2PM Hands Up Concert Gets 10 Out Of 10!

10 OUT OF 10: Hot bunny girls dancing to 2PM's debut song '10 out of 10'. Nostalgic!

2PM Hands Up concert was amazing! That's why I rated it as 10 out of 10! 10점 만점에 10점!! The energy of these 6 young men was powerful and I can't agree more to how good they were at interacting with their fans and fulfilling their needs - hot smiles, slick moves, abs flashing moments, cute acts, music talents, english conversation - these cool and cute guys totally swept girls off the floor on Nov 25 at Stadium Negara!

My heart was pumping like crazy when the introduction video started playing 2PM's clips and boomed everyone with the scene below:

BE PREPARED: Concert organisers hinting us that something great is behind

My cousin and I were betting that they were behind that white clothe which was hanging before the concert started. She was so right! When the clothe fell the whole stadium was cheering as if we're going to die (choi), because there stood 6 figures which we are so familiar with - 2PM!

2PM POWER: Opening stage rocks!

I thought they were going to rock all Hottest fans with 'Hands Up' but yeah they're always with surprises. I guessed they reckoned that they have to be as hot as possible (LoL) that's why the opening song was "Hot", which was proudly written and composed by the vocalist of the team, Junsu!

HOT MEETS HOTTEST: Hello fans! We're here!

All of us knew that JYP didn't started 2PM as a pretty boy band, but as a boyband who walks the more mature path. Thus they never forget to integrate some sexy blood pumping performances which made the fan girls (and boys) screamed with pain; or perhaps excitement!

TOUCH ME: Nichkhun with one of the dancers

I super love one part where the girl dancers unbuckled their white shirt off and then took a round behind the boys and stripped open their shirts from behind! Fans SCREAMED.

ABS ABS ABS: 2PM members are well built. 

Too bad the lightings did not allow me to capture better pictures.

Of course, what completes a cool guy is when they are romantic enough, right? That's when 2PM showed their soft side when they sang "I Can't" with the audiences. The concert organisers tried to make the stadium as 'fairy tale' as possible, with shimmering 'stars' projected throughout the whole stadium hall. At least that made me felt like I was in some K-drama! So, organisers, it worked for me! 

WE KNOW YOU WANT IT: So we'll sing you some love songs.

And..give you some roses!

VALENTINE IS TONIGHT, NOT FEB 14: Chan Sung and the rest of the members giving out pretty roses to the fans. Nichkhun was throwing towards my direction but I didn't get it!!!

The members also had their solo/duet sessions which gave the audiences more opportunities to focus on individual performing skills, and...not forgetting, how hot they look on stage!

FIRM BICEPS: Wooyoung looks much more mature than his age here

BACK TO 60s: Nichkhun in his checkered outfit when he performed a duet with Taecyeon

PUT YOUR HANDS UP: Junsu's personal time with the fans.

I'M THE SWORD MASTER: Chan Sung showing off his martial arts skills which made the fans' heart skipped a bit. 

That seemed dangerous!

I always like how concerts are more exciting and fun when it's not just about the performances, but also bringing in other personal touch elements. 2PM Hands Up Concert didn't forget to include funny clips and lovely gestures from the members themselve! They actually showed us a video clip of their cat, which narrated a story of all the 6 members at home. I'll share some snapshots here:

 PAIN OF COMPOSITION: This clip actually showed us how hard it is for Junho to compose a great song and that he got his erotic lyrics from his erotic dreams, which later on got rejected by their Manager!

 JUST ONE BITE: Nichkhun was on a strict diet and work out session so he forbidded himself to eat pizzas along with the other 5. However when the other 5 were gone to check on Miss-A, the pizza actually "seduced" him. So he was convincing himself that one bite is enough. In the end, he ate more than 3 pieces and finished it off!

 PROUD ARTIST: Taecyeon is a great artist and he drew his OkCat and thought of selling it to the rest. But no one took interest at all and it ended up as ragged clothes in their house.

NO MONEY: Junsu was showed as someone who insisted to eat on the pizzas without paying!

The concert also projected clips behind the scenes during training and preparation for the concert and press conference, and past performances. How lovely!

