A special meeting between an American girl and K-pop group, Shinee

Donica Sterling who loved K-pop arrived in South Korea to meet with her favourite stars. Donica Sterling is reportedly suffering from an incurable disease, which contracts her muscles, and is currently bound on a wheelchair. She told that K-pop groups have become her source of strength during her illness. SM Entertainment invited her to meet Shinee in person. However, she became very shy and was unable to see the K-pop group in the eyes. Donica's grandmother showed tears of gratitude that Shinee gave Donica an experience and memory that she will never forget. Music is often called the global common language, allowing people with different backgrounds and culture to communicate. We hope that the power of music can give hope and strength to Donica Sterling, and we support her courage.

Charity Concert

K-Pop stars, known worldwide for their skilled performances and music that is pleasant to the ears, are putting together a charity concert this July. This charity concert embodies to significant elements; love and touching inspiration. First, the concert is to show genuine love for K-Pop fans, and secondly, the concert aims to repay the love they received from their fans by putting together a charity. This concert will be a music talkshow, tastefully mixing up music and talking. The concert is trying to build a warm and pleasant atmosphere for the show, and the proceedings for the concert will be donated to the International Vaccine Research Center, helping children all over the world fight diseases. The concert is expecting a lot of people to come, and hopes to continue the legacy of charity concerts.

The 45th Houston International Film Festival

The 45th WorldFest Houston International Independent Film Festival took place from April 13 – 22, 2012. At the 45th Houston International Film Festival, three Korea's KBS dramas won awards. This time, KBS's 'Baby-faced Beauty,' 'Thank you for making me laugh,' and 'White Christmas.' Of the three, the latter two won grand prizes, which gained attention world-wide.

[Baby-faced Beauty] Title: 동안미녀 / Dongan Minyeo Also known as: Youthful Beauty / Pretty Young Woman Genre: Romance, comedy Episodes: 20 Broadcast network: KBS2 Broadcast period: 2011-May-02 to 2011-Jul-05 Synopsis The story of Lee So Young, a 34-year-old woman who's saddled with family debt and only has a high school qualifications, but dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Her youthful appearance is her only advantage; she is mistaken for a 25-year-old university graduate and subsequently lands her dream job when she's hired by a fashion design company, where she meets Choi Jin Wook, a man who looks more mature than his young age.

[Thank You for Making Me Smile] The drama is about a physically challenged girl who dreams to become a singer!

[White Christmas] Title: 화이트 크리스마즈 / White Christmas Chinese Title : 白色圣诞 Also known as: 몬스터 / Monster Genre: Mystery, thriller Series : Drama Special Series (Season 1) Episodes: 8 Broadcast network: KBS2 Broadcast date: 2011-Jan-30 to 2011-Mar-20 Air time: Sunday 23:15 Synopsis “Drama Special – White Christmas” is a 8 episode drama and is based on a murder. Being a physiatrist, Kim Yo Han will play a game of mysteries with students Park Moo Yul, Jo Young Jae, Lee Jae Kyu, Yoon Su and more, on the murder that happens at a private school. Cast Kim Sang Kyung as Kim Yo Han Baek Sung Hyun as Park Moo Yul Kim Young Kwang as Jo Young Jae Lee Soo Hyuk as Yoon Su Kwak Jung Wook as Yang Kang Mo Hong Jong Hyun as Lee Jae Kyu Esom as Yoon Eun Sung Kim Woo Bin as Kang Mi Reu Sung Joon as Choi Chi Hoon Jung Suk Won as Yoon Jong Il Lee El as Oh Jung Hye

Lady Gaga (LIVE in Seoul, Korea 2012)

Lady Gaga is in South Korea right now preparing for a concert that has caused quite a lot of controversy, but her fans are having none of it. It’s fair to say they are standing by their Queen and showing their support by dressing up, well, like her.

Double vision - what a pair

That must get terribly scratchy after a while

A man dressed as Lady Gaga, naturally

Religious groups in the country have called for her show in the capital Seoul to be banned claiming it is “sexually perverted” and “vulgar”, but the Little Monsters disagree. To prove it they’ve gathered outside Seoul’s Olympic Stadium in an array of weird outfits inspired by her, although we’ve failed to spot any meat dresses yet.

