Have to thank MBC for this poignant scene from the historical drama, Dong Yi, in which the heroine finds herself lost among ordinary Koreans releasing lanterns bearing their wishes for the new year. Known in China as "sky lanterns", they apparently originated during the turbulent days of the Three Kingdoms when a besieged group was forced to send messages for additional troops by way of these wind-borne lanterns.
The tradition of expressing one's wishes for the New Year presumably made its way to Korea from China. What I'd like to know is if this charming practice is observed anywhere in Korea these days. I have my doubts given the predominance of high-wire cables and considerations for aviation and high building safety and ecological considerations, despite the assurances of one Chinese manufacturer that the lanterns are made of flame-retardant paper, that its flight altitude is only within 800-1000 meters and that its "burning time" is just between 12 and 15 minutes.
Anyway, here's wishing everyone a Happy 2012 and may your hopes keep afloat indefinitely.
sources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDLIOiafkPE
http://www.ec21.com/offer_detail/Sell_Sky_Lantern_Oval_Shape--12755845.html
Ajumma's Journal
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Expect Slower-Moving Queues At Immigration Counters in ROK
If you are a non-Korean national, over 17 and not a diplomat, be prepared for longer lines at entry points into South Korea like Incheon International Airport, with effect from January the first.
Reason : The Justice Ministry insists on scanning your fingerprints and face when you wait in line to have your passport stamped before you are allowed entry into the country. If you want to kick up a fuss about the tedious and inconvenient biometric scanning procedures, be prepared to be refused admission into the country.
Actually, biometric scanning isn't a new thing in RoK - it has been applied to those entering the country from places regarded as high-risk ( in the eyes of the Korea Immigration Service) since September, 2010 as well as to long-term staying foreigners. Besides, those used to travelling a lot around the world should already be familiar with such inconveniences as biometric scans have been part of entry procedures in the US, Japan and the EC in one way or another for some time already. However, security measures are being tightened ahead of the Nuclear Security Summit which will be held in Seoul early next year.
According to one source, "Biometric scanning will be conducted in 11 different languages including English, Chinese and Japanese. The process potentially could double the amount of time that it takes to pass through immigration. At the immigration desk, foreigners entering the country for the first time will have both index fingers and their faces scanned as part of the Justice Ministry’s Biometric Identification System."
Make sure your MP3 or IPad batteries are fully charged before you join the long lines at the immigration counters in Korea. If not, pack a novel and look upon the occasion as an opportunity to practise patience. As for those in tour groups, good luck and do consider solo travel to Korea in the future!
sources:
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/12/27/2011122701407.html
http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20111226000712
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2011/12/27/0200000000AEN20111227006700315.HTML?source=rss
http://www.nowtheendbegins.com/blog/?p=6830
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOmT2vkdGi0&feature=player_embedded
Reason : The Justice Ministry insists on scanning your fingerprints and face when you wait in line to have your passport stamped before you are allowed entry into the country. If you want to kick up a fuss about the tedious and inconvenient biometric scanning procedures, be prepared to be refused admission into the country.
Actually, biometric scanning isn't a new thing in RoK - it has been applied to those entering the country from places regarded as high-risk ( in the eyes of the Korea Immigration Service) since September, 2010 as well as to long-term staying foreigners. Besides, those used to travelling a lot around the world should already be familiar with such inconveniences as biometric scans have been part of entry procedures in the US, Japan and the EC in one way or another for some time already. However, security measures are being tightened ahead of the Nuclear Security Summit which will be held in Seoul early next year.
According to one source, "Biometric scanning will be conducted in 11 different languages including English, Chinese and Japanese. The process potentially could double the amount of time that it takes to pass through immigration. At the immigration desk, foreigners entering the country for the first time will have both index fingers and their faces scanned as part of the Justice Ministry’s Biometric Identification System."
