Everland Resort trip 2016

It was meant to a JSA-DMZ Trip for us. However JSA tours were fully booked so we decided to go to Everland Theme Resort. There was slight drizzle and cold. However we booked the trip to Everland with Daesung Tour where the bus transport was included and the fee. There were many tourist buses and people were preparing to celebrate Halloween and capture the pumpkin sceneries!

Everywhere was pumpkins, ghostly souls decors, witches and parades were all so cute!

The ticket and transport from Daesung Tour is KRW$48,000 per person.

Pick up and drop off is at Myeongdong area. (Prince Hotel and Sejong Hotel area)

Other rides in Everland was excluded in the trip. You can bring your own sandwiches and lunch to the resort. However you can find fast food and hot drinks at the place.

Churros were kind of a trendy thing - KRW$3000 per piece.

My 6th trip to Seoul 2016.

It's my 6th time to South Korea. Well, I didn't hit the record as my mom would be her 10th time to Seoul. And the reason why we keep going back? It's because it's our favorite country to visit- the food, the people, environment and shopping keeps attracting us back all the time.

We started off our first day at Namdaemun Market on our arrival. It was too early to check into our Ekonomy Hotel Myeongdong Premier. The budgeted stay was clean and small though but location was great! It's beside the big LINE Friends flagship store in Myeongdong. Our stomachs were grumbling when we started buying dried products in Namdaemun. We headed towards the food alley to satisfy our hunger with Janchi guksu. Mom started buying dried big red dates, dried squid, vege chips and even some medicated plasters from the pharmacy. However wherever we go, the locals thought we were Chinese tourists and kept speaking Mandarin to us. The cosmetics shops in Myeongdong were practically catered for the bunch of China tourists. They come to sweep in bulk and in luggage especially in duty free as if buying groceries.

At times I wonder to myself how do they get themselves rich- U can say I am bias against them but there were news and stories that most of the Chinese do money laundering in foreign countries especially in real estates and business enterprises. As for dinner, we had our kalguksu and steamed dumplings for dinner at Myeongdong Gyoja

restaurant. Food was great and satisfying. We started to top up our skincare and cosmetic products for the entire year by shopping at The Face Shop and Nature Republic. The sales assistants were standing everywhere luring potential customers to buy more and even giving free face masks. 

For the first day I've started purchasing the whole set of Bee Venom series from Nature Republic since I am prone to redness and blemishes all the time due to sensitive skin.

Mom bought Face Shop's Therapy products meant for aging skin. It was a quite tiring day since we had the overnight flight and didn't get enough sleep. For the first day itself, we have spend hundred thousands of won... ha ha! LINE Friends store is super packed with tourists taking photos of the big Brown bear at the very front. We had to crash in the hotel room as we were too sleepy. 

Night time was lovely in Myeongdong though it's always packed with tourists, hawker stalls selling different kinds of food. We tried the chicken skewers, pomegranate fresh juice, grilled lobster tail, grilled meat balls, sausages, ice cream, egg bread, potatoes..etc.

Most of the shops are Global Tax Free refund. Cosmetic stores immediately refund the tax to customers when you show them your passport. It so happens October is the month of Korea Grand Festa Sale 2016. We had coupons for the sale so we managed to secure 10-15% discount. 

Basically you can see Song Joong Ki and Park Bo Gum are then main leading famous actors in Korea. Meanwhile Miss A's Suzy and AOA's Seolhyun are the famous female celebs. You can see their faces advertising for cosmetics, beer and clothes.

Tune in for the next part when I review on VPROVE Daily Dermatology grand opening stores in Myeongdong. We managed to catch with the rising budding actor- Park Bo Gum! Excited? He heh! I was excited too when I saw the renovation of the two stores knowing he'd turn up to open the stores since he's endorsing the brand. 

Dinner at Foong Wei Restaurant, Penang.

Managed to book a table for dinner at 6.00 pm for 5 people at Foong Wei Restaurant in Sri Bahari Road. It was Grandma's treat for a nice lovely dinner. We ordered several signature dishes such as the Pampus argenteus (White silver promfret) cooked in two different ways- the bones and fins are deep fried while the flesh is stir fried with ginger, celery, carrot, mushrooms and scallions. 

And there's my favorite dish crispy taro ring with kong pou chicken. The outer ring of the taro is decorated with deep fried vermicelli which looked like a bird nest. Of course to start of the dinner, we had a big bowl of thick fresh seafood soup filled with dried scallops and crab meat.

