Spazz Saturday #3 | Gangnam Style!

Welcome to week three of Spazz Saturday!
Apologies for last week's absence, and the week before that, too. The past two weekends had been crazy! Speaking of crazy...

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Unless you've been living under a rock, then I'm pretty sure you've seen or heard about 'Gangnam Style' - PSY's single that has taken the entire planet by storm.

'Gangnam Style' is a Korean colloquial term that refers to the luxurious lifestyle associated with the rich and famous residents of Gangnam district - the most upscale and affluent part of Seoul. Think of it as 'swag' or 'yolo' in English slang.

Released last July 15, the song was written and recorded as the title single of the sixth studio album PSY 6 (Six Rules), Part 1 and became the talk of the town among Kpop fans as soon as its video was released on YouTube. The video became viral, and went on to become an international sensation.

This overwhelming popularity paved the way for PSY's international stardom - this includes PSY's expansion in the United States, plus his U.S. debut appearance at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. PSY also gained the interest of many Hollywood top honchos, including Justin Bieber's manager, Scott Braun. To date,  PSY is now part of SchoolBoy Records, where he recently signed a contract with.

And just in case you haven't seen the video yet, here it is. See why the world has gone nuts over PSY's 'Oppa Gangnam Style'. :)

How about you? What's making you spazz right now? Share your posts below!

Remember, this linky party is not limited to Kpop idols or Korean stars. I just happen to be very, very, fond of them. 

Please don't forget to link back to this blog or grab the code above! Comments are most welcome, too.

Spazz Saturday #2 | Choi Siwon + Lee Donghae.

Welcome to the second week of Spazz Saturday!
I'm thankful for the hits received by the debut post - it was more than what I expected! I'm hoping more of you can join the fun and link-up this time.

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This week, I am spazzing on no other than (drum roll, please!) Siwon (the poster boy of this meme/linky party) and Donghae of Super Junior! They were in town a few days ago for the launching of their Bench product line. Oh yes, they're the latest endorser of the world-renowned brand made famous by the man himself - Mr. Ben Chan.

Check out some of Siwon and Donghae's (collectively known as 'SiHae' among Kpop fans) photos from Bench's Spring/Summer 2012 Collection.

Photo credit: Bench

The last photo left me with my mouth hanging open. And I'm sure the 25,000 ELFs (EverLasting Friends of Super Junior) in attendance to the 'SiHae in Manila' event would agree. :)

Photo credit: @siwon407

How about you? What's making you spazz right now? Share your posts below!

Remember, this linky party is not limited to Kpop idols or Korean stars. I just happen to be very, very, fond of them.  ;)

Please don't forget to link back to this blog or grab the code above! Comments are most welcome, too.

Big Bang's Big Heart: Helping 600,000 children through UNICEF

Since the release of their Alive album, and their special edition Still Alive album, Big Bang has become more popular than ever and has gained the love and support of fans worldwide. But despite being at the top of the world with their continuous success, the group never fails to return the love and attention that they have been receiving.

On June 14, an agreement between YG Entertainment and UNICEF has been made. The former, represented by Director Yang Min Suk, and the latter, represented by Secretary General Ryu Jong Soo, met at the UNICEF Headquarters in Korea and have agreed that part of the proceeds from the Big Bang Alive Tour 2012 will go to UNICEF. The donation will come from the ticket sales, and will go towards vaccination programs for children. With this, an estimated 600,000 children will be able to receive immunization for measles. One ticket is like saving the life of one child in Africa.

YG Entertainment and UNICEF are also planning to release special Big Bang collectibles which will be sold at concert venues. Profits will also be used for the vaccination program.

According to G-Dragon, "We want to repay all the love that we received from around the world, which is why we decided to help UNICEF." The group leader further explained, "The money raised will be used for children’s immunization. We hope that many children will not get sick and grow up healthy.”

Source: TV Report

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.

Super Junior | Take Me to the Opera!

My boys just released 'Opera',  their third Japanese single.
And they're selling like hotcakes almost sold out at YesAsia.

I'm not surprised, actually. After all, they're the best boy group ever, IMHO. Plus Opera's MV is just so spunky!
My oh my! I can't wait for their 6th full album!

Happy Birthday, Lee Joongi!

It's my kkonminam's (Hangul for 'pretty boy') birthday today! 

(Actually it's nearly over since it's almost midnight in Seoul.)

Think of this birthday greeting then, as saving the best for last. 

Saenghil chukhae, Joongi oppa!

Much much much much love! 

UKiss, Miss A, Big Bang | Get 'Em While They're Hot!

The KPop industry is once again filled with excitement as three of the hottest groups release their latest albums!

For KissMe's like me (surprise, I'm a UKiss fangirl!), A Shared Dream is a priority on this month's shopping list. It's UKiss' first Japanese album, and it's been making waves as soon as the MV of their single 'Forbidden Love' came out on the internet. This is a CD+DVD by the way - meaning, there's a video you can spazz on! Haha!

Miss A's fans are in for a treat as well, with the release of Touch.

And the most-awaited of them all is (drum roll, please) Big Bang's fifth mini-album! Aptly titled 'Alive', this album has been eagerly anticipated by VIPs (Big Bang's fanclub) and even non-VIPs. After all the controversies and scandals that have surrounded them for the past year, the boys return to their rightful spot in the limelight and on the KPop charts.

Did I get you all hyped up? Click on the white icons just below the photos and start buying these albums now! :)

It's 2012! Make Your Wishes Fly!

