch his most recent drama “Moonshine and Valentine” now on DramaFever

 

—-Suvi Karn

문별 In My Room – [MV] Moon Byul [Eng Sub]

This Wednesday only series will provide English subtitles on select videos. We hope you will enjoy.

The loss of SHINee’s Jonghyun was one of the biggest K-Pop stories of 2017. Over time, the story faded, but that doesn’t mean his loss has been diminished or forgotten. When SHINee made their comeback in May with their first of three releases for their Story of Light EP, fans waited to see how Jonghyun would be honored in the tracks.

SHINee didn’t disappoint as Jonghyun’s presence is felt with each title track and MV, from a friendly little fox (a symbol of the afterlife in some East Asian cultures), five trees, and a rising shadow from a well in “Good Evening” (2:45), to the appearance of Vs (Roman Numeral five) in “I Want You” via SHINee’s leg movements and Taemin’s gestures at the MV’s end. While SHINee maintain their quirks and unique color in their recent tracks, Jonghyun’s absence is felt strongly.

In “Our Page,” SHINee addresses Jonghyun’s loss in the most poetic, visually moving way they could. On the surface, the MV is like any other SHINee MV with the use of bright colors, filters, and funky scenery. The content within the video is still processed, polished, and produced where actions and dances are deliberate and practiced like any other MV; yet, the video feels raw and heartrending as if SHINee’s true emotions are finally allowed to come through.

Compared to “Our Page’s” strong lyrical presence and well-done composition, the video is surprisingly subtle and quiet. The opening sequence hits hard with the remaining SHINee members—Key, Onew, Taemin, and Minho—carrying on their activities with blank expressions. Here, the viewer gets slapped in the face with the reality that Jonghyun is gone as SHINee numbly tries to come to grips with what happened. The video feels like it chronicles the moments and months following Jonghyun’s reported suicide on December 18, 2017. The empty actions such as mindlessly playing on a keyboard, sitting in a weight room, playing games, and preparing for a photoshoot are all acts of going-through-the-motions as a sense of normalcy. These scenes do well showing shock and subtle denial as SHINee, as well as the K-Pop world, attempt to come to terms with the tragedy.

Once the song begins, the action picks up, but each member carries on with the same blank stares even though the actions are not atypical for idols of their caliber. Minho carries on with acting while Key dances; Onew writes and composes; Taemin goes to the gym. Life moving forward was not easy.

As the video progresses, the artistry provides several moving, emotional moments that don’t go unnoticed. The passage of time is reflected beautifully as each member stands still in different rooms where time passes via time-lapse video. While subtle, these scenes capture grief well since each member wears the same outfits as the days pass behind them. One of the common phrases heard during the grief process is that “every day is the same,” and the lack of clothing and emotional changes paints this common feeling well.

Each member’s wandering the streets relates to feeling lost. Their wanderings have no clear direction. The smoky, often dark scenery here enhance the melancholy mood.

However, the MV does take a more hopeful approach midway. One of the most beautiful moments comes during SHINee’s wanderings when the pearl aqua light appears above them. There are two symbols here worth noting: The pearl aqua light, of course, symbolizes Shawols and how they helped SHINee out of the darkness, but it’s also a nod to the “pearl aqua moon” fans claim to have seen the morning of Jonghyun’s funeral. As the video climaxes, pearl aqua light bulbs surround SHINee like shining stars, enhancing the symbolism of Shawol’s presence during their recovery phase. The lights slowly start to glow as SHINee climb the stairs to a stage (a symbol of their first concert without Jonghyun). We finally see a fifth microphone that glows pearl aqua, a sign that even though Jonghyun is no longer here, he is still a member of the group; SHINee will always be five.

The MV is emotional enough on its own, but paired with the lyrics, it makes Jonghyun’s passing real. The song makes several references to Jonghyun and the life he left behind (“I want to fill the pages of this story that isn’t over yet/ Until the very end”) through a generally upbeat electronic track.