Make sure your MP3 or IPad batteries are fully charged before you join the long lines at the immigration counters in Korea. If not, pack a novel and look upon the occasion as an opportunity to practise patience. As for those in tour groups, good luck and do consider solo travel to Korea in the future!
sources:
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/12/27/2011122701407.html
http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20111226000712
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2011/12/27/0200000000AEN20111227006700315.HTML?source=rss
http://www.nowtheendbegins.com/blog/?p=6830
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOmT2vkdGi0&feature=player_embedded
Kpop As YouTube Genre
These days, when one's fame is measured in terms of the number of Facebook "likes", it's a sure sign that Hallyu has spread its wings beyond the Asian market when it has been listed as a genre on the Youtube music website since 15th December. This is probably the first time the pop music of a particular country has been highlighted, much to the delight of fans of Super Junior, Girls' Generation and so on.
BUT, what about those outside Kpop mainstream? Don't know when Fluxus's Channel first appeared on cyberspace but here's hoping more people around the world will become familiar with these indie musicians like Yi Sung-yol, W and Whale, Ibadi and Clazziquai.
Sources:
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/program/program_musicnews_detail.htm?No=17070
http://www.youtube.com/profile?feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_776510&user=fluxus&src_vid=ScURmRUgZt0
BUT, what about those outside Kpop mainstream? Don't know when Fluxus's Channel first appeared on cyberspace but here's hoping more people around the world will become familiar with these indie musicians like Yi Sung-yol, W and Whale, Ibadi and Clazziquai.
Sources:
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/program/program_musicnews_detail.htm?No=17070
http://www.youtube.com/profile?feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_776510&user=fluxus&src_vid=ScURmRUgZt0
Friday, December 16, 2011
Can Korean Doctors Help Acid Attack Victim?
I’ll stop complaining to myself about having a bummer 2011 because I’ve just been reminded indirectly by a news article that others have had it worse. This week, a fellow Malaysian is in South Korea in the hope that doctors in the JK Plastic Surgery Centre in Seoul will be able to help her regain some normalcy after a nightmarish acid attack a few years earlier left her partially blinded and badly scarred. It was particularly harrowing because her own father , who was mentally unsound, was the assailant and her mother died as a result of that attack.
When I first saw the news that Tan Hui Linn was going to receive pro bono treatment under a Medical Korea project, the cynical side of me, I’m ashamed to admit, was thinking – Oh, what a clever way to boost medical tourism in the country. But what really matters is that Hui Linn’s time in Korea won’t be wasted and that her body won’t reject the skin transplants so that the surgeries can indeed take place.
So, here’s wishing Hui Linn all the very best and thank you very much to the Ministry of Health and Welfare and those involved in the Medical Korea project for helping her . Hopefully it will turn out to be a win-win situation for all but especially for this plucky schoolgirl who managed to do well in her exams despite her personal tragedies.
Sources:
http://www.asiaone.com/News/The%2BNew%2BPaper/Story/A1Story20100209-197648.html
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/12/16/nation/10105522&sec=nation
http://www.whatsontianjin.com/news-2057-tan-hui-linn-m-sian-acid-attack-victim-scarred-by-dad-to-get-surgeries-in-s-korea.html
http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20111215000893
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medical-korea-concludes-korea-medical-charity-program-for-2011-134901788.html
http://www.medicalkorea.or.kr/eng/index.jsp
http://www.lifestylermag.com/Korean_Wave
http://english.jkplastic.com/jk_about/overview_01.html
http://www.acidviolence.org/index.php/news/malaysian-acid-attack-survivor-to-undergo-plastic-surgery-in-south-korea/
When I first saw the news that Tan Hui Linn was going to receive pro bono treatment under a Medical Korea project, the cynical side of me, I’m ashamed to admit, was thinking – Oh, what a clever way to boost medical tourism in the country. But what really matters is that Hui Linn’s time in Korea won’t be wasted and that her body won’t reject the skin transplants so that the surgeries can indeed take place.
So, here’s wishing Hui Linn all the very best and thank you very much to the Ministry of Health and Welfare and those involved in the Medical Korea project for helping her . Hopefully it will turn out to be a win-win situation for all but especially for this plucky schoolgirl who managed to do well in her exams despite her personal tragedies.
