Korea Travel Forum

By: Fangirl on the GoTucked away from the hustles and bustles of the international neighborhood of Itaewon is Mmm Records, an Insta-perfect record bar where some of K-Pop’s biggest acts have had their photoshoots.  From EXO to BLACKPINK to SEVENTEEN, Mmm Records has seen idols don the trendiest outfits and pose for album photobooks, editorial features, and more.EXO's Baekhyun via Mmm Records on InstagramBLACKPINK for NYLON Magazine via Mmm Records on InstagramSEVENTEEN | Pledis EntertainmentBIGBANG's Daesung/D-LITE for FRAU Magazine via Mmm Records on InstagramHIGHLIGHT's Lee Gikwang | Around Us EntertainmentOpen daily, except on Tuesdays, the record bar offers a plethora of drinks and bites that are best enjoyed with the music playing throughout the entire space.Whether you opt for an iced americano, a pint of beer, or a cocktail, make sure to pair it with their best-selling banh mi. Word is Mmm Records serves the best Vietnamese sandwich in town.The building also has a rooftop, where guests can just lounge around while taking in the fantastic views of Seoul’s landscape.If you get lucky, you might even catch a DJ spinning some tunes during your visit.Mmm Records Address: Yongsan-gu Hannam-dong 620-152 Seoul, South Korea Operating Hours: 17:00 - 12:00 (Wed - Mon) Facebook  |  Instagram*All images are sourced from Mmm Records on Instagram unless otherwise stated 

Beyond Boracay and BTS by Gift HerreraSouth Korea and the Philippines' alliance can be traced way back 1950 when Filipino combat troops were deployed to fight in the defense of South Korea during the Korean War. Since then, our friendship blossomed through the years which is pretty evident as Koreans top our most number of tourist visiting Philippines especially for learning English and our beaches, as well as Filipinos embracing Korean culture such as Unlimited Samgyupsal and Kdramas dubbed in Tagalog.[ Me (Left) with my 친구 Joanna at the Korean Cultural Center event wearing our hanbok]Both of our countries have also experienced tragedy like the recent eruption of the Taal Volcano alongside with the sudden Sokcho Wildfire, but we have strengthen our bond as we help each other get through these difficult times. These are the reasons I believe why our attachment with each other go way beyond Boracay and BTS, or even Dried Mangoes and Kimchi. I'm hoping this 2020 will bring us closer and may we learn from each other as we face a new decade.

Cafe has been part of culture and daily routine of Koreans in a decade. Coffee mean to be one of their energy drink to fully focus on their work, studies and many more.Now, with the help of modern era, A lot of cafes been launched and the cafes that you should definitely check when you first travel in South Korea are: Cafe Tape, Butter Book and Dingo Cafe.  These cafes has distinct theme that you will surely love when you come through the door to feel relax. Just chillin and let your body move through the mood of music with just one cup of coffee. 

Chen, lead vocalist of K-pop band EXO, is to wed his girlfriend, the star announced Monday. His bride-to-be is known to have little to do with the entertainment industry. Chen hinted in his surprise announcement that they were expecting a baby. Chen debuted as a member of EXO in 2012. "I have a girlfriend, who I want to share the rest of my life with," the singer, 27, said in a hand-written letter to his fans on his agency SM Entertainment's official community board. "While I was discussing with other EXO members and company officials about delivering the news (on my girlfriend,) a 'blessing' came to us." Many speculate that the blessing refers to a baby. "I didn't' want to take more time, so I decided to take the courage," he added. "I am thankful to my members for their good wishes, and I want to thank my fans for their love. I will keep striving to reciprocate the love." SM, representing EXO, confirmed the star's marriage without revealing the date, saying, "Chen will tie the knot with his non-celebrity girlfriend. Further details about his marriage will not be disclosed to the public." Chen debuted as a member of EXO in 2012. The group recently released its sixth studio album "OBSESSION."

K-pop act iKON is set to release fresh music, making its first comeback since former leader B.I quit the band in June over drug allegations. The group unveiled three photos from its new music video on its official Instagram on Monday. The pictures feature members in dazzling red outfits against a backdrop of fire. "Preparation for the music and the MV (music video) is in the final stage," its agency YG Entertainment said. But the management company has not disclosed the EP's release date or the lead track's title. B.I, 23, left the group in June after being engulfed in a drug scandal. The singer, whose real name is Kim Han-bin, partially admitted in September that he had purchased and consumed marijuana in 2016. He was then booked. Former YG chief Yang Hyun-suk has been investigated for allegedly attempting to cover up the drug case. iKON, comprising Jinhwan, Yunhyeong, Bobby, Donghyuk, Ju-ne and Chanwoo, debuted in 2015 with the album "WELCOME BACK." It shot to fame with "LOVE SCENARIO" (2017).

