Korean Celebrities who are Biracial or of mixed Korean Heritage

Korean Celebrities who are Biracial or of mixed Korean Heritage

 

 

We’re living in the 21^st century, but it’s still quite rare to find biracial or mixed celebrities of Korean heritage, active in the Korean entertainment industry.

You’ll often see models for commercials, extras in dramas and movies who are biracial or partially Korean – but in order to attain leading roles and become a recognizable in Korea, being a native-level speaker of Korean is a necessity and one of the biggest obstacles for those who want to break into the industry.  

If the entertainers do not have the language ability or adequate communicational skills in Korean, the roles and opportunities he or she would be given, will be very much limited.

The chances of them becoming well-known and successful talents in the Korean entertainment industry will depend on their Korean skills among other conditions.

I’ve selected a short list of biracial or mixed celebrities of Korean heritage who are active in Korea and also added a couple of international big names who are partially of Korean heritage.

 

 

Lee Joon-Kyung, who is known by his stage name Dok2 (pronounced Dokki), is a Korean rapper, producer and co-founder of the Illionaire Records.

Lee’s mother is Korean, while his father is Spanish and Filipino.

 

Daniel Henney is an American actor and model.

Henney was born to a Korean American mother and an American father.

 

Michelle Lee is a Korean singer. Lee was born and raised in Korea by her mother.  She was born to a Korean mother and African-American father.

 

 

Kolleen Park is an American-born musical director, conductor and actress.

Park was born in the U.S. to a Korean father and an American mother of Lithuanian descent.

 

 

Ha Hee-ra is a Korean actress and former child actor, who was born in Korea to a Taiwanese immigrant father and a Korean mother.

 

Natasha Shanta Reid who is best known by her Korean name Yoon Mi-rae, is an American-born Korean rapper and singer.

She was born in Texas to a Korean mother and an African-American father, but was mostly raised by her mother in Korea.

 

 

Kim Su-jung is a Korean child model and actress.

She was born to a Korean father and a mother who is half Korean and Uzbek.

 

 

Jeon So-mi is a Canadian-Korean singer based in Korea. She was born to a Dutch-Canadian father and a Korean mother.

 

Sean Richard Dulake is an American actor and director, born to a British father and a Korean mother but was brought up in Los Angeles. He’s known to be first cousins with Korean actor, Lee Byung-hun. 

 

 

Ameriie Mi Marie Rogers, who is known as “Ameriie” is an American singer, songwriter, author and record producer.

She was born to a Korean mother and African-American father. When she was a few months old, the family lived in Korea for three years.

 

Hansol Choi, better known as Vernon, is one of the rappers from the Korean boy group SEVENTEEN. His mother is American and his father, Korean.

 

 

Lee Dong-jun (born Daniel Sandrin) is an American-born Korean basketball player. His elder brother, Eric followed him to Korea and in 2009 also naturalized as a Korean citizen. The brothers were born to an American father and a Korean mother.

 

Insooni is a Korean singer who was born to an African-American father and a South Korean mother. She was born and raised in Korea by her mother.

 

 

Chanel Iman is an American fashion model was born in Atlanta, Georgia and grew up in California. Her mother is Korean and her father is African-American.

 

 

Pascal Dior is a fashion model, bodybuilder and actor who was born to a French-German father and a Korean mother.

 

 

Joo Hyun Mi is a Korean foxtrot singer, whose father is Taiwanese and her mother, Korean.

 

 

 —– J. Chung.

블랙식스 BLACK6IX 쓸쓸해 Alone MV

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

 

A new female K-Pop trio, Honey Popcorn, debuted March 21, 2018 with their mini album Bibidi Babidi Boo. The all-Japanese member group, comprised of members Yua Mikami, Miko Matsuda, and Moko Sakura already have Netizens and international K-Pop fans talking, but not in a good way. The trio, who are under the Kyun Create label, are Japanese Adult Video (JAV) stars, which is what people focus on more than the members’ other career notes.

While it should be noted that Yua Mikami (Momona Kitō) is an award-winning porn actress (she has two DMM Adult Awards and one Adult Broadcasting Award), she is also a former member of SKE48 (a sister group of AKB48) and a current second-generation member of the AV idol group Ebisu Muscats. Miko Matsuda (Okada Risako) is a former member of NMB48 Kenkyuusei (another AKB48 sister group), while Moko Sakura (Ito Yuu) is a former member of Bakusute Sotokanda Icchome. Porn isn’t the only industry the girls were involved in as they do have singing and idol backgrounds. However, the porn aspect is problematic in Korea where porn is illegal. However, this doesn’t stop the sexualization of idols in an attempt to attract young women and uncle fans willing to spend the money, but this, apparently, is okay.

 

 

K-Pop fans have protested the group’s debut, even causing Kyun Create to cancel Honey Popcorn’s debut showcase on March 14, 2018. Fans’ protests include reasons like K-Pop’s direct influences on youth such as encouraging donations and visiting friends and family, so having “former AV stars” debuting may encourage young Koreans to join the porn industry. In one remark, Netizens hypocritically pointed out how Honey Popcorn’s debut will lead to virtual harassment. Regardless of if the girls are porn stars or not, K-Netz are no strangers to harassing idols, even over something as minor as an idol reading a feminist novel or constantly criticizing someone’s weight. JAV careers aside, even if Honey Popcorn were former nuns or bunny trainers, they would still be picked apart by K-Netz because it’s an unfortunate part of idol culture. 

The fact that the girls are JAV actresses shouldn’t even be news. While the porn industry is often frowned upon, those in the industry have a career just like anyone else. The career choice should only be scrutinized if actors or actresses or forced into it.

Overall, it’s hypocritical to criticize Honey Popcorn for their backgrounds, especially since the overall Asian idol machine is based upon sexualizing idols. Then, there’s the behind-the-scenes actions that take place in the music industry that no one wants to talk about, and that is a bigger issue than someone’s willing choice to act in adult videos or become a nude model.

However, does anyone realize how many members of AKB48 and its sister groups graduate to the adult film scene (Tokyo Kinky covers this on their site; source is not linked due to nudity)? While it’s not clear if this is a willing choice, and while there’s possibly no direct correlation between AKB48 and its related groups, how many former idols end up in the porn industry due graduation or because groups failed, prior sexual abuse within the industry, or former idols and/or trainees need to pay back training costs to the companies that signed them? Depending on the type of porn or nude modeling, the career turn can be lucrative, but starring in AV roles isn’t more problematic than the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry.

 

Missing the Bigger Issue

Netizens criticizing Honey Popcorn are picking the wrong battle, especially those who say their debut spits in the face of the #MeToo Movement. These are the people who are missing the bigger picture by focusing on a Red Herring, and thus missing the point of #MeToo and #TimesUp.

In the Asian entertainment industry, like with Hollywood, sex is rampant. In an industry where young girls are fetishized to attract male fans, AV stars re-debuting as a K-Pop group is relatively sane compared to what many go through in the Asian entertainment world.

The Asian entertainment industry has had a long history of sexual abuse. In recent years, ex-trainees and former idols have began to discuss the issues in the industry but under the guise of anonymity. In 2013, an ex-trainee talked to JTBC about the sexual abuses in the K-Pop industry.

“When I belonged to an agency, even though I was a minor, I was often asked to be present at a bar. In truth, there are agencies that function more like brokers that trade female trainees to different sponsors,” the ex-trainee said.

In the same interview, a broker who helped set up meetings between trainees and sponsors said, “To meet a female trainee, a sponsor would be charged on average approximately 220.00 USD per meeting. If they want to meet a very young female or someone from a prominent agency, they may be charged 700 to 900.00 USD. A sponsor must make a reservation at least a day ahead, and only those that are already on broker’s customer list can get a meeting.”

 

Like Korea, Japan, too, has a history of brokers who negotiate prices for their idols in exchange for sexual favors. After the singers graduate or retire from their idol groups, some speak out about the abuses they face, some even describing forceful rape by older men. Young trainees and stars are expected to perform sexual favors in order to “kickstart” their careers, pay training fees, and have educations paid for during their pre-debut years. According to Shohei Sakakura, the author of AKB48 and the Black Companies, sexual abuse and exploitation are “an open secret” in the Japanese idol and entertainment industry: Everyone knows about it, but no one wants to talk about it, but they certainly want to engage in it. Female idols, often clad in cute “Lolita” outfits, sing and dance for the masses—especially older men—who fawn over their every move. In some cases, young idols even perform in Tokyo’s Red Light District of Kabukicho, adding another seedy layer to an already problematic industry.

Sexual favors and the mistreatment of minors is not exclusive to Japan and Korea, as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China also have former idols—both male and female—who’ve come forward to tell their stories, albeit, anonymously.

Over the years, scandals have come out pointing to the larger issue in the Asian idol machine. One of the biggest and most known is the Open World Entertainment scandal involving CEO Jang Seok-woo and the charges he repeatedly sexually abused six female trainees (he admitted to the charges) since 2008. In the court documents, police state the young women were also drugged and abused by members of a male idol group.

Another case involves the 2009 suicide of Boys Over Flowers actress Jang Ja-Yeon. Jang, who was 29 at the time of her death, wrote letters documenting years of abuse caused by her agent Kim Sung-hoon (Kim has also been accused of molesting a male model in Japan). According to Chosun, in her letters, Jang wrote that she was forced into performing sexual services for 31 high profile men on over 100 occasions. In her writings, Jang also revealed the names of those men, a list that includes producers, financial executives, and journalists, and that if she did not comply to these acts, her agency threatened to sue for breach of contract.

Out of the 31 people named, only six were prosecuted.

In 2018, Variety reports Jang’s suicide case* may be reopened for investigation and is pending a ministry ruling. The #MeToo movement and a petition may be responsible for the motion for another investigation.

Along with Jang, others have been tied to sexual harassment cases and prostitution within the industry.

 

In 2010, Taiwanese singer and former 3EPBeauties (3EP美少女) member, Estrella Lin, made accusations that her agency, AntzStar and CEO Phillip Choi attempted to pimp her out to investors while she attempted to have a career in South Korea. Lin ‘s accusations include false imprisonment and that male and female entertainers are equally pimped out to potential investors. In a book she wrote about her experiences, Lin states that sexual favors and “sponsorship” are a rule, not an exception.

