CHANGWON WORLD CRITERIUM 2011

Changwon City, being the host of this year's World Congress on Mobility for the Future of Sustainable Cities (October 22nd to 24th), the World Bike Festival, will also be partly simultaneously happening from October 21st to 23rd. In connection to the festival, October 22nd is the designated date for the world criterium this year.

Title: Changwon World Criterium 2011

Date: October 22nd, 2011 (Sat) 16:00 ~20:00

Place: Changwon Central Road, Changwon City,Korea

Organizer: Changwon City ,Korea

Management: Run Corporation

Main Event

World Criterium Amateur Championship 2011

Korea Criterium Amateur Championship 2011

Play method: Criterium Cycle on road

Total Prizes: 13,500 USD  
     Particpant who have passed standard record will be qualified to participate to Tour de Korea 2012 Special Competition
Requirements: Korean, Foreign amateur Cycle players

For more details visit http://www.ecomobility.co.kr/  
For the congress visit http://ecomobility2011.iclei.org/

5th No Gun Ri Human Rights and Peace Camp

Last August 16^th to 19^th, Youngdong County in Chungcheong province became the starting ground of a long lasting friendship for 40 young individuals from Korea and different countries. It was also the ground where they shared their own experiences and thoughts about the No Gun Ri incident, human rights and peace.

Background About No Gun Ri and the Incident
 

During the camp, some survivors of the massacre had a small talk to the participants. They said No Gun Ri was a very peaceful village. They had never seen a gun nor heard a gunshot. But came one day, between July 26 and July 29, the peaceful village became the valley of death where an undetermined number of South Korean civilians were killed by soldiers of the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment.

 

On Human Rights and Peace

The camp was devoted to educating young individuals about human rights and peace. There were six lectures touching different pillars of human rights and peace starting from the No Gun Ri incident to how incidents like this are being viewed in the international law and what role does the media play in this kind of movement. There was also a musical performance carrying the same theme, human rights and peace. Participants also visited the incident point and offered flowers at the No Gun Ri Peace Memorial Park which was still under construction but hopefully would be finished next year. The documentaries and movie about No Gun Ri incident made most of the participants cry. I think it’s a must watch movie. The movie’s title is “On the Pond.”

Cultural Experience

The camp wasn’t just lectures. Participants were also given a chance to experience Korean culture through Youngdong’s very own specialty, the Korean traditional music. They all showed their hidden talents in music by playing Janggu* and Buk** two of the Korea’s traditional musical instruments and also showed their hidden craftsmanship by making small replicas of Janggu.  They also had a workshop on folding Korean traditional paper.

Friendships

The camp did not just become a venue for them to signify their voices on human rights and peace. It also became the sanctuary for comradeships. Who would have thought that the simple small gathering of these young individuals in a small county in South Korea would lead to meaningful friendships? Despite the hectic schedule during the day they still had fun and actively participated in the evening bonding activities. The heat (literally very hot) oven-like dorms did not even hinder the fun and excitement ^^     

*A double-headed hourglass-shaped drum generally played with one stick and one hand

**A barrel drum used primarily in pansori, pungmul, and samulnori

Please check this blog too
http://justmytrip.wordpress.com/2011/08/30/5th-no-gun-ri-human-rights-peace-camp/#more-2605

20th Filipino Korean Cultural Festival Speech and Talent Contest

The Philippine Kpop Committee, Inc. is a proud partner of United Korean Community Association's 20th Filipino Korean Cultural Festival. As such, fans and enthusiasts who would like to join the Speech and Talent Contests may now send their application forms and videos through us and we'll be more than happy to accommodate you.

I. PARTICIPATION OUTLINE:

A. Filipino Speech Contest - Speaking in Korean (Theme: Koreans / Korea That I Know. Within 3 minutes only.)

Filipino Talent Contest - Singing Korean Songs / Korean Cultural or KPOP Dance /Playing Musical Instruments

B. Korean Speech Contest - Speaking in Tagalog (Theme: Filipinos / Philippines That I Know. Within 3 minutes only.)
Korean Talent Contest - Singing Tagalog Songs / Filipino Cultural or Contemporary Dance /Playing Traditional Musical Instruments

TTMIK Special: My TTMIK Story

My Talk To Me In Korean (TTMIK) Story!

