[BLOGGER POST] D-3 in Seoul, Korea

So yesterday after I went back to my hostel, had some instant noodle before sleeping and finally unwrapped my NU'EST album. I wasn't expecting a photocard inside since it was an older album. But there was a photocard inside and I got MinHyunnie's card! ^^ Feel so happy tho I didn't manage to get JR's photocard yet :(

Minhyun photocard! 

Anyway, I woke up around 11AM today and planned to visit the top entertainment companies at Apgujeong area. I took the subway to Apgujeong Rodeo, according to the directions given by bloggers online, I've managed to find the companies without wasting much time. FNC Entertainment was a bit harder to find if you were to go from JYP Entertianment/Cube Entertainment's direction. SM Entertainment's direction is much more better, easier and clearer. You won;t have problem finding FNC once you have spotted SM. But all of these companies are not hard to find, there are always fans waiting outside the company so you can ask around, fans can direct you to the place! And so, I went to JYP Entertainment first because it was the nearest. It was located right opposite of Dunkin Donuts. Fans are camping at Dunkin Donuts to get some rest and to spot the idols. I was lucky to see 15&'s Jimin walking out from JYP Entertianment with her manager.

EXO comeback banner spotted at SM training centre

JYP Entertainment (not that big in size actually)

Jimin of 15& with her manager I guess

 Cube Cafe Studio, the current artiste featured is 4 Minute

 The outdoor decoration of Cube Cafe studio

Since I have managed to see an idol, I decided to stay a bit longer to see if I can spot more. Then there goes 2AM's Jinwoon, coming from across the street to JYP Entertainment, all smiles on his face wearing shades and jeans. I was shocked when he stopped by the company and then walked off by his own. A few fans went after him for autograph so I went too. Jinwoon was happy to sign for us and fans started to ask for selca since there were only 5 of us, including my sister and I. Jinwoon didn't reject us, he took selca and wrote our names on the autograph paper. He was so nice! He was very handsome in person. I have met him twice when he came to Malaysia for showcases and even got his autograph before but this felt totally different. I was in the middle of the road with no crowded fans around him, and he was autographing for me with my name on it and even agreed to selca with me, what is happening? Haha was the sun rising from the west? I guess so.

 Autograph of Jinwoon

Selca with Jinwoon

Was so happy and jumping around, thinking whether should I call it a day since meeting Jinwoon made me happy enough. Then 2PM's Chansung went out from the company and quickly hopped into the car. Fans were trying to go towards him but the car was droving off already. I manage to take his photo but couldn't get his sign nor selca.

Chansung outside JYP Entertainment

After waiting for some time in front of JYP Entertainment, I've decided to walk to FNC Entertainment since it was just located along the way. When I arrived, the fans there told me CN BLUE's Yonghwa just went in 20 minutes ago. I've waited and waited for Yonghwa but he didn't come down. Then after waiting for 20 minutes, there was a black van coming through and stopped right in front of FNC Entertainment. CN BLUE's Minhyuk came down and walked inside the building. He was all manners! He bowed and greeted the guard working at the guardhouse loudly before entering the gate. After waiting for an hour or so, nobody came down or went it. Then I saw CN BLUE's Yonghwa walked pass the glass window by the 1st floor. Fans went a bit chaotic and was fangirling by themselves. I didn't manage to take photo of Yonghwa but I swear I saw him. His hair was brown in colour and he kinda looked out the window too.

FNC Entertainment

CN BLUE Minhyuk at FNC Entertainement

Random photo of a random kid running on the road near FNC Entertainment

After waiting at FNC Entertainement for quite some time and still nobody is coming in and out, I went to SM Entertainment since I've heard that EXO have been going in and out the company this morning and fans were able to catch them.

When I arrived at SM Entertainment, there were like 5 times of fans waiting in front of SM Entertainment than JYP Entertainment. I've waited there for quite some time but I couldn't see anyone but some rookies. Not sure was he one of the SM Rookies or just a trainee. But fans were still fussing about him. I've noticed that SM Entertainment has a small parking lot in front of the front door so the vans/cars always stop right in front of the door and the artistes will be rushing in with the speed of light. I knew I won't even have the chance to take picture or get their sign. Plus there were so many desperate fans have waited there for god knows how long, so I decided to leave.

