DO-IT-YOURSELF K-POP GIFTS
YOUR STORY: 1.5 YEARS IN KOREA
We show you a simple DIY project you can make for your fellow K-pop loving friends.
Korean culture fan Brendan tells us about his experiences living and working in Korea.
UKP magazine
WINTER 2015
K-POP COCKTAILS FOR YOUR FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS
EXCLUSIVE WE TALK TO B1A4 ABOUT THEIR LATEST EUROPEAN TOUR
WWW.UNITEDKPOP.COM
THE PREMIER NEWS SITE FOR K-POP AND KOREAN CULTURE IN THE UK AND EUROPE
PAGE 7
INDEX Welcome to the 2015 edition of UKP Magazine. This year we’re going bigger and better than ever with double the pages, and even more exclusive content for your reading pleasure.
INTERVIEW B1A4 CHATS WITH UNITEDKPOP PAGE 43
MUSIC 3. A Look Back at 2015 5. K-pop Spotlight: BIGBANG 6. Rookie Spotlight: SEVENTEEN
The 2015 UKP Magazine is packed full of top content that we hope you’ll all enjoy. The team have worked hard to make sure everything is ship shape.
7. B1A4 chat with UnitedKpop 9. Go BANAnas for B1A4 in Helsinki 11. 2015: A Year in Concerts 13. An Interview with Topp Dogg
STYLE GET THE COVER LOOK TRAVEL
13. A Guide to Year End Shows
33. Feature: Behind Naver
15. UKP Awards 2015
37. Tips for Travelling to Korea
17. Replay: 2015 Edition
39. Hot Spot: Jalgalchi Market
19. Indie Feature ENTERTAINMENT
In this issue you can reminsce over this year in K-pop, or you can prepare yourself for Christmas with our festive movie list and DIY K-pop gift tutorial, or even get the Christmas K-pop look with our fashion spread.
STYLE 41. Get the Cover Look
21. K-Drama Favs of 2015
43. Get the Christmas Look
23. Movies for the Festive Season
45. New Year Makeup Tutorial
25. Quiz and Games
47. Who Wore It Best?
If you have any comments, let us know info@unitedkpop.com! Freya Bigg, CEO/Founder
Production Team Design Freya Bigg Lore Walsh Steph McStea Mai Vabo Writing Freya Bigg
Donna Sheffield
Lore Walsh
Amanda Birchall
27. K-pop Inspired Cocktails
48. K-Trends
Holly Smith
Bethany Nicholls
29. DIY K-pop Gifts
49. Upcoming in 2016
Maisie Duff
Alexa Randeggar
31. Real Life: 1.5 Years in Korea
Mai Vabo
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
MUSIC
A LOOK BACK AT 2015
As 2015 comes to a close, lets recap some of the last year’s best K-pop happenings... 2015 has turned out to be a year packed with excitement for the UK and European K-pop community. Let’s hope 2016 brings more of the same!
A
s it gets colder and we slowly shift our attention to Christmas presents, turkey and mince pies, it becomes evident that 2015 is about to end. Here at UKP, it’s been a year full of exciting opportunities and growth. We’ve flown all the way to South Korea to cover this year’s BIFF (Busan International Film Festival) for our sister website Kaja Korea, had the chance to get some exclusive interviews with top notch groups and attended some amazing concerts to bring our readers best possible coverage. At the same time, we have been able to see a slow but consistent growth in the presence of K-pop in the UK, visible by the various concerts, public events and celebrity photoshoots that happened on our soil during 2015. This year alone, we’ve had concerts from Dabit, f(x), INFINITE, Topp Dogg and Boys Republic, to name just a few. Some famous faces like AOA, Lee Jong Suk, Lee Min Ho, Miss A’s Suzy and WINNER have also been spotted for secret and some not so secret promotions and photo shoots. We’ve also had the hugely successful London Korean Festival 2015, which was crowned by an open performance from prestigious group f(x) at Trafalgar square, and also watched some amazing Korean movies such as ‘Ode to my father’, ‘Sleepless Nights’ and ‘New World’ during the BFI London. But of course, 2015 wouldn’t have
been such an interesting year without its scandals every now and then. Some of them made us ‘aww’, like when we found out about secret relationships (Suzy and Lee Min Ho, Sulli and Choiza...the list goes on) while others provoked waves of surprise and anger. There was GFriend’s performance in Seoul for example, which made lines internationally because the members constantly fell down due to a wet stage and, to make it even worse, a moth infestation. And more recently, singer IU has been involved in some controversy about some of the songs in her new album ‘Chat-Shire’, in particular, the song ‘Zeze’. However, despite the dramas, disbandments and other events, 2015 has been a good year. The rookie groups that have debuted this year look more than promising and make us look forward to 2016 even more so we can follow their progress and growth. And then there are other artists like CL and Taeyeon who have come up with some amazing solo projects we can’t get enough of already. Yes, 2015 has been a great year, but with all the exciting things that are happening, we can’t wait to discover what 2016 will bring!
PAGE 3
“This year alone, we’ve had concerts from Dabit, f(x), INFINITE, Topp Dogg and Boys Republic, to name just a few.”
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
MUSIC
idol spotlight BIGBANG A veteran group from one of the most distinguished companies in the Korean music industry, YG entertainment.
B
IGBANG comprises of five members T.O.P, Taeyang, G-Dragon, Daesung and Seungri. The group have been around for a substantial amount of time having debuted back in 2006, which is a feat in itself to be able to uphold the success they have maintained since the start and to be also be recognised as one of the main figurehead individuals from K-pop. In 2012, BIGBANG collectively had received widespread recognition with their album ‘Alive’ and have racked in an impressive 183,828,117 views so far on their ‘Fantastic Baby’ music video on the media platform YouTube, which could be argued to be their most popular if not well-known song. They ventured out past the usual Asian stops for their Big Bang Alive Galaxy Tour 2012 which saw the members
performing in London, North and South America and all over Asia. The road to success started its course with their song ‘Lies’, which soon became their first number one. Though, it seemed that the high demand of their increasing popularity was taking a toll on the members which led to their hospitalisation due to the immense strain of over-performing and exhaustion. However, that didn’t halt the onslaught on awards that flooded their way including ‘Best Male Group’ and ‘Artist of the Year’ from the 2007 Mnet Asian Music Awards and the 17th Seoul Music Awards respectively. A couple of years down the line, it doesn’t seem like their success has dwindled in the slightest as they won the 2011 MTV EMA’s “Best Worldwide Act”.
Now, in 2015, BIGBANG have returned as a whole to the K-pop scene with their third album ‘Made’ which comprises of eight tracks, including a special collaboration of GD & TOP with the song ‘Zutter’. The views from all music videos released for the songs, sans ‘If You’ have added up to produce a staggering total of 326,772,961! In regards to BIGBANG’s musical style, their presence not only in the Korean music industry but globally has evolved over the years. They are very much well-loved within the K-pop community and as mentioned before, each member has the potential to work as a soloist however when they are all brought together, that’s when the magic really happens.
“A couple of years down the line, it doesn’t seem like their success has dwindled in the slightest as they won the 2011 MTV EMA’s “Best Worldwide Act”.
PAGE 5 34
Rookie Spotlight seventeen
T
he long awaited debut of Pledis’s new super rookie group came with a showcase and a steaming hot debut mini album. The 13-member group consists of three units, all able to promote separately, and has already made a name for themselves through their entirely self-produced style. Vocal unit, led by Woozi who produces all of Seventeens music, tends to focus on a softer image than the rest, and includes Joshua, Jeonghan, Seungkwan and DK. Taking the lead on the performance unit is Hoshi, who is responsible for the group’s choreography - no small task to create smooth moves for a group this size, but the spirited youngster pulls it off in style. With maknae Dino, and chinese members The8 and Jun, these guys are the ones to look out for in the new generation of kpop dance machines. Finally, the hip-hop unit in Seventeen, fronted by group leader S.Coups has already made an impact on the currently rap-loving population of South Korea. With tracks like Ah-Yeah and Fronting. the groups resident rappers Mingyu, Wonwoo and Vernon, are sure to be looking forward to some serious hip-hop action in the future In addition to these teams and following two long sets of promotions for mini albums “17 Carat” and “Boys Be”, a fourth unit reared its head in November, as rappers Vernon and S.Coups and vocal Woozi teamed up with the kpop
queen Ailee for cute and quirky single “Q&A”. The seventeen members revealed their close bond with Ailee during their debut show “Seventeen Project”, where she appeared in an episode as a guest judge, and it became clear she had been a trainee with both S.Coups and Woozi. “Seventeen Project” follows the boys as they prepare for debut, and each episode holds a different challenge. Some they face as a full group, others as parts of their units and some again in other teams, as the production ventures to surprise the rookies and push them to build and develop themselves. So far, Seventeen have been promoting a cute and fun image, but filled it with a swag and style which is sure to be the envy of many older and more experienced groups. Perhaps due to the uniquely self-produced material, the members of Seventeen have developed a sound and performance quality which is rare to find in a group so young. The boys have been promoting themselves practically non stop since debut, and seem to reappear almost the moment they perform their normal performance goodbye stage with some upgrade or new twist. We are more than excited to see what the inventive and energetic group have coming for us in the new year. With their first concert coming up this Christmas, it should not be long until we might expect a full album, or even separate unit activities as 2016 rolls around.
