Running Man Compilation #1

Hey guys!

I actually uploaded this on YouTube yesterday night. Sorry, you guys should have been my first priority.

Basically, this is a  compilation of the hilarious popular Reality TV show in South Korea, called Running Man. Currently, there are 7 permanent members and guests are invited in each episode to complete a series of missions, which involve vicious ripping of name-tags, searching a whole shopping mall for animal masks and running into a freezing-cold river barefoot to build a stone sculpture. There are so many more and the ideas are all ingenious. Just watch it!

I am now just watching random episodes because there are over 200 episodes and I can't be bothered to start from 1. My favourite member right now is Lee Kwang Soo. My sister gets so mad whenever I compare how them two are so similar. LOL

Here's my video:

COPYRIGHT GOES TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNERS.

MUSIC USED: 

One Direction - Live while we're young

Last Day of 2014

I don't know what to say...

This year actually went really quickly for some reason and I can't believe that tomorrow, we'll all be in the year 2015. But I keep wondering what on earth was my highlight of 2014???

Well, to start off, in Jan 2014, I remember that I had the courage to bleach my hair for the first time ever! Okay it sounds a bit off- but I wanted to dye my hair light brown actually and I'm a natural dark brunette, so the colour wasn't going to be effective unless I bleached it. And don't be so shocked - I used the correct treatment and everything. Some people have the misconception that if you bleach your hair, you have automatically damaged your hair. Well it's true if you don't know what to do after you bleach it, but not true in most cases. I'm the living proof amongst many others (flips my hair and fake coughs). Unfortunately however, the colour came out lighter than expected- a lot lighter. It was part blond and ginger in some places and brown at the same time. It sounds rather horrific describing it (LOL) but people actually liked it even though they were genuinely shocked to see the transformation. I just found it embarrassing so I wore a hat whenever I went out. But after the second dye, it came out really well to be honest. It looked like I deliberately got highlights (though it was all just an accident) and many (both strangers and friends) said they really loved it. I was simply so gassed. hehe! I'd love to show it to you guys but...that isn't gonna happen any time soon. Sorry.

Well, what's next?

Ummm...oh yeah! My group won second place in the Bouygues Language Competition where we had to conduct a business-style presentation all in French on how we plan to improve the local community. We did really well. I initially thought we weren't going to win because we only had about a couple of vague ideas and everything was done at the last minute. Other groups had native french speakers on their teams whilst all four of us in my team are just studying french as a subject. But, I guess the judges were really impressed with the accuracy of our french and our speaking. They said our french was like 'Shakespeare'! Lol! We were honestly so happy with ourselves especially because the prize was a weekend trip to Paris. The weather was beautiful and we got into this really nice youth hostel, visited famous landmarks, amazing food and it was so much fun!


The next highlight of 2014 is that I had the best summer holidays ever! We were abroad for over a month- that was really expensive especially because we went to loads of different places too. We used up everything we saved up. A shame but it was worth it! We were mainly stationed in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia in a condo that our relatives prepared for us beforehand, but we managed not only to tour a few places in Malaysia but also landed ourselves in Singapore and Bangkok in Thailand. Let me just say, I was utterly impressed with Singapore. It's modern like London, but it is so clean. You are not allowed to eat or drink on the MRT (our London Underground and the Overground). That was a shock! I'm constantly eating on the tube over here and people don't say anything because they do that themselves, unless it's smelly because that's just annoying. The best thing about Bangkok is the China Town, where we did the most shopping during the holidays. Me and my sisters bought countless number of earrings, clothes and literally anything we saw. But, I have to say, that I could instantly tell the difference in the air that I breathed in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, from London. I'm not joking but possibly because of the heat and the pollution, I felt a bit suffocated before I grew accustomed to it. Nevertheless, I have to say, I think I prefer Asia over Europe. Two of the main reasons for this are because of the food and that it is generally cheaper to live.

Another significant event of 2014 for me and my sisters is that we got our ears pierced for the first time ever! Yayyy! I thought I was going to die even though it was just my ears, but I guess it's because piercings aren't really my thing.


Oooh, I went ice-skating for the time ever, too! But the strange thing is that it was in summer when we sent to Singapore. But it's the same thing I guess where you go or when you do it. I never once fell down but I got a really bad bruise on my foot because I didn't wear my skates properly. I still have the scar (sobbing)!

2014 was also the year when I became became closer to Kpop and Kdramas more than ever. It was my best year of K-culture. Hehe! And guess what? I began my blog in 2014 too!

So, that is it!

I love you 2014! I will sincerely miss you! LOL

Kpop Highlights #3 (SoYou and Junggigo, B1A4, Apink)

Yayyy! Christmas holidays are one of the best aspects of my life and currently I am very much enjoying it- no homework except to read up to chapter 19 of Great Expectations (now up to chapter 9, but got two weeks to do this so no stress here!), and nothing else really. That means I can blog 24/7!
The only thing that is bothering me right now at this exact moment is just that I am waiting for a very important letter- a college offer from this prestigious private school. The deputy head of my school actually broke the news to me that the college has offered me a place and that with a scholarship, when she announced it in assembly. I was quite shocked and when I phoned my mum after school, she said she hasn't received any official letter, and even now, I'm about to die of anticipation because the postman hasn't come yet. AGHHH! Plus the deadline for acceptance of offers is in January and its already the 22nd of December for crying out loud!