Special effects always mesmerise the audience. Although 2PM did not have great effects like Super Junior's Super Show 4 in Korea, but at least they had one, which was a quite-oftenly-used-idea. Nevertheless, it looked great on Nichkhun! 

Watch the video here. I captured a short one though.

All good things have to come to an end. When 2PM announced that it will be their last stage, yeah the feeling is drop dead bad! They just disappeared into the dark. Although all of us knew they would be coming out with another ending song but I didn't know it will be...quite fairytale like too! Progress as below!

PERFECT ENDING: Hands Up Malaysia Tour ended with fans wanting more!

Yes, with fans wanting more, 2PM already promised them earlier that.....

Ending the post with some extra random shots. For more pictures please view my Facebook Fanpage here!

FINALE: We 2PM will definitely be back!

Yes we're very sure of that and we'll definitely be waiting for more hot concerts with 2PM! I'm sure all Hottest fans agreed that they'd put up a great show! 맞죠?

Till then, feel free to watch the only complete video I had yesterday! :)

Thanks for reading! More pictures HERE.

Alexander First Ever Solo Showcase, in Malaysia!

This awesome rapper can converse in 7 language: Spanish, Portuguese, Cantonese, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean and English. Still unbelievable to me. But I believe it's true for his mixed parentage background. :D

Anyway I missed it when Alexander came to visit 3rd Wave Music Rally at FGA church. Still feels a little weird to be praising the Lord with your favourite artiste! 

I SING FOR GOD: Brian Joo from FTTS & Alexander performing at FGA Church

Picture credits: K-popped

For those who missed Alexander during the Christian event, you are still in time to purchase his first ever solo showcase in KL here which will be up and roaring on Dec 18th! What a nice Christmas gift to ourselves, eh?

Are you going?

Big Bang TOP is Bad, And Girls Love Bad Guys

TOP could be counted as one of the most favourited member among Big Bang fans. No? I heard someone screamed it supposed to be G.D.? Haha, let it be TOP for this post, kay? :) He has that "look-into-my-eyes" look. He has that bad boy look. But that bad boy look, accompanied with his sexy rappo voice, is killer. And girls love it.

TODAY'S VOCAB

나쁜 na-ppeun: Bad

남자 nam-ja: Guy 

나쁜 na-ppeun, is actually in its descriptive form here. It comes from its root word 나빠 na-ppa.

WHEN TO USE IT
To describe a guy or girl is bad
Bad guy: 나쁜 남자 (na-ppeun  nam-ja)
Bad woman: 나쁜 여자 (na-ppeun yeo-ja)

To say someone is bad
Rue is bad: Rue 나빠 (rue na-ppa)
TOP is bad: Top 오빠 나빠 (Top op-pa na-ppa)


Talking about this, I believe all of us are rather familiar with the phrase na-ppeun nam-ja as it appears it drama and songs before:

Bad Guy Drama

FT Island's Bad Woman 나쁜 여자 (na-ppeun yeo-ja). 
At 3.00, you'll noticed Hong Ki sang " 난 나쁜 남자야 (nan na-ppeun nam-ja-ya). It means "I'm a bad guy". 난 (nan) means "I am".



Hope you enjoy it!

Super Junior Show Us Hard Work Does Pay Off!

MORE THAN JUST HALLYU STARS: We are multi-talented Super Junior!

I enjoyed Super Show in Korea! That was Super Show 3! Today, Nov 20th. Super Junior showed everyone that they are more than just typical hallyu idols at the Olympic Stadium when they kicked off their 'Super Show 4' global tour in Seoul! *SCREAMS*

What would you think the atmosphere is like if you were in a Super Junior concert and the stadium rock-started with "Superman" as the opening song? Yeah, I heard you SCREAM!!!! That's totally how the concert started and if I were there I would had scream my lungs out!

REACH FOR ME: Si Won high up and above in the crane!

I remember when I was in Super Show 3 in Korea, the whole stadium went on a crazy frenzy mode everyone was just so hyper all over! The lightings were magnificent, the boys were drop dead hot, the moves were drop dead gorgeous, the songs were drop dead awesome, the smiles were drop dead killing! 

