Malaysian Film, Korean Setting

Blog Contest

by Korea Plaza KL

Come up with a Malaysian musical film in a Korean setting, and what do we get?  A movie that I must check out!  Even in the midst of preparing for my university's final examination, I can't help but to take some time to watch the movie and write a blog post for a contest based on that movie.  It is always nice to see our local producers or directors embarking on a setting outside of our own country but maintaining the Malaysian aspects of a movie.  So, what is 'Aku Ada, Kau Ada??' all about?  Here is the trailer for those who did not get to watch it yet.  The main characters are played by actress Yana Samsudin (playing Tina) and actor Shaheizy Sam (playing Nordin), and this film was directed by Rahila Ali.

Now, onto the contest questions...

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1) Name two places in the movie where Tina and Nordin constantly clash with each other in Korea.

Even though a number of places are featured in the movie, the two places that I found to be the "meeting points" where Tina and Nordin often bump into each other are Kyung Hee University (Seoul campus) and Nami Island.

Kyung Hee University (Seoul campus)

Nordin is a second-year student at this university.  He made it his "resolution" to be seen as a cool guy but whenever the spotlight is on him, he starts to feel giddy and eventually throws up.  Tina is placed at the same university under an anger management programme called "99 Hari Senyum" (Smile for 99 Days).  Starting from the first moment that the two clash with each other when Nordin's reckless driving almost hits Tina who happens to be in the way, it can be seen that they often clash at the area near the water fountain in front of Kyung Hee University's administration building.

Nami Island

Have you ever watched a 2002 Korean drama entitled 'Winter Sonata'?  If you have, you would notice that some scenes in this movie were filmed at the same place.  The place is Nami Island, an islet with a very eye-catching scenery.  For those who have watched the movie ('Aku Ada, Kau Ada???'), I am sure a lot of you will agree that the most meaningful meetings between Tina and Nordin happen at the tree lanes of Nami Island.  Who wouldn't be mesmerised by the ever breathtaking view of pathways with trees and shrubs on both sides?  Purely beautiful (and romantic)~

2) If I have a flight ticket to Korea, I will...

... do the following in order to utilise the chance that I've been waiting for.

i - Polish my Korean language
I've always enjoyed learning about Asian cultures.  Learning languages other than my country's is part of it.  I haven't got the chance to join any Korean language classes but I've been learning the language on my own with the help of online communities, books, and dictionaries.  I can say that I'm gradually improving at my own pace.  My effort in learning this beautiful language shall continue.  As long as I don't give up, I'll be fluent enough someday.

ii - Visit Kyung Hee University

Thanks to the movie, I've become interested to know more about Kyung Hee University.  It seems like the university is a panoramic place to visit.  As a university student, I know for a fact that "university life" is very much different from "school life" or "working life".  It is a phase in one's life that needs to be seized and cherished.  Seeing from the movie and from posts by other individuals, Kyung Hee University indeed has a surrounding that is unique and captivating.  It is a private university that offers quite a wide range of courses for undergraduates and graduates, both domestic and international.

It's a pretty cool university, isn't it?

Click here and you'll be directed to the official website of the university.

iii - Explore Lotte World

Of course, I won't miss the chance to go to Lotte World!  I'm excited just thinking about it.  This place is perfect for entertainment, sightseeing, and shopping.  Going with your family or friends will multiple the fun and satisfaction.

This photo of Lotte World is courtesy of TripAdvisor (NatL3)

This photo of Lotte World is courtesy of TripAdvisor (missjess85)

This photo of Lotte World is courtesy of TripAdvisor (kisetsu)

This photo of Lotte World is courtesy of TripAdvisor (kisetsu)

This photo of Lotte World is courtesy of TripAdvisor (Lynne000)

This photo of Lotte World is courtesy of TripAdvisor (Lynne000)

This photo of Lotte World is courtesy of TripAdvisor (SETYADARMA)

So, who wants to visit Lotte World with me?!  Raise your hands!

Click here to see the official website of Lotte World.

iv - Stop by at cool cafes

I've heard and read that there are pretty cool cafes in Korea, particularly around Seoul.  The cafes are not only known for their beverages or meals but also their ambience.  It would be a pleasure to step my feet in some of the cafes that the people around me have been talking about.  The cafes that I would love to go to are Coffee of Dream (가베 두림), Coffee Smith, Star Cafe Miss Lee (별다방 미스리), Hello Kitty Cafe, and Cube Studio Cafe.

