A spoonful of talents, a sprinkle of charms and a dash of cuteness — that is what makes the Girls’ Generation member, YOONA. Keeping her promise of returning to Singapore, YOONA stepped onto our shores once again and this time it was for a full-on solo fanmeeting.
Fans were yesterday (28 Sep) treated to 2 hours of nonstop fun, games, and laughter at YOONA FANMEETING TOUR, “So Wonderful Day #Story_1 in SINGAPORE”.
The fanmeeting started as YOONA, clad prettily in her black floral dress, sang ‘바람이불면’ (When The Wind Blows) for her fans. Her sweet voice filled the whole venue and fans couldn’t help but swayed their heads along to the soft and soothing melody.
Fans then had a mini catchup session with YOONA, where she talked about what she has been up to recently, such as filming for her latest movie ‘EXIT’ and touring around Asia for her fanmeet.
She also explained the meaning behind her fanmeeting’s title “So Wonderful Day” – it was a day where she could make memories with her fans by celebrating (this day) with one another.
The #Yoongstagram segment was next, and fans got an insight into YOONA’s life when she started sharing the behind stories from some of her Instagram posts.
When asked what her secret was to taking picture-perfect selfies, she mentioned that it was because of the filters but fans begged to differ, attributing the ‘secret’ to the beauty she exudes.
Proving that she was a versatile pro-idol, YOONA performed ‘너에게‘ (To You), a song she has personally written during her time in Hyori’s Homestay. The sweet lullaby was sung in a gorgeous lacey grey dress, and we’re sure those who were there would agree when we say that this portion of the fanmeet was like warm chicken soup to the soul – Healing and very calming.
The climax of the fanmeet was the point when YOONA presented a different side of herself as she danced to Meghan Trainor’s ‘Watch Me Do’. Her suave moves and the song’s intense beats were like a match made in heaven and she was definitely oozing with girl crush vibes.
The fans then presented a touching video montage capturing pivotal moments in YOONA’s career. It was also filled with many sincere messages from the fans, some of which were so heartfelt it made YOONA say “I wanted to cry but I was really holding it back”, and we could tell from her expressions that she genuinely meant it when she said that.
In return, YOONA expressed her gratitude by swiping out a phone to record a video of herself with the crowd.
YOONA made sure to end the night on a sweet note when she wrapped up the fanmeeting with ‘덕수궁 돌담길의 봄‘ (Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway) while walking around the stage to get closer to fans.
The fanmeet had a great mix of performances and interaction, and the Hallyu goddess was all smiles. Throughout the show, she expressed her excitement of being back to Singapore and wished that she could visit again with the rest of the Girls’ Generation members in the future if the opportunity allows for it.
Hopefully, we’ll see YOONA again soon in her tuxedo-birthday-tea party with rojak and chili crab prepared but till then, we will be jamming to ‘To You’ nonstop.
YOONA FANMEETING TOUR, So Wonderful Day #Story_1 in SINGAPORE was brought to you by IMC Live Global and HallyuSG was proud to be the Official Online Media for this event. Watch this space for our exclusive interview with YOONA soon!
13-member Korean boy group SEVENTEEN was in town last week for the Singapore stop of their “IDEAL CUT” world tour. The show was held on 21 September (Friday) at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and marked the group’s third time meeting their Singapore Carats.
SEVENTEEN kicked off their concert on an explosive note with remixes of “HIGHLIGHT” and “Thanks” before moving on to more energetic, powerful performances of “FLOWER” and “Chuck”.
Hoshi taught fans the special hand sign that he made just for the tour, and The8 revealed that it meant that SEVENTEEN and Carats together form “love”, which melted the hearts of fans throughout the stadium.
The three units each had their own special stage, which allowed the members’ talents to shine more. The hiphop team set the stage on fire with “Un Haeng Il Chi” and “Sukyo”, the latter being an unreleased song that fans heard for the very first time during this tour.
The vocal team poured their hearts out with mellower tracks “Habit” and “Pinwheel”, while the performance team showed their incredible energy with “SWIMMING FOOL” and “JAM JAM”.
