First, the Ministry of Health says "Don't" and then, a few days later, it says it's OK to consume Shin Ramyun ( or Shin Ramen ) instant noodles because tests on these products have apparently shown there aren't excessive levels of plasticiser ie. di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-isononyl phthalate (DINP).
Those who are addicted to this stuff do bear in mind there are two sources for the Shin Ramen packet noodles which are sold in Malaysia - those directly imported from Korea which are more pricey and sold in Lotte marts and supermarkets and the cheaper versions from China which one can find in wet markets and night markets. I'd like to think the Korean products are better and safer but I've nothing to back this wishful thinking.
I wonder if samples of the product from both countries were tested. Goodness knows how many packets I've already consumed and how much contaminants are in my system but do I care? Sounds terribly irresponsible of me but as I type this, I'm feeling peckish and longing for a bowl of spicy, chewy Korean ramyun. Oh dear - can somebody tell me if my favourite Nongshim is safe to eat?
Let me add to the virality of this already viral video clip from Korea's Got Talent but also go off on a tangent.
Warning: Lotsa name-dropping ahead but no, that's not my real focus here either.
Ok- it's about Choi Sung-bong and how he's Korea's own Susan Boyle or Paul Potts...yadah, yadah...) and not about Nella Fantasia but this is the second time I've heard this music ( well, I wasn't aware of the music when it was featured as Gabriel's Oboe in the movie, "The Mission" ) as well as the second time I've been made aware of it by a Korean TV production.
It was featured in a memorable scene from Beethoven's Virus in which the orchestra really connects with Orchestra-Killer Maestro Kang for the first time. Now Nella Fantasia may be the song that could catapult Mr Choi into a fate similar to Susan Boyle's. BTW, those into spotting Hallyu stars, see if you can spot Seo Taiji's ex i.e. Ms Lee Ji-ah and Mr Jang Geun-seok in the second video clip. Also, it was a pleasant surprise as well to see the wife of Mr Sol Kyung-gu ie. Song Yoon-ah of Hotelier and On Air fame in the judge's seat for the Korea's Got Talent show.
So now, I'm throwing this question into cyberspace - why does this composition seem to resonate with Koreans? ( same goes for Pachabel's Canon in D ) Is it the lovely melody by Encio Morricone or the lyrics ( if the Korean version is anything like the English one below?
In my imagination I see a fair world,
Everyone lives in peace and in honesty there.
I dream of souls that are always free,
Like the clouds that fly,
Full of humanity in the depths of the soul.
In my imagination I see a bright world,
Even the night is less dark there.
I dream of souls that are always free,
Like clouds that fly.
In my imagination there exists a warm wind,
That breathes on the cities, like a friend.
I dream of souls that are always free,
Like clouds that fly,
Full of humanity in the depths of the soul.
