Seoul Searching | Hyundai City Outlets.

We visited Hyundai City Outlets last winter upon the recommendation of my Korean friend, Bong Sun unni, who owns the Filipino store in our neighborhood. Knowing my penchant for sneakers, she told me to drop by 'this new mall in Dongdaemun' where there's a crazy sale on shoes. And so off to Dongdaemun we did, with hopes of finding a pair of Jordan 11 Space Jam in my size.

Hyundai City Outlets.

Huge Christmas tree near the entrance.

Huge tops that kids can sit on and play with. 

More of Hyundai City Outlets after the jump!

Foodie Goodie | Samgyeopsal (Korean Grilled Pork Belly).

I'm glad that the SM Supermall here in my area is included in this year's Korean Festival. It's a week-long celebration that runs from October 1 until October 7, where they showcase all things Korean - from music, to food, to makeup, and even movies.

Li'l Min Ho. :)

Speaking of Korean food, let me share with one of my favorite Korean food. It's called 'Samgyeopsal' 삼겹살 - a dish you'd see very often in Korean dramas. Samgyeopsal is nothing more than uncured pork belly, sliced thin like bacon but with the rind removed. The name, which literally translates to “three layered meat”, is a description of the strata of meat and fat that invariably makes up this cut.

Samgyeopsal.

The strips of meat are grilled with slices of onion and garlic, sometimes with pieces of mushroom or even strips of kimchi.

Grill 'em up!

To eat samgyeopsal, take a piece of well-cooked pork belly meat and place it on a lettuce leaf. Add some dressing and vegetables, a spoonful of rice even, and wrap it up.  Try not to put too much in the lettuce so you can eat the 'ssam' (Korean word for wrap) in one bite.

It's a wrap!

Such a simple dish right? It's simple and easy to prepare, and creating your own ssam is really fun! :)

Project BB Cream | Innisfree Eco Natural Green Tea BB Cream.

I was on the verge of purchasing a new BB Cream over the weekend, after having received gift certificates from one of my favorite online shopping sites. However, the penny-pinching side of me suddenly remembered that I still have a few BB Cream samples in my makeup stash, all waiting to be tried. Thus, I decided to save the gift certificates for a rainy day and just make do with what I have right now.

And with that, I give you my review of the Innisfree Eco Natural Green Tea BB Cream - the 14th BB Cream that I have tried since I started this blog (in 2011) and began my love affair with Korean makeup brands.

What I have is the 4mL sample size, which looks like this.

Innisfree Eco Natural Green Tea BB Cream.

This BB Cream comes in two shades, #1 Bright Moisture and #2 Natural Moisture. This one is the latter.

Mostly (as in 95%) Hangul text at the back.

Go for the full size and you get a 40 mL plastic squeeze tube, which look like this.

Full sized tube, 40 mL.

While there's mostly Hangul text at the back of the sachet, the description in front is enough to give you an idea of what this BB cream contains and what it does.

'Enriched with Green Tea seed oil from pure Jeju Island. Green Tea revives dry, stressed skin by supplying abundant moisture."

And as you can see, it has SPF29/PA++ - a pretty decent SPF number for me. Now here's how the product looks like.

A few dots of the BB Cream at the back of my hand...

The shade has yellow undertones, and is a lot lighter than what I was expecting, considering this one is the 'darker' shade among the two variants. Kinda reminds me of Skin Food's Good Afternoon Honey Black Tea BB Cream - perhaps the palest shade of BB Cream that I've tried.

Spread it evenly... (left side without BB Cream, right side with BB Cream)

The texture, however, is thick and it's a bit tricky to blend. Squeeze out too much and you'll get a slight grayish cast on your face. But with the right amount and proper blending, you'll get light to medium coverage that's good enough to cover skin imperfections.

Wear time is okay - about six to seven hours with a primer on. I must say though, that I did feel a bit of oil in my T-zone by the fourth hour (I wear eyeglasses, take note) which I needed to blot off and dust with a bit of powder afterwards.

And voila, it adjusts to my skin tone nicely!
(Left side without BB Cream, right side with BB Cream.)