For the next part of the show, SEVENTEEN surprised fans by dressing up as Caratbongs, the group’s official lightstick, as they performed “THINKIN’ ABOUT YOU” while playing with their own unique props!
“Pretty U”, “Shining Diamond” and “Adore U” were definitely crowd favourites as the stadium was filled with Carats’ voices singing along as the group performed. The members also showed fans their goofy sides by making each other do sexy dances and aegyo (affectionate gestures), and they even played a prank on Seungkwan by running offstage while he was doing his runway walk!
Towards the end of the show, a VCR interview showed the members expressing how thankful they are to their Carats, and how preciously they think of them. After that, the group appeared once more for the final encore and serenaded their fans with “Campfire”, creating a very warm and fuzzy atmosphere.
The SEVENTEEN members sat down on the stage floor for their final ment, which made it much more like a personal and intimate conversation with fans.
Hoshi promised that they will continue to grow and develop, and look forward to return to Singapore very soon. Joshua then expressed his sincere gratitude to fans for their unwavering love and support, while leader S.Coups added an “I will always love you” in English for Singapore Carats. The group then ended the show with an electrifying performance of “Very Nice”.
SEVENTEEN truly impressed with their ability to pull off a diverse range of genres, ranging from R&B and ballads to hiphop and dance. That along with their genuine love and appreciation for Carats proves just why they are one of the biggest K-pop acts today, and we cannot wait for them to visit Singapore again in the near future!
First time to Seoul, South Korea? Fret not! Everyone knows that when it comes to planning a trip to a country you’ve never been to before, things can get… quite complicated and confusing. Furthermore, given the language barrier and cultural differences, things can get 100000 times more daunting. That’s where this post comes in!
This post is here to save your trip and hopefully, with these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to have a better understanding of Seoul and learn how to better navigate (and survive) like a pro. Time to get out your handy dandy notebook and let’s get on with it!
1. Start the trip well by booking a flight at a good price
As much as you can, stay away from school & public holidays as prices can soar as high to SGD$1,400 for a return flight! Of the many times I’ve stalked airline websites, I’ve seen prices go as low as SGD$600-$650 for an all-in round-trip economy flight (on Singapore Airlines/Korean Air/Asiana Airlines) so always keep a constant lookout to score for the best deals. Better yet, sign up for their newsletters! Remember to check the airline’s baggage allowance because ~Seoul is shopping heaven~
Tip: Use the Hopper app to stay updated on the price trends, then use the data from it to decide when is the best period to book a ticket!
2. Deciding on the right place to stay
This is very important and when it comes to Seoul, you’ll be spoilt with the variety of options. Seoul is so big and diverse that different districts have different characteristics and for you to make the best decision, here is a list of the more common locations that tourists usually stay at and what each district is well-known for.
Myeongdong (명동): This is a good place to stay for the first timers! Though it’s a very touristy location with tons of cosmetic and fashion shops, salespeople (knowing that you are a foreigner) can sometimes be too pushy with their sales that it can be quite a turnoff but if you’re looking for a convenient location that’s near a lot of the main attractions, this is your best bet.
Dongdaemun (동대문): The fashion and art mecca of Seoul! If you like midnight shopping and art exhibitions, this is the right place for you. This place is also foreigner friendly like Myeongdong, just more shopping and less congested!
Insadong/Gwanghwamun (인사동/광화문): To live and breathe Korea, head on over to the center of Seoul for a more cultural immersive experience! The area is filled with traditional Korean houses (called Hanok 한옥) and palaces fit for royalty.
Tip: Wearing a traditional Korean costume (called Hanbok 한복) allows you to enter the Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) for free!
Hongdae/Ewha (홍대/이대): Close to universities, both streets are well known for selling stylish yet affordable clothing targeted towards the younger crowd. The food there is cheap with many options to choose from!
Tip: Explore the area near Sangsu station (few streets from Hongdae) and discover lots of hidden gems. Places you can look out for are Dukes Coffee Roasters, Paul310, ChikaLicious and FELL+COLE!
