Chance to see Kim Sohyun, Jang Hyuk, Infinite, Sistar, ZE:A and Nine Muses!

If you're planning to visit Korea then this is probably a perfect timing. Aside from the scenic autumn you'll be given a chance to see some of your favorite Korean stars. Kim Sohyun, Jang Hyuk, Infinite, Sistar, ZE:A and Nine Muses! 

★ Priority will be given to applicants as below due to limited seating.

1st priority = Foreign FIT (Free Independent tourists) travelers visiting Korea

2nd priority = Foreign residents in Korea

The application period is from October 31st to November 8th. Participation in the event is free and open to the first 500 people who apply to KTO so hurry and apply now.

■ A Walk with Hallyu Stars

• Date: November 17, 2012 (Saturday) / 12:00-16:30

• Venue: Olympic Park (Seoul, Songpa-gu, Bangi-dong)

To apply check KTO's website ==>> A Walk with the Stars

Scholarship for MA in Asian Studies at Sejong University

Sejong University in Seoul is now offering a post-graduate program taught in English focusing on the interdisciplinary study of East Asian culture, language, politics, history, economics, philosophy, religion, and education.

Spring 2013 semester classes begin on March  4th, 2013.

Sejong University awards several generous scholarships to individuals who are interested in pursuing a master’s degree in Asian Studies and who meet the scholarship criteria.

-The program is taught by a distinguished international faculty specializing in the major areas of Asian studies.

-Tuition fees: 100% ~60% covers with Scholarship depending on certain conditions

Application Period :

2012 October, 22nd(Mon.) ~ Dec. 4th(Fri.)

For the detail information, Check this link Asian Studies Program.

Win a Free Trip to Korea through Gangnam Style!

Joining the Gangnam Style bandwagon, it seems that the Korean government is taking it as an opportunity for more promotional drive.  Here's another chance to win a FREE TRIP to Korea. If you didn't win in the previous activities maybe this is your chance! Click on this link to find out how to join: Win A FREE TRIP to Korea

Free K-Pop Concert!

This is your chance to see some of your favorite Korean idols for free! We Love Gangwon concert! 

Date: 7pm, October 13^th, 2012

Venue: Gangneung Sports Complex, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Province

Performers: BoA, Seven, Infinite, A-Pink, Block B, Kim Johan, In Sooni

Bus will be provided. Bus will leave Seoul around 2pm and will depart from Gangneung right after the concert. The estimated time of arrival in Seoul is around 12 midnight. Send your applications to superbang2@gmail.com

Name:

Nationality:

Alien Registration no/Passport No:

Contact no:

E-mail Add:  

Note:

This is for foreigners only. Slots are VERY limited so better hurry and send your application. Deadline for submission is October 10th 9am. Selected applicants will be notified through e-mail along with the details. 

Coffee Culture in Korea

If you have visited Seoul then you have probably noticed how the city is flooded with coffee shops in every corner. Be it international coffee shop chains (Starbucks, Coffee Bean) or Korea's very own local store chains (Caffe Bene, Angel in Us etc) and even "indie" coffee shops, name it they have it. I've made a video trying to summarize Korea's very own coffee culture into four categories 1) Coffee shops coffee, 2) Convenience stores coffee, 3) Vending machine coffee and 4) instant-coffee mix. Please enjoy the video with a Dae Han Lee as our KIMIPAKCHWE Guide. Don't forget to write down your comments too. 

"Korea with KIMIPAKCHWE" is the newest project I'm trying to make for my blog. This is the first episode. I will be asking my Korean friends to host it as KIMIPAKCHWE Guide and they will be introducing anything under the sun about Korea. 

How to make K-Pop idol groups visit your country

      Every time I ask for questions from international fans for my interviews, I always get almost the same set of questions. One very common question is "When are you coming to (country)" or "Where do want to perform aside from Korea?" Well, to be honest, these questions are also questions for your idols.

They want to perform all over the world!