 

I have many friends who ask me about Korea. And one of the most common questions I get is recommendations about learning Korean language. Well, there are many ‘good’ sites but most of it are too “academic,” one lesson is too compressed making it hard to understand, no visuals or it’s not updated. One day, one of my friends posted a question on her Facebook wall regarding a particular Korean grammar. One of the answers posted was a link. I was very surprised because the explanation was exactly what I wanted to tell her, even way better hahahaha and it was explained in a very creative manner! That was the start of me becoming a listener, a student and a fan of Talk To Me In Korean (TTMIK)!

Why TTMIK?

The good thing about the website is that it’s accessible anywhere. People from all over the world can access it in their own time at their own pace. If you have plans of coming to Korea in the future or you are scheduled to come to Korea as an exchange student or you just wanna learn and interested in Korean language and Korea, TTMIK is the best way/thing to start!  In my case I read, watch and listen to it while I’m on a subway or bus making my time so worth it.  I’ve already reached the highest level of Korean language class at my school but I still find TTMIK very helpful. I am not saying that learning Korean language at language schools especially in universities is not good. I personally think they’re doing their job well. But, if you can learn Korean through these two venues, why not do both right? ^^ There are many reasons why I like TTMIK. If I were to mention some, one would be the nature of how it’s delivered and it’s not heavy to digest. 

Try visiting http://www.talktomeinkorean.com/ and you will see what I’m talking about ^^ Make it a daily habit! Enjoy!

Part 2 will be my office visit and interview with TTMIK crew ^^

2NE1tv 2nd Event - "Make your 2NE1tv"

Do you like Mnet’s 2NE1tv? Join 2NE1tv’s global event vol. 2!
Pick your favorite 2NE1 member and identity yourself by mimicking them! 
 
You can choose one from the pictures! The best 21 pictures can win the original 2NE1tv Beats by Dr. Dre Headphone and will be awarded “2NE1tv Beats Headphone"

How to Participate?

Step 1
Write <2NE1tv> on a paper in your own native language.
- If you’re from the Philippines, you can write “benteunoTV" or "dalawamputisangTV"
- If you’re from Korea, write it like this “투애니원티비"  

Step 2 
Choose one favorite member and imitate her pose as shown in the picture, in front of the paper and take a picture of yourself.

Step 4 
Post your picture and a short self-introduction on Mnet’s Facebook wall (http://www.facebook.com/MnetKR) 

When?
22nd August ~ 4th September

Announcement of Winners
13th September on Mnet Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/MnetKR) 
2NE1tv Beats Headphone is sponsored by Beats by Dr.Dre (www.beatsbydre.com) 

For more info, http://www.facebook.com/MnetKR

On Air : Every Tue 6pm(KST)

    

Mcountdown (August 25th)

Being an Mnet Global Supporter we get a chance to watch Mcountdowns and other shows run by Mnet LIVE!

Before going to the studio we gathered at the basement of CJ E&M building. The basement happens to be Bibigo, CJ company's very own well-being themed restaurant.  As expected we saw a lot of idol groups. Dal Shabet was just right beside us. Nine Muses, Brave Girls and Stellar were also with us at the restaurant. I couldn't stop staring at them because they were all hot and beautiful! By beautiful I really mean extremely beautiful! We greeted them and 'surprisingly' they were so responsive and were really nice to us. So I'm an official fan of the girl groups I mentioned above. hahahaha

Then we proceed to the studio were they

film the countdown. We were exactly in front of the stage giving us a very clear view of the performances. Well what can I say it was really an awesome experience.

Super Junior won a triple crown with their song “Mr. Simple“ Although not all of them performed, I felt that Super Junior really showed a lot of love to their fans. Their so-called 'fan service' was very good. After the countdown there was also a Dance Battle. Infinite bagged the 1st prize. I think they deserved it because they were really good.