UNITEDKPOP 2015 ROOKIE RECOMMENDATIONS
IKON My Type
TWICE Like A Fool
GFRIEND 하늘 아래서
MONSTA X 삐뚤어질래
DAY6 Colour
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
INTERVIEW
B1A4: the ultimate K-pop group in many ways. They are the poppy, fun, and sweet faced idol group who could make anyone swoon - and that’s before even talking to the group’s five members. Jinyoung, Baro, Sandeul, Cnu and Gongchan are approachable, down-to-earth and exactly the kind of guys your mum wants you to bring home for Christmas. Watching them joke amongst themselves it is really not hard to see why their fans love them all. UnitedKpop talked to B1A4 just before they were going on stage for their first ever Europe concert in Helsinki, Finland. They told us how it feels to finally be performing in Europe after five years, and even shared their ideas of a perfect Christmas date!
b1a4 chat with uni ted kpop
PAGE 7 34
How does it feel to be meeting European fans and being able to go on a European tour after so long? Baro/Cnu: We’re so excited to be here! JinYoung: It feels amazing. The fans and management put in so much effort to bring us here, and we’re looking forward to meeting everyone. What are you most looking forward to on your first European tour? Any expectations? Baro: It’s out first time in Europe, so we’re looking forward to everything. Especially meeting the fans, and sightseeing. It looks beautiful here from what we have seen so far!
Are there any European countries that are not included on this tour where you would really like to visit? Why? Sandeul: The UK, Switzerland.. Jinyoung: France. Baro: Everywhere! We want to see and visit as many places as we can. You’ve had a few international tours before, like in the US, have there been any especially memorable experiences or moments for you so far? Baro: It’s hard to say, because we always remember everything. Jinyoung: Every place is different, but we have memories from them all and that’s what makes it special.
We hear that there is a new Christmas single coming out from you guys! Tell us a little bit about it! Baro: It is being released tonight in Korea (10/12), so we hope everyone will enjoy it! Jinyoung: It’s a special song because we ourselves took part in the composing and writing of it, and we really hope the fans will enjoy it this Christmas. We won’t be performing it during the tour, but please listen to it online!
If you could have one wish come true in the new year, what would it be? Baro: Number one on Billboard charts..? Cnu: World peace (laughs) Jinyoung: I think the most important is to wish for everyone to be healthy and well, both friends and family and our fans too. In South Korea, Christmas seems to be a season for dating and couples… Please describe a perfect Christmas date! Jinyoung: A perfect date should have lots of snow, so that you can hear the sound that it makes when you are walking and holding hands in the cold. And because it’s christmas, so playing Mariah Carey? Baro: Actually, I prefer staying inside with my girlfriend. I think that a date where we can cook together, spend an evening inside and cuddled up in a thick blanket, watching a nice romantic movie, that would be a great date.
Tell us a little bit about your own Christmas and New Years traditions in Korea. Baro: Christmas isn’t really that big in Korea, we don’t celebrate it much. But as for New Years, everyone celebrates it and we have traditions where we bow to our elders, and we eat a special soup called tteokguk! Jinyoung: But for Christmas we also do a show of our own, performing and spending the time with our fans.
What can we expect to see from B1A4 in future years? We want to focus on releasing a full album, as well as doing our japan tour. The most important thing is to do a new album, which is expected in 2016. We also of course want to do more activities, and to travel to see more places always.
What do you like the most about the Christmas/Winter season? Cnu: Snow, it’s very pretty in winter. Gongchan: Skiing, going on holidays and such! Jinyoung: I’m very excited for winter, it brings me flashbacks of spending time with family, watching good movies like Home Alone and spending time inside.
Jinyoung: Everyone, we are so happy to finally be here and meeting you all for the first time! Thank you for all your support, we always see you on social media and we have wanted to go to Europe for a long time. Thank you for letting us show our gratefulness.
Please give a short greeting and message to your European fans!
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
MUSIC
“The boys are truly convincing in their love and care for their fans, and the adoration clearly shows both ways.”
G
ongchan Baro, Jinyoung, Cnu and Sandeul from B1A4 heated the air in Helsinki this December, bringing the Adventure tour to the groups first ever European performance. The concert lasted two hours and included a long encore yet still left the fans thirsting for more. Known for their electronic pop style, B1A4 makes for a great party in concerts and their fans were not disappointed as the show opened with In The Air and Solo Day. Clearly having practiced their Finnish beforehand, the quintet impressed with their pronunciation and skill of classic fanservice phrases like “I love you” and “we’re so happy to be here.” Additionally, Baro tried his best to speak in english when possible, foregoing the interpreter and connecting with his fans through language as well as gestures. The group impressed both loyal fans and newbies alike with the energy and tempo they kept up throughout the two hours, and when they sat down for a break in the upbeat tunes, Baro expertly requested the fans quiet down and enjoy a nice moment of serenading. Wait held the audience’s attention as Sandeul and Jinyoung showed their talent as main vocalists, and Baro’s rap finally shone through at its full potential with less background noise. Another fan favourite, What’s Going On included a segment of the fans dancing along to the choreography, which Cnu took charge of demonstrating. The crowd loved the interaction, and sang and danced along. During Yeppeo, roses were thrown to five lucky girls in the audience, and without too much trouble even. An impressive performance from both entertainers and fans.
The quintet has been promoting their cute, energetic and sociable image for fans ever since releasing their debut song “OK” in 2011, and it has yet to fail them. But Baro, Jinyoung, Cnu, Sandeul and Gongchan are more than just promoting an image. Laughing and joking amongst themselves off as well as on camera, the boys are truly convincing in their love and care for their fans, and the adoration clearly shows both ways. The concert itself was a perfect example of good communication between performers and fans, and the organisation behind shone through as well thought out and executed. Not always an easy feat when it comes to kpop concerts in Europe. Admittedly the music might have been turned down a notch to better promote the groups vocals and rap, which felt a little drowned out at times, but nothing major to remark negatively aside from that. As the concert came to a close, it was clear the group wanted to stay just as long as their fans begged them to. But with the late start and a long concert, everything was starting to fall behind schedule, and a clearly stressed crew were rushing to organise the VIP and VVIP events prepared for the fans willing to pay a little extra for their idols. The exclusive tickets included a HiTouch event and group photos, and despite being jet lagged and tired from the concert, B1A4 never so much as batted an eye at the pressure. They appeared as calm and collected as performers well past their own age and experience, and the events passed by smoothly and without too much trouble - despite some of the crew’s obviously stressed and some slightly over the top erratic behaviour from fans and crew alike. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable concert for older and younger fans alike and even something for the not-so-fanatic kpop follower to attend without any qualms. Both B1A4 and European Banas have every reason to be proud.
HELSINKI PAGE 9
On December Xth B1A4 hit up Helsinki, and here’s what we had to say about their show.
GO BANA NAS WITH B1A4 IN HEL SINKI
The successful concert brought in hundreds of fans around Europe, once more proving K-pop’s popularity in Europe.
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
MUSIC
N
ever mind the year of the sheep; 2015 has been the year of talented Korean musicians making a date with Europe. From big idol groups to classical pianists and rappers, we've had plenty come our way. The year got off to a strong European start with FT Island playing a sold-out performance in Paris, France in January. In March, Block B also made two European stops on their tour, playing Warsaw in Poland and Milan in Italy. In June, five indie bands performed a Korea Rocks! showcase at Liverpool Sound City festival: Monoban, Dead Buttons, PATiENTS, Third Stone and Jambinai, a band who combine rock metal and traditional Korean music. Boys Republic were the first big idol band to make a date with London. They played the O2 Academy Islington, on July 4th. The boys engaged in a lot of fan service both on and off the stage, with some fun goods giveaways; and two members even walking right past the waiting line outside before the show! They delivered some memorable covers of Robbie Williams’ 'Angels' and Sam Smith’s 'Lay Me Down' alongside their own tracks. Classical pianist Choi Soo Min also joined them onstage for a few songs.
SING 2015 in Concerts
On August 9th, Trafalgar Square was rammed to the gills with people hoping to catch a glimpse of the only big girl group to come our way this year: the four stylish ladies of f(x). They performed as part of the London Korean Festival, playing Amber’s solo 'Shake that Brass', and hits 'Rum Pum Pum Pum', 'Hot Summer' and 'Red Light'. Alternative band Guckkasten also rocked the festival crowds with their own set and their original rendition of Korea’s traditional song 'Arirang'. The stage was also set alight by dance crew Jinjo Crew and a whole host of traditional acts too. Topp Dogg were the next act to come to London, playing the smaller Troxy
PAGE 11
Exclusive to their European tour dates, Topp Dogg's original cover and choreography of Ellie Goulding's 'Love Me Like You Do' was a definite highlight venue on 4 September. They flashed their abs, threw water onto the hot crowd and revealed their English and acting skills. In return fans organised a cake, and a surprise banner event. One highlight, exclusively performed for the European tour dates, was Topp Dogg’s original cover and choreography of Ellie Goulding’s 'Love Me Like You Do'. The K-Music Festival also came to town in September, bringing a mix of musical styles to seven different venues. Performers included SU:M, The Barberettes, punk act No Brain, Noreum Machi and a collection of traditional Pansori artists including Aeri Park who was accompanied by break dancer 'Poppin' Hyunjoon. The Guardian got its socks rocked right off by Jambinai in their second UK performance of the year, calling their music “thrilling, unexpected and perfectly controlled.” They didn’t make a stop in the UK, but the new line up of LUNAFLY were rocking around Europe in September too, visiting Spain, Romania, Poland, Germany and Finland with their RE:BORN tour. After some internet whispers and an overnight poster campaign hitting Underground tube stations, INFINITE made a welcome return to London on October 9th. By the time the boys hit the stage, excitement and tension was riding high. Their super-synched performances delighted fans. London must have been a memorable tour stop for INFINITE, as members have continued to mention it to the Korean media some weeks after returning from Europe. November 1st brought DABIT to the students of the University of Central
Lancashire, or UCLan, in Preston. The smooth pop-jazz solo singer was already mid-tour in Europe, and announced his first UK stop at short, but very sweet, notice. His original song showcase, cover of Jason Mraz’s 'I’m Yours', and revealing Q&A session thrilled the UK crowd. A lucky few got serenaded on stage, and all fans buying a CD got a signature and a photo op with the man himself.