SHINee and SM Entertainment songwriter Kenzie wrote the lyrics that reference how much Jonghyun is and will be missed and how SHINee will always be connected (“Can you feel it? We’re connected/ By our hearts that are transparent like invisible string/ When I stand again on the road we walked on together/ There are five overlapping hands, tears and memories/ It’s so clear, I don’t want to forget, I can’t forget”).

In the song, SHINee reference their debut as five (“May 25, 2008/ Boys shining brightly/ Like green waves of spring/ That time will spread and flow forever”), which is a nice nod in a sad-yet-touching song. However, the lyrics that stand out the most are those that have a double meaning:

The pretty words you left behind become a poem, become a song

Our voices are flying, we know it’ll reach you wherever you are

If a star vanishes, will everything be forgotten?

The lyrics are two-fold because they could refer to Jonghyun’s lyric-writing skills (besides his own music, he’s written songs for other artists including Lee Hi), but they could also refer to Jonghyun’s suicide note. The “pretty words you left behind” indicate that Jonghyun’s music will live on, especially when tied to the “our voices are flying…” and “will everything be forgotten” lines, which represent SHINee and other artists singing the songs Jonghyun wrote. Similarly, the “pretty words” could represent Jonghyun’s letter because, while painful and pained, the language was artistic like a poem. The “voices flying” and “it’ll reach you wherever you are” lines seem to reference “you did well,” words Jonghyun said in his letter. In fact, toward the end of “Our Page,” “you did well” can be heard in the background, so it isn’t a coincidence that the lyrics can be interpreted both ways.

“Our Page” is a beautiful, fitting tribute to Jonghyun as it tells the story of the days since his passing. SHINee did well using their music to reveal and release the pain they have. For fans, “Our Page” is a beautiful track that shows that SHINee’s new path will not be without Jonghyun. This song is art and healing in their purest forms, and it’s the track we all needed to help say goodbye and heal.

 

—-Joelle Halon

Oh Min has been a dominant driving force in the Korean hair industry as the top hair designer and beauty director, for the last few decades.  Since 1984, Oh has worked and directed over 45,000 major fashion shows and events in Korea and various other parts of the world. Oh has worked with the world’s most prominent designers, actors, models and K-pop idols.

For this KCrush interview, we wanted to delve deeper into Mr. Oh Min’s fascinating career to discover how he landed his first job in this industry, learn about his fashion insights and so much more. We expect this will be an interesting article for our readers, especially for those wishing to pursue a career in this field. We would like to express our gratitude towards Mr. Oh for offering his precious time in providing us with a great insightful interview. It was such a pleasure meeting him in person and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors. Thank you!

 

 

*Would you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

Hello, my name is Oh Min.

I am a beauty director currently in charge of the hair styling at various fashion shows including Pret-a-Porter Busan, Daegu Collection and Seoul Fashion Week.

 

*How and why did you initially get into the hair styling industry?

This all came by chance. In high school, I was a vocalist in a rock band and very focused in performing and making music.

My band members and I were preparing to compete in the annual University Song Contest which was really popular at the time.

Since we were serious about music, we decided to earn some income by starting our own food store in order to produce better music.

One day, as I was serving a customer, I accidentally splashed food on his outfit. Since I was fully responsible, I immediately apologized in the best way that I could.

The customer then told me he was running a hair salon business nearby and asked me if I’d consider working for him.

At the time – which was the early 80s – it was almost a taboo for a male to work at a hair salon for only female clients. It was literally unheard of. So obviously, I refused.

A few days later, the hair salon owner ordered six bowls of ramen to be delivered and none of us in the band wanted to do the delivery.

We ended up playing rock, paper, scissors to decide which one of us would go and because I lost, I ended up being the one making the delivery to the hair salon.

And I guess, the rest is history.

 

*Why do you think you were offered the position at the time?

