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Iloilo City, Philippines (August 31, 2024) – The vibrant city of Iloilo is set to host the fourth annual Iloilo-Korean Friendship Festival , a celebration of cultural exchange and enduring friendship between the Ilonggo and Korean communities.    The festival, held at the K-Town Festive Walk Iloilo, is a three-part showcase of exciting events filled with performances, club activities, and community engagement. Beyond the stage, the festival will feature a bustling atmosphere with fan club booths dedicated to various K-pop groups in Part One (1) which kicks off at 2 PM (PHT). Fans can connect with fellow enthusiasts, share their love for their favorite artists, and participate in exciting activities prepared by the organizers. This interactive element fosters a sense of community and shared passion amongst K-pop fans in Iloilo. Fans of THE BOYZ , MAMAMOO , AESPA , STRAY KIDS , THE ROSE , SEVENTEEN , TREASURE , NCT , and SHINee should look forward to this segment. The Iloilo-Korean Friendship Festival is more than just a celebration of K-pop; it is a testament to the strong cultural ties between Iloilo and Korea. The event aims to promote understanding, appreciation, and friendship between the two communities, fostering a sense of inclusivity and cultural exchange. Which starts at 5 PM (PHT) includes a short program featuring an All-Korean Fan Dance Crew “Sedjeong”. VIPs from the Iloilo Korean United Community Association, Iloilo City Tourism, The Medical City Iloilo, and King Sejong Institute Iloilo are also invited to receive appreciation. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without performances from homegrown cover groups of Iloilo K-Pop Organization.  Adding to the excitement, Part Three (3) of the festival will feature a special guest appearance by Press Hit Play, an uprising P-Pop group known for its energetic performances and captivating music. The idols are to set foot in Iloilo City for the second time around as part of their Lampara Tour. Their presence is sure to draw a large crowd and further enhance the festival's atmosphere of cultural exchange and celebration. As the festival continues to grow each year, it has become a beloved tradition in Iloilo, attracting both local and international audiences.    For those interested in experiencing the vibrant energy of the festival, the event is open to the public and promises an unforgettable evening of music, entertainment, and cultural exchange.   #ILOKORFriendshipDayYear4 #FanfestWithPHP #PressHitPlay #IKO2024

Le Sserafi m is back with more attitude with their 4th mini album "CRAZY" dropping in three hours! We break down their new album details and what to expect along with some teasers and concept images! "CRAZY" is the perfect word to describe Le Sserafim's new 4th mini album comeback! The girls have been busy in the studio recording new songs. The physical album comes in 11 versions: Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Balacava, five member-specific Compact versions, and two Weverse Album versions. Let's take a look at the girls having fun recording "CRAZY", their new single! The fun and upbeat new single "CRAZY" is the title track accompanied by four other songs! Let's take a look at the tracklist! "Chasing Lightning" "Crazy" "Pierrot" "1-800-hot-n-fun" "Crazier (미치지 못하는 이유)" Fans couldn't hold their anticipation as they salivated over the M/V teasers! Let's take a look! Perfect vibes for the summertime, "CRAZY" is already an upbeat summer hit and we can't wait to hear the full version! With a new look and concept, Le Sserafim looks to make a comeback that will take over social media with new dance challenges and outfits! Check out the behind-the-scenes Jacket Photo Sketch video! Let's not forget that the girls are amazing at dancing as well! Do you think you can keep up with their new dance challenge? Let us know in the comments below if you're looking forward to Le Sserafim's new album "CRAZY" and what your thoughts are about their new look and sound! #LE_SSERAFIM   #르세라핌 #김채원   #허윤진   #카즈하 #LE_SSERAFIM_CRAZY #HUHYUNJIN   #허윤진