Rounding off the year, rappers Okasian, Paloalto and B-Free brought their show to the Ace Hotel in London on November 17th. The Currency Exchange Show included an after-party, and chance to meet the guys in person. Last but not least, regrettably B1A4 aren’t making a UK stop this time, but have just finished their B1A4 Adventure in Europe tour in Finland, Germany and Spain. So it’s been an excellent year for catching Korean music in Europe - who will come our way next? Whoever graces our shores in 2016 we'll be sure to see you there!
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
MUSIC
“It felt amazing. We had been waiting to go for such a long time, so when the day finally came to go on a world tour it felt like a dream that came true,” says Pgoon. “One of my favourite memories with fans of all time was the last show we preformed in Europe. It felt like we were really close to the fans, and it was very memorable,” Atom admits. Jenissi recounts his favourite memories of seeing Europe: “The atmosphere, people, scenery, architecture were some of our favourite things about seeing all the new places. London was very cool, but we didn’t have a chance to really see a lot there unfortunately. Paris had really nice cafés, and the beautiful Louvre. Milan was beautiful and had a lot of old buildings.” Despite the busy schedule in London, the boys didn’t miss out on all the essential London experiences: “We didn’t get to see very much because our trip was so short, but we did eat fish and chips!” Xero says while grinning. Topp Dogg are hoping for another chance and opportunity to travel and perform in Europe again soon, and admits that there are already talks in the company of where to go next. We asked about their hopes for the future and where Topp Dogg sees themselves in 5 years: “We want to travel around the world, and playing on big arenas
of course would be awesome. But we also hope to have grown even more and found something that truly makes us unique, and that fans from all around the world will know Topp Dogg’s special style of music and performance,” says Hojoon, while Yano adds in about their musical style: “We all naturally have different music styles. But with Topp Dogg we always have to think about making music that somehow matches all the members, so I think the styles we are doing now for the comeback are a good balance for that.” Speaking of musical style, we were impressed by the groups cover of Ellie Goulding’s track “Love me like you do”, and of course a lot of people are wondering whether or not the boys will be releasing any other covers! “We have a lot of songs we would like to cover, and we have some on the way, so I’m not going to say anything yet,” Songdo replies mysteriously. We’re certainly looking forward to seeing whether something is in the cards along with promotions for 4th mini album “The Beat”. “The promotions just started so I’m guessing this interview will be out right around the release? It’s based on hip-hop but each song has a special feel to it. With regards to concept, we decided to go for a hippie-inspired concept, because that era feels very relevant to how we are feeling right now. Fresh, and fun, with a sense of rebellion and creative freedom. Starting something new,” Pgoon says.
PAGE 13
TOPP DOGG TALKS EUROPE Topp Dogg is back with their new mini album shortly after completing their European tour this summer. We met up with them for a short chat about how they’re feeling about the new songs, changing up choreographies for their older music, their style and a special message for their fans. After completing their 2015 tour Topp Klass, the 10 members of Topp Dogg are excited to reveal their feelings and experiences.
“But trust us, we can do it!” With their 10 members, Topp Dogg is one of the larger groups in k-pop. We’re curious how this works with the dynamics within the group, what are the benefits and negatives of it? “It takes a lot of practice to get the timing and choreography right, but the members are getting so much better and learning faster now compared to when we debuted.” Hansol is confident in his reply: “Lately of course, as two members left the group of course we have had to rechoreograph, and that’s a bit tricky. We also have been doing the same routines for our older songs for so long, so many times, so when they change it’s a bit confusing. But trust us, we can do it!” After training together and already being debuted for a few years, even completing a world tour which many an older group has yet to accomplish, the members of Topp Dogg has come to know each other and their habits well. “Jenissi likes character socks, and he often put on different socks on each foot, which is a bit weird. Bjoo he has some sort of jinx. If he is doing something important, like a big performance or something, he needs to use his “special” underwear,” Sangdo tells while laughing.
“Hansol has many strange habits, but one is that he always forgets all of his things everywhere. You can see when he has forgotten something and he gets this confused blank look on his face, then slowly start tapping his pockets while starring into space, and we just think “what did you forget now?” Finally, Topp Dogg has a special message for their international fans, assuring us that they do pay attention and are fully aware of more than we might think! “This is something we often think about but not get many opportunities to say, but we sincerely want to thank our international fans. We know how many of you are out there, and we see your support and discussions online – on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tumblr (Hansol adds “they think we don’t know about Tumblr” and laughs). So we really want to say thank you, and also you guys are really funny sometimes! I think Topp Klass don’t know how much energy, inspiration and ideas they give to us. From the bottom of our hearts – we love you!”
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
MUSIC
UNITEDKPOP AWARDS 2015
Y
THE WINNERS
our votes have been counted, and it is time to reveal who you chose as your UnitedKpop Awards winners for. We had some close calls, some run away winners, and the group with the most awards might not be the one you expect! Here are the winners of the UnitedKpop Awards 2015, as voted for by you.
GROUP OF THE YEAR Shinhwa
Shinhwa ran away with the Group award this year, not even BIGBANG posed a threat to the veterans winning this one.
SOLOIST OF THE YEAR XIA (kim) Junsu
Zion T and Ailee gave XIA some fierce competition for this award. 2015 has seen XIA release two albums, collaborate with PSY, act in the Death Note Musical, and go on tour. He's a worthy winner.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR SEVENTEEN
SEVENTEEN have already madewaves in Kpop. Their album debuted at number one on the Billboard World Album Chart this award was bound to be theirs.
HIPHOP ACT OF THE YEAR Jay Park
Was there really any other possible winner for our HipHop Act award? Loved by HipHop and Pop fans alike Jay Park was always coming out on top.
INDIE ACT OF THE YEAR Hyukoh
Hyukoh may only be eighteen months old but they've had a great 2015. Hyukoh are putting indie on the map with Tablo's HIGHGRND.
CHOREOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR
GOT7's If You Do by Park Jin Young & Kim Yugyeom
Set to an addictive beat the choreography for GOT7's If You Do is impressive. JYP was so inpressed by the group's ability to pick up the dance he even allowed members to contribute ideas.
PAGE 15
STYLE ICON OF THE YEAR G Dragon
2015 has seen GD release a line of footwear, strut his stuff on the catwalk, promote numerous brands, and generally look fabulous wherever he goes. Only SHINee's Key gave G Dragon any coutured competition for this award.
ACTOR/ACTRESS OF THE YEAR So Ji Sub
So Ji Sub has managed to pack a film, a drama cameo, a starring role in Oh My Venus, and a rap single into his year. His win is unquestionable.
DRAMA SERIES OF THE YEAR Healer by Lee Jung Sub for KBS
Still in your minds after finishing in February this Ji Chang Wook drama has won plenty awards, and now it can add ours to its lengthy list. In fact, we might need to binge watch this again over Christmas.
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR Shinhwa's Sniper by Han Samin
Han Samin produced Shinhwa's impressive Sniper mv. With its attention to detail and impressive choreography only XIA's Flower put up a fight for this award.
CONCERT OF THE YEAR INFINITE EFFECT LONDON
It seems INFINITE's second visit to London was just as impressive as the first as they take our Concert of the Year award.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR WE by Shinhwa
Their twelfth full album in their sixteenth year since debut sees Shinhwa win a hat trick of UnitedKpop awards. Congratulations Shinhwa!
SONG OF THE YEAR
BANGBANGBANG by BIGBANG
This song is a little like Marmite, but it seems most of you love it. Only EXO proved good enough competition.
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
MUSIC
SHINee View With its infectious beat 'View' will have you wanting to dance and sing along. Taken from SHINee's 'Odd' album View is another solid, uptempo track from the group. View was mastered by LDN Noise and definitely lives up to the standards SHINee have long set themselves. UKP Rating:
GOT7 If You Do
f(x) 4 Walls
'If You Do' changes the game for GOT7. With a more mature sound GOT7 can finally give the more established groups a run for their money. Its uptempo, addictive beat will be in your head long after you've finished listening, this is one to put on replay.
f(x) have had a rollercoaster year, but their '4 Walls' album has seen them end 2015 on a high. Experimental as always, f(x) present a sound that stands out from the crowd. 4 Walls is full of UK garage vibes and one can only hope it sets the tone for future f(x) music.
UKP Rating:
UKP Rating:
ZION T Eat A beautiful R&B ballad, 'Eat' shows off the vocal skills of soloist Zion T in a mature, and exposed way. With its sooting and affectionate lyrics Zion T is rightfully gaining plenty of attention for this track at awards shows, even having bagged himself the Best R&B track award at the MAMAs.
4MINUTE Crazy 'Crazy' is one of this year's most popular girl group mvs on YouTube, and rightly so. With the absense of 2NE1 in 2015 4Minute have taken centre stage as Kpop's attitude filled alternative to the sugary female pop. 'Crazy' sounds wonderfully empowering, so crank up the volume on this one and sing it into your hairbrush. UKP Rating:
UKP Rating:
INFINITE Bad INFINITE are a group with the ability to release hit after hit, and 'Bad' is no different. With a repetitive, easy to follow, hook you'll be singing along to 'Bad' on your first listen. The mv is pretty impressive too!
