I WON

On month of February I enter a contest by MTV Asia to win "S.E.O.U.L. Super Junior & Girls' Generation" Autograph Poster and while checking e-mail,

Jaime Lee of MTV Asia send me an e-mail telling me I WON!!

OMG, this is my first time winning a contest and it's Super Junior! I was hoping I will win it because it's really my first time entering a contest! It was very easy to enter the contest so I entered it. Wow. I won.

There were only 25 poster given away and I was one of them. :D

I'm worried though, because the e-mail was sent last week, I only reply today to give another address of mine because they can't send through PO BOX. *finger crossed.

The picture above is probably the one I will be receiving, since the e-mail said Super Junior and Girls Generation not Siwon and TaeYeon or other couple poster. I'm all good, since I want the wanted posted above or the least the magnae couple!

Watch the MV!



I still remember what I wrote, It was to select a favorite SuJu or SNSD member.

"Selecting a favorite member it's like asking who do I like better, Mom or Dad? I can't possibly choose either one. I have to say though that ShinDong is inspiring, he's big size but it doesn't stop him from chasing his dreams. Being an overweight myself, I think that's admirable"

Something like that la.. I change a little because have to be under 50 words or under 300 character. Thank You Shin Dong!~~

Korea invades Animax!

I haven't watch Animax for a long time (I'm a Manga person) but I randomly turn the channel to 715 on Astro and stumble upon Animax frequent ad on brand new image for the channel. I was curious..was it new layout? I'm interested in changes so I tuned the channel frequently so I won't miss it.

It turns out that Animax is adding Korean Shows! WHAT??? Yes, from the promotional clip, I saw clips of Coffee Prince and Goong!

So I check the website to confirm whether it's Korean show or just old drama..well, here you are the quote from the website.

Its change in appearance is also complemented by the addition of more live-action shows led by a brand new Korean youth-interest programming block to serve up entertainment, variety, reality and ‘idol’ drama shows, as well as movies.


With Japanese and Korean entertainment proving extremely popular with youth audiences across Asia, Animax which already specializes in Japanese anime and youth programming, will add on Korean live-action shows in the channel’s programming line-up.


From May 2010, Malaysian Animax viewers can expect to enjoy the Korean programming block including entertainment, variety, reality and drama shows, as well as movies, starting initially with popular drama series like Coffee Prince, My Girl and Princess Hours. The shows will be dubbed in local languages Bahasa Malaysia for Malaysia, with viewers having the option of catching the shows in original Korean language audio with English subtitles.


“With Korea and Japan continuing to lead entertainment trends in Asia, the addition of Korean live-action shows to our forte of Japanese entertainment enables Animax to live up to its promise as the region’s premiere youth destination. With fresh programming choices, a new look that embodies the spirit of the channel, and a whole suite of new on-air and on-line interactive opportunities, viewers can expect a whole new and immersive Animax experience that is truly ‘A World Less Ordinary’. Going forward, we are also expecting to further localize Animax for individual markets with programming and marketing initiatives to tailor to the needs of audiences in specific markets,” said Gregory Ho, Vice President and General Manager, Animax Asia.

Well I am excited for the changes but although it seem odd..I think I won't mind if they just stuck being famous for providing great animes. I wondered how would the otaku receive this news, because if KBS decide to add English shows like American Idol for whatever reason..I am to throw a fit!

It just show how much Kpop influence in overseas that attracts Animax to show Kpop shows. Hallyu fever anyone?

For more infos on the changes, go here. Oh btw, I've checked Astro AEC's Love Letter. It's in Korean Language but with Chinese subtitle and doesn't have the option of BM subtitle.

Little Changes.

I recently changed a few settings in blogger and I stumble a new function called "Page".

I've shifted my Glossary post to the page and soon I'll add contacts info. It's time to get rid of some widgets! :D

I rearranged some of the widgets according my preferrence of the whole page. Hopefully you won't get too confuse. Everything about blogging is on the left and about myself it's on the right.

I got new header. Ahaha..not so creative. Their faces are EPIK!

Oh btw, since this post is too short,(I can't possibly have two short post back to back) Did you know that Love Letter is shown on AEC Channel 301 on Astro? It's a free channel..everyone who has Astro can view it.

Schedules

Sunday 7.30AM
Monday 2.30AM
Satuday 4.00AM

What shizziy schedules, I got it from Astro website itself! I've watched it before on Youtube..I don't know if I'm interested on watching old episodes. As much the concept is interesting, I don't enjoy seeing people serenade each other. (unless it's Kim Kyung Rok and HwangBo) Though, it probably has better quality than the ones you watched on YT.

I'll try watch it on Saturday, see if was being dubbed or no Malay subtitle. Till then!

4 Weeks

My favorite music show is cancelled yet again! Music Bank will not return this week.