Son Heung Min (a Korean football player) has been at his peak of popularity, making his debut at the age of 16 in 2010! We take the reasons why he's been able to be at the top of endorsements, fame, and fortune for such a long time! So coming from the UK, I grew up watching football, and during my teenage years "David Beckham" was a household name. Son Heung Min is known as “Korea’s David Beckham." Signing with Tottenham Hotspurs Son Heung Min became the first Asian footballer ever to win the Premier League's Golden Boot and the second to receive the Puskas Award in 2020. Most recently, he became the only Asian to be nominated for the 2022 Ballon d’Or, the highest honor in football.  This has of course led to his fame and popularity in Korea. When ever I meet a Korean 9 times of out of 10 they will either mention Son Heung Min or Tottenham when I tell them that I am from England. Let's take a look at some of his success! Originally from Chuncheon, northeast of the capital Seoul, Son made his name first in Germany after moving to Europe as a teenager with Hamburg. His success earned him a move to Bayer Leverkusen in 2013 where he caught the eye, persuading Tottenham to pay a reported $28 million for the forward. Imagine earning that much money at such a young age. That fee has been more than repaid since, with Son scoring 18 goals in 53 appearances last season alone. His performance and achievements have established Son as one of the most exciting players in the Premier League, while earning him huge popularity both in Korea and much nearer his new home, which is why his legacy and of course helping to bring K-culture and Korea in general on the world map has led to his success both home and away. With success comes money right? When I heard that the value of the Son economy — that is the value of sales of Son-related products — was estimated at around 2 trillion won ($1.5 billion) in 2020, according to a study by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Son’s net worth is reported to be around $31.6 million, including his roughly $9 million salary from Spurs, not only this but he was ranked at No. 3 on Forbes Korea’s 2022 Power Celebrity Index, after BTS and Blackpink . Basically, anything with Son’s face on it sells like hotcakes. Let's take a look at Son's most recent commercial with luggage giant TUMI! Son's popularity of course extends well beyond football, that doesn't mean there are plenty of fans still interested in watching him play. Despite the majority of Tottenham games taking place in the middle of the night in Korea, every single fixture still gets a big audience of supporters staying up to watch.  Let us know in the comments your thoughts on Son's success. #SonHeungMin #TottenhamHotspur #Tottenham #footballer

If you speak to any Korean from the younger generation, they will most likely ask for your MBTI. This is the modern way to categorize your personality into one of the 16 groups. Let's find out why this has become a phenomenon! Before we dive into this article, let's take a look at different MBTI types on the chart: Have you ever heard someone describe themselves as an INTJ or an ESTP and wondered what those cryptic-sounding letters could mean? What these people are referring to is their personality type based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Based on the answers to the questions on the inventory, people are identified as having one of 16 personality types. The goal of the MBTI is to allow respondents to further explore and understand their personalities including their likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, possible career preferences, and compatibility with other people. No one personality type is "best" or "better" than another. It isn't a tool designed to look for dysfunction or abnormality. Instead, its goal is simply to help you learn more about yourself. The questionnaire itself is made up of four different scales, so at the end of this article I have included one link that will take you to the MBTI test, where you can then let us know your MBTI results in the comments. Here's an oldie-but-goodie video of NCT revealing their MBTIs! During my time in Korea and especially over the past year, I have been asked my MBTI type at least once a week. After being hesitant, at first with doing the test, as since I am from the UK, I believe in star signs more. I took the test and discovered that I mainly fall under the INFP category. I was not surprised when I read the traits and characteristics that fall under this category, as they are very true to my behavior. I do, however, think that considering Koreans used to use blood types to determine personality, this chart can be more accurate and, of course, there are more options to choose from, which make it more interesting. Let's take a look at this video to get a better understanding: Why not take the test for yourself? https://www.thepersonalitylab.org/m2?gad_source=5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItN73zcnnhwMVkGZBAh38lS6HEAAYAiAAEgI60_D_BwE Let us know what your MBTI is in the comments below. #MBTI #kpopidols #myersbriggs #personalitytest

