MAMAMOO Special Episode
This WednesdayĀ only series will provide English subtitles on select videos. We hope you will enjoy.
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 Oneās five-member girl group, Marmelloāwhich is considered an Indie group despite their poppy soundā officially debuted with a band concept, a risky move in a competitive market thatās 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, āPuppet,ā their second single, āCanāt Stop,ā and their March 2018 release, āWake Me Up.ā
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 groupās 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 choicesāQuince, Marshmello, Garden, and MarmaladeāMarmalade 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!
āPuppetā
āCanāt Stopā
āWake Me Upā
—-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 30thĀ 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 Koreaās 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 groupās agency, Spacecraft Produce denies the report on the groupās 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 Kalafinaāwhich is made up of members Wakana Åtaki, Keiko Kubota, and Hikaru Masaiāand Spacecraft fell apart following composer Yuki Kajiuraās 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, āOblivious,ā 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 āfaceā members: Åtaki, Kubota, Masai, and Maya Toyoshima, who left in 2009. However, Kajiura, who worked behind the scenes, is and was considered Kalafinaās 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 āLacrimosa,ā āSprinter,ā āHikari no Senritsu,ā and āStoriaā, Kalafina have a storied history that will hopefully continue.
Spacecraft is expected to make an official statement about the groupās future in the coming days.
—-Joelle Halon
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This WednesdayĀ only series will provide English subtitles on select videos. We hope you will enjoy.
Go Back Couple is one of 2017ās drama gems. While it didnāt 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 youāre 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 isnāt 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-Jooās 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 āfirst lovesā of Ban-Do and Jin-Joo, respectively. Finally, Im Ji-Kyu is perfect as the sleazy Park Hyun-Suk.
Go Back Coupleās cast is special because everyone felt like family. There isnāt a loose piece that makes anyone feel out of place. Because of this, itās easy to be absorbed into the story as it unfolds.
Itās an Emotional Rollercoaster
Go Back Couple has a lot of heart, but itās 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-Doās 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-Jooās mother. For anyone whoās 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, itās a guaranteed tear-jerker.
Itās 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, āthatās me.ā
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, itās 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 arenāt drastic. Thereās 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 doesnāt 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 wouldnāt 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, Jangās character looks tired and fed up with the dark circles under her eyes, the stringy hair, and the frumpy āajummaā attire. At 20, sheās fresh-faced with glowing skin, bright eyes, and healthy, bouncy hair. At 38, Sonās character looks ragged, greying, with dulled skin; but at 20, heās vibrant and fresh. The contrasts between the ages are worth seeing alone.
Speaking of age, a lot of reviewers werenāt 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 itās an opportunity for a do-over. Thereās 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 didnāt realize at the time. Now that they are older, they have a chance to set things right and āsaveā 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-Jooās mom have a way of squeezing the heart. As mentioned, for anyone whoās 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 whatās 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, thereās 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 youāll 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 theyāve 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 ā 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.Ā 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 ā 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
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This WednesdayĀ only series will provide English subtitles on select videos. We hope you will enjoy.
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 whatās 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 nationās fashion industry. Hereās 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. Kyeās collections mainly focus on mainstream sports-luxe aesthetic wear and bold prints.
Charm’s
From iPhone cases to matching puffer jackets, Charmās sagely buys the common Korean style of matching couple outfits and has collaborated with a lot of K-Pop stars to further propel the brandās 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 Koreaās 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, Kuhoās aesthetic appeal makes it one of the top brands in South Korea eventhough it hasnāt gained as much popularity abroad.
Nohant
This brand is home to some of Koreaās 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 Koreaās 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 hasnāt 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, Hyoseongās legal advisor, told The International Business Times that TS Entertainment āviolated [the] contract in many ways,ā 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 āa source of instability in her promotions as a singer.”
With Ji Eunās 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.
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.
Hyoseongās 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.Pās lawsuit, continues to live in a different world. Despite Hyoseong and Ji Eunās departure announcements and the arbitration court ruling in Ji Eunās favor, TS Entertainment claims SECRET is not disbanding and the members, especially Ji Eun, are making āunilateral decisions.ā 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 Secretās group activities. In the midst of this, we learned about one memberās 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 TSā claim the other SECRET members are unaware of Ji Eunās decision, Hyoseong did ālikeā Ji Eunās Instagram post. Since both members filed their suits around the same time, both are aware of the otherās 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, āIt’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.ā
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 Hyoseongās lawsuit is expected in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for updates.
—-Joelle Halon
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This WednesdayĀ 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 worldās best compete in the XXIII OlympiadĀ 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 gamesā Asian athletes and athletes of Asian descent as we celebrate the closing of the games.
Redemption: Nathan Chenās 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 Americaās 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 17thĀ position and did not start in the top group on February 17ās free program.
The 18-year-old threw his cards down during his āMaoās Last Dancerā performance, attempting six quads and landing five of them cleanly to become the first skater to do so on the Olympic stage. Chenās score of 215.08 ranked him first in the competition for more than two hours before Chinaās 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 Japanās Yuzuru Hanyu and Spainās Javier Fernandez. Chen won the free skate portion of the event.
āHonestly, I just didnāt care anymore,ā Chen said following the free skate. āI was like, āall right, screw it.āā
Following the event, American ice dancer and 2014 Olympic gold medalist, Meryl Davis, said, āChen reminds athletes everywhere that giving up is never an option. As an athlete myself, Iām grateful for the reminder that you have neither to be perfect nor must you win in order to possess the qualities of a champion.ā
Mirai Nagasuās Historic Triple Axel
Four years after being left offĀ 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 axelĀ in her program, a jump that only Midori Ito and Mao Asada have landed in Olympic competition. Nagasu attemptedāand cleanly landedāthe 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 KoreaĀ competing under the unified flag during the womenās hockey tournament. While the Korean unified team had a dismal performance during the Olympics, the team did provide several moments worth cheering.