The final dish we had was the restaurant's fried rice which has bits of chicken meat, egg decorated with green scallions and dried shallots. We were served with either hot tea or water.

The bill came up to RM191 inclusive of GST and service charge.
We were accidentally charged RM6.00 for 5 bowls of white rice when we didn't order at all.
After requesting back for the overcharge, the cashier returned the money back to us.

The restaurant gets really packed with hungry diners after 6.00 pm. It's advisable to ring or walk in to reserve a table in advance. During the wedding months, it is harder to secure a table for dinner. It's easier to get a table during lunch hour.

Price: 3.5/5 stars
Ambiance: 3/5 stars
Service: 3/5 stars
Quality of food: 4/5 stars

Sweet Stranger and Me- Soo Ae's childhood dream as a flight attendant.

"We are not pressured for the viewers ratings. We will do the best we can. I believe there is something for the viewers to learn and see."

Sweet Stranger and Me has now taken over the KBS2 Mon-Tue prime time from the ever popular drama Moonlight Drawn By Clouds. The new drama will be predecessor from Park Bo Gum's Moonlight series. Sweet Stranger and Me stars Soo Ae as a flight attendant.

Soo Ae's drama Queen of Ambition takes the record of 25.8%, A Thousand Days of Promise with 19.8%, The Mask 13.6% ratings. She was mostly portraying the darker ambitious roles. This round Soo Ae takes the role as Hong Na Ri - a brighter and livelier character. 

Sweet Stranger and Me is a romantic comedy based on webtoon novel.Na Ri returns to her hometown to visit her late mother's graveyard. She stumbles across a young stranger Go Nan Gil who then introduces himself as her 'father'. Go Nan Gil role is played by Kim Young Kwang. 

Supporting roles are played by Lee Soo Hyuk and Jo Bo-Ah. 

Sweet ending and memories with Moonlight drawn by Clouds.

The last 2 finale episodes of KBS popular drama Moonlight Drawn By Clouds have brought the viewers to suspense, thrilling scenes and most of all what we wanted- happy ending. :D

Byung Yeon was severely injured and was at brink of his death when he tried protecting Ra On and Lee Young during the coup at the palace. Head Eunuch Han sacrificed himself to ensure Hong Gyeong Rae and Ra On escaped safely. However Young was in tears and worried the most for Ra On and Byung Yeon. Teacher Dasan Jang nursed Byung Yeon back to good health with his great medical skills. 

King Sunjo gets pressured by the ministers in the palace to dethrone the Crown Prince since Young has been spending most of his time out of the palace at courtesan and gambling houses. However Young was not there for fun, he was investigating the real truth behind the attack of at his quarters and the culprit was none other than the two evil Ministers who are with PM. The PM gets agitated and plans to overthrow Young by sending medicine concoction containing poison laced around the bowl. 

Dasan Jang and Ra On rushed quickly to Young's aid to look after him during the crucial times. Young quickly got back onto his feet while Lady Ha Yeon noticed Ra On is back in the palace even though she disguised as a nurse. Ra On even secured an evidence letter left behind by the late Queen Yoon whereby she was actually poisoned by the PM's clan. By all means, Young started his little plan to trap the PM and Queen Kim who were behind all these events. Meanwhile the PM sends assassins to kill Ra On however Yoon Sung came to save her and was injured badly. 

Ra On was in tears seeing Yoon Sung died for her and even said the nicest things to her before he fades away. What a sad scene... Upon hearing his grandson had died during the attack, the PM was in despair. He even committed suicide by shooting himself with a gun in Yoon Sung's working room. Queen Kim was expelled out and 1 year later Young took over the throne as the new King. He assembled all the best ministers in his court to work for the citizens. Lady Ha Yeon eventually left the palace and the Crown Princess position as she knew Young never loved her. 

All happy ending for everyone as it was a new era and Ra On was free from all the charges. She led her new happy life and this time she could wear freely on her hanbok as a woman.
The very final scene showed Young and Ra On walked happily on a field of beautiful pink flowers. 
The final episode recorded at 22.9% ratings. Well done to the cast and production staff!

Not forgetting, on 19th October 2016- the 4 main leads held a fan-sign meeting at Gyeongbokgung where hundreds of fans turned up to catch a glimpse of them. However the lucky 200 fans managed to see them up close and personal. 

