Wings Chronicles, a pop group exhibit for a cause

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Nadine Postigo

On Sept. 2, I attended the Wings Chronicles exhibit here in Manila, which featured art and photography of the popular pop group Bangtan Sonyeondan (방탄소년단), also known as BTS . The two-day non-profit event was attended by numerous Philippine fans and was organized by Army Box. 

I spoke to Rosie, head of Army Box, to get to know more about the Wings Chronicles exhibit and the team behind it. “Army Box is a fan artists community with the goal of providing artistic BTS-related products in terms of goods and services by collaborating with different fan websites, fan clubs and organizations that will help improve the image of BTS. It was officially established last year on Aug. 19, 2016. The team consists of 30 people from the Philippines and the U.S.”

The Wings Chronicles exhibit made its first stop in the Philippines, holding it in both Cebu and Manila, followed by Bangkok and Singapore. Just like the pop group BTS, the Wings Chronicles is also "touring" different countries. So better check out the list of places it will go to at the end of this article to see if it's making a stop in your city.

Fans take their time to admire the wonderful photos and art work about the pop group BTS.(Nadine Postigo)

It was definitely fun to be in a room full of BTS fans, all full of admiration and appreciation for the group. What makes the Wings Chronicles exhibit different from other BTS exhibits I’ve seen is that they are doing the event for a cause, as all the proceeds will be donated in the name of BTS to humanitarian charities, such as the War Child USA Organization, St. Jude Children's Research and UNICEF. This is what drew me to the event all the more. During the Manila stop, there was also a photo booth set up where fans commemorated the day with their friends. The accumulated cash from that section was donated to the Children of Marawi, a place on Mindanao Island in the Philippines that is currently in the midst of a military insurgency. Over the years I’ve seen donations made in the names of the groups they idolize being common, especially among fans of Korean artists, and I’m glad that besides supporting our favorite singers, we’re also making a difference.

Rosie explained that the Wings Chronicles concept actually started on a whim. “The administration of the fan club was planning to do a year-long project in relation and likeness to the ways in which BTS has given everyone opportunities. We decided to pursue Global Embarkation, a two-part project that focuses on expanding help to our fellow fans and to all of mankind. The first part of this series was entitled Army Meets What, which was held from January to June in celebration of BTS's fourth anniversary. For the second part, we are now going on a journey for a worldwide exhibit in collaboration with different fan website and fan clubs, carrying the title Wings Chronicles. 

A lot of fans of BTS fans gather under the name of Wings Chronicles and communicate with each other. (Wings Chronicles Twitter)

The team decided to hold the Wings Chronicles exhibit in places where BTS's Wings Tour occurred. We wanted to share, relive and reminisce the experience of attending the concerts with our fellow fans who weren't able to do so, and of course to meet fans in different parts of the world. The exhibit will be held in different countries, mainly the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, the U.S., Canada, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Korea. 

"It takes about two to three months to organize each stop, from venues, set up and layout and other details. The team for each exhibit also varies by country. It usually ranges from five and upward. There are about 25 fan artists consisting who produced fine works of art for the exhibit.”

BTS fans share and show off their talent through art. (Nadine Postigo)

Fellow fans with whom I talked after the Wings Chronicles exhibit stated that they highly recommend going to these kinds of events. “It’s like attending a concert,” one said excitedly. Another thought that being surrounded with fellow fans helped her to have fun and gain new friends. I noticed that a lot of the fans who I met that day were just friends online before, but the event gave them a chance to meet personally and to put a face behind the usernames. 

There were numerous photos and works of art that the fans just gushed over. If you know the "heart eyes" emoji on your phone, that’s the expression all of the attendees had on their faces. Background music of BTS was played all throughout, which made fans ecstatic. We sang along and even did a chant all together. Honestly, I'm very envious of people who can draw because I simply cannot, so I really admire the works of art. Instead of the usual paintings that we grew up seeing in our homes, I imagine K-pop fans having these works of art and framed photos of their idols as part of their interior decorations. 

