Four Eyes | Nerd Glasses, KPop, and my Frozen Yoghurt.

If you're a fan of Korean pop music, Korean dramas, or just about anything that has to do with Korea (like me, lol), then you're probably aware that eyeglasses are big in Korea. Not big in terms of size, mind you. Rather, they've become part and parcel of Korean fashion. It's a trend that will remain huge, and stay for years to come.

I know right? :)

I must admit, I have a penchant for eyewear. But that has nothing to do with my Kpop fangirling or addiction to Korean dramas. You see, I wear prescriptive contact lenses and I need to have some sort of protection for my eyes (sunglasses, nerd glasses, or whatever) whenever I go out. Why not just wear my prescriptive glasses, you ask? Well, I have really bad eyesight, and my eye grade is -8.00. So you can just imagine how inconveniently thick those lenses are even if they're already of the 'air wear' kind.

Now let me show the latest addition to my growing collection of eyeglasses. It's a simple yet stylish pair from Four Eyes - the first online optical store in the Philippines. Launched in May 2013, Four Eyes aims to revolutionize eyewear in the country - by making it more affordable and accessible to every Filipino.

When shopping for glasses from the Four Eyes website, buyers will simply need to choose their desired frame, (they have an array of styles that I'm sure KPop fans will love) upload the doctor’s prescription (for prescriptive glasses) and pick the lens type (multi-coated, bifocal, polycarbonate, or transitions).  Four Eyes even allows buyers to try the glasses at home because they understand that 'people like to touch, feel and wear the product before purchasing'.

The best part? They don't charge shipping fees at all - even for their Home Try-On service.

Frozen Yoghurt!

Going back to my eyeglasses... Dubbed as 'Frozen Yoghurt', this style features a square shape with a saddle bridge. It's a full rim frame that looks half-rimmed from afar, and is made of sturdy plastic material.

Zooming in for the view.

It features the Four Eyes logo on the temple, with designs on the hinges that remind me of Ray-Ban's RX Eyeglasses.

Four Eyes!

This style can be worn both by men and women, and suits those with oval and round faces best. I have an oval face, and I love how this pair accentuates my cheekbones. :)

Half-rimmed? Not. :)

This pair comes with a protective carrying case and a cleaning cloth inside it. A 'Care Card' also comes along with the package.

Instructions written on the 'Care Card'.

'Frozen Yoghurt' reminds me of Yoochun's eyeglasses in the drama 'The Rooftop Prince.'

Yoochun as Lee Tae Yong.

And this pair worn by Bae Yong Joon, who - as far as I'm concerned - made nerd glasses look cool in Hallyu.

Bae Yong Joon aka Yon-sama. :)

Now here's how 'Frozen Yoghurt' looks like on me.

Well-proportioned shape that accentuates my cheek bones. :)

Channeling Yoochun. :)

Wanna get this pair, too? 

They sell for only Php 1495, but you can get Php 300 off if you use my Special Discount Voucher when you purchase from Four Eyes.

Simply key in the code 'REBELSWEETHEART' prior to check-out so you can enjoy the special discounted price of Php 1195! This code is valid until November 2013, so enjoy it as much as you can!

Get to know more about Four Eyes!
Like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and on Instagram.

Learn How to Achieve Perfect Skin, the Korean Way!

Our friends from Tony Moly Philippines have an exciting event happening this month. They're going to conduct a Beauty Workshop to one Metro Manila-based company for free!

If you think you and your coworkers deserve a beauty makeover, then nominate your company for a chance to win a Total Skin Revolution Beauty Workshop from Tony Moly Philippines!

Here's what you should do:

• Participants have to send their company logo with a caption explaining WHY they deserve a free Beauty Workshop from Tony Moly.
• The video/picture should be sent to [feedback@tonymoly.ph] along with the following information:

Name of Representative:

Age:

Location:

Contact Number:

• Tony Moly will be posting the entries on their Facebook page on July 12.
• Entries with the most likes and shares will win the free Beauty Workshop.
• Only one (1) company will be declared the winner.
• The winning company shall provide the venue for the workshop and the equipment for presentation (speakers, microphone, projector).
• Only 50 participants will be accommodated per company.