Sigh, it has been a month already without Music Bank! I hope when they return it would be spectacular because they got lots of time to prepare. I suddenly miss the MCs.

I haven't been watching other music shows as well.. the video quality is just so annoying these days.. and HD videos take ages to load. I'm going to wait for Music Bank to premiere.

Fingers crossed that it won't get cancelled next week.

Anniversary

As you might know, anniversary is a big deal in Korea. If you date a Korean, be sure to count the days of being together because anyone forgets the 100th Day anniversary will be good as death. This anniversary applies to almost anything, I don't know how to count the dates of 100th day since debut but I tried to get updated.

Anyway.. Hallyusurfer.blogspot.com is turning 2 on 7th May!

I got so many moments with this blog..I'm just happy to see new people commenting each day..deeply appreciate it! I'm planning to do something for this blog..more than just changing the header, like the whole layout but that usually took more than a week to finish. I'm sure I can have other ideas right? :D

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It had been on my mind for a long time to organize a fan gathering with fellow KK people..I have no idea how to start because I have limited network. I'm so jealous of West Malaysian who had organize various gatherings..Probably I shall check Brunei Kpop community? I want to meet other fans like me too!

*sigh Tunggu sya pandai drive dan ada duit sendiri la..mau plan tapi tidak fleksible pun!

Analysising the Idol formula.

I'm so happy a new person followed me so I'm excited to blog more often, okay..honestly more like guilty of not blogging much..stop following me! LOL kidding.

Idols..thanks to Kpop it totally change my understanding of "idol". In Kpop terms, it is used to refer popular groups like DBSK and SuJu. These days I'm seeing newbies too garner the title idol. Probably it's changing to idol = groups because groups always do well.

Typically 5 is a good number for idols group, but the current trend is the more members the better, as seen with U-Kiss and After School. I guess we can thank SuJu and SNSD for that.

Although I love seeing more group members it can be hard for the members because fans can't remember well sometimes. Yes, I still having a hard time memorizing ZE:A. Someday I will, I promised. Another thing is the share income..as you know, they don't get much from CD sales and the sales aren't great either.

From my observation, 5/6 is the best number of members. Unless it's from the big three SM, JYP and YG, I would think it's best they stick with the rule. These big three have loyal fans that know trainee and get better exposure when they get ready for debut.

Apart from having talents, appearance is a major factor in marketing idols. SM tactics is to have at least one member that have strong appearance like JaeJoong, HeeChul, TaeMin, Amber and YoonA. These listed are usually the one first noticed by fans.

As for JYP, don't have a great face? it's okay..just wear some glasses and work out. It's all about the body at JYP. YG is famously known for searching talent rather than looks which indirectly garners fan curiosity.

We as fan would love to dig up stories on our favorite celebrities would love an idol with personality. I do think the background of members are taken into great accounts. Entertainment agency usually accepts more potential trainers who have stayed overseas. It's also good if they're interested in expanding their market in China or Japan with having multilingual singers.

I see that there are rules that shapes the idol personality after a long observation.

1. Idol members are usually prevented from smoking and drinking in public for fear of ruining their image despite they're not underage.

2. Best vocalist, get less talk on variety show. It's to show mysterious image for viewers.

3. Best dancers are usually rappers

4. Ability to speak English too are usually rappers.

5. 1st debut stage is cutesy or safe..the next album is 180 degree makeover and claim that they have become manlier.

6. Manlier or sexier always comes together with dark concept.

7. Everyone had their bad hair days..*shudders at YooChun's long hair or GD's pineapple hair..

8. They always dance. ALWAYS..I don't get it why won't they perform ballads more often!

9. Their songs are like Beat It. The have the same line over and over again.

10. No matter what, someone has to rap in a ballad song..except SNSD because they don't have rappers.

U-Kiss coming to Malaysia

The 7 member group is coming to Malaysia! I usually don't want to post this since I am so near yet so far but it's on 17th June! I might have a chance of going, plus it's a day after my mum's birthday! Hehe she's official 50 by then, so traveling might be possible!



I maybe just a casual fan now, but I've been following U-kiss since their debut and I'm not their new fan. I've already been one long time ago! I really love "Not Young", dislike Niga Chuwayo, disappointed Man Man Ha Ni and mixed feelings about Bingeul bingeul.

I'm happy they got more fan, I knew they could make it.. I bet the new fans didn't know this but U-Kiss did win rookie award back in 2008! Many said they didn't deserve it..didn't my boys proved you wrong? :D

Anyway, speaking of the video...they showcase their multi-language capabilities, SooHyun, KiSeop and KiBum are born and raise in South Korea..not really sure what language did they learn on their own. (i do know KiBum can speak Japanese) Kevin is famously know for living in USA and one of Kpop artist that are fluent in English. Eli also stayed in USA and China..he also good at martial arts! I think I've seen him writing in Chinese before. Dong Ho, the magnae had studied in China before and thus, he speaks and writes Chinese fluently. Alexander is from Hong Kong/Macau could speak 6 languages..

