GOOSE FRIGGIN BUMPS

So I don't really follow many variety shows in Korea.

And this is definitely on the list of stuff I don't watch. 

For obvious reasons (of not having a television) and using the time to study & to do work instead...

But this was on my Twitter feed and I want you to check it out too.

Tell me you don't have goosebumps from this. 

Something New, Something Borrowed

Happy New Year everyone! (:

This blank space needs to be filled and I most definitely have content coming and am now working on potential work! *excite!*

And though I'm super excited to talk to you about them today, I.... can't.

Just a quick update:

I'm now in Level 4 of Korean lessons. It's been well a semester since my last update, which really sucks. I'm also now teaching a new kid, a six year old who is SUPER DUPER sweet and adorable. Really quick at learning (though I need to remind myself that the consensus that kids just learn SUPER fast), and is just excited to learn which is ALWAYS a plus.

Thus being SUPER busy. And...

I'm also working on a radio station (sadly unpaid, still) but am absolutely loving it but would love it if they would compensate me monetarily for the work and for rushing to work right after class, and skipping meals. Anyway! Now that we're on this topic, I'd like to share something that is tied pretty close to me, work wise.

There's a colleague of mine who I've had a sit down with and have a cool conversation with. He's told me about his dream and he's begun taking steps to get his name out there. Which is really admirable, as I'm also in the works of doing something similar. And so, since I'd like to expand on this topic, I'd like to also share a cool topic he did in regard to plastic surgery (ahem, Korea). Clicking HERE would lead you directly to the SoundCloud. If you like it, sparing that extra second to like his FB and SoundCloud page would be appreciated I'm sure. Either way,

YAY FOR GEORGIE! 

Also, let's see if you can spot out a special guest (;

Level 2. Que Super Mario Music.

Another quarter has come to it's abrupt end.

Yeah, it felt like it passed so quickly. I guess compared to the last quarter, we were learning SO MUCH more that I barely had the time to catch up with my reviews when we had to jump right into the next topic. But, nonetheless, it was fun and I felt like I was actually progressing in terms of the language. It was quite challenging, as I guess I've figured out that during the exams, as much as I would like to make up my own stuff with the grammar we've learnt, the way for me to get good grades is to basically remember on a rough basis the previous work we've done and use most of that stuff during the speaking and writing tests as that has more grammar points and will get us the grade.

Nonetheless, I am happy and absolutely proud to say that I passed Level 2 with almost rainbow colors (though it most definitely can be better, with A LOT LESS silly mistakes, my biggest downfall SIGH)

On a new note though, the reason why I've been pre-occupied and not blogging is also because I've been home searching. 

a really cool room of one of the houses I visited

Yes, I've spent a good 2 full weeks (while studying for midterms and very quickly finals) looking for a place, and by golly, that process takes SO LONG. I would look at soooo many places in one day, literally spend 4 hours with agents looking at places, walking and looking at potential places only to get shown places that are WAY out of budget and not worth it at all. And I'm not just talking 10,20 bucks more. This is 200 bucks more. Sigh, hard selling it man. 

On some days, when I had dance practice that ends at 3.30,
it was out the door again knocking on real estate agent's doors for places. 

a really cool rooftop of one of the over budget yet too small places

With the help of another friend, we finally found a place! It was at the price range we were looking for and is much much closer to both our schools (major plus! it's a short walk to the stations but it's about the same really)

And so.....

The packing is almost complete, as we move out completely tomorrow. 

I've been gradually packing to kinda get ahead as I know I'm a procrastinator, and the last thing I want is to have a last minute scramble. So I've already started the day of dance rehearsals (I'm in Dance Club and we were performing for the closing ceremony).

during dance rehearsal

We'd danced and rehearsed so many times that by the time I was done moving that day I was dead tired. 

Round 1 of packing

with the help of my 친구 (friends from China)
if only you could see the hills we had to brave and the oceans of sweat..

the much needed post move break, Gongcha! (:

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*

And so we've come to the last league of the moving process.

We (my roommate Sun & I) officially move in tomorrow.

Feeling: Exhausted & Stoked. 

I Bump You Bump.

Just a note when it comes to roaming and being on your way anywhere. 

While I really hope that this is not the case, I notice that my shoulder hit counts have hit a sky high record in my life after being here. 

Deluge: Water's Memory (물의 기억)

Last night I went to watch Deluge: Water's Memory at the Namsan Art Center.

A huge huge HUGE thank you to my boss for asking me to go along! 

A year ago today, an unfortunate incident occurred. A school field trip turned horrifying when the ship that carried over 300 students sank off Jindo Island (Southwest of Korea) from being overloaded and having been illegally redesigned. And to make matters worse, the captain not only abandoned ship, but also did nothing to prevent the passengers from drowning, instead, the opposite had occurred. The deaths of the students led to the later suicide of the Vice Principal who led the field trip from the emotional trauma that haunted him.