Does everything come in two's in South Korea?

Grrrr: It took them hours to perfect this pose

After all the protests about the show, Gaga locked herself up in her hotel room, writing new material: “I've composing in quarantine for 18'hrs,” she Tweeted. Seems like she’s still a bit anxious about the whole thing though and also Tweeted: “Nervous for tonight. Hope I make little monsters happy and proud. / I can you hear you Korea. I'm shaking.” As is anyone taking a stroll past the stadium right now.

Nope, we don't understand any of this either

The Bamboo forest(Juknokwon)

Juknokwon (죽녹원) in Damyang is a bamboo forest cultivated by the town of Damyang. Seonginsan Mountain behind Damyang Hyanggyo (Confucian school) was transformed into Juknokwon Bamboo Garden featuring a beautiful artificial waterfall, pavilion, walking paths and an eco-exhibition center, a popular destination for visitors. It takes about 1 hour to tour around the entire garden. Crossing Hyanggyo Bridge from Juknokwon, a forest for preventing floods can be seen. Lights are turned on in the evenings in the bamboo forest for night walk. If you seek true relaxation,, visit this bamboo forest(Juknokwon).. Then you'll feel better...

What type of women do other women dislike most on White Day?

About 42.7 percent of women dislike other women who ask their boyfriends to give them a luxury bag in return for a lot of folded-paper cranes to mark White Day, a survey said Monday. White Day is a day that is marked in Japan and South Korea on March 14, one month after Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day is observed here by females who present chocolate gifts (either store-bought or handmade), usually to a boyfriend, as an expression of love, courtesy or social obligation. White Day is observed with the men paying back women who have given them chocolate on Valentine's Day with usually candy instead of chocolate, with an additional later Black Day (April 14) observed for those sharing singleness. Some 36.4 percent of women surveyed said they dislike women who boast of their boyfriends, according to a survey of 421 women employees and jobseekers. The survey was conducted by mediadong.com, a job portal. Other women said they dislike women who ask their boyfriends to hold an “event” for them on White Day; who complain that the gift they receive from their boyfriends was too small; and who receive gifts from several men, though they have a boyfriend.

JYJ First Korean Band to Perform Solo in Latin America

Boy band JYJ held a concert at Teatro Caupolicán in San Diego, Chile, on Friday (local time), becoming the first Korean group to perform solo in Latin America. The venue was packed some two hours before the concert got under way, with over 3,000 fans hunkering down to catch a glimpse of the Asian pin-ups.

In the days leading up to the concert, hundreds of fans from other parts of Latin America such as Brazil, Columbia, Mexico and Venezuela camped at a nearby parking lot to make sure they got a seat at the concert. The spectators went wild throughout the concert, cheering and waving their national flags. During the show, three people were reported to have fainted and were carried out of the premises.

The performance was part of the group's world tour, which started last April and ended on Sunday in Lima, Peru. Chilean reporters who were present at the latest concert said, "K-pop fans here currently number 20,000 to 30,000. But once Korean singers' music is released through official channels, their fan base will surely expand further."

Concert Demonstrates Solidarity with N.Korean Defectors

The 1,000-capacity hall at Yonsei University in Seoul had been already full hours before the concert for North Korean defectors was scheduled to start at 7 p.m. on Sunday. Titled "Cry With Us," it was held to urge the Chinese government not to repatriate North Korean refugees arrested there. For the hour, many in the audience and on stage did cry or struggled to hold back tears. It was the first concert hosted by a group with the same name formed by celebrities who are campaigning for North Korean defectors. Actor Cha In-pyo managed to solicit the participation of 49 celebrities. Cha said he tried to hold the concert as early as possible as he thought in that way it could save more people's lives. When the celebrities who attended Sunday's concert swore their support for the North Korean escapees, North Korean defectors in the crowd responded with cheers and tears. Only defectors were invited to the concert, and more than 1,000 came from all parts of the country to give their support to the cause.