Now while I do love the dewy finish and the natural glow this product gives, I am not crazy about the scent. To be brutally honest, I abhor dislike it at the first whiff. It smelled funky, like some Oriental medicine or something, and nothing, I say nothing, like green tea. So for someone who hardly complains about the scent of makeup and cosmetics, this is a first for me. It wouldn't have been an issue if the scent goes away within minutes, but no, the scent lingers longer, much too longer than I would have wanted.

As for the price of the full-sized product (which I doubt I would buy anyway), it's quite affordable at 14000 Korean Won. That's around $13 or Php590 when converted. Unfortunately though, there are no Innisfree stores yet here in the Philippines. I do my Innisfree shopping online, or through the kindness of my husband who's still in Seoul as of this writing. :)

What I love:

- Contains green tea, which moisturizes the skin and delays skin aging.

- SPF29/PA++.

- Light to medium coverage.

- Dewy finish.

- Gives the skin a natural, healthy glow.

- Affordable price.

- Contains all-natural ingredients.

- Cruelty-free.

What you might not like:

- A bit tricky to apply.

- Oil control is so-so.

- The scent. Ugh!

Wearing my Lisa Loeb glasses. :)
Products used:
FACE: Majolica Majorca Skin Lingerie Pore Cover,
Innisfree Eco Natural Green Tea BB Cream,
Missha Undereye Brightener.
EYES: The Face Shop Lovely Me:EX Design My Eyebrow,
BYS Waterproof Eyeliner, Fairy Drops Volume Burst Mascara.
CHEEKS: Human Heart Nature Perfect Glow Mineral Blush.
LIPS: EOS Blueberry Potion, Miners Matte Factor in Warm Red. 

Have you tried this BB Cream before? Do let me know if you have, and if you share the same sentiments with me. I'd like to verify if it's just my nose being overly sensitive to the scent, or it just really smells that way. Haha! :)

KPop Invades the Philippine Concert Scene.

Music breaks language barriers - so goes an old saying. And this timeless adage holds true even in this modern day and age. Case in point, Korean pop music.

Language is certainly no impediment for Kpop fans. Idol groups, idol stars, and the music that they create continue to be in the spotlight, with their fame extending throughout Southeast Asia and across the globe.

The Philippines is no privy to the Kpop phenomenon. There are legions upon legions of Filipino Kpop fans who share the same passion as I do. Sure, not every fan can speak Korean fluently or has a good grasp of the Korean language, but these fans know how to enjoy good music and appreciate musical performances.

And with all these personalities coming to the Philippines this month and the next, there is no doubt that the Kpop music scene will once again be the rage in the country.

YouTube sensation and guitar wonderboy Sungha Jung will hold a two-day concert for his Philippine Tour. He will be performing at the J Centre Convention Hall in Cebu City on June 14, while on June 15 he will be serenading fans at the Resorts World Manila.

CNBlue will be coming to Manila for the first time, as part of their Blue Moon 2013 World Tour. This event will be held on June 15 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Former UKISS member Xander, aka Alexander Lee Eusebio, will be celebrating his birthday in the Philippines! His fan party in Manila will happen on July 27 - the same day he turns 25!

And then there's our City Hunter, Boys over Flowers star Lee Min Ho, who will return to Manila on July 6 for a one-night only concert. The Manila leg of Lee Min Ho's 'My Everything World Tour' will take place in the Mall of Asia Arena.

If you're a Kpop fan, be sure to catch these performances. And I'm certain all the die-hard fans out there wouldn't miss out on these events for the world!

Lee Min Ho | My Everything World Tour Updates.

By now, most of you Kpop fans know that Lee Min Ho will be in town for a concert come July 6. It's a one-night-only event, and it will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Now just to keep you all updated, here are the ticket prices for the concert:

VIP - Php 7,500

Patron - Php 5,400

Lower Box A - Php 5,400

Lower Box B - Php 3,675

Upper Box - Php 1,575

General Admission - Php 525

And here's the seat plan: (Click on the image to enlarge.)