The unified teamāwhich consisted of North Koreans, Korean-Americans, Canadian-Koreans, and South Koreansāhad to overcome language barriers during their short time together (North and South Korea have different dialectsĀ and languages have evolved) as well the political ramifications that come with being a unified team in a time of political turmoil. Ā 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 teamās first and only goal came against Japan February 14, 2018. The goal, which was scored by Randi Griffin, was Koreaāsāfor both men and womenā 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 FameĀ in Toronto, Canada.
Yun Sung-Bin Wins Gold, Koreaās 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 āIron Manā 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 countryās 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.
Malaysiaās Julian Yee Skates for Pride
2018 marked the first time Malaysia had winter Olympians.
Figure skater Julian Yee qualified for an Olympic spotĀ 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 Malaysiaās flag-bearer during the Opening Ceremonies, performed a dazzling short program that showed his ability to become one of figure skatingās up-and-coming stars. While his skate didnāt have the technical difficulty as the likes of Nathan Chen, Shoma Uno, Jin Boyang, or Victor Zhou, Yeeās charm and determination wasnāt lost on the ice. While his goalĀ was to make it to the free skate, Yeeās 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 Indiaās only luger, he is also ranked in the top 38 in the world in the sport. The 36-year-old finished 34thĀ in the competition, but the placement doesnāt take away from how heās 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, heās a multi-time medalist at the Asian Luge Cup. PyeongChang is Keshavanās final Olympics, and the decorated Olympian plans on recruiting new Indian talentĀ to compete in winter sports.
Tongaās Pita Taufatofua Inspires
The last time we saw Pita āThe Shirtless Tonganā Taufatofua, he became Internet Famous as the glistening flag bearerĀ 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 Tongaās first dual Olympian.
TaufatofuaĀ became one of the faces of the PyeongChang Olympics long before the games began. He trained in sand and water as his country doesnāt get snow. Taufatofua trained on wheeled skisĀ and clocked only four weeks of training timeĀ 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,ā Taufatofua told CNN. āI’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 didnāt 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 ĆsafjƶrĆ°ur, 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 FernandezĀ 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,ā Taufatofua told CNN.
During his race February 16, 2018, Taufatofua came in 114thĀ place out of 119 skiers. He hopes his Olympic journey inspires other TongansĀ 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 Ā BBC.
Americans first met South Koreaās 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.
Choiās 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 Canadaās Kim Boutin, even though there is video that shows Kim pushed Choi first.
However, this devastation didnāt 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. Howās that for triumph during your first Olympic games?
Hanyu Ties Dick Buttonās 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 PoohĀ 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 injuryĀ 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 menās 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 Statesā Dick Button who achieved this feat in 1948 and 1952.
Of Hanyuās win, Dick Button tweeted,Ā āBravo Hanyu, Records are made to be tieā (sic). If Hanyu plans to attempt a three-peat in 2022, weāll 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 MinĀ and Alex GamelinĀ 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, Minās 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 wasnāt enough to help their team make it to the team final.
During the individual event on February 19, 2018, Minās 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 overshadowedĀ during the Olympics thanks to his American counterparts, Nathan Chen and Adam Rippon. However, Zhou quietly cemented himself as one of the United Statesā future stars following his strong performances during the games.
While Chen is dubbed the Quad King, Zhou is the crowned prince. During his āChasing Carsā short program, Zhou became the first skater to land a quad lutzĀ at an Olympics. If that wasnāt enough, Zhou landed several other quads across his two performances, earning him a sixth-place finish in the menās event.
Zhouās demeanor on the ice exudes a quiet confidence, especially after his stunning āMoulin Rougeā performance in the long program. Zhou, who isnāt even in the prime of his skating career, can only get better from here. Perhaps itās 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 KoreanĀ pairs skaters Ryom Tae-okĀ 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 Ryomās personality filled the arena the moment she took the ice. Pegged as one of the feel-good storiesĀ of the games, the pair were truly a delight to watch. Nerves didnāt seem to rattle the pair, especially as Kim spun Ryom in effortless death spirals, Ryomās face relaxed and taking in the moment.
Prior to the Olympics, the pair had an opportunity to train in CanadaĀ to help refine their skating. Ryom and Kim trained alongside Canadaās 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 11thĀ 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 Philippinesā Michael Christian Martinez initially failed to qualify for the Olympics following the CS Nebelhorn Trophy in September 2017. Following the competition, Martinez retiredĀ 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 Olympicsā 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 28thĀ and was ineligible for the free skate. While many feel his āEmerald Tigerā performance was severely underscored, Martinezās story is still an inspiring storyĀ of luck and hard work.
Nao Kadaira Wins Japanās 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 āThe Angry CatāĀ following her training in the Netherlands, ā 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 womenās 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.
āI really look up to her as a human being and a skater. She is my friend,ā 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 ā[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.ā
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 silverĀ in the 1000-meter final.
Noriaki Kasai Competes in His Eighth Olympics, Hopes to Compete in Two More
Japanās Noriaki KasaiĀ 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 didnāt have a successful Olympic runāhe was eliminated in the first roundĀ of the Menās Large Hill Jump on February 17, 2018āhe was invited to jump in the team event.
While many feel this Olympics may be Kasaiās last time to fly, he hasnāt 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 Statesā 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 (Franceās IsabelleĀ 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-SibsĀ 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 Shibutaniās stunning performance, the duo rightfully earned a spot in Olympic history.
Brother-sister teams generally arenāt favored in the skating world, especially ice dancing where romance is an expectedĀ theme for programs. However, the Shib-Sibs have proven that romance isnāt 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 menās events, ice dance was the one sport where an Asian athlete failed to podium. The Shibutaniās, hopefully, have opened the door.
