Kpop Haul #1

          A while back I decided that I was going to share my obsessions with you all and one of these obsessions is Kpop as you all already know. Now I'm not going to show you all my Kpop collection just the ones that happen to be relevant with what I am writing about. However, I am going to share with you my hauls from the end of last year until this month in chunks lol. Then whenever I do get something I'll share it at the end of the month as a monthly summary. So let's start!

SEASON'S GREETINGS 2019

          I want to start with the Seasons Greetings from EXO for 2019. The theme for the Season's Greetings is obviously the Zodiac. 

This is the cover of the box that the Greetings came in.

The cover of the Accordion Calendar that goes from January 2019 to June 2019.

The inside of the Calendar.

The cover of the Accordion Calendar that goes from July 2019 to December 2019.

The inside of the Calendar.

          What I loved most about this calendar that it is perforated and you can detach each picture/month from the rest of the calendar. 

A box of picture cards.

The cards inside the box above.

          These cards are as large as the palm of your hand and behind each picture, there are a few words by EXO members.

This is a DVD that contains the behind the scenes of the process of taking the pictures for the calendar and Season Greetings from the members.

Desk calendar with gorgeous pictures of the members. This is the picture for June...my Xuimin...I hope you are well and healthy in the military! 

I'm a journal junky and I love this diary. It has a month at a view and them weekly view on the next pages.

These were some of the pictures at the end of the diary. 

Whoever had the idea to make these stickers, 감사합니다! They are so cute and I'm looking for the perfect opportunity to use them.

Finally, these are almost A4 sized pictures of the members. They are all gorgeous and of course good quality. I loved this set of Season's greetings!

DON'T MESS UP MY TEMPO

          In November EXO's Fifth Album dropped. It was called Don't Mess Up My Tempo and it is made up of 10 original songs and the title song (Don't Mess Up My Temo) was also sung in Chinese where Lay was also included. The album came in four different versions: Allegro, Moderato, Andante, and Vivace, named after types of tempo. I wasn't sure how to show you the albums so I'm just going to post the cover, the first page, a random page from the book and the post card and card that I got with each album.

Andante:

Andante Cover

First Page of the picture book.

Card and Postcard: D.O.

Random Page: Baekhyun

Moderato:

Cover of Moderato

First page of the picture book.

Card and Postcard: Chanyeol

Random Page: Sehun

Allegro:

Cover of Allegro

First page of the picture book.

Card and Postcard: Suho

Random Page from the picture book: Xuimin

Vivace: This is the only album with Lay in the cover picture and his picture in the picture book.

Cover of Vivace

First page of the picture book

The card: Kai.

This album only had a card in it, 

perhaps it is not a first press...not sure.

Unlike all the other albums this wasn't a random selection, I specifically looked for Lay's picture.

LOVE SHOT

Love Shot is the Fifth Album Repackaged. It was released in December. The album has three original songs and the title song (Love Shot) sung in Chinese. There are 2 versions of this album: Love and Shot.

Love Version:

Cover of Love Version

First page of the picture book

Card: D.O.

Random page in the picture book: D.O. and Xuimin

Shot Version:

Cover of Shot version

First page of the picture book

Card: Chanyeol

Random page from the picture book: Chanyeol and D.O. 

These albums were my end of year haul from EXO. I'm in love with both albums and when I start sharing about EXO later on I will share more about that.

To trace or not to trace...that is the question.

          If you are anything like me then you have tried to study how to draw, taken classes, done all the exercises and read all the books and still suck at it. It might be because my right hand, which is my dominant hand, is a little warped from psoriartic arthritis. So holding a pencil (or any iteration of) for a very long time is out. Also, my perception when looking at things is totally out of wack for some reason. What I see and what I draw turnout to be totally different.  So I bought a light box and started to trace stuff. I always use free pictures on the internet or pictures that the owner gave permission for me to use. I also noticed that sometimes I would trace one thing from one picture and another from another picture and it becomes something entirely new and unique to me. Every once in a while I have this question in my head...should I try learning to draw again? Tracing feels like I am cheating! 

          The other day I was watching one of my favorite YouTube channel and the artist said that she sketches in her sketchbook and then uses a light box to trace her sketch onto watercolor paper. A light went up in my head...how did I not think of this use for tracing? So even people who draw use tracing...granted it is their own work but still tracing is a tool! 

          Another YouTube Channel was also talking about tracing but as a tool for learning to draw. They said that if you trace your hand will get used to drawing and if you practice enough after a while it will become second nature to draw but that everyone has to start somewhere. 

          These are just some musings that were running around in my head that I needed to share. So in the end...to trace or not to trace...that is up to you. But please be careful when you do trace. Make sure that if the picture is not free to use that you ask the original artist or photographer. Make sure they are okay with you using their work. If you sell your work make sure you mention that. Some artists don't mind you copying their work for personal use but will draw the line at selling or using them for competitions. Always, always make sure to mention the name of the artist or photographer when sharing your work online. Give them the credit they are due.   