2012 GLOBAL KOREA SCHOLARSHIP

To provide international students an opportunity to study in Korea the application for the Korean Government Scholarship Program for  an Undergraduate Degree is open!
 
Qualifications: Prospective applicant must meet the following qualification criteria;

(1) Must be a citizen of the country to which scholarships are offered, which is also applied to his/her parents 

※ Both applicant and his/her parents must not be a holder of Korean citizenship

(2) Should be under 25 years of age as of March 1, 2012 (Should be born after March, 1, 1987)

(3) Have adequate health, both physically and mentally

   ※ NOT Eligible: those who are pregnant or who have a severe illness

(4) Have graduated or be scheduled to graduate from a high school as of March 1, 2012

   ※ NOT Eligible: those who have already obtained a bachelor’s degree or a higher degree

(5) Must possess above 80% (out of 100%) cumulative grade point average (C.G.P.A.) during their entire high school period       

※   C.G.P.A. should be 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5 or higher

※   If applicant’s high school evaluation criteria differs from the stated above.

     (6)

Must not at any time have ever received a Korean government scholarship for an undergraduate study    

      (7) Must not have enrolled in an undergraduate course in 
           Korea before

※ NOT Eligible: those who have ever enrolled at a Korean university as an exchange student

      (8) Must have no limitations in travelling abroad

  (9) They may be preferential selection for applicants who have proficiency in Korean or English



    Visit www.niied.go.kr or  www.gks.go.kr for a detailed guideline, application form etc.
     
 

Mcountdown Ask your Favorite Stars!

Tomorrow(8/25)'s stage of Mnet Mcountdown!

If you have any questions about the stars who are gonna perform tomorrow,comment on MnetKR Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/MnetKR

- Date : 8/24 only

If your question got chosen, stars will answer it for you through a video just like what is shown below.
Here are some of the videos

Mnet Mcountdown live on Facebook

Are you into K-Pop? Do you only watch your favorite singers' performances through youtube or replays? Why not try watching them live online?

This Thursday, August 25th, 2011, Mnet Countdown will have a live broadcast on Facebook!
 
<Mnet Mcountdown live on Facebook>

Your favorite stars like Super Junior, MBLAQ, Infinite, Teen Top, Sistar, Nine Muses and more will perform ^^

Everyone can watch a live broadcast of Mnet Mcountdown on Mnet Facebook! Don't forget the date and the URL below.

- Date : only on 6pm(KST), 25th August

- URL :http://www.facebook.com/MnetKR?sk=app_142371818162

2011 Music Festival Manila feat REWIND: A KPOP MUSIC FESTIVAL

ARE YOU READY FOR ANOTHER EXCITING KPOP EVENT? 

Primetrade Asia Inc in cooperation with the PHILIPPINE KPOP COMMITTEE (the team who has brought you KPOPCON 1&2, KPOP Garage Sale, KPOP Night) is back with an exciting event.

Relive and REWIND the good old KPOP Days with us on September 17, 2011 at the SMX Convetion Center! 

Lots of surprises and activities in store for everyone! Mark the dates, we're jamming to the beat of KPOP all day and showing everyone what the KPOP Fandom is all about!

For more information visit
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=181432341928631

http://www.facebook.com/philkpopcomm 

1st Rally Cup National Long Distance Swimming Championship

                                                             (My friends posing after swimming 1 km)
The title itself is quite long, hahaha, perfect for the long distance thingy. Same day when me and friends went to Good Morning Marathon we also went to Misara Regatta to participate in a long distance swimming.  It was sponsored by Rally, a famous sports brand. That was my second time there, the first time was to watch the STX Cup Korea Open Regatta. Anyway, the place is quite far from the subway station but this time I went with a friend who has a car so it was very convenient plus there were not so many people ^^ Rally gave a lot prizes to people who went there through raffles and games.

The starting point. Swimmers getting ready.









Lifeguards on alert during the competition









Swimmers approaching the finishing line

 

Misari Regatta, what do you think?