Please keep in mind that:

• This event is open to companies based in Metro Manila only.
• Promo will run from June 21 - July 19.
• Submission of nominations will be from June 21 to July 11.
• Entries will be posted by Tony Moly Philippines on July 12.
• Voting period will be from July 12 - July 18.
• The winning company will be announced on July 19.

The workshop will cover skin analysis plus Korean skincare and makeup routine. And the best part? Tony Moly will be giving lots of prizes away!

So what are you waiting for? Start sending your entries to Tony Moly Philippines now! :)

A Secret Revealed | Tony Moly Luminous Pure Aura CC Cream.

Just when you thought you've seen it all when it comes to BB (blemish balm) creams, cosmetic innovators from the Land of the Morning Calm (ergo, South Korea) have come up with an offshoot and decided to move to the next letter of the alphabet.

Enter the CC cream, otherwise known as the 'color control' or 'color corrector' cream. Created and developed in South Korea, the CC cream not only acts as a skincare product but also gives the skin a more effective, natural-looking coverage.

Sells at Php 948 each. :)

This (and more) is what the Tony Moly Luminous Pure Aura CC Cream does - and it has finally made its way to the Philippines. The product - dubbed as the 'Celebrities' Secret' was officially launched last Tuesday, at the Tony Moly branch in Market! Market!, Taguig City.

The event was hosted by Ms. Bianca Valerio, who was also the makeup artist for the day. She did a makeup demo, where the attendees got to see the Luminous Pure Aura CC Cream in action.

And where we got to see the seven key features/benefits from this smart, all-in-one cream. These features include: color correction, anti-wrinkle, moisturizing, whitening, UV protection, improves complexion, and conceals imperfections.

With the many skincare issues the Luminous Pure Aura CC Cream can address, it's no surprise that this product sold like hotcakes the first time it landed on Philippine shores. It's almost always out-of-stock whenever I drop by Tony Moly stores and attempt to buy one, haha!

And now, let me end this post with some eye-candy.

Yoochun is love! :)

Many thanks to Tony Moly Philippines for inviting The Rebel Sweetheart to this event. ;)

Spotlight | TonyMoly UV Sunset Daily Sun Cream.

"What's your sunscreen?" This question I've been getting a lot these days. Not surprising since the heat is really on in this tropical country. You'd be crazy to leave the house without some sort of sun protection. Unless of course, you want to be charred in this 36-degree Celsius weather.

And so to answer that burning question, here's the sunscreen that I've been using for the longest time - TonyMoly UV Sunset Daily Sun Cream SPF30/PA++.

TonyMoly! 

I got this as pasalubong from my cousin-in-law who used to work in Korea. Been using this for more or less six months now, and as you can see, this tube is still far from running on empty.

SPF30/PA++

This sunscreen has a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30, which means you're protected from cancer-causing UVB rays for at least 7.5 hours. The general rule, however, is to reapply sunscreen every 2 to 4 hours at least.

As for the protection strength, the PA++ indicates that this product has 4 times protection power against UVA rays. These harmful rays are the ones that cause wrinkles, sunspots, uneven skin tone, and just about anything bad to the skin.

If you can read Hangul, then bravo!

Since the literature at the back of the tube is written entirely in Hangul, I had to refer to the Tony Moly website for the product description. In the website, it goes something like this:

Softly application without skin irritations. Water Melon – protect skin from UV rays, primrose – antioxidant, protect skin, Green Tea Extract – strengthen skin immune system.

Grammar fail, I know. But at least it gave me an idea of what this sunscreen is made of.

Here's how the Sun Cream looks like.

Now what I love the most about this Sun Cream is that it's gentle on the skin. I've always had issues with Western sunscreen brands, mostly because I have uber sensitive skin. One of the main reasons why I stuck with this brand is because it has never broke me out, nor has it given me any allergies.

Its formulation is just right - non-sticky, lightweight, not runny, but not too thick either. The cream is easily absorbed by the skin. You won't even feel that you have sunscreen on. It also has a nice scent, which goes away rather quickly.

