Prudential Corporation Asia and SuperM launch new “We DO” Music Video

Pru Life UK’s regional headquarters, Prudential Corporation Asia (PCA) and the Korean pop (K-pop) super group SuperM have launched a new “We DO” music video (MV) to encourage people to stay well and healthy, and have fun doing it. PCA announced earlier this year its collaboration with SuperM to launch the “We Do Well Together” campaign aimed at promoting new and engaging ways of maintaining physical and mental health.

The launch of the “We DO” song will be followed by PCA’s “We DO Dance” initiatives across Asia. This is a series of health and wellness initiatives designed to offer people a fresh perspective and approach to manage their health and wellness, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

Super M, the "Avengers of K-pop".

In the Philippines, Pru Life UK is set to launch the #WeDoDanceChallengePH from April 26 to June 25 via the social platform Tiktok, inviting Filipinos to create and upload their dance covers of the song “We DO”, accompanied by a short caption describing how dancing helps them keep fit.

Participants will get a chance to be recognized in the roster of the Top 100 videos and win a prize in the weekly electronic raffle draw – these include exclusive SuperM x Pru Life UK merchandise, as well as tickets to a regionwide SuperM virtual concert.

“In line with our long-standing commitment to help people protect their health and wellbeing, the launch of our ‘We DO Dance’ series aims to create a fun and exciting way to engage Filipinos to dance and be active to get the most out of life,” shares Allan Tumbaga, Pru Life UK SVP & Chief Customer Marketing Officer.

We Do Well Together!

PCA was the first regional life insurer to collaborate with a renowned Korean pop group. In January, PCA announced to hold a series of events with SuperM to motivate people to lead healthier lives and achieve better wellness in 11 markets in Asia, including the Philippines, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

Find out more about the “We DO Dance” initiatives on Pru Life UK’s website, and/or download Pulse app to be part of the “Dance For Wellness” community.

Watch the “We DO” music video here: https://youtu.be/45eaXV6CJOk.

Seoul Searching | Revisiting SMTown: SUM Liverary Cafe.

I'll let you in on a secret. I almost always chance upon a Korean celebrity whenever I go to COEX Mall right after visiting Bongeunsa Temple. I call it the 'Bongeunsa magic'. Like last spring when I saw some of the IKON members in passing during the 2016 C-Festival.

A few weeks later, I chanced upon Park Seo Jun's meet and greet event for the shoe brand that he was endorsing. And this happened after Yue accidentally toppled over one of the snow globes in the temple's souvenir shop. Can you imagine how I went from mad to glad after seeing one of my favorite Korean actors up close, in the flesh? It was crazy, I tell you.

Last winter was no different. Yue and I went to the temple for our usual visit, crossed the street afterwards to get to COEX Mall, and headed straight to SMTown because I wanted to grab a bite at the SUM Liverary Cafe. Lo and behold, I saw a throng of teenagers waiting excitedly at the SMTown Square! I knew right then and there someone was coming because almost all of them had their camera phones ready, and some of the girls even had DSLR's with long-range zoom lenses.

EXO For Life event, December 2016.

As Yue and I joined the crowd, I asked one of the girls who was coming. With a huge smile, she answered, "EXO!" And I was like, "Oh my God, EXO?!" even though I was not really a fan. I mean, it's not everyday that I'll get to see Kpop idols at a close distance without having to spend an arm and leg so I might as well make the most out of this opportunity.

Kai and Suho (I think).

Minutes later, the boys emerged from this huge metal door across the Square, and the crowd went in a frenzy! Turns out they had an event at the SMTown Theatre and stopped by briefly at the Square to say 'hi' to their fans.

Baekhyun.

Chanyeol and Baekhyun.

As soon as the group left the area, Yue and I made our way to the fourth floor of SMTown, where SUM Liverary Cafe is located. In one of my previous posts, I've mentioned that this floor is a cafe, art gallery, souvenir shop, and mini grocery all in one place.

SMTown Liverary Cafe.

The mood was quite festive when we entered the place. Most of the customers were EXO fans who were still on a high after the fan meeting. 