SM Entertainment building

Oh and when I was still waiting there, my sister checked her Twitter and saw fans saying that 4Minute just walked into Cube Cafe. All 5 of them! So without wasting any time, I went to the Cube Cafe. I didn't manage to see them walked in because by the time I arrived, all 5 of them are already inside, so I decided to wait outside since they have to come out somehow right? After waiting there for around 5minutes, BEAST's Dongwoon came in with his bike, looking so tall and
handsome, I unconsciously just blurted Oh My God in front of him. I don't know whether did I shocked him or what but he gave me a blank glimpse and the face saying "Did you just call me god?" Well yeah, I was panicked I didn't know what to say. He then went upstairs to the 1st floor where only staffs and other VIPs can access. I was so excited, knowing that 4Minute and BEAST are in the building and was hoping that Dujun and Gikwang might walk in! Or Yoseob? Or Junhyung?

THEN! In walked BTOB's Eunkwang. He was wearing a black hoodie with jeans, wearing a backpack. He walked pass me, nodding and smiling to fans who called his name. He was so cute. Honestly he was skinny too (feeling fat beside him)! I knew I shouldn't leave Cube Cafe. More fans started to gathered in the building, all waiting for them to leave. I didn't have time to update my Facebook because the artistes came in one by one. I was so starstucked, my hands were trembling, my eyes are fixed to spot idols and I was dizzy, standing outside the building under the cold weather.

BTOB Eunkwang walking in

Not long later, 4Minute's Jiyoon came out with out of the staffs, wearing a face mask. I nearly couldn't recognize her since she was wearing a cap and a mask but she was very slim and her walk was so cute. I didn't dare to walk up to her since she was walking with her staff/manager.

A few minutes later, BTOB's Changseob walked out with his bike. I didn't know that he was inside the building because I didn't see him coming in. He was walking too fast with his bike I didn't wanted to bother him by asking for autograph since he was holding his bike and walking very fast.

BTOB Changseob with his bike

I stayed there and another 5 minutes later, BTOB's Peniel walked in. His body was so buff and muscular tho he was wearing a checkered shirt and a cap, I can still recognize him because he shines :) He was talking on the phone and I heard him say "What time?" haha no idea who he was talking to or what he was talking about. He was tall too! A very nice height I could say.

BTOB Peniel

AFTER THAT, 4Minute's Sohyun came out with a staff/manager too. She was wearing a cap, holding a cup of coffee. I only manage to snap a picture of her since she walked very fast too. All 4Minute members were in the building but Jiyoon and Sohyun just came out, which means HyunA, Jihyun and Gayoon are still inside!

Not long after that, 4Minute's Jihyun came out from the building alone with a cup of coffee and a purse on her hand. She was wearing a cap without her make up on but she was still very pretty! He skin was so flawless and her hair was so nice! I quickly ran to her and ask for autograph. She stopped and signed for me! She even ask for my name without me telling her to write it. She was so cute! She wasn't wearing any make up on so obviously she won't agree to take selca with fans.

4Minute Jihyun

 Jihyun's autograph

I ran back to the Cube Cafe just to see if any artiste are coming out, then BTOB's Peniel came out, walking so fast by himself. Since he was by himself, I ran towards him and got his autograph. He didn't ask for my name and I didn't ask him to write it either. He was walking so fast so I guess he was in a hurry. A few fans came along too but they were kinda annoying tho. They were constantly walking so close behind him, talking to him but he didn't respond to them. He politely smiled at us when he was about to enter Cube Entertainment.

BTOB Peniel's autograph

And of course, I ran back to Cube Cafe to avoid missing out HyunA :) 4Minute's Gayoon was the next to leave the Cube Cafe. She came out from the front door which was unexpected since fans were starting to crowd at the 2nd door. She manage to enter her car with a few sasaeng fans trying to act as the staffs and talking to her casually, standing in front of her car door and were trying to stop other fans from getting nearer to Gayoon, how rude.