Lower Box A will cover seats 201-202/221-222 and rows A-E OF 203-207/216-220. Lower Box B, on the other hand will cover the 6th row onwards of 203-207/216-220.

Tickets can now be purchased at SM Tickets. For VIP seats, you may contact (02) 374 9999.

This event is made possible by Bench and Wilbros Live.

Lee Min Ho Live in Manila! Again!

Hold your undies, ladies! Your favorite flower boy (and I say your - because my favorite is Kim Hyun Joong, lol) is coming back to Manila for a solo concert!

Oh yes, you read it right - concert. Dubbed as 'My Everything', this one-night only event will be held on July 6, 2013 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

This concert is part of Lee Min Ho's promotional tour of his forthcoming album titled 'My Everything'. The said album is scheduled for release on May 22, 2013.

Ticket prices will be announced soon. Follow Wilbros Live for more updates!

Spazz Saturday #11 | Lee Min Ho's Adobo, and Kdramas seasoned just right.

In case you haven't heard, Korean actor Lee Min Ho was in town as the latest endorser for the global brand, Bench. He had a meet and greet session for the said brand last Friday, and Araneta Coliseum was jam-packed with eager fans.

I wasn't part of that crowd, mind you. I'm not exactly a huge fan of LMH, although I liked him in City Hunter. I guess I still haven't gotten over the fact that Geum Jang Di didn't end up with my beloved Yoon Ji Hoo in Boys Over Flowers, lol. Still, I'm happy for my fellow Kpop/Kdrama fans who had the chance to see him in the flesh. And I find it adorable that LMH likes adobo.

Photo credit: @ActorLeeMinHo

On Saturday, LMH tweeted this photo together with the following message: I  would like to say thank you to all the fans who made out to the Bench event. Adobo ^^ Masarab! 반가웠어요 ^^ (Yes, he really wrote 'masarab'.)

So what if Lee Min Ho, Choi Siwon, and Lee Donghae all got together for one Bench event? It's gonna be chaos, I tell you! :)

Moving on to my Kdramas, Nice Guy/Innocent Man finally came to an end last Thursday. I began watching this drama with the fear that Kang Maru might suffer the same fate as the lead actor in Mianhada, Saranghanda. After all, the screenwriter of both dramas was one and the same person.

Kang Maru loves Seo Eun Gi ^^

But surprise, surprise! Kang Maru survived, and the drama had a happy ending! Thank you, writer-nim for not killing the lead actor! Yay!

Also on my spazz list is Full House Take 2, a remake of the 2004 drama which starred Rain and Song Hye Kyo. I am liking the current version better, despite No Min Woo's noodle hair and Hwang Jung-eum's afro.

Better than the first. :)

I've been a fan of No Min Woo since My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, so I guess I'm a bit biased with this version.  I like Park Ki Woong too, and in my opinion, he deserves a first-lead role in his next drama. Enough of the second leads! He deserves to shine! :)

As for I Miss You, I'm so looking forward to episodes 5 and 6. I reckon Park Yoochun and Yoon Eun Hye are finally appearing in the upcoming episodes, so I'm all antsy for Wednesday and Thursday.

I literally miss you, Yoochun!

How about you? What are you watching lately? :)

Spotlight | Chimera Online Shop

I'm not much of an arts and crafts person, and whenever I come across pretty little handmade things, I am always left in awe. Especially when they're made out of unconventional and eco-friendly materials. Case in point, Chimera Online.

What began as a simple hobby for childhood friends Kaye and Keyt has now become a booming business for these innovative entrepreneurs. From clothes, to accessories, and now venturing into shoes, Chimera carries a wide array of products that are eye-candy and easy on the pocket.

But there's more to Chimera than just being hip and trendy. Their merchandise, are in fact made from old clothes, vintage accessories, and even materials that some might consider as junk. By revamping  and restyling old clothes, upcycling and modifying vintage accessories with a modern twist, and using locally-sourced man-made materials, Chimera proves to be a staunch advocate of green living and eco-friendliness.