Lin’s accusations have been met with some dissonance. A fellow trainee, Cherry, pushed back in a Gossip Queen interview stating Lin was the one actively seeking sponsors and that was not pimped out. Lin has responded by not backing down from her claims.

In 2015, male idol group 5tion (pronounced “Ocean”) filed a lawsuit against their then-Japanese agency’s, Yewon Entertainment, CEO “Mrs. Hong” for sexual harassment and dissemination of pornographic material. In their claim, 5tion stated that Hong shared pornographic videos and images via instant messenger, touched the members inappropriately without permission, and told sexually explicit jokes.

In 2016, several actresses and singers were wrapped up in a prostitution scandal. Among those speculated, Korean-Canadian singer G.NA was confirmed to be involved in the sponsorship scandal. During the investigation, G.NA stated she was fooled into prostitution by her broker, who arranged meetings between her and a Korean-American businessman. Besides G.NA, three others were identified as being female prostitutes. According to Seoul Central District Court’s public documents, the others accused include Lee Harin of the former girl group Sugar, beauty pageant contestant Choi Eun Young, and up-and-coming celebrity Lee Min Ji. In addition to the four women, an entertainment label director identified as Kang and a staffer identified as Park were charged with illegal prostitution of female celebrities, and two “Johns” by the names of Choi and Park were also charged.

Despite G.NA’s claims, and despite overwhelming evidence and claims by other celebrities who’ve had similar experiences, fired-up Netizens called for G.NA’s deportation and skewered her online, showing the typical hypocritical nature toward idols while blatantly ignoring the larger issue in the industry: Idols, actors, and actresses are being sold for sex, and everyone continues to look the other way.

 

In Defense of Honey Popcorn

To say Honey Popcorn goes against #MeToo is wrong, especially if the members willingly chose the AV career. If no one forced the members into it, then they made a career choice they felt was right for them. With this, their career choices—even if controversial—shouldn’t prevent them from pursuing singing careers if it is something they want to do. If they sing and have AV careers at the same time, so what? It’s not a big deal.

Honey Popcorn’s debut is not a problem, and they should be allowed to sing and perform. Their activities in Japan are separate from their Korean activities. Yes, they show up in searches for porn when researched, but in a country where porn is banned, the results would be filtered anyway. Honey Popcorn won’t bring about civil disobedience or cause people to enter the porn industry in droves. If anything, especially on the international side, they should bring about conversations about sexuality, what should be considered sexually healthy, and maybe even why it’s wrong to objectify men and women in potentially harmful ways. People should be able to separate Honey Popcorn Korean music group from Yua, Miko, and Moko the Japanese porn stars. The girls can separate the two career objectives, so regular audiences should be able to do so too.

Focusing on Honey Popcorn and trying to stop them is a form of control many K-Pop fans feel they have and should have. Fans feel they own the air idols breathe, but instead of trying to assert control over people, they should try to channel that energy into changing the overall Entertainment Machine for the better.

K-Pop fans, if they want to get in a twist about someone’s non-kosher career choice, should really look into the K-Pop industry and the Asian music industry as a whole because there are many problems that people willingly ignore that need to be changed. Young people go into the industry hoping to become stars, but the dark underbelly exists that suggests their bodies should be sold and manipulated to get anywhere in life.

Where are the cries for banning the industry in order to get laws changed to prevent sexual abuse and prostitution of male and female trainees and stars?

There are none.

If there are some, the cries are too quiet.

Focus needs to shift on the true issues in the industry so the idolized stars can pursue their dreams in safe environments and so aspiring entertainers can avoid the perils those before them face or have faced. Honey Popcorn’s debut is a false issue masking the darker issues no one wants to address.

Shift your focus, people. Honey Popcorn is not the real issue.

*In 2019, Jang Ja-Yeon’s case has been reopened.

 

—-Joelle Halon

As it has been announced that a new Kdrama with Hyun-Bin and potentially Park Shin Hye, in the lead female role, will begin filming sometime in the second half of 2018 in Granada, Spain, we thought it would be nice to provide a bit of history about the literal title of the drama, “Memories of the Alhambra.” In the northwest direction of Spain’s highest peak, Sierra Nevada, there lies a pearl, the Alhambra Palace. In 899, this World Wonder was first built as a fortress, after being abandoned for hundreds of years, the Moors from North Africa rebuilt it and turned it into a royal palace. Alhambra represents the perfect combination of Arabian architecture and garden art. It is an Islamic footprint in this Catholic country, a mark of the Moors’ history.

Much history about the Moors has been lost and some say purposely destroyed, thus who were the Moors? It is stated that they lived all over the world before/after Christ’s time and descendants still live today, designed great structures and much more. In 1984, the UNESCO listed Alhambra as a World Heritage Site. Many movies, songs and poems were born from there.

Behind the filigree walls, the history of Alhambra started in the late 8th century, when the Moors came into power in the Iberian Peninsula, and most specifically in Granada. Although the fortress they built wasn’t in use for long, it became the foundation of the future palace. From 1002 to 1031, due to the infighting of Caliphate of Córdoba, the state fell into a number of small Muslim kingdoms. The Emirate of Granada was one of them. The Nasrid Dynasty took over this little kingdom in 1236, and two years later, the Alhambra project was on.

(Court of the Myrtles)

Among all the palaces, gardens and bathhouses, there are two main areas that stand out: Court of the Myrtles and Court of the Lions. In 1333, Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada built Court of the Myrtles and its surrounding palaces, opening a new chapter to Alhambra as a royal palace. However, Yusuf I was murdered at the age of 36. His 16-year-old son, Muhammed V, became the new Sultan in 1353. During his 39 years in charge, there were 3 years he was forced into exile. He learned different architecture styles from different places and built Court of the Lions upon return. Generalife, the summer palace of Sultan, was later connected to Alhambra, providing it with flowing water. Until this point, Alhambra has been successfully transformed from a fortress into a living complex.

(Court of the Lions)

Unlike many other historical sites, Alhambra was not a product of a kingdom’s prosperity, but a witness of the endless Islamic royal murder, the decline of a dynasty, and the end of a history. It is said that 36 most brave warriors were killed here because the king doubted about their loyalty. In 1492, the last Sultan of Granada surrendered to the Catholic kingdom, putting an end to the ruling of Muslim in Spain.

The most fortunate thing is that the new king did not destroy this art treasure. Instead, it became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella. It was from here that Christopher Columbus received financial support for his expedition; it was this expedition that revealed the Age of Discovery and made Spain the first world colonial empire. In the hands of Catholicism, Alhambra has seen some partial changes and new Renaissance buildings around it, such as the Palace of Charles V. However, no matter how different it may look from the past to today, the history it has seen, the stories it could tell, would be ever-lasting.

The plot of “Memories of the Alhambra” sounds like fun, so we say much success to the cast and crew and we are looking forward to watching!

—-Lizzy Ren
*pictures from online sources

Seonozzi WAY Feat Lee Michelle 이미쉘

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

Over the years, South East Asia has become one of the most popular travel destinations for visitors from all over the world. Popular due to the amazing diversity of things to do, South East Asia is a fun and affordable destination to travel to.

Within South East Asia, you will be amazed by the variety of activities on offer. Whatever you are looking for, you’re bound to find it in South East Asia! Because of this, it is a destination that you can return to many times and never see the same thing twice.

The biggest difficulty can be narrowing down what you want to see! To help, here are our top picks for things to do:

1.  See the sunrise at Angkor Wat (Siem Reap, Cambodia)

Built over 1,000 years ago, the magnificent Angkor Wat temple is the largest religious structure in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of many temples near Siem Reap, it is best viewed at dawn when the sunset is beautiful as it rises majestically above the temple complex. Spend the rest of the day exploring the other temples in the area, such as the Bayon and Ta Prohm.

2. Island hop in Thailand

Thailand is one of the most diverse and interesting countries in the world! Every year, travellers flock to its beautiful islands, where you can relax and swim at the beautiful beaches, as well as enjoy the many shops, restaurants and bars. Some of the most popular islands include Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi and Koh Phi Phi.

3. See the Giving of the Alms in Laos (Luang Prabang, Laos)

A beautiful and moving experience to watch, every morning the Laotian people offer food to the thousands of Buddhist monks who live in the beautiful town of Luang Prabang. It’s amazing to see the long line of orange-clad Monks collect the alms. Just remember to be respectful, such as by remaining silent and not using flash photography.

4. Ha Long Bay (Vietnam)

Another truly spectacular sight is the enticing Ha Long Bay, which you can visit via a relaxing and picturesque boat ride through the striking landscape. Make sure you bring your camera!

5. Komodo National Park (Indonesia)

South East Asia has many amazing animals, but one of the most incredible are the ancient-looking Komodo Dragons. Get up close and personal with them at this National Park in Indonesia, recently voted as one of the 7 Wildlife Wonders of the World. There is also great hiking and diving in the Park.

6. Eat as much as you can in Penang, Malaysia

One of the many amazing places to eat delicious and traditional food in South East Asia is Penang. Enjoy traditional dishes at the many fabulous restaurants, and also have a tasty snack from one of the many street food stalls. Make sure you try an Asam Laksa and Mee Goreng!

7. Jump into Kuang Si Falls (Luang Prabang, Laos)

One of the most beautiful natural sites in South East Asia is the spectacularly blue Kuang Si Falls, an incredible waterfall complex. Nearby is the Free the Bears sanctuary, where you can admire some adorable bears who were rescued from the bile trade.

8. Do a yoga class in Ubud, Bali

Famous after receiving a mention in the popular book Eat, Pray, Love, Ubud, Bali is a great place to recharge the soul, with many vegetarian cafes and classes, as well as beautiful temples and spectacularly rice fields to explore. It also has many yoga classes, where you can just drop in for one or two classes.

9. Visit a floating market (Bangkok, Thailand)

Enjoy the amazing colours, sounds and smells of the popular floating market in Bangkok. You’ll be amazed at the variety of produce that is available, and how well the locals navigate aboard a boat. It’s a wonderful and fascinating experience.