When I saw this poster a few weeks ago, the first thing that crossed my mind was Doctor Champ, and the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival (whoa, tongue twister!) in South Korea. These wish lanterns are a common sight in Korea, and I've become pretty familiar with them from the countless Kdramas that I've watched.

Looks like I've found something to do on the first day of the New Year. Join in the fun, too!

For all we know, these lanterns could perhaps make your wishes come true.

Visit SM City San Pablo for more of the activity details.

Yes to YesAsia Bonus Coupons!

Heads up, fellow Kdrama and Kpop fangirls!

YesAsia is giving away next purchase coupons for free! With every order over US$50 at YesAsia.com, you will automatically receive a US$5 coupon good which you can use on your next purchase! As an extra treat, you also receive a bonus US$5 coupon for their sister website, YesStyle.com. Both coupons have no minimum purchase restrictions and can be enjoyed with other ongoing promotions.

I've already received my coupons, thanks to my Super Junior obsession. Now that gives me all the more reason to get the 2012 Diary and the SS3 DVD package. Hah! :)

Promo runs until January 31, 2012 (HKT time). Click here for more details.

The Chronicles of a Super Junior Fangirl.

I've been bitten by the Hallyu bug. And its after effects are now showing. Dark undereye circles (from staying up late watching Kdrama DVDs), shortness of breath (from gushing too much at the sight of idol stars), and incomprehensible jargon (I can now speak and understand basic conversational Hangul) - all these have manifested on me. My chingus tell me it's a disease that has no cure. And true enough, it only got worst when I came to know about the best male group ever - Super Junior.

Four months ago, I chanced upon their Bonamana MV and Mr. Simple album launch while watching Arirang's Showbiz Korea segment. One look at Park Jungsu's dimple, Choi Siwon's sheepish smile, their amazing dance moves, and I was smitten. Hopelessly smitten.

Not content with just watching YouTube videos and mp3 downloads, I vowed to have all of their albums (subgroups excluded) before the year ends. Like a woman possessed, I scoured endlessly one online store after another. I even enlisted my husband to the cause, much to his chagrin. And with a fangirl's fierce determination, I was able to accomplish this goal just in time for my birthday.

From '05 to 5Jib - all three versions of them! I had the most difficulty with the second album, Don't Don. The CD + DVD version is such a rare find these days; even YesAsia had been very apologetic to me about not being able to provide me a copy even after two months of waiting. In the end, I was lucky enough to find one via Facebook.

To date, I have these titles sitting on my CD shelf. (Mr. Simple version A not included in this photo. You wouldn't be able to see the title from the side, anyway.)

The bottom most album, Victory Korea, is my most precious one. Not only is it my very first Super Junior album, but also because it's their single and Korea's theme song for the 2010 World Cup. You all know I'm a footballer, too. 

Yue has a favorite album as well. It's SJ-Trot's Rokkugo - their only album, and my only sub-group album. 

This went on sale at YesAsia for $5.99 from its original price of $16.99. Imagine my excitement when I saw the word 'sale'. LOL. 

At the moment, I'm eyeing the 2012 Diary and the SuperShow 3 DVD package. It's a good thing I can use my OC tendencies (I can't live without a planner) as an excuse to buy that diary. As for the SuperShow 3, well, there's just no excuse. You just have to have one. And I'm sure my fellow ELFs will all agree. 

Turning 30: A Super Birthday!

I just turned thirty yesterday, and becoming a year older sure has its perks.

Like getting the sweetest kisses from my little man. He sure was overly affectionate yesterday. I love it when he's all malambing like that. It's a trait he inherited obviously from his Dad. :)

Oh, and there's my husband, too. He couldn't physically be here, of course. But he did send me a very sweet text message sometime after midnight. After eight years of being together (three of those officially as his wife), the kilig factor is still there. It always had been. :)

And for someone who would get jealous - sometimes even furious - over my professed love for the best boy group in the world, my husband got me these presents. (Thanks, Daddy! You're the bestest best husband in the universe. :D)

More additions to my Super Junior collection! That's '05 (the first album), Rokkugo (SJ-T's first album), and A-Cha (the repackaged version of their 5th album). 

Now wait 'til you see my birthday cake. Birthday cupcakes, actually.

They're the most sumptuous cupcakes I have tasted by far. These are chocolate cupcakes with buttercream icing and star sprinkles, personalized especially for me by Sophia's Cupcakes. They make the most awesome carrot cupcakes, too. I never really ate carrot cupcakes until I tasted the ones made by Sophia's. Hence, I'm taking this chance to thank Tita Emily and everyone at Sophia's Cupcakes for making my birthday even more special. Thank you, thank you, thank you po! :)

Special mention to my Mum, too, who hammed it up for the camera. I didn't even ask her to do that hand sign. LOL.

This is one of the rare instances when she's home for my birthday. She's a cardiac nurse in London, and she gets to come home twice a year at the very least. But sometimes her work schedules go on a haywire and her annual vacations do not always fall during the Christmas season. I'm glad she's here this time.

Many thanks also to the rest of my family, my high school barkada, my college orgmates, my work colleagues, my Facebook friends, and of course, my Nappeun Yeojas, fellow Henecians, and fellow ELFs for remembering my birthday. I am overwhelmed by all the love! ;)

Thank you for making my 30th a Super Birthday. Getting old has never been this wonderful! 

PS... I'm still accepting gifts. Haha! :D