Koo Sang Jun: "You should never be the frog." Officer Yoon Bo Min: "What?" Koo Sang Jun: "Don't be the frog that gets hit by the kids' rocks" Taken from the old Korean saying, " A frog dies from a stone thrown inadvertently", Netflix's The Frog cultivates the actions of individuals who have unintended negative effects on others. We explore why this chilling mystery thriller has got us on the edge of our seats! Netflix's mystery/thriller The Frog may have gotten some mixed reviews, but after watching it, we have to say that it is a must-watch! A little bit of noir and horror, the chilling music and camera angles definitely make The Frog a mystery-in-the-woods work of art. Go Min Si is brilliant as a mysterious stranger who shows up at the doorstep of Jeon Yeong Ha's ( Kim Yun Seok ) vacation cottage in the woods and stirs up some unexpected trouble. Also, in a parallel storyline, 20 years earlier, a similar stranger appears at the doorstep of the same vacation cottage named "Lakeview Motel" at the time, but with a different owner, Koo Sang Jun ( Yoon Kye Sang The Kidnapping Day 2023). In a series of weird events, Sang Jun is thrown into a whirlwind of murder by the stranger at his door. Why we love it! Shrouded in mystery but at the same time, similar parallel storylines, but with different characters, make the show different and interesting to watch! Also, some star cameos by Roh Yoon Seo ( Crash Course in Romance 2023) and EXO's Chanyeol make for an interesting and entertaining watch! We love the characters' decisions to try to cover up the murders at their cottages since it would harm their reputation and ruin their business, but at the same time, feel their stress, anxiety, and fear of letting dangerous strangers into their vacation cottages. Not to mention with the addition of star veteran actresses Lee Jung Eun ( Miss Night and Day 2024) and Ha Yoon Kyung ( See You in My 19th Life 2023) playing the same character, just 20 years apart, The Frog comes full circle. So what are your thoughts about this exciting new mystery thriller? Are you watching it? Let us know in the comments below! #GoMinSi   #TheFrog   # LeeJungEun   #Netflix #RohYoonSeo #EXO #Chanyeol #YoonKyeSang

The popular kids' animation series turned to the big screen, Heartsping: Teenieping of Love , has taken over the Korean box office this summer. Let's find out why fans young and old love this new animation! Also, we reveal the top K-pop idol featured in the movie OST! Heartsping: Teenieping of Love has managed to get 140,000 Koreans in the doors of cinemas in just two days alone this summer. This children's animation shows Princess Romi of a kingdom on a quest to find scattered fairies known as Teeniepings. Of course, with the summer holidays and the weather being very hot recently, many people will be on the lookout for indoor activities , so the cinema is the perfect choice. With this animation mostly being focused on children, it's no surprise that it has gained this much popularity so quickly. The movie is based on the TV series and features some of children's most loved characters. Let's check out the trailer! The short movie (86 minutes) also showcases many catchy songs, dances, and action-based scenes, which is perfect for kids. I also love animations, and when I was younger Disney would be on all the time, so I can appreciate the popularity of this movie. It has been said by some that this movie due to it's popularity in Korea and China that it could be the new Frozen which I could possibly see had it been released world wide. Aespa's Winter was part of this film! To draw in more than just children, Aespa's own Winter was part of the production in the movie's main theme song! Take a listen! Fans have already said she represents Heartsping! Viewers of the series can see their favorite charming characters, based on themes like magic, kingdoms, and fairies that stimulate children's imagination (and mine). Could it captivate your imagination too? Have you watched this movie? Let us know your thoughts on it, in the comments below. #Heartsping #Winter #Aespa #OST

Summertime is the best time to go out and enjoy the great outdoors! Many Koreans opt for camping or "glamping", so why not kick your feet up and look up to see the stars? We give you the best places to go stargazing in South Korea! If you are anything like me, I really love watching the stars at night. I think it's not only peaceful but also romantic and imaginative. With the universe so big, do we really know what's out there? Sadly, as most of us live in a city these days it can be really hard to see the stars in the sky at night, so where can you see the stars in South Korea? I was fortunate to see the stars in the sky when I visited a small town off the beaten track in Gangwon province , the town was called Inje. Here I took part in a stargazing class, and we also used telescopes and looked at different patterns with the stars, and their meaning, and found out the estimated distances! Since then, I have really wanted to see the night sky again, but I have not had the chance. Aside from Inje, an administrative region, Anbandegi is part of the eastern city of Gangneung , which is close to the Olympic town of Pyeongchang . As you travel beyond the vicinity of Yongpyong Resort (which is popular for winter sports), the road narrows from two lanes in either direction and becomes a real rural road, without a streetlight to be found. Sounds perfect right? Located on a rugged ridge of the Taebaek Mountains at an altitude of 1,100 meters, this area is like one big cabbage field. The name “Anbandegi” comes from a combination of the local Gangneung terms “anban,” referring to a broad, concave wooden board used for pounding rice cakes, and “degi,” meaning flat ground. This place has been said to be one of the best spots in the country for stargazing. The best times to look at the Milky Way are roughly between April and September. The rainy season from late June to July is not good viewing weather, so those who’d like to camp under the stars are advised to plan for a visit either between early April and mid-June or between August and September, so if you go outside of this time it will be perfect for looking at the night sky. Seoul, Daegu and Busan for that matter have lots of light pollution and therefore it is hard to see stars in the sky no matter what time of year it is. I really love escaping to the countryside as I feel it is good to connect with nature and experience things for free or a cheap price depending on where you go and how long you stay for. Of course, depending on how long you come to Korea it may not be possible to head out of the big cities, however, I really recommend it for a more real experience. I can say for sure that some of the best memories that I have had have been in the countryside with the locals! Have you ever been stargazing in South Korea? Let us know your best destination in the comments below. #stargazing #starwatching #starrynight