UKP Rating:
PAGE 17
EXO Sing For You Though their claim to the Kings of Kpop crown will always be debatable, the talent EXO possess is undeniable. All of their 2015 tracks have be impressive, but 'Sing For You' stands its ground as a UnitedKpop favourite for many reasons. The ballad vocals, only accompanied by an acoustic guitar show off the solidity of the group even after the loss of three voices. It also marks a huge leap in maturity for the group. This track is definitely befitting of the s easonal release. Turn on the Christmas tree lights, get yourself a mug of something warming and make this your sountrack to a good book. UKP Rating:
BIGBANG Loser
B
IGBANG have released plenty of tracks this year, with 'Bang Bang Bang' already having taken home plenty of awards. Though it is 'Loser' that tops our list of favourite 'MADE' tracks.
We all know that BIGBANG have an affinity for big beat pop tracks, but it is always their ballad driven tracks that remind us of their true talent. 'Loser' is no different. Showing off the vocal talents of all members the lack of big beats and instrumental drops is refreshing. This is an easy listening track, and it probably deserves far more
It marks a huge leap in maturity for the group attention than it has recieved. If you only listen to one of the eight 'MADE' releases, we suggest it is 'Loser'. UKP Rating:
REPLAY REPLAY REPLAY
The best of 2015's Kpop releases
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
MUSIC
EASTERN SIDEKICK Total Reflection 'Total Reflection' comes two years after Eastern Side Kick's last EP, 'Hammer Lane'. Well worth the wait 'Total Reflection' is a ten track album that looks at human reality for what it really is, a reflexion of ones self but not necessarily the truth. It also serves as a rejection of the pressures and rules of society to be a Total Reflection of the group. Album highlights include the rough-around-the-edges title track 'Digger,' a track with a Nirvana-esque throwback sound; 'Dirty Weather' with its heavy drum beats; and emotive rock ballad 'Total Reflection'. UKP Rating:
RP: Royal Pirates 3.3
R
oyal Pirates are back with a look and sound befitting of their roots. Released a little later than planned due to an accident leaving James currently unable to play bass, '3.3' is a strong body of work.
With help from producer, and former Solid member, Jae Chong; and American rocker Enik Lin of IAMMEDIC; the trio have adapted their sound perfectly to accommodate necessary changes. James can be seen and heard playing keyboards and synth on this EP, adding another string to his bow despite his injury.
Possibly 2015's best indie album. Title track 'Run Away' is a particular highlight, with the breakdown providing the opportunity for a high energy thirty second rock out. UKP Rating:
ORCHESTRAS. SPOTLIGHTS. TURNTABLES. 2015's best alternate albums
PAGE 19
VERBAL JINT X SANCHEZ Girl
PATiENTS 18
'Yeoja', or 'Girl', is the collaboration project between veteran rapper Verbal Jint and label mate Sanchez of PHANTOM fame. Packed full of featured artist including Bumkey and EXID’s LE, Girl almost plays out like a homage to the inspirations of the duo.
The hybrid punk trio released their '18' album a month before their second UK tour.
'Girl' blends all the best bits of R&B and Hip Hop to create a record that you won't want to reach the end of. The pair have worked together previously on tracks such as Verbal Jint's 'You Deserve Better' and PHANTOM's 'Come As You Are'. With Verbal Jint's impressive utilisation of language and rhyme, and Sanchez's affinity for melody, a project album from the duo was always set to make waves. It’s hard to pick a highlight on the album, with each track providing its own unique charm. 'Favourite' is a reworking of Jint’s 2007 track of the same name. This time the song hails to artists such as Michael Jackson and Prince in an addictive rendition. 'Body 2 Body' featuring LE of EXID samples the girl group's track 'Up & Down', lending a completely different twist to the popular K-pop tune. UKP Rating:
'18'; named for its ease to read in all languages, and also for its Korean pronunciations similarity to the 'F-word'; is a rousing modern take on that punk anthem feel.
GALAXY EXPRESS Walking on Empty 'Walking On Empty' album, an album Galaxy Express brought to the UK to master; at Abbey Road Studios no less; provided what is possibly 2015's best indie album. This album sounds cleaner and sharper than the previous self recorded offerings from the trio, but this isn't a bad thing. Galaxy Express still deliver exactly what one would want from them, high power, emotive garage rock, with a couple of surprises along the way. The sharp, professional sound of 'Walking On Empty', really only means one thing. Seeing Galaxy Express live will be even more of an experience that should not be missed. Their energy is something never fully captured in audio, no matter the recording method, and seeing them live will only increase your appreciation for Galaxy Express. Album highlights include 'Time Keeps Rollin By', a track that introduces a slower, more acoustic vibe, to Galaxy Express’ repertoire; and 'Not Again', a strong rock ballad vocal accompanied by all the energy of their heavier tracks. It is the left-of-field tracks that make 'Walking on Empty' stand out from its predecessors, and showcasing the full talent and diversity of Galaxy Express. UKP Rating:
With plenty of lyrics you can chant along to and strong rhythmic beats '18' isn't nostalgic of punk, it is the embodiment of punk in an age where many have forgotten its meaning. Comprised of bass guitar, keyboards, and drums, PATiENTS are not your average punk line-up, though their guitar-less sound loses nothing, and gains plenty. Album highlights are endless. With 'Bad Fingers' showcasing perfectly how trading and electric guitar for keyboards is nothing short of genius; 'Children of Ashes' showing off influences from other prominent genres such as Ska; and 'All The Patients Let's Go' capturing the empassioned chants of the genre. If you missed out on the Sex Pistols' heyday there are still plenty of punk gems hidden around the world. UKP Rating:
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
MUSIC
"WE'RE JUST GUYS WHO PLAY ROCK MUSIC " We speak to Indie rockers Galaxy Express
PAGE 21
G
alaxy Express are no strangers to UnitedKpop. The lasted release by the garage rock trio is one of our top Korean Indie picks from 2015. So we decided to talk to the explosive group about 'Walking On Empty', album art, and bringing Michael Jackson back from the dead? For those that may not be familiar with Galaxy Express, how would you describe your group and your music? Heekwon: We’re a rock band. Maybe our music could be described as psychedelic punk? I’m not good with genres. We’re just guys who play rock music. Jonghyun: Yeah, we’re a rock ‘n’ roll three piece from Seoul, Korea. It’s hard to believe it has been two years since we spoke to you ahead of your UK tour! Do you have any fond memories from that tour? Heekwon: That tour was good. I ate fish and chips and it was really delicious. On that tour, there were four Korean bands riding together on the same bus. And we all had the chance to record at Air Studios in London, which was a cool experience. During one of our shows in Liverpool, all four of the acts landed up jamming together. It was completely unplanned and actually happened accidentally, but it was really fun. Jonghyun: I remember the weather being great and the beer being delicious!
You even have a Do-It-Yourself attitude towards your album art – and you have some impressive album art. With streaming and digital downloads now dominating how important do you think album art is? [Bass player Juhyun is also the group's designer] Juhyun: I think we all prefer physical releases because of things like the album art. I like something that I can touch and hold like a CD or a record. When I can touch something, I feel like it really exists. Some may say that it’s not necessary to make CDs anymore, but I think it’s better to make CDs or records than just digital downloads.
Tell us a little about your new album Walking On Empty, what should we expect from Galaxy Express on this album?
You have to see some bands play live to fully appreciate them and Galaxy Express are one of them. How would you describe a Galaxy Express gig?
Juhyun: Walking on Empty is our fourth full-length album. We’re really happy with how it turned out. We tried some different things with this album and the songs on it are more relaxed. The playing is really strong and the recording sounds great. Jonghyun: We spent a lot more time making this album than we did our previous offerings. I think we have a deeper and more varied sound on this album.
Juhyun: We play with a lot of energy and passion. We try to focus on every moment during our live shows and want to enjoy all of these great moments with people at the gigs. We have a lot of fun while playing and hope the audience has a great time too. Jonghyun: We like to get wild at our concerts and hope others will do the same. Don’t worry about being cool or pretty. Dance, jump, scream, and go crazy with us!
As well as being a plugged in, loud rock band, you play impressive acoustic sets. Would you ever consider stripping down your sound for a Nirvana-esque Unplugged album? Juhyun: Yes, that’s something I’ve thought about doing. I like the mood of acoustic sets. Jonghyun: We have no plans of doing that right now but maybe we will in the future? I think our unplugged sound is more raw. You’ve opened for the likes of Thee Oh Sees and Linkin Park. Tables turned, who would be the dream artists to open a Galaxy Express gig? Juhyun: It would be fun for Michael Jackson to come back from the dead to open for us. Jonghyun: AC/DC Why would you suggest the readers of UnitedKpop check out your music? Heekwon: Just listen to it and you’ll find out for yourself. Juhyun: I’ve been a huge music fan since I was a child. As a music lover, I think our new Walking on Empty album is really cool and a great listen. Please check it out. I’m sure you’ll be glad you did.
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
DRAMA & FILM
TOP K-DRAMAS OF 2015
If you’re looking for a drama to indulge in over the festive season, we’ve got you covered. Feast your eyes on 3 of this year’s top dramas.
Scholar Who Walks the Night Aired July – September 2015, 20 episodes Scholar Who Walks the Night focuses on the daughter of a nobleman who is left to support her family after her father is framed for treason. Branded a traitor, Jo Yang-Sun (Lee Yoo-Bi) disguises herself as a male bookseller to earn money to support her family.
A curiously intricate plot supported by an enormously talented cast makes this one of the top dramas of 2015. It will have you addicted from the start. The supernatural period drama contains epic action scenes, bittersweet moments and thrilling dialogue.