It was mentioned that Super Show 4 was another high scale production concert with moving stages, great colours, laser lights, moving cranes, even a colourful fountain which shot up 6m high! I can imagine the fan girls reaching their hands up to the oppas who appeared to be near to them on stage or in the cranes!

DROP DEAD GORGEOUS: Dong Hae looking great in glasses even at night

I really missed "U" and "Don't Don" and I was so glad that they performed those 2 songs again during Super Show 3, to my amazement they rechoreographed those songs and performed during Super Show 4 again! Other songs includes "Sorry Sorry", "Mr Simple"; and many of their songs from the first to their current album..which lasted for 4 high-high hours.

I'M JOINING THE ARMY SOON: Probably that's why Lee Teuk played with such emotions

For those who've been to Super Show 3, you would have remembered that they had this touching clip of this little girl's dream of swimming with the fishes, came true. :) No doubt, SM is good with making people teary. Super Show 4 did not forget to have these teaser music videos, concept photos, self-camera videos and all to share with everyone and that was what made the whole stadium go all hyper again, or, emotional ;)

DON'T MESS WITH ME: Sung Min in his moves

If you remembered Super Show 3, they thanked all the fans, in various language, don't they? Korean, Japanese, Thai, Chinese, English etc etc. With as much as 22,222 fans in the stadium, including fans from Japan, China, US, England, France, Asia and Europe, I'm very sure they did the same thing as well. 

We all know leader Lee Teuk is joining the army soon and he expressed that Super Show 4 is especially special to him. No worries Teukie, we love you so much and we'll wait :)

SUJU KING OF BALLAD: Kyu Hyun mesmerizing the fans 

This huge scale concert ended with a bang! Most importantly, it wowed fans that they are not just idols who could sing and dance like any other idol; but they are talented musicians and performers who have set the benchmark for other boy bands out there. 

I personally feel that they were once like any normal boy band, but they had put numerous effort to upgrade themselves in various area; apart from just singing, dancing, hosting and modelling. This brought them to where they are now and they truly deserve it.

While writing this it just reminded me one simple thing in life: "Work hard and you'll able to harvest what you've diligently invested in". No matter you're an ordinary worker, or a celebrity, you get what you worked hard for. Look at Super Junior when they started out as Super Junior 05, look at what they've done throughout the years, look at where they are now. You'll realise that hard work pays off, it's worthwhile.

Super Junior will be heading to Osaka, then touring the world. Not sure when's Malaysia's turn. All the best!

Credits: Nate, SM Ent

My English Teaching Experience in Korea Published in 2010

This was my story published in K-popped.com during year 2010. 
-------------------
7 hours on a plane. 1.5 hours in a subway. A 15-minute walk.

Finally, I shouted “Hi, Soul of Asia!”

Yes, I still couldn’t believe it, I had arrived in Seoul. It was my dream to do something useful in Korea, and AIESEC – an international platform for young people to discover and develop their leadership potential – gave me such an opportunity.

Teaching Korean children

Ever noticed how little girls or boys help their omma out at the restaurant? Most of the time, they are less privileged children. Since Koreans take education seriously, most students enroll for tuition, even during summer vacations! However, these kids can’t afford the expensive tuition fees, especially for English.

Thankfully, World Vision Korea has numerous community centers that cater to the needs of these children. Korean kids might know English words such as “nobody”, “heart beat” or “Lucifer” but I – along with a few other international interns – were on a mission to teach them more than that.

THE TEAM: The group of international interns teaching underprivileged children in Korea

Thus, together with students from AIESEC Dong Duk Women University, I embarked on a journey to teach underprivileged Korean children English, arts, music, physical activity and Malaysian culture through the AIESEC Brightens Children’s dream project.

The experience

With the help of translators, I taught students ranging from 6 to 15 years old in four different centers. However, being able to converse in simple Korean with the kids made teaching them a lot easier. Yet at times, I was still confused with their Korean lingo such as ddong mori (ddong – shit, mori – head) when describing hair tied in a bun.

Teaching is fun because one encounters all sorts of personalities. I had a student who nicknamed himself “Pig” and the other kids called him “Pi-ge” (the way Koreans like to add a “ge” to words ending with “g”). That never fails to make me laugh.