Gangnam (강남): The Orchard Road equivalent in Seoul, just way bigger. Do you know that a lot of the Korean Entertainment agencies are also around the district? Gangnam spans a large area so there’s definitely lots to explore – Think Korean designer boutiques and high-end cafés! But make sure you’re staying in the shopping district (E.g. Garosu-gil) and not where all the offices are. For a list of things you can do at Gangnam, you can check this post out!
3. Plan your itinerary well!
Seoul is an incredible and exciting place. There is always something to eat, see and do, you’ll never get bored at the endless options. From mouth-watering food to unique experiences, you can never tire! For the ultimate Seoul experience, here are of some of the city’s must-visit places, tried and tested.
Bukchon Hanok Village – Busk in the rusticness of traditional Korean houses in this small village with a big history. The surrounding architecture will somehow make you feel as if you’ve traveled back in time. It is only a 9 minutes walk from Anguk station exit 2.
Everland – Your trip to Seoul is not over till you visit the local theme park! With 5 huge themed zones, you have to be ready to spend your entire day here! To get there, take a shuttle bus from Jeondae Everland station or Seoul.
Noryangjin Fish Market – When in Korea, do as the Koreans do and eat Hwe (Sliced raw fish)! This seafood market is filled to the brim with the freshest seafood, your stomach will be in for a gastronomic journey. It’s a 13 minutes walk from Noryangjin station, line 9 exit 7.
Lotte World Tower – This is the new skyscraper everyone should be visiting. Get a 360-degree panoramic view of the city and take a look down from the World’s Highest Glass-floor Observation Deck (PS: Not for the faint-hearted). It is a 9 minute walk from Jamsil station line 2 exit 2.
(Credit: Time Out)
Han River – The icon of Seoul has got to be the Han River. Spend a lazy weekend at the scenic waterway that wends through Seoul. However you choose to wind down and relax, it’s all up to you but we highly recommend you to check the Han River cruise out!
4. Some other tips for you to take note of
– GST refund is eligible for purchases over 30,000KRW. Make sure that the shop you’re at has these signages up before asking for a refund!
– If you’re departing Seoul via any of the airlines listed here, you can check your luggage in early at the City Airport located at Seoul/Samseong station. This is especially useful if you have to check out from your accommodation early yet still want to shop. Alternatively, you can also try the Luggage Services that transport your bulky luggages directly from the hotel to airport.
(Credit: Real Slow Travel)
– If you’re staying in Seoul for more than a day, having a T-Money (Korea’s version of Singapore’s Ez-Link) card on you is very handy! Definitely much more convenient than having to buy single trip tickets all the time. You can use it to pay for buses, subways, and even taxis! It is available at all major convenience store chains.
– After arriving at Incheon, why not opt for a ride on the Incheon Airport Bus instead of taking a taxi? It’s fast, affordable (~12,000KRW) and comfortable. It stops at major hotels and tourist attraction, and you can save yourself the hassle of being potentially cheated by a taxi driver.
(Credit: Airport Limousine)
Tip: You can also enjoy a fuss-free and comfortable limousine bus ride from Incheon airport to Seoul city center via the KAL Limousine Bus which gets you to downtown Seoul within an hour or so. Don’t forget to get your unlimited 4G WiFi coverage across Korea on a pay per day basis and connect up to 3 devices on the same pocket WiFi from as low as S$3/day! (If you’re sharing with 2 other friends, that’s $1/day/person!)
As a frequent traveler to Seoul, these are the handiest tips I can come up with and I really hope these helped you as much as it has helped me. Good luck and have fun in Seoul!
Formed in 2016, Korean indie-pop band ADOY has gained many fans and indie music supporters with their dreamy and upbeat synth pop sound. Listed by Buzzfeed UK as one of the ten Korean indie bands that should be on your playlist, ADOY’s music conjures images of waves, surfing, night walks and a cold beer in your hand, perfect to listen to especially after a long day.
The band released their debut EP CATNIP in 2017 to much acclaim, and their follow-up EP LOVE cemented their reputation. After a successful club tour in England, ADOY will debut their first show in Singapore this November 29, 2018.