Oldies and Talented

Radio is sure a great platform to promote your song and showcase your talent. I've been watching radio cuts on YT (where else?) and I stumble amazing covers..I decided to check out the real deal.

I particular love D-NA radio cuts, and they've been covering Noel and 4Men. Noel is an old school idol group while 4men is a newbie (i think?)



I really like the song after viewing D-NA covering it..



LOL at Karam imitating Mika..I still can't matched Jay face with his voice..he has a really deep voice! He's the one who sing the intro!



Noel's Propose, I like the lyrics..very sweet! Watching this video is so nostalgic. :D



I don't know which one I like better, this cover or 4Men confession cover? It's really good in my opinion.

Black Day

Aigoo..I've been avoiding internet all week but I still didn't
finished up my assignment. My semester is almost finish, which
means project dateline is near..*shudders

Anyway, I felt so bad not replying to Didi earlier so I decided to
blog to make it up for it. Yup..all the work has made me forget
that yesterday was Black Day!

What's Black Day?

There's Valentine's Day, White Day and Black Day..actually every
14th is a special day in Korea but that's the BIG 3 14th celebration.
If you're an avid Manga reader or anime lover, you probably know this
already it's the same in Korea.

On Valentine's Day..the girl would give chocolate to the guy
she's interested with. So yeah, popular guys will get the most
chocolates. As for White Day, which falls on the following month is
when the guys respond to the girl by giving chocolates back.

And..Black Day is when singles who didn't receive chocolates will
be eating Jajangmyeon. Jajangmyeon is a noodle cooked with black
bean paste.

I don't know what is the literal translation of Jajangmyeon but I do
know it is known as Chinese Noodle in Korea. It's only found in Chinese
restaurant in Korea..own by Korean. If I'm not wrong, you couldn't find
it at a real Chinese restaurant in Korea...despite it being the most famous
Chinese dish. (I read it somewhere..or watch through Chitchat global beauty)

To answer Didi's question..

I've been to Korean restaurant in KK before but I always go alone
where I couldn'torder much..I don't recall seeing Jajangmyeon on
the menu but you could eat Hokkien Mee instead.. I don't really
like Hokkien Mee so I don't know where is the best.. :D

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It makes me happy to see new comments from readers. I know I have
9 followers on this blog but I really thought of closing the blog
a couple of times this year because I felt like there's a lot
of other good K-blog out there and I don't provide fast update. Thank You
for reading this lousy blog.

It's my last year in college, so I don't know if I could blog often..all
I know is, I really love blogging. Once again, Kamsahamnida Yoreobun.

Who said?

That radio is boring?



too bad KiKwangie isn't there..He was filming for a sitcom. It's finished now so I'm happy!!

KBS World Jjang!

Well it's obvious my favorite channel is KBS World and they're so great because they're offering KimBum to us!!!!!!

LOL at my choice of words..sorry, but it's true! In conjunction of celebrating their 7th anniversary, KBS World is inviting viewers to participate an event called "World Date with KimBum".

Yup, the picture above is indeed cutie KimBum, of the Boys over Flower fame. He's an 89'er and yes, he's like my major idol back when "Boys Over Flower" aired on KBS World. I'm still rooting for SoEulMates, sigh..

What a bummer that it happen this year, it's my final year in college so I couldn't join even if I win..That's why I'm so good by sharing how to win this event.

Please visit this website and download the .doc file for the application form.

[Criteria for Selection]

Basic Points:
1. Female, over the age of 20, with Asian citizenship (Not an ethnic Korean) and who can trip abroad without the parents’ consent.
2. Female who can communicate in English.
3. Female who loves Korea and Kim Beom.
4. Female who has a passport and has no disqualification to travel overseas.

Preferential Points:
1. Female who has special talents (Eg> Fashion model, Dancer, Culinarian, Traditional artist, Instrument player, Martial Artist, etc.)
2. Female with high interests in Korean culture (Korean celebrities, dramas, music, etc.)


[For the final winners (5 people), KBS World will present]

-Date with Kim Beom (Arriving in Seoul on April 18th and leaving on April 23rd)
-Airfare, travelers insurance
-Fees for VISA, Airport Surcharge (Receipt must be submitted for the reimbursement)
- Accommodation, transportation and meal while staying in Korea


[What and where to submit]
Please submit the application form and 3 pictures through email
kbsworlddate@gmail.com


[Deadline for submission]
2010 April 12.

The requirement is simple! Wow..except I'm not even 20 yet and I have no interesting talent. I'm not eligible anyway...*crys in the corner

Good Luck!!!