The Wings Chronicles exhibit is held at the BTS Brick Live Café in Bangkok. (Wings Chronicles Twitter)

I was also able to interview one of the fan artists who participated in the exhibit, Giulia, who creates art featuring BTS as a hobby.  

“Getting to participate in events such as exhibits like the Wings Chronicles is an opportunity for me. It's an opportunity for me to share my art and interact with people. It's also an opportunity for me to learn. I learn to improve as an artist, getting to know what people like or what they appreciate, picking up details here and there."

"I only started my art account in January 2017, but I was already doing art since around June last year. Instagram was my first source for BTS updates when I got into the group, and I'd always see fan art posted by other people I followed. I got inspired by them. I decided, "Why not give it a try?" I had the talent for drawing and this could become a way for me to improve my craft. So I started posting them on my personal account. Then later I opened an art account. I draw because I want to, because I like it. I enjoy what I'm doing, and that, for me, is very important.”

For Giulia, she still feels overwhelmed whenever people post pictures of merchandise featuring her artwork. “Their reactions and feedback give me room for improvement. This is also one of the main reasons why I like participating in these events. I get joy from people seeing my art. Simple compliments like, 'It's very cute,' or, 'I really like it,' always make me smile from ear to ear. Overall, I greatly appreciate it and am really glad.”

Giulia, a BTS fan, expressed her love for the group with her art. (Giulia)

A lot of people have noted that the K-pop market has been oversaturated, with more and more groups and singers debuting every month. I was curious what made BTS stand out for Giulia and turn her into a fan. “Their playful nature attracted me. However, their music pulled me right in and sealed the deal. I really love the music they produce. It speaks to the heart. The fact that they talk about unusual topics made me stay, too. Also, the creative cinematography and storyline of their music videos had has me sold.”

As BTS helped bring out Giulia’s creative side, I, too, can relate. As shy as I am, I never thought I’d put myself out there by creating content on YouTube, stepping out of my comfort zone and share my feelings, all spurred by my love for Korea. I can say that BTS became an influence on me, too, helping me to to lessen any self-doubt and to just take the jump. 

If you’re also a big fan of BTS and if you want to support a good cause, here's the list of upcoming places where the Wings Chronicles will be held. Follow them on Twitter (@WingsChronicles) for updates, registration and additional dates. Aside from the confirmed dates below, they are also planning to bring the event to Hong Kong and Korea. 

SINGAPORE

Visual Arts Center 

Sept. 23 - 24

U.S.

● CALIFORNIA

Prime Mid-City Gallery Event Space, Los Angeles.

Oct. 7 - 8 2017

●NEW YORK

Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

Oct. 14, 2017

Canada

●Vancouver
The Space Art Gallery 

Oct. 21-22

●Toronto

Diverse Character Studio

Oct. 28-29

INDONESIA

Jakarta

Qubicle Senopati

Nov. 11-12

MALAYSIA

Kuala Lumpur

Makespace LG2

Nov. 18-19

wisdom117@korea.kr

9 years with Shinee

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Roufida Abouelwafa 

Photos = Egyptian Shawols

"Thank you Shinee for shining for the past nine years."  That's the No.1 trending hash tag today. The SM Entertainment boy band  has managed to capture the hearts of many fans around the world, including fans here in Egypt, and it has been nine years since they made their debut in 2008 with the album “Replay,” followed by many hits, including "Lucifer," "Ring Ding Dong," "Sherlock," "Hello" and many others. With such a huge sum of hits, it inspired their Egyptian fans to send them a thank you message. There's no better time than on Shinee's ninth anniversary.

The Egyptian Shawols, a K-pop fan group, dance at the pyramids. They're all from different backgrounds and ages, gathering to express their love for all things Korean.

"When a person joins a fan club, it's the years that count. It's like I know each member and they're like my extended family. I still remember when I heard the song 'Reply' for the first time. I got this mysterious vibe and chill and I couldn’t stop listening to it. Here I am, seven years later, and I'm still a member of the Egyptian Shawols. Like I said, it's the years that count," said one fan.