Details of Esplanade Mosaic Music Series Ft. ADOY Date: November 29, 2018 (Thursday) Venue: Esplanade Annexe Studio Time: 8PM Duration: 1 hour 30 mins (no intermission) Ticket Price: (Before booking fees)
S$45*^ (Tickets bought on 29 Nov & Door sale $55)
*Limited concessions for students, NSFs and seniors: $40.50
^Esplanade&Me Specials Black & White card: 15% and 10% respectively
Tickets are now available online or via Esplanade Box Office and SISTIC authorised agents. Support the K-Indie scene and discover music talents hailing from Korea!
‘The Negotiation’ is a thrilling crime story about a kidnapping and hostage situation that happens in Thailand. This exciting movie follows Min Tae-Koo as he terrorizes the country, and Ha Chae-Yoon as she works against time to resolve the crisis before it’s too late.
Known for writing 2 well-known films (‘The Kick’ and ‘The Himalayas’), ‘The Negotiation’ is the first film directed by Lee Jong Suk so anticipations are high. We can also expect to see lots of interesting interactions as Son Ye-Jin and Hyun Bin come together and film for the first time!
Synopsis:
Ace crisis negotiator for the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Ha Chae-Yoon (Son Ye-Jin), faces off against a cold-blooded hostage taker, Min Tae-Koo (Hyun-Bin). Over the course of 21 hours, she attempts to crack his unusually calm demeanour and forces him to reveal his motivations for the kidnapping of her boss.
Title: The Negotiation Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller Cast: Son Ye-Jin, Hyun Bin Directed by: Lee Jong-Suk Singapore Release Date: 4 October 2018 Runtime: 114 minutes
Check out the official trailer above.
Good News! We have preview tickets up for grabs so check out this post to find out how you can win yourself a chance to catch the movie right here in Singapore before anyone else.
Fresh off his flight from Indonesia, BTOB’s Yook Sung Jae made a quick stop to Singapore to meet his fans for an exclusive 1-hour meet-and-greet jointly organized by Samsung and Viu. The multi-talented idol from the 7-member vocal powerhouse group, BTOB, interacted with his lovely fans at Bugis Junction, last Saturday on 22 September.
Despite the scorching weather present, the heat definitely did not make the fans’ passionate screams waver nor did it dampen their enthusiasm. When asked to do his signature ‘6Cash’ pose, he obliged without hesitation and even continued the interaction with his cheerful and happy disposition. And for the fans? They must have felt that his smile was shining ‘like weather’.
Sung Jae started off the meet-and-greet talking about the all new Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and when asked to share tips on how to take the best selfies on the phone, he mentioned that it is important to find the angle that best fits you, put on your best poses and then take as many shots as you can! He bashfully revealed that many of his friends have said that he is not good with selfies (we beg to differ!).
Sung Jae also shared that he has been into EDM and R&B recently, and has also been checking out Singaporean singers. He expressed that he would love to collaborate with local singer-songwriter, Gentle Bones, if the opportunity arises in the future.
Fans were also treated to a sweet serenade when he sang ‘Confession’ to the delight of his fans, and we’re sure his honey-like vocals soothed the crowd!
Following the talk session, Sung Jae proceeded to surprise some lucky fans with a personalized gift made by the idol himself! Some received a one-of-a-kind ringtone of him singing songs like, ‘When It Rains’ (비가 내리면), while some received an opportunity to take a selfie with him. One lucky fan even won a chance to be fed by Sung Jae himself, definitely a fangirl dream come true!
The meet-and-greet drew to a close as Sung Jae took a photo with the fans and signed some boxes of Galaxy Note 9s. The fanmeeting was short but despite the limited time and hot weather, Sung Jae and his fans had a blast, as the idol star promised to return to Singapore with his BTOB-hyungs in the future. They were in Singapore earlier this month and performed at Southeast Asia’s largest K-pop music festival HallyuPopFest 2018.
In the meantime, you can catch Yook Sung Jae on All the Butlers on Viu.com or via the Viu app.