She meets vampire scholar Kim Sung-Yeol (Lee Joon-Gi) who seeks to overthrow an evil vampire residing within the palace.
If you’re a fan of saeguks and vampire dramas, then this is the perfect choice for you. It is unpredictable, engaging and ultimately rewarding. You’ll be swooning over vampires, screaming at your screen and weeping once the credits roll on the final episode.
Gwi (Lee Soo Hyuk) has been using his supernatural powers to influence and control the kingdom for centuries.
Angry Mom Aired March – May 2015, 16 episodes Mother and high-school dropout, Jo Kang-Ja (Kim Hee-Sun) enrols at her daughter’s school when she learns she is being bullied. Kang-Ja was an infamous troublemaker during her school years but dropped out when she fell pregnant with daughter Ah-Ran (Kim Yoo-Jung). Ah-Ran befriends the class outcast and becomes the target for the bullies. Responsible parent, Kang-Ja feels the only way to ensure her daughter’s safety is to pose as a student and go undercover to put an end to high school violence. Kang-Ja is a tough, sashimi knife wielding mother with no limits to her temper and colourful
vocabulary. The high-school bullies don’t know what’s hit them when “Jo Bang-Wool” enrols. Angry Mom is a gritty drama with a tough leading character facing even tougher problems. The difficult subject matters in this drama are executed extremely well and the lack of romance leaves room for the bond between mother and daughter to flourish. Angry Mom thrives on its thought-provoking script, well paced characterisation and unique plot. It can be easy to dismiss this drama purely on the synopsis but it is a genuinely impressive series. Check out Angry Mom if you fancy a heart-warming drama this Christmas.
PAGE 23
Heard It Through The Grapevine Aired February – June 2015, 30 episodes Han In-Sang (Lee Joon) and Seo Bom (Go Ah-Sung) are lovers from two vastly different families. Han In-Sang accidentally gets Bom pregnant to the dismay of his family who view her as ordinary in terms of her family wealth and status. Through humiliation and isolation, the couple must find a way to settle their family’s differences and put their unborn child first. Heard It Through The Grapevine is one of the darker dramas of 2015. It’s a depiction of class struggles, status and wealth in society. The changing dynamic of culture through the generations is the pivotal focus of the drama and although it has been categorised as ‘melodramatic’ it isn’t exaggerated. The subtle nature of this drama derives from the balance between emotion and humour. The plot lacks
SPECIAL MENTION
If you’re busy with work and haven’t got much time over the holidays, check out our short drama recommendation.
Secret Message
Aired November 2015, 18 episodes Woo-Hyun (T.O.P) and Haruka (Juri Ueno) accidentally enter each other’s lives as the two begin to chat over messaging app LINE. Haruka and Woo-Hyun have both experienced a painful past that brings them together in the hope of rediscovering love. Their past romances have scarred them but they use each other as a solace to heal. This drama is broken down into 10-15 minute episodes that are bursting with intrigue, emotion and drive. It is slow paced but when the episodes end, you’ll be hastily clicking for the next one.
originality but the execution is exceptional. Don’t be overwhelmed by the legal jargon in the dialogue or the seemingly dark subject matter, it is a rewarding drama that fully deserved to win at the Baeksang Awards. If you’re looking for a realistic drama to sink your teeth into, this is it.
This drama will only take a little over two hours of your time, so perfect to pick up whenever you have the time. This drama is worth watching for the drunken T.O.P scene in the third episode. Genius. Secret Message is a beautiful short drama that explores the very nature of true love.
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
DRAMA & FILM
FILMS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON Here are our top 3 picks for your Christmas movie list this Festive Season.
“A breezy watch bolstered by its motley crew of odd characters.” - Twitch
POSTMAN TO HEAVEN
THE SATELLITE GIRL AND THE MILK COW
Messenger and mailman, Jae-Joon (Hero Jaejoong) delivers letters to people from Heaven who yearn for their loved ones. Ha-Na (Han Hyo-Joo) longs for her deceased husband and regularly sends letters. Once the two characters meet, Jae-Joon hires Ha-Na as his assistant to help the living understand the passing of their loved ones and help them to heal. Ha-Na begins to fall for the angel and begins to forget her late husband. The more Ha-Na moves on, the less she is able to see Jae-Joong.
This Korean animated film tells the tale of Il-Ho who is a curious satellite gazing down upon Earth. She wonders about love and her curiosity forces her to fall to Earth where she takes the shape of a young girl and she seeks to discover the identity behind her favourite song.
“It transcends the spirtual boundaries between Heaven and Earth, Life and Death.” The film transcends the spiritual boundaries between Heaven and Earth and life and death. It is intricately beautiful in the way it conveys love, death and spirituality. The impact this film has is so subtle but carries so much weight in terms of its subject matter and character development. The pace is delicate which helps reflect the idea of mourning and loss. Romance blossoms throughout this film and the scenic backdrops really emphasise the serene cinematic quality. Cinematography is executed beautifully and it cannot be said enough. The production on this film cannot be faulted. It’s a simply sweet film with a powerful message supported by beautiful cinematography, delicate characterisation and an outstanding screenplay. We all know we crave a romantic film around Christmas and Postman to Heaven proves to tug at your heartstrings.
Meanwhile, singer-songwriter Kyung-Chun transforms into a milk cow following the demise of his relationship. Kyung-Chun finds himself fleeing from a machine called the Incinerator that thrives on broken hearts and hunts to eat any creature suffering from loneliness. The two characters seek the help of a magical roll of toilet paper named Merlin to stop the evil Incinerator once and for all. This whimsical, absurd slice of magic is the perfect family film this Christmas. It’s a wonderfully magical animation with charming characters and hilarious exposition. The characters are brought to life by the transformation mechanics set by the script. Legendary wizard Merlin demeaned to a roll of toilet paper is the most genius character in this film and his comical values are highly entertaining. There is nothing too generic about The Satellite Girl and the Milk Cow, It is a fairy-tale meets science fiction fusion and there is something for everybody in this film. It doesn’t go without saying that this film looks comparable to any Studio Ghibli film, but this film pushes the existing boundaries set by Japanese animators and utilises its absurd character development to create a fantastic animation. If you’re able to get past the madness and absurdity of the synopsis, you should watch definitely sit down with your family this Christmas and give it a whirl.
PAGE 25
THE TOWER (2012) On Christmas Eve, disaster strikes at the extravagant Tower Sky twin tower building in Seoul. Christmas preparations are underway for, what is set to be, the hottest Christmas party at the opening of the luxurious sky rise building. A helicopter circles the building, artificial snow showers from the sky but the helicopter loses control and crashes into one of the towers. Hundreds of guests and employees are in peril as a fire engulfs the building leaving them trapped and helpless.
If you’re looking for a more thrilling Christmas film, The Tower has it all. The Tower, complete with a star studded cast, was inspired by a 1974 disaster Hollywood classic: “The Towering Inferno” and ticks all the boxes for a successful disaster film. The impending tragedy is accomplished through the slick special effects and emphasised through the dramatic action scenes and emotional drive. The characters are varied and equally troubled. Melodrama is served by the bucketful.
From a newly recruited fireman whose marriage is falling apart, a cleaner who works hard to send her son to college and a chef who hopes to have the courage to propose to his girlfriend, the characters are flawed and sympathetic. A disaster film wouldn’t be a disaster film without sheer panic, over the top special effects and an array of colourful characters who we judge to live or die. The characters’ stories really drive the film and helps to deviate away from the imminent doom for a more refreshing and emotional disaster film. If you’re looking for a more thrilling Christmas film, The Tower has it all for you.
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
ENTERTAINMENT
EAT, DRINK T & BE MERRY Five Kpop Inspired Cocktails
ake a look at some K-Pop inspired cocktails to fuel your Christmas or New Year’s Eve parties! Each cocktail recipe serves one so make sure to alter the measurements accordingly. There is also a recipe for an aptly named non-alcoholic cocktail. Enjoy!
LION HEART
HOT PINK
Rim the glass with honey and then dip the top of the glass in salt and chilli powder . The braver you are the spicier you can go.
1 shot of Malibu coconut rum 1 shot of vodka 2 shots pineapple juice 2 shots cranberry juice 1 shot orange juice
A fiery and spicy cocktail, inspired by Girls' Generation
60 ml of tomato juice 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice 1 bottle of Mexican beer - (Desperado, Corona, Sol) 2 teaspoons of chipotle hot sauce or tabasco 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
JUST RIGHT
A twist on the classic Margarita inspired by GOT7 1 shot of Cointreau 2 shots of Tequila 1 shot of lime juice ½ tablespoon of salt 2 lime wedges Take a lime wedge and run the edge of the glass along it, then dip in salt. Mix Tequila, Cointreau and lime juice well. Fill glasses with fresh or crushed ice and serve with a garnish of lime on the side.
A fruity pink cocktail, inspired by EXID
Mix well with ice and serve with a wedge of something tropical on the side.
PAGE 27
SOBER
ICE CREAM CAKE
This delicious non-alcoholic drink can be made from just three ingredients.
2 shots of Baileys 1 shot of vanilla vodka ½ of a shot of Disaronno Amaretto
100 ml of orange juice 100 ml of cranberry juice 80 ml sparkling elderflower drink
Stir all the ingredients together well. If you want to make this cocktail extra ‘cake-y’, rim the glass with some whipped cream or icing and cover in sprinkles To really make it an Ice Cream Cake, try adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
A non-alcoholic cocktail, inspired by BIGBANG
Mix the orange juice and the cranberry juice then slowly add the sparkling elderflower drink. This will make it fizz nicely. Add ice and serve!