10. See the Batu Caves (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Take a break from the hectic pace of Malaysia’s fabulous capital Kuala Lumpur, and head out to the beautiful Batu Caves. Here, you can get some exercise as you hike up to admire the limestone clif faces which are dotted with caves. Many of these have been converted into temples, so this is a place of great cultural and environmental beauty.

There are many wonders in South East Asia, but this is our pick for the best of them all. South East Asia is a wonderful, safe and enchanting place that offers so much to travellers of all ages and interests. Whether you want a relaxing beach break where you can forget all your worries, or alternatively prefer an adventurous holiday with lost of adrenaline activities, South East Asia is the perfect destination.

 

—Georgie Eileen

A visit to Cambodia’s World Heritage Temples of Angkor complex is understandably high on the list for many travellers. Get to know a little about the history, meaning and features of its most renowned and iconic temple, Angkor Wat, then start planning that once-in-a-lifetime trip with some very useful tips will make your trip even better.

General knowledge about Angkor Wat

Stretching over some 400 square kilometres, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire of the 9th to the 15th centuries, including the largest pre-industrial city in the world. The most famous are the Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations .
Angkor Archaeological Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992. At the same time, it was also placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to looting, a declining water table, and unsustainable tourism. UNESCO has now set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings.

How to get around?
Angkor is located about 20 minutes to the north, by car or motorbike, from central Siem Reap.

– Tour buses feature guided, air-conditioned comfort but also are subject to large crowds and lack of options. Be sure you know which temples are being visited as some of the larger buses only go to the 2 or 3 main tourist attractions, and leave out important “secondary” sights. The cost is about USD25-70/day including driver and guide.

– Cars with drivers can be hired for single or multiple days. While all drivers are familiar with the area and happy to suggest good routes, most speak little English and are not tour guides. For a licensed tour guide, the charge varies from US$45 per day to USD$50 for a driver and English speaking guide. It is customary for the drivers to ask for USD$5-$10 extra for trips to further temples such as the those of the Big Circuit, Banteay Srey and more for remote sites like Beng Mealea.

Taxis booked from the airport booth to central Siem Reap charged a fixed price of USD$7 and included fliers advertising cars and drivers for Angkor Wat at USD$30/day.

– Motorbikes (with drivers) can be arranged through any guesthouse for about USD$6-$8/day. Again, drivers might ask for more to visit remote ruins. Some drivers can speak a bit of English, and can give you information about Angkor and Cambodian life. Drivers are required to be licensed and must wear their grey numbered vest while travelling within the confines of the Angkor park. Motorbikes can be rented by foreigners (cost: USD$10-$15 / day). It is recommended to carry a map with you in case of renting a motorbike.

– Tuk tuks can be arranged through guesthouses, offering space for one or two travelers. Figure on USD$12 for the main Angkor temples, and more for outlying temples. Like the motorbike drivers, they must be licensed, may speak some English, and must wear grey numbered vests while travelling within the park. Add USD$3 extra fee if you would like to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat. Extra fee is for the tuk tuk driver to start the tour at 05:00 instead of 08:00.

It is strongly advised to use a tuk tuk recommended by the hotel, otherwise you can be scammed badly.
– Bicycles are a very convenient option to visit Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, the little circuit or even the big circuit – depending on time you have and how big fan of Khmer temples you are. Renting a bike in Siem Reap is easy and cheap (USD$1 per day, in most of places you don’t even have to leave passport, locks for bikes are provided, check the bike before and ask for some amendments if needed, eg, pumping air, oiling the chain). It is about 6km from the city to Angkor Wat (if you go first time, make sure you go by the Visitors Centre which is the only place where you can buy passes). In the little circuit most places are at most 15 minutes away from each other by bike, so it is actually not a problem for a regular tourist (without much biking experience) to visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and spots on the little circuit in one day.

What are real tips when visiting Angkor Wat?

– Be ready to walk
There were no elevators in the 12th century, and there certainly are none there now. The full experience requires a good deal of walking and stair climbing. Don’t whine — this is one of the most incredible experiences anywhere in the world. Going a bit deeper might just put you beyond the reaches of that busload of tourists that just pulled up and make the experience that much more memorable. You’ll encounter staircases, long paths to enter and exit temples, plus all of the walking around inside each one.

Additionally, many of the popular temples are far apart and require driving in between. This often leads to a number of impulse stops to check out other temples on the way, maybe buy a refreshment or hit the restroom. Be ready for a full day.

– Make sure you start early, and pack for multiple days of adventure.
Literally you could spend a month exploring Angkor and still not feel like you’ve seen it all. At about 400 square kilometers, Angkor is impossible to experience in one day. Tickets are available in 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day options, and I encourage you to spend at least three days there.

Arriving early morning puts you ahead of the crowds and offers an opportunity to snap photos without having to spend five minutes figuring out how to frame out that line of tourists causing a traffic jam on the staircase. It also makes it much easier to plot out what you want to see over the course of your visit, as you’ll get a feel for how spread out the temples are and which ones are must-dos and which ones are maybes.
On a side note, you may feel “templed out” afterward. If other temple sites are part of your Southeast Asia travel plans, it’s best to space them out a bit (unless you’re a fanatic, in which case the 7-day pass is right up your alley).

– Skip sunrise at the main temple

I know.. It’s beautiful but For real. It’s crowded! While breathtakingly beautiful, it’s hardly the only perfect sunrise spot in the complex. We shared our desire to view the sunrise at Angkor Wat with our driver, and he insisted that we instead take a twenty-minute hike up a path he knew about to an often-overlooked temple. We nearly had the place to ourselves, and it ended up being the most memorable sunrise experience of my life.

– Bringing your own food and water
The temples are removed from central Siem Reap. It’s possible to buy food and water from local vendors on site, but much easier to bring your own.

-Bring a guidebook, even if traveling with a guide.

There’s simply so much knowledge to take in that it’s overwhelming without having a reference at your fingertips. Each temple has a story.

There are plenty of hawkers selling guidebooks onsite if you forget to plan ahead. Just be ready for a long chat if you’re feeling indecisive, as they aren’t keen on taking “no” for an answer.

– Best time to go
It is possible to visit Angkor Wat at any time of year, but peak season is from November to February, when the weather is dry and cooler, although it’s still hot for most. The best time of day is sunrise when it is cooler but crowded, or lunchtime when most of the tour groups are in town.

—Lucy Le

On Saturday, March 24 South Korea’s catwalks and trendsetters converged at Dongdaemun Design Plaza for the last day of Hera Seoul Fashion Week 2018. The global fashion event is held twice a year in March and October, providing designers of all caliber with the opportunity to compete with the likes of London, Milan, New York and Paris. Our V.I.P. access was for the kiok (키옥) fall/winter 2018 collection and it did not disappoint.

Kiok is curated by Kiok Kang and her daughters Crayon Lee and Coco Lee. Creative Director Crayon and Head Designer Coco infuse New York style with the sleek looks of Seoul effortlessly in their collections. Upon entering the runway show, classic American jazz played boldly over the speakers. The setting was serene with soft lighting yet cosmopolitan. We were transported to New York City. And whether the sisters realized it or not, having buyers, trendsetters and everyone in between sprinkled around the u-shaped catwalk was as if their official kiok Instagram account had come to life — black, grey, denim and, if absolutely warranted, a splash of color. Checking their social media account could do nothing to prepare spectators for what would happen once the lights when down.

The stark white catwalk carpet had its plastic covering gently, yet swiftly, snatched off and all went black. The jazz music faded out. Suddenly, Quay Dash’s “Queen of this S**t” thumps through the speakers, pumping and New York-underground raw. The tempo and NSFW lyrics sets the tone for the first model’s fierce-as-hell stride from backstage. The show’s begun! Arrogant, edgy pieces stride the runway. American urban style meets classic fashion cuts head on in muted browns, unpretentious plaids and denim combinations that made onlookers eyes wide. Sweatshirt textures smashed together with open, obvious stitching that was refreshing. What presented as a straight cut would be synced with ruffles or tight pleats. Shoulder pads were prominent but not in that 1980s stereotypical “revitalized” fashion. The styles look like what you could make but can’t pull off.

Music from LeiKeli47 takes us into the middle and final portion of the show, shouting to the rafters, “So what I got an attitude,” and “Baby, it’s a look” over simple kit drums. The young women on the runway (with one natural haired black woman, to boot!) sashayed off and returned for their final walk in full body clear plastic garment bags over their outfit. The audible gasp from the audience was an unforgettable moment when they stormed out! kiok does ready-to-wear that demands confidence from its wearer. No wonder stars like Heize love it!

Learn more about kiok

Website | Instagram

 

Contributing Writer – Ashley Griffin

Ashley is a diverse writer, blogger, and YouTube Personality. Find “Multifacetedacg” on YouTube and shoot her a message on Twitter

 

Image credit: Sydney P. Davis
https://www.instagram.com/sydthekid7675/

Sihanoukville (Krong Preah Seihanu), formerly Kompong Som is a seaside town featuring Cambodia’s best-known beaches. Some tourists refer Sihanoukville as Snookyville or even Snooky, though none of the locals know the term Snookyville or Snooky.

Sihanoukville is the country’s main seaside destination and acts as a gateway to close-by idyllic undeveloped islands such as Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem. Attracting a much lower number of tourists than neighboring Thailand, Sihanoukville is popular for its natural beauty and largely untouched beaches. With plenty to see and do, Sihanoukville is one of the greatest cities to explore when in Cambodia.

How to get to Sihanoukville?

You can easily get in Sihanoukville by plane, bus, taxi, boat, train or even by helicopter (if you are willing to pay >$1000 for your transportation). More commonly are by plane and by bus. The airport is located 17km to the east of town, on the edge of Ream National Park and you can even fly from Malaysia or Vietnam. If you have more time to travel, you can take the bus, it is cheaper but it’s sure a much longer trip. You can also get there from Phnom penh or Siemriep or even from Ha tien province, Vietnam. The ticket for the bus is about $10-$15 depends on where you get the bus.

How to get around Sihanoukville??