I was told much later on that the owner appreciated how polite and sincere I was when I apologized about my blunder.

In those days, they preferred petit people working at hair salons because it might intimidate the female clients if a tall and robust male was to cut and style their hair.

I was quite small in stature back then, so I think he thought I’d be appropriate for the job.

 

*You’ve directed thousands of fashion shows and events so far in your career, which show stays on your mind the most?

I’ve worked at over 4,500 fashion shows thus far. Each fashion show or event that I’ve covered in the past, has been very special to me in their own way.

Because these shows are live, everything needs to be fully set and ready to go.

I’ve worked on various events and shows for Seoul Collection, Seoul Fashion Week, the opening of the 2012 London Olympics and collection shows in numerous countries and those kinds of shows have been very memorable.

Also, when I worked with the French haute couture fashion designer, Jean-Paul Gaultier and international models like Carmen Cass and Karolina Kurkova were also special.

The most memorable events and shows for me – regardless of the scale – are where myself and my staffs are appreciated for our hard work and dedication.

Recently, I did 65 shows in just 5 days at DDT in Seoul. We held continuous meetings with the designers for the past month and I put in my utmost for all every show that I do.

 

 

*What is it like to work with the prolific Korean fashion designer, Lie Sang Bong for so many years?

Mr. Lie Sang Bong knows how to respect the artists he works with which is something that I think very highly of. He has mentioned me in his book, “Fashion is Passion” as well.

In the past, we’ve quarreled a lot because our differences in opinion and direction, but since we’ve worked with each for many years, we now know how to communicate without even having to be verbal. I can’t work with him as much as I did in the past due to my heavy schedule but I am still invited to direct all of his important shows and projects.

I worked with him for the cultural program “All Eyes on Korea,” for the London Olympics in 2012 and the attires are donated to the Victoria and Albert Museum which was very memorable.

I also have utmost respect for Mr. Lie because he oversees everything that represents him.

 

*What kind of qualities should a person have to work in the hair or fashion business?

The beauty industry has evidently changed over the years. It’s no longer just about providing a good service of cutting someone’s hair.

You need more than just a good technique to be considered a good hair stylist, these days.

This is why I encourage my employees and students to learn about subjects that may not be related to just fashion, in order to improve themselves and expand their horizons.

Nowadays, you also need to be able to promote yourself and your work; being savvy on the social network is very crucial too.

Because of the majority of the hair stylists work in salons and cover repetitive schedule – it is important that the person knows to relieve stress while working in a limited amount of space.

The person also really needs to know how to work on self-improvement and have an entrepreneurial mindset.

 

*You’ve worked with so many fashion models from all over the world. Who stays in your mind the most?

I think the preference for the types of fashion models tend to change depending on the era.

There is a Korean model called Yang Ri Ra and when I first met her, she seemed to be incredibly hard-working but she was always unlucky when it came to landing jobs after the last stage of her audition. I found that a pity since I saw a lot of potential in her.

One day, I got fed up with seeing her in her plain bobbed hair so I told her bluntly that she needs a change. She replied that she wasn’t allowed to cut or alter her hair without the consent from her management company. I persuaded her to trust me and sent her along to one of my employees who gave her the haircut that she has today.

From then onwards, Ri Ra is considered one of the top models in Korea. She still thanks me to this day and contacts me frequently.

 

*What do your children think about your profession? Would you be supportive if they wanted to get into the hair industry?

My daughter is into art and sometimes expresses that she wants to do what I do when she’s older because she’s seen me in action and is aware that I am in charge at fashion collections and shows.

At times, she tells me that she wants to become a hair stylist and I ask her what kind she’d like to be.

Because there are two different professions when it comes to hair styling in Korea; being a director at beauty and fashion shows like myself or styling people’s hair at salons.

Being a beauty director may seem like a glamorous job but it’s never an easy thing to work at fashion shows which are always done live.