OK OK, let me just move on to Kpop...

SoYou and Jung Gigo - Some 

I heard this song vaguely when I heard this in an ICT lesson ( surprise, surprise!) but I didn't realise that it stuck in my head before I heard it again in Flower Grandpa Investigative Team (I've finished watching this and it's a really nice drama to watch. You should definitely try it). But at that time, I had no idea what it was called or who sang it. So I was pretty much in despair. That is until, I came across it again by accident and completely fell in love with the song! There is also a little story within the music video and I have seen both actors in Kdramas before (SoYou's bandmate Dasom from Shut up Family and Baro (a member of B1A4) from God's Gift: 14 Days). 

B1A4 - lonely 

I heard this song from a non-Kpop fan to be honest. She asked whether I knew B1A4 because her other Kpop friends recommended it to her and she came to love their song lonely. The problem was that I have only heard of their song Solo Day because of EatYourKimchi. So when she told me, I was like 'Woa, hold on, how come you know more about Kpop than me? This ain't happening.' Then, I listened to it and I understood exactly why she loved it. It is a very good song! I even think it's better than Solo Day. Note: who came up with the idea of a  floating girl in the music video? Ingenious!

Apink - LUV 

I am a bit confused. Why is it called 'LUV' and not 'Love'? It really doesn't make sense because in the song Apink actually spells it out as L-O-V-E as part of the chorus and yet the title is 'LUV'. Strange...

The main thing is though, that I have mixed feelings to whether I like the song or not. I usually like Apink's songs and this isn't too different from their other songs- no actually, this song kind of reminds me of a slower version of NoNoNo's soundtrack. The actual lyrics are fine but the soundtrack to this song somehow reminds me of a broken, scratchy record? I don't know how to describe it. Also, the part when they sing, 'Never forget', to me, it sounded like something out of a Disney Princess Movie. I have never heard anything like this before. But, I have to admit, I think I like it overall. Well done, Apink!

Kpop Highlights #2 (T-ara, Hi Suhyun, AOA, K.Will)

T-ara and Chopstick Brothers - Little Apple 

Wait, wait, hold on. How come there are only 4 members from T-ara present in this music video? Where is the rest? Lord knows... It's got a very catchy tune and I have to say, it's very Crayon Pop-y. OK, I know they existed way before Crayon Pop and that they were originally like that and that it was them who inspired CP...blah blah blah. But why now? I mean I really like T-ara especially from Roly Poly (check that out, it's awesome) and Crayon Pop- it saddens me sometimes when fans begin to clash. I have to say though, the Chinese in there is a bit out of place and funny- it sounds like they're saying 'shopping mall'. Just listen to it...

Hi Suhyun - I'm different 

This is a good song to listen to. The meaning on the other hand is the typical, girl meets guy, girl wants guy, girl justifies it by saying she's special. However, Lee Suhyun and Lee Hi, both their vocals combined is amazing. They are very good musicians. 

AOA - Like a Cat 

First when I started to listen to it, I was in awe because it was utterly WEIRD. However, I actually got into it because of the amazing chorus- 'Lalala la lalalala...' Ok I can't really sing it out to you. Normally I don' t like songs that are too sexy but this is an exception because it's a good song.

K.Will - Day 1

This is unmistakeably a love song and usually I just think...cringe. But this is a sweet and warm-hearted song of a guy wanting this girl to fall for him even though he is out of her league. The guy is shown to be a bit vain but in a good way when he says that he's the best looking out of all the bad looking guys. That's just...(shakes my head and sighs). And I recognised the actor from My Flower Grandpa Investigative Team that I am currently watching. 

Kpop Highlights #1 (High4 and IU, Teen Top, Park Boram, Super Junior)

It's been a while since I've actually blogged. Well, I think it's fair to blame it on my mock exams in school that engulfed me in a state of a weary-looking, half-zombified little student who got her head super-glued onto her revision notes even though her mind was already saturated with dates to remember for the Nazi Germany and statistical equations. Nevermind that, they're over now and I can finally continue to live my life! yayyyy! I got pretty good results too- 30 out of 30 on my German writing exam and and only one mark away from full marks on my S1. I'm pretty gassed right now but that's just irrelevant so let's focus on kpop...

High4 with IU - Not Spring, Love or Cherry Blossoms

This is a very very good song to listen to- absolutely sensational! The song is not of the usual crazy, over-dressed and exaggerated kpop but one of those very few that show genuine talent and entails a good meaning, that is someone who is expressing how awfully lonely they are at the start of spring when everyone else has that someone special in their lives. Awwww. I have never in my life heard of High4 or IU before but they have left me with a very good impression- the whole song is simply so sweet and all-good. Love it!! : )

Teen Top - I'm Sorry 

OMG! This has become one of my favourite songs of all time right from the very first time I heard it in one of my ICT lessons, slyly listening to Kpop when I should be trying to catch up with my coursework deadlines - lol! It is a song that tells the listeners how a man deeply regrets not giving up time for his girl and is trying to apologise to get her back. Teen Top is honestly amazing with their vocals especially the high notes (it's always fascinating to hear guys sing high notes!). 