āWe worked really hard and we found our way and we did it.ā Alex Shibutani said. Ā āHopefully other teams coming up after us, theyāll believe if theyāre brother and sister, if theyāre Asian.ā
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 Koreaās Choi Dabin had an Olympics to remember. Following her elegant performances to āPapa, Can You Hear Me?ā (Yentl) and āDr. Zhivago,ā 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, āI was worried whether the young athletes would be too nervous at home and at their first Olympics. [Kim and Choiās] flawless performances were admirable. This experience will help them continue their athletic careers.ā
Choiās 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 noteĀ to her story. The 18-year-old lost her motherĀ June 26, 2017 following a long battle with cancer. Ā In the weeks following her motherās 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 motherās presence with her on the ice.
āI am very thankful to my mother, who is watching me from Heaven,ā Choi said. āSkating in the Olympics was my dream and also my mom’s.ā She later added, āIf she were here, she would have given me a warm hug.ā
Shaolin SƔndor Liu Helps Hungary Speed into Olympic History
Hungary won their first-ever Winter Olympics gold in PyeongChang, thanks to Shaolin SĆ”ndor Liuās stunning performance in the menās 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. Liuās last lap helped to push the team ahead to secure an Olympic-record time of 6 minutes 31.971 seconds.
Liu said, āItās 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.ā
The win was also Hungaryās first Winter Olympics medal since 1980 when Krisztina Regƶczy and AndrĆ”s SallayĀ won silver in ice dancing.
āGarlic Girlsā 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-worthyĀ South Korean womenās curling team.
The āGarlic Girls,ā nicknamed such as four of the five girls hail from the garlic-producing locale of UiseongĀ in the Gyeongsangbuk-do province, have earned Internet fame thanks to their nicknames, charisma, and skip (leader) Kim Eun-Jungās game face. The girlsāKim Cho-Chee (āChochoā), Kim, Eun-Jung (āAnnieā), Kim Seon-Yeong (āSunnyā), and sisters Kim Yeong-Mi (āPancakeā) and Kim Kyong-Ae (āSteakā)ā 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 girlsā 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. Ā In Olympic competition, this is only South Koreaās second appearance.
āCabbage Patch Kidā Lee Sang-Ho Grabs Men’s Parallel Giant Slalom Silver
South Koreaās Lee Sang-Ho didnāt 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 Sloveniaās Zan KosirĀ by :01 seconds (photo evidence does show otherwise) to advance to the big final where he lost to Switzerlandās Nevin Galmarini. However, his finish is Asiaās first-ever Olympic alpine snowboarding podium finish, and South Koreaās first ever winter Olympics medalĀ 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. Japanās Nana TagachiĀ won gold in the womenāsĀ mass start, while South Koreaās Lee Seung-Hoon took it for the menās event. Korea also won silver in the womenās 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 āNASCAR of speedskatingā due to its speed, crashes, and passing/sprint/point set up.
What were your favorite moments at this yearās Olympics? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook!
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—-Joelle Halon
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*The United Statesā 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.
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Festivals are an important part of a culture. It helps to build up connections between people, and allows one to rest his/her mind with some nice live music or just to share a good gathering with the crowd. People from all over the world have their unique events, and Americans are of no exception. From music, food and sports, to art, commerce and fair, there are hundreds of festivals all over the United States. Here we provide a list of the most popular upcoming festivals for 2018. This by no means is a complete list of festivals. Donāt forget to get out from your work for a day or two, and enjoy a nice moment with your family and friends.
| Month | Date | Festival | Type | Where |
| Mar | 1-4 | Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival | Music | Okeechobee, FL |
| Mar | 1-4 | Wanderlust | Music | Kahuku, HI |
| Mar | 3-4 | CRSSD Festival | Music | San Diego, CA |
| Mar | 9-18 | South by Southwest | Music | Austin, TX |
| Mar | 9-10 | BUKU Music + Art Project | Music | New Orleans, LA |
| Mar | 11 | Calle Ocho | Music | Miami, FL |
| Mar | 23-25 | Ultra Music Festival | Music | Miami, FL |
| Apr | 6-8 | Tortuga Music Festival | Music | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| Apr | 13-15 | Coachella | Music | Indo, CA |
| Apr | 18-29 | Tribeca Film Festival | Film | New York, NY |
| Apr | 20-22 | Backwoods Camping & Music Festival | Music | Ozark, AR |
| Apr | 27-6 | New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival | Music | New Orleans, LA |
| Apr | 27-29 | Stagecoach | Music | Indo, CA |
| Apr | 27-30 | Desert Hearts | Music | Warmer Springs, CA |
| May | 12 | Euphoria | Music | Austin, TX |
| May | 17-20 | Joshua Tree Music Festival | Music | Joshua Tree, CA |
| May | 18-20 | EDC Las Vegas | Music | Las Vegas, NV |
| May | 18-20 | Hangout Music Festival | Music | Gulf Shores, AL |
| May | 23-28 | Lightning in a Bottle | Music | Bradley, CA |
| May | 25-27 | Boston Calling | Music | Boston, MA |
| May | 25-27 | Bottle Rock Napa | Music | Napa, CA |
| May | 25-27 | California Roots Music & Arts Festival | Music | Monterey, CA |
| May | 25-27 | Sasquatch! | Music | Quincy, WA |
| May | 25-27 | Summer Camp Music Festival | Music | Chillicothe, IL |
| May | 25-28 | Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival | Music | Las Vegas, NV |