Gianna Jun, also known by her Korean name Jun Ji Hyun, will be making a special appearance at the HERA Fashion Runway Show on October 5, 2018 in celebration of the brand’s newest boutique in Singapore that is set to open at ION Orchard next month. The Hallyu star is the brand ambassador of popular cosmetics brand HERA, and often sells out series of products that were seen used by her in dramas and commercials.
For those who wish to catch a glimpse of the actress at the HERA Fashion Runway Show, simply purchase any HERA products (located at Takashimaya Department Store, Level 1) from now till 26 September and be among the 10 top spenders to receive an exclusive invitation to the event.
Singapore SONEs unite! It has been 2 months since Yoona’s last visit to Singapore but in a few days’ time, she will be back again for a fanmeeting. Are you all ready to show her just how passionate Singapore SONEs can be?
We have 2 pairs of Cat 1 tickets to ‘So Wonderful Day #STORY_1 in SINGAPORE’ up for grabs. To stand a chance to win the tickets, simply show us how passionate you are by telling us why you’re the biggest Yoona fan over on our Instagram page. 2 lucky people will each win a pair of Cat 1 tickets (U.P. $396/pair) for the upcoming fanmeeting that will be happening next Friday, 28th September 2018, at ZEPP@BIGBOX!
– Contest will end on Wednesday, 26 September 2018, 2359 (GMT+8). Winners will be announced in the comments section on the Instagram contest post itself, within 24 hours after the contest closes.
– Multiple entries will be disqualified.
– You must be in Singapore during the event period.
– Complimentary tickets are strictly prohibited for sale. Any winner caught reselling the tickets will have it forfeited immediately and they will be banned from future contests.
There are limited tickets left so if you still don’t have one for yourself, now is the perfect time for you to head on over to http://www.apactix.com/events/detail/yoona-2018 to get it! Don’t forget to stay tuned to our social media pages for the latest updates of the event.
YOONA FANMEETING TOUR, So Wonderful Day #Story_1 in SINGAPORE is brought to you by IMC Live Global. HallyuSG is proud to be the Official Online Media for this event.
2018 marks a significant year for both IU and her fans, UAENA, as this year is IU’s 10th anniversary since her debut! And to celebrate this gargantuan milestone, Korea’s Sweetheart will be in Singapore for the first time ever to hold her 10th Anniversary Tour Concert <이 지금 dlwlrma>. It will be happening this December 15th at The Star Theatre and… that’s in 88 days!!!!!
As many of you already know, IU is known for her impressive songwriting skills, honey-like vocals and awesome fan-service (but honestly, she’s good at everything) so UAENAs can definitely look forward to the upcoming concert. It was also recently reported that she will be making a comeback soon, what luck!
(Credit: Naver Music)
Guys, mark all your calendars so you don’t miss out! More details will be released in the days to come so stay tuned to this space for more updates.
Update as of 9 October 2018: Tickets will be going on sale from 13 October onwards! Find out more details here:
Asia’s Got Talent will be returning for a sizzling third season on its flagship channel, AXN. Having concluded its pan-regional open audition tour in July, the casting team has shortlisted over 150 acts from 17 countries in Asia to compete in this year’s series.
Billed as the biggest talent competition in the world, Asia’s Got Talent features a variety of acts of any age and with any dream competing for the winning crown and a grand prize of USD100,000.
This year, the series will see the same three celebrity judges (from Season 2) — David Foster, Anggun and Jay Park — returning to take their seats in discovering Asia’s next superstar. They have arrived in Singapore to start filming the series’ first five episodes.
BTOB’s Yook Sungjae will be holding an intimate Meet & Greet session in Singapore on September 22, 2018 at Bugis Junction X Bugis+. The idol star was recently in Singapore with his members where they performed at HallyuPopFest 2018.
For fans who wish to catch a glimpse of the artiste, there will be 80 pairs of tickets up for grabs through Samsung contest. Stand to win a pair of tickets to the Meet & Greet session, along with BTOB’s 11th Mini Album and receive a 12-month Viu Premium Subscription when you:
1. Purchase selected Samsung Galaxy products*
2. Share your favourite feature of your purchased device on Samsung’s FB contest post (the best comment wins!)
*Eligible products include Galaxy Note9, S9/S9+, Tab S4 or Tab A 10.5. Please bring along your receipt for verification upon event registration. Contest ends 18 September, 11:59pm. T&Cs apply.