At one point of my career, I did up to 300 fashion shows per year – along with all the promotions and shooting for catalogs as well.

And at the Seoul Fashion Week recently, I worked on 80 fashion shows in 8 days.

Some may call me crazy, but I enjoy the work even if I get deprived of sleep for months to plan and organize the shows ahead of time.

You really need to put your all into do this kind of work, so I’d be very supportive of my children on whatever they choose to do, if they are ready to commit themselves.

 

*How would you describe Korean beauty and fashion trends? How does it differentiate from other Asian countries, in your opinion?

In the past, Koreans preferred to wear a lot of “white” and clean attire and we also have what you call a “bathing” culture that will differentiate from many other Asian countries.

It’s also true that Koreans have a special tendency to rush things, so that everything will move on faster or enhance within in a short amount of time.

Koreans generally love making changes and improvements.

This ideal also applies for the beauty and fashion trends in Korea. I think Korean hair technology surpasses that of Japan because of such traits.

We don’t like to linger too long on one look or trend and we crave to move forward.

 

*What do you think is the hair trend for 2018?

We try to avoid any styles that may seem too unnatural that shows no individualism or diversity.

We developed two different styles of finger waves that look very natural and wouldn’t seem like you’ve just stepped out of the hair salons.

Being natural is timeless.

 

*What do you like to do in your free time?

I enjoy sports that require a lot of speed, like snowboarding and water skiing. (Even though I’ve gotten myself into several accidents before.)

I spend much of my free time with my children because I am away on trips a lot for work. Since I’m near Namsan; I jog and do a lot of cardiovascular exercise too.

 

*Are you content with what you’re doing right now?

I am ever so happy and content with what I’m doing currently.

I’d definitely be doing the same thing even if I get to live all over again. Not as a regular hair stylist but as a director.

I get to travel the world and doing what I love to do so I can’t ask for anything more.

 

*What are your plans for the future?

I have my own brand of sunglasses recently released, in my name.

I took part in the designing and the great thing is that the eyewear can pretty much suit all types of facial shapes and for both gender.

Because these products are made of titanium, they won’t cause negative effect on the skin and you can wear them all day long and not feel burdened by the weight.

These will be available in most department stores in Korea.

Another project that I am very excited about to share is…

I’ll be working as the beauty director in an upcoming Korean drama called, “Different Dream” starring the Korean actress, Lee Young-ae which airs in 2019 in commemoration of the centenary of the establishment of the provisional Korean government during Japanese colonial rule.

The series will be shot in Mongolia, Shanghai as well as in Korea. I will be taking all my people with me to those countries since this will be a huge project, there will be battle scenes and much work will be required.

 

 

*Do you think the future is bright for Korean fashion and beauty?

I think there is so much that K-Beauty hasn’t been able to show as of yet, but we need to be mindful to fully establish ourselves in the fashion industry.

Currently, the Seoul Fashion Week is doing its best to get into the top 5 Fashion Week. (Right now, the “Big 4 Fashion Weeks” are New York, London, Milan and Paris.)

Since I am in charge of the entire Seoul Fashion week as the beauty director and I see that role as setting the trend for Korean fashion.

I see limitless room for improvement and development, so to answer your question, the future for Korean fashion and beauty is promising.

 

 

— J. Chung.

 

#KoreasFirstBeautyDirector #OhMin #fashion #koreanfashion #koreanbeauty #SeoulFashionWeek #CEOofLovelyandBeauwork #OhMinPerfume #OhMinSunglasses #OhMinHairDesigner #LieSangBong #AllEyesOnKorea #2012LondonOlympics #DifferentDreamKDrama #beautydirector #kcrushinterview

[Eng Sub] Onf Complete

This Wednesday only series will provide English subtitles on select videos. We hope you will enjoy.