Sources:
http://www.asiaone.com/News/The%2BNew%2BPaper/Story/A1Story20100209-197648.html
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/12/16/nation/10105522&sec=nation
http://www.whatsontianjin.com/news-2057-tan-hui-linn-m-sian-acid-attack-victim-scarred-by-dad-to-get-surgeries-in-s-korea.html
http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20111215000893
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medical-korea-concludes-korea-medical-charity-program-for-2011-134901788.html
http://www.medicalkorea.or.kr/eng/index.jsp
http://www.lifestylermag.com/Korean_Wave
http://english.jkplastic.com/jk_about/overview_01.html
http://www.acidviolence.org/index.php/news/malaysian-acid-attack-survivor-to-undergo-plastic-surgery-in-south-korea/
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
SKC Hallyu Party 2011
Dear Mr Yun Jae Jin (Managing Director of KTO KL) and the Board of Directors of SKC in Malaysia,
Gamsa –hamnida once again for inviting me to the SKC ( Saranghaeyo Korea Club) Hallyu Party 2011 held on the 4 Dec 2011 in Petaling Jaya. I thought I would be late for the event as the traffic was moving quite slowly so it was a relief to see the long lines of SKC members lined up outside the doors of the Bentley Auditorium. The e-mail confirming the invitation had reminded us to turn up in either red and blue and I half expected the hall to be also decked out in the traditional red and blue lanterns. But when the doors finally opened, there didn’t seem to be any special decorations.
Your speech ( Mr Yun’s ) was short and sweet but what impressed me most was the fact that you’ve picked up quite a few of the local languages, greeting members of the audience in English, Malay and Cantonese. I could see quite a few of the members of the SKC Board of Directors busy organising the events with the help of the “shepherds” ( volunteers from the SKC, I am assuming). Sophia, Yee Pei and Tyra were enthusiastic MCs who were pretty comfortable getting the audience up on their feet to regroup according to the Hangul character stickers on their sleeves.
The winners, identified after a few elimination rounds, were presented with packets of instant ramyeon ( hopefully, they were imported from Korea and not the Made-In-China version).
Long lines quickly formed during the tea break. Happily SKC fans were very civilised and patient waiting their turns. The theme seemed to be Street Fare -it was kindly sponsored by Hanseong, a local Korean restaurant, The gimbap was delicious and the tteokbokki was equally well-received though it was uncharacteristically distributed in small paper cups. Choco pies and fizzy drinks completed the menu.
Dances by various girl or boy groups such as Epsilon , Ruffneckz and Progression provided additional entertainment as they performed the latest hits from Miss A, Wondergirls and Suju. They seemed to garner as many screams of excitement as the original Hallyu singers. Once again, I was struck by the way the demographics have changed so rapidly. Unlike the first generation of ajummas who were besotted with K –dramas, the younger set have first fallen in love with K-pop.
Sincerely,
ajumma
P. S. Have you checked out my Open Letter in Inspiring Korea Night 2010?
Gamsa –hamnida once again for inviting me to the SKC ( Saranghaeyo Korea Club) Hallyu Party 2011 held on the 4 Dec 2011 in Petaling Jaya. I thought I would be late for the event as the traffic was moving quite slowly so it was a relief to see the long lines of SKC members lined up outside the doors of the Bentley Auditorium. The e-mail confirming the invitation had reminded us to turn up in either red and blue and I half expected the hall to be also decked out in the traditional red and blue lanterns. But when the doors finally opened, there didn’t seem to be any special decorations.
Not that anyone was complaining – those who had attended a K-pop concert the night before were probably still keyed –up about having seen their fav SuJu singer perform while others were keeping their fingers crossed and praying to win some attractive lucky draw prizes such as a hanky set from Jeju, Hanji tray, K dolls, 2PM CDs, Samsung camera, LG mobile phone, AirAsiaX tickets to Seoul.. I wasn’t holding my breath and expecting to win anything but I think I would’ve dug a little deeper into my purse if I had known earlier that proceeds for the sale of the RM 5 raffle tickets would go to the Cancer Society of Malaysia. Still, it was nice to know that we were doing something to help the community.
