Monday, October 9, 2017

VIXX's Leo To Run As A Torchbearer For 2018 Winter Olympics



On October 8th, as posted on his official instagram account, VIXX's Leo announced that he will be participating the 2018 Winter Olympics as one of the 7,500 torchbearers. He wrote, "Today, I'm telling you ~ I am selected to run for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics Torch Relay. I, Leo, will work hard with Powerade."





Meanwhile, last September, Leo's co-member, N also announced his participation on the upcoming event alongside Jinusean's Sean, 2AM's Jinwoon, fencer Park Sang Young, marathon runner Lee Bong Ju, soccer players Cha Bum Kun and Cha Du Ri and photographer Cho Sae Hon.

The Torch Relay has already started last October 24 in Greece and will arrive in Korea on November 1st. The Relay will end on February 9, 2018, signalling the start of '2018 Pyeong Chang Winter Olympics'.

(Photo Credits: Jellyfish Entertainment)

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Jinju Namgang Yudeung (Lantern) Festival



Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival is an annual lantern lighting custom in Namgang River that is held from October 1st to October 15th to commemorate the Jinjuseong Fortress Battle during the Imjaenwaeran War (Japanese Invasion, 1952). Activities such as lantern parades, lighting ceremony, World traditional lantern exhibition, hanging wish lantern and many more are open for visitors to participate in. One of the hightlight is the floating lantern parade in which people can float their lanterns downstream alongside their wishes. 

This festival was selected as a global festival by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

(Photo Credits: english.visitkorea.or.kr)

Thursday, October 5, 2017

KPOP Idols' Greetings For Chuseok





Idols like Apink, NU'EST W, Seventeen, Astro, Highlight and Monsta X have sent their greetings and wishes for Chuseok. All year, KPOP Idols are filled with busy schedules that they barely have time to meet up with their families. But for this year's Chuseok, even foreign members gets to fly back to their hometowns to enjoy and spend the holidays. What a perfect time to just lay back and relax.

Have a happy and bountiful thanksgiving everyone! Check out some of their Chuseok greetings below:



APINK



BOYFRIEND




BTOB



CLC




HIGHLIGHT




MONSTA X




NU'EST W





SEVENTEEN


Fangirl Hack: Saving Up For Bias



Concerts here, concerts there, concerts everytime! When it rains, it pours! The gods of KPOP had heard our requests and artist lineups are  increasing in a blink of an eye! And with that, it's hard to decide which concert to attend, right?

We check our wallets and bank accounts, we've disected our piggy banks, and have save up our coins but still our money is limited. Asking or  borrowing money should be the least of our ways but being 'Team Bahay' is one of the saddest feeling a fangirl/fanboy could ever feel. So, how do we  turn this around?

Listed below are some fangirl hacks on how to save up for bias. These are some tips that other fans have been doing and lead them to the best  memories, everyone has been wanting.




1. Buy One, Upgrade Later

If you already have the cash to buy General Admission, then you're good to go. One of the highly recommended hacks is the 'Buy One,  Upgrade Later' thing! First, buy the cheapest ticket you can afford and spend the remaining days on saving up before the concert. This is applicable  especially if there is only a limited time before the concert day and seats are rapidly filling up. Don't envy those of the SVIPs, what's best is that you've  already secured a seat and will be able to see your bias! No regrets, no frets!


2. Control Yourself from Over Buying

Temptations are everywhere, yes, but if you're really aiming for that concert, then you need to have the discipline. In short, budget your allowance, set a limit every week and buy those things that you really need as of the moment. If you think having a new shoes or dress isn't required for now, don't buy it. Besides, shoes and bags can be bought anytime but your opportunity to see your faves only comes once in a while. Also be resourceful when it comes to school materials, apply the 3Rs, Re Use, Reduce, Recycle. ☺


3. Prioritize

You wanted to buy those limited edition photo cards set, posters and other merchandise of your faves. It's not wrong to spend on those flashy items and collectibles but buying it now will only prolong your saving time. What you'll need to do is set your priorities and know which comes first and save the least ones on the latter part. Another tip, on the concert day, many fans are giving away freebies, so be ready for a treasure hunting.


4. Learn To Let Go

No, this doesn't mean about moving on from your ex nor your love life in general but it's about the stuff you don't use anymore aka selling it. May it be your old clothes, bags, shoes etc. Not only it gives you additional cash, but you're also helping your mom, clean up and sort your stuff. 


5. Prepare Beforehand

Lastly, your faves, believe it or not will eventually come here in the most unexpected time. It's better to prepare beforehand or regret later so get an empty jar or bottle and try to fill it with coins or smaller bills like twenty pesos everyday, and before knowing it, you already have more than enough of what you need. That way you won't have to cry once an announcement is made. And don't touch your savings, they are saved for a reason.