If you have ever visited Vietnam, you will see that there are so many different kind of flowers there especially in the summer. In big cities like Hanoi or Saigon, you can easily buy a bunch of beautiful flowers on the street from one of those venders but have you ever wondered what the national flower of Vietnam might be? If yes, I do have the answer for you. It’s the Lotus.

Yes, you probably heard of it, have seen it and yes, even eaten it but now you know that the Lotus flower is Vietnam’s National Flower.

What’s so special about this flower that makes it Vietnam’s National Flower?

Lotus symbolizes beauty, commitment, health, honor and knowledge. Lotus flowers grow from the muddy pond but their seed grows toward the direction of the sun light, which represent the purity of spirit. Lotus is said to be the symbol of summer as it often blossoms in summer time when there is a lot of bright sunlight. At night the flower closes and sinks underwater, at dawn it rises and opens again.

 

The colors have different meanings

Lotus flowers are beautiful in both appearance and smell. The color of lotus flowers are usually pink, red, white, blue and purple, each color has a different meaning but they all have pleasant smells and people simply love them at first sight.

85.5% of Vietnamese people are Buddhist so when people go to the temple to pray they bring pink lotus with them to show a devotion to Buddha

The white lotus represents purity like the beauty of the Vietnamese women.  If you notice you can see that a lot of Ao Dai (Vietnamese women traditional dress) have a lotus flower on them, too like this one:

Blue, with its wisdom and logic, represents enlightenment.

Purple shows spirituality, and green is the color of rebirth. So if you plan on giving the lotus as a gift, make sure you think about what kind of message you wish to send.

The Lotus is part of Vietnamese cuisine

Different parts of the lotus can be used for different purposes: the flowers are used for decoration, praying when you go to the temple or home decorations. The seeds are used for making lotus tea, nutritious healthy foods/deserts and medicine.

Lotus tea is part of many festivals and ceremonies in Vietnam. To make it, you enclose tea in the flower to infuse them with the scent. An alternative method is to bake the stamens – the part of the flower that makes pollen – with the tea leaves in an oven. This process is repeated several times to strengthen the flavor.

While the green leaves are used to wrap delicious dishes like the sticky rice, chicken rice and green rice.

Benefits of the Lotus root

Last but not least, the lotus root. Lotus root has a wide range of health benefits owing to its rich nutritional composition. The benefits include its ability to improve digestion, reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, prevent various forms of cancer, balance mood and relieve depression, increase the blood circulation, and maintain proper enzymatic activity in the body. Knowing that fact, Vietnamese people consider lotus root is a very valuable ingredient when they make the dishes out of it.

While the lotus flower is used for tea, the stem is used in Vietnamese-style salads, called Gỏi. The roasted seeds of young lotus flowers make for a tasty snack as well. Some popular dishes are lotus root snack, lotus root soup, lotus root salad, etc.

The lotus symbolizes Buddhist detachment

As I mentioned, 85.5% of Vietnamese people are Buddhist. For Buddhists, the way that water slides off lotus petals represents the detachment aspect of their faith, which tells them to let go of lusts, cravings and desires. This is one of the reasons why many statues and images show Buddha sitting on a lotus

Since lotus is Vietnam’s national flower, many big corporations chose lotus to be their symbol. One of them is the largest Airlines, “Vietnam Airlines.” Since its original introduction in 2002, “Vietnam Airline’s” Golden Lotus brand has achieved remarkable success, and the distinctive symbol has gained recognition and respect around the world.

In 2015, to enhance the competitive position in the highly-dynamic market, “Vietnam Airlines” took measures to update their Golden Lotus symbol and launched the refresh brand with significant improvements in its infrastructure, operations and fleet. Besides lotus flower, Vietnamese cultural heritage continues to be an important theme for defining, differentiating and enriching the new “Vietnam Airline’s” identity and image.

There is so much more about this beautiful flower to discover. Next time when you visit Viet Nam, remember to pay a visit to the lotus pond and you will definitely be amazed by its beauty.

 

—-Lucy Le