Your speech ( Mr Yun’s ) was short and sweet but what impressed me most was the fact that you’ve picked up quite a few of the local languages, greeting members of the audience in English, Malay and Cantonese. I could see quite a few of the members of the SKC Board of Directors busy organising the events with the help of the “shepherds” ( volunteers from the SKC, I am assuming). Sophia, Yee Pei and Tyra were enthusiastic MCs who were pretty comfortable getting the audience up on their feet to regroup according to the Hangul character stickers on their sleeves.
The young ones were soon happily engrossed in the first group game with the musical challenge, “How K-pop Are You?” Those on the floor were eager to prove how well they could identify different K-pop songs while others like myself literally on the sidelines and sitting out on the chairs may have been bemused by the shrieks of recognition each time a few bars of music was played . I was equally baffled by the second game which seem to require pretty extensive knowledge of the lives of K-celebrities.
Long lines quickly formed during the tea break. Happily SKC fans were very civilised and patient waiting their turns. The theme seemed to be Street Fare -it was kindly sponsored by Hanseong, a local Korean restaurant, The gimbap was delicious and the tteokbokki was equally well-received though it was uncharacteristically distributed in small paper cups. Choco pies and fizzy drinks completed the menu.
Thank you, Hanseong for the spread and thanks to Yokee, BoD member and other volunteers for serving us so patiently. ( I hope I got the names right!)
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – this will be an interesting challenge for the KTO and SKC BoD – how do you cater to the different interest and age groups ( assuming you are equally interested in reaching out to two separate segments of the market)? What about SKC members outside the Klang Valley especially those in other states?
Anyway, thanks for all the hard work in organising the SKC Party 2011, thank you for the lovely calendar and here’s wishing all of you an even more eventful 2012!Sincerely,
ajumma
P. S. Have you checked out my Open Letter in Inspiring Korea Night 2010?
Friday, December 2, 2011
I'll Remember MAMA Part 2
Here's the continuation of what made me half-glad and half regretful that I spent four hours in front of the telly to catch the delayed telecast of MAMA 2011.
5. Fann Wong's fashion question-mark - What on earth was she wearing??? Apologies to the fans of "Singapore's National Treasure" but she looked as if she was determined NOT to aim for conventional glamour in that strange garb. But hey, what do I know about fashion and why should I care about her wardrobe choices???
6. Ulala's spirited performance
Each time I start feeling sorry for myself, I must remember Im Yoon-taek's never-say-die spirit. Despite suffering from stage four cancer, he was able to perform with the other three members of Ulala Session. His baggy clothes couldn't hide his thinness but what really stood out was their energy and heart. These winners of Season 3 of "Superstar K" looked like the real deal ,IMHO, compared to the well-oiled machinery of the more well-established boy bands.
7. I'd sooner forget the painfully awkward sight of stiff kids in yellow T-shirts shepherded onto stage to stand in line in the background and instructed to hold yellow balloons and wave their hands as Apl.de.Ap. of the Black-eyed Peas sings "We Can Be Anything". Spare me the cliche, please. It's too corny to be even cute.
8. Wowed by will-i-am's performance of "The Hardest Ever" but was that really him or a dancer with the image of will.i.am's head on the TV screen as the head? Haven't seen any 'live' concerts for years and this inventive and theatrical number shows me what I've been missing.
To Be Continued....
Sources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeMBaGuzhk8&feature=related
http://www.koreaboo.com/index.html/_/general/ulala-session-says-we-hope-to-be-more-tha-r11836
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tzGwMKCrF4&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1eyPMCmZUI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1eyPMCmZUI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeKWdH3hhD4
5. Fann Wong's fashion question-mark - What on earth was she wearing??? Apologies to the fans of "Singapore's National Treasure" but she looked as if she was determined NOT to aim for conventional glamour in that strange garb. But hey, what do I know about fashion and why should I care about her wardrobe choices???
6. Ulala's spirited performance
Each time I start feeling sorry for myself, I must remember Im Yoon-taek's never-say-die spirit. Despite suffering from stage four cancer, he was able to perform with the other three members of Ulala Session. His baggy clothes couldn't hide his thinness but what really stood out was their energy and heart. These winners of Season 3 of "Superstar K" looked like the real deal ,IMHO, compared to the well-oiled machinery of the more well-established boy bands.