The price isn't bad, either. As per the Tony Moly website, this costs only Php 458 and is available at Tony Moly branches here in the Philippines. In Korea, this sells for 7800 won (Php 285 when converted).

What I love:

- SPF30/PA++

- Non-irritating.

- Lightweight.

- No icky, sticky feeling.

- Works well with most of my BB creams.

- Nice scent.

- Affordable price.

What you might not like:

- None, I guess. :)

How about you, what's your sunscreen? :)

Spazz Saturday #18 | Yoon Eun Hye Broadens Acting Career with Mature Roles.

As Yoon Eun Hye enters the eighth year of her acting career, she looks back at the days when she first entered Hallyu, after leaving the music industry and the girl group Baby VOX, where she was a member for almost six year.

“When I was younger, I was very careful about everything because I was afraid of creating misunderstandings. But now I’ve shed all those anxieties, and I feel much freer than before”, she recalls.

Yoon Eun Hye says she feels more confident about herself, now that she is entering her thirties and becomes more established in TV drama. Her latest TV drama, MBC’s “I Miss You” was a turning point for her. Yoon’s character in the drama is a woman who was sexually molested as a child and exhausted all efforts to bury her memories from the past. She said she initially struggled with the complexity of the character’s psychological issues, and found the experience so draining that she ended up in the hospital from fatigue and exhaustion.

Viewers, however, responded positively to her performance after immersing herself fully in the role. She was able to overcome cynical critics who had previously questioned the limits of her acting ability, garnering overwhelming positive reviews along the way.

“I’ve always wanted to play the kind of roles that were suitable for my age,” Yoon Eun Hye says. “The reason I’ve been looking forward to turning 30 so quickly is because I always expected it would open up a broader range of roles.”

Meanwhile, her short film “The Knitting” was part of the Busan International Film Festival last year, and the decision to challenge herself further by taking up film directing has helped her acting.

“I used to become very sensitive when I worked on projects, because I felt so personally responsible for whatever work I was engaged in, and this may have made life harder for those working with me,” she said. “But directing a film with a whole production crew made me think that I may have been mistaken in behaving like that. I realized that I need to be more flexible in how I approach things, and that helped me feel more at ease and go more with the flow this time.”

Despite only recently having wrapped up her latest production, she is already thinking about her next project. She said her confidence has been boosted by all the positive reviews she has received and now she wants to show audiences what she is really capable of.

Yoon Eun Hye says she wants to experience so many things, “because that enlarges and improves you as a person.”

Also published on Korea.com.

Foodie Goodie | Omurice!

Earlier this week, I received a recipe request from one of my readers, who turns out to be a fellow KPop fan. I'm more than happy to do this post for her, as the dish she's asking for plays a huge role in Rooftop Prince - one of my favorite Kdramas from last year. And if you've seen this drama too, then I guess you know what dish I'm talking about. Yep, it's Omurice!

Omurice ala Park Ha. :)

A fusion cuisine of Japanese origin, 'omurice' is basically a duo of omelette (omu) and fried rice. This dish was first seen at a western-style restaurant in the Ginza district of Tokyo sometime during the 19th century. Introduced in Korea during the Japanese invasion, omurice remains a popular, well-loved dish in the Land of the Morning Calm until this very day.

Lee Gak (played by Park Yoochun) and his subjects enjoying Park Ha's (Han Ji Min) omurice.

Omurice

Ingredients:

250g chicken breast (or any other choice of meat)
1 onion
1 green or red bell pepper
1 carrot
1 small can green peas, cooked
4 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 cups of cooked/steamed rice
Salt and pepper to taste

Photo credit: Roboppy

Procedure:

1. Dice chicken, bell pepper, carrots, and onion.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan and sauté diced chicken.
3. Add diced onion, carrots, and green pepper and the cooked green peas in the frying pan. Sauté together.
4. Add cooked/steamed rice in the pan and mix well. Add a dash of salt and pepper.
5. Turn off the heat, add ketchup and mix well.
6. Heat another frying pan and put some vegetable oil.
7. Whisk an egg in a bowl and pour the egg in the frying pan. Quickly spread the egg in the frying pan and make a thin, large, and round omelet.
8. Place chicken rice in the middle of the omelet and fold top and bottom sides of omelet over the chicken rice.
9. Cover the frying pan with a plate and turn them over to place the omurice in the plate.
10. Put some ketchup on top of omurice and serve hot.