As the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) continues its mission to bridge cultures and foster deeper understanding between Korea and the Philippines, this September, KCC proudly presents two significant events that spotlight the beauty and significance of Hangeul —the Korean alphabet—and its lasting impact on modern literature. Hangeul Design Project: Reinterpreting Hangeul in the Modern Era Running from September 6, 2024, to February 28, 2025, at the Korean Cultural Center, the "Hangeul Design Project: Reinterpreting Hangeul in the Modern Era" invites visitors to explore Hangeul's timelessness and its modern-day interpretations. Held in partnership with the National Hangeul Museum, this exhibit is a tribute to the 75 years of friendship between Korea and the Philippines. It aims to spark a deeper interest among Filipinos in Korean culture by showcasing Hangeul in various art forms. From traditional calligraphy to contemporary art, the exhibit will highlight the adaptability of Hangeul, which was created in 1443, to convey new ideas and knowledge across different mediums. One of the exhibit's highlights is the integration of Hangeul with other foreign languages, offering an engaging and accessible perspective on the Korean alphabet. The exhibit is free and open to the public from 9 AM to 4 PM. In addition to the exhibit, KCC has organized a series of performances and workshops to enhance the experience. On September 6, at 3:30 PM, a special traditional performance will take place in the exhibit hall, followed by a calligraphy workshop series starting in October and running until February. Those interested in the workshops can visit Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (Facebook) or @kccphil (Instagram) for more details on how to join. Conversations with Park Sang Young: Finding Your Love in the Big City In another exciting event, KCC is thrilled to bring Park Sang Young, the author of the 2022 International Booker Prize Longlisted, “Love in the Big City”, to the Philippines. As the novel's highly anticipated movie adaptation, starring Kim Go Eun ( Goblin , Exhuma ) and Noh Sang Hyun ( Pachinko ), set to hit the big screen this year, this event offers Filipino readers a unique opportunity to meet the author behind the story. From September 11 to 15, 2024, KCC, in partnership with National Book Store, will participate in the Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay. Park Sang Young will hold a meet-and-greet and book signing on September 14, allowing fans to interact with the acclaimed author. Additionally, on September 13, 2024, a special "Conversations with the Author" event will take place at the Rizal Library of Ateneo de Manila University. This intimate session will allow readers to delve into the themes of love, identity, and urban life that permeate Park Sang Young's work. Interested participants can register for this event at bit.ly/ConversationsWithParkSangYoung . Join us this September as we embark on a cultural journey that spans from reinterpreting the age-old beauty of Hangeul to discovering love in the vibrant landscape of the big city!