Christmas feels on the eve of New Year's Eve. :)

Yue and I checked out their goods and we discovered that the SUM Market has gone beyond popcorn, potato chips, and instant noodles. They now have chocolates, trail mixes, laver, and even cereals, too!

Premium chocolates.

Chocoballs.

Gochujang.

Trail mix.

Laver on the top shelf, cereals on the bottom.

They were even raffling off EXO merchandise signed by the EXO members themselves. You get a raffle ticket if you buy a pack of the EXO Laver, EXO Cereal, and EXO Gourmet Popcorn.

EXO Winter Album event.

Meanwhile, at the SUM Cafe, they still have these cute macarons and cupcakes on the menu.

Macarons.

Cupcakes.

Their 'Artist Ade Bottles' (lemonade in drink bottles bearing the logo of SM Town artists), on the other hand, now have a new look.

Artist Ades! :)

These clay figures of EXO were also on display. They're not for sale, but the albums can be bought at the Celebrity Shop on the second floor.

More EXO.

Almost all seats at the cafe were taken so Yue and I decided to buy food to go instead of eating there.

Busy day at the SUM Cafe!

I bought a Super Junior Yummy Box which contains a bagel, butter, and strawberry jam. It's housed in a reusable container designed as a CD. 

Super Junior Yummy Box.

On our next trip, we'll try to visit the SUM Cafe in Cheongdam-dong. It's located on the underground floor of SM Entertainment's building so there is chance of bumping into Leeteuk or Taemin, or maybe even Siwon! I hope the Bongeunsa magic will still work wonders the next time around!

Hite x Shinee!

Celebrity Shop, second floor.

Guess who? :)

SMTown Floor Guide.

Inside the Celebrity Shop.

Siwon merchandise! :)

To get to SMTown, take the Seoul Subway Line 2 and get off at Samseong Station, Exit 5 or 6. The station is directly connected to the mall, with entry at the Millenium Square.

SMTown at COEX Artium
513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6002-5811

Seoul Searching | Apgujeong Adventures - K-Star Road, Rodeo Street, Moomin and Me Cafe!

For any Kpop fan, no trip to Korea would be complete without visiting Apgujeong - Seoul's upscale shopping and residential area, and home to K-Star Road and Korea's top entertainment labels. I did not have the explore the area during my first trip to Korea, so it was a must that I visit Apgujeong on my next visit (ergo, last spring).

Apparently, Apgujeong was just one subway stop away from the Seoul Forest Station, a relatively new station in Korail's Bundang Line and a ten-minute walk from where we live. Yue didn't seem to mind walking all the way to the station as the spring breeze was nice and cozy that day.

Under Stand Avenue.

Yes, it's built from cargo containers.

We even took photos as we passed by Under Stand Avenue, a cargo container mall similar to Jayang-dong's Common Ground.

Just another 'sunset in Seoul' photo. 

Stopping to appreciate the flowers.

Spring is <3.

We were in Apgujeong in no time, and ready to take the walk down K-Star Road!

K-Star Road!

Let the Apgujeong Adventure begin!

Full post (and lots of photos) after the jump!

Seoul Searching | SMTown at COEX Artium!

For any Kpop fan, no trip to COEX (or Seoul, for that matter) would be complete without visiting SMTown - a sprawling, six-story hub of all things Kpop.

Hello, SMTown! We finally meet! :)

The huge 'SMTown' sign was actually the first thing that I noticed as we entered the premises of COEX Mall. And like a piece of metal attracted to a magnet, my feet just automatically took me there. My boys obviously had no choice but to follow suit. Haha!

Life-size versions of EXO Paper Toys.

Follow me to SMTown! Virtual tour after the jump! :)

SHINee’s Taemin to release first solo song

SM Entertainment has made an official statement regarding Taemin’s first solo song. On September 11, the talent agency confirmed that Taemin will be the next artist to sing for the OST of the currently airing drama ‘To the Beautiful You’.

The song, entitled ‘It’s You’ will be the theme song for Eun Gyul (played by Lee Hyun Woo) as he confesses his feelings for Jae Hee (played by f(x)’s Sulli). The song will make its debut on September 19, 12PM KST.

Fellow SHINee member Minho, also appears in this drama and plays the role of Kang Tae Joon.

Also posted on Korea.com.