101 Best Restaurants in America 2012

Have you ever been to New York-based Korean-fusion restaurant Momofuku Ssam Bar? This restaurant was ranked 8th by New York Magazine's "101 Best Restaurants in America for 2012." Momofuku Ssam Bar is a casual, loud restaurant with an inventive menu that is constantly changing. The restaurant bases its menu on 'Ssam.' Their most popular menus are Bossam based meals like the 'Steamed Pork Buns,' which uses Chinese bread, hoisin, cucumber pickle, scallions, unsaturated prok bacon, etc. as ingredients, and 'Cream Tofu' that uses tapioca and sea urchin eggs. For those of you who do not know what Bossam is, Bossam is a type of ssam in Korean cuisine in which steamed pork is wrapped in a leaf vegetable such as red lettuce or sesame leaf, often accompanied by a condiment known as ssamjang. It is usually topped with raw or cooked garlic, onion, pepper, or most commonly, sweet kimchi. Bossam is a popular dish in Korea. Anyways, as 'Momofuku Ssam' is gaining recognition, the number of people who enjoy the Korean cuisine of ssam is increasing. From what I hear, Momofuku is a must-go place. http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/20-best-restaurants-america-231000002.html http://www.thedailymeal.com/101-best-restaurants-america-2012-slideshow?utm_source=yahoo%2Bshine&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=101%2Bbest%2Brestaurants%2Bamerica%2B2012&RM_Exclude=Welcome

Super Junior proves their popularity in Taiwan; ranks #8 in “Taiwan Disc Records”

Super Junior has once again show off their Hallyu King status . In one of the biggest music net in Taiwan , Five-music , it has been calculated that Super Junior’s Chinese sub-unit , Super Junior M has achieved the 8th position on the Taiwan Disk Records with ‘Perfection’ This position does not mean the Kpop sales in Taiwan but the total sales and its very meaningful . On the top 20 of the chart , Super Junior is the only Korean singer on the chart while the rest were Taiwan singers . This also proves Super Junior’s popularity in Taiwan . Besides that , Super Junior is having their world tour , Super Show 4 now .

New UFC Champ to Visit Ancestral Home with Korean Mom

Benson Henderson is the new lightweight champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He beat defending champion Frankie Edgar at UFC 144 on Sunday with a unanimous decision at the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. This caps a heady climb to the top of the sport for Henderson, who only made his debut nine months ago. With the champion's belt around his waist, Henderson ran to the audience and hugged his Korean mother Kim Sung-hwa to share the joyous moment. Henderson wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the Korean national flag on its right shoulder, and the U.S. star spangled banner on its left shoulder. A tattoo on his left arm showed his name written in Korean characters, which he said shows his family background. Henderson was born in the U.S. but had a Korean-style upbringing, which included learning Korean language and etiquette, eating Korean dishes and learning the country's national martial art, taekwondo.

Henderson's family history resembles that of NFL star Hines Ward in many respects. His mother was working on the bus commuting to and from the Demilitarized Zone in Korea when she met and later married an African-American soldier stationed in the country in 1980. The couple had their first son, Julius, and spent the early years of their marriage in Yongsan. While pregnant with Benson, Kim left for the U.S. with her husband. But the marriage proved to be short-lived as Henderson's father turned to drink and drugs, and eventually found himself in jail. Kim got divorced in 1992, and worked 16 to 17 hours a day to raise her two boys. With the title, Henderson will get a hefty bonus in addition to an undisclosed match fee that is estimated to be worth more than US$100,000. As the match was named "fight of the night," he made an additional $65,000 as well as a champion’s bonus based on broadcasting profits. Henderson was ecstatic, saying the victory brought him one step closer to his dream of buying a new home for his mother. Henderson and Kim will visit Korea for two days from Tuesday.