Park Bo Gum records OST for his drama happily.

While actor Park Bo Gum is busy wrapping up his drama Moonlight Drawn by Clouds, he is also known as been very understanding, hardworking and expressive when he records the song for the drama OST. The latest syndrome of Crown Prince has drawn the nation to it... Bogum's Magic has attracted the viewers' ratings and one of the main reason is the new single he has recorded for the soundtrack.

Park Bo Gum with his loyal Eunuch Jang (played by Lee Jun Hyuk)

내 사람 (My Person) is the latest single added to the drama OST sung by Park. The drama OST is well known for veteran singers contributing to it such as Sung Shi Kyung, K.Will, Gummy, Baek Ji Young, Lee Juck and Beige. The drama OST Producer Kang Dong Yun has mentioned that when he saw Park recorded the song for the drama, he was looking extremely happy. Usually it takes around an hour to finish the recording. But Park is very diligent on whatever he does, he even requests to do it again. 

Since he was a kid, Park always dream to become a singer. However he enrolled into Myungji University under movies, musicals and arts program. Somehow he ended up in the acting industry. Though he has hosted Music Bank program for some time, he was more well known for his acting skills. 

Music producer Kang and B1A4 Sandeul

This year KBS station is in the spotlight with two big dramas such as Descendants of the Sun and now with Moonlight drawn by Clouds. Music producer Kang is part of the Descendants of the Sun OST, Secret OST, Punch OST, Dream High OST and My Daughter Geum Sa Wol OST. He mentioned for producing great OST, it needs the drama story to be good and touching. In that way it is easier to produce great music background.
His most memorable works are Rosy Life drama OST with the late actress Choi Jin Shil. He still remembers that the music is sad and yet beautiful. 

With Moonlight drawn by Clouds, it's a fusion historical drama set in Joseon dynasty where the Crown Prince Hyomyeong is the era's hero lead. The OST needs a contemporary feel, expression of love between the youthful men and women..etc. 

With B1A4's Sandeul recording the soundtrack of the song, it has definitely pump up the characters, experiences and opened up everyone's mind and ears. 

Combating global poverty talk with Yoon Shi Yoon.

On 17th October, actor Yoon Shi Yoon was present at Seocho, Seoul National University of Education giving a talk on his voluntary missionary experience in Kenya. Rural poverty in Kenya is very common. Rural poverty in Kenya is mostly related to poor water management, soil erosion, declining soil fertility and land degradation.

Se7en's slapstick comedy dance in Happy Together S3.

Singer Se7en (real name Choi Dong Wook- aged 31) returns to singing industry after been away for 4-5 years. He was also involved in a scandal and AWOL incident while he was in army. He has apologized in public and even laid low for quite sometime but now he's back to conquer the music industry again. And even more recently he was snapped in photographs dating fellow actress Lee Da Hae. He came out clean on his scandal and to be honest with the public and his fans.

In the recent episode of KBS Happy Together Season 3, Se7en along with Noel's vocalist Kang Kyun Sung, rapper Sleepy, Cosmic Girl's Cheng Xiao and Astro's Cha Eun Woo appeared as guests. It was rather hilarious when Eun Woo mentioned he knew who Se7en was while he was in pre-school! 

Time flies when Se7en was just a young talented teenager when he debut as a singer. And look at him right now...he's a senior among the new idol group singers. He also confirmed he was still in good terms with YG's CEO Yang Hyun Suk. Myung Soo retorted how did Se7en survive without a job for so many years to where Sae Ho shot him down with a statement- his fortune is probably double the amount what Myung Soo has right now. LOL! Being first time in variety program after being hiatus for many years, Se7en appeared nervous and his gf has warned him about Myung Soo's remarks. 

 

Se7en once modeled for the famous Heelys Inc skate shoes and even danced with it. The Heely's diamond studded sports shoes were specially made for Se7en during his performance. MC Yoo Jae Suk was rather worried if Se7en would fall back since it has been ages he danced in that pair of skate shoes. It started off nicely for the dance, however as soon as he started to roll on the pair of shoes, he tripped and fell over flat. Immediately Jae Suk bounced up from his sofa seat, Eun Woo and Hyun Gyeong quickly got up to help Se7en up back to his feet. Sleepy, Hyun Moo and Kyun Sung laughed as they couldn't imagine Se7en who was once the legendary dance king in his teens did a slapstick dance comedy! Everyone cracked up wondered was that part of the dance or part of the script?

