The powers of groups

1. T-ara They are composed of 6 members formed by Mnet Media in 2009 and their name has the meaning of form of a crown. Their debut started with the Cinderella’s OST “Good person ver.1”. They are pure, chic, strong, lovely, sexy stars of the stage.

 This song is called “I go crazy because of you” from the repackage album ‘Breaking Heart’. This title song is a pop dance song that contains a strong electronic impression that is toxic to the mind of the song lovers.

2. Girl’s generation

They are composed 9 members under SM entertainment and their fist debut single album was called “the world that we meet again”. They are thriving in the world of entertainment now. 

This song is called “Oh!” from their 2nd album Oh! It is a big hit once again made by this girl group who are known as the nation’s girl group. They are not only taking over the entertainment view but also the advertisement along with the song & singer’s awards in the music world.

3. U-kiss

They are composed of 7 members under NH Media and the name U-kiss is shortened for Ubiquitous Korean International Super Star. They debuted in 2008 with a single album “Not Young”.

This song is called “around and around” from their 1st album. It shows a stronger and hotter performance of U-kiss through its obsessive melody with the touch of electronic hip hop sounds.

4. Kara

They are composed of 5 members and their first debut album was “blooming”. They really bloomed on their first screen at their debut and they are also thriving in the girl’s group world. 

This song is called “Lupin” from Kara’s mini 3rd album. It is a dance song that has both the dramatic yet fantastical hip hop beat along with Brass & Synth sound that brings a powerful sound to the song. Exciting, different talents of group

Kara & Girl’s generation

After school

What would happen if I were to live in Seoul?

What if I lived in Seoul

What’s it like there?

Is it just like what they say?

Huge buildings, cars and people?

 

Or is it quite the opposite?

Blue and green

Making nature’s harmony

One beautiful scenery?

 

I don’t think it’s either

It will be just like what you want it to be

 

You want it to be a fun place?

It already is

You want it to be a happy place?

It should already be

 

You know what?

I want it to be a beautiful place

I haven’t been there

But I know

 

It already is

Seolnal, Lunar New Year in Korea

Seol or Seolnal is one of the most important holidays in Korea. During this time of the year, families and relatives gather together and give respect to the ancestors and traditional food is eaten. Korea follows the lunar calendar, which follows the phases of moon. Koreans began marking the western solar New Year including the traditional Lunar New Year but we Koreans only celebrate the traditional holiday, which is on February 13-15 in year 2010. As this time of year is special, most Koreans tend to go to their hometowns, making a traffic jam on the high pass roads. The major cities, including Seoul, gets emptied out and there is a sudden boom in the rural areas for the 3 days holiday. To avoid any traffic jams during these days, it is best to take the trains, such as KTX. Many Korean families perform ancestral ceremony on Lunar New Year’s day. The ceremony includes bowing to a shrine and  sacrificial food is placed on the table displayed right in front of the shrine because this food is believed that the ancestors come down to enjoy the feast laid, therefore, after the ancestors had eaten, family can eat. There is another traditional ceremony that needs to be performed but now it is for the elders in the family. It is usually for grandparents and parents, including uncles, aunts etc. The children in each family member give a deep bow to the elders and wish them a happy new year. In return, they get a token of small gift, usually money.

 

 

As a delicious food known, Tteokguk, known as the rice cake soup, must be eaten because it is believed that if you eat a bowl of it you can grow a year older and New Year is all about getting a year older. The slices of rice cakes that has a oval shape symbolizes coins/wealth.

 

Tteokguk

Foreigners might feel a little bit isolated because most lack family connection in Korea but not to worry, there is plenty of things to do here in Korea to enjoy and learn about the Korean culture. Foreign visitors can visit Seoul’s royal palaces to try traditional games such as yutnori. In Namsangol Hanok Village on Mt. Namsan and Seoul palaces, they have programs and events provided for everyone.

 

yutnori

Did you ever heard of Daeboreum? On the February 28 2010, it is Daeboreum, which is a day when people celebrate the first full moon of the lunar year. When you look at the sky on this day, you will be able to see a full moon shining up on the dark night. Watching the moon is a popular activity where people wait in the dark at the top of a mountain or a hill to see the moon come up on the sky. During this time of night, it is great to play jwibulnori, which is a traditional game of swirling around a hot briquette in a can while the rice straw in the field is set alight. The purpose of playing this game is to shoo away rats and other pests that can destroy the crops that will grow for the food for upcoming year. It is a way of asking a great year for farming and having plentiful food for the year. Special Daeboreum performances will be held at National Theatre of Korea and National center for Korean traditional performing arts.

 

jwibulnori

 Daeboreum

Enjoy your day at Seoul Forest

Inside the Park

 

The area around Ttukseom developed in a earth saving direction and turned the industrial zone into a urban park that doesn’t only have trees all around but has a little zoo where you can see deers and learn about insects in the museum of insect. The most amazing part about going to the Seoul Forest is that the park itself is connected to the paths of Hangang River, so if you go to the Seoul Forest for some fresh air in the middle of a big city Seoul, you will be able to have more refreshing start with riding a bicycle along the Hangang River.

Location: Ttukseom Station, Line 2. Go to exit 8 (2호선 뚝섬역 : 도보이용 8번 출구 약 15분)

Hour: 24hours

For more detailed information: http://parks.seoul.go.kr/eng/common/park_info/park_info_detail.jsp?p_idx=7

 

The entrance

The bridge that connects the Hangang River path to Seoul Forest

What is Seoul

You see a woman on streets

A stranger she meets

Harassed she is

Common this is

 

Then the public comes

Giving the bums

He’s seen foul

This is Seoul

 

Like every toe

The city will grow

As do the people

Gather in a circle

 

Small as a city

Big as a culture

Light as a soul

This is Seoul