Whether you’re still in lockdown or starting to get back to the outside world, 2020 has brought us a new appreciation for staying home. Although it’s easier for some than others – hello, fellow introverts! – being at home can be a wonderful change from the everyday if you embrace it.
Success is often a combination of talent, luck, and timing. For some, the journey takes a little longer, but it can be a delight to find a skilled and passionate group before they make it big. I previously highlighted some rookie groups in this post and today I’d like to follow up by recommending seven budding groups with the potential to rise to great heights.
Although KDrama storylines can be sensational and a little unrealistic, they contain a wealth of information for any Korean learner. Having access to hundreds of conversations about widespread topics is extremely helpful, particularly if you aren’t able to practice your Korean with native Korean speakers directly.
As we find ourselves in the midst of an unprecedented global crisis, it’s natural that many people are feeling scared or discouraged. Music is one of my main sources of comfort in hard times, so today I’d like to share some songs that I hope can lift your spirits and give you strength in the days ahead.
Is anyone looking for the perfect book to kickstart their spring reading list (or a good story to help take your mind off of the coronavirus worry)? Look no further than June Hur’s upcoming release, The Silence of Bones! Described as a YA historical-mystery set during the Josean […]
Happy Leap Day, Everyone! Since today is an extra-special, once-every-four-years day, I have an extra-special treat for readers; an interview with June Hur, author of the upcoming young adult novel, The Silence of Bones, which will be out in April 2020. About a year back, I was working on […]
With a line-up of familiar and talented Kpop idols, SuperM is a dream combination: SHINee’s Taemin, EXO’s Baekhyun and Kai, and NCT/WayV’s Taeyong, Mark, Ten, and Lucas. SM’s superstar project group has been traveling throughout North America and I was lucky enough to attend their Vancouver show.
Kpop artists released an incredible amount of music in 2019, with each month being full of exciting singles and powerful comebacks. Before we step into the next decade, I’d like to take a moment to highlight the songs that had the most impact on my year and topped my personal playlist.
Hi Everyone, I’m Charles! Nice to meet you! I currently live in Seoul, and want to share some of my experiences with you. In the last few years, I discovered that I also have a passion in cinematography and photography. And in pursuing this passion, I discovered and […]
Seoul is an ever-changing city and offers a multitude of attractions for the traveler and the local alike. When I returned to Seoul this year, I was delighted to find an adorable new neighborhood that had sprouted out seemingly from nowhere – the trendy hotspot Ikseondong.
Tomorrow is trick-or-treat day, and whether you’re heading out or staying at home, there are a host of Kpop MVs to get you in the spooky mood. From fanciful to suspenseful to eerie, here are ten Kpop MVs to check out before Halloween!
High-quality production is a hallmark of Kpop MVs, but what happens when idols are allowed to film their own videos? Instead of using a team of professionals and a carefully thought-out concept, members are given a couple of cameras and set free to put together a video however they see fit – and the results are often hilarious and unexpected.
If you watch Korean music videos or dramas, chances are you’ve seen vistas from the island of Jeju – black rock beaches, fields of green grass, crystalline water, and jagged volcanoes. Popular among Korean and international tourists alike, this picturesque locale sits just south of the tip of Korea. Traveling in Jeju is a unique experience compared to Seoul, so if you’re looking for a few tips, read on!
Are you a high school student or a first year student thinking of learning about Korea at the University level? As an alumni of the Undergraduate program within the Department of East Asian Studies and a current Master’s student in the same department, let me walk you through […]
Although Calgary doesn’t often play host to Kpop acts, the increasing interest in Korean music among Canadians is bringing more and more groups to our sprawling country. Recently, the five members of A.C.E paid us a particular honor by doing a Canada-specific tour and coming to Montreal, Toronto, and Calgary. I knew that I had to be there!
Every week, a number of Korean music broadcasts feature current Kpop songs on popular shows such as Inkigayo, Music Bank, The Show, and more. I recently had the chance to be part of the live audience for the filming of M! Countdown, Mnet’s music countdown show, and it was a dream come true!
MV creators have always found ways to make their videos stand out, and it’s not surprising that some great ideas catch on as trends. Yet there are a number of stylistic choices that seem a bit mysterious, from those that don’t match up quite right to the song to those that are embraced wholeheartedly by a swath of artists despite their oddities.
We may only be a few months into 2019, but there are already a number of new Kpop groups that have put out music for the very first time. These untested groups are full of energy and nervous excitement, and although they are beginners in the industry, they have a lot of talent to show.
The majority of Kpop MVs are filmed in locations close to home, so when a Kpop act decides to create their video in a foreign country it tends to stand out. While featuring an exotic location can memorably express a song, it can also inspire others to appreciate the unique aesthetic and culture of that place.
With the further explosion of the Hallyu Wave, Korean cuisine and night life have also become huge in Canada. In Edmonton, several Korean eateries, noraebang karaoke places, bingsoo joints, have popped up as well. Out of them all, however, reigns Hanjan. Hanjan takes a little piece from Korean restaurant, cafe, […]
