• O Cherry Blossoms, Where Art Thou

    November 12, 2014

    I was super exhilarated about my April Korea trip because it was finally a 3 weeks long break away from work, and best of all, my trip was right amidst the blooming period of beautiful cherry blossoms.

    Our arrival time in Incheon Airport was at 9.50pm, so we only expected to reach Seoul at around 12am after the immigrations clearance and luggage collection. As expected, the streets of Hongdae was quiet and empty when we finished our dosage of cider and fried chicken.

    The day ended with me breathing the air in Seoul, smiling to myself as I head to bed.

    Breakfast was bibim naengmyeon at a random shop outside Ewha Subway Station. The question below pops up once we stepped out of the restaurant. Haha. I wish I could describe to you how excited I was feeling.

    Before embarking on my adventures, the first thing I had to do was to visit hair salon! I want to look good in all my pictures for my trip (or at least look decent).

    I seriously have no idea how they manage to twist the ends of my hair so they curl inwards and rest so well on my chest. Awwwww~ This is a technique I really need to grasp.

    We stopped by Beans’ Bins for some waffle and coffee after the long hours of hair maintenance.

    My fate with cherry blossoms has always been thin like ice. I recalled on one of my trips to Taipei in April, my Taiwanese friend confidently told me he’d bring me to a place full of cherry blossoms. Skeptical yet choosing to believe in the fairytale story he painted, I went. We climbed a small mountain in the rain, instead of taking the sheltered train because we wanted to take good pictures of the cherry blossoms. To cut the story short, I didn’t see a single thing because they’ve all withered and died. I couldn’t catch a single glimpse in that weather. The rain washed away even the petals on the floor. That is my very sad story of encounter with(out) cherry blossoms. Naturally I was thrilled and eager to finally be able to see the so magical trees and flowers.

    We travelled to Kyunghee University for this purpose as the school has pretty ancient looking buildings that you would expect a princess standing there waiting for her prince.

    This is a library! If my school library was this nice, I’d be there everyday waiting for my prince charming (I will be the princess waiting for my prince charming, of course).


    Yes, look closely at the pictures above. There are no cherry blossoms at all. Zero. Zilch. None. One week before our travel dates, the weather in Seoul suddenly turned warm. All the flowers decided to blossom a week earlier, before our arrival.

    These are the only cherry blossoms I see. On the floor ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

    I was standing at the above location, messaging my friend in Singapore who visited Korea a week earlier than me, whining about my non-existence fate with cherry blossoms. She sent me a picture taken 1 week earlier, at the exact same spot, full of cherry blossoms. So cruel. Sobs!

    And so, we moved on.

    After climbing a very very steep hill, we came to this magnificent building.

    This Grand Auditorium also stages musicals and concerts at times.

    Ending the post with a picture of me and my travel mate.  On a side note, I am so going to plan another April trip to see my cherry blossoms. (Roars)

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  • Auntie Kim’s Korean Restaurant

    November 11, 2014

    Some time ago, when BEAST released their “Good Luck” album, I got a friend who travelled to Korea to help me carry the albums back. That’s right, I used plural form because I bought 2 albums.

    The black and white version of the albums. I had to get both because the photos captured in both albums are different. Black version presents a more charismatic side of BEAST whereas white version is more refreshing.

    And the photo cards I got from both albums. Black version of Dongwoon and white version of Yoseob. The photo cards are totally random. One can also get a white version of photo card in black album. But I managed to get one black and one white version. The best part… … I got the white version of Yoseob! Out of the 12 photo card designs, I love this the best and I got it. Sobs… I do have fate with my bias after all.

    I met up with my friend at Auntie Kim’s Korean Restaurant simply because they have a dish that I really crave for. It was our first time dining at this place and I do love it.

    The seafood pancake that is crunchy and tasty when dipped in the sauce provided.

    The highlight of the meal: Raw beef with egg and pear. This is the dish I was craving so badly for. Before eating, mix the egg well with the raw beef and diced pear. Remember to add on the fresh pear by the side with every bite. I cannot tell you how much love I got with every bite. This is definitely a must-eat-dish.