4Minute Gayoon

Finally, 4Minute's HyunA came out, with a big purse on her hand, wearing a grey sweater with her hair all tied up. She was wearing make up and a very bright red lipstick. She looked so cute yet stylish! She was talking to the staff beside her and she sounded so cute. I wasn't able to get her sign because she didn't walk to Cube Entertainment but she went into a car which was already parked in front, waiting for her to hop on.

4Minute HyunA

So by now, everybody basically left except for the two male idols, BEAST's Dongwoon and BTOB's Eunkwang. After waited fo around 20 minutes, Eunkwang left the building with the infamous Joonkun manager beside him. Both of them were talking and laughing. I went up to Eunkwang and get his autograph since he looked happy. Fortunately, the manager Joonkun didn't stop me from standing beside Eunkwang and getting his autograph. He was all smiles and asking Eunkwang to look out for cars.He is one of the nicest manager I have ever seen, compared to the ones like SM Entertainment who have history of hitting fans on their head when they were near to EXO. I told Eunkwang my name but I guessed he misheard it. Well, he did misheard it. He wrote 별이 instead of 효리 which I thought is cute! 별 means stars in Korean :) What nice name. Can I say that it is a name Eunkwang gave me? :D

Eunkwang's autograph

Finally, the one and only Son namshin is still in the building. It was kinda late already but he hasn't left yet. Fans were starting to leave since it was cold but a few Malaysian fans whom I was lucky enough to get to know them was determined to waitn for Dongwoon. So we waited together and chatted a little, exchanging informations and getting to know each other. They were from Melaka! Anyways, Dongwoon finally left less than an hour later. He rode his bike and the bike looked nice and expensive. It was white in colour and his legs looked so long. YAY!

Everybody left, so fans were all leaving too. It was quite late already and I haven't have my dinner yet. I wanted to eat at Cube Cafe but they only have drinks and snacks. I was hungry and I need some rice and soup. So I went to a nearby restaurant called Food Cafe and it is opened for 24 hours. The food was nice and inexpensive. I had the pork cutlet kimchi kimbap which costed 4,000\ while my sister had kimchi jjigae which costed 5,000\.

Pork cutlet kimbap

That's all about today. I am so tired. My legs are sore and my back was aching but I guess it is still worth the pain? Haha

No comments

Posted at 11:00 PM |  by Colene Hyori

[BLOGGER POST] D-2 in Seoul, Korea

Woke up really late today because I need to get some beauty sleep at around 12:30PM. Since Seoul Hostel doesn't provide breakfast, I ate some triangular kimbap I've bought from a nearby 7-eleven convenient store and drank Banana milk! After having breakfast and some more rest, I headed out to MyeongDong again.

The triangular kimbap (beef gochujang flavour)

I think Isaac Toast is quite well known in Korea, there is one branch in MyeongDong so I decided to try it out. I ordered the Bacon MVP and it tasted really good. Nothing in Malaysia can really beat this toast. There are a lot of choices to choose from too. I've waited for quite some tome because the orders they received comes in large numbers. Fortunately, they work fast. After taking the toast with me, I've decided to head over to Caffe Bene to try out the bingsu and waffle.

Isaac Toast

I've ordered the Cookies and Cream bingsu and Tiramisu Waffle. The bingsu costed around 9,800₩ while the waffle was 5,000₩. The waffle was not bad since it was topped with some ice cream and chocolate syrup. I wasn't really impressed with the bingsu because it tasted bland. It is basically made up of shaved ice, some cookies crumbles, red beans, another layer of shaved ice and topped with ice cream and cookie crumbles again. It was a really big portion (might feed around 4 person).

