Concerts

I've been actually quite busy lately due camps at the work and such BUT also because of Beast comeback. Although, because of work I cannot go anywhere, I just go to concerts. Beast x2, last Sunday was Shinhwa, Thursday will be K.Will and later this month is BAP. And in September there will be Beast in Busan.

That is shit load of concerts and very expensive but it's only once I live here and can go. I am pissed off though that due the work aka sitting and doing nothing in office stops me from going to the events that has Beast. Sigh.

No new news on bf field although friend promised to set me up with someone. I mean, it cannot be that hard to find tall, athletic guy in here -.-;; maybe they just loathe the idea of dating a foreigner. I think it is just that.

I went to FC Seoul vs Suwon Samsung Bluewings football match. I am Suwon fan but my friends are Seoul fans so I was stuck in the Seoul side, their fan section at the end. First of all, they were standing all the time so I couldn't see the game, their cheering was so loud that my ears hurt too much (fucking vuvuzelas are allowed here!) and in the end we lost 2-1 so I was theonly depressed on that side.

And I've gained a lot of weight so I need to find a way to lose it. It's really hot too, every day over 30 degrees. BUT I can suffer through it for my boys.

K-culture expert tour guide

Another update right after the other but hey, I've been neglegting this blog. I'm sorry guys ;~; I wanted to update too but I've been really busy.

Anyways, I've been appointed as official Korean culture expert by Seoul Tourism Organization. Their marketing team contacted me after I left application. And part of the whole thing is to promote it as well so here I am talking about it.

Basically, I can make a tour about KPOP that includes but is not limited to karaoke, visiting the companies, their official stores, eating where idols eat/idol owned restaurants etc.  Now I have one week to design the tour so I need to think about the options.

If you would take part of a KPOP themed tour, where would YOU want to go? Let me know in comments

Guerilla concerts

What I really love about Korea is the free concerts they have once in a while for album releases and comebacks.

On 15th June I went to B2ST's B2UTY PARTY guerilla concert. I went there 9am to wait for a ticket and the concert was at 8pm. I got home part 11pm that day.

The thing is, if you first tihnk free concert or guerilla concert you get this image of a small concert at some street corner or park, no? But as it is Cube Entertainment and B2ST is huge, the whole guerilla concert.. well, it was concert. 3500 fans came and you know it's free?! I just kept thinking how much the cost is for the company. But it was amazing, definitely one of my best days in Korea by far.

More my photos at my Tumblr or Naver blog

Another guerilla concert I went was Skull and Haha's in Hongdae. And that's what I would call guerilla as well. It was small stage in a street, intimate and really a party. LOVED IT.

And the best part is that Haha actually replied to me on twitter after it :D

More pics will be on my Naver blog

Dream Concert and Dream Team

Let me start with how amazing b2uty is. No kidding. Our cheering for other groups was much more than I thought, also cheering for Tiara and not participating to the black ocean which most seemed to participate. Tiara's fanclub even thanked us for that. Inspirit said they're envious about Cube artists because b2uty cheered so loudly for 4minute too. 2AM's Jokwon even tweeted a video of b2uty singing 2AM's song so loudly that the fans actually covered their own voices. B2uty stayed back to clean up the arena too. Makes me a really really proud to be part of this fandom who started and still does so many amazing things. B2ST and B2UTY shine together to the end.

Other than that, the b2uty zone and my seat was way too far to even see anything, the screenwork was awful so it didn't really help and the screens were small too. I need to go and review the photos from fanclub girls, they are amazing as always.

Yesterday, there was finally another Dream Team filming and hello Dongjun. So no matter how tired I was from the concert, I took subway and bus to the Dream Team filming in Uijeongbu. 500 or so photos and 5 hours in blazing sun. I really need to buy a scarf to wear but totally worth it.

Coffee

haven't written here in a while. It has been a blast really. Changed host family and work and yeah, just generally veru busy. But also there really hasn't been a lot to update.

Korea, also loves coffee like Finland. But the coffee they love is coffee mix with instant coffee,sugar and milk powder. This is somerthing I cannot drink.

Because of that, I have looked through the coffee section for some black coffee to have at work. And I will do reviews about the coffees while I try them and get new ones.

First is this.
HiKoco gourmet black coffee.
It was 3000won and has 3 bags of coffee. It looks like big teabag so I was a bit vary about how it'd taste.