Distances between the beaches are a little too long to walk comfortably, but getting around is easy, as the roads are wide and bike taxis (motodop) are everywhere. The standard price is US$1 per trip, although expect to haggle at night or if the distance is long. They’ll gladly pile on two people and their luggage too. For larger groups, car taxis can be called up by phone (flat US$5 to most places around town).

There are dozens of the ubiquitous tuk-tuks around the new bus station and the accommodation areas. They are some of the most persistent and over-charging drivers in Cambodia; they have formed an “association” for price fixing – a trip to the bus station, US$2 in Phnom Penh, costs US$3 if your bus company pays but they will hit you for US$6 if you arrive at the bus station and want to go to the beach. If you have decided where you will stay it can help to call for a pick up; even if it is not free, it may save you some overcharging.

Things to do in Sihanoukville?
There are so many fun things that you can do here but these are the most common activities that tourists wish to do.

* Scuba Diving
There are many islands off the Cambodian coast that have lots of coral and fish. All the dive boats in Cambodia leave from the Sihanoukville port area. There are 4 PADI Dive Centres, one of which, Scuba Nation PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre, provides a range of diving and snorkeling services, day trips. The Dive Shop, another PADI 5 Star National Geographic dive center, offers island based bungalows as well as over night trips to the outer islands. EcoSea Dive, offers SSI courses as well. The newest dive centre, Island Divers, also offers various diving services. Angkor Dive is also based on Koh Rong Samloem who offer over night trips to the island to not only dive, but also to experience the traditional way of life in a Khmer fishing village. The main scuba diving area is at Koh Rong Samloem Island located 14 miles offshore, as well as at Koh Tang Island 35 miles from Sihanoukville. Overnight trips are necessary in order to reach Koh Tang. There is also some shallow diving at Koh Tas some 6 miles from Sihanoukville, but it’s mostly reserved for when the weather is too rough to get all the way to Koh Rung Sanloem. The best diving Cambodia has to offer is the overnight trips to the Koh Tang Group, where large pelagic are seen regularly and visibility is double what you will find at the closer sites. Two dive day trips usually range from US$59-85, overnight trips US$185-325 all inclusive.

* Snorkeling

Many restaurants at Serendipity Beach advertise a snorkeling trip for US$15, but most are unable to properly explain what their offer includes, but most will be the same trip organized by one of the travel agents which includes breakfast at the beach, a visit to two snorkeling spots and a three hour lunch break at Koh Ta Kiev. If you are serious about your snorkeling, you should consider going with one of the three scuba diving shops to ensure you get proper gear.

* Kayaking
Marina Road Otres 2. Kayaking the mangrove lined Ou Trojak Jet river is a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of the beach, this short river can be easily kayaked in a day with several stopping points for refreshments. At the source are the Monks Water Garden and the Otres Pagoda.

Mini Golf
Mollie Golf Mini Golf, Wat Kraom, Victory Hill 12pm to 6pm and by appointment. Enjoy an afternoon playing 18 holes of Mini Golf in a garden setting in the countryside of SihanoukVille. Included are the classic windmill hole, the SihanoukVille Golden Lions hole, and the Ream Island water hole. Free entry to the gardens and drinks are included. Private parties are welcome at $3 to $4 per person.

If you think these activities above are too much, you can find a spot and relax on the beach or go get a massage, do some shopping for souvenirs at the shopping area downtown. I am sure whatever you decide, you will have a very fun time.

Food and Drinks
For food and drinks, along the beaches, especially at Ochheuteal Beach, there are many food stalls and some restaurants serving grilled, meat, chicken and seafood with chips/fries and a beer for US$3-4. There are a good many restaurants in town as well. Sihanoukville has a surprisingly diverse set of cuisines.

For drinks, the trend on Serendipity Beach is to advertise with permanent ‘Happy Hour’, which usually implies cocktails for US$2-2.5 and draft Anchor beer for as little as US$0.50-0.75. The latter is only recommendable if you don’t mind drinking it with ice, however, as it’s often not as cold as it should be.

—Lucy Le

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In mainstream K-Pop, band-type girl and co-ed groups are hard to come by with many of them failing to gain traction. Often, the groups end up disappearing into obscurity.

In 2017, Rolling Culture One’s five-member girl group, Marmello—which is considered an Indie group despite their poppy sound— officially debuted with a band concept, a risky move in a competitive market that’s not kind to band-concept girl groups. The members, guitarist Choi Yuna, bassist Kim Do Eun, leader, keyboardist, and synth Yoo Da Eun, drummer Jeon Ga Eun, and vocalist/maknae Kim Hyun A, face a tough climb in the K-Pop industry, but their talent shines in the three singles released since their debut: The debut track, “Puppet,” their second single, “Can’t Stop,” and their March 2018 release, “Wake Me Up.”

Marmello have been together since 2014. The girls attended high schools in the same district, which is where they are believed to have met (how the group formed has not been addressed by the members or their company at present). Between then and their debut, the quintet has performed at various gigs. The group has an undeniable spunk about them that make them charming, and their personalities shine in their tracks to help their music have a refreshing sound.

The group’s name is derived from a flower that represents seduction as there is hope they can seduce the public with their unique sound and ability to be fluid in the Rock genre. Each member has a background in writing and producing, and all five girls attended college and majored in applied music.

On February 19, 2018, the girls revealed the name of their fan club after allowing their fans to vote for their fandom name. Out of the four choices—Quince, Marshmello, Garden, and Marmalade—Marmalade became the fandom name.

Marmello is a group on the rise, so we hope they get attention and continue to grow. Check out their discography so far and enjoy the music!

“Puppet”

“Can’t Stop”

“Wake Me Up”

 

 

—-Joelle Halon

The legislature of South Korea’s capital Seoul chose to shut down all PCs at 8:00 p.m. on Fridays to stop the “way of life of working extra time” among government representatives.

The activity reported on Friday will start on the 30^th of March, and it will steadily abbreviate the working day to 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Friday of April. From May on, all PCs will be closed off by 7:00 p.m. each Friday.

Be that as it may, the measure does not appear to be broadly famous. The Seoul government is taking into account exceptions in uncommon conditions, with 66% of its representatives applying.

As indicated by information from the Service of Faculty and Administration in January, government representatives in South Korea work a normal of almost 2,740 hours every year, around 57 percent more than laborers in other countries.

During South Korea’s national assembly, prior to this month, a law was passed to minimize the maximum work week hours down to 52 from 68.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s is seeking to change the work culture in the country, where it is almost expected to work extra hours and where paid leave is underused.

 

—-Denise Coley

On March 13, 2018, Sports Hochi announced Japanese vocal group Kalafina will disband in the spring. However, the group’s agency, Spacecraft Produce denies the report on the group’s fanpage, stating only one member will be leaving, making the group a duo. Spacecraft did not say which member would depart other than announcing one member expressed her intentions to leave and that her request has been accepted.

Sports Hochi announced that relations between Kalafina—which is made up of members Wakana Ōtaki, Keiko Kubota, and Hikaru Masai—and Spacecraft fell apart following composer Yuki Kajiura’s departure from the company. In February, Kajiura announced she would be working as a freelance composer following contract disputes with Spacecraft. Upon her announcement, Kajiura also announced the nature and future of Kalafina may change.
Kajiura created Kalafina in 2007. Their 2008 debut track, “Oblivious,” was the opening theme song for the anime series The Garden of Sinners (Kara no Kyoukai Fukan Fuukei).

At one time, the group had four “face” members: Ōtaki, Kubota, Masai, and Maya Toyoshima, who left in 2009. However, Kajiura, who worked behind the scenes, is and was considered Kalafina’s main member and the heart of the group.

Kalafina held their tenth anniversary concert at the Nippon Budokan arena in Tokyo, Japan this past January. During the concert, the trio performed 32 tracks and announced their anniversary documentary that is slated to show in theaters. Spacecraft announced the film, titled Kalafina 10th Anniversary Film: A Sparkling Harmony Spun out of Dreams, is still scheduled for release March 30, 2018. All three members are expected to appear at the premiere.

Besides the movie premiere, Hochi Sports reports that Kalafina currently have no future release plans. The group held its last live event March 11, 2018 during the Toyosu Music Collaboration show in Tokyo, Japan. Their radio show, Kalafina Club, is expected to run through the end of March. Spacecraft noted that even though group activities are not scheduled for now, fans may expect individual collaborations with different music artists.

Even though the group is losing a member, knowing that Kalafina may still continue is a positive update for fans. With five studio albums, two compilation albums, several anime themes, and 21 singles including “Lacrimosa,” “Sprinter,” “Hikari no Senritsu,” and “Storia”, Kalafina have a storied history that will hopefully continue.
Spacecraft is expected to make an official statement about the group’s future in the coming days.

—-Joelle Halon

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Go Back Couple is one of 2017’s drama gems. While it didn’t receive the attention dramas like Goblin, While You Were Sleeping, Because This is My First Life, and Strong Woman Do Bong Soon did, it is one worth checking out. The 12-episode drama initially aired October 13 through November 18 on KBS2, but now you can catch it on Viki with full subtitles. If you’re on the fence, here are some reasons you need to check it out.

The Cast

Go Back Couple has a fantastic cast. Jang Nara (Ma Jin-Joo) and Son Ho-Jun (Choi Ban-Do) are believable as a husband and wife facing difficulties in their marriage. Jang and Son (who grabbed his first leading role in this drama) show authentic emotion with each other that make their performances standout. Jang and Son play off each other way and have good chemistry. Son, especially, has a good range of nuances that make him enjoyable to watch. His chemistry with Jang as well as the supporting cast makes the drama feel relatable.
The supporting cast also has amazing chemistry to where every character feels like they are truly friends and people anyone could run into in real life. Heo Jung-Min (Jae-Woo) and Han Bo-Reum (Bo-Reum) turn in great performances as the cutesy couple we all knew in school, but they do it in a way that isn’t obnoxious. Kim Byeok-Ok (Choi Gi-Il), Jo Ryun (Kang Kyung-Sook), Lee Byung-Joon (Ma Pan-Suk), and Kim Mi-Kyung (Go Eun-Sook) are fabulous as Ban-Do and Jin-Joo’s parents. Jo Hye-Jun (Chun Seol) and Lee Yi-Kyung (Go Dok-Jae) are charming as the oddball friends, while Go Bo-Kyul (Min Seo-Young) and Jang Ki-Yong (Jang Nam-Gil) are perfect as the “first loves” of Ban-Do and Jin-Joo, respectively. Finally, Im Ji-Kyu is perfect as the sleazy Park Hyun-Suk.
Go Back Couple’s cast is special because everyone felt like family. There isn’t a loose piece that makes anyone feel out of place. Because of this, it’s easy to be absorbed into the story as it unfolds.