    Apart from the above, we also ordered grilled pork belly and rice. The dishes we ordered filled the 2 of us to the brim, but we managed to clear all the plates. Satisfaction!

    Auntie Kim’s Korean Restaurant
    265 Upper Thomson Road Singapore 574392
    Tel: +65 6452 2112

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  • Honey Creme in Singapore

    November 5, 2014

    Are you ready for the big announcement? (Grabs Pom Pom) Honey Creme is in Singapore! Hooray!!!!

    The first time I tried them was in Korea and was so addicted to their goodness ever since.
    Presenting to you their famous Honey Comb Cup.

    The milky ice cream is quick to melt with the Singapore weather, so slurp it all up while you can.

    The galore of macaroons in the shelves at the counter. I’m gonna try one of this in Singapore one day!

    There are very limited seats in the store itself but they did spend some efforts into their interior design. I would suggest buying to-go because the queue for pick up extends to the seated area. You can hardly feel the air conditioner working with the crazy crowd at this moment.

    I am sorry to break to you the news, even on a weekday afternoon, I queued for more than half an hour in order to get my own cup of treats. Honey Creme is located near the taxi stand of Somerset@313, which means outdoor queuing. If you are not already dying for the cup of cooling ice cream, I can assure you, this is something you crave for by the time you reached the counter.

    I am definitely going to get myself a second cup one day… … when there are less people in line to buy.

    Honey Creme
    313 Orchard Road, #01-37 Singapore 238895
    Tel: (65) 6884 8468
    Operating Hour: Monday-Sunday, Public Holidays 1100 – 2200

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  • The Living Cafe

    November 3, 2014

    I visited The Living Cafe some time some time back to try their organic and healthy food. A 2 storey cafe with plenty of tranquility, a good place to sit back and relax with friend on a lazy afternoon, exactly what I was doing.

    I have to admit, I was quite skeptical about raw food before I stepped into the store. I mean they are whipping up dishes with no diary, refined sugar or flour. Ingredients are not sautéed, boiled, roasted, flame-broiled, grilled over flaming coals or fried in sizzling-hot oil before serving to us.

    I was quite taken for surprise when the food was served eventually. Look at this chicken burger with sweet potato wedges. Are you not salivating already?

    The Chef Special Sandwich with Salmon and Pear is simply awesome. The organic pear is so soft that it could practically melt in my mouth. The eggs with fresh salmon and pears emits a fresh taste to the taste buds and so delicious at the same time. 

    I am deliberately writing this at 3pm in the afternoon so I don’t feel the hunger pang. Yet I am still craving so bad just by looking at these pictures. I hope you are not reading this in the middle of the night and craving for supper after my post. (Evil Grin)

    The Living Cafe
    779 Bukit Timah Rd Singapore 269758
    Opening Hours:
    Monday to Thursday: 11.00am – 7pm (last order 6:30pm)
    Friday: 11:00am – 10pm (last order 9:30pm)
    Saturday: 9:00am to 10:00pm (last order 9:30pm)
    Sunday: 9:00am to 8:00pm (last order 7:30pm)

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  • My New Love: BTOB

    October 27, 2014

    During my earlier trip to Korea, a tragic disaster happened. A South Korean ferry, Sewol Ferry, carrying 476 people, mostly secondary school students on a school trip, sunk. Approximately 300 people died in this incident, I would say this is largely due to the incompetence of rescue team.

    As a result of this disaster, the entire Korea was mourning over the death of the innocent students. A lot of KPOP events were cancelled as a result. For example, musicals and concerts. I originally bought ticket to attend the WAPOP concert featuring artists line up such as BTOB and 4MEN. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to see my BTOB live performance as it was cancelled. The only way I could see them was to send the members off at the airport as they made their way to Taiwan for concert.