Coffee of Dream

345-13, Gasan-dong, Geumcheon-gu

02 562 8268

Click to go to the website.

Coffee Smith

541-7, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu

02 3446 9383

Click to go to the website.

Star Cafe Miss Lee

144, Gwanghun-dong, Jongno-gu

02 739 0939

1-74, Dongsung-dong, Jongno-gu

02 747 0939

199-1, Euljiro 2-ga, Jung-gu

02 755 0939

Click to go to the website.

Hello Kitty Cafe

358-112, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu

02 6326 6500

Click to go to the website.

Cube Studio Cafe

Cheongdam-dong

I'm a huge supporter of Cube Entertainment, the agency that manages BEAST, 4Minute, G.NA, and BTOB.  So, going to the cafe that Cube Entertainment came up with would be more than just a normal cafe visit to me.

v - Go to Kwangjang Market
Why would I miss the chance to go to 광장 시장 (Kwangjang Market)?  To me, it's one of the places that a visitor must go to in order to experience how it's like being in a Korean market.  I want to try the food sold there and probably buy some souvenirs to bring back home.  I might even have a chat with one of the 아줌마 (aunt) or 아주씨 (uncle) at any of the stalls there.  Even with my broken Korean skills, I can still start a casual conversation, can't I?

6-1, Yeji-dong, Jongno-gu

02 2267 0291

Click to go to the website.

vi - Blog about my awesome trip

What good is a great trip if it isn't shared, right?  Especially since I have a blog, I'll be more than happy to tell others about what I have experienced in Korea.  Through accounts on the places I have visited and food I have tried, accompanied by related pictures, I hope that others will be able to be part of my trip through reading my post.  Blogging about it can also be a way for me to preserve the wonderful memories I've made.  I can always look back and reminisce the joyful days.

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Thank you for reading this!  Best wishes!

There's Something About 서은광

Yes, there's something about 서은광 that gives me a tingly feeling every time I see him in a video or a picture.  You know, that kind of churning feeling inside that instantly makes you have a certain reaction upon seeing someone or something?  In Korean language, it would be described as "두근 두근".  That's "dugeun dugeun", pronounced as "du-gun du-gun".  In English, you can call it "thump thump" or "thumping" for short.  Like seriously...it's not just having 'butterflies in the stomach' kind of thing.  If I may alter that phrase, it would be 'butterflies in the heart' in my case.  It's because I feel more warmth in my heart rather than my stomach when I think about 은광이.  (Haha...somehow the sentence sounds funny.  "More warmth in my heart"??  xD )  And it's not exactly the same as the normal situations where I get excited on my own when I see other namja idols who catch my eye.  My friends and family know well enough how I am when I get excited because of those eye candies (but I see more than their outward appearances, believe me).  Really, it's a little different.  I don't know why yet.  You may say that it's nothing unusual especially since I'm a fan of the group BTOB who is a junior group of BEAST.  So, I'll try to keep silent and post about it instead.  ^o^

[Credit: Glitter Boy]

// Please do not edit fantaken photo. //

I've come up with several reasons why 은광 has a special spot in my heart.  (P/S - BEAST's 현승 has been staying in my heart too ever since I knew BEAST.  Just FYI.)  It's not very hard for me to list out some of the things that I find captivating about this currently blonde guy.  (P/S again - He bleached his hair blonde for the group's debut and his hair remains bleached with occasional variation of pinkish shade or lighter tone.)

Reason #1

His Refreshing Look
I put this as my first reason because I was first attracted to 은광 before I heard him sing or saw him dance since he had not debuted yet at that time.  The first time I saw 은광 (not live, just in a video ^^) was in the sitcom 'I Live in Cheongdam-dong' where he played his character as a member of a 5-guy group of aspiring singers.  The others who played the characters of the remaining members of the group in the sitcom are also in the same agency, Cube Entertainment, in real life, not in the sitcom.  Although I didn't watch the sitcom, I watched clips of this particular group compiled by fans.  From there, I started noticing 은광 and I was drawn to the refreshing vibe that I got from him even though I didn't know his name at that time.  Then, the group BTOB officially debuted and I got the chance to watch their debut showcase live on YouTube.  In the showcase, BTOB members were introduced one by one in a fashion runway style.  은광 was the first to come out and I was *_* 'ed by his smooth yet subtle move as he walked towards the front of the stage.  His gaze shot right through the laptop screen and caused me to +_+ .  And then he smiled, making me #_# .  Yeah, I can't find the words to substitute those emoticons right now.  Can you help me?