It’s an Emotional Rollercoaster

Go Back Couple has a lot of heart, but it’s not heavy-handed in how it forces its audience to deal with the content. However, the show will make you laugh one minute and searching for Kleenex the next as it switches between college hijinks and family affairs.

Ban-Do’s friend Dok-Jae is great comic relief without being too over-the-top. During his scenes, he provides great laughter and reminded me of two friends I had in high school that did the same things he did (either intentionally or unintentionally). He has a personality that viewers will either love or hate, but it is guaranteed he will remind viewers of someone they once knew.

There are number of heartbreaking moments in the drama, particularly the scenes with Ban-Do, Jin-Joo, and Jin-Joo’s mother. For anyone who’s ever lost a parent, the secondary story about Jin-Joo and her mother will yank at your heart. The chemistry between Jang, Son, and Kim Mi-Kyung add to the emotional depth of this side story, making it an important theme. Whenever these three are on screen together, it’s a guaranteed tear-jerker.

It’s Relatable

Despite it being a light fantasy drama due to the time-travel element, the overall story is relatable on different levels because each character is someone the audience may have known at some point in their lives including the broken couple, a family experiencing loss, stoic kids with difficult home lives, over-achievers, the class clown, and someone who will do anything to impress the one he loves. There is a character that could make anyone say, “that’s me.”

The Child Comes First

The lead couple of Ban-Do and Jin-Joo stand out because many viewers can connect with the issues they have as a middle-aged couple. The stress of raising a child, the pressures and struggles of work, and even being a young mom at the crossroads of still relating to a younger generation and needing to be an adult and being there for your child. Even when they travel back in time, it’s clear that their child is their number one concern even as the pair rediscover themselves through new loves and improving their already established friendships.

A Different Spin on Time-Travel

Many wish they can go back to the past to change life paths. Go Back Couple does play on this trope, but in a way to where changes aren’t drastic. There’s are changes that involve helping friends discover their self-worth, and there is one major change involving Park Hyun-Suk that, while cheesy, is totally worth it given his character. However, the characters, overall, remain true to themselves but with stronger self-awareness in a way that the time-travel arc doesn’t cloud the entire series. In fact, viewers may often forget the characters went back in time 20 years because the story is that well put together.

Age is Just a Number

Jang Nara and Son Ho-Jun are 36-years-old and 33-years-old, respectively. In Go Back Couple, they have to be simultaneously 38 and 20-years old. On paper, this seems like it wouldn’t work, but it does. A huge kudos needs to be sent to the makeup and wardrobe departments for how well they made the age differences work for not only the main characters, but for the supporting cast as well.

At 38, Jang’s character looks tired and fed up with the dark circles under her eyes, the stringy hair, and the frumpy “ajumma” attire. At 20, she’s fresh-faced with glowing skin, bright eyes, and healthy, bouncy hair. At 38, Son’s character looks ragged, greying, with dulled skin; but at 20, he’s vibrant and fresh. The contrasts between the ages are worth seeing alone.

Speaking of age, a lot of reviewers weren’t happy that Ma Jin-Joo and Choi Ban-Do still acted like their 38-year-old selves when they were in their 20-year-old bodies. Ignore that negativity! The discrepancy here is necessary to the story, especially since the characters are aware they are only temporarily in these bodies and that it’s an opportunity for a do-over. There’s a reason the characters are taken back to this moment in their lives, especially since– while it was a good period for them back when they were actually 20 as shown in flashback scene– it was a tumultuous time for their friends. This is something they didn’t realize at the time. Now that they are older, they have a chance to set things right and “save” some of their friends that needed it. However, Jang and Son balance the dynamics well.

Jin-Joo and Her Mother

One of the secondary stories in the series is between Jin-Joo and her mom. The scenes featuring them along with Bong-Do and Jin-Joo’s mom have a way of squeezing the heart. As mentioned, for anyone who’s lost a parent, this storyline will be the most relatable out of the entire series because of its portrayal of love, regret, and wanting to act out in kinder ways. The scenes require Kleenex, so keep some handy!

Go Back Couple has a lot of reasons to be a drama list beyond what’s listed here. Check it out for yourself and let us know your thoughts!

 

—-Joelle Halon

Taking care of the body and ensuring a brilliant skin is a top priority for many. And given the vast and dynamic level of beauty conscious celebrities in South Korea, a lot more salons seem to be springing up, helping locals and international clients alike get the best treatment for skin, hair and other vitally important skincare routines. With the steady rise of K-pop and Korean culture export, there’s surely one salon to fit your ideal beauty location if you fancy South Korean styled skincare. If you are wondering where the chunk of celebrities and locals alike in South Korea go for their beauty treatment, here is a list you’ll want to check out.

Jennyhouse

Since it started operations in 2012, this beauty house has welcomed and still welcomes a huge of South Korean celebrities. It also welcomes clients, such as couples from China and gives a decent Korean styled makeover. Lee Min-jun and Song Ji-hyo are known celebrities who patronize this salon, according to Yunhee Oh, a makeover artist who says they’ve slightly changed from heavier style makeups to more casual and Natural ones that take anywhere from two to five hours.

Dream Dermatology
Owned by a renowned surgeon – Dr. Dream, the dermatology clinic is much respected and patronized by notable South Koreans. Using rose stem cell extract and creating a signature line for celebrity clients, this salon delivers effective skincare regiments for South Koreans.

Avenue Juno
Although this salon declines to mention celebrities that fancy them, Avenue Juno is one of the leading hair salons and a long-time giant in the South Korean beauty industry. They create a good texture for hair treatment and are believed to serve a decent number of South Korean Celebrities.

A. By Bom

Known for their top-notch hair and nail treatment services, this make-up salon is a popular destination for a large number of South Korean celebrities and only recently opened another location to cater to its overwhelming demand. Sources claim Dan Ye-seul and Boa are big fans of this salon.

Kowon Beauty Shop

Home to one of the finest make-up artists in South Korea – Kowonhye, this beauty salon has popularly attracted national celebrities and actresses over the years. This long list includes Jang Yoon-ju and Honey Lee amongst others.

Shangpree Spa

This top Korean Beauty Spa is the quintessence of Korean Skincare salon. With licensed aestheticians, this brand has won national competitions and remains strong after formidable decades of entry into the Korean beauty scene. The gold rubber mask is a popular signature item of this brand.

The list, although not exhaustive, makes up arguably some of the finest beauty salons attracting the top celebrities in South Korea. Leveraging on the expertise of experienced beauticians and renowned clients as well as superior cosmetic and skincare lines have put South Korean salon brands on the world stage, a trend that seems to be increasingly welcome by locals and foreign clients alike. The Korean culture and K-pop genre have also played a big role in this trend.

—-S.Clare

MV 우주소녀WJSN Dreams Come True 꿈꾸는 마음으로

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From K-pop to Korean movies and beauty products, almost everyone has come across something Korean in recent times. Apart from the rave reviews gathered by major South Korean skincare brands, a lot seems to be going on in the clothing industry with many brands springing up and providing stiff competition for long time fashion brands. With the global attention keen on what’s coming up next in Korean culture due to their steady rise in the international scene, it will be great to know who takes lead role in this industrially advanced nation’s fashion industry. Here’s a look into some of South Koreas top clothing brands favoured by many K-pop stars, locals and admired by foreign audiences alike.

A Piece of Cake

South Koreans are known for smart and compact dressing with vibrant colours and aesthetically pleasing in most cases. A Piece of Cake is a clothing brand that encapsulates Koreans love for streetwear as they are well known to produce chequered shorts, sweatshirts, and colourful mismatched socks that are usually worn by popular K-pop Stars.’

 

KYE

The brand has drawn huge celebrity names in the United States and Korea, thanks to the savvy streetwear concepts of founder Kathleen Kye. Kye’s collections mainly focus on mainstream sports-luxe aesthetic wear and bold prints.

 

Charm’s

From iPhone cases to matching puffer jackets, Charm’s sagely buys the common Korean style of matching couple outfits and has collaborated with a lot of K-Pop stars to further propel the brand’s image. The brand has also expanded to the United States with a branch open in Brooklyn, New York to cater to American enthusiasts of the fashion label.

 

General Idea

Founded by Bumsuk Choi at a very young age, General Idea has literally gone on to become one of South Korea’s favourite brands with clothes sold globally, selling out within one week at stores like Atrium New York. The brand is also available in London, U.K.

 

StyleNanda

StyleNanda is known for its unique makeup and fashion style which made it a fans favourite since its debut in 2004, the brand sells products at competitive prices and is similar to well established fashion outlets like Zara. Specialized in casual wear like merch-inspired hoodies and baseball caps, the StyleNanda is another Korean fashion outlet favourite to South Koreans.

 

Kuho

With well over 66 stores and home to tend-driven outfits and wearable basics, Kuho’s aesthetic appeal makes it one of the top brands in South Korea eventhough it hasn’t gained as much popularity abroad.

 

Nohant

This brand is home to some of Korea’s actors and offers French style clothing like statement cuffs, button-downs, trench coats and a signature sweatshirt. With collections selling well below $200, the brand is another of South Korea’s top clothing brands.
These are but some, in a long list of top clothing brands in South Korea. As the Korean culture and K-pop genre keep expanding, the possibility of more appealing and competitive brands emerging in South Korea can only be a possibility in the not too distant future.

—-S.Clare

TS Entertainment still hasn’t learned to treat their artists well. Following the 2014 B.A.P lawsuit for slave contracts, TS is now facing another legal battle with SECRET.