    I managed to pass my letter to my bias Minhyuk and he said “Thank You” to me in Korean after accepting my letter. Sobs… It was enough to make my day and truly worthwhile for losing sleep the day before because their flight was too early. Before BTOB arrived, I even get to see Jay Park leaving the airport. A bonus! Teehee~

    I didn’t took much photos because most of the time, I was walking beside my second bias Sungjae. I’m quite sure I appeared in a lot of fans’ photos though.

    When I look back at this photo of Hyunsik, I could only think of 화보인생. It means living his life like a pictorial. Every move looks like a pose for pictorial.

    And there’s Changsub and Hyunsik. They appeared solemn because they would be under fire for not respecting the victims if seen smiling in public. This is part of Korean culture, I guess.

    My bias Minhyuk and Sungjae, followed by lots of photos of Minhyuk. Weeeeee~




    I really like Minhyuk’s black converse shoes that I am considering getting a pair for myself. It seems like he really like this pair. He was seen wearing this on multiple occasions.

    When I was in Korea, I bought BTOB’s second mini album, Thriller. Though late, it’s better than never right? And to my surprise, I got my bias photo card!!!! (Cries) Look at his arm O)-<

    While I was on the topic of albums, my “Beep Beep” album was delivered to my house with their signatures. A pity there’s no photo card attached to this album. So in love with the songs in this album. Recommended!

    And there were BTOB photo cards given with my purchase of Nike shoes in Shoemaker.

    In case you have not heard BTOB’s new song “You’re So Fly”, do check out the video below!

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  • Emergency Couple Fan Meet in Singapore

    October 22, 2014

    A few months ago (coughs), main lead actor and actress of drama Emergency Couple came to Singapore for a fan meet. I didn’t realise it’s been so long since I’ve been to a fan meet! (Alright, I also didn’t realise I haven’t been blogging for ages) The last fan meet I went was Super Junior’s hidden member, Kim Kibum fan meet in Singapore. Having only being an ELF from around Super Show 3 concerts, I missed the chances of knowing Kibum, let alone see him. Thanks to Korea Tourism Board in Singapore, I got free tickets to watch with my friends. Teehee!

    Side track! The male lead for drama is Choi Jinhyuk. He acted in dramas such as “Gu Family Book” and “Miss Panda and Mr Hedgehog”. When he visited Singapore for the fan meet, he was preparing to film for the new drama “Fated to Love You”. During the fan meet, he serenaded us by singing “Scent of a Flower”. Though not perfect, it was enough to melt all of us.

    The female lead is non other than Song Jihyo, whom most of you are familiar with through the variety show Running Man. She’s so sporty and friendly. She sticks out her hand first to shook mine and her handshake was so firm. Her skin is practically flawless. When asked during the event, how she maintained her good skin condition, she responded that she made sure there is sufficient rest and cleaned her face thoroughly. Is it really that easy?!

    Anyway ever since this event, I can be found on almost all the news outlets reporting this event, such as Stomp and New Paper. They have taken so many photos during the event and all they kept using is this particular cropped photo.

    Look at the original photo below. You can totally see them cropping only the few of us out to use in their news articles. Our photos even appeared in Korea news articles. (Slaps forehead) I am going international, seriously. By the way, I blur out the faces of people I don’t know.

    Enough of my grumblings. Let’s look at Choi Jinhyuk and Song Jihyo. I can’t believe I called out “oppa” to Choi Jinhyuk and told him I’m a fan in Korean. He replied with his deep husky voice “Thank you” with outstretched both hands to shake mine. O)-< Dead




    When can I see them again~~~~~~~

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  • A Break

    October 20, 2014

    I didn’t realise I have not been blogging for such a long time. It is once again Beast’s comeback! Hooray! Two comebacks in a year, Beauties are really spoilt. In case you have not heard the new song released last night at 12.30am (KST), do check out the MV below!

    It has been quite a different experience for the past few months. I stepped down from a stable job in the government sector and joined a total different trait. Unfortunately, I seem to have joined the wrong team and went through a very painful period. I finally put an end to everything today, when my endurance reached it’s peak.

    To cut story short, there are people who really needs to learn what basic respect is. And threatening to jump off a building doesn’t work for me, no matter how many times it is used.