The Egyptian Shawols, a K-pop fan group in Cairo, celebrate Shinee's anniversary every year and try to come up with new ideas. Last year, the group celebrated the eighth anniversary with a flash mob. They danced to Shinee's most beloved songs, such as "Lucifer," "Replay," "Hello," "View," "Everybody" and "Ring Ding Dong." 

The Egyptian Shawols hold a flash mob in one of the most famous ancient streets in Cairo.

I've always admired being part of a fan club. We're so dedicated and attached, and want nothing in return except for the welfare and happiness of our favorite boy bands. The Egyptian Shawols are no different.

The Egyptian Shawols send the message, 'Happy ninth anniversary to our shining boys! You stay shining, the brightest! Stay solid.'

I loved this message at the end of the article because, as you can see, it's wrapped with warm feelings.

The Egyptian Shawols send the message, 'Happy ninth anniversary to our shining boys! You stay shining, the brightest! Stay solid.'

I just want to say thank you for making me happy when I'm always down and for inspiring me. I might not have been there back in 2008, but I promise I'll be there until the end. We love you, Shinee, for nine years and for forever!

At the end, what defines the love of the fans is what Tupac Shakur said: "With all my fans, I got a family again."

Click here to see a video of the flash mob.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzxSJUdUSg0

wisdom117@korea.kr

Korea Caravan comes to Alexandria

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Reem Molokhia

Photos = Autumn Mitchell and Reem Molokhia

I had the privilege of attending the 2017 Korea Caravan at the Library of Alexandria and spoke with Ambassador Yun Soon Gu, the Korean ambassador in Egypt, Reda Eltayfi, the former Egyptian ambassador in Korea, and with Park Jae Yang, the head of the Korean Cultural Center in Egypt.

An entire week of Korean stuff was hosted in Egypt's second biggest city. The initiative was a response to the enormously growing interest in Korea, in Korean pop music and in Korean TV shows. There has been a huge demand by Korea enthusiasts for more attention to be paid to the avid fans in Alexandria.

The week started with a screening of four Korean movies at the Liberty Center for Creativity in Alexandria, a gallery of Korean pottery, a display of traditional Hanji mulberry paper and other side events. 

At the end of the week, the finale of the Korea Caravan took place at the library, starting with a Korean tea tasting ceremony, a display about Korean investments in Egypt and a virtual reality (VR) tech station. 

A lecture by Ambassador Yun followed, in which he demonstrated the various similarities between Korea and Egypt, such as a belief in family values and traditions, filial piety and generous hospitality. 

He previewed a presentation about Korea’s modern economic development and the so-called "Miracle on the Hangang River," a phrase that describes the astounding rapid growth that Korea underwent from the 1960s to the 2000s.

Korea now ranks 26th in terms of national competitiveness worldwide, and keeps on developing and competing with other countries. 

Korea also ranks second in the world in terms of investments into scientific research. Ambassador Yun indicated that the amount of trade between Korea and Egypt has hit $1.7 billion. He also said that Egypt is one of the heaviest promoters of Korean products, and that there are about 20,000 Egyptian workers working at Korean offices in the country. 

During a press conference, Ambassador Yun said that Korea seeks to promote education in Egypt by establishing two Korean engineering departments, in addition to implementing more Korean language programs. 

When I asked Ambassador Yun about future projects for increasing Korea-Egypt tourism at both ends, such as direct flights, guided tours and halal restaurants for Muslim visitors, he confirmed that it's in their future plans to increase investment and promotion for tourism between the two countries, since there are many pilgrims and tourists who enjoy visiting Saint Catherine’s monastery in Egypt, as well as other historical landmarks.

In the hall, a beautiful performance of traditional Korean gugak music was played by Seoul National University’s musicians. The performance depicted the calm and harmonious nature of Korea. Every single audience member was enjoying the soothing music. I felt as if the music had teleported me back to Korea in the 1400s, surrounded by green mountains and beautiful fields. It was impressive.

Lastly, the anticipated moment for all the K-pop fans, a Korean pop music talent show started, and Egyptian contestants performed a variety of songs and dances from their Korean stars. The fans arrived early and eagerly waited outside for the doors to open and for the competition to begin.