For instance, old and unwanted pairs of denims showcased in the Braided and Jeans Collection. Tattered and torn denims (and perhaps no longer fit) are transformed into something as pretty as these.

A headband, a foreband, a bracelet... these braided jeans are actually quite versatile. You can wear them  how you want it, any way you want it.

Then there's the Alambre Art Collection - fashion accessories made from the humble tie-wire. And so they say one man's junk is another man's treasure!

These tie-wires can also be found in other Chimera accessories, such as these dainty rings.

Wires were used to bind the beads together. (The very reason why they're called 'tie-wires'.)

Aside from these, Chimera also produces clothes, bags, and shoes. They carry a bunch of other cute and quirky stuff too, such as Korean stamp sets, cable winders, and even the Magic Egg. All these and more are found in Chimera's Facebook page and Multiply site.

Oh, and in case you're wondering if there's a giveaway coming soon, YES there is! (If you're a regular reader of my blog, then I know you know the drill, haha!)

I have the privilege of working with Chimera for my next blog event, the Fun in the Sun Giveaway which goes live come June 3rd. There'll be a bunch of assorted Chimera merchandise up for grabs, including an Usamimi-inspired Twist Headband ala Park Min Young! (More popularly known as Kim Nana in City Hunter.)

I'm not exactly fond of Lee Min Ho, but I have to admit, him and Min Young look good together. And City Hunter was one of my favorite Kdramas from last year. A-aaand these Usamimi Headbands are so yeppuda! (That's lovely in Korean.)

So, if you're a fan of the drama, or would like to channel your inner Kim Nana (lol), or simply want to win some cool eco-friendly stuff, mark your calendars and be sure to check out my blog and social media pages from time to time. June 3, folks! :)

Shared with Blue Monday and Wednesday Whites. :)

Korean Dramas of 2011: Hitting the Notes, and Missing the Marks.

When Korean dramas (Kdramas for short) made their way to the Philippines in 2003, I was nothing but a passive audience - the type who would watch only because I still happen to be awake at that time (ergo, the 2230H primetime slot). Back then, I had no favorite actor or actress, missing an episode or two was okay, and dialogues dubbed in Tagalog were all fine with me.

All this changed when Queen Seon Deok hit primetime TV in early 2010. I was so enthralled by the storyline and mesmerized by the casting (Bidam, portrayed by Kim Nam Gil - to be precise) that I found myself watching the drama on YouTube instead. Before QSD came to an end on local TV, I was already watching Kim Nam Gil's next drama, Bad Man, via live streaming.

Last year, I took my Kdrama addiction to a new height. I was able to watch 42 dramas in 2011. Yes, forty two. That's a combination of dramas that were airing during that time, some not-so-old but still very popular dramas (for instance, Boys Over Flowers and You're Beautiful), and one that was almost a decade old (Memories of Bali).

I can prattle about all these dramas, but it would take me more than just one article to do that. But since this is a year-end recap, I'll limit it to Kdramas from 2011. Narrowing it even further, I will point out the ones that I loved, the ones that bored me to pieces, and those that made a mark on me as Kdrama fan.

Stand-outs.


Secret Garden. (Hyun Bin, Ha Ji Won, Yoon Sang Hyun) This to me, was the perfect blend of drama, comedy, and romance. Even the fantasy aspect of the story worked for me. The chemistry between Hyun Bin and Ha Ji Won was so perfect, you'd want them to be a couple in real life. Moon Boon Hong was the most terrifying mother-in-law ever that you'd think twice about getting married, especially to someone from an affluent family. Yoon Sang Yon made this drama even more memorable with his impressive singing, charisma, and Oska socks. But it was Hyun Bin's track jacket (and how a man in sequins can still look so hot) that left a lasting impression on its audience.

I actually memorized that 'Kim soo han mo' thing that Joo Won kept on murmuring in this drama.