In early March 2018, news broke that Ji Eun and Hyoseong have filed lawsuits against TS Entertainment back in August and September of 2017.

Ji Eun filed a request with the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board to have her contract deemed invalid. In her claim, Ji Eun claims TS Entertainment did not follow the contract terms and conditions. The claim addresses issues with management and lack of payment transparency. The claim states the contract has been invalid since May 2017; she renewed her contract with TS Entertainment in March 2015.

Ji Eun states the issues stem from when she was in the drama Sweet Home, Sweet Honey. In her claim, Ji Eun states TS Entertainment delayed payments for rent, transportation, and lessons, and payments have not been properly divided. She also lists that TS Entertainment sold her exclusive contract rights to a third party without her acknowledgement or agreement to the move.

In September 2017, Hyoseong also filed to have her exclusive contract with TS Entertainment nullified. Park Jung Ho, Hyoseong’s legal advisor, told The International Business Times that TS Entertainment “violated [the] contract in many ways,” and ” there are payments she has not received. [TS Entertainment] also transferred the management rights conferred by its exclusive contract with the singer to another party without the consent of Jun Hyoseong herself.” Park also states the company has been “a source of instability in her promotions as a singer.”

With Ji Eun’s suit, the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board ruled in her favor February 8, 2018 claiming TS Entertainment delayed payments and sold her contract to a third party without her knowledge. Following the ruling, Ji Eun posted on Instagram that she has left SECRET. In the February 28, 2018 message, Ji Eun said (translated by Allkpop):
Hello, this is Song Ji Eun. Before I tell you the news, I first want to say that I’m sorry to let the fans who love SECRET know about this matter through news articles. I needed a lot of courage before writing something like this. I’ve always wanted to only tell you about good things, but my heart is heavy because I can’t do that. I don’t have a way to communicate at present, so I ask that you understand that I’m posting this on Instagram.

My thankful heart does not change towards TS Entertainment, which I’ve been with since my trainee days and my debut in 2009. Because the agency was there, we could rely on each other and exist as SECRET as well as meet the fans who supported our dreams until now. I once again say thank you. Because I feel that way, it’s true that I still worry about accurately discussing the situation.

Many people have already read this through news articles, but it’s true that in August of 2017, we filed an application of arbitration against TS with the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board. The Korean Commercial Arbitration Board came to the decision that my exclusive contract no longer exists. I’m telling those who are confused that the articles saying there’s a civil lawsuit going on are not true.

I’m very careful and apologetic as I know how long fans have been waiting for SECRET. However, I still want to give bright energy to a lot of people. I’ll be leaving the team SECRET and starting a new beginning under the name Song Ji Eun. These recent events have been a time for me to mature. With this as a foundation, I’ll conclude by saying that I’ll meet you all with an even brighter image as the way Song Ji Eun originally is. I’m sorry and thank you.

안녕하세요 송지은입니다. 말씀드리기에 앞서 우선 시크릿과 송지은을 사랑해주시고 기다려주신 팬분들께 기사를 통해 이런 일을 접하게 해드려 죄송하다는 말을 먼저 해야 할 것 같아요. 이 글을 쓰기까지 저에겐 많은 용기가 필요했습니다. 늘 좋은 이야기만 전달해드리고 싶었는데 그러지 못해 마음이 무겁습니다.. 현재 소통의 창구가 없어 부득이하게 인스타에 글을 남기게 된 점 많은 이해 부탁 드립니다. – 연습생 시절부터 2009년 데뷔를 해 활동하며 작은 저의 꿈을 큰 꿈으로 펼쳐주신 TS엔터테인먼트에 대한 감사의 마음은 변함이 없습니다. 회사가 있었기에 서로 믿고 의지하며 활동 할 수 있는 시크릿이 존재할 수 있었고 지금까지도 그 꿈을 응원해 주시는 너무나도 소중한 팬 여러분들을 만날 수 있었습니다. 다시 한번 감사의 말씀 드립니다. 그런 마음이 있기에 어떻게 하면 지금의 상황을 정확하게 전달해 드릴수 있을지 지금까지도 고민되는게 사실입니다. – 많은 분들이 기사로 확인하셨겠지만 2017년 8월 TS엔터테인먼트를 상대로 대한상사중재원에 전속계약부존재 중재신청서를 낸 것이 사실이고 얼마 전 전속 계약의 효력이 존재하지 않는다는 판결을 받게 되었습니다. 그리고 민사 소송 중이라는 기사 내용들은 사실이 아니라는 점을 기사를 보고 혼란스러워 하시는 분들께 명확히 알려드리는 바입니다. – 얼마나 오랫동안 팬여러분들이 시크릿을 기다려주셨는지 알기에 조심스럽고 죄송한 마음이 큽니다. 하지만 많은 분들께 밝은 에너지를 전달하고 싶은 마음만큼은 여전합니다. 저는 앞으로 시크릿이라는 팀을 떠나 송지은이라는 이름으로 새로운 시작을 하려 합니다. 여러분들의 격려와 응원이 저에겐 참 큰 힘이 될거라 생각합니다. 이번 일을 통해 저 역시 성장할 수 있는 시간이었습니다. 이를 바탕으로 더욱 밝은 모습으로, 원래의 송지은으로 다시 찾아뵙길 소망하며 글을 마치겠습니다. 죄송하고 감사합니다.

A post shared by SONGJIEUN (@secret_jieunssong) on Feb 28, 2018 at 5:18am PST

Despite her case not reaching a resolution yet, on March 5, 2018, Hyoseong announced that she, like Ji Eun, would not be returning to SECRET or TS Entertainment.
Hyoseong’s lawyer said, “The trust in TS Entertainment has already been destroyed. There’s no point in discussing contract renewal.”

TS Entertainment, Predictably, in Denial
TS Entertainment, much like they were during B.A.P’s lawsuit, continues to live in a different world. Despite Hyoseong and Ji Eun’s departure announcements and the arbitration court ruling in Ji Eun’s favor, TS Entertainment claims SECRET is not disbanding and the members, especially Ji Eun, are making “unilateral decisions.” TS released a press release saying they will be pursuing legal actions.

In their statement released March 2, 2018, TS Entertainment said (as translated by Soompi):
While they were actively carrying out group promotions, the Secret members had expressed their desire to pursue individual activities. In positive accordance with their thoughts, we supported their activities but while under exclusive contract, one of the members cut off contact. We asked her to honor her exclusive contract, and requested she conscientiously fulfill both her individual and Secret’s group activities. In the midst of this, we learned about one member’s unilateral announcement made on social media about her departure from the group and the dissolution of her contract.

In order to find out the truth, we checked if this had been discussed with the Secret members beforehand, but we have discovered the other members had been unaware of her departure and were very shocked to learn about what was written above.

In line with the mutually agreed-upon exclusive contracts, if the Secret members express their desire to promote as a group now, then we will do our best for group promotions like in the past. If they wish to release music or be active in other ways, we have the intention of preparing for and carrying out [their wishes] at any time.
However, if they continue to carry out unauthorized activities that have not been agreed upon with us, we would like to inform that we will actively respond with severe legal action. Furthermore, in regards to what one member claimed about the invalidity of her contract, we would like to explicitly state that this is not the final ruling given by the courts.
We would once again like to bow our heads in apology to the many people who have been keeping an eye on this agency and its artists that such trouble has arisen.

Despite TS’ claim the other SECRET members are unaware of Ji Eun’s decision, Hyoseong did “like” Ji Eun’s Instagram post. Since both members filed their suits around the same time, both are aware of the other’s actions.

In regard to SECRET as a whole, TS Entertainment claims the group has not and will not disband. A TS representative said February 28, 2018, “It’s true that we’re in a legal battle with Hyosung and Ji Eun, but SECRET is not in the process of disbandment. We want the members to promote together, but since the current situation is like this, Hana is working on her solo album. If the other members want album promotions, then we are willing to give support.”

Hana (formerly Zinger) is the only remaining SECRET member under contract with TS Entertainment. Sunhwa opted to not renew her contract with TS Entertainment September 26, 2016. She is now signed as an actress under the Huayi Brothers label.

The ruling on Hyoseong’s lawsuit is expected in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for updates.

—-Joelle Halon

몬채널s 몬스타엑스MONSTA X 열대야 Self cam Ver 1

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

PyeongChang Olympic Moments: East and South Asians, Pacific Islanders Make History, Have Defining Moments at the XXIII Olympiad

Between February 8 and February 25, 2018, the world came together to watch the world’s best compete in the XXIII Olympiad in PyeongChang, South Korea. From curling to skiing, figure skating to aerials, there was plenty of sport to see. South Korea held one of the most memorable Winter Olympics in recent memory, and it was a history-making event. Here are some of the defining moments from the games’ Asian athletes and athletes of Asian descent as we celebrate the closing of the games.

Redemption: Nathan Chen’s History-Making Free Skate

Nathan Chen wraps up his free skate at the PyeongChang Olympic Games February 17, 2018. Photo courtesy Vanity Fair.

Since 2017, the media pegged Nathan Chen as America’s hope for figure skating gold. The Quad King, as Chen has been dubbed thanks to his ability to perform the quadruple jumps, had uncharacteristically bad performances during the team figure skating event and during his short program in the individual round. Following his short program, Chen landed in 17^th position and did not start in the top group on February 17’s free program.

The 18-year-old threw his cards down during his “Mao’s Last Dancer” performance, attempting six quads and landing five of them cleanly to become the first skater to do so on the Olympic stage. Chen’s score of 215.08 ranked him first in the competition for more than two hours before China’s Jin Boyang toppled the score.

Following his skate, Chen said, “I have been working on it for a while. It’s never really fully come together. I already fell so many times, I was like, ‘I already fell so many times [earlier in competition], I might as well go out and throw everything down and see what happens.’ ”

Chen ultimately ended up fifth, but his score places him third on the all-time list of best free skates behind Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu and Spain’s Javier Fernandez. Chen won the free skate portion of the event.

“Honestly, I just didn’t care anymore,” Chen said following the free skate. “I was like, ‘all right, screw it.’”