The hall was filled with resounding cheers from enthusiastic fans of the different K-pop groups, all of them encouraging the contestants. During the break, eager audience members chanted for more and happily sang and danced to various K-pop songs that played on the big screen in the front.

Fourteen contestants took part in the K-pop World Egypt competition. The first prize went to Shaymaa Ali for her distinguished selection of Lee Sun Hee's song "Destiny" that perfectly matched her voice. 

Ambassador Yun congratulated the winners as he handed them their prizes, all part of a festive celebration as the contestants were overjoyed with their trophies.

 wisdom117@korea.kr 

Latin American K-pop contest hits Buenos Aires

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Cintia Mancilla

Photos = Hallyu Argentina and Xiah Pop

On June 10, Buenos Aires hosted the grand finale of the eighth Latin American K-pop Contest at the Centro Cultural Konex convention center. Latin American K-pop fans from all over were invited to attend the finals, since free tickets were put at their disposal to enjoy the festival.

The audience lights up the big event.

The event was organized by the Korean Cultural Center in Argentina and was hosted by the Korean-Argentine actor Chang Sung Kim and music journalist Eleonora Pérez Caressi.

The panel of judges included the Argentine actress Soledad Silveyra, the YouTube broadcaster and journalist Jin Yi "Jini" Hwang and musician Christian Basso.

Participants from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela filled the stage with sparkling outfits, mesmerizing movements and cheerful music.

Kairo Mouse (left), a popular Venezuelan YouTube broadcaster, wins in the singing category.  

After 14 exciting performances, it was time to decide the winners. The Venezuelan Kairo Mouse was the big winner of the festival in the singing category, covering a great version of the song "Press Your Number" by Taemin. The winners in the dance category was the group LFB-K from Bolivia, performing the song "Monster" by EXO.

The cover group LFB-K from Bolivia is made up of five cousins. 

There was also a category just for Argentines. The winners here will compete for a place at the K-pop World Festival finals that will be held in Korea. Singer Luxen and the dance troupe Double-K were the lucky winners to represent Argentina.

The group Double-K perfoms the song 'Hobgoblin' by CLC.

Luxen, an Argentine winner, sings 'If You' by Big Bang. 

K-pop is continuously growing in popularity across Latin American and catching the attention of even non K-pop fans. Therefore, more of these events are expected to take place more often in the future.

I hope to see you there. 

wisdom117@korea.kr

How and why I fell for K-pop

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Myrtle Iris Villaraza

Photos = Korea.net, YouTube, Facebook

I tried to resist it at first, but I failed, and I’m glad I did!

Are you a fan of any K-pop group? Have you always been a fan, or were you a late bloomer, like me?

When the Philippines was hit by the "Korean Wave" in the early 2000s -- that growth in popularity of Korean pop music, TV shows and movies across East Asia and elsewhere -- I was first exposed to Korean soap operas, like "Autumn in My Heart" (가을동화) and "Full House" (풀하우스). I loved them, along with their sound tracks. Several years later, I tried to dance and sing along to K-pop songs, like 2NE1's “Fire,” the Wonder Girls' “Nobody” and U-Kiss' “Binggeul.” However, for some reason, I didn't fall for any specific K-pop group. Years later, there was one group that I got particularly interested in, but only for some time. It was an indie rock band, Kiha and the Faces (장기하와 얼굴들). I liked them because of their refreshing style and candid songs and music videos, like “A Sort of Relationship” (그렇고 그런 사이).

'Full House' is one of the first Korean soap operas that I loved. (KBS) 

The Wonder Girls’ hit 'Nobody' becomes really popular in the Philippines in 2009. (Wondergirls Youtube Channel)

Then I had the opportunity to work in Korea from March 2013 to February 2014. During that period, I could have enjoyed lots of K-pop: music albums, merchandise like light sticks, shirts, calendars and pins, to name a few, and even the chance to watch some K-pop groups live! However, I didn't think of these back then because I wasn’t a K-pop fan yet.