    I guess they’ve shown their remorse and really wants to hold on to me. Though I’m quite sure given their characters, it wouldn’t be long for their true colours to show once again. A pity it’s too late. (Shrugs)

    On a side note, I’m available almost 24/7 now. I am sleeping so much that my skin condition turned so much better. Other than my driving lessons, I do not have any plans at all. Speaking of driving lessons, I am having so much fun sitting behind the wheel. Why didn’t I learn driving earlier? I sped so much during the lessons that the instructors have to constantly remind me to watch out for my speed. Ha!

    I just returned from my Korean trip last month. It’s my second and last trip… … for the year, sadly. I have no idea when I’d go again but definitely looking forward to it. Perhaps it’s time to share some itinerary for my vacation. Do keep a look out for this space!

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  • 이젠 아니야

    June 9, 2014

    BEAST new MV was released by Cube Entertainment around 3 hours ago. If you haven’t heard, play the MV below NOW! The lyrics is so heart wrenching sobs… … I hope it touches you too!

    The MV male lead is none other than Yong Junhyung. The female lead is an actress, Lee Yubi.

    BEAST 비스트 – No More 이젠 아니야

    [DJ] Why are you still
    Unable to forget me like a fool
    Like that
    Why am I still
    A good person to you
    A good person
    It’s already been
    A few months since we broke up
    Why are you still
    Living in the past memories

    [KK] There are lots of good people around you
    It’s okay to start a new love
    I sincerely hope
    You will smile and be happy

    [HS] I can see that you’re struggling
    I can’t start a new love
    Oh yeah
    Again at this late time

    [DW] Why did you come find me again
    I’m the pathetic one who sent you away
    The sad cries I hear
    Beyond the door

    [YS] Why did you come find me again
    To me who has already become cold
    I don’t have anymore heat That I can share with you

    [DW] No more no more
    The person whom you can lean on

    [JH] Alright cry all you want
    If you can wash me away with that
    If you can erase the lingering feelings in your heart
    I’m not someone
    Who is worth being hurt over
    I’m not someone who is with you
    Like before
    I don’t want to lie
    Saying that I’m sending you off because I love you
    I’ll be with you just for today
    Hurry up and get up
    I can extend my hand to you
    But that is only until today

    [KK] You know I can’t go back
    You can be happy beside me
    Go find someone
    Who will make you smile

    [HS] I can see you struggling
    I can’t feel comfortable for a day
    Oh yeah
    Again at this late time

    [DW] Why did you come find me again
    I’m the pathetic one who sent you away
    The sad cries I hear
    Beyond the door

    [YS] Why did you come find me again
    To me who has already become cold
    I don’t have anymore heat
    That I can share with you

    [KK] Can you stop now
    As time goes by
    I’m so scared
    That you will get hurt
    From my cold exterior

    [HS] You just need to live on well so that I can see
    I’m no longer
    Someone you can lean on

    [DW] Why did you come find me again
    I’m the pathetic one who sent you away
    The sad cries I hear
    Beyond the door

    [YS] Why did you come find me again
    To me who has already become cold
    I don’t have anymore heat
    That I can share with you

    [DW] No more no more
    The person whom you can lean on

    Lyrics Translations Credit: @B2STIZEN

    While my friend and I were watching the MV, we couldn’t help noticing how pretty the shops in the MV appear. Hence I started my hunt online for the shops. Fortunately the shops are quite accessible in Seoul!

    First off, the first scene that appeared in the MV is a store named 1984.


    Yes, this is also the place where Junhyung and Yubi took their selca. This is not only a cafe, but also a museum, book store and editing store, featuring Art, Music, Fashion, Life.

    The interior of this store looks awesome and too good to miss. (Pictures Source: In Sunho)

    1984
    1F, 158-24, Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea 121-898
    Tel: +82 2-325-1984
    Opening Hrs: 12pm – 12am

    Junhyung was later checking his phone outside this store called Brown Breath, located in Hongdae. A quick search online indicates that they carry their own brands, as well as outside brands such as Happy Socks, Generic Surplus, and Cheap Monday.