Park Bo Ram feat. Zico - Beautiful 

This girl, Park Bo Ram, mind you, has a story behind this song I'm presuming. She was on Super Star K and gained a lot of recognition and a couple of years later she came back with Beautiful, after losing a whopping 30kg over the course of 2 to 3 years (ok it's not really that shocking). But...

yep! the same girl- before and after

In her song, she is basically telling the listeners about how much hard work she had to put in (with her banana diet and stuff) in order to become beautiful like she is now. But, that's not it. She is trying to say that 'yes, I did lose weight and changed myself, but it wasn't for anyone else but to satisfy my own self and to build up my confidence'. Of course, I think most people would agree that good-looking people tend to have more confidence in themselves. I think she is the most genuine Kpop idol that I have ever come across with her true feelings and thoughts about the real world. Let's be real, in an immensely competitive field like Kpop, where everyone has staggering beauty and looks with extraordinary voices and talent, it is only natural for her to want to work hard like all her unnis and succeed. You can't blame the girl; in fact, you should really applaud. Park Bo Ram could be the Korean Adele...but with a mannequin body.

Super Junior - Mamacita 

The song begins after an introduction to all the members of Super Junior, with a very jazzy and equally cool tune, creating a very relaxed sort of feeling. Then it builds up and everything just becomes as entertaining as ever! I was quite confused as to what on earth Mamacita meant so I searched it up. It is a Spanish word and Latin American Slang for babe or a hottie (an attractive woman). A bit strange...but very catchy and cool, especially the dance to the chorus (honestly?). Plus, I can't get over the fact that they said, 'Shut your tongue!' LOL! How on earth can anyone shut their tongue? Gosh that's just hilarious...

catallena parody

I remembered that I made this ages ago and thought  I should share.

The videos that I used do not belong to me!

just the editing was done by ME!!

Kim Jong Un declares war on Sony!

Okay, my very first reaction to this was LOL. I know, it's crazy.

Anyway, Sony Pictures' newest American action-comedy film, The Interview, that was about to be released on December the 25th this year (ooh, a little Christmas treat!) have created an uproar in the world of international politics and the tensions between the Korean-American conflict. When I say, this has the potential to cause serious problems in the near-future, I mean it! Why don't you see for yourself...

The trailer to The Interview

Starring Seth Rogen and James Franco (seems like a lot of money has been spent on this), it is a 

comedy where two journalists travel to North Korea to interview Kim Jong Un but takes an unexpected turn of fate when they are instructed by the CIA to...assassinate (this is absolutely crazy!) Kim Jong Un. 

Of course, the patriotic Democratic People's Republic of Korea aka North Korea (it's simpler that way), would have found this despicable and an outrageously offensive act. 

Wikipedia said:

On June 20, 2014, in an interview with The Daily Telegraph, the Executive Director of CFKAP (Center for Korean-American Peace) Kim Myong-chol criticized the film about North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un and said, "There is a special irony in this storyline as it shows the desperation of the US government and American society". 

 He also said, "A film about the assassination of a foreign leader mirrors what the US has done in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Ukraine. And let us not forget who killed Kennedy – Americans. In fact, President Obama should be careful in case the US military wants to kill him as well."

 He added that British films were far better and more realistic than Hollywood movies (full of assassinations and executions). 

Oh, thanks for the last comment, Kim Myong-chol! On a more serious note, it also said:

 "Making and releasing a film that portrays an attack on our top-level leadership is the most blatant act of terrorism and war and will absolutely not be tolerated", KCNA said, citing a government spokesman. The administration warned of a "decisive and merciless countermeasure" if the release of the film went ahead. 

Indeed, that is precisely what happened just recently. On 24th of November, a computer virus called the Shamoon Malware infected the Sony Pictures Entertainment company computers and 3 days later, several Sony films were leaked, including Fury, Annie, Still Alice and many more. But, unsurprisingly, The Interview was not leaked. I think it's obvious who was behind this- but North Korea's denying it. 

At the end of the day, this is actually a very controversial matter- who knows, if this could lead to WWIII? Okay, I think it is a bit over the top today, to declare the film as 'an act of terrorism' and 'a declaration of war' but, I think we need to step into the shoes of the North Koreans and understand that it may be a light-hearted joke for most of us, but it's offensive to the minority who would willingly give up their lives for Kim Jong Un. It's a bit like (okay, this is an extreme example) making fun of God. I agree that Kim Jung Un isn't exactly the ideal version of a leader in our eyes but for some people he is.

But, to be honest, I'm not sure what to think of the whole situation, except that I would watch it when it comes out here in the UK- even Kim Jung Un claimed he'll be watching it.  

On a lighter note, I'm guessing South Korea is secretly laughing away in tears...