Learning Korean

       I've been learning Korean off and on since the second half of 2018. However, I decided to finally take it seriously these past few months and since I know quite a few people might benefit from this I'm going to compile a list of resources for you all to look at if you are interesting in learning Korean.

          My first bit of advice is that if you can find a class in your country/area then take that class! It makes all the difference to have someone in front of you checking on your progress as you go. If that is not possible then check out the following websites, books and YouTube channels.

Books: These are ones that I have used or that my teacher has recommended.

1.Hangeul Master: The best way to learn the Korean alphabet.
2. Talk to Me in Korean grammar books Levels One - Six. As well as the Workbooks from Levels One - Five. 

3. My First 500 Korean Words by Talk To Me in Korean.

4. The Korean Verbs Guide Volumes 1 & 2 by Talk To Me in Korean

5. My Daily Routine in Korean by Talk To Me in Korean.

6. Korean Grammar in Use: Beginning to Early Intermediate by Jean-Myung Ahn (Teacher Recommendation I liked it better when my teacher used this book then when I studied it on my own)

7. Real Life Korean Conversations Beginners & Intermediate by Talk to me in Korean

8. Korean Q&A Sentence Patterns by Talk to me in Korean.

9. Sogang Korean 1A: Student's Book by Song-hee Kim and Sogang Korean 1A: Workbook by Song-hee Kim (Teacher's recommendation: This was made for a class though so it might be one you want to skip)
10. Korean from Zero: They have three levels so far and they are really good resources.

Websites: These are ones that I found helpful in my search for knowledge.

1. http://www.talktomeinkorean.com/: this site has a lot of free resources including the grammar books mentioned above with audio files and they go all the way up to level 9. There are no workbooks with them though. They also have a lot of video courses some free and some you have to buy but they are totally worth it.

2. http://www.hangulsoup.com/: this site will help you with verb conjugations.

3. http://www.howtostudykorean.com/: this site has a lot of good lessons.

4. http://www.koreanfromzero.com/: You can find free versions of their books on site as well as the audio files.
5. http://www.koreanclass101.com/: I have to admit I have not used their website a lot but I have used their YouTube Channel quite a bit.

Youtube Channels: Some of these are ones that belong to websites and others are ones that I came across that give great information.

1. Talk To Me in Korean

2. Korean from Zero

3. Korean Class 101

4. Korean Unnie

5. Professor Yoon's Korean Language Class

6. Minji Teaches Korean

Phone Apps: These were the ones I used continuously.

1. Naver Dictionary: Very Important that you get this.

2. Papago: Translator, much better than Google translate for Korean.

3. HelloTalk: if you want to ask questions from Native speakers use this app.

4. Talk To Me in Korean app: has all their lessons and video on it.

Finally, a piece of advice. Watch as many Korean dramas, and listen to Korean music so that you can understand how the language sounds and your ear gets used to distinguishing sounds. 

Inspire Me Korea - June Café Box

   Yesterday I finished the last of the snacks from the last Inspire Me Korea box (yep I can make those suckers last) and was REALLY looking forward to the snacks in this box but I got something better. Let’s get into it!

          The first things that came out of the box were all made of paper. There was the Inspire Me Korea magazine about cafés. I love reading those magazine because they are so informative about what is going on in Korea in that month and about aspects of Korean culture. The interviews included are always interesting. There was a signed exclusive postcard of BTS and songwriter Melanie Fontana. She wrote Boy with Luv and Euphoria. I’m sure you all know I’m not a BTS Stan but I like some of their songs and this is an awesome item to have. There was also the language card which is focused on Café culture. 

          Next out of the box was a Rose Heart sheet mask (or the other option would have been a cactus mask) and a cute French fries pencil case. 

          Next came two things that I think took the place of Korean snacks and I am fine with that. Tea and coffee. I’m okay with tea, but I am a coffee addict and proud of it. I love the Korean coffee mixes for cold coffee since they have milk in them.

          The final three items are all Kpop merch. There was two badges: Stray Kids “we goin’ Higher” and BTS “Boy With Luv” . There was also a set of NCT127 photo cards. I loved all of these!

          This was a great box in terms of Kpop merchandise, café and COFFEE!!!!!

KPOP Projects: Short Introduction to KPOP History

          Believe it or not Kpop did not start with BTS or even EXO Kpop started way back in 1885. The first Kpop album was "This Tumultuous Time" by Park Chae-Seon and Lee Ryu-Saek in 1925 and it contained popular songs translated from Japanese. The first Kpop song written by a Korean was "Fallen Blossoms on Running Water" sung by Jeong-suk in 1929.

          From the 1940s to the 1960s western influences entered the scene thanks to the American Troops stationed in South Korea (The Korean War). In the 1960s Beatlemania hit South Korea and the first rock bands started to form. The Add4 and Key Boys were some of the first rock bands to be formed.