2019 is the year of struggle for me, I am having hard time concentrating on many things. My life was so gloomy the past year, overflowing thoughts than has no end. But, there was a sudden change when I started watching BTS.Their musics attracts my soul and their charisma caught my heart. They made me feel so inspired and happy all the time. THEY HEALED ME.I started buying merch, albums, BT21 stuffs because of them. This is the first time I am so extremely attached to an artist. You can call me a DIE HARD FAN of BTS because I love them so much.I always dreamt about attending their concerts and meeting them personally because I want them to know that they are so special and to thank them for all the happiness they gave me but this kind of opportunity seems to be so distant.Last year we booked ticket with my friend to KOREA, this is a pure tour only as I want to celebrate my Birthday in Korea, however, I’ve seen your posted event about SEOUL MUSIC AWARD and fortunately, this event falls on our tour duration in KOREA. I am so eager to attend this event to watch BTS.I am Janet, 27 years old, a die hard fan of BANGTAN ?#SeoulMusicAwardsxHaBKorea

The prosecution sought an arrest warrant for K-pop star Serungri on Friday over suspected illegal overseas gambling and procuring prostitutes for his investors. The Seoul Central Prosecutors’ Office said it had filed an arrest warrant for the 30-year-old former Big Bang member, on seven charges including illegal overseas gambling, illegal currency transactions and procuring prostitutes.The warrant request comes about seven months after police sent the case to the prosecution with the recommendation of indicting him without detention in June. The police’s earlier attempt to arrest Seungri was rejected in May as the court saw the charges “disputable.” The police launched a probe in January and dispatched some 150 officers in connection with the scandal encompassing illicit sex videos, drugs, prostitution, and embezzlement. The scandal, involving several other K-pop stars, sent shockwaves across the country and the K-pop industry.

When I visited South Korea for the first time there are a lot of things I sought for an explanation, here it is:1) Why you have to use your both hands while accepting something?2) Why do Koreans always asking for the age?3) Why you cannot pour your own drinks?4) Why is it bad to place chopsticks on the top of the bowl?5) Why number 4 is being avoided?6) Why you cannot write in red ink?7) Why do Koreans always like shouting to each other?8) Why some Koreans are usually using their middle fingers?9) Why is it bad to give a "tip" in a restaurant?10) Why you cannot give liquor to a woman, as a gift?

At midnight on January 10 (KST), BTS dropped the first of two comeback trailers, “SHADOW, featuring Suga. This is the first of two comeback trailers that will come out ahead of their new album’s release on February 21.

The '9th Gaon Chart Music Awards' was held at the Jamsil Arena in Seoul, and Super Junior's Leeteuk and ITZY's Lia hosted the event for 2019 music releases.Songs of the Year | Monthly December 2018 | Ben "180 Degree" January | MC the Max "After You've Gone" February | Hwa Sa "Twit" March | Taeyeon "Four Seasons" April | Bolbbalgan4 "Bom" May | Davichi "Unspoken Words" June | Yoon Min Soo & Jang Hye Jin "Drunk on Love" July | Ben "Thank You for Goodbye" August | Sunmi "Lalalay" September | AKMU "How Can I Love the Heartbreak, You're the One I Love" October | MC Mong "Fame" November | IU "Love Poem"Albums of the Year | Quarterly First Quarter | Seventeen Second Quarter | BTS Third Quarter | Seventeen Fourth Quarter | EXONew Artist of the Year - Digital | ITZY New Artist of the Year - Album | TXT World Rookie Award | Stray Kids | (G)I-DLE Record Production of the Year | Kim Chung Ha "Gotta Go" World Hallyu Star Award | MONSTA X Discovery of the Year - Ballad | Kassy "The Day Was Beautiful" Discovery of the Year - Band | N.Flying "Rooftop" Hot Performance Award | NCT Dream | Kim Chung Ha Popular Singer Award | Lim Jae Hyun "If There Was Practice in Love" Song of the Year - International Pop | Billie Eilish "Bad Guy" Style of the Year - Stylist | Choi Hee Sun Style of the Year - Choreography | Choi Ri An Lyricist of the Year | Min Yeon Jae Composer of the Year | Black Eye Pilseung Performer of the Year - Musical Instrument Performance | Choi Hun Performer of the Year - Chorus | Joo Chan Yang Social Hot Star | BTS Retail Album of the Year | BTS Top-Kit Seller of the Year | EXO Music Steady Seller of the Year | Paul Kim "Me After You"