      As far as I know all of them want to perform in US. There is this image in Korean entertainment industry that being able to perform in US soil means prestige and awesomeness. They'd kill for a chance to be able to perform in US. Just imagine how much admiration PSY is getting from these groups.

      Needless to say, world tour is probably another of their big dreams. I remember watching a Korean show and a so-called K-Pop expert was asked to give his opinion about K-Pop trend. He said before, Korean singers were just satisfied of being able to secure performances which will be aired on national TV then after that the trend became not just performances on national TV but they should be able to perform in huge gatherings/ festivals like the ones being held at the end of the year. But now K-Pop idol groups are not just holding solo concerts they are all going outside of Korea. Groups going to Japan and recently Singapore are very common. What I'm trying to say here is that they all wanna go abroad and perform not just because it's a trend but it's also a symbol of fame/ popularity, it gives a good image plus all the other perks. And many of them want to really meet their fans abroad. 

How can I make them come to my country?

     There are many ways to do this but it won't be easy. Of course it is harder to invite the "most" popular groups and relatively easier if the groups are still new for obvious reasons. Sometimes, the inviting country also matters depending on many aspects.

     Love Call

   Well this does not mean you ask for their number and give them a call. It's another word for "invitation" per se. There should be someone from your country, whether an event organizer, a Korean cultural center or even a rich fan who could sponsor their trip to your country. It is no wonder why many if not all of your idols visit Japan. They get a lot of sponsorships from Japanese event organizers or probably even rich fans. There are many small events organized in Japan and K-Pop groups are invited to these. 

    A Love Call could also be like a petition through social media or any means. Meaning you make noise so that they could hear you. If you do this then organizers might see it as profitable and work on inviting your idols to visit your country. Or it might get the attention of Korean music shows and might see your country as a good venue for a concert. Many of these music shows managed by big broadcast companies in Korea like to have special concerts in other countries like Mnet (MAMA and M Live) or KBS Music Bank world tour.

     Give them a stage

   Give them a stage to perform. Their visit to your country must have a legit reason. Meaning "reasonable" events. Most groups managed by big companies only perform abroad if they think the event is good for the group's image. So it would be easier to invite them if the event is K-Pop related and it's "relatively" big.  Some groups would only go if "compensation" is good while some will go as long as you give them a stage to perform especially with big audience. 

     Request to local organizers

     Do not just ask your idols to come to your country make them come. Survey the local organizers in your country who could possibly organize events for your idols to come. Then you can file requests together with other fans. As I mentioned above, if they see it profitable, I'm sure they will be willing to invite these K-Pop groups. One example is ZE:A visiting Philippines which was sponsored by the distributing local label of the country. 

     You can also ask the local Korean cultural centers. Some have the power and budget to invite K-Pop groups especially if there are big events. Recent cases are the worldwide K-Pop cover dance search. Boy groups like Boyfriend went to the Philippines while NU'EST went to Australia to judge the competitions.  

What's the best deal?

       The best package deal would be someone who could sponsor their flight, hotel, stage and of course talent fee. If you can also give them some exposure in your country's local TV networks it would be just great. If there is someone or an organization who could do this then 100% your idols will visit your country. Some groups are cool with just an invitation while some would negotiate for more than that.

Pics: Teen Top's L.Joe, EXID, 2X, C-Clown, Tasty

Win a Trip to Korea ^^

Win a Trip to Korea!? Yep! Another one! This one is sponsored by the Advanced Technology Korea. This time creativity could be a factor but you'll be needing your friends' power to win ^^ make sure you make the most number of views and as long as the organizers think you deserve to win... Viola!!! the next thing you'll see will be "Welcome to Korea" ^^ So hurry up ^^

"Win a trip to Korea worth $5,000! Just make a 60-second video telling us why you’re Korea’s Biggest Fan. The person who gets the most votes wins! Visit the following link to participate! http://on.fb.me/PIqH8t "