So imagine my regret when I only became a K-pop fan when I was no longer in Korea. Being a K-pop fan just feels a bit more difficult when one is outside Korea. For one thing, there are usually no fan meet-and-greets held internationally. Thankfully, we can still update ourselves about K-pop through websites and on social media.

It had been about a month since I came back to the Philippines when my older sister kept trying to make me watch and listen to CN Blue (씨엔블루), a pop-rock band that she discovered through the soap opera "Heartstrings" (넌 내게 반했어). Many times, I tried to avoid her attempts, partly because I tend to be lazy when it comes to watching video clips, and partly because I wasn't that much into K-pop. Sometimes, I would only listen and watch a bit; just enough so as not to hurt her feelings.

The pop-rock group CN Blue is quite popular in the Philippines. (CN Blue Facebook Page)

Then one day my sister showed me a video of Min Hyuk, one of the members of CN Blue, singing the song "Star" (별). She told me that, "I think you'll like him," explaining that he seemed like my type. True enough, I did like Minhyuk! 

That was how I began stepping further into the world of K-pop. I started to learn more about CN Blue by watching its videos and listening to its songs. Of course, I learned to like the other members of the group as well: Yong Hwa, Jong Hyun, and Jung Shin. CN Blue is composed of four adorable and manly members who all play instruments. They make awesome rock and pop music, such as this: 

CN Blue's 'I’m Sorry'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p3cKsDCA0Y

Then one day, my sister was a fan of another K-pop artist, G Dragon, or "GD," from the hip-hop sensation Big Bang (빅뱅). She showed me his videos, trying to make me see how cool he is. I resisted the temptation again because I felt I should be loyal to CN Blue, and I didn't want to divide my attention.

However, my sister succeeded again. I don't know how, but she managed to get me to watch a clip of G-Dragon's appearance on "Weekly Idol" (주간 아이돌), a variety talk show. Before I knew it, I had already finished the whole episode, which was about one hour long. I loved it!

That was how I fell for G-Dragon. After some time and more songs and videos, my love for GD extended to Big Bang as a whole, with GD's fellow members Top, Taeyang, Daesung and Seungri. 

The hip-hop sensation Big Bang is quite popular in the Philippines these days. (Big Bang Facebook Page)

Big Bang is a complete package, as all the members sing and dance very well. They make great music, too. While they also have songs with slow melodies, they are more commonly known for their songs that are upbeat and fun, like this one: 

Big Bang's 'Bang Bang Bang'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxqjsXjSKPk

Months later, my sister found another K-pop boy group and introduced it to me, BTS (방탄소년단). They are sometimes called the "Bangtan Sonyeondan," the "Bangtan Boys," or even the "Bulletproof Boy Scouts." This time, my resistance was the strongest because the members were so young, ranging from 18- to 23-years-old at the time. I was 24-years-old then, which meant that I would practically be a noona older sister to them.

The pop group BTS is quite popular in the Philippines these days. (BTS Facebook Page)

However, then my sister showed me a video that led me to like BTS. In the video, which was filmed when the boys were still newbies, each member was told to show his "talents" while alone inside a moving elevator. The members of BTS thought they were filming for a show. However, it was actually a prank. In the middle of each member's "talent show," a crying woman -- an accomplice, in on the joke -- would enter the elevator, to the member's surprise. It was an awkward situation, and the boys' reactions were so funny. However, out of the seven members, only one seemed to express concern for the sobbing woman, Jin. He asked her if something sad had happened, to which she replied, "I broke up with my boyfriend." Jin's kind gesture melted my heart, and I instantly became fond of him.

Since then, I have watched more BTS videos and listened to their songs. The group wowed me with its songs and outstanding choreography, like this: 

BTS’ 'Dope'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVwAVbKYYeM

In no time, I've come to love the entire group BTS, including Rapmonster, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. This charming group is so talented, producing music that spans different genres, such as hip-hop, pop, R&B, electronica, ballads and even reggae.