Viu Singapore is also holding a contest, giving away 50 pairs of meet-and-greet invites to catch Yook Sung Jae up-close and personal on Sept 22 (Saturday) at Bugis Junction! To participate, simply follow the steps below by Sept 20, 1200hrs: (Winners will be contacted on the same day)
Be a registered Viu user (either Free of Premium subscriber);
Watch this episode of All the Butlers on Viu, and find out why Yook Sung Jae calls himself ‘Six Cash’;
Enter and submit your response on this contest form on Viu Singapore’s Facebook Page.
Stay tuned to us for more updates of the above event!
Although they are now traveling around the world and putting up shows, things weren’t rosy in the beginning. If you had asked anyone about SEVENTEEN 2 years ago, many would have very little to say about them but now, CARATs can proudly say that SEVENTEEN’s list of achievements span far and wide that they’ve become hard to count! They’re definitely making headlines after headlines and this is proven by the fact that SEVENTEEN is now part of the trio of hot idols ‘EBS’ (A popular term mentioned amongst Koreans when it comes to describing the current top 3 idol groups in Korea).
Following their rising popularity in Korea, they’ve even managed to debut in Japan with the song “CALL CALL CALL!” and the responses they’ve received was nothing short of amazing.
The name SEVENTEEN comes from the fact that there are 13 members whom are splited into 3 different sub-units and when combined, form 1 team (13+3+1 = 17). The Hip-Hop team comprises of S.Coups, Wonwoo, Mingyu and Vernon, the Performance Team comprises of Hoshi, Jun, The8 and Dino and the Vocal Team comprises of Woozi, Jeonghan, Joshua, Seungkwan and DK.
SEVENTEEN is known as “Self-Producing Idols” and they sure do not fall short of their moniker, with many catchy tracks on their discography such as “Pretty U”, Clap“, “Don’t Wanna Cry” being composed and choreographed by the members themselves. Member Woozi does most of the composing, while Hoshi does a lot of the choreographing. Members of the group also help write lyrics from time to time!
Another charming point of theirs is their skill in adapting to different genres such as ballads and/or R&Bs. “Say Yes”, “Campfire” and “Smile Flower” are such examples. Though mellower compared to their other tracks, it is still very addictive and delightful to hear, and I’m sure CARATs are always excited to see SEVENTEEN venture out into new genres!
After selling out shows in Korea and Japan, SEVENTEEN will soon be making a stop in Singapore for their ‘IDEAL CUT’ tour and HallyuSG was lucky enough to score a quick e-mail interview with them. Here is what they have to say to all the Singapore CARATs out there!
1) It will be SEVENTEEN’s third visit to Singapore this September. Are there anything that you missed about Singapore or are looking forward to experiencing this time round? – MINGYU: The most memorable moment was when we arrived at the airport in Singapore. I still remember how our energetic fans greeted us with high energies. I really look forward to seeing them again.
– S.COUPS: Since we get so much love from our Singapore CARATs, we miss them!
2) Can any member recommend a song from their 5th mini album, “You Make My Day”? – S.COUPS: I would like to recommend ‘Our Dawn is Hotter than Day’.
3) Please give a shout out to Singapore CARATs. What can they look forward to at the upcoming concert? – JOSHUA: Hey Singapore CARATs! It’s been so long since the last time we’ve seen you guys!! We’ll show you guys an amazing show. I can’t wait!
– S.COUPS: We miss our CARATs! We’ve prepared an enjoyable show for our CARATs and we hope you guys are excited.
With all that said, we are so pumped to have the 13 members back in Singapore soon! ‘IDEAL CUT in SINGAPORE’ will be taking place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on September 21, 8PM and ticket prices start at $98. VIP ticket holders can also stand a chance to win a Sound Check pass too! Singapore CARATs, what are you waiting for? Go get your tickets now!