Engenes everywhere have taken over social media to protect their beloved Enhypen by pleading with Be:Lift Lab and parent company HYBE to give the group a break from their crazy tour schedule! We look into why it has come to this and what fans are saying! Hashtag #LetEnhypenRest has been trending on X over the past 24 hours because Engenes (the official fandom of Enhypen) has come to the rescue to plead with their management company, Be:Lift Lab, and parent company HYBE, to give the group a break from their current touring activities. A powerful video from an X account, showed the members looking tired and lacking energy in their official group activities including performances, fan meetings, and interviews. Take a look! Fans also listed "demands" and threatened to "stop all monetary support" if their demands are not met. The hashtag #LetEnhypenRest has garnered over 137,000 tweets over the last 24 hours along with "WE DON'T NEED MORE TOUR DATES" and "WE DON'T NEED MORE COMEBACKS" trending on social media. Enhypen is currently on their 2nd world tour "FATE", which started from July 29, 2023 and will end on September 1, 2024. The tour consists of 42 shows: 12 in North America and 30 in Asia. Enhypen is one of K-pop's top grossing concert ticket sales ranking sixth in revenue at $33 million, according to Billboard last year. You can take a look at the full list of top K-pop concert sales here . What do you think about this? Are K-pop fans becoming too demanding of their groups or are these acts justified? Let us know in the comments below! #engene #ENHYPEN #LetEnhypenRest #EN_WORLDTOUR_FATEPLUS   #FATEPLUS_IN_JAKARTA #엔하이픈

In recent weeks it has been rumored that SHINee's Taemin is set to start his very own clothing brand. We delve into whether these rumors are true and what critics had to say! Taemin has been in the news recently and I have also written an article about his upcoming works. The artist recently held his solo comeback exhibit "Taemin The Vth Album 'Eternal' Exhibition", In line with his new entertainment ventures, it has also been rumored that the K-pop star is likely to launch his own clothing brand. Of course, he would not be the first pop star to do this, previously US sensation Rihanna, UK's Lily Allen also launched their own clothing brands and as a result became very successful in making additional revenue on the side. Taemin during his recent launch, on his site had exclusive items for sale, and of course this is where the label and Taemin himself are able to cash in on the extra revenue streams. On the site fans were able to purchase exclusive items that included a QR code, this special QR code lead to a website for TAEM. This site was an online shopping mall featuring many clothes items such as tops, dresses, bottoms, and accessories all with the proclaimed TAEM or "Eternal" logo which many fans desire to have. Of course for me I am not fussed with brands and I feel that many of these items which are for sale on the official site will also be sold on other sites at a much lower price. With the new clothing adventure, critics have complained about the crazy expensive prices of the merchandise as a single t-shirt allegedly sold for 160,000 won ($119.60 USD). However, it was later revealed the items were given away to some lucky fans at his exhibition, and website, including social media, were created to make it look like a realistic brand, although I see nothing special about and would see it at a local H&M or SPAO. However, Taemin has personally spoken up to dispel the rumors. He wrote, "I'm not opening a clothing company! I didn't have any intention to sell them in the first place, and only made them to give to people I was thankful to! I'm sorry for causing a misunderstanding. I will always show you guys a humble and hardworking side of me! Thank you for always cheering me on." I view this as a bit of a "cop out", as I think the star wanted to make additional money and rightfully so, as most of the time stars do not make much money from solely tickets as there are heaps of outgoing's that need to be accounted for. That said, a clothing store is a bit different than just selling merchandise on his main site. I do feel that if the star was to start a clothing brand that is an entirely different market and venture which would need a lot of capital. Would you buy Taemins brand on a regular basis if he was to open a new clothing store? Let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below. #Taemin #Eternal #SexyInTheAir #태민