Now I have a total of three favorite K-pop groups: CN Blue, Big Bang and BTS. It's so fun to watch and listen to them, from their songs and music videos, to their behind-the-scenes clips, dance practices, videos made for fans, TV show appearances, and more. I've also memorized some of their songs. By doing all of this, I appreciate them more and I feel like I'm getting to know them more. These boys never fail to cheer me up with their music and personality. They also inspire me, especially since they are already very accomplished at a young age. I just "Can't Stop" myself from falling more and more in love with these three K-pop groups! Each member is a "Fantastic Baby" who can make my every day feel like a "Spring Day." 

Someday, I'll watch them perform live. Of course, I want to meet them in person, too! Actually, BTS came to the Philippines in May for its BTS Live Trilogy Episode III: The Wings tour, with a concert in Manila. Sadly, I wasn't able to attend their concert, but I'll make sure to watch them live someday!

I’m so thankful to my sister for introducing CN Blue, Big Bang and BTS to me, because liking K-pop has helped me further expand my love of music. It has also made my life a whole lot happier because being a fan is pure happiness and inspiration!

What's your K-pop story?

wisdom117@korea.kr

Nigeria welcomes 6th K-pop dance competition

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Nnenna Ukandu

Photos = Nnenna Ukandu, Korean Cultural Center in Nigeria

Korean pop songs, generally branded as “K-pop” since the mid-2000s, have earned fans around the world and Nigeria is no exception.

This "Korean Wave" is surprisingly making waves in Nigeria, too, and the yearly competition that the Korean Cultural Center in Nigeria hosts is creating more awareness among youth as the number of entries keeps increasing every year.

The Korean Cultural Center in Nigeria hosts a yearly K-pop dance competition in Nigeria to pick the best group that will represent Nigeria in Korea. So far, it has been a tough competition whereby people from different parts of the country send in entries.

For two consecutive years, Nigeria has made us proud in Korea by bringing home awards as the first-placed team in 2015 and the best performance in 2016 at the K-pop World Festival in Changwon, Korea, in those years.

This year’s competition was held on July 8 at the Nicon luxury hotel in Abuja after preliminary online screenings of 39 entries from both the student and adult categories. Seven entries were selected from each category, making a total number of 14 entries. Only the best group from the adult category would represent Nigeria in Changwon this year.

This is my third K-pop dance competition in Nigeria, and it has never disappointed us K-pop fans in Nigeria. I always look forward to this day every year because to me it’s like an entire K-pop concert. We don’t get to have real K-pop concerts here, so we can do this competition, instead.

This year’s competition ended so well. In the adult category, the group I rooted for, K-night Africa, won covering the song “Without You” by Romeo. In the student category, the group Crew 101 won by covering the BTS song “Not Today."

Guess what! We got free K-pop caps and it made my day!

I pray and hope that the Nigerian group will make us proud once again this year in Changwon.

wisdom117@korea.kr

Young Egyptian singer inspired by Korean pop

Christeen Louis is famous in Egypt for singing K-pop song. 

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Roufida Abouelwafa

Photos = Christeen Louis

Christeen Louis, a young rising K-pop singer, has earned her place and has become well-known in Egypt for being the best K-pop singer there. Over the past year, Louis has won almost every K-pop contest held by the Korean Cultural Center in Egypt, and since then there has been high demand for her K-pop covers at the cultural center and at other organizations in Egypt related to Korea.                                                            

Louis sings in front of the Korean ambassador, during the K-lover’s Night concert in Cairo.

In 2016, Louis covered the song ‘’You are my Everything’’ from the soundtrack to the soap opera "Descendants of the Sun" (태양의 후예) (2016). The cover went viral in many Arab-speaking countries and was praised by many of the show's fans.

  

Christeen Louis records the cover '’You are my Everything' in the studio, winning great praise from her fans. 

Louis is a talented, dedicated person with a lovely personality. I was lucky enough to interview her and to ask her some questions. 

- So, Christeen, what made you want to sing in Korean? I mean, it’s not a common thing to do. There must be some story behind it. 