K-Pop Star Rain to Serve as "Entertainment Soldier"

Pop singer and actor Rain will serve as what the military has dubbed an “entertainment soldier” during the remainder of his two years of mandatory military service. The Defense Media Agency on Friday said that Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, has been reassigned as an entertainment soldier along with three others. The four soldiers will now appear in the Korean Forces Networks' television and radio programs and will take part in concert tours for military units across the country. Currently, a total of 12 entertainers are serving as soldiers in the agency. http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Cu_detail.htm?No=88457&id=Cu

Fun wedding in Korea

'Naked Chef' Jamie Oliver to Mix Business and Pleasure on Korea Trip

World-famous British chef Jamie Oliver seems to be eyeing venturing into the Korean food business. With his first visit to Korea at the end of this month, Oliver will discuss a business plan with CJ Group, a CJ spokesman said on Wednesday. The 37-year-old chef has built his reputation by introducing simple recipes and adding natural flavors to dishes on his TV cooking program. His show is now being aired in about 40 countries as his popularity continues to grow. Female viewers find his cute image and easygoing, unpretentious personality endearing, as he tends to cook with his hair disheveled and shirt half open. In 2003, Oliver was honored as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his contribution to spreading British culinary culture. He is also known to be a fan of Korean cuisine. In his magazine, called simply "Jamie Magazine," he introduced a Korean bulgogi sandwich -- a baguette stuffed with marinated barbecued beef -- last October. He has also posted stories about Korean food and London's Myungga restaurant in his personal blog. Oliver first told CJ Group that he wanted to visit the country to learn more about Korean food. The company said that he was very interested in this subject and excited to learn that his cooking program was aired in Korea. Industry insiders say CJ and Oliver will likely launch an international restaurant business using the "Jamie Oliver" brand. There is also speculation that he will open a branch of his restaurant Fifteen, in Seoul. "We haven't discussed anything in detail yet, but we will sound him out about the possibility of a collaboration when he visits," said CJ. Oliver became noticed after he appeared in a BBC documentary about a famous British restaurant while working there. In 1998, he rose to stardom with his show, "The Naked Chef," while he was still in his mid-20s. His cookbooks remain best sellers in the U.K. http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/02/23/2012022300987.html

Incheon Airport Lauded for Worlds Best Service for 7th Year

Incheon International Airport has ranked top in the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey for the seventh consecutive year. The passenger satisfaction ratings were released on Tuesday at an international forum convened by the Airports Council International (ACI) for commercial operators and suppliers. The association of 1,700 airports worldwide surveyed 350,000 passengers last year in 34 categories, including service quality, facilities and management. Incheon was named the Best Airport Worldwide 2011 with 4.95 points out of a maximum 5. It was also named the best airport in the region and in terms of its size, winning the title of Best Airport in Asia Pacific and taking the top spot in the 25-40 million passenger size category. Incheon has secured the top spot for seven years running due to its overall facilities, fast immigration procedures and convenient transfer operations. Departing passengers only need 19 minutes to be processed, while those entering require just 12 minutes -- or three times faster than the international averages (60 minutes for departure and 45 minutes for entry). Asian airports swept the top five spots in the survey, with Singapore Changi Airport taking second place, followed by Beijing Capital International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport and Japan's Nagoya Airport. The awards will be given in Singapore on May 24.

The Life of Whitney Houston'

As the host of her own talk show in the '80s and a close friend of Clive Davis, Nikki Haskell got to know Whitney Houston when the singer was just beginning her career. While reeling from last weekend's shocking events, Haskell was gracious enough to speak with Spinner about the singer's early years, her struggles with addiction, why Bobby Brown was her "downfall" and the fact that someone supposed to be with Houston at all times, including in the bathroom, to prevent a tragedy like this. more article : http://www.spinner.com/2012/02/15/whitney-houston-death-bathroom/

Girls' Generation(SNSD) Cover Dance collection

‘Sungkyunkwan Scandal’: ‘Best Mini-Series’ 2012 NY TV Festival Nominee

'Sungkyunkwan Scandal': ‘Best Mini-Series' 2012 New York TV Festival Nominee

Aired in 2010, the drama, 'Sungkyunkwan Scandal,' which gained immense popularity, has been nominated for 2012 New York TV (NY TV) Festival in the Mini-Series category. The drama is a romantic historical drama that portrays the episodes of love and friendship between youths of Sungkyunkwan, the foremost education institution in Korea of the Joseon Dynasty. KBS, South Korea's television network, has received a gold medal in 2010 NY TV Festival for 'Jonseol Gohyang,' and again, receieved silver medal in International Radio Award for 'Korea China Japan Millenial Generation Writes New Three Kingdom.' Apart from Sungkyunkwan Scanadal, starting with Daejangkeum, The Sun and Moon, Dream High 2... There are a lot of fun Korean dramas. Anyone who interested in seeing the dramas! Click here! http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/4061/20120207/sungkyunkwan-scandal-best-mini-series-2012-ny-tv-festival.htm