Good Morning Marathon

Woke really early today for a marathon. It was a small marathon called Good Morning Marathon held along Han River somewhere near Jamsilnaru. Didn't know that marathon is also considered somehow a popular sports here in Korea. It was participated by people from all walks of life, local and expats. Since it was my first time to witness a marathon and sort of understand its mechanics I didn't regret waking up that early. I salute all the people who are into this sport! I just wish I have the same passion as you guys. (The picture above are my friends ^^)
                                                                      

(Giving instructions to the runners)

Han River is very active in the morning too especially summer. It's a perfect spot to exercise.

Many groups also came to enjoy the marathon.

Seoul Delights: Han River

  Who says only Lee Min-Ho and Park Min-Young (City Hunter)*can play blissfully in a water fountain? Or who says you have to be Kang Ji-Hwan and Yoon Eun-Hye (Lie to Me)* to be able to ride duck boats? You can also make your own romantic moments if you visit Han River!

Han River is one of the must visit places in Seoul as it offers a variety of fun and excitement to both local and foreign visitors.

A Symbol of a Vibrant Seoul 

Han River exudes a very unique sensation to the city. The blend of tall skyscrapers and nature epitomized by the river itself is a true manifestation of how these two poles apart elements could co-exist harmoniously. It is said that a total of 27 bridges cross the Han River connecting northern and southern Seoul. I remember the first time I visited Han River, my friend and I rented a bicycle to explore the area. There’s a bicycle path along the bank so it’s very convenient and relaxing. 514 km may be relatively short for a river but it was long enough to enjoy what Seoul City can offer. 

 

One interesting trivia about Han River is that it’s a favorite location for dramas and films. Probably you are familiar with the movies The Host and the Castaway on the Moon. Aside from the two dramas I mentioned above, most Korean big dramas also have scenes filmed in Han River like Iris and Athena. 

Han River also houses Korea’s most unique and jaw-dropping architecture. Jabeolle or J-Bug in Ttukseom Hangang Park, Seoul Color Park, Café Rainbow and of course the world’s largest Floating Island. I've seen these structures many times and it never fails me to amaze me. Banpo Bridge on the other hand also set a world record as the world's longest bridge fountain. The fountain is remarkable I would say. When my friends visited me in Seoul I took them to Banpo Bridge without letting them know what to see in the area to avoid any high expectations and for the element of surprise hehehe. So when the fountain show started they were very surprised and really amazed. They couldn't stp taking pictures and videos and kept on shouting daebak** (a Korean expression I just taught to them). 

Hotspot for Fun

Possibility of seeing Korean stars in person, enjoying water fountain, riding duck boats or cycling sports are just some of the common things you can enjoy in Han River. 

The place is also a very famous spot of couples dating, family gathering or even among friends. 

There are also numerous water sports available like wind surfing, dinghy yachting, rafting, and kayaking as well as ride motor boats and banana boats.And if you only wanna swim in a pool, there are also swimming pools open every summer. So where else can you enjoy all of these? If you’re into festivals and concerts Han River is definitely a place to visit! Every year, it's the host of numerous festivals like Hi Seoul Festival and many concerts by your favorite stars, local and abroad. Han River also changes every season offering a different feeling and amusement to visitors. I especially like Han River’s spring version. You should also feel and see it for yourself.

 

   If you just wanna relax, experience peace of mind and escape from your hectic life, Han River is a perfect place to go. The main reason why I love Han River is you can find tranquility even if you are in middle of busy and fast paced Seoul.

            

*City Hunter and Lie to Me are famous Korean Dramas. For more information visit the dramas’ wiki pages http://asianmediawiki.com/City_Hunter_(Korean_Drama) and http://asianmediawiki.com/Lie_to_Me_(Korean_Drama)

**Daebak could mean a lot but in this context it could mean awesome

Source: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_bridges_does_han_river_have#ixzz1Uzv92SAa

Visit Korea! A Cultural and Tourism Fair (Event Invitation)

For those who are in the Philippines! 

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines is organizing VISIT KOREA! A Cultural and Tourism Fair on the 1st of September, 2011 at Mall of Asia Centerstage. 

There will a Korean Cultural Concert with MISO MUSICAL AND BLOCK B plus  a Battle of the K-Pop Dance Cover Championship!