ENTHUSIASM: The many happy faces of students

Most of the kids I thought were really enthusiastic and made a great effort to learn the language through arts, music and games. The most frequent sentence I heard was, “Teacher, teacher, SEE!”

Life in Korea

I lived with a lovely Korean family who owned a restaurant, so I had my fair share ofbulgogi, kimchi jjigae, samgyetang, kalbi and so on.

Travelling on my own in Seoul also taught me about Korean culture, such as:
• Rice must be served at breakfast!
• On the subway, do not sit in the seats reserved for the elderly even if they are empty
• Many people exercise in the park at night
• Koreans are so obsessed with mobile phones that they must reach a certain age before they can buy one
• People love to shop at Home Plus, but beware, it charges for plastic bags
• Spicy garlic chicken goes best with soju! You can try it with makkoli too
• Koreans love coffee and waffles
• Drinking games are crazy! Koreans can drink from one place to another…and another
• Koreans walk very fast especially at the subway stations to catch a connecting train
• Koreans are always with their smart phones, either listening to music, watching a drama, reading news or whatever
• Koreans like to sogaeting, which is a one-on-one boy-girl date

LIVING: Experience the many facets of life in Korea

Travels

Travelling within Seoul is quite easy but if you like to travel out of Seoul, the bus ticket could be a little pricey. The more interesting places to visit are always outside of Seoul. Unfortunately, I did not have much time to travel as I needed to teach. Below are pictures of some of the places I visited.

SIGHT SEE: Korea has a lot to offer the wide-eyed wanderer

Concerts

While in Korea, I attended four concerts. The atmosphere was electrifying and you’d be amazed at the synergy among the Korean fans. I went for:
• Boo Hwal open concert.
• Super Junior Super Show 3
• Free jazz concert at the Han River bridge
• SM TOWN concert.

Also, if you are lucky, you might be able to watch B-Boys performing at Myeong-dong or Hong-dae.

KINETIC: The entertainment scene in South Korea is amazing

An experience of a lifetime

Teaching in Korea is a dream come true for me. I learned a lot from the people, their culture and from the kids. I wish I could stay longer to experience more. I miss waking up to the aroma of kimchi jjigae, walking past ahjummas selling vegetables, eating patbingsoo during summer and having a good time with the kids, especially their funny Korean lingo.

It was an experience to be remembered. One of new friends found and new experiences gained. I’m definitely going back for more.

MEMORIES: Nothing but treasured experiences

For more information on this experience, drop me a mail at herkoreanthings@gmail.com :)

Looking For My Horse

I'm looking for my horse! 말 찾아요!!! (mal  cha-ja-yo)!

말 mal : Horse
찾아요 cha-ja-yo: Finding/Looking for

It's one beautiful necklace I bought when I was at Korea. I bought it at the streets of Hong Dae, the most famous clubbing area of Seoul. But today after my meeting, the only thing left hanging on my neck is my chain not the horse :(

This is the picture of my horse captured in 하늘공원 (ha-neul: Sky | gong-won: Garden). If you ever visit Seoul you must take a subway to World Cup Stadium and visit this Sky Garden it's really lovely :)

A picture of my lost horse:

Hyeopjae Beach Reminded Me of Simple Joy

Anyong!

드디어 (deu-di-eo | Finally), I have some time to jot down my memorable moments in Korea again! So afraid that one day I'll forget everything ommo I better jot down everything before all of them vanish!

Today's post is again some part of Jeju island! I'm a beach person, I love the sand, the sea, the breeze! You can read up my previous Haeundae beach moments at Busan here! Haeundae is all warm and sunny, it reminded us about getting out there in life to enjoy what life brings us, be all warm and outgoing, enjoy and live life to the fullest! But Hyeopjae beach in Jeju island brings me a different meaning. You'll know why as you read on.

From Seogwipo, we took an intercity bus ride of 1 hour to the west side of Jeju island. There's a bus from Seogwipo city to Jeju city every 20 - 30 minutes so do not be afraid if you missed a bus! :)

PROUD BACKPACKER: Me and my backpack, on a very old bus. No aircond.