Don't Cry for me Sudan - Impressive Story

Though Father John Lee has passed away, his legacy remains. Lee’s lifelong wish was that “what is done for the most unworthy be the same as what is done for me.” His wish will now be carried out through a hospital named after him. John Lee is the baptismal name of Father Lee Tae-seok (1962-2010). He died of colon cancer at the age of 48 in January 2010. In life he was renowned for his humanitarian work in Sudan. The Ministry of Strategy and Finance said on Monday it will build the John Lee Memorial Hospital and Medical School in Juba, South Sudan. It will be the first modern general hospital and medical school in the country. The construction will be financed by the Economic Development Cooperation Fund through a low-interest loan established to support economic and industrial development in underdeveloped nations. The loan was founded in 1987 and managed by the Export-Import Bank of Korea. Construction of the hospital will start at the end of the year. The Ministry of Health and Welfare will provide education and hospital management programs. The Finance Ministry will collect donations and use the money to build a school and a state-run health center in a village for leprosy patients near Tonj, where Lee used to live. The ministry will also send volunteers to the village. Donations will be collected under the name of the “Lee Tae-seok Love Sharing Fund” and details on how it is used will be made public on the Web (www.smiletonj.org). More article : http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2947913

Tracking Marine Debris from the Japanese Tsunami

Large amounts of debris from the Japanese tsunami of 2011 could hit the Oregon Coast sometime next year, according to scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Just how much flotsam will make it here and exactly when remains a mystery for now, however. The Japanese government estimates that up to 25 million tons of debris — everything from vehicles, boats and parts of buildings to appliances, bottles and cans — were swept out to sea during the course of the natural disaster last March. In the days immediately after the tsunami, large moving islands of debris were clearly visible off the Japanese coast. But as they floated out to sea and dispersed, scientists lost track of them. NOAA officials say no debris islands are currently visible in the North Pacific Ocean from their satellite images — though passing ships have reported seeing some concentrations of tsunami-related flotsam. Instead, NOAA is using computer estimates to track the debris’ path and drift rate, based on average ocean currents and winds. NOAA officials predict that the debris could begin hitting the West Coast of the United States in 2013.

Simon Curtis Obsessed with SNSD's Soo Young

Simon Curtis has expressed great interest in Soo Young of SNSD.

On February 4th, Curtis tweeted "Madonna's album is going to be released today but all I can think about is SNSD's gorgeous performance from the Letterman show," and posted a link to the girl group's performance. Curtis added that "many people are surprised to see my interest in SNSD. I really want to talk about my favorite member but I still don't know her name." Someone then asked Curtis about his favorite K-Pop artists and he answered that he liked "Fx, 2NE1, and SNSD" and said that he also has albums by BoA, confirming a keen interest in K-Pop. Simon Curtis later asked on twitter "my favorite SNSD member is the one on the left with black hair, around 7 o'clock direction wise. What's her name?" When the fans replied "Soo Young" Curtis responded "I am obsessed with her. She's an absolute goddess." Curtis then proceeded to ask if Soo Young had a twitter and when a fan sent him a photoshopped picture of him and Soo Young, he excitedly re-twitted it. Curtis said that "it is absolutely fabulous to see my timeline filled with stuff about Soo Young."

http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/3965/20120205/simon-curtis-adores-soo-young.htm

Kim Yu-na Featured in U.S. Math Textbook

Figure queen, Yuna Kim's performance scene appeared at a US math textbook. A photo of Yuna Kim's performance was included in the 5th chapter. Angle measurement part of a high school math textbook, "Application of Trigonometry, and graphics." The textbook, published by a US textbook publishing company used Yuna Kim's photo to explain jump angle measurement in figure skating. Sports athlete and math may seen unrelated. However, US mathematicians applied Yuna Kim's jump to basic trigonometry conceptual problems to increase interests and concentration. In fact, Yuna Kim did not only appear in US textbooks. Yuna Kim's photos, caricatures, and name is used world wide. In a French textbook used in Japan, Yuna Kim is identified as the reresentative of the country, along with John Lennon, Madonna, Angelina Jolie, etc. Due to Yuna Kim's appearance in textbooks, we are afraid students world-wide may become more enthusiastic towards learning.