| May | 26-28 | Movement Electronic Music Festival | Music | Detroit, MI |
| Jun | 1-3 | The Governors Ball Music Festival 2018 | Music | New York, NY |
| Jun | 7-10 | Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival | Music | Manchester, TN |
| Jun | 8-10 | Chicago Blues Festival | Music | Chicago, IL |
| Jun | 8-10 | Enchanted Forest Gathering | Music | Laytonville, CA |
| Jun | 8-10 | Spring Awakening | Music | Chicago, IL |
| Jun | 14-17 | Firefly Music Festival | Music | Dover, DE |
| Jun | 14-17 | Sonic Bloom | Music | Rye, CO |
| Jun | 15-16 | Paradiso Festival | Music | Quincy, WA |
| Jun | 15-17 | FOOD&WINE Classic in Aspen | Food | Aspen, CO |
| Jun | 15-17 | Mountain Jam | Music | Hunter, NY |
| Jun | 21-24 | Electric Forest | Music | Rothbury, MI |
| Jun | 23-24 | San Francisco Pride | Unique | San Francisco, CA |
| Jun | 27-1 | Summerfest | Music | Milwaukee, WI |
| Jul | 5-8 | High Sierra Music Festival | Music | Quincy, CA |
| Jul | 6-9 | Bass Coast | Music | Merritt, BC |
| Jul | 6-15 | Calgary Stampede | Unique | Calgary, AB |
| Jul | 11-15 | Taste of Chicago | Food | Chicago, IL |
| Jul | 12-14 | Camp Bisco | Music | Scranton, PA |
| Jul | 13-15 | Oregon Country Fair | Civic | Veneta, OR |
| Jul | 13-16 | Astral Harvest | Music | Driftpile, AB |
| Jul | 19-22 | Comic-Con International | Unique | San Diego, CA |
| Jul | 20-22 | Pitchfork Music Festival | Music | Chicago, IL |
| Jul | 27-29 | Newport Folk Festival | Music | Newport, RI |
| Jul | Unconfirmed | Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival | Music | Brooklyn, NY |
| Jul | Unconfirmed | Gratitude Migration | Unique | Keensburg, NJ |
| Jul | Unconfirmed | Northern Nights Music Festival | Music | Piercy, CA |
| Jul | Unconfirmed | Stilldream Festival | Music | Belden, CA |
| Aug | 2-5 | Lollapalooza | Music | Chicago, IL |
| Aug | 3-5 | ARISE Music Festival | Music | Loveland, CO |
| Aug | 3-5 | Newport Jazz Festival | Music | Newport, RI |
| Aug | 3-12 | Sturgis Motorcycle Rally | Unique | Sturgis, SD |
| Aug | 10-12 | Outside Lands | Music | San Francisco, CA |
| Aug | 23-26 | LOCKN’ Festival | Music | Arrington, VA |
| Aug | 26-3 | Burning Man | Unique | Black Rock City, NV |
| Aug | 31-3 | Telluride Film Festival | Film | Telluride, CO |
| Aug | Unconfirmed | Beloved Festival | Unique | Tidewater, OR |
| Aug | Unconfirmed | Electric Zoo | Unique | New York, NY |
| Sep | 6-9 | Dancefestopia | Music | La Cygne, KS |
| Sep | 14-16 | KAABOO | Music | Del Mar, CA |
| Sep | 14-16 | Lost Lands Music Festival | Music | Thornville, OH |
| Sep | 14-16 | Riot Fest | Music | Chicago, IL |
| Sep | 21-23 | Imagine Music Festival | Music | Atlanta, GA |
| Sep | 21-23 | Life is Beautiful Festival | Music | Las Vegas, NV |
| Sep | 29-30 | Texas Renaissance Festival | Historical | Todd Mission, TX |
| Sep | Unconfirmed | iHeartRadio Music Festival | Music | Las Vegas, NV |
| Sep | Unconfirmed | Monterey Jazz Festival | Music | Monterey, CA |
| Oct | 5-7 | Austin City Limits Music Festival | Music | Austin, TX |
| Oct | 6-14 | Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2018 | Unique | Albuquerque, NM |
| Oct | 11-14 | New York City Wine & Food Festival | Food | New York, NY |
| Oct | 26-28 | Voodoo Music + Arts Experience | Music | New Orleans, LA |
| Oct | Unconfirmed | Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival | Music | Brooklyn, NY |
| Oct | Unconfirmed | Dirtybird Campout | Music | Bradley, CA |
| Oct | Unconfirmed | Groove Cruise | Music | Los Angeles, CA |
| Oct | Unconfirmed | Hardly Strictly Bluegrass | Music | San Francisco, CA |
| Oct | Unconfirmed | Something Wicked | Music | Houston, TX |
| Oct | Unconfirmed | Suwannee Hulaween | Music | Live Oak, FL |
| Dec | 6-9 | Art Basel Miami Beach | Art | Miami Beach, FL |
| Dec | Unconfirmed | Day for Night | Music | Houston, TX |
| Dec | Unconfirmed | Decadence New Year’s Eve | Music | Chandler, AZ |
| Dec | Unconfirmed | Lights All Night | Music | Dallas, TX |
| Dec | Unconfirmed | SnowGlobe Music Festival | Music | South Lake Tahoe, CA |
*This is by no means a full and complete list of festivals in the U.S. as some festivals have not announced dates as of this article.
—-Lizzy Ren
TO OUR KCRUSH COMMUNITY AND FRIENDS
Join us in our attempt to bring more awareness to an “international” problem called Suicide and Mental Health.
KCRUSH America will be walking in and assisting with the “Out Of The Darkness-Overnight Walks” in Dallas on June 2, 2018, and are seeking volunteers to walk with us on that day. The same walk will take place in Philadelphia on June 16, 2018. If anyone would like to participate in Philadelphia as well, we can put together a team there too, but there must be at least 10 volunteers.
As you are aware the K-pop world lost one of its greatest shinning stars, SHINee’s Kim Jong-hyun in December 2017, and we are aware that there have been others known and unknown in the past and even recently, thus we want to become involved in this cause to help prevent anymore suicides in the future, “Internationally!”
We decided to make this a team effort and to not just donate to the cause alone. It is more exciting and heart-felt to have our followers participate with us for something special like this.
If you would like to walk with KCRUSH in the name of Yourself, Jonghyun and others known and unknown, visit the following website and learn more about the walk, http://bit.ly/JoinOurTeamWalk and www.theovernight.org. If you decide it is for you and believe that you can help raise funds for such a worthy cause and that it might be helpful to you, go ahead and email us at events@kcrush.com OR provide your information in the pop-up form on the kcrush.com website. You will be contacted. We do not have a team cut-off count, but we seek a minimum of 10 volunteers to walk with us and to help raise funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Thank you, let’s have fun and make this count.