By the way, some have said that 은광 resembles 현승 but I didn't realise that.  I still don't see the close resemblance of those two.  It's funny because 현승 happens to be my bias in BEAST.  Do they really resemble one another in any way?  Hmm...maybe.

Reason #2
His Vocals

Have you heard him sing?  If  you haven't, you should.  And prepare to be amazed.  He's definitely one of the best vocalists ever existing on this planet.  It's not just my opinion, it has been said so many times by many individuals.  He himself knows that too and he aims to become one of the greatest singers known.  I would love to learn how he can control his voice projection and breathing technique.  Teach me, 은광이~  On a side note (since this post is about 은광), the whole of BTOB members, which consists of seven members altogether, are undeniably talented in singing, rapping, and also dancing.  Acting can be in it too but that's not their focus right now.  Let them be the BTOB that serenades fans with their voices and excites fans with their moves.  So, BTOB really is a group that is well equipped with impressive talents that can do wonders if polished and maintained in the long run.

Reason #3

His Dance

Who isn't attracted to people who can dance wonderfully, right?  But 은광's moves when he dances captured me (as if he didn't capture me already way before I saw him dance) like an arrow that was steadily released from its bow and found its way to me.  Every person has his or her own style or tendency when dancing.  은광's style is by far one of my favourites.  Just like how he was "smooth yet subtle" when he walked the runway during BTOB's debut showcase, he does the same every time he dances.  I don't know if anyone else realises it but I seem to notice the extra smoothness that he has when he dances.  Okay, I shall not talk more about this because you might not be able to imagine it well yet I'm the only one envisioning it perfectly and being crazy all by myself.

Reason #4

His Brotherly Love with BTOB Members

I love it when members of a group get along well and looks after one another like best friends or close siblings.  BTOB is one of the groups that have great bonds with each other.  They remind me of BEAST members who are close with each other and has each other's back.  In fact in a survey conducted by a TV programme (I think), BEAST was voted by fellow entertainers as the group with the best teamwork.  BTOB made it in the top list too!  And A Pink too, from A Cube Entertainment.  I'm so proud of these CUBE talents.  :')  은광 isn't just the leader of BTOB.  He's the big brother, which makes prefect sense since he's the oldest among the seven.  Oh, did you know that the seven members of BTOB share one bedroom with three bunk beds?  The youngest member, 성재, once said that it allows them to become closer but in the morning, their washroom becomes a war zone.  Cute!

Reason #5

His Giggle

I'm so in love with 은광이's giggle that I recorded his short but contagious giggle from their debut showcase and saved it in my phone.  Now, the recorded audio is in my Galaxy Tab too.  Enough said!

Reason #6

His Pronunciation

은광 might not be very fluent in English yet but he's getting there.  His English pronunciation might not be the best out of all idols but he's really not bad.  As a matter of fact, I like how he pronounces some English words.  It's like hearing a Korean speaking in simple English and then suddenly a particular word is pronounced so beautifully in an accent that it makes you think "Wait?  Was that the same person for a second there?" when you hear him speak.  It doesn't apply to every English word that he says but just some of them.  From his singing and interviews, some of the words that he has pronounced remarkably well (according to me) are "pain", "point (from "point of view")", "pursue", and "leader".  Peniel, teach him more!

You know what?  The list can go on because I can be as detailed and thorough as I want to but I'll have some mercy and stop here.  ^^  So, those are the top reasons why I adore you-should-know-who-by-now.

[Credit: btob-confessions.tumblr.com]

This was requested by me, actually.  I'm not kidding.  I requested for it about a week after BTOB debuted.

Thank you for your time and please support our blooming love.  What the...  LOL.  I'm just being me.  Okay, bye for now!