A sweet and creamy cocktail, inspired by Red Velvet
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
ENTERTAINMENT
LAST CHRISTMAS
I GAVE
YOU... DIY Kpop Christmas Baubles...
PAGE 29
C
hristmas is fast approaching, and you can often find yourself stuck when searching for that perfect gift, especially if you're trying to save money.
You will need:
It’s always difficult to try get people a great gift, and if you wanted to get them something K-pop related it can get expensive with import and shipping charges. With a trip to a craft store, or even on of the nation wide 'Pound' stores you too can make our easy and affordable stocking filler for those special Kpop-fan friends in your life.
Decoupage varnish; glitter; metalic pens
Within the K-pop fandom every fan usually has that one special group, or member for that matter, that they simply love. So why not let those idols take centre stage in your home this christmas time, on the tree! Our easy to follow instructions will help you master this crafty little gift in no time at all.
A Bauble; PVA glue, a paint brush, PVA glue; images of your idol of choice.
Optional: Instructions: 1) Grab yourself a bauble, maybe you have a left over one from decorating your tree? We grabbed a bargain and bought two for just one pound. 2) Cut out as many photos of your idol as you think you'll need. You could print them at home, or cut from an old magazine if you have one to hand. Our bauble needed no more than ten photos that we printed at two by three inches in size. Thinner paper is easier to work with, though with a little patience and perseverance glossy magazine pages work fine too.
3) Get glueing! This step is really simple, just collage your images onto the bauble, covering the entire image in PVA glue. Don't worry, it dries clear! If you can, hang your bauble to allow you to work on the whole thing in one sitting. Otherwise you can work on one half and set it down to dry before working on the rest. 4) You can add a top coat of Decoupage varnish to your bauble once it is dry, this will give it a nice shine, and will preserve your work longer. Though this is optional, you'll notice the PVA has already done a good job. 5) Grab a permanent metalic marker, or a bit of glitter to add a little Christmas sparkle, or a personalised message.
You're done! Now all there is left to do if get out the gift wrap, or hang it on your own tree if you like it too much to give away.
JAGALCHI MARKET / TRAVEL / PAGE 5 UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
REAL LIFE
YOUR STORIES
1.5 YEARS IN KOREA
T
he prospect of taking a gap year in anoThe prospect of taking a gap year in another country might sound terrifying to some, but to 21 year old Brendan, 1.5 years in Korea provided the perfect escape from the high strung life in London.
jetting off to Seoul city. But he wasn’t travelling alone. A friend of his was heading out to Korea at the same time to begin teaching, and the two stayed together for the first month. Something Brendan says helped alleviate his worries immensely.
In late 2013, Brendan realised his university course wasn’t right for him, and neither was London. Stressed, overworked, and with a desperate need for an escape, South Korea seemed like the perfect solution, having long been a fan of the culture. And so, Brendan announced to his Mother that he would be leaving for Korea for a gap year.
When asked about his first day in Korea, Brendan recalls a story of how he met his first culture clash before leaving the airport. “At the airport, there’s the mini tube. My first culture clash was standing in the middle of the tube door instead of to the side.” In Korea waiting passengers stand to one side of the door to allow alighting passengers to get past. Not knowing this, Brendan stood in the centre of the door until his friend corrected him.
“My family was concerned, naturally”, he says, but they all supported him and his choice to leave for Korea. His Grandfather’s experience fighting in the Korean war helped convince even his Mother, who had been his biggest obstacle in leaving for the year. Although he had never visited Korea before, Brendan took to the embassy almost immediately and began making preparations. A month later, he was
Despite the initial speed bump on the way out of the airport, Brendan describes the journey into Seoul itself as a magical experience. “We were driving down the motorway into Seoul, it’s a foggy night and Seoul just seemed shrouded in mystery, it was amazing.”
PAGE 31
Continuing the journey into Seoul, he says the size of everything just struck him. “London is a pretty big place but it’s so busy, in Seoul everything is massive.” Though Brendan had very limited Korean abilities prior to his trip, he says his friends helped him out a lot. His first year in Korea provided him very little in the way of learning the language, having spent most of his time with fellow nonKoreans however, ticking into the second year, Brendan took a full immersion approach. “The more Korean I picked up, the Koreans I was able to speak to, and then the better my Korean was able to get, it’s like a positive spiral.”
With his increasing skills in Korean, Brendan found it a lot easier to make friends as his trip went on. Throughout his stay he says he tried to make the most of his time there; meeting people, exploring, practising the language and trying to see everything. He tells us Korea left a lasting impression on him, making him more independent and mature, and also more of a drinker; “I never used to drink before Korea, being there turned me into a weekly drinker. 3 times a week, rarely less. I learned to enjoy drinking, going to Noraebang after drinking is one of the best experiences.”
Make friends, and get out there being postive and friendly, not afraid. You’ll be bored if you don’t get out there and experience things.
“As long as you have a smile on your face and try, then they don’t mind.” He says when asked about any embarrassing situations the language barrier caused. Though he later recalls an incident where the he and his friends playing football had to retreat from their pitch, as the Seoul National Women’s Under 21 team had arrived for their session early. With neither party speaking the other’s language, they had to eventually leave without protest. Aside from his football mixup incident, Brendan says that often waiters and waitresses would mishear his Korean, and bring him whatever they thought he had ordered. Something he says drove him to practice his pronunciation a little more.
Along with his newly gained drinking skills, he says living in Korea taught him everything he needed to learn. “I learned to live independently, solve problems. It looks great on a CV, it’s something different from a degree, it proves you can live abroad by yourself.” Our interview comes to a close and when asked to give tips to anyone else that wants to take a year out in Korea, he says be confident. “Make friends, and get out there being positive and friendly, not afraid. You’ll be bored if you don’t get out there and experience things. Many Koreans want to have foreign friends, and there are so many opportunities out there.”
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
FEATURE
BEHIND NAVER:
KOREA’S JOLLY GREEN GOOGLE KOREA’S TOP SEARCH PORTAL NAVER IS GREEN FROM HEAD TO TOE: FROM DESIGN TO THEIR APPROACH TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FREYA BIGG
Naver is the go-to website in Korea. For everything from a search engine to a blogging network, it’s the Pandora’s Box of companies. We took a visit to the Naver HQ in Seoul to take a peek behind the big green curtain.
Founded in 1999 by former Samsung employees, Naver has since shot to the top, surpassing the likes of rivals Google and Bing to become Korea’s top web search, taking over 80% of the market share. Aside from their search engine, the company boasts a wide portfolio of products. If there’s something you need, Naver has it. One of their most popular products is the highly successful instant messaging app, Line. Line recently surpassed the Nation’s long-time favourite chat app KakaoTalk to snag the number one spot once again. In addition to Line, Naver has a blogging network, a webcomics portal and much more. The company is so successful in that even the emoji of their Line app have a large following and a popular merchandise range. They recently added to their repertoire with the launch of their live concert app, V. We headed over to their headquarters in Seoul to get the grand tour of the company, and to find out a little more about V.
On entering the building, visitors are greeted by a hanging sculpture of the Line character, Brown. The smiling bear provides a stark contrast to the clean and cool interiors of the building. Although sharp and stylish, the building itself isn’t unwelcoming. Like Naver’s portfolio, the company itself provides everything imaginable for its employees. From a café and convenience store to a hospital bay, fitness room and even a bean bag pit, Naver provides many good reasons to clock in overtime. Though it hints at Korea’s unusually brutal work ethics, their efforts to provide maximum comfort for employees is admirable. Following through from the reception takes you through to their design library; the Design Forest, an incredible collection of design books. The forest is so-called for the shrubbery Naver have planted on the top of each bookshelf, making for an impressive view from above, and is part of the company’s initiative to be greener.
PAGE 33
“Like Naver’s portfolio, the company itself provides everything imaginable for its employees.”
Naver’s efforts are not in vain; the company is green from head to toe. From the colour of their logo to their entire approach to the company headquarters, Naver is very in touch with their eco-friendly side. The company tries to make as much use of natural light as possible, with huge green shutters controlling the light and complimenting the exterior. From the outside, the company is a monolithic corporate building of glass and cement, but the shutters decorate the building with Naver’s trademark colour, breathing a little more life into the aesthetic without any extra cost, effort, or imprint on the environment. In addition to their efforts to be more green, Naver also try to make their products as accessible as possible with their accessibility centre. The centre has a variety of equipment, each simulating a physical impairment; from colour blindness to difficulty typing. Employees test out Naver’s products through the equipment, ensuring that it is useable by all. Most important in the corporate giant’s portfolio is the previously mentioned search engine.
Naver’s search engine, though not as intuitive as Google’s, is the country’s number one search engine. It is unique in the way that it categorises search results. For example, images are tagged by the type of location they are found in; blogs, news articles etc. Additionally, rather than a translator tool, Naver’s search engine is host to a comprehensive Korean to English/English to Korean dictionary. As Korea is a largely homogeneous country, English is the number one language that Koreans desire to learn. It’s taught in schools and is widely seen as a fundamental skill in furthering your career. The Naver product that international users will be most familiar with however, is the Line messenger app. Following WhatsApp messenger putting their price from FREE to £0.69, despite the low cost it had many users searching elsewhere for a suitable alternative, and Line does just the job. Structurally and content-wise, Line and WhatsApp are almost the same app.