7. I'd sooner forget the painfully awkward sight of stiff kids in yellow T-shirts shepherded onto stage to stand in line in the background and instructed to hold yellow balloons and wave their hands as Apl.de.Ap. of the Black-eyed Peas sings "We Can Be Anything". Spare me the cliche, please. It's too corny to be even cute.
8. Wowed by will-i-am's performance of "The Hardest Ever" but was that really him or a dancer with the image of will.i.am's head on the TV screen as the head? Haven't seen any 'live' concerts for years and this inventive and theatrical number shows me what I've been missing.
To Be Continued....
Sources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeMBaGuzhk8&feature=related
http://www.koreaboo.com/index.html/_/general/ulala-session-says-we-hope-to-be-more-tha-r11836
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tzGwMKCrF4&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1eyPMCmZUI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1eyPMCmZUI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeKWdH3hhD4
I'll Remember MAMA...part 1
Here's a list of ELEVEN things that impressed me or depressed me about the recent M.Net Music Awards ceremony held in Singapore. I'll remember MAMA 2011 for....
1. Lee Byung Hyun - working his charm and speaking "da England" quite convincingly. Wonder who's his diction teacher???
2. Screams of Kpop fans during Lang Lang's performance. Beethoven would've turned in his grave if he heard the excited howls punctuating "Moonlight Sonata".
3. The lack of subtitling or rather, subtitles in English, made me wonder why MAMA bothered to have the show in Singapore if it was catering to the home audience. Or does MAMA think the ample provision of eye candy such as Han Chae-young in a stunning Dolce and Gabbana gown and Bae Su-bin in a tux would be sufficient to keep Hallyu fans happy? Personally, I'd still like to know what the presenters were saying, even though the chatter may be trite. MAMA, please remember, if you wanna go global, you gotta go with the flow and that means hiring people who can translate Korean into English pronto.
4. Great stage. Could hardly believe my eyes. Was that really the Singapore Indoor Stadium? Looked like MAMA played fairy godmother to her Cinderella and the SIS was magically transformed into the belle of the ball. One report pointed out that the stage featured the Chinese character, "ren" to signify people and how music brought people together. Particularly loved the work of the lighting director and the special effects which almost made up for the absence of English subtitles. One example here in 2NE1's performance.
To be continued.....
http://www.enewsworld.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=1806
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/photosgallery/gallery_20111129171430.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_5lzbIZ_DY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=G_5lzbIZ_DY#!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAHD0aFt45A
1. Lee Byung Hyun - working his charm and speaking "da England" quite convincingly. Wonder who's his diction teacher???
2. Screams of Kpop fans during Lang Lang's performance. Beethoven would've turned in his grave if he heard the excited howls punctuating "Moonlight Sonata".
3. The lack of subtitling or rather, subtitles in English, made me wonder why MAMA bothered to have the show in Singapore if it was catering to the home audience. Or does MAMA think the ample provision of eye candy such as Han Chae-young in a stunning Dolce and Gabbana gown and Bae Su-bin in a tux would be sufficient to keep Hallyu fans happy? Personally, I'd still like to know what the presenters were saying, even though the chatter may be trite. MAMA, please remember, if you wanna go global, you gotta go with the flow and that means hiring people who can translate Korean into English pronto.
4. Great stage. Could hardly believe my eyes. Was that really the Singapore Indoor Stadium? Looked like MAMA played fairy godmother to her Cinderella and the SIS was magically transformed into the belle of the ball. One report pointed out that the stage featured the Chinese character, "ren" to signify people and how music brought people together. Particularly loved the work of the lighting director and the special effects which almost made up for the absence of English subtitles. One example here in 2NE1's performance.
To be continued.....
http://www.enewsworld.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=1806
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/photosgallery/gallery_20111129171430.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_5lzbIZ_DY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=G_5lzbIZ_DY#!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAHD0aFt45A