Denise Coley
Founder/CEO and KCRUSH Staff
KCRUSH America Magazine
P.S.: If you cannot walk with us, your sincere donations will be appreciated toward our team goal of $5,000 U.S.: http://bit.ly/walkwithkcrush
P.S.S.: The top individual fundraiser from our team will receive one 2018 KCON ticket.
Special Clip B A P 6TH ANNIVERSARY eng
This WednesdayĀ only series will provide English subtitles on select videos. We hope you will enjoy.
Vietnamese women are renowned for their beauty and their poise and many of their beauty tips and tricks have been passed down, not just for generations, but for thousands of years. Vietnamese women also take their beauty routines very seriously. They tend to take very good care of their skin so that they can achieve their natural looking beauty and their flawless skin without using a lot of make up. If you want to find out how do they do that please go through these beauty secretsĀ following.
1. Never Ā forget to wash their faces twice everyday.
You might think this is not a secret at all becasue everyone knows about it. However, if you live in Vietnam where the weather is totally hot and humid in the summer which can make your skin very oily and easy to get acnes or you can get super dry in the winter which causes so much more problem with your skin, you might want to find yourself a facial cleanser that help you avoid all the bad issues that I’ve just mentioned.
There are hundreds of facial cleansers in Vietnam but people are interested in using big brand names like Pond’s, Cetaphil,Clean&clear,ceraVe,innisfree..etc as they believe that those product are safer for them to use and they work good on their skin. So secret #1: Find yourself a good facial cleanser and wash your face twice in the morning and at night before bed
2. Steam your face 2-3 times/ week.
You can totally do this at home with a hot bowl of water with some essential oils or some herbs with a big towel cover over your head like this:
1, It cleanses your pores. Clogged pores are one of the key contributing factors to acne breakouts, and can lead to infection and severe skin irritation. Whether you suffer from acne or have blemish-free skin, one of the best ways to cleanse facial pores is to steam your face. The warm steam causes your face to sweat, which opens the pores and helps soften the surface layer of dead skin cells, releasing dirt and debris that could be the cause of breakouts and would otherwise stay trapped. Our skin naturally produces sebum that protects and lubricates skin, but when it becomes trapped in a follicle, a breakout can occur. One such breakout is in the form of a blackhead. When steam is applied to the face, it softens blackhead plugs, gently releasing them from follicular openings. While this process can help clear up mild acne, those who suffer from severe acne or skin conditions like rosacea should consult a doctor before trying an at home facial steam.Yes, it’s still not a secret but let me tell you why Vietnamese women enjoy steam their face 2-3 times/ week.
2, It makes your skin more receptive to other skincare treatments. Once your pores have opened and the dirt and debris have been eliminated, your clean pores can now better absorb products you might use, such as a face mask or serum.
3, It enhances circulation. Without getting too scientific, steaming your face triggers a thermoregulating response in which blood vessels in the skin dilate so more blood can flow to the skin, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to the tissue. This is what gives tired, dull skin that rosy, dewy post-steam glow.
4, It helps removes toxins. When you sweat in the steam room or take a hot detoxifying bath, your body perspires and releases toxins. Your face is no different, soĀ facial steamingĀ is a great way to release toxins that could be causing imbalances in your skin.
5 It promotes relaxation. Steam has a calming effect on the system, and if you add essential oils or herbs to the water, you now have a soothing, healing aromatherapy session in an at home facial steam
Good news is they now have a small facial steamer that you can find anywhere especially online. The one you are looking at now is one of them. Does that look fun to you? If yes, why not get one and try it at home now to make some changes to your facial skin!
3. Be a good friend with sunscreen!
Sunscreen protects your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet, or UV, rays. It also help reduces risk in skin cancer Ā Ā and to reduce the damage of the sun to your skin. We all know that sunscreen is not only used when it’s sunny outside but you should use it almost everyday. Vietnamese women don’t like the sun. What a big different with western women,right? The same with facial cleansers, we have thousands of different kind of sunscreen here in Vietnam. Korean or Japanese sunscreen are very popular in here and to be honest Vietnamese women love their product when it comes to sunscreen. You can see these are the products that they use.
Oh, I did mention that Vietnamese women don’t like the sun,right? Ā But hang on,let’s look at these photos
You might be asking these quetions like :Who are they? Are they ninja? Is muslim the main religion here?
The answer for all those questions is no… They are just trying to avoid the sun!! This sounds and looks funny but it actually works for Vietnamese women. They think the best way to eliminate the damage from the sun is staying away from it or “hide” from it. Simple as that! So that’s the secret #3!
4. Use face masks!
Face masks are a wonderful way to treat your skin to get deep cleansed,refreshed,soothed,exfoliated.
Get radiant results with masks made with fresh fruit, vegetables, butters, clays and the finest essential oils. Each ingredient is specially chosen for its effect, so no matter what skin you’re in, there’s a mask for that.
In Vietnam,women are using masks that are made from very natural and easy to find ingredients like turmeric powder, honey, yogurt, green tea, oatmeal..etc
They believe that using ingredients from mother nature will bring them the best natuaral look and that the way it should be.
5. Last but not least: Using moisturizer and massage your skin everyday.
Moisturizer is key to having healthy-looking, supple skin. It hydrates and helps your skinās moisture barrier, which can leave you with a glowing complexion. You should be applying moisturizer after cleansing twice a day. However just quickly spreading moisturizer all over your face may not be the most efficient way to apply your product. In fact, a great way to make your skin look beautiful is by massaging moisturizer into your skin. This activates your facial muscles and circulation and can help your skin look brighter and more taught.
These are all the secrets of Vietnamese women for having a natural, healthy-looking skin. They are very easy to do but if you follow their secrets, you will have as beautiful skin as they do so why not give them a try!