Well, even after 10minutes of soaking the liquid (cannot be called coffee) was still very mild and vaguedly brown. To be honest, it was difficult to drink it. But there is still two more bags so next time I try with a bit less water

White Day

Have you heard of White Day? Maybe not. It is a day celebrated in Korea and Japan, icreasingly in trendy parts of China and Taiwan too, I believe. It is Valentine's Day, well another one of those. 14th of March, the White Day is when the boys give candy or chocolate to the girls. Basically that means, if you are dating you get candy anyways with some small gift. But, if you confessed on Valentine's Day, unlike in the west, you have to wait whole month to see if he gives you candy back or not.

For me it is just another reminder that I'm alone. But, thank you Korea! There is another day for us singles. Black Day in 14th of April when singles get together and eat delicious jjajangmyeong (noodles with black bean sause).

Co-workers were nice though and brough us girls some chocolate. <3

Oh fuck this

You know, I don't get annoyed that easily but being ignored and not having working internet really does things for me. No matter what I say, they don't care to fix the internet in my host family. Which means that I cannot call home (did I want or not), I cannot pay my bills or transfer money from Finland cos too afraid to use the online bank as the internet works on 3 minute intervals. Also, cannot watch anything online. It took me 4 days to try and watch one episode of Running Man until I finally gave up and never watched it. As the net keeps going off every fucking minute, I cannot even dl it.

I'm pretty much ignored in the office. New intern, who just got there received Infinite H and CN Blue albums. I've been there a month and never got anything. Hell, good that they say 'hello' to me during the whole 7h I am there. Good thing I'm working in 3 places now, at least the other two are friendly and have nice people who actually bother talking with me.

I just want to change the host family asap. One big reason is the internet. I really need it to do things. I cannot do secure online banking from public free wifi's on cafe. No way! But also I work 6pm/10pm on Friday nights so I cannot even return home after that. And on the funny side of this family, I has elastic wrap up on my whole forearm and partially on my palm for days and no one even asked what happened. While I had small pain batches on my wrist at work and everyone asked what is wrong with my hand. That's how much I'm cared about here. Just, I want to work again on the bus next Friday so get me that damn host family, okay?

Oooh fire!

Yeah, so what happened in past couple weeks. Last week my friend from Finland came to Seoul on her way back to Beijing to study. She's been staying with me in the hotel for a week as I was the only one who didn't get host family until now.

On Sunday (also her last day at the hotel due certain matters) there was this huge explosion and fire just next to the hotel we're staying at. We spent that night outside, first in a cafe and then got another hotel room close by that wasn't effected by the fire. The Koreans said it's okay to sleep in the hotel though and we were like, no at fucking way when there's smoke inside.

Here's some news photos of the fire.

And here is one with after the fire. 

The news articles said that 9 buildings were destroyed, 19 shops/restaurants that were in these buildings and those aside that had to be watered through. 7 people were moved to the hospital for inhaling the smoke but none of them died or had severe burns. That's just amazing, seeing the amount of fire and explosions there were. 

On other note, we went to the Trick Eye Museum with my friend. I'm just posting few photos here as referense so please do check more from my photo blog at http://neitoperhonen.kuvat.fi I totally recommend the museum to everyone who comes to Seoul

Some videos

Here's some vids that I took in Namsan park. Stumbled upon a performance so sat down to take some vids. Some cut off in the middle cos I was bored. Sorry about that. It was cold so my hand holding the camera was freezing

First, some traditional music

Some dance to strenghten the sword

And some pretty awesome fighters

Lunar New Year

I'm excited! There will be so much traditional stuff going on in the hanok villages and palaces. I have to charge my phone batteries and stand the cold! Super excited AND a radio show I took part as well is doing a live show on Monday from Namsan so might actually go and check that out. 

Friend from Finland is coming over for couple weeks. I'll probably spend a lot of time with her after my work. She arrives on 9am tomorrow so I have to leave EARLY to the Incheon airport to pick her up. But it's okay, I wake up early anyways for breakfast. 

Interviews, I already mentioned before I was interviewed for NatGeo some Kpop documentary but actually they keep interviewing me. For aquarium and then for the radio. Well, I got this amazing tea set from the radio interview on the streets. Isn't it pretty?

I searched about it and the maker is actually a rehabilitation center for disabled people. It is really beautiful and seeing as it is not just bought from market but it is actually made by those in needs makes it just that much more valuable! Even if it was a crappy, short interview to radio on a streets of Myeongdong

And as a note, if you reader live in Chinese speaking country that airs TVB's Viva spectacular New Year show. Keep and eye on me and my roommate! 

End of Orientation week!