Two pictures as the clues... the truth shall prevail

A while ago, a mysterious article about Dokdo appeared on an online community. 'You don't know the whole truth if you only have half the page,' it said. The article featured two maps, one by Korea, the other by Japan. The Korean one read "East is sea Sea", but the Japan one read "Sea of Japan." If you put the two maps together, "East sea is sea of Korea not Japan", revealing the whole truth. Japan keeps their nonsensical rambling about Dokdo, as well as distorting history by stating that Dokdo belongs to Japan in their textbooks, causing much criticism by the Korean government and citizens. No matter how much Japan tries to haggle, Dokdo belongs to Korea. They'll only waste more energy by arguing that it belongs to Japan.

SNSD performed "The Boys" on 'Live! With Kelly' ['12. 2. 1]

After wrapping up a successful stage on CBS‘s ‘The Late Show with David Letterman‘ last night,Girls’ Generation has moved on to storm hearts through ABC‘s ’Live! With Kelly‘.
On the morning of February 1st, the members performed “The Boys” on ‘Live! With Kelly’. Afterwards, the hosts gushed, “That was amazing! Amazing!” and “I’ve never seen such audience participation in my life!“, referring to the fanchants from the crowd.

More article :

http://kpopunli.blogspot.com/2012/02/girls-generation-performs-boys-on-live.html

Here is performance of SNSD on 'Live! With Kelly'

Did you know the Korean girl group SNSD?

This group is one of the famous K-pop Star. SNSD(So Nyuh Shi Dae) means Girl's generation. SNSD appeared on American talk shows and had successfully made it to the US billboard charts. SNSD, who have released a special album, including their hit song “The Boys,” to such American and European countries as U.S., Canada, France, and U.K., have successfully made it to U.S. Billboard Charts. The album, which includes the songs from SNSD’s third album and Korean and English remixed versions of “The Boys,” ranked 22nd on the Heatseekers Albums of Billboard Charts on February 4. Heatseekers Albums show the hottest albums of new artists who just made it to Billboard Charts according to the statistics from Nielsen Soundscan. Making it to this chart, SNSD got acknowledged among many new artists who just entered the U.S. market. SNSD’s “The Boys” also ranked second on the World Chart. SNSD haven’t officially started promoting and performing in the U.S., they’ve gotten a profitable result in the global market. Daniel Radcliffe(Harry Potter) say that he likes SNSD and had SNSD CD.^^ I like SNSD, too.

Bukchon hanok village - Korea

Surrounded by Gyeongbokgung(Palace), Changdeokgung(Palace) and Jongmyo Royal Shrine, Bukchon is a residential area in Seoul with countless hanoks(traditional Korean houses). Bukchon is also called "the street museum in the urban core," having many historical spots and cultural heritage sites. Since it is located in the northern part of Cheonggyecheon and Jongno, people named this area Bukchon, which means northern village. In the village, there are Gahoe-dong, Songhyeon-dong and Samcheong-dong, whose names evoke affection in all Seoulites. In the late Joseon Dynasty, the large-scaled land was partitioned into small-sized building sites for social and economic reasons. It is assumed that the hanoks closely located together in the village were rebuilt around 1930. The change in the form of hanok reflects the densification of the society due to the urbanization began at that time in Korea. Bukchon’s historic sites and cultural heritages from the Joseon Dynasty to modern times tell visitors the history of this area.