—-Lucy Le
Vietnamese people have a love of coffee that is bordering on obsession-and for good reason. Preparation and delivery of a hallowed, roasted bean is unique and the taste is the best in the world. Whether you drink it over ice for steaming hot, sweet and milky or bitter and black, many coffee shops dotted around Ho Chi Minh City have got you covered. Of course, it’s not just the delicious coffee that makes Ho Chi Minh City’s cafe scene so rich and vibrant. The following list contains coffee shops with amazing interior design, lounge worthy vibes, great views and all free Wi-Fi.
iD Cafe
iD Cafe is an oasis hidden amid the chaos of Ho Chi Minh City and has become a popular hang-out among expats and local entrepreneurs who spend their afternoons taking advantage of the speedy WiFi. The cafƩ is extremely cozy, with comfortable couches, dim lighting and music that is subtle and not loud enough to make you want to sing along. The food and the coffee here are fantastic, despite being a little pricey, but you get what you pay for. There is an outside seating area if you wish to read a book under the sun.
Address & Phone
34D Thu Khoa Huan, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
+84 28 3822 2901
Opening Hours
Mon – Sun :
8:00 am – 11:30 pm
LāUsine, opened in 2010, has expanded into three locations in Ho Chi Minh City; two in District 1, and the other in District 3, all offering similar contemporary interiors and a comfortable work space. The location on Le Loi Street is part-boutique shop, part-gallery on the ground floor, with the cafĆ©/restaurant situated upstairs. The menus are similar at all outlets, with your usual favorites such as pastas, pancakes, paninis, and desserts ā and it changes throughout the day, too.
Address & Phone
70B Le Loi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
+84 28 3521 0703
Opening Hours
Mon – Sun :
7:30 am – 10:30 pm
Boo Coffee
Boo Coffee is located on the cafƩ apartment building that looms above the pedestrian street, locally known as Nguyen Hue. This complex is famous for having many cute boutique stores and themed cafes across its floors. Boo Coffee is one of them, and this cafƩ is known for its cute dƩcor and fun menu, where the coffee comes in glasses that are shaped like skulls. Try the signature cotton candy coffee, topped with a comically large puff of cotton candy. Make sure you visit the cafƩ apartment building before it is demolished and replaced by a glass box.
And this is the beautiful view from Boo CafƩ:
Address & Phone
42 Nguyen Hue, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
+84 97 875 56 65
Opening Hours
Mon – Sun :
9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Of course we had to include a cat cafĆ© in this list for cat lovers. ICHI Cat CafĆ©Ā is the best of its kind in Ho Chi Minh City, and for a small entrance fee of VND$40,000 (US$2.00), you can cuddle cats and play with them as you enjoy a cool drink. There are so many cats inside, of many different breeds, sizes, colors and personalities. Most of them are lazy, as cats usually are, and will probably come poke their head inside your handbag or jacket and then proceed to sleep next to it as you enjoy your coffee. All the cats are healthy, well-fed, and well taken care of. Bear in mind, there is no food on the menu, but youāll be too distracted by all the fluff and whiskers to care.
Address & Phone
221/2 Tran Quang Khai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
+84 28 6277 2898
Opening Hours
Mon – Fri :
10:00 am – 9:30 pm
Sat – Sun :
9:30 am – 9:30 pm
Cį»ng Caphe
Cong CapheĀ aims to create a different feeling for visitors compared to The Workshop. Every piece of furniture, the art on the wall, flower pots, military dĆ©cor and tableware, together with the dim lights and mellow music, all contribute towards creating a rustic, ā80s feeling. It is a popular chain throughout Vietnam, having locations in Da Nang, Hanoi, and Sapa in addition to Ho Chi Minh City. In District 1 itself there are two branches. Their signature iced coconut coffee is exceptional and a must-try.
Address & Phone
26 Ly Tu Trong, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City , Vietnam
+84 91 181 11 45
Opening Hours
Mon – Sun :
7:00 am – 11:00 pm
The Workshop
The Workshop is a contemporary loft cafĆ© with wooden and brick dĆ©cor, overhead hanging lamps, tall stools, and a giant specialty coffee bar in the center that has tons of cool tools for baristas to craft their drinks with. The windows let in the perfect amount of natural light, creating a wonderful atmosphere for anyone, whether you are looking to work, read, or hang out with your friends. There is also a private space for business meetings ā hence, the name ā and a projector for presentations.
Address & Phone
27 Ngo Duc Ke, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
+84 28 3824 6801
Opening Hours
Mon – Sun :
8:00 am – 9:00 pm
—-Lucy Le
Special Clip B A P 6TH ANNIVERSARY To BABY eng sub
This WednesdayĀ only series will provide English subtitles on select videos. We hope you will enjoy.
It would seem meaningless to state that there have been so many deaths of Korean celebrities (especially, during the last decade or so) due to suicide.
For this article, I chose to list of the Korean celebrities originating from diverse backgrounds and eras, who passed away due to reasons and causes other than suicide.
The listed causes include car accidents, illnesses, health complications and unknown causes that remain as unsolved to this day.
Since a large majority of these incidents happened many years ago, some of these people may not seem very familiar to a lot of the readers but they still have one thing in common: They all died from tragic causes that have hurt their family and loved ones.
And it makes it even more devastating because some of these deaths might or could have been prevented, while other causes were simply tragic events that couldnāt have been helped much.
I would like to show sincere respect to the deceased listed on this article and also wish our readers a happy Lunar New Year!
Kim Joo-hyuk (October 3, 1972 ~ October 30 2017) was a Korean actor.
On 30 October 2017, Kim was involved in a car crash at around 4 p.m. Gangnam, Seoul, where his vehicle was overturned.
He was taken to the hospital and was pronounced dead after two hours.
The National Forensic Service revealed that the actor died from a cranial fractureĀ incurred during the crash.
Shin Hae-chulĀ (May 6, 1968 ~ October 27, 2014) is a Korean singer-songwriter and rock music producer.
On 22 October 2014, Shin received surgery after complaining of heart and abdominal pain and fell into a coma. He was hospitalized and treated for an infection of the peritoneum and intestines. The singer passed away the same day.
In March 2015, the police investigators found Shin died from medical malpractice.