And there you have it, Omurice inspired by the Rooftop Prince.
Meokkda! (That's Korean for 'let's eat'.)

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? :)

Yoon Eun Hye confirmed in new drama with Park Yoochun!

Actress Yoon Eun Hye's role in the drama 'I Miss You' has been confirmed, where she will work alongside JYJ's Park Yoochun. This upcoming drama will be Eun Hye's comeback to the small screen, after taking a break for almost eight months.

'I Miss You' is a melodrama about a couple reminiscing about their past, and looking back on the sad memories of their first love. Yoon Eun Hye will play the role of Lee Soo Yeon, a smart and determined woman who holds a lot of pain in her heart. She is also the first love of Han Jung Woo, the character played by Park Yoochun.

The drama's premiere is highly anticipated, as top star Kim Soo Hyun and young actor Yeo Jin Goo are also part of the cast. 'I Miss You' will be directed by Lee Jae Dong, who directed the dramas 'Can't Lose' and 'Thank You'. Working alongside as scriptwriter is Moon Hee Jung, who is famous for previous dramas 'Can You Hear my Heart' and 'Smile, You'.

'I Miss You' will air Wednesdays and Thursdays on MBC starting this November.

Source: Nate

Now excuse me while I spazz, because Yoon Eun Hye is my most favorite Korean actress. :)

Oh Micky, You're So Fine!

I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but something tells me I've become a full-blown Chunsa. In Kpop terms, that is what you call a Park Yoochun fan.

Park Yoochun, who goes by the stage name Micky, is one-third of the Korean boy group JYJ. He debuted as a member of the world-famous TVXQ (also known as DBSK or Dong Bang Shin Ki) in 2003. Not only is he a singer, rapper, and dancer for the group, he is a songwriter as well.

In 2010 he dabbled into acting, with Sungkyunkwan Scandal as his first drama. I actually took notice of Micky's potential in this project; however, I was distracted by Yoo Ah In and Soong Jong Ki, who were his co-stars in this drama. (LOL. Too many pretty boys in one sitting!)

I watched Miss Ripley, (his second drama) too. Wasn't too happy about this, though. The storyline (which was actually based on a true story) was a tad too melodramatic for my taste. Plus I sensed no chemistry whatsoever between him and his leading lady, Lee Da Hae. And I hated Micky's hair, because it looked so Leonard Nimoy (aka Spock) to me.

His third drama, The Rooftop Prince, is currently airing, and holy schmoly, I can not get enough of pretty boy Micky! I usually refrain from watching currently airing dramas because I hate being kept in suspense until the next episode airs, but this one is just too, too daebak (translate: awesome)!

My life has been totally consumed by this drama lately, and I've spent the past few nights sleeping late just so I could squeeze an episode or two in between my writing gigs. (Thank goodness the little man's summer school is over, lol!)

The awesome foursome of The Rooftop Prince.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but I have a thing for sageuk (historical) and fusion sageuk dramas. Think Queen Seon Deok, Iljimae, Hong Gil Dong, The Princess Man, The Moon that Embraces the Sun, Warrior Baek Dong Soo, and now this.

Perhaps because I'm an old soul that I find everything about Joseon very interesting - the folk village, the palace and its tapestry, the politicking, the rise and claim to power, the silk robes, the rice cakes, the maehwa in full bloom. And as far as I'm concerned, saeguks and fusion sageuks have a way of unleashing an actor's talent and making him shine.

In Micky's case, The Rooftop Prince is making his star shine even brighter. I can't wait for Episode 17!

Sharing with Green Monday, Mellow Yellow Monday, Rednesday, and Color Connection.