⭐ Please come to the ticket booth at the venue from 15:00 to 17:00. (find ‘HaB Korea’ logo)

BTS won both Daesang, ‘Digital Music of the Year’ and ‘Album of the Year’ category at the 34th Golden Disc Awards. This is the first time in the history of the Golden Disc Awards history that one group has dominated both categories.

BTS took home the Grand Prize (Digital Daesang) this evening, as well as a Bonsang in the digital song category.Check out the full list of winners below!Digital Song of the Year (Daesang): BTS Digital Song Division Bonsang: JANNABI, MC the Max, ITZY, AKMU, Chungha, BLACKPINK’s Jennie, Paul Kim, Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon, TWICE, BTS Best Group: MAMAMOO Best Solo Artist: MAMAMOO’s Hwasa Best New Artist: TXT, ITZY Best R&B/Hip Hop: Block B’s Zico Best Trot: Song Ga In Next Generation Award: Kim Jae Hwan, AB6IX, ATEEZ Producer’s Award: Bang Shi Hyuk

1. Fierce competitionMany strong chart-toppers and global stars have been nominated for this year’s categories including the Rookie of the Year, Bonsangs (main prizes) in both digital and physical divisions, and the Popularity Award. Artists who often win Golden Disc Awards trophies such as GOT7, MONSTA X, BTS, Super Junior, EXO, Girls’ Generation‘s Taeyeon, and TWICE have been nominated once again this year. Artists including JANNABI and Paul Kim are both up for their potential first Bonsang this year.2. Special stagesThe overall concept for this year’s show is “winter wonderland.” The set will it look as if an entire amusement park was relocated into the venue with plans for a merry-go-round, spaceship, and a Ferris wheel. Artists will use the set and ride the rides during their performances. It has been reported that this year’s production costs for the special set and stage required a large budget.There will also be a high-quality stage inspired by Fuerza Bruta, a postmodern theatre show offering a 360-degree experience with interactions between the performers and the public. Viewers can look forward to a performance that utilizes wires on a leaning wall, a performance staged while descending from the air together with a chandelier set, and a laser performance. In order for all of the artists to perform safely, experts have carried out pre-simulations and are conducting several rounds of safety evaluations.3. Epic lineup and appearancesFrom the singers, hosts, and presenters, the 34th Golden Disc Awards boasts a star-studded lineup of the biggest celebrities. 21 teams of artists will attend the two-day ceremony including GOT7, NU’EST, MAMAMOO, MONSTA X, BTS, SEVENTEEN, ITZY, JANNABI, Chungha, TWICE, and Paul Kim.Lee Da Hee will join fourth-year MC Sung Si Kyung as co-hosts of the January 4 awards for digital releases. First-time host Park So Dam will join third-year MC Lee Seung Gi for the January 5 awards for physical album releases.Many stars will also appear on stage on the first day as presenters including Go Jun Hee, Kim Nam Gil, Kim Seon Ho, Kim So Hyun, Shin Sung Rok, Ahn Jae Hyun, Lee Sang Yoon, Lee Se Young, Lee Jae Wook, Jung Eun Chae, Joo Won, and Han Ye Ri.They’ll be followed on the second day by presenters Kang Ha Neul, Kim Tae Hee, Seo Kang Joon, Yoon Se Ah, Jang Ki Yong, Jang Dong Yoon, Jang Hyuk, Jung Woo Sung, Pengsoo, and Han Ye Seul.The 34th Golden Disc Awards takes place on January 4 and 5, and will be broadcast live via JTBC, JTBC2, and JTBC4.Article from Soompi