 

The bingsu is almost the size of my head

Spent some nice quiet time at the cafe, listening to some awesome Korean song throught the radio. Those weren't kpop songs or any popular songs but slow, romantic and sentimental songs. After having some rest, I've went back go the MyeongDong subway station. There is a underground shopping street located at the subway station. You can buy clothes, bags, shoes, accessories and Kpop merchandises here. As a loyal Kpop fan, I've went into one of the Kpop merchandise shop and bought NU'EST Action 2nd album at 8,300₩ (around RM25). Couldn't get their first album, Face, as it is sold out. I've went to another shop too but couldn't get it either. And of course, my sister bought 5 Infinite's album for herself.

NU'EST Action album!

While I was planning to head back to my hostel and call it a day, I spotted a shop selling cheap clothes at 5,000₩ (around RM15-16). Finally I bought my first clothe in Korea! Had some ramyeon for dinner because I've spent too much on my lunch.

No comments

Posted at 10:34 PM |  by Colene Hyori

[BLOGGER POST] D-1 in Seoul, Korea

Woke up early today at around 9AM because I had to take the KTX train from Busan to Seoul! Seoul here I come! ^^ Finish packing and changing at around 10AM. So my KTX train departure time is at 12pm, I had to arrive before 11:30am to get my ticket by presenting the confirmation letter to the staffs working at the tourist information center. Oh yes and before I left the hostel, I wrote some good reviews on sticky notes for them to stick on the wall of feedback by the guests.

Last night at Hi Korea Hostel

KTX ticket from Busan to Seoul

Unfortunately, the cute guy who checked me in on the first day wasn't working today, i was checked out by another 2 cute guys LOL I did took a polaroid picture with one of them. Oh yeah, the one who checked me out doesn't speak English. He was so blurred and shocked when I asked for a photo with him. Maybe it was his first day working at the hostel?

Anyways, I've took a taxi from the nearby Grand Hotel to Busan Station at around 10:50AM. The KTX Station is located at Busan Station. It costed around 15,100₩ and I've arrived around 11:15AM. The KTX was quite comfortable, they sell some snacks and drinks on the train too. They also prepared a small section for travellers to put their luggages aside. I didn't have breakfast that day because I was in a hurry. I've bought a lunch box on the train, it costed 10,000₩ and it tasted delicious! Even though it was a bit cold but the kimchi and  the dakgalbi was really nice. I was impressed. I thought lunch boxes won't taste that nice, guess I was wrong :)

Snacks for sale on KTX!

The KTX train arrived right on time at around 2:45PM. I was totally shocked when I arrived at the Seoul Station. People are rushing here and there, pushing each other out of their ways, people running around to catch trains. It was very chaotic. Seoul is very different from Busan!

Since Seoul Station is so near to Jonggak Station (Seoul Hostel is at Jonggak station), I've decided to carry my big luggage bag to Jonggak by subway. It was a mistake. People are so cramped inside the station and the stairs are high. Carrying such big luggage around wasn't ideal at all.

Anyway, I've managed to arrive safely to my hostel and checked in on time. The room was smaller than the one in Busan since it is cheaper here. After unpacking and taking a nap, I've decided to meet up with my aunt who is currently in Seoul too for dinner since it is her last night in Seoul. We went for some jjimdak (찜닭) at MyeongDong! We had some at Andong Jjimdak (안동찜닭), which is a very famous jjimdak restaurant that offers delicious food. Since we were not that hungry, 3 of us ordered the small portion which says for 1~2 person. Although it is the smallest portion available but the portion was so damn big, it can feed almost 4 adult (women) and a child. As expected, we couldn't finish the whole thing. But the food was seriously very nice. You dont have to order extra rice for this since they already have big chuncks of potatoes and glass noodles in it.

Jjimdak!

After having dinner, my aunt and I parted ways because she came with her friends and they are going on their own ways. So my sister and I decided to explore MyeongDong a little bit more. There were soooooo many cosmetics and beauty shops that are offering 50-70% discount on their products. I have no self control and Kim Soo Hyun, L, Nichkhun and SJM was seducing me on the products they advertise. I have to bring them home! I've bought tons of produtcs from Beyond, Shara Shara, Its Skin and Tony Moly. Not to mention Nature Republic is offering 50% discounts too and it comes with EXO merchandises.