In remembrance of the incident, the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture invited Jeremy Neideck, a composer cum director from Brisbane, Australia to perform his piece Deluge: Water's Memory. The original piece was actually created after the 2011 flood in Brisbane that inspired this performance. Paired with influences of ancient greek mythology Poseidon, Korea's 'King Under the Sea', and the late Australian poet Judith Wright's poem 'The Flood'.

In the last 10 years, Jeremy has moved between Australia and Korea for work and in the last 5 years has immersed himself in traditional Korean Pansori (Opera) and with his extensive background in Japanese Butoh dance, he has combined modern dance with his acquainted performing arts to present "the physical and emotional effect of water and the human body...something of a contemporary ritual that seeks to rbing the intangible a little bit closer to the world we can see and hear".

After the Sewol Ferry incident last year, they found it fitting to invite Jeremy to present his work to the local audience in Korea, with some adjustments to the original piece. The atmosphere and start of the performance had already tugged at my heart for reasons I could not fathom.

Before the performance, we were told that the movements are organic and would be a little hard to comprehend in the beginning. But man, it got me from the beginning. At the start I was resisting tears from falling my just looking at this scene

the dancers were clad in outfits that were made out of rubbish bags and old bedsheets

In the interview that we later conducted for our show, Jeremy explained to us that the poles are a really common element in Brisbane but that also looks eerily like pier stands. He also included a lot of trinkets and bits that combined both Korean and western items that seem to have a huge influence after a tragic event: household items. 

his work involves a lot of unique movements that displays the lack of control over one's body

Btw this whole show was done without conversation and lyrics. Merely body movements, and body language. And through it all, the dancers did a fantastic job of showing what its like to grief in the most naturally involuntary way.

wails that initially sounded like the soothing sounds of the ocean, turned into painful screams and howls 

Combined with some AMAZING lighting, my tears just flowed, as if I could empathize with the pain. I don't want to ruin it so I will only say that this bit looked like the dancers were just easing their way into the water, losing themselves to death and my body followed suit with waterfalls. 

this scene got my spine frozen and tears rolling down my cheeks 

You know when you're faced with so much heartache that you want to let it out beyond crying, but if you do, people would think you need to see a shrink or something? So instead you go shopping, or smash glass/things (or is this just me -not that I actually broke anything-)? Well, in this show, I witness just how you cope with those emotions when even therapy cannot help you recover, unless you allow yourself to look like a madman. It's like fits, and you pass out as a result.

Interestingly enough, a common element I noticed was the use of what most of us deem to be rubbish, but was absolutely integral in mourning. What once was trash to us, becomes equivalent to treasures at a loss. The tears came and went, my brows furrowed at the frustration that was transcendent and translated by the dancers' bodies inexplicable by words. 

As much as I am not a fan of modern dance, this definitely moved me deeply. 

If you want to catch it, you still can. 

Title: Deluge: Water's Memory

Place: Namsan Arts Center
Time: 16 Thur - 19 Sun April, 22 Wed - 25 Sat April (8PM on Weekdays 3PM on Weekends)

Admission: 15,000₩

Ticket Purchase: http://ticket.interpark.com/Ticket/Goods/GoodsInfo.asp?GoodsCode=15003185

Do check it out if you're in Seoul. Tickets are still on sale and I can definitely guarantee you it is worth your money. 

Warning: for those with visual epilepsy, there are some intense scenes with flashing lights. 

Here is a photo with my boss Christina, the host of my show Curt Achin, and Jeremy Neideck the mastermind behind the stunning performance.

To catch our interview with Jeremy Neideck, tune into 

Koreascape on TBS EFM 101.3MHZ 

Saturday 18th April 10AM-12PM (UTC+09:00) 

Espera.

Hey folks!

Sorry for the absence, my luck with the internet hasn't been quite well, and I've been busy battling the winds (you ain't taking me down that easy!) and just setting my feet into the whole school groove, on top of adapting to my life here.

Sorry. 

But my internet in the house is now set!! So I have no excuses (when I'm home)! But if I am absent, it's because I am either around town exploring, studying, or working (hopefully!! I'm awaiting good news!). It can be any one of those, of I could be busy collecting some fun, cool, Kim-styled ideas to talk about. So do check in with me once in a while! Unlike many of the amazing bloggers out there who posts something on a really regular basis (hats off to them man, I'm telling you, that is major major hard work + talent right thur), I will only post something when I feel like the post is ready to see the world. Like this one!

Something has caught my attention of late, and I feel the need to talk about it.

To all those of you whose interest lie in a good lipstick, or for those of you whose significant other is, I've got something that will tickle your fancy! Well, more like, I'd like to share with you a story about a lipstick that I think will soon replace my MAC purchases:

I really like the MAC lipsticks. They're highly pigmented, stays true to the color of the lipstick (what you see is what sticks to your lips), and most importantly, the matte effect is just on point. But I mean, since it's MAC, as great as the quality is, it comes with a price tag that I don't put it as priority. Also, I notice that the lipstick dries my lips out pretty quick. After a day long of wearing it, my lips start to chip, so I have to apply lip balm before I apply the lipstick, making the matte effect much to be desired.