Kim Ja-okĀ (October 11, 1951 ~ November 16, 2014) is a Korean actress.
In 2008, Kim underwent surgery for colon cancer and seemed to have made a full recovery. She was back at work, one month after her receiving surgery.
But the cancer had spread to her lungs over the years which eventually led to her death. She died of lung cancer at the age of 63, on November 16, 2014.
Haneul (March 22, 1988 ~ October 08, 2013) who was in recent years known as Rottyful Sky, is a Korean pop singer.
Kim made her singing debut in 2001 at the age of 14.
Her first single āNo WayāĀ garnered mass attention but her later works failed to gain interest from the public.
On October 8, 2013, she died due to a brain tumor. She was just 25 years of age.
Ā
Joanne (September 28, 1988 ~ December 2, 2014) was a Korean-American singer who debuted in Korea in 2001, at the age of 13.
In 2004, Joanne had to halt from all activities and returned to the States due to a conflict with her management.
In 2012, she came back to Korea to appear on the Season 4 of Superstar K,Ā but failed to pass the first audition. She went onto having a corporate office job in California.
On November 26 of 2014, her car collided with a vehicle and she passed away at the age of 26. There was no witness or cctv installed to judge how the accident occurred.
(Joanne was close friends with the singer, Rottyful Sky,Ā who also died a year prior.)
Hwang Soo-kwanĀ (August 10, 1945~ December 20, 2012) was a medical doctor professor, author and TV personality.
Hwang was a doctor widely known for his trademark āSmile TherapyāĀ and made regular appearances on TV.
On December 29, 2012, he died of acute septicemiaĀ in the hospital.
The cause of his relatively unexpected death at the age of 67, aroused controversy to some people since the doctor was an advocate for health and well-being.
Yeo Woon-kayĀ (February 25, 1940 ~ May 22, 2009) was a veteran Korean actress.
In 2007, Yeo was diagnosed with kidney cancer while shooting the SBS movie, The King and I;Ā she chose to continue working and embarked on the KBS2 productionĀ of Jang-hwa and Hong-ryeon,Ā but was later hospitalized due to pneumonia and cancer spreading to her lungs.
Reports revealed that she fell into a coma and was on life support before she finally died on May 22, 2009.
Jang Jin-youngĀ (June 14, 1974 ~ September 1, 2009) was a Korean actress.
In September of 2008, Jang was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
Her condition continued to deteriorate so she had to be hospitalized, until she died on September 1, 2009, at the age of 35.
Ihm Seong-hoon, a.k.a Turtleman (September 3, 1970~ April 2, 2008)Ā was a member of Korean Hip-Hop group,Ā Turtles.
In April 2005, Ihm was treated in the hospital for myocardial infarctionĀ at the age of 36. His group achieved moderate success but Ihm suffered financial difficulties because most of his earnings had to be spent on medical treatment.
He passed away on April 2, 2005, due to the same cause at the age of 38 after much suffering from his illness.
Kang Dae-sungĀ (August 22, 1977~ October 30, 2010) wa a Korean actor, whose real name was Bang Seong-bae.
Kang was featured in two movies, IRISĀ (2009) and Take OffĀ (2009) ā both which were successful in the box office.
On October 29, 2010, he died in a fatal accident on Seong-su Bridge, while riding on his motorcycle. He was 34 years of age.
Kim Hyung-GonĀ (May 30, 1960 – March 11, 2006) was a comedian, theater actor and entrepreneur.
On March 11, 2006, after an intense work-out in the gym, Kim abruptly fainted and was found unconscious in the restroom. It was known later that he was on a strict diet and training for weight loss.
He was taken to the hospital by an ambulance but soon died of a heart attack.
Shin Sang-okĀ (October 11, 1926 ~ April 11, 2006) was a highly-acclaimed South Korean film director and producer.
Shin was famous for having been abducted by the previous North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, for the purpose of producing films for him. He resided in North Korea for 8 years before he miraculously escaped.
In 2004, Shin underwent a liver transplant and two years later, he died of complications due to hepatitis at the age of 79.
Oh Ji-hye (?? ?? 1986 ~ August 9, 2004) was a Korean model.
Oh was 17 years old and still a high school student, when she accidently fell into the sea, on an island of Incheon while posing for a magazine photoshoot.
It was speculated that she made the fatal fall due to the masses of slippery seaweed on the rocks that she was standing on. Because the tides were so strong, Oh was rescued about two hours after she fell but unfortunately was found dead by drowning.
Lee Ju-ilĀ (October 24, 1940 ā August 27, 2002) was a Korean comedian, actor, and former politician.
Lee became a heavy smoker after his only son died in a motorcycle accident in 1991. He conducted anti-smoking campaigns after being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2001.
On August 27, 2002, he passed away due to lung cancer at the National Cancer Center.
Kim Hwan-seongĀ (February 14 1981~ June 15, 2000) was a member of the K-pop boy band, NRG.
Kim was hospitalized for having symptoms of the flu and was transferred to an intensive care unit when his condition worsened. He was put on a ventilator but after three days, he breathed his last breath on June 14, 2000, at the age of 19.
The cause of his death was speculated to be due to SARSĀ or Bird fluĀ but since Kimās body was cremated, there is no way to prove whether either was the cause. There are strong claims that Kim caught the flu while his group was on tour in China, not long before his death.
Kim Sung-jaeĀ (April 18, 1972 ~ November 20, 1995) was a Korean rapper, dancer, model and a member of the Hip Hop duo, Deux.
Kim died of a suspected murder at the age of 23, on November 20, 1995. His body was found in a hotel room the day after performing his solo debut.
28 needle marks were detected on his right arm and an autopsy found traces of an animal anesthetic in his system. Kimās girlfriend was sentenced to life imprisonment but was acquitted due to lack of evidence.
To this day, Kimās death is considered an unsolved mystery.
Jo Mun-jeongĀ (?? ?? 1970 ~ May 25, 1994) was a Korean actress.