Amount of my beauty products!

Me holding my purchases in the subway station

At around 11PM, I've took the subway back my hostel. Luckily the hostel is located near to the subway exit because I was so exhausted I couldn't walk any further. Well, I've slept late at around 2AM because I was busy updating my family and answering questions of friends who wanted me to buy them products back to Malaysia. I will be exploring MyeongDong more tomorrow!

No comments

Posted at 10:00 PM |  by Colene Hyori

[BLOGGER POST] D-3 in Busan, Korea

Woke up quite late today because I've slept in late yesterday :) Woke up at around 10:30AM and headed down to the restaurant at 1st floor of my hostel building. They sell mostly rice soup type of food. I've ordered Kimchi jjigae, just to see whether what's the difference between authentic Korean food and Malaysian commercialized Korean food. Not much difference but the taste is slightly better and the amount of ingredients they put inside is so generous. One portion is 5,000\ and I've ordered 2 portion for me and my sister. A lot of the locals went there for their breakfast, wearing their working uniforms.
Oh and they eat so fast! I've spent around 20 mins for slowing slurping the hot soup and finish up the rice, the spent like 5 mins and off they go.

Kimchi jjigae with lots of side dishes!

Later on, I took the subway to ToSeong to visit the Gamcheon Culture Village. It was featured all over the brochures of Busan and also in the TRUNQ KOREA video recorded by Infinite. I do recommend then anybody who wants to visit, please choose a day that is not windy at all and no cloudy skies or what-so-ever, it is just too cold even during spring time. It is a small colourful village where you can buy a map fpr 2,000\ and get stamps when you visit certain listed places. They have the House Of Light, House Of Wind, Book Cafe, Peace House and lots more. For certain places, you can get a photocard of the village for free!

A small note written by me at the culture village

I also stopped for some snacks in the village. There is a hoddeok stall where you can spot easily while walking around. It was visited by the Running Man cast therefore it is very popular. I swear the hoddeok was the best hoddeok I've ever tried. There are 2 types of hoddeok. One is with brown sugar filling and nuts (sweet), one is with japchae inside (savoury). Both are nice, I recommend both of them! It cost only 1,000\ per piece.

I have been there since 12PM to around 5PM. After that, I went to the PIFF Square where there are lots of street food beside the mall. You can see many food stalls selling a variety of food but most of them are selling the same variety of food. I've tried the tornado potato with cheese and also mandu with squid and cabbage. Both are quite nice, but a little over priced. The tornado potato was 2,000\ (around RM 6) and mandu was 5,000\ (around RM 15) but comes with 5-6 pcs.

Mandu with squid and cabbage! 

Tornado potato with cheese

That was probably my dinner. I've decided to head back to my hostel and call it a day before I spotted Nature Republic store with a 50% poster hanging at the door. I went in straight and bought some products and the free gifts were awesome! Ive bought a set of hand cream (6,000\ Buy one free one, so one would be 3,300\). If I buy in a set which is 4 hand creams and pay for the box, I can get a free photocard of EXO of my choice too! Well, I chose Luhan :) I also bought the lip balm, then one with Luhan too and it comes with a set of free photocard (6pcs). Well in Malaysia I guess you can only get one lipbalm with one photocard. A lipbalm costed 6,600\. I've always wanted to buy the aloevera soothing gel but I guess it would be a little heavy for me to bring it back to Malaysia :( Well, if my bag isn't overweight when I head back to Busan, I would buy it!

Now that I'm back here in my hostel, trying to relax my sore legs. I can barely move around :( Heading to Seoul by KTX tomorrow at 12PM!