Eugh, finally the orientation is finished. Honestly, I got a lot of free time cos Mr. Kim favors me for some reason but still. After studying 5 years of Korean, I still had to sit through the beginner's or more like extra beginner's lessons. 4 hours a day! Gosh.. but it's over now.

I have Korean phone! I start working on Wednesday. AND we went to clebration dinner today with all the guys staying in the hotel. We went to this Chicken and Beer place, got few buckets of chicken, some drinks and had fun. Honestly, my roommate and I discovered the place couple nights ago after coming home from that Spectacular tv filming. And the reason we went back was this one.. or well two extremely cute waiters in there. Adorable and they keep pushing him there to serve us :D LOL I don't mind. I think I go there later again, just cos he's so flustered when he has to serve us. Does he even understand I can speak Korean so he doesn't have to like force his English?

Ahh United Cube in Seoul tomorrow. I see if I can smuggle my camera in. probably not though but I'll try.

And I try to get my ass up the hotel room bed some night and go with the stand to take night view photos of the city

TVB Golden Viva Spectacular (TV Show)

Another TV show. Why I feel like I'm doing nothing else in Korea? Oh right, the volunteering hasn't started yet, that's why!

It was so short though, just one hour with all the artists -.-;; AND no photos of ZE:A or U-Kiss cos the security was being bitch and nearly took my camera. Which is weird cos they didn't care a shit when Sistar performed and I took photos. So what the fuck guys?!

But there was this hottiw Sistar fan in front of me and according the camera and lens he had, he's got money too. Then there was adorable cutie in chicken restaurant we went after this show. BUT that doesn't really make me feel better.. my ZE:A boys were so hot. Like damn.

Anyways, the TV show was some sort of New Year special (Lunar New Year on Feb. 10) and we did even new year countdown in there. So it's gonna air then on this TVB channel in Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan.. at least those, I think some other parts too.

On other note, roomate got like traditional rice cakes from a cafeteria guy who works in the hotel. She thinks he's cute and now he even handed her rice cakes! I'm getting kinda jealous here -.- he's totally hitting on her. And this is Korea so cute couples all around. I don't know what to do, find me a guy too.

Dream Team 2

So, on extremely freezing Sunday (130127) I took a subway for over 1h and bus to 신한대학교 in Suwon to watch Dream Team filming because Kim Dongjun from ZE:A was there and Shorry too and Brian and this Hyeonkon or whatever his name is from A-jax.

It was fucking freezing. I'm not gonna lie. I got there around 1pm, the filming started at 2pm and continued until 5pm. Basically, they skipped the 'service game' and they shortened thr course cos it was just TOO COLD! I had to buy a blanket and some hot packs and still froze my ass off.

And Shorry was on his way but he didn't show up so I just left after Dongjun completed the course. I was just way too cold to hang on the remaining hour. I didn't get to see Shorry then ;~;

BUT it was totally worth it! I was the only foreigner (surprise surprise) so they probably got me in close up like dozen times. Keep your eyes open for Dream Team 2 episode 171 AND if you want to see pics, go to my tumblr

:D

So.. I spent two days and a bit more with this Japanese guy I found from Couchsurfing. He was the most amazing host ever. Even came to the airport, helped with my big big BIG luggage and yeah, amazing guy. And he looks like my ex but I was able to get over that. Anyways, we ate out, went to his favorite bar. The bar was this tiny little room and one of the bartenders was freaking cute! Omg, he was like adorable. I have to find my way back there some day. But itäs in Sinchon so, a bit far but I think I can make it. Seeing as my friend is studying in Yonsei that is like in the middle of the area.

Anyways, at hotel now. Waiting other volunteers to come and going to crab a meal later.

On other things, I'm most likely going to Dream Team 2 filming on Sunday. Keep an eye on me, I'll be on TV! And going Yoseob's family restaurant some day. I found someone who is same age here so gonna meet up with her soon and make good friends.

Arrived to Korea

After some flight delays and long trip I'm finally in Seoul and at Asukah's place. I found him on CouchSurfing and when I saw him at the airport... Well, he look slike my ex. What a coincidence, right? Such a nice guy though. I'll be staying with him for few days and then I'll leave. But now I go to take a nap. See ya

I got the visa!

Finally after long waiting I got my visa (multiple entry, baby!) and the flights are ready. Just need to remember this and that and also have to discipline myself cos bringing ten bars of chocolate to give out in months AFTER coming to Kores will be difficult. My sweettooth is so bad that I eat em all.

But anyways, I'm all ready to go. Looking out for new adventures in Korean metal music scene