For more information visit 

http://www.facebook.com/KoreanCulturalCenterPH

Gwangju World Music Festival 2011

I'm inviting everyone to experience Gwangju World Music Festival this year ^^

It will be from August 26 to 28.

I enjoyed the festival last year so I hope you could also go and experience it. It's a gathering of gifted musicians from different countries showcasing their own unique rendition of their own music.

Visit http://gjwmf.com/2011eng/ for more details ^^ 

Saemaul Training for Foreign Students in Korea

As the driving force of Korea’s modernization, Saemaul Undong(SMU) has been recommended by the United Nations(UN) as the development model to overcome poverty. There have been continuous requests from many underdeveloped countries to share the SMU development experience.Under these circumstances, the Saemaul Undong Central Training Institute(SUCTI) is planning to conduct a Saemaul training program for foreign students studying in Korea, so that these students will learn to become competent leaders of their countries.

Power Korean: Jane Lee

The first time I met Jane here in Korea, it seemed like all the wind machines were suddenly turned on (you know the wind effect we see on TV every time a beautiful girl passes by ^^) and everyone couldn’t stop looking at her as she entered our classroom. If someone would ask me to describe Jane in few words I would say beauty, brains and glamour.

Jane attended Washington and Lee University and graduated with B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and also went to graduate school at Columbia University earning an M.S also in Broadcast Journalism. I still put her in the Power Korean stories because I think Jane is also Korean at heart ^^

Career

Journalism

Her fascination of how the news was packaged and presented to the public when she was in high school made her decide to study journalism in college. When she was younger she was already very interested in politics and world affairs so watching the news was part of her routine. She said millions of events happen around the world every day but only a small percentage gets airtime on television. So she wanted to know how that decision was made because it's very important and a powerful one. She also wants to know why such decisions were made. So to get into the news business, she studied journalism in college and graduate school, interned at media companies and built relationships with incredible mentors.

Fashion

Journalism touches almost all areas in the world or even our own personal lives, so how did she land in the fashion industry? Jane has always been interested in culture and lifestyle. She said we can learn a lot about the political and historical landscape of a time period based on fashion trends and cultural movements. She started with Forbes right after finishing her graduate school because she was interested in how the economy was affecting retail, the arts and the luxury goods market. The chief product officer encouraged her to cover topics she was passionate about so she started writing a luxury jewelry blog and that's how everything started.  Currently Jane is an associate editor of Forbes Lifestyle and has her own show entitled Lifestyle with Jane Lee. Here's a video of the 2nd Episode

On Korean Fashion

She thinks Koreans are amazingly fashionable, especially the young people. She also said that if you walk around Seoul everyone looks like they've stepped out of a fashion magazine—boys and girls. One of the reasons why Jane literally grabs everyone’s attention is her fashion. I remember most of our female classmates were excited to see what outfit she would wear every time she comes to our class. She’s like a walking fashion magazine. Anyway, hehe, she also loves that Korean women are comfortable with embracing very feminine looks—ruffles, lace, giant bows— which happens to be her favorite. At the same time she also said it’s fun to watch K-pop stars experimenting with edgier looks.

Korea on her show?

Jane is very impressed with Korea’s traditional dress hanbok. For her it’s one of the most beautiful traditional costumes in the world. The colors are loud and vibrant but the silhouette itself is very simple. She said if given a chance, she would want to feature a Korean designer like Lee Young Hee who incorporates the traditionalism of the hanbok into more modern styles. 
Here's another video of Jane hosting 


More about Jane

Jane was my classmate in my first ever Korean language class at Seoul National University. And probably also my most memorable Korean class. I could still remember her fondness for frozen yogurts, which were her usual breakfast during our class. Hahaha Despite her very feminine aura, she has a black belt in taekwondo so I was always careful if she’s beside me. haha And according to her Forbes profile she could run a marathon in high heels. Well, there’s no doubt about it. I remember, one tiume, we walked hunting for a samgyeopsal restaurant and she was wearing heels. We all got so tired but still Jane was still very poised. Hehe. Also, she likes horses, French art and Labradors.