City Hunter. (Lee Min Ho, Park Min Young) Halfway through the first episode, I was able to understand why this drama got high ratings. It had lots of explosive action scenes and a suspense-laden plot that would entice even the male population to watch a flower boy on the small screen. Of course there's the romantic aspect of this drama between Lee Min Ho and Park Min Young that sold to the females - ahjummas included. This romance eventually blossomed to something real, much to the delight of Lee Yoon Sung and Kim Na Na fans. Starting off strongly and ending with the same bravado, the twists in the story would leave you at the edge of your seats and make you look forward to what's heading towards you in the succeeding episodes.

Lee Min Ho finally grew on me with this drama. 

The Princess' Man. (Park Shi Hoo, Moon Chae Won) I love period dramas, and this gave me yet another reason to love them even more. This drama bears resemblance to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, with its star-crossed lovers, ill-fated romance, and tragic deaths. Making this drama more compelling are political liaisons, the hunger for power, political dynasties, and the thirst for revenge. But the things that I love the most about The Princess' Man were: Park Si Hoo's gorgeous mane (coupled with the transformation from gigolo to rebel with a cause), Moon Chae Won's spunk and her ability to tackle a lead role, and the story's bittersweet ending.

Eat your heart out, Claire Danes.

Noteworthy.

The Greatest Love. (Cha Seung Won, Gong Hyo Jin) From the Hong sisters who gave us My Girl, You're Beautiful, and My Girlfriend is a Gumiho came another breakthrough in the romance comedy genre. Cha Seung Won made Dokko Jin a household name in this drama, together with little 'Ding Dong' and the story of azaleas.

Fake relationships in the entertainment industry. Piolo and KC, isdachu?

49 Days. (Lee Yo Won, Jo Hyeon Jae, Jung Il Woo) Death Angels are meant to be freakin' hawt to make 'fetching for souls' an easier task. Such as the case of Jung Il Woo who plays The Scheduler (aka Angel of Death). His pretty boy image and splendid acting made him the star of this drama, and not Jo Hyeon Jae (at least from my point of view).

Episode 19 broke my heart. :(

Dream High. When I started watching this drama, my only intention was to check out Kim Hyun Joong's cameo appearance, which came in the early part of Episode 1. Surprisingly enough, I found myself getting hooked to it as the drama progressed. Kim Soo Hyun's acting was indeed award-worthy - watch out Hallyu, here's your next big star! I can't say much for Suzy's acting (was she even acting?), but her rendition of Winter Child is, for me, the most beautiful version of the birthday song ever.

It came to a point when I ditched Glee in favor of Dream High.  

What A Waste.

Lie to Me. (Yoon Eun Hye, Kang Ji Hwan) Don't get me wrong, I love these two. I really, really do. And I wanted to love them even more because they're together in this drama. It's the drama itself that I consider a total waste of sheer talent. I mean, come on. These two are oozing with talent, and all that went straight to the dumpster with this drama's storyline. I've seen almost all of their previous works, so I know what Eun Hye and Ji Hwan are capable of. (If you can recall, Eun Hye rose to stardom with Coffee Prince, while Kang Ji Hwan will forever be remembered as Hong Gil Dong.) If not for the infamous cola kiss, I wouldn't even bother finishing this. Hurray for carbonated drinks, the saving grace of this drama!

I swoon.

Promising.

Flower Boy Ramyun Shop. Just to be clear, I haven't seen this drama. It was my intention to watch this after it has finished airing. That way, I can enjoy the drama from start to finish without the anxiety and anticipation for next week's episode. Judging from the reviews I've read online, and from fellow Kdrama addicts who have experienced the drama firsthand, Jung Il Woo (once again) shines through and outperforms the male lead. Why he chooses to play second lead in almost all of his dramas remains a mystery to me.

Next on my Kdrama queue!

I wonder how many Kdramas will I be able to watch this year. Will I be able to outnumber my record of 42? We'll know by this time, next year. Here's hoping though that there'll be more praiseworthy dramas and less (if none at all) of the ones that can turn my neurons to mush. (By far, nothing has toppled my harrowing experience with My Fair Lady. Ironically, it's another Eun Hye and Il Woo starrer.)

I can't wait for February. Because another brilliant actor is making a comeback after two years in the military. Come on come on come to J-style!