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.

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...

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

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

'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.

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.

[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/

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

“Plant 20000 Mango Trees Of Hope In Sudan, Africa”

JYJ, Song Ji-hyo, and Park Yoo-hwan participated in the World Vision project entitled "Planting 20,000 Mango Trees of Hope" in Sudan, Africa. Their agency, C-Jes Entertainment, said on November 24, "JYJ, Song Ji-hyo, and Park Yoo-hwan decided to actively participate in the fund raising activities to support World Vision's project of planting mango trees in Sudan". They will deliver their encouraging message through the official website of C-Jes Entertainment (http://www.c-jes.co.kr), saying, "Why don't we plant mango trees that can become a shelter and food at the same time for children in Sudan who have lost their hope while experiencing a long history of civil wars up to now". People who want to participate in the project can send 10,000 won for one seedling, and they will be provided with a thank you note bearing the stars' autographs by C-Jes Entertainment. JYJ said, "We want to build a thick forest in Sudan together with our fans who have shown their greatest love to us. The mango trees reportedly live for one hundred years, and I think that planting a mango tree has a significant long-lasting meaning".

Super Junior Receives #1 YouTube Top K-Pop Singers

Super Junior was picked as number one for the “2011 YouTube Awards, TOP 3 K-Pop Singers.” Super Junior’s hit single “Mister Simple” had the most views at 26,946,217. The song was released in August and within three months it had 26,000,000 views.
Super Junior’s leader Lee Teuk was a part of the ceremony and gave his thoughts about receiving the award, “I think the most meaningful award is the fact that fans around the world listened to us. Other than YouTube we are also receiving a lot of help through SNS. I really didn’t expect it and nearly click 10 times before going to sleep.”
He continued by saying, “I definitely feel the power of YouTube’s influence. When I see foreign promotions or any activities we engage in appear on YouTube in real time, I am always surprised.”
2NE1 also had three songs for the Top 10, with their songs, “I Am the Best,” “Lonely,” and “Hate You.” “I Am the Best” had 22,092,122 views.

Former Thai Prime Minster Thaksin, Benchmarks South Korea's River Project

Flood control is more important than ever in Thailand, country where the government is investing billions of dollars in controlling 20 rivers that stretch up to 6,000km and cause flood damage every year
Last August's downpour - recorded as the worst torrential rain in last five decades - flooded 70% of Thailand's lands and killed around 400 people, causing over 16 billion dollars' worth of damage. The country now grieves in pain as its people pray for their loved ones that passed away.
   
To prevent this annual disaster from happening, Thai ex-prime minister Thaksin visited South Korea to tour the 'The Four Major Rivers(Han, Nakdong, Geum, and Yeongsan rivers) Project', where rivers are being dredged and dammed to avoid future disasters and to improve the water quality.
Let us hope that South Korean flood control technologies can soon spread to Thailand so that its people may avoid further suffering from flood disasters.

SNSD's YoonA Is a "Campus Goddess" in "Love Rain"

Photos of SNSD’s YoonA taken on the set of her much-anticipated drama “Love Rain” have recently surfaced on the Internet. In the pictures, the singer-actress is dressed as one of the characters she plays, a college student in the 1970s. Her youthful look, very different from her onstage appearances earned her a “campus goddess” title among netizens.
The fresh-faced beauty shows off innocent charms in her simple outfit of a blue jacket over white blouse, a neutral-tone skirt and flat mary-jane shoes with white socks. She completes the old-fashioned student look with a buckled bag, a wrapped lunch box and books.
In “Love Rain,” YoonA plays Kim Yoon Hee, the love interest of Seo In Ha, Jang Geun Suk’s character. The young lovers will be seen incarnated in the 1970s and again in modern times.
“Love Rain” started earnestly shooting earlier in the month. The drama is in the hands of the team behind "Autumn in My Heart" and “Winter Sonata," writer Oh Soo Yeon and director Yoon Suk Ho. “Love Rain” is aiming for broadcast in early 2012.