    Brown Breath
    3F, 343-19 Seokyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea
    Opening Hrs: 10am – 7pm (Closed during lunch time: 12pm – 1pm)

    This time, Junhyung stopped in front of Cafe N Then with a bunch of flowers in his hand. Out came the flashback of how Yubi used to wait for him outside this cafe. This place is nearer to Hapjeong Subway Station.

    Some pictures of the cafe found on Foursquare:



    Cafe N Then
    Yanghwa-Ro 6-gil 21, Seogyo-dong Mapo-gu, Seoul
    Tel: +82 2-325-1718
    Opening Hrs: 11:00am – 12:00am

    Finally Junhyung and Yubi met behind the restaurant Slunch Factory. This is a vegetarian-friendly restaurant.

    This is how the shop front looks like: (Photos Source)

    The restaurant interior looks artsy fartsy too, like a warm and cozy cafe.

    I’d say the price is quite reasonable too.
    Slunch Factory
    Address: 336-18 Sangsu-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
    Tel: 02 6367 9870
    Opening Hrs: 12pm – 12am

    Directions
    Sangsu Subway Station, Line 6, Exit 4.
    After exiting, turn around and walk slightly uphill. Follow the sidewalk as it curves to the right (don’t turn into the small alleys before that). Walk straight, passing Yiri cafe on the left. Slunch Factory will be further down, on the right. It is around 5-7 minutes walk from the subway station.

    Another place that appeared in the MV is called Roh Rang Party and Gallery, which also happens to be a flower cafe. Though they called themselves a cafe, don’t expect a coffee menu to be given to you when you enter the store. Other than selling flowers, they apparently also teach flower arrangements.
    Roh Rang Party and Gallery
    Tel: +82 70 7788 7555
    Opening Hrs: 10am – 8pm (Closed on Sundays)
    Address: 1F, 394-25 Dongyang Hangang Trevel, Seokyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
    (Hapjeong Subway Station Exit 5)

    I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, all the places are in Mapo-gu. I guess you can make a day trip to visit all the places mentioned above! I definitely want to visit all these places that appeared in the MV!!!

    In the meantime, keep looping this awesome song on Youtube!

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  • Failed OOTDs

    June 8, 2014

    On rare occasions some months ago, I thought I didn’t look too bad for OOTD shoots. Well, I was wrong.

    I wanted to show off my newly bought caps. If you notice, there’s another one lying on the floor. Well, the one I was wearing is an inspired cap bought on Qoo10 (formerly known as GMarket). Since it is inspired, of course it was cheap and too good to be missed!

    Who am I trying to kid here. I rarely wear caps out. I bought the one I was wearing because Super Junior member Eunhyuk and BigBang member GDragon had the exact same one, originals of course. The same design but such drastic difference when I wear it. (Facepalm)

    I totally love this H&M skirt I bought and my friend Sasa has the exact same piece too! I’m glad we never wore it on the same day out though. I’m the kind who will turn and walk in a different direction when I see people wearing the same outfit as me. It’s hard not to wardrobe clash in Singapore though. We are such a tiny weeny country with such a high population density. Anyway this skirt is still loves!

    I really dislike my flat nose and wish I have the money to do something to it in Korea. Anyway after my failed OOTD shots, I probably will stay away from them for a while. So treasure this post! HA!

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  • Singapore eAwards 2014

    May 29, 2014

    Thanks to Rock Records, I got free tickets to watch Singapore eAwards 2014 earlier this month. The awards ceremony was held in Sentosa and it’s been a long time since I last visited. It was a star dazzling night. I went to support Henry from Super Junior M but I get to see the live performances of other artists as well!

    Presenting to you Jia Jia and Alien Huang from Taiwan, who bagged many awards.



    And be prepared for the spam on Super Junior M – Henry. He’s the biggest winner of the night, of course. Heh! Finally we’ve got a chance to hear him sing Trap and 1-4-3 live!










    The derp face is just so cute!









    Look at how happy he was with the trophies!

    I am missing Super Junior already… … …

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