ADD4

Key Boys

          In the 1970s DJs started to become popular, while in the 1980s ballads were the popular thing. It wasn't unto the 1990s that Kpop developed into the form it is in now. Korean pop musicians incorporated Europop, hip hop, rock, jazz, and electronic dance music into their songs. The emergence of Seo Taiji & boys was the turning point and coincidentally this is about the time I started to really tune into kpop, where as before I was just an occasional listener (mid 1980s onward).

Seo Taiji & Boys 

(and yes that is papa YG there)

          Then came Solid in 1993, Duex in 1994, Yoo Seun-jun and Jinusean in 1997, 1TYM in 1998 and Drunken Tiger in 1999.

Solid

Duex

Yoo Seung-jun

Jinusean

1TYM

Drunken Tiger

          It was also in the mid 1990s when the BIG THREE were formed. SM Entertainment was formed in 1995, YG Entertainment was formed in 1996 and JYP Entertainment was formed in 1997.

IDOL BANDS:

          Idol bands are young boy and girl bands that were inspired by Seo Taiji & Boys and they cater to teenage audiences. One of the first Idol Bands was H.O.T. formed in 1996, and their success led to the formation of other groups.

H.O.T. 

(and yes that is Kangta in the back there with the black hair)

Groups formed thanks to the success of H.O.T.

Sechskies (1997)

S.E.S (1997)

NRG (1997)

Baby V.O.X. (1997)

DIVA (1997)

SHINHWA (1998)

Fin. K. L. (1998)

GOD (1999)

**These aren't all the groups formed in the 1990s but the most well know and some of them like GOD and SHINHWA are still going strong.

          The early 2000s gave us amazing groups like TVXQ (2003), SS501(2005), Super Junior (2005), Big Bang (2006), Kara (2007), SHINEE (2008), 2NE1 (2009), 4Minutes (2009), T-ara (2009), F(x) (2009), and After School (2009). Groups like TVXQ (in all its incarnations), Big Bang, and SHINEE are still going strong. Again these are not all the groups but some of the most well know of that time. History is still being written by groups like VIXX, EXO, BTS, Girl's Generation, BLACK PINK, Ikon, and most recently ATEEZ.

MY STANS:

          In the next series of posts (interrupted by some reviews and hauls), I'm going to start introducing the groups I stan starting with my ultimate stan to groups I love listening too. This is my preference and choice, it doesn't mean that other groups are not famous or good just that they are not my cup of tea. Here is the order: 

1. EXO

2. ATEEZ

3. Ikon

4. Big Bang

5. SHINEE

6. TVXQ/JYJ/KIM JAE JOONG

7. VIXX

8. Super Junior

9. Shinhwa/GOD

**all pictures belong to the various sites (please click on the pictures to be taken to the sites) and the groups and their companies. I don't own these pictures.

Inspire Me Korea - May Journalling Box

          I was very excited to see what was inside this box since I journal religiously. As usual, I wasn’t disappointed. 

          The first things I saw when I opened the box was the magazine and the language card. I haven’t read the magazine yet but I know it will have a lot of interesting information as usual. The language card was very exciting because it had words that can be used in journalling. 

          The next thing that came out of the box was this cute snack notebook. There are four different food character-themed designs. I got the juice one. I wouldn’t use this for journalling because it is way too thin but I will be using it to jot down ideas for stories or blogs.

          The Bear mouth mask is so dang cute! It reminds me of nini bear (Kai from EXO). I really love it.

          The next two items are used in doodling and journalling. The first is an eraser and the second is a cute set of diary stickers.

          No Inspire Me Korea box is complete without a sheet mask (which I love) and some snacks (which I totally enjoy), and this box is no different. 

As usual an incredible box from Inspire Me Korea!

Kpop Projects: Introduction to my obsession...

          A lot of people ask me how I got into KPOP especially as I'm not really all that young...well brace yourself, KPOP didn't start with BTS. I mostly get this question from young people who started listening to KPOP through BTS, WannaOne, and so on. Well kids, I started listening to KPOP with groups like SechSkies, GOD, Shinhwa and a few others that I now vaguely remember. So yeah, I've been around for a long time. 

         

          I'm one of these people who is multi-fandom; I stan quite a few groups like Shinee, Super Junior, TVXQ in all their incarnations, VIXX, Big Bang, GOT7, iKon and of course my ultimate stan EXO. I've also recently discovered a new group that was formed at the end of 2018 called ATEEZ. I'm very impressed with them so far.

          So over the next few weeks, I'm going to give you an introduction to KPOP, and a look at all the KPOP groups that I stan. Some will be more in depth than others of course reflecting my degree of interest in them. All these posts will be marked as Kpop Projects so if this is not your cup of tea then you can just skip them. I'll probably do a post or two of some of my KPOP hauls as well. I have a lot of things that I have ordered at the end of last year and the beginning of this year that I want to show off.