It's Bukchon-Hanok village. I love this place.. If you wanna get more information.. visit this site!!!!
http://bukchon.seoul.go.kr/eng/intro/history.jsp

Kim Yu-na Fetes Special Olympics on 100-Day Countdown

Figure skating star Kim Yu-na led the celebrations at an event marking the one-year countdown to the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Pyeongchang at Seoul Plaza on Sunday, with over 2,000 citizens, volunteers and a few celebrities turning up. "As an athlete, I am very much looking forward to the Special Olympics in Pyeongchang next year. I ask for your continued support for the athletes taking part," said Kim, who is an honorary promotional ambassador for the sporting event. The games will take place from Jan. 26 to Feb. 6 next year in Gangneung and Pyeongchang in Gangwon Province, with some 2,300 athletes from over 100 countries and 10,000 volunteers set to participate. The Special Olympics was established in 1968 in the United States at the suggestion of the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a philanthropist and younger sister of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy. It is different from the Paralympics as it focuses on athletes with purely intellectual disabilities.

Kara Sweeps Awards at Japan's Gold Disc Awards

Kara Sweeps Awards at Japan's Gold Disc AwardsGirl group Kara have swept this year's Gold Disc Awards. In a ceremony hosted by the Recording Industry Association of Japan in Tokyo on Friday, they were honored in five categories including Best Asian Artist, Best Three Asian Albums, Song of the Year by Download, Best Five Songs by Download, and Best Music Video. Girls Generation received awards for Album of the Year and the Best Three Asian Albums, while 2PM was named the New Artist of the Year and one of the Best Three New Artists. TVXQ won the award for Best Three Asian Albums, while Jang Keun-suk was named as one of the Best Three New Artists. The Japanese awards are based on a combination of scores by the jury and annual sales of the albums released in the previous year.

BEAST to give 1st European concert

K-pop boy band BEAST will have its first concert in Europe next month, its agency said on Friday.

The concert, titled “2012 Beast 1st World Tour -- Beautiful Show,” will take place in Columbia Halle, one of most prestigious concert halls in Berlin, Agency Cube entertainment said. The concert hall has hosted major concerts performed by international stars such as Boys∥Men and Sting, it added. Beast members said they were looking forward to introducing K-pop music to an audience more used to different kinds of music. “We recently ranked third in a German music chart so we’re especially excited to repay our German fans for their support,” band leader Yoon Du-jun was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency. BEAST gave a joint performance in London last year with singers from their agency such as G.NA and 4minute.

Girls' Generation to Perform on Letterman Show

Girls' Generation to Perform on Letterman ShowGirls' Generation will appear on two U.S. TV talk shows. The leading K-pop girl group will appear on CBS' "The Late Show with David Letterman" as a guest next Tuesday and give a five-minute performance, their agency SM Entertainment said. They will present "The Boys," the title song of their third full length album, which was released globally at the end of last year, the agency added. The David Letterman show, one of the most famous talk shows in the U.S. along with NBC's "The Tonight Show," invites celebrities including politicians, entertainers and athletes onto the show. "Girls' Generation is the first Korean band to appear on a mainstream talk show on a terrestrial TV channel in the U.S.," the agency said. On Feb. 1, the band will also perform and have an interview on ABC TV's popular talk show "Live! with Kelly."

[Korean Drama] The Moon That Embraces the Sun Episode 01

It's very interesting drama...
Tradition Clothes..
Tradition House..etc..
In this drama, I can feel the Korean culture..
And also, someguys very handsome.... :)

Click!! you can see this drama [Episode 01]
http://www.joykdrama.com/drama/The-Sun-and-the-Moon-The-Moon-Embracing-The-Sun/The-Moon-That-Embraces-the-Sun-Episode-01-English-SubTitle-II/

[Korean Movie 2012] Pacemaker

■Movie: Pacemaker ■Revised romanization: Peiseu Meikeo ■Hangul: 페이스메이커 ■Director: Kim Dal-Jung ■Writer: ■Producer: ■Cinematographer: ■Release Date: January 18, 2012 ■Runtime: ■Language: Korean ■Country: South Korea

Human drama based on an unlucky marathoner who had always been running as a 30km pace maker but gets to challenge a 42.195 km marathon for the first time in his life. * A pace maker? A player who supports the rhythm of a rising star during a game in swimming, long distance running, cycling and others. Cast : Kim Myung Min, Ahn Sung Ki, Go Ara, Lee El, Choi Jae Woong

Let's Learn Korean tradition Saebae!!