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
FEATURE
“Naver has capitalised on the success of apps like Periscope.” Line takes the brand a step further with their ‘Line & Friends’, their custom Emoji characters who each have their own name and seemingly, personalities. The custom Emoji in Line is hugely popular, and the individual popularity of the Line Friends is so great, that in Korea they have their own dedicated store, a Disney store for Line characters. Alongside these great products, Naver is also host to their web comics site and also their blogging platform ‘Me2Day’. ‘Me2Day’ is essentially a Korean equivalent to Facebook or MySpace. Though not as popular as it once was, ironically due to Facebook’s popularity, it still has a stronghold in Korea and China, though many Chinese now prefer their own version, ‘Weibo’. The newest addition, as previously mentioned, is V, Naver’s live broadcasting app. V is much like popular live streaming app ‘Periscope’, with the exception it is currently used almost
exclusively by Korean celebrities. The hottest stars of Korea use the app to broadcast TV shows and concerts to their eager fans. Unlike TV broadcasts in Korea however, V is viewable around the world, making it incredibly valuable to International fans of Hallyu who often can’t make the trek to South Korea for big concerts and showcases. With V, Naver has capitalised on the success of apps like Periscope, and the online community in Korea, from which the infamous ‘Mokbang’ originates. V is Naver’s way of connecting Korean stars with the world. According to their Global Marketer the app is available in every country, again, making it highly attractive to international fans who can’t access such content in their home countries. V takes K-pop concerts into the palm of your hand, allowing you to be there, wherever you are. Whilst the broadcasts are live, Naver posts the videos after broadcast, providing an On Demand dimension to the app.
PAGE 35
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FREYA BIGG
“This may lead to countries that are thought to have little fans, hosting concerts.”
The app will also allow Naver to track statistics on their viewers; who is watching from where. These statistics will prove invaluable to entertainment companies planning world tours, they’ll be able to pinpoint where they have the most fans. As not everyone follows fan accounts on Twitter and Facebook, this may lead to countries that are thought to have little fans hosting concerts. The comment section of the app is also a good indicator of interest from different countries, with many fans leaving messages asking the artists to visit their home countries. V is currently used by top Korean celebrities and bands to broadcast concerts and episodes of TV-like shows, and behind-the-scenes footage of their day-to-day lives. Amongst the top followed artists on the V app are BTS, EXO and BIGBANG, each boasting over 1 million followers.
Naver says they have plans to open the platform to more artists across Asia, in countries such as China and Taiwan and they’ve already taken two Thai celebrities under their wing. It will be interesting to see how the app develops and provides not only a platform for international fans to connect and interact with their favourite stars, but a platform for Asian artists to broadcast around the world and reach a global audience. Overall, Naver has definitely stumbled upon another great investment for their ranks. Whilst its success has yet to be solidified, it would be no surprise to find V app at the centre of the Korean, and possibly Asian, entertainment scene in the next few years. Less and less people are consuming media through television, and Naver have struck the perfect balance between On Demand services and live streaming sites, tuned exactly for the Korean entertainment scene.
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
TRAVEL
top 10 tips for travelling to korea 1 A Credit Card
Credit cards aren’t always great; they tempt you when you’re low on money and sting you with interest. However, it’s always advisable to have a credit card to hand when you go abroad in case of emergency. Make sure to tell your bank you’re going away first though, lest it get blocked when you need it most!
2
Deodorant
3
An Adapter Plug
4
A Pocket Phrase Book
5
A Currency Conversion App
Depending on what time of year you visit Korea, it can get very hot. Hot and humid weather makes for a very sweaty ‘foreigner’. Deodorant isn’t as widely available in stores in Korea as it is in the West, so be sure to stock up before departure to keep yourself smelling fresh.
This is one I’m always guilty of forgetting myself. You always think that everything is packed, you’re completely sorted, and then you arrive and realise your phone has 2% battery and you’ve got no way of charging it and end up forking out a small fortune in some local tourist trap. Don’t get duped by the tourist traps, remember your adapter! That $15 could be spend on some very tasty food instead. If you’re American, you may notice that the plugs look much the same as your own, but don’t attempt to use them please, as it’s a different voltage!
If, like me, you’ve been trying to study Korean then you may think that this essential isn’t so essential for you. But it is. If you become stressed out or are put on the spot, those hours spent studying will fly straight out of your mind, so better to be safe than sorry and ensure that you’ll always be able to ask for help if you need it. Alternatively you can download a phrasebook app.
It’s so easy to get carried away shopping in Korea, but it’s best to try to keep track of what you’re spending in ‘real’ terms. I.e. your own currency. Is that 10,000 won t-shirt expensive you wonder? Well wonder no more, your handy app will tell you that the t-shirt is £6/$10 and not expensive at all. Meaning you can buy that t-shirt, and have change for more.
PAGE 37
6
A Suitcase With Space
7
A Plan
Now that you know how much you’re spending, and how cheap those clothes are, you’ll inevitably be stuffing the latest Korean fashions into your suitcase before you leave. To avoid having to leave anything behind, make sure you’ve got a suitcase that’s big enough for a little excess. Be sure to weigh it before you leave though, you don’t want to get caught out by luggage weight limits!
This one is probably the most obvious of the list. If you get too excited and wrapped up in the things you might be able to do whilst in Korea, you might find yourself at a loss as to what to actually do once you’re there. There are so many choices! Even if you only draft up a rough plan of what you want to do, it can help you organise in advance. Especially if it requires further travelling within Korea, or is something ticketed – for example, a concert.
8
A Camera
9
Back Up Batteries
Okay, this one might actually be the most obvious of the list. You’ll be travelling potentially thousands of miles to visit Korea, you’ll want to preserve the memory at the very least! There really is a lot to do in Korea, a huge number of wonderful sights to see and things to experience. Don’t forget to bring a decent sized memory card too, to store those memories.
Drawing on the last point, if you’re taking a lot of photos then you’ll use a lot of battery, too. The last thing you want is for your camera to die when you finally get that selca with your bias. Not only that, but if you’re of the non-Apple phone variety, you can bring back up batteries for your phone to ensure that you can always have access to your phone whilst you explore Korea. If you are of the Apple sort, then whilst you may not be able to bring extra batteries, a charging phone case or a power bank will do quite nicely.
10
Medical Supplies
If you take medication, that should be the first thing on your packing list. But also a small first aid kit is handy for any mishaps along the way. If you take medication then it’s worth checking to see what the legal status of that drug is in Korea. If it’s not legal, you can try asking your Doctor for a short term alternative. It’s also advisable to add sunscreen into your first aid kit, Korea’s summers are hot! Also make sure to take your medical info and a list of your prescriptions, just in case.
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
TRAVEL
HOT SPOT
JAGALCHI MARKET If you ask anyone about Busan, they will always mention the fantastic seafood and there’s only one place you should go to find it; Jagalchi Market. Many ahjumma and ahjussi work hard in the market, keeping fresh and cutting their fish to be sold at their stalls. A great number of those fish are exotic and rare, not your usual trout. For example, the rather unusual Gaebul, the curiously phallic-shaped fish. The great thing about Jagalchi Market is that it is located right next to the port and seaside where all the fish trawlers come in. The fish are taken from the sea and straight into the market; you don’t get any fresher than that. Not to mention the port offers a lovely view of the sea and the surrounding lush hillsides in Busan. During our own visit to the market we had a taste test of some of Jagalchi Market’s most popular fish; including Korea’s famous live Octopus dish and the aforementioned Gaebul. The restaurants at the market are all traditional, the kind where you remove your shoes and the door and sit on mats around a low table. It is really interesting to experience Korean food this way, as opposed standard table and chairs found in restaurants around the world, particularly in the West. Since this tradition is something specific to Korea, it’s something we would recommend trying during your visit.
The live Octopus dish can cause very intense reactions, as we discovered during our own visit. Reactions can range from faces of disgust to arms flailing on the floor. Experts advise to chew the Octopus as much as you can before swallowing it to avoid it suctioning your throat on the way down. Cooked Gaebul surprisingly looks nothing like its questionable tubular form, instead rather ridged. Our own taste test confirmed it tasted as bad as it looked. Gaebul is said to be a rather acquired taste, much like the Marmite of unusual fish. Miss A’s Fei and one of B1A4’s members also share our aversion to the pickle-shaped fish. However, it is worth trying, if only for the experience. If you make a trip to Busan, whatever the reason, you should take a trip to Jagalchi Market. It makes for some very unique and interesting memories, and if you love to eat fish, then it’s a tasty one too. While the market doesn’t have the high shine of Seoul, it is a welcoming, wonderful place to visit. These kinds of markets have great historical importance to South Korea, with Busan Port being Korea’s key to the global waters, so it’s worth making time to see them while they’re still around.
PAGE 39
Jagalchi Market has been running in the same place in Busan for almost 100 years. It’s Korea’s largest fish market and one of the top 10 landmarks in Busan.
GETTHE LOOK UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
STYLE
CLEAN FUNNEL NECK TOP Topshop £16.00 BUY
Get Suzy's cover look for highstreet prices
B
ack in March, Miss A’s Suzy took to the streets of London for her shoot with Cosmopolitan Korea. The singer is seen sporting a dark yet stylish look in her chic pictorial. Create your own version of this look with our hot highstreet fashion tips.
BOUTIQUE CHARLIE LEATHER BIKER JACKET boohoo.com £65.00 BUY
MOTO BLACK BUTTON FRONT SKIRT Topshop £29.00 BUY
PLATFORM BOOTS H&M £29.99 BUY
SOAP & GLORY SUPERCAT EYELINER PEN Boots £6.00
BUY
T
ry this look with high-waisted jeans and a bomber jacket for those colder winter days.