Jo was driving home in her car after filming āDinosaur TeacherāĀ and skidded on the rainy street and bumped into a road sign.
She was taken to the hospital right away but was already at a stage where she couldnāt recover. She drew her last breath a month after the accident, on May 25 1994, at the age of 24.
Unfortunately, her exact date of birth is not known to the public.
Nam Jeong-imĀ (July 21, 1945 ~ September 2, 1992) was a South Korean actress.
Nam (whose real name was Lee Min-ja) was considered one of the top actresses of her time.
In June of 1986, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After battling with the disease, she died in a hospital, quite desolate at the age of 48. Nam has appeared in 250 movies in her life time.
Yoo Jae-haĀ (June 6, 1962~ November 1, 1987) was a legendary Korean singer-songwriter and instrumentalist.
On November 1, 1987, three months after releasing his first album, Yoo got into a car that was driven by a drunk friend.
That night, the car crashed into a taxi which instantly killed him. It was such a severe collision that his body flew out of the vehicle. He was just 25 years of age.
Despite only leaving one album as his musical legacy, Yoo is highly-acclaimed and praised by countless musicians and artists in Korea who claim to be influenced by him. The Yoo Jae-ha Music Scholarship was established in 1989 in his memory.
Hahm Hyo-juĀ (February 17, 1984 ~ June 8, 2013) was a Korean comedian.
Hahm was walking home after having dinner with friends and peers, when she got hit by a car. She was badly injured but was still alive when she was transferred to the hospital.
The next day, on June 8, 2013, she passed away due to excessive blood loss at the age of 29.
Kim Min-suĀ (January 14, 1985 ~ April 29, 2008) was a Korean singer and founding member of the R&B group, Monday Kidz.
In April of 2008, the groupās third album was released and was gaining positive reviews.
A couple of weeks later, on April 29, Kim tragically died of a motorcycle accident. He was 23 years old.
Chung Eun-imĀ (October 13, 1968~ August 4, 2004) was a Korean anchor and radio DJ.
On July 22, on the way to the broadcasting station, Chungās vehicle got into an accident over site, where a subway line was under construction.
Although she was immediately taken to the hospital, she was not able to recover and passed away on August 4, 2004 due to cerebral edemaĀ and other complications.
—-J. Chung.
Bruneiās fashion is highly influenced by Kuala Lumpur, Korean pop culture and the United States. Brunei is an Islamic country 67% of the population who practiced it therefore the laws and unspoken social norms follow it too.
The general Bruneian clothing style for women is a baju kurung which is a traditional costume of Brunei Malays. Baju kurung is loose clothing which involves a long sleeved, knee-length tunic and a long skirt to that reaches the ankles. Muslims and non-Muslims commonly wear them as work attire as well as uniforms for school.
The other viariations of the costume is baju kebaya which is a similar style except the top is buttoned down and the length varies from hip to knee length. This style originates from Indonesia which is the national costume of their country. The kebaya is often made with silk, thin cotton or artificial fabric that is adorned with floral pattern embroidery. It is also more form-fitting than a baju kurung and a popular choice for events, private functions, weddings as well as Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
It is also customary for Muslim women to wear tudungs (head scarf) in Brunei. Female students who attend government (public) schools are also required to wear them as part of their uniform. Brunei has its own unique way of wearing tudung and we are often able to tell where a person is from by the style. Brunei tudungs are simpler with an unwrapped bottom, Malaysian style often has a round bottom with a cascading style and Indonesian style is wrapped closer to the neck.
Ā 
Most people tend to visit the numerous fabric stores to mix and match their designs and have them tailor made. It doesnāt cost very much to make a simple outfit where prices can vary from USD$25. Needless to say, the more intricate the designs (hand sewn embroidery) can also bring the price up to hundreds of dollars. This goes the same, as well for men when it comes to wearing traditional costumes.
However, the ever-changing trend of fashion allows people to adapt and make changes according to the season. Most people can easily pick up a long skirt or blouse from the mall or any retailer to pair their outfit rather than needing to wait for their clothes to be made.
The accessorizing of fashion here are often shoes due to the covered-up styles. The relaxed and slower pace of life also lends to the footwear of choice. Flat shoes are versatile enough to be worn casually and for celebrations. Often times the shoes have large jewels or glitter on them but the colors are often not too bold. Heels are worn too but they are often reserved for more glamorous occasions like Eid-al Fitr or wedding receptions.
As mentioned before, there is K-pop culture that has made a fairly large influence and presence in Brunei especially in the cosmetics industry. Some famous chains such as The Face Shop, Holika, Skin Food, Laneige, Clio, etc., have all set up shop in Brunei. Following most Asian cultures, whitening products are quite popular and can be found in soaps, face wash and even body lotions. The words like āwhiteningā have been replaced with ābrighteningā or ālighteningāĀ due to the backlash and bad press of using harsh chemicals.
Bruneiās small population makes it difficult for businesses to bring in more varied and newer trending fashion and also to keep prices down. So, the locals have opted to travel to neighbouring countries to shop instead such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or even a 2-hour drive across the border to Miri. Although online shopping has already been going on for more than a few years in other countries, Brunei has only just started using it. Zalora, a Malaysian online clothing company, is the go-to website as they cater to both Muslims and non-Muslims.
The traditional costume of men is called baju cara melayu. This consists of cotton or polyester material with long sleeved buttoned shirts, long trousers and a sarong wrap. There isnāt much variation between the neighbouring countryās menās traditional costume.
The casual or work attire for men have a much simpler fashion style. The local men often wear simple jeans and t-shirts or shirts paired with sneakers. As indoors are air-conditioned, they tend to sport a hoodie or jacket. The work attire is a button down western shirt, trousers and optional tie.
Overall, Bruneiās fashion tends to be quite casual with jeans and t-shirts or long blouses and slippers. It is rare to see a Bruneian dress up unless it is for work, events or celebrations.
—-May Taro
Miss Ko Started From Scratch Official Video
This WednesdayĀ only series will provide English subtitles on select videos. We hope you will enjoy.