What is SAEBAE?

In Korea, lunar Jan. 1st is the New Year's day.

On New year's day,

people dress in traditional Korean garments,

Visit the elderly,

And give them the first greetings of the year.

Then the elderly

Will pass down their wisdom

And for minors,

They give out traditional money bags!!!

 Lesson 1. How to SAEBAE!!!

 1. Hands together
For men, left hand goes over the right
For women, right had goes over the left
and face the elderly, standing up

2. With the hands folded together,

Men bring them up to the eyesight,

Women bring them up to the shoulderline

And look at the top of your hands.

3. For men, bring down your hands

Bend your waist, and touch the floor.

For women, bend your left knee first,

then right knee as well then sit on your hip.

4. For men, the entire forearm with the elbow must touch the floor

Put down your forehead on top of your hads

Don't lift your hips here! For women, bend your upper torso at about 45 degree angle,

Stay there for a bit, then straighten up.

5. For men, straighten up your right knee

Push yourself up to stand

For women, stand with your right knee first,

Then your left knee comes up

Next, bow slightly!

Lesson 2. Let's try Saebae for real!!

Visit an elderly Korean you know

and try your new Saebae skills

For example, friends' parents, teachers, our boss, etc.

1. Saebae is appropriate from sunrise to sunset, on Jan 1st lunar.

2. Don't do it on the streetside.

3. Anyone over 20 shouldn't take the money

Hope you to be Happy in New year!!!

50 beautiful places to visit in Korea

Some 25 million South Koreans -- about half the population -- travel abroad at least once a year, but it’s safe to assume that most haven't seen all the beautiful sights within the country. Seoul only takes up a mere 0.6 percent of South Korea's territory: here are 50 stunning photographs from the other 99.4 percent of the country that are all worth a visit. Here are the flowery spring landscapes, sandy beaches, rocky mountains and quietly stunning historic sites on your new Korean travel bucket list. And just in case you were wondering, they are in no particular order. Feel free to add some suggestions of your own in the comment box at the end of the article.

More detail :

http://www.cnngo.com/seoul/visit/50-beautiful-places-visit-korea-873093

Posters point to plight of 'comfort women'

Singer Kim Jang-hoon and Professor Seo Kyung-duk have joined forces again in a project to raise awareness about the plight of so-called "comfort women". "Comfort women" is a euphemism for women who were forced into sexual slavery during World War II by the Japanese military. Seo, a visiting professor at Sungshin Women's University, said Jan. 5 that some 1,500 posters were distributed around Tokyo with the help of a group of Korean students studying in Japan. The posters were placed around locations in Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku, among other urban areas. Seo said that Kim paid for all the expenses for the posters, just as he did when he paid for a similar ad in the Asian edition of The Wall Street Journal last December. Like the ad, the poster is titled "Do You Hear?" and shows the women and their supporters at their 1,000th protest rally held outside the Japanese Embassy in Seoul on Dec. 14. It also details information about the injustice the women have suffered over the years because the Japanese government has yet to make an official apology. "The poster aims to appeal to Japanese youth who are not aware of the situation, because they were never taught what really happened", Seo said. The professor said that next week there are plans to place another 1,500 posters in Osaka, Kyoto and Kansai.

CNN selected the best & worst movies in 2011

Most of movies awarded are quite abstruse and boring but I often get to see those movies first whenever I go to a theater. Yesterday, I heard the news CNN selected the 10 best movies in 2011 and searched for the list and listed 5 worst movies too. lollol Your highness is listed in worst 5 movies. Have you ever seen it? lollol I totally couldn't understand why the director made this movie that made all of the characters look morons. Hopefully, I found the movie named "Poetry" looking quite cool. Its story is that an old lady who has Alzheimer's disease comes to know that her grandson committed a crime while learning poetries and she confesses his guilty. "Poetry" won the award for its scenario in Cannes Film Festival 2010 and U.S village voice ranked its heroine-Yun jung hee as 4th in the best movie actresses. I think scenario is the base of all movies and the most important factor to make movies good or awful. I'd like to try this movie, Do you know any other movies(not listed) to recommend?