Following the event, American ice dancer and 2014 Olympic gold medalist, Meryl Davis, said, “Chen reminds athletes everywhere that giving up is never an option. As an athlete myself, I’m grateful for the reminder that you have neither to be perfect nor must you win in order to possess the qualities of a champion.”

Mirai Nagasu’s Historic Triple Axel

Four years after being left off the US Olympic team, Mirai Nagasu found herself back into the Olympic spotlight following years of training and hard work.

Nagasu, who is in prime condition and an inspiration to many thanks to her perseverance, skated the long program for the team figure skating event held on February 11 and 12 at the Gangneung Ice Arena. Nagasu had a planned triple axel in her program, a jump that only Midori Ito and Mao Asada have landed in Olympic competition. Nagasu attempted—and cleanly landed—the jump early in her program, making her the first American woman to land the jump in Olympic competition, and the second American woman to land it in any international competition after Tonya Harding.*

Korean Unified Team Now Part of the Hockey Hall of Fame

The Korean unified team went 0-4 at the Olympics, but they made history and won the hearts of many. Photo courtesy Wall Street Journal.

The leading story for the PyeongChang Olympics was North and South Korea competing under the unified flag during the women’s hockey tournament. While the Korean unified team had a dismal performance during the Olympics, the team did provide several moments worth cheering.

The unified team—which consisted of North Koreans, Korean-Americans, Canadian-Koreans, and South Koreans—had to overcome language barriers during their short time together (North and South Korea have different dialects and languages have evolved) as well the political ramifications that come with being a unified team in a time of political turmoil.  The two teams did not train together for long, leading coaches Sarah Murray (Canadian), Rebecca Baker (American), Kim Doyun (South Korean), and Pak Chol Ho (North Korean) to wonder if the team would mesh or branch off into cliques. However, despite the differences, the team worked together and showed guts and gusto despite their 0-4 record.

In addition to making history as a unified Korean team, the team’s first and only goal came against Japan February 14, 2018. The goal, which was scored by Randi Griffin, was Korea’s—for both men and women— first-ever Olympic-level goal scored. Prior to PyeongChang, Korea never had an Olympic hockey team.

Following the goal, officials took the puck. The puck will now be immortalized in Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada.

Yun Sung-Bin Wins Gold, Korea’s First-Ever Sliding Medal

Yun Sung-Bin celebrates after winning skeleton gold. Photo courtesy of NBC Olympics.

South Korea never medaled in a sliding sport (bobsled, luge, skeleton). This changed when 23-year-old Yun Sung-Bin, dubbed “Iron Man” thanks to his Ironman-themed helmet, took to the top of the slide at Alpensia Sliding Centre, and slid his way into skeleton history.

Not only did Yun earn his country’s first sliding medal, his three runs earned him gold ahead of Nikita Tregubov (Olympic Athlete from Russia) and Dominic Parsons (Great Britain) with a time of 3.20.55.

Malaysia’s Julian Yee Skates for Pride

2018 marked the first time Malaysia had winter Olympians.

Figure skater Julian Yee qualified for an Olympic spot by finishing sixth at the 2017 CS Nebelhorn Trophy competition. His feat is incredible considering his figure skating training occurs at an ice rink inside a shopping mall.

Yee, who was also Malaysia’s flag-bearer during the Opening Ceremonies, performed a dazzling short program that showed his ability to become one of figure skating’s up-and-coming stars. While his skate didn’t have the technical difficulty as the likes of Nathan Chen, Shoma Uno, Jin Boyang, or Victor Zhou, Yee’s charm and determination wasn’t lost on the ice. While his goal was to make it to the free skate, Yee’s score brought him just outside the top 24. However, his skate will hopefully open the door for other Malaysian dreamers who hope to make it to the Olympics someday.

Shiva Keshavan Competes in His Sixth Olympics

Luger Shiva Keshavan has a story to tell: Not only is he India’s only luger, he is also ranked in the top 38 in the world in the sport. The 36-year-old finished 34^th in the competition, but the placement doesn’t take away from how he’s qualified for six consecutive Olympic games and has been supported through crowdfunding to make his Olympic dreams into reality. Keshavan is the first Indian to qualify for the winter Olympics, and since 2005, he’s a multi-time medalist at the Asian Luge Cup. PyeongChang is Keshavan’s final Olympics, and the decorated Olympian plans on recruiting new Indian talent to compete in winter sports.

Tonga’s Pita Taufatofua Inspires

The last time we saw Pita “The Shirtless Tongan” Taufatofua, he became Internet Famous as the glistening flag bearer for Tonga during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. Taufatofua competed in Taekwondo during the summer Olympics, but for PyeongChang, he competed as a cross country skier. He is Tonga’s first dual Olympian.

Taufatofua became one of the faces of the PyeongChang Olympics long before the games began. He trained in sand and water as his country doesn’t get snow. Taufatofua trained on wheeled skis and clocked only four weeks of training time before his first race. Overall, he only had three months training.

“We found roller skis, I’d strap planks of wood to my feet and run on the beach, just to try and find that balance point,” Taufatofua told CNN. “I’d watch a lot of YouTube and see what the professionals were doing, and I’d try and mimic that mentally in my head.”

Taufatofua almost didn’t qualify for the Olympics due to a string of bad luck, lack of funding, and, most notably, the snowstorm in Iceland.

The final event prior to the Olympics was in Ísafjörður, Iceland, and getting to the event proved to be a challenge for him and his travel partners and fellow competitors, Chilean cross-country skier Yonathan Fernandez and Mexican endurance specialist German Madrazo. The trio tried for three days to make it to the final competition so they could qualify for the 2018 games.

“Luckily, on the third day we tried to get through, the roads had just been cleared so we managed to get on through and get to that last race,” Taufatofua told CNN.

During his race February 16, 2018, Taufatofua came in 114^th place out of 119 skiers. He hopes his Olympic journey inspires other Tongans to get out there and strive for Olympic glory.

“It’s your turn next,” Taufatofua told NBC. “I had my turn. You guys got to come and take it to the next level. I finished. You guys come and finish better than I finish.”

Choi Min-Jeong Earns 1500-Meter Gold

Choi Min-Jeong celebrates her 1500-meter race gold at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. Photo courtesy  BBC.

Americans first met South Korea’s Choi Min-Jeong during an NBC Olympics segment where she introduced us to her dog, Mini Potato. Since then, the Yonsai University freshman became an easy favorite to root for during her speed skating races.

Choi’s Olympic run started with some controversy during the 500-meter short track final. Choi initially won silver in the race but was disqualified after the referee determined she bumped into Canada’s Kim Boutin, even though there is video that shows Kim pushed Choi first.

However, this devastation didn’t stop Choi as her competitive spirit helped her win gold at the 1500-meter short track final. The determined Choi hung back the first few laps before strategically moving up and blowing the rest of the field away in a cleanly skated race. How’s that for triumph during your first Olympic games?

Hanyu Ties Dick Button’s Consecutive Gold Record

Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu listens to the cheers following his short skate February 16, 2018 at the PyeongChang Olympics. Photo courtesy Daily Herald.

Before the rain of Winnie the Pooh dolls flooded the Gangneung Ice Arena, it was unclear if reigning Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu would be competing at the PyeongChang games. Following an ankle injury that occurred during a training run prior to the NHK Trophy in November, Hanyu dropped out of the Figure Skating Grand Prix and Japanese Nationals. When the Opening Ceremonies began, Hanyu was nowhere to be found.

Prior to the men’s event, Hanyu did arrive at the Olympics, his security detail in tow and various fan clubs ready for his turn on the ice.

Hanyu turned a spectacular performance during his short program, earning a score that was shy of his world record. It was his first performance following his ankle injury, and he showed no hesitation as he catapulted to the top of the standings as Winnie the Pooh plush toys bounced around the arena. Following his near-flawless free skate, Hanyu cemented himself into figure skating history by collecting his second consecutive gold medal at the Olympic games. He ties the United States’ Dick Button who achieved this feat in 1948 and 1952.

Of Hanyu’s win, Dick Button tweeted, “Bravo Hanyu, Records are made to be tie” (sic). If Hanyu plans to attempt a three-peat in 2022, we’ll be ready!

Yura Min, Alex Gamelin Bounce Back

Yura Min and Alexander Gamelin perform during their Latin short program at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. Photo courtesy Zimbio.

During the team event, South Korean ice dancers Yura Min and Alex Gamelin had a solid, energy-filled short dance that delighted skating fans in the arena and watching on TV, but her unfortunate wardrobe malfunction was all the media could focus on following their program.

During the final moments of their program, Min’s top came undone and started to flap forward. Min and Gamelin fought through the mishap and the slight bobble the malfunction caused, but their score wasn’t enough to help their team make it to the team final.

During the individual event on February 19, 2018, Min’s outfit had some minor changes that made it more competition-ready. The duo earned a 61.22 for their short program and an opportunity to skate in the free program.

Vincent Zhou: His Time Is Now

17-year-old Vincent Zhou became the first skater to land a quad lutz in Olympic figure skating history. Photo courtesy NBC Olympics.

17-year-old Vincent Zhou was often overshadowed during the Olympics thanks to his American counterparts, Nathan Chen and Adam Rippon. However, Zhou quietly cemented himself as one of the United States’ future stars following his strong performances during the games.

While Chen is dubbed the Quad King, Zhou is the crowned prince. During his “Chasing Cars” short program, Zhou became the first skater to land a quad lutz at an Olympics. If that wasn’t enough, Zhou landed several other quads across his two performances, earning him a sixth-place finish in the men’s event.

Zhou’s demeanor on the ice exudes a quiet confidence, especially after his stunning “Moulin Rouge” performance in the long program. Zhou, who isn’t even in the prime of his skating career, can only get better from here. Perhaps it’s better if the media and skating fans pay attention to his teammates? This will give Zhou a chance to take the skating world by storm.

Ryom, Kim Dazzle, Earn Medal Buzz for 2022 Beijing Olympics

Ryom Tae-ok and Kim Ju-sik earned praise and adoration following their Olympic performances. Photo courtesy Olympic.org.