⚡ GDA ticket booking: https://www.habkorea.net/tour/golden-disc-awards-package/– Scheduled location of cloud bridge in front of Gocheok Sky Dome (find the ‘HaB Korea‘ logo)– First of all, the booking office of the ticket purchase representative should show the reservation voucher and ID card, and then each person should receive an entrance bracelet after exchanging the ticket.– After getting the ticket, replace the bracelet in the relevant area (A-H) by the ‘entry bracelet’.– The location of the bracelet change booth varies by area A, B, C, D, E, G and H. Be sure to check the location on the site.– The entrance time for the GDA is 15:30 p.m. Please wait in advance in order of the ticket number.– You can enter after checking your ticket and entrance bracelet. The entrance time may change in a flexible manner depending on the circumstances of the site.– If you miss the entry order, you can enter the area (A to H), but the ticket number order will be invalidated and assigned to the rearmost seat.– Floor standing area can be accessed in order of entry number and viewed in your own place within the designated area (you cannot move between areas other than the designated area or move to reserved seats).– As the concert hall is crowded today, please be sure to arrive in time to receive your ticket.– The ticketing booth opening time is 13:00 January 2020 (all tickets for the four-day and five-day tickets will be given on January 4th).– For a smooth performance, be sure to arrive at the ticket opening time.– In the case of 12 years old or younger, be sure to enter with your guardian. Evidence(Date of birth) required according to age verification.– When entering, inspect your belongings for security purposes. If any type of filming equipment is found except for the mobile phone, the audience cannot enter. Ticket purchasers are deemed to have agreed.– Any kind of drink is now allowed to bring except a water bottle.– If you have an unauthorized item, please put it at the warehouse before entering.

Snow covers Mt. Gwangdeok in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, Jan. 1, 2020. Yonhap

According to KBS, one of the grand highlights of this year's year-end music festival will be a special project single, sung by all of the attending artists of this year's 'Gayo Daechukjae'. Over 150 individuals took part in recording the upcoming single, including BTS, GOT7, Red Velvet, TWICE, Seventeen, NU'EST, Gfriend, and more.

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Are you curious about the best Korean Skincare Brands? This rating is according to the general public I had asked.10.) SULWHASOO09.) DR. JART08.) IOPE07.) BLOSSOM JEJU06.) GOODAL05.) BANILA CO.04.) DEAR, KLAIRS03.) MISSHA02.) SKINFOOD01.) COSRXIf you have any comments or suggestions, please reply. 

The Daesang winner was chosen through 40 percent live audience votes, 30 percent votes from KBS variety producers, and 30 percent audience pre-votes. The other nominees were Lee Kyung Kyu, Lee Young Ja, Kim Sook, Jun Hyun Moo, and Kim Seung Hyun’s family (from “Mr. House Husband 2.”Daesang (Grand Prize): “The Return of Superman” fathers Viewers’ Choice for Best Program: “The Return of Superman” Top Excellence in Show & Entertainment: Kim Seung Hyun (“Mr. House Husband 2”) Top Excellence in Comedy: Park Joon Hyung (“Gag Concert”) Excellence in Show & Entertainment: Do Kyung Wan (“I Like Songs,” “The Return of Superman”), Kim Tae Woo (“Immortal Songs”) Excellence in Comedy: Seo Tae Hoon (“Gag Concert”) Hot Issue Entertainer: Yang Chi Seung (“Boss in the Mirror”), Jo Myung Seob (“I Like Songs”), NU’EST’s Baekho (“Let’s Go, Man Soo Ro”), FTISLAND’s Minhwan (“Mr. House Husband 2”) Hot Issue Variety Program: “Convenience Store Restaurant” Best Icon Award: “The Return of Superman” children Best Couple: Lee Young Ja and Lee Kyung Kyu (“Convenience Store Restaurant”), Golden Child’s Bomin and Shin Ye Eun (“Music Bank”) Best Teamwork: “Happy Together” Best Challenge Award: “Let’s Go, Man Soo Ro” and “Problem Child in House” Special Achievement Award: Shin Hyun Joon (“Entertainment Weekly”) Staff of the Year Award: Kim Seung Joon Special Producer Award: Shin Dong Yup (“Immortal Songs,” “Hello Counselor”) Rookie Award in Show & Entertainment: Jung Il Woo (“Convenience Store Restaurant”), Shim Young Soon (“Boss in the Mirror”) Rookie Award in Comedy: Bae Jung Geun (“Gag Concert”) Rookie DJ of the Year: Apink’s Jung Eun Ji Radio DJ of the Year: Lee Geum Hee Writer Award: Baek Soon Young (“The Return of Superman,” “Convenience Store Restaurant”) Best Idea Award: Weekly Park Sung Kwang Team (“Gag Concert”)