The time has come for BTS's Jungkook to release his I AM STILL documentary in cinemas on September 18th, but what has he been up to? We provide all the details on the star's busy schedule and plans! So first off on August 5, 2024, fans discovered that the American movie theater chain Cinemark had listed Jungkook's upcoming project I AM STILL on its website. The listing included a description of the documentary and its release date, which fans quickly shared across social media platforms. Of course, this should have perhaps been discussed with the star mentioning that he was going to release a documentary before the cinema chain did, but that was not the point. The point was that the megastar was going to hopefully open up about himself, success, career, highs and lows. The documentary is set to premiere on September 18, 2024 , and will have a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes, which for me is perfect as some films these days can be very long. I think this is going to be a successful movie, however, I would have thought that a feature-length documentary would have been shown on a streaming channel instead. What do you think? In the meantime let's check out this I AM STILL trailer! The documentary's description reveals that it will focus on Jungkook, the most popular member of BTS, and mainly focus on his journey leading up to the release of his debut solo album, GOLDEN . The film will provide an in-depth look at the 150-day process of creating the album, highlighting Jungkook's active involvement and the significant steps he took along the way. Imagine spending 150 days creating an album, that is almost half a year. I would really worry about if the album would be successful, or live up to my other successful work?! I AM STILL promises to portray the reality of Jungkook's artistry and dedication. It will feature live performances from notable locations such as Seoul and the iconic Times Square in New York City. Fans can also look forward to exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage that offer a closer look at Jungkook's creative process and personal reflections during this pivotal period in his career. For this movie, I really cannot wait, I am sure that on opening night it will sell out. I am, however, wondering how much he got paid by the chain or with his agency to film and release the movie documentary, through the cinema chain as these days a lot of stars have released similar footage which has gone onto Netflix or Disney. So what is Jungkook up to now? Let's take a look! Jung Kook previously hinted that he was working on a documentary about his solo efforts in a November episode of Suchwita , the YouTube talk show hosted by his bandmate SUGA . “It follows the process from "Seven" to my album,” he said at the time, according to the show’s English translation. “When you film with other members, the cameras aren’t all focused on you. But I always feel kind of pressured talking in front of a camera alone.” I really cannot wait for this, I feel that now BTS has hit their level of fame globally we will get to experience a more mature side of the boys and get to know them more on an individual level. “When you film with other members, the cameras aren’t all focused on you. But I always feel kind of pressured talking in front of a camera alone.” — Jungkook on being filmed Of course, Jungkook is also working on his Disney documentary Are You Sure?! with fellow band member Jimin , which was released on Disney Plus on August 8, 2024. (which I have also previously written about) I feel that the star is starting to express himself more since he has completed his military service. Mark the date in your calendar, and let us know in the comments below, your thoughts on this highly anticipated movie! #Jungkook #IAMSTILL #JUNGKOOK_IAMSTILL

What does it mean for fans when beloved celebrities join forces for a meaningful cause? How does this special episode of 24-Hour TV stand out in the realm of charity events? Read on to find out how BTS's Jin was able to use his stardom for a good cause! In an extraordinary blend of star power and heartfelt dedication, BTS’s Jin and Arashi’s Aiba Masaki are teaming up for a special episode on Japan’s iconic charity event, #24時間テレビ. This year's highlight, airing from August 31 to September 1 , promises to be an unforgettable moment for animal lovers around the globe! The episode will feature Jin and Aiba as they travel to Korea for a touching mission—grooming rescue dogs. This segment, part of the beloved show " I Love Everyone's Zoo ," is a heartfelt tribute to the growing global movement of animal rescue and care. The duo’s collaboration brings together fans from both Japan and Korea, uniting them in support of a common cause. What makes this episode particularly special? For the first time since his military discharge in June, Jin will be gracing Japanese television screens, making this appearance a significant and emotional event for fans. His involvement has already created a buzz, sending the episode soaring to the top of Yahoo Japan’s search rankings and generating excitement on social media platforms like X and Tsuiran Japan. This year’s broadcast emphasizes the evolving concept of " companion animals " rather than just pets, reflecting a broader societal shift towards compassionate coexistence between humans and animals. As local governments in Korea increasingly support animal protection, this episode aims to highlight the shared love and commitment towards rescuing animals across borders. Aiba and Jin’s heartfelt efforts are not just about grooming; they symbolize a larger movement toward a future where animals are treated with the kindness and respect they deserve. With proceeds from specially designed T-shirts benefiting charity, the episode also supports broader humanitarian efforts. Fans already reacting with joy and surprise. One tweeted, “ Jin appeared on 24-Hour TV with Aiba! I was so surprised and happy! ” Another commented, “ It’s amazing to see Jin and Aiba together for such a meaningful cause. This episode is going to be incredible! ” As the countdown begins, the question remains: Will this heartwarming episode inspire even more cross-cultural collaborations in the future? Don't hesitate to tell us about your opinion in the comments below! #BTSJin #AibaMasaki #24HourTV #RescueDogs #AnimalCharity #EveryonesZoo #GlobalImpact #방탄소년단진 #진 #JINくん #24時間テレビ #みんなの動物園 #BTS