PAGE 41
GETTHE LOOK UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
STYLE
Perfect your holiday wardrobe with SMTown, JYP Nation & YG Family
Y
1
4
2
5
es, it is that time of year again! Like it or loathe it, Christmas time is just around the corner and you cannot escape the festive cheer. For this Get the Look special, we are getting some Christmas fashion inspiration from popular Kpop stars. In both SMTOWN’s 'Santa U Are the One' and JYP Entertainment’s 'This Christmas' MVs, there is excessive use of reds and greens. They seem to have really embraced the idea of Christmas jumper, over-sized scarfs and bobble hats. Be honest though, if you can’t go all out with your look at Christmas time, when can you?
However, if you are completely and utterly adverse to a Christmas jumper, there are ways you can tone down this style substantially and still get a slightly festive feel from your outfit. You could choose to go for plain and darker greens and burgundies rather than the brighter shades of the colours. You could also go down the chic route as shown by Park Bom and Lee Hi in their 'All I Want For Christmas is You' video and stick to the classically 1. CAMEO ROSE RED CHECK HIGH wintery whites and faux fur trims. NECK SWING DRESS New Look: £17.99 In short, these are looks that you can’t really go wrong with, and we're willing to 2. MEN’S SLIM FIT STRETCH JEANS bet that they will suit anyone – whether Colour: Wine you want to go full cheese with your fesboohoo.com: £12 tive wear or you would rather stick to the fashionable 'Snow Queen', or 'Snow King', 3. LONG SLEEVE WAFFLE look – get wrapped up warm and have a TEXTURE JUMPER very merry Christmas! Colour: Dark Green River Island: £30
3
6 4. HOLLIE REINDEER & SNOWFLAKE CHRISTMAS JUMPER boohoo.com: £12 5. RED CHRISTMAS PUDDING BOBBLE HAT New Look: £6.74 6. TUBE SCARF H&M UK: £4.99
PAGE 43
7
10
8
11
9
12
7. RUBY LIGHT KNIT BLANKET SCARF 10. MEN’S SNORKEL HOOD PARKA boohoo.com: £12 WITH LUX FUR TRIM Colour: White 8. KATE BELTED SHAWL boohoo.com: £40 COLLAR COAT Colour: Wine 11. MEN’S BLACK ZIP-UP boohoo.com: £25 HIGH TOP TRAINERS River Island: £35 9. MINDY LACE SLEEVE HIGH NECK SHIFT DRESS 12. WOMEN’S KNEE HIGH BOOTS Colour: Ivory Colour: Black boohoo.com: £18 H&M UK: £39.99
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
STYLE
PAGE 45
I LIKE 2 PARTY
A Kpop inspired party look
I
1
Fill in your brows to your own style, and clean up with concealer to sharpen the shape. Then prime the eye.
t’s the holiday season, and without a doubt there will be a whole host of festive parties in the coming weeks. From work Christmas parties to New Year, December will be a busy month. As well as having to pick outfits and deciding how to style your hair; you’ll probably be spending time coming up with the perfect complementary makeup look, but look no further as we have the ultimate festive makeup look for you that’ll give you one less thing to plan!
2
Once primed; apply a cream white to the inner corner and waterline, blend the edges of the inner corner and set the waterline. Apply a light silver over 3/4 of the lid blending out of the crease and a shimmery white on to the inner corner. Take a dark matte grey or black and apply this into the outer corner and blend out into a soft winged shape. Using the same light grey and white apply this onto the lower lash line and take the same dark grey and blend this on the lower lash line and take it outward from the eye.
3
Create a cat eye with liquid eyeliner, along the bottom edge apply a silver glitter. Finish the inner corner with a loose white glitter. Curl the lashes and apply mascara, and apply top and bottom lashes to complete the look.
4
After primer, apply your foundation and a peachy blusher and highlight to get a perfect glow. Using concealer on the edges of the lips, create and ombré with a glossy pink lipstick and a darker pink on the centre of the lip.
AND YOU'RE READY! FULL PRODUCT LIST: Makeup Forever Aqua Brow (#10 Light Blonde); Lime Crime Venus Pallet (Icon and Creation); L.A Splash Pro Conceal (GC971 Classic Ivory); Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original); NYX Jumbo Pencil (Milk); Kat Von D Sinner Pallet (Holy Bible, Glock, Lucifer); Illamasqua Gel Eyeliner; Makeup Forever Diamond Powder (White); NYC Mascara (Black); MAC Prep and Prime Primer; Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream (#21); Etude House Dear My Blooming Shimmer Blusher (Coral Spectrum); Etude House Dear my Blooming Lips (PK014); NYX Chunky Dunk Gloss (CDHL08)
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
STYLE
WHO WORE IT BETTER? G Dragon vs Dara: 10 Corso Como Seoul X 99%IS
H
eaven help anyone who takes on G-Dragon in a wardrobe battle; even if it is his label-mate, 2NE1’s Dara. It’s not the first time either - they’ve been spotted wearing the same red baseball jacket in the past. This time, both wore a long pink ZIGZAG coat, a collaboration between 10 Corso Como Seoul and Bajowoo's 99%IS, two of only four made. The coat cost 990,000 KRW (£567) and the design can be personalised by the wearer. G-Dragon made it part of his airport fashion, teaming it with jeans, loafers and a beanie. Dara also went casual when she posted her pic on Instagram, wearing a baseball cap, striped top and black trousers. Points for having the designer in the photos too, but G Dragon edges the win here.
PAGE 47
PHOTOS: PARK EUNKYUNG
N
Style korean
ail art from South Korea has reached global fame this season, as nail artists take to instagram to promote their work. While for years, Asia has been a place to go for unreal and plastic nails with bling and jewels at the forefront, innovative korean artists have been branching out and looking for new ideas. These shattered glass nails were developed by Park Eunkyung, and can be made using some iridescent cellophane from your nearest craft store.
UKP MAGAZINE / WINTER 2015
STYLE
Here’s what we can expect from the worlds of K-pop and K-Drama in the New Year!
K-POP
CL SOLO EP
F(X) SOLO CONCERT
2NE1 COMEBACK
2NE1’s CL announced her American debut album back in 2014 but only released her solo single last month. Anticipated fans were expecting CL’s solo album back in October but the date was postponed and pushed back further. YG’s CEO Yang Hyun Suk says fans will have to wait until next year to hear the album. YG explained that the album was 90% complete so fans can be expecting to hear CL’s album in the first quarter of the new year!
This year has been tough for SM girl group f(x) with the departure of Sulli and their debut as a four member group with ‘4 Walls’. SM Entertainment released an official statement to announce their solo concert which is to be held at Seoul Olympic Park Hall on the 30th and 31st January. In addition to the excitement of their new album, the girls have so much to look forward to at the start of 2016 and fans are ecstatic at the news of their first solo concert. We look forward to what 2016 has in store for f(x)! Hwaiting!
YG says there are no plans for 2NE1 in the immediate future but fans are questioning the disbandment of the group as their contracts expire in 2016. There is some hope. Park Bom has been spotted on several occasions entering the YG building, and on a more recent occasion, with bright red hair. All K-Pop fans know new hair means a comeback is close! Although it hasn’t been confirmed, the issue of 2NE1’s imminent contract expiration in 2016 is sparking speculation and we’re hoping for a comeback next year!
PAGE 49
K-DRAMA
REPLY 1988
BAEKHYUN DRAMA
LEE SEUNG-GI
The latest instalment of the popular ‘Reply’ series, ‘Reply 1988’, has been a hit on the K-Drama front this year. It began screening in November and it is definitely one to look out for in 2016. The drama focuses on five families living in North Seoul where they live like they are one family. The drama is set during the summer of the Olympics where Seoul is the proud host. It’s a nostalgic, heart-warming and brilliant addition to the ever successful K-Drama franchise with the most fantastic characters. Keep an eye on this drama going into 2016!
EXO’s Baekhyun has been cast in upcoming TV drama ‘Moon Lovers’ set to be released in 2016. The filming is set to start in early 2016 so fans will be waiting for a release date for late Spring. The drama is based on a Chinese adaptation called ‘Scarlet Heart’ about a girl who travelled to the past and how her actions would consequently change the course of the future. The girl could fall in love with two princes but this would inadvertently alter the future. Hands up who’s hoping Baekhyun is cast as a prince? Also, EXO member D.O. is announced to be cast in two movies set to hit cinemas in 2016. It’s looking like a great year for EXO fans!
The star is making his 2016 comeback with film ‘Marital Harmony’ set to be released in the first half of next year. Lee Seung-Gi’s role is a skilled divination reader who reads fortunes to check marital compatibility. The story revolves around Princess Songhwa who refuses to marry any of the four potential bachelors if they match her maritial harmony. Lee SeungGi plays Seo Do-Yoon who is the chosen reader. Look out for the release date in 2016!
UKP MAGAZINE
GIVEAWAY
WIN A PRINTED COPY OF OUR 2015 MAGAZINE We’re printing a limited run of our 2015 magazine, and you could be in for the chance to be one of the lucky few to own it! Packed with exclusive content and fun reads, our 2015 magazine makes a great addition to any K-pop aficionado’s collection.
TO ENTER, JUST SHARE THE EMAG ON TWITTER WITH THE TAG #UKPMAG GIVEAWAY CLOSES JAN 14TH
By participating in a UnitedKpop competition or giveaway, you full agree and accept the standard Terms & Conditions as well as the individual Terms & Conditions of the specific competiton. This giveaway is open to UK residents only, excluding all UnitedKpop staff members. All prizes are non-refundable and non-transferrable. No cash alternative will be offered for any prizes. Prizes can only be delivered to a valid UK address. Winners will be drawn within 3 days of giveaway deadline. Full T&Cs can be found online at www.unitedkpop.com/rules. Giveaway ends 14.01.16
london paris berlin