It all started with me watching the Korean soap opera "City Hunter" (시티헌터) (2011). I was so into it, especially the soundtrack. So I started memorizing the song and singing it by heart. I uploaded a video to my Facebook profile, of me singing it. The day after, I found many K-pop fans had shared and commented on my video. They loved it. I was surprised and thankful at the same time.

- Wow. So basically, the growing popularity of Korean pop, TV and movies in East Asia and elsewhere inspired you to do this. Can you tell us who's your favorite Korean pop group? 

Yes it did. It started with a few songs. Then I was overwhelmed by the number of songs out there and started to seek any Arab-speakers who sang K-pop in Korean. I love so many pop groups, but the dearest to my heart is the singer Chen from the group EXO. I love his voice and personality, and also because his song helped me to win first place at the K-pop World Festival Egypt in 2016. 

Christeen Louis wins first place at the K-pop World Festival Egypt in 2016, covering the song 'Best of Luck' that was originally sung by Chen from the pop group EXO. 

- Tell us, Christeen, didn't you ever find it hard to sing in Korean? I mean, at the end of the day, it’s a totally different language. 

I’m glad you brought that up. To be honest, yes, it is an obstacle, but most of the time I get lucky. I mean, I didn’t study Korean before and I depend solely on my listening skills. However, before the festival I used to attend a K-pop academy at the Korean Embassy in Cairo. There, I met the voice coach Sejong. I'm forever grateful to her. My Korean was poor and so was her English, but we clicked and until now she has been the best instructor I’ve ever had. Because she believed in my potential and gave me that support, it was all reflected in my performance.  

- How charming! That makes me wonder about your favorite part of being a K-pop cover singer. 

That’s easy. There are two specific moments. One is when I was walking to the stage to perform my song and I was surprised by the audience's reaction. I could see that they recognized me and even started singing along with me. The other was when I was announced as a winner and they didn’t want me off stage. They wanted me to sing all over again! That still gives me goose bumps. 

I am very grateful to her for her time to sit with me, and also I personally loved her cover from the soundtrack to "Descendants of the Sun." Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.

wisdom117@korea.kr

A cherry blossoms playlist

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Kim Y. Lacey

Photos = Kim Y. Lacey

Now that spring is here, flowers are starting to bloom here, there and everywhere. Cherry blossom viewing is extremely popular in Korea and, as you probably know already, people usually go to a few well-known spots for beautiful seasonal scenery. Though crowded, it can be a lot of fun to take pictures and to eat and drink with family and friends, next to lovey-dovey couples. 

I personally love cherry blossoms, not just because they're pretty to look at, but because they remind me of the transience of life. The blossoms wouldn't be so beautiful if they were to last forever. 

So, this time around I would like to share my Spring K-pop Playlist. Some of the songs are very well-known, others not so much. I'd also like to share a few pictures of cherry blossoms that I’ve taken over the years and all around the world.

Enjoy, and please leave a comment if there are any other K-pop songs that remind you of spring!

1. "Bom Bom Bom" (봄봄봄) by Roy Kim

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3-BDy55tq4

2. "Cherry Blossom Ending" (벚꽃엔딩) by Busker Busker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXV7dfvSefo

There are many cherry blossom trees in Sheffield, U.K.

3. "Holding Your Hand" (너의 손 잡고) by Corona

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EYwkcY28fk

4. "Spring Breeze" (봄바람) by Lee Moonse, and featuring Naul from the band Brown Eyed Soul

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smVvQVCtka4

Cherry blossoms bloom in Sejong-si City, Korea.

5. "Spring Is Gone by Chance" (우연히 봄) by Loco and Yuju from the band G Friend https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjyMuHmzxVE

6. "What the Spring??" (봄이 좋냐??) by 10cm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIGgSI1uhKI

Cherry blossoms bloom in Aomori, Japan.

7. "You Are My Spring" (넌 나의 봄이다) by Sung Si Kyung

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTn61LE5Z18

8. "You, Who?" (유후) by Eric Nam X Somi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaG575r_Dyo

A street is lined with cherry blossoms in Gongju-si City, Korea.

wisdom117@korea.kr