Jae Suk joked that Da Hae must be at home laughing away and enjoying it much to Se7en's big embarrassment but it was entertaining to see him back and tripping over. Poor him! Nevertheless he showed his trademark dance and still had the grooves. Not forgetting Kyun Sung's new hair cut made him look better and boyish! Being part of the Noel group, Kyun Sung always had that signature long hair with endorsements. However he knew he couldn't get a girlfriend or marry in future with that look! He even gives lessons how to do imitation, how to sing on high notes. 

Loved Kyun Sung did his version of Blackpink's new song Whistle. He is all round entertainer and he made everyone laughed with his great imitation of the girls singing the chorus part. Sleepy's failure of imitating G-Dragon singing Gee and Tablo's talking was total disaster. For today's episode my bias is on Se7en. His dancing is still great despite he's in his 30's. He is here to promote his new single 'Give it to Me'. 

Sageuk dramas is the latest trend.

Fantasy and periodic dramas (sageuk) are the hottest trend for K-drama addicts.

With the KBS sageuk dramas lined up on Mon-Tue night slots- Moonlight drawn by Clouds has certainly attracted many viewers and fans. After much love from the KBS mega hit war drama Descendants of the Sun in the first half of the year, Moonlight drawn by Clouds is taking by the storm for the second half of the year. 

Actor Park Bo Gum who plays the romantic Crown Prince Lee Young in Moonlight drawn by Clouds has worked his 'magic' on the viewers. Entertainer Defconn has once mentioned this is 'Bogum's Magic'- indeed once you see him, you can never take your eyes off him. His charming looks, ways of talking with somehow intrigue people into believing him and following him to the end. 

With his co-partner sageuk queen child actress Kim Yoo Jung has heat up the screens with the romantic love story on a crown prince falling in love with a girl disguised as a eunuch in the palace. Within few episodes of the drama screened on TV, the viewers ratings has surpassed 20%. It is no joke the popularity of the leads are all over the place.

KBS is no different in broadcasting the Taiwan remake version of Scarlet Heart- Moon Lovers where a modern girl Hae Soo was accidentally transported to the Goryeo dynasty. Main leads Lee Jun Ki, IU and Kang Ha Neul are also on their way in the stardom. However with the strong rival Moonlight Drawn by Clouds in front of them, it is difficult to beat them in ratings. 

Coming up more sageuk dramas are Hwarang: The Beginning, Saimdang, the Her story and The King Loves. Saimdang has big guns starring such as Lee Young Ae and Song Seung Hun. A bunch of idols are part of the cast of Hwarang- an elite flower boy warriors during the Shilla kingdom. Meanwhile Joo Won is part of the remake of the My Sassy Girlfriend drama in Joseon dynasty. 

Sageuk dramas have become a trend lately for fans are eager to watch traditional period backgrounds than modern dramas. Ever since actors Yeo Jin Goo and Kim Soo Hyun who have both played the Crown Prince to becoming a King in the dramas Moon Embraces the Sun have skyrocketed their popularity with 40% viewers ratings. Now Park Bo Gum who has taken over the lead in Moonlight. 

The role of 'Crown Prince' seems to be an envy and important role in sageuk dramas. 
They have yet to become the ruler of the nation and still young. Therefore the Crown Prince roles are more vulnerable, romantic where it has doubled the interest of the audience. 

Yoo Hae Jin's Luck Key hit 1 million viewers- best rated comedy.

Actor Yoo Hae Jin's new comedy movie 'Luck Key' directed by Lee Gye Byeok has surpassed 1 million viewers after opening 3 days ago in the local cinemas in South Korea.

This has proven to be one of the fastest moving comedy film in terms of audience viewing.

According to the film council, on 16th October the movie Luck Key has accumulative attendance of 630,000 people and slowly gaining another 100,000 viewers and soon it hit the mark of 1 million viewers with 67.4% revenue share.

The movie is a remake of the 2012 Japanese film "Key of Life." It also stars Lee Joon, Im Ji Yeon, Joo Yoon Hee, Jeon Hye Bin and Lee Dong Hwi.

Actor Yoo is comfortable in playing the comedic role and it's such a heart warming story that one can enjoy casually in the cinema watching it.