North Korean pairs skaters Ryom Tae-ok and Kim Ju-sik generated plenty of buzz prior to their Olympic debut following a bronze medal performance at Four Continents. Kim, who towers over his petite partner Ryom, has a certain charm about him, while Ryom’s personality filled the arena the moment she took the ice. Pegged as one of the feel-good stories of the games, the pair were truly a delight to watch. Nerves didn’t seem to rattle the pair, especially as Kim spun Ryom in effortless death spirals, Ryom’s face relaxed and taking in the moment.

Prior to the Olympics, the pair had an opportunity to train in Canada to help refine their skating. Ryom and Kim trained alongside Canada’s Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford during their time in Montreal.

Ryom and Kim performed well in their first Olympic competition, signaling the start of a promising career for the pair. The couple finished 11^th overall, but they earned personal best scores along the way while earning some much-deserved praise.

Already, analysts consider Ryom and Kim early favorites for the 2022 Beijing Olympics. If they continue to grow, it is quite possible this prediction could become a reality.

Michael Christian Martinez Skates Well on Short Notice

The Philippines’ Michael Christian Martinez initially failed to qualify for the Olympics following the CS Nebelhorn Trophy in September 2017. Following the competition, Martinez retired from figure skating to become a body builder. As luck would have it, though, Martinez was given a last-minute spot for the Olympics when Sweden gave up a quota place. Martinez was notified of his Olympic chance on January 23, 2018: 16 days prior to the Olympics’ start!

Martinez, who also competed at the 2014 Sochi Olympic games, is the first skater from the Philippines to compete at the Olympics. He came in 28^th and was ineligible for the free skate. While many feel his “Emerald Tiger” performance was severely underscored, Martinez’s story is still an inspiring story of luck and hard work.

Nao Kadaira Wins Japan’s First 500-meter Gold; Earns Olympic Record, Admiration

In one of the top moments of the Olympics, Japan’s Nao Kodaira comforts South Korean’s Lee Sang-hwa following the 500-meter speed skating race. Nao denied Lee a third-straight win in the event. Photo courtesy Japan Today.

On February 18, 2018, Nao Kodaira, also known as the “The Angry Cat” following her training in the Netherlands, “ took to the ice and coasted to an Olympic-record time of 36.94, eclipsing the record set by South Korean Lee Sang-hwa. Lee, a favorite to win her third straight gold in the women’s 500-meter race, earned a silver medal, .39 seconds behind Nao. As Lee sobbed during the victory lap, Nao comforted her fellow racer in a show of solidarity between competitors and friends.

“I really look up to her as a human being and a skater. She is my friend,” Nao said of Lee.

With her win, Nao became the first Japanese speed skater to win a gold medal in the 500-meter race. Following her win, Nao dedicated her win to her friend, fellow speedskater, Miyako Sumiyoshi, who was found dead in her apartment a month earlier.

During a press conference, Nao said “[Sumiyoshi] has been in my thoughts so many times. Of course, I can’t forget about her. Even when I have tried not to think about her, she kept coming into my mind. But as captain of the Japanese delegation I knew I had to face my race with a focused state of mind.”

Nao said, “I don’t know whether it is okay for me to say this or not, but Sumiyoshi’s people told me before the Olympics that she had said to them if I get the gold it would be the same as her winning it. I actually won the gold medal, but I wanted to tell her about it in person, and it is such a shame that I am not able to do that.”

Nao also earned silver in the 1000-meter final.

Noriaki Kasai Competes in His Eighth Olympics, Hopes to Compete in Two More

Japan’s Noriaki Kasai is unstoppable and seemingly immortal. The 45-year-old ski-jumper appeared in his eighth Olympics, showing that age is just a number if one still has the drive to continue in a sport he or she loves.

While Kasai didn’t have a successful Olympic run—he was eliminated in the first round of the Men’s Large Hill Jump on February 17, 2018—he was invited to jump in the team event.

While many feel this Olympics may be Kasai’s last time to fly, he hasn’t ruled out 2022 in Beijing or 2026 if Sapporo, Japan is selected as the host city.

Shib-Sibs First Ice Dancers of Asian-Descent to Earn Olympic Medal

American ice dancers Maia and Alex Shibutani skate into history with their bronze medal performance. Photo courtesy Time Magazine.

The United States’ Maia and Alex Shibutani have a lot to be proud of following their Olympics. The brother-sister ice dancers became the second siblings since 1992 (France’s Isabelle and Paul Duchesnay) and the first ice dancers of Asian-descent to earn a medal at the Olympics.

Prior to the free skate, the Shib-Sibs were fourth, .02 points back of their American teammates, Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donahue. The Shibutanis had a strong free skate that showcased their signature, dazzling twizzles and clean lifts that matched the rises and falls of their selected Coldplay soundtrack. With mistakes by Hubbell and Donahue and the Shibutani’s stunning performance, the duo rightfully earned a spot in Olympic history.

Brother-sister teams generally aren’t favored in the skating world, especially ice dancing where romance is an expected theme for programs. However, the Shib-Sibs have proven that romance isn’t required to be a winning team as their often fun, light-hearted programs have a sense of hope and wonderment that add a different edge to the typical skating tropes.

And while Asians and skaters of Asian-descent have medaled in pairs, ladies, and men’s events, ice dance was the one sport where an Asian athlete failed to podium. The Shibutani’s, hopefully, have opened the door.

“We worked really hard and we found our way and we did it.” Alex Shibutani said.  “Hopefully other teams coming up after us, they’ll believe if they’re brother and sister, if they’re Asian.”

Choi Dabin Skates in Memory of Her Mother

Choi Dabin wraps up a successful, emotional free skate to “Dr. Zhivago” at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic games. Photo courtesy Indian Express

South Korea’s Choi Dabin had an Olympics to remember. Following her elegant performances to “Papa, Can You Hear Me?” (Yentl) and “Dr. Zhivago,” Choi finished eighth overall; her teammate, Kim Hanul, finished tenth. During her programs, Choi earned personal best scores of 67.77 (short program), 131.49 (free skate), and 199.26 (overall).

Olympic gold and silver medalist, Kim Yuna, told Yonhap News, “I was worried whether the young athletes would be too nervous at home and at their first Olympics. [Kim and Choi’s] flawless performances were admirable. This experience will help them continue their athletic careers.”

Choi’s enduring smile and exquisite show of grace under pressure in her home country showed her strength, endearing her to skating fans at home and abroad, but this was just a Cliff note to her story. The 18-year-old lost her mother June 26, 2017 following a long battle with cancer.  In the weeks following her mother’s passing, Choi skated in the Olympic qualifier, placed in the top ten, and earned South Korea two spots for the Olympics.

Choi said of the qualifier, “I thought about pulling out of this event, but I felt like I’d have regrets if I didn’t skate here.”

Choi states a lot of her Olympic success is due to feeling her mother’s presence with her on the ice.

“I am very thankful to my mother, who is watching me from Heaven,” Choi said. “Skating in the Olympics was my dream and also my mom’s.” She later added, “If she were here, she would have given me a warm hug.”

Shaolin Sándor Liu Helps Hungary Speed into Olympic History

Hungary won their first-ever Winter Olympics gold in PyeongChang, thanks to Shaolin Sándor Liu’s stunning performance in the men’s short track 5,000-meter relay. Liu, along with his brother, Shaoang Liu, and teammates Viktor Knoch and Csaba Burjan stunned Canada, China, and Korea by taking the gold medal. Liu’s last lap helped to push the team ahead to secure an Olympic-record time of 6 minutes 31.971 seconds.

Liu said, “It’s such a big honor. The journey was really long to get here. The team qualified for the Olympics in eighth position, the last position, and we made it count.”

The win was also Hungary’s first Winter Olympics medal since 1980 when Krisztina Regöczy and András Sallay won silver in ice dancing.

“Garlic Girls” Take Country, World by Storm

Curling is often the butt of jokes, but the sport has gained a lot of traction during the 2018 Olympic Games. Part of the increased interest is due to the meme-worthy South Korean women’s curling team.

The “Garlic Girls,” nicknamed such as four of the five girls hail from the garlic-producing locale of Uiseong in the Gyeongsangbuk-do province, have earned Internet fame thanks to their nicknames, charisma, and skip (leader) Kim Eun-Jung’s game face. The girls—Kim Cho-Chee (“Chocho”), Kim, Eun-Jung (“Annie”), Kim Seon-Yeong (“Sunny”), and sisters Kim Yeong-Mi (“Pancake”) and Kim Kyong-Ae (“Steak”)— chose their nicknames based on their favorite breakfast foods to practice their English and help others identify them during the competition. The names and the girls’ personalities have been worked into fanart and memes, making them overnight sensations.

Their silver medal comes as a surprise because the team was not expected to do well given how young South Korea is in the sport.  In Olympic competition, this is only South Korea’s second appearance.

“Cabbage Patch Kid” Lee Sang-Ho Grabs Men’s Parallel Giant Slalom Silver

South Korea’s Lee Sang-Ho didn’t learn how to snowboard like many of the big-name snowboarders: He learned how to snowboard in a cabbage patch, thus his nickname.

Lee allegedly edged out Slovenia’s Zan Kosir by :01 seconds (photo evidence does show otherwise) to advance to the big final where he lost to Switzerland’s Nevin Galmarini. However, his finish is Asia’s first-ever Olympic alpine snowboarding podium finish, and South Korea’s first ever winter Olympics medal in a skiing event.

 

Takagi, Lee Take Gold in First-Ever Speedskating Mass Start Event

The first speedskating mass start event was held on the final weekend of the PyeongChang games. Japan’s Nana Tagachi won gold in the women’s mass start, while South Korea’s Lee Seung-Hoon took it for the men’s event. Korea also won silver in the women’s event thanks to world champion Kim Bo-Reum.

The mass start event has been trialed at the junior Olympics and different competitions leading up to the Olympics. The event has been dubbed as the “NASCAR of speedskating” due to its speed, crashes, and passing/sprint/point set up.

 

What were your favorite moments at this year’s Olympics? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook!

 

—-Joelle Halon

 

*The United States’ Rena Inoue and John Baldwin Jr. are the first pair to attempt and land a throw triple axel in competition and in the Olympics. In 2006, Inoue and Baldwin performed the feat at the U.S Figure Skating Championships and at the Torino Olympics.