But then yesterday on my quest to find shoes, we walked into

And being bored, I decided to just check out their lipsticks. The magic word is "Matte". So I just picked up the first color that I saw titled "Wild Rose". what a good choice. I love the smell of roses (my mom has a rose branch and the roses smell delightful), and the color was a nice shade of dark coral + pink + red. And so the guy working there urged me to try it (and so did my friends). 

Here is the end result (taken approx 2-3 hours after application) with no filters/ editing (not that I edit my face anyway... *looks slyly away* HAHA filters!) 

Approx 2-3 hours after application, with no lip balm

My lips by then were still surprisingly pretty smooth, with no need for lip balm, the way I do with the MAC ones. I actually really hope someone from MAC is reading this right now, so they can improve, cause I've been going to them for a while, and I hope they take constructive criticism. (: Just my two cents!

Anyhoo, I decided to Level UP...! By showering with it on!

It stayed pretty well! Right?

(again no editing, you can see my pimples *GASP*)

But of course, by then a lot of it has come off, and also when I drank, the lipstick started just powdering off onto the rim of my cup. 

Uh... I have no photos for this one... Sorry. Got carried away with getting ready for bed I actually forgot. But yeah, the lipstick started sticking to my cup, but it was powdery, so washing it didn't require extra attention... aka, easy removal! YAY! It worked the same with remover (baby oil cuz I actually haven't bought remover, and I brought this from home home).

So it is quite safe to say that I.... really like this lipstickkkkkk! My friends have been asking me if I'm ever gonna get it. To be honest, I really like it. But unfortunately, I'm on severe budget here. Seriously. Sidenote, I've been vegetarian here for the most part cause veges are the only things I can actually afford... So, for now, no... I'm not gonna get it. However, I would HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY! ACUTELY (haha acutely) recommend this beautiful beautiful lipstick! And ESPECIALLY with the dry winter weather (my hands are all red and cracking from the cold!) 

If, like me, you like the matte effect, without having to dry your lips out, and still have the lasting effect, oh boy. You're in for a wonderful wonderful trip! (: Also, after looking it up, I learnt that Espoir is French for hope, and can also mean promising, or up & coming! Hey, with this amazing lipstick, it's not surprise! I saw quite a few Sold Out items. So they're definitely doing lotsa stuff right! Lipstick is one of them HAHA.

But for now, Espoir, if you're reading this, know that you have a major fan! (: 

Okay shall end this here tonight. Right now. 

Love,

Kim

RM75/USD25 Passport Photos, Anyone?

Yesterday, I got my photo taken (I say passport photo cause it's that size, BUT I was about to have it taken Korean Passport status, which I will address later) for my Alien Registration Card application.

So of course, in any photo, you want to hide any large & tiny flaws, so you seek the professional help of who I call (and all of us know as), Make up. With the help of my friend, make up, I head out to the studio with an appointment already set up. I get there, the whole place looks super pretty, as if it were a smaller version of a studio for weddings  (I was so distracted by him taking photos of a girl who was also taking profile sized photos I forgot to take pictures of the place).

The atmosphere in the studio was pretty lively, with people moving around, and  music playing and another person editing the photos. Then I was told to "get ready" at the make up table that was located in the corner, equipped with hair spray, combs, hair ties, and a shit ton of mirrors.

As I was already ready to go, I just sat there watching her shoot. The photographer was really animated as he was giving directions to her. She kept laughing from being so amused. The shoot was fast, but boy did they take a lot of photos. She also took quite a lot of time picking the photo of her choice...

Eons later, she's finally out, and it's my turn. The photographer was super down to every littlest detail, fixing my hair with the comb, holding up the mirror to ensure my hair is properly arranged, so meticulous! I guess that's why my wallet has a big hole in it now. 25,000₩ for all this, and of course the said energy and amusement as the photographer directs your shoot. Everything ended in 15 minutes. The photo taking, the selection (where he narrows it down to 4 main photos and you pick the ONE. HAHA what is this, SayYesToTheDressPhoto?). Afterwards, I was out. Super efficient.

\Later in the evening, I was emailed the soft copies of the photos.

Before I go on, allow me to say, that no matter where you go in Korea, they photoshop ALL your photos like this to make you look flawless and perfect. (I blame the workforce requirements for judging a book by it's cover but that's for another day) AND SO, THIS IS ALL VERY NORMAL IN KOREA.

My verdict?

HOLY COW. 

Imma quote Cindy Crawford: "I don't look like Kimberley Ng*"
*names have been edited to fit the article.


Prepare yourselves...

WHUT?

Talk about Photoshop. I can't even. Now I know why they charge you so much for a friggin passport photo. Golly gee. 

Was it worth it? 

I don't even know. I don't think that looks like me. That looks like a digital version of my doppelgänger. But man, what an experience!