I must say, there were many old people going to Jeju city! I don't know why but all the passengers were definitely 50 years old and above except me and my cousin brother. It's quite a scene as you can see all of them were slowly wriggling up the bus, finding their seats. Some even have big parcels or clothed packages in their arms. The feeling was like those weird scenes in K-dramas where the main actress was surrounded by nothing but elderly, and she had no idea what was going on, you know that kind of feeling? Yeah, that was how I felt. Plus, that bus had no air cond, but thankfully the air was fresh and crisp! I wanted to take a picture of what came to my view but I felt it's a little disrespectful, so I rather not. :)

Once we reached the bus stop, there was no sound of splashing waves. Disappointed. Then to my amazement, the beach was obviously not supposed to be like beaches in Busan. I stood in awe in front of this calming, peaceful, heavenly like place...I went "oh my gosh...", "oh my gosh so pretty!!!". It felt so unreal.

GUARDS OF JEJU: Never in my life I thought I will end up in such place. 

Now Maldives is possible to me!

My cousin bro and I just stood there for more than 5 minutes, with our backpacks on! Somehow the beach in my picture doesn't look as amazing as how I viewed it with my own eyes! But I guarantee you it's really a breather for those searching to get away from the city! The view just made my mind go blank, I was just focusing on what's in front of me, nothing else. And that made me so happy, so contented :) 

EXTRA SAFETY: The water is actually rather shallow.

If you are someone who prefers cycling, do pick a hostel that provides bicycle rental. It's not really easy to travel in Jeju unless you cycle or you rent a scooter. To rent a scooter you must show them your international license, which sadly we do not have! Ended up we paid 10,000Won (USD10) for a bike to cycle the whole day! Cabs are very expensive, trust me. We cycled past 3 villages in Jeju city, I think it was around 3 hours, seriously fun!!! But excruciating during the night, my thighs were screaming!

RELIVING CHILDHOOD MEMORIES: Used to cycle in my village when I was a child, cycling at Jeju made me meet my long lost innocent child in me again!

LONELY PORT: Ships waiting for their owners to bring them out to the sea at night

So the actual Hyeopjae beach has a really low and slow tide as you can see :) Some part of the sea actually reaches the beach, but some have yet to. It's quite amazing that you can see some people still standing in the middle of the sea on that small little mounted land! It's one beach where parents can be more relaxed with their kids playing around as the tide is so low and calm; one beach where elderly can stand firmly together on the sand to reminisce old times, one beach where couples will not be disturbed by the strong waves, but marveling together at such peaceful place. 

LEAVING MY PRINTS: Rue @ Hyeopjae

I've only been to Perhentian, Langkawi and Pangkor in Malaysia; Bondi in Australia, Koh Samui in Thailand and Haeundae in Busan. I must say Hyeopjae is the very first beach I've been, which is as clear as drinking water!! I was so crazily fascinated that I could see my feet in the water among all those seaweeds. Must had look very stupid in front of the locals. But heck it, I was enjoying every moment! Wait til I meet the next best beach, Hyeopjae is topping my list still :)

FRESH FROM MOTHER NATURE: Seaweed at the shore

I learned something when I was at Hyeopjae, via human instinct. Apparently when a person is standing among the seaweeds, the temperature was less colder. If you happened to be just standing among the seawater, it's really cold! It took some time for me to get used to the cold. I then linger quite a while among the seaweeds because the temperature felt better then! You should really try it if you ever go to Hyeopjae! :)

NATURE'S GIFT: Seaweeds are best roasted to be eaten with rice!

I'm a fan of seaweed, roasted seaweed to be exact! When I was in Korea, I would always roll my rice with roasted seaweed. How on earth simple stuff like that could taste so good? I still remember how I felt when I held this fresh seaweed in my hand. I remember the touch of it and the fresh scent of it. 

Weird yet surprising, I felt happy and contented, for the view I had in front of me. It's funny how this seaweed translated a simple message to me, that simple happiness in life is always around us. We just need to pause, slow down our pace in life to take an extra look, to listen, to feel, to touch; and we'll find unexplained joy in the very simplest things in life. That was how I felt when I held this seaweed in my hand. 

That's my encounter with Hyeopjae Beach at Jeju island :)