Follow her on twitter @Jane4Forbes.
Check her articles and videos on  http://blogs.forbes.com/janelee/  

STX Cup Korea Open Regatta

       Everyone in Korea may already know that the country will be hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics. However, this is not like the first time for Korea to host such big sporting event. In 1988 Korea hosted the Summer Olympic games and in 2002, they co-hosted the World Cup with Japan, If I were to mention some of the biggest. This year alone Korea is also hosting the  IAAF World Championships in Daegu and just like last year Formula 1 Korean Grand Prix in Yeongam-gun in Jeollanam-do Province. For the upcoming years, Korea will be hosting more of these big events and one of these is the 2013 World Rowing Championships, which will be in Chungju City. And in preparation for this, I heard there will be many friendly rowing competitions to be held just like the STX Cup Korea Open Regatta held last July 31st at Misari Regatta in Gyeonggi.

   Actually, my friend who studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) invited me to watch the competition since he will be joining it. So I just said sure, I'd like to see how the rowing sports industry in Korea is going anyway. But when I arrived at the venue, I was surprised to see a lot of people and the area's surprisingly really huge. I had to walk for like almost 20-30 minutes from the entrance to the place where they dock their boats. Plus it was extremely hot that day. The idea of walking back to the entrance after the event made me really upset. hahaha Anyway, while walking, I saw a lot of people, couples, families or groups of friends already settled with beach umbrellas and food, just like having a picnic and they were all ready to watch the race. I wanted to just stop and sit down but my friend was waiting on the other side.  When I reached the main area it was really crowded. There were many activities like rowing practice and activities for kids like games, picture booths and more. I guess they incorporated the idea of typical Sunday for Koreans, which is usually a family day or couple day for some. hehe.

Muhan Dojeon (Infinite Challenge)
Finally, I met my friend and his team. After talking for few minutes we suddenly heard screams and a big crowd was formed like right in front of us. It turned out that Korean comedians were there. The cast of Muhan Dojeon (Infinite Challenge)*, a very popular show here in Korea. Since they were right in front of us I managed to take a lot of pictures. Being comedians most of the people's comments were also funny like 대박 or 웃겨 or even 못 생겼다,**of course except for Jinwoon of 2AM who was very popular among young girls who kept on shouting 잘 생겼다.*** I heard they finished 8th in the novice category. Awards are usually given to top 3 teams but they were still awarded for their hard work. After all they're not a professional rowing team.

Results:
High School
1st Daewon Foreign Language High School
2nd Chungju High School
3rd Cheongshin International High School B

Female Sprint
1st Suwon Athletic Association
2nd Songpa Distric
3rd Chungju City
General Public
1st Yonsei University OB
2nd Seoul National University OB
3rd STX
Male Sprint
1st Korea National Sport University
2nd K-Water
3rd Yongin City
Novice
1st Melbourne University
2nd Keio University
3rd Oxford University
8th Muhan Dojeon (Infinite Challenge)

*Muhan Doheon is the first "Real-Variety" show in Korean television history.^[ref] (for more info visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_Challenge)
**대박 (daebak) literally means a big win or jackpot or huge success. It's hard to explain the context but it's used when you think you hit a jackpot or something unbelievable just happened...like seeing your favorite stars in person you can say daebak, or you bought something that's supposed to be expensive but you got it for a very cheap price...웃겨 (utkyeo) means funny, 못생겼다 (mot sengyeotta) means ugly
***잘생겼다 (chal sengyeotta) means handsome/ good-looking

Source:
http://rowing.sports.or.kr/ass_news/notice_view.jsp?keyField=&keyWord=&pg=&code=NTC20110730212531219&seq=386&gubun=notice

Wonder Girls Cover B.o.B / Bruno Mars Poll Winner for Mashup Mondays on Billboard.com

Billboard.com has this series called Mashup Mondays in which artists cover songs from another artists. Some artists would perform songs extremely different from the genres they usually sing. Sometimes they make it more creative or totally different or should I say lousier than the original, of course it depends on how you see it.

And the good thing of this series is that you could play your part by voting for your favorite artists and what song they should cover.