Remember, all of this will work if you have the fullest determination, discipline, dedication in saving up. After all, it's still in your hands whether you will be able to come or not. Don't waste time and the opportunity but take this as part of your learning in handling your own money that will help you in the future.



Highlight, MAMAMOO, Wanna One, Seventeen, and GFRIEND For 2017 MTV EMA's Best Korea Act



On October 5th, the biggest European Music Awards have released the nominees for this year's 'Best Korea Act'.

According to MTV's website, Highlight, MAMAMOO, Wanna One, Seventeen, and GFRIEND will be battling up for the top spot as Korea's best act. Votings have officially started and fans from all over the world can cast their votes thru this site, http://www.mtvema.com/vote alongside with other nominees for different categories. Voting ends on November 11, 2017 and will be followed by the awards show on the 13th.

Meanwhile, the Best Korea Act was added by the MTV last 2013 and EXO won the title. Followed by B.A.P in 2014, BTS in 2015 and B.A.P again respectively.

(Photo Credits: MTV EMA)

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

A Deeper Perspective of Chuseok



Chuseok (추석) or Korea's Thanksgiving Day is one of Korea's main and most important holiday that is celebrated between 3-4 days. Families from different places come home together to eat and enjoy as well as to give thanks to their ancestors. Quality time with family and preserving the cultural heritage, are the key for this special event.

The word Chuseok (추석) is also called Hangawi (한가위), Han (한) means big, and Gawi (가위) means The ides of the 8th lunar month or autumn which according to the lunar calendar, it's the best time for bountiful harvests, hence the reason why rites are performed during Chuseok.


(Photo Credits: Yonhap News)

Speaking of rites, every morning of Chuseok, families perform an ancestral rites called Charye (차례) which they prepare a table full of food and liquors and are served to their ancestors in gratitude for a good harvest. After the ceremony, families are able to enjoy thru a shared meal.

(Photo Credits: Korea Times)


Foods aren't only served in the table for no purpose. Every piece has its own meaning which are really important. Though nowadays, some families prepare their own special table for Chuseok, but these foods are still part of the basics.


The Three Vegetables (Bellflower, Bracken, Spinach): Prosperity

The root of the Bellflower represents the ancestors of the family, the Bracken as solidity of the parents who are in the present and the Spinach represents the future of the entire household.


Songpyeon: Bright Future

This type of rice cake is a traditional food that is made up of glutinous rice and is served every Chuseok. It became the popular symbol of their culture as Songpyeon already emerged during the Goryeon Period.


Apple: Love and Peace within the Family

Based from the yin-yang theory, red fruits are placed on the east side of the table and white fruits are placed on the west side of the table. The color of the apple from the outside also represents love while the inside represents peace.


Traditional Honey Cake: 5 Elements of the Universe

The five colors, red, blue, yellow, white and black from a honey cake represents the 5 elements of the universe. This concept comes from Buddhism.


Pear: Wisdom

In ancient Korea, people believed water symbolizes wisdom as it helps to cleanse people and develop wisdom. Pear has 89% of water hence, it became the representation for wisdom.


Chestnut: The three ministers of Joseon Dynasty

Chestnut represents the three ministers of Joseon Dynasty as it has 3 seeds inside. People put chestnuts on the table hoping for a family member to become a minister.


Jujube: King

The jujube on the other hand, has only one big seed which perfectly represents the King. It also represents a wish to increase the number of descendants.


Dried Fish: Spreading Descendants

Dried pollack and cod especially pollack lays a lot of eggs and it represents the wish for many descendants. All fish on the table should be placed on the right side with their head on the east and their tail on the west.


Liquors

Liquors are also served on the table together with a Korean pancake called, Jeon (전)

(Photo Credits: kookje.co.kr)


After Charye, families go together to visit their ancestors' graves, also called as Songmyeo (송묘).  They clear out the weeds that grew around the grave, a practice called as Beolcho (벌초). This is a sign of a continuous responsibility and devotion to their family.


Asides from the food and traditional rites, activities like Korean Wrestling and Korean Circle Dance are performed every year. 


Non-Koreans who wants to know the cultural rites of Chuseok, Seoul hosts a lot of activities for them. Korean Folk Village, Namsangol Hanok Village, Deoksugung Palace, National Folk Museum of Korea, The National Museum of Korea, and Jongmyo Shrine are open for everyone who wants to participate and learn more about this special event. 

New Boy Group, TRCNG Goes White in 'Spectrum' MV Teaser



The teaser showed glimpse of the members for the upcoming boy group, TRCNG (Teen Rising Champion in a New Generation). Wearing school uniforms and all white, the boys also showed the highlight of their powerful choreography. Meanwhile, The mini album, 'New Generation' is set to be released on October 10th. 

Check the teaser video below:


(Photo Credits: TRCNG Official Facebook)