Busan station where you take KTX and other trains in Busan

No comments

Posted at 11:05 PM |  by Colene Hyori

[BLOGGER POST] D-2 in Busan, Korea

Woke up at around 9:3OAM (Korean time). Didnt have any breakfast at the hostel tho they provide because I've planned to have breakfast, or more accurately brunch, at the infamous Twin Pork Soup Rice restaurant. Before heading out, I've bought the T-MONEY card from the mart called GS 25 and reloaded the card there as well for easy excess to the subway stations and other transportation. Took the subway and exit #3 at Dayeon station (location here). It was really easy to find as it is very near to the exit of the station. I've managed to reach there at a time where there were no people lining outside the restaurant, waiting to get in for lunch.

Twin Pork Soup restaurant

The food was very nice! It came in a big portion with pork soup, rice and side dished (5,500\ per portion). The ahjumma who served me recognized that my sister and I are twins. Can't really finish the whole bowl because it is really big with lots of meat. Not to mention, the guy who sat beside my table looked like Yoon Si-yoon, I thought it was really him but he looked a bit fairer and younger so it wasn't him I guess, too bad.

After eating, I've headed to the Gwangalli beach. It was so windy, I've bought a cup of hot chocolate from Starbucks (5100\ for regular) nearby the beach to warm myself. The beach was really nice and clean. You can see the Gwangan bridge too. There was also a group of elementary school kids picking up rubbish at the beach side.

At Gwangalli beach

School kids at Gwangalli beach

A hot Starbucks drink to warm myself up

 Gwangalli beach

After the 276349th jump

I've also headed to the cherry blossom street near Gwangalli but sadly due to the rain yesterday, there were no cherry blossom :( All I can see was petals on the ground. It was a waste as the street was hard to find and my legs were so sore after walking long distance under such cold weather.

Cherry Blossom street

Next stop was the Millak Waterside Park. Gosh the walking distance was crazy! Riding a bike would be wayyyy better. But I guess that is the only way if you don't want to take bus or taxi because the nearest subway station is located quite far away. The view was nice, you can see lighthouses and the Gwangan bridge much more nearer. I can see that there are some couples chilling at the sitting area and some friends and family gathering there with some ordered food. Pigeons will be walking beside you if you have food with you so don't freak out!

Resting by the river side

At Millak Waterside Park

I've also tried some street food from a small food stall by the road. Had some fishcakes and rice cakes (700\ per portion for fish cakes and 500\ per portion for rice cakes). It was so warm! There was this elderly who sat beside me talked to me when he heard my sister and I talking in Chinese and he greeted me in Chinese!

Fish cakes

So here goes the random conversation...

Him: 你好
Me: 你好!
Him: 你的家在哪里?
Me: Malaysia
Him: 어? 아 말레이시아!
Are you student?
Me: Yes
Him: First time in Busan?
Me: Yes! *stupidly giggled*

After eating.

Him: Have a nice trip!
Me: Thank you!

Enough with random talks, I've also went to the Busan Cinema Center. It is an outdoor cinema where the Busan International Film Festival was held. INFINITE also did a review on the venue when they were filming for the TRUNQ KOREA video. It was really big, nice and very clean! Although it was an outdoor cinema, the sound system is very good, The last stop for today was Shinsegae Mall. It is a really famous mall in Busan, it is like the Pavilion of Kuala Lumpur where they sell lots of branded stuffs and food.

At Busan Cinema Center

U-KISS' former member Alexander recommended the ice cream called SOFTREE and I've managed to spot one in the mall. The Korean girls standing behind me suggested that we try the honey chip flavour. It tasted sooo good I can't even describe it in words. The vanilla ice-cream has a very strong milk taste and smooth. They added a piece of real honey on top of the ice cream. They tasted so good together. It was a bit pricey, around 4800\ for a small cup but it is still worth a try!

Finally, went to the food court for dinner but they were all cleaning up and closing. I had to have Lotteria on the way back to my hostel. There is a Lotteria located not far away from my hostel. I tried their Chicken burger while my sister tried there Hanwoo burger. The taste was just okay, almost like McDonald's.

Lotteria burger sets

Back to the hostel around 10:30PM, after getting freshen up and changing done, I'm here writing this post at 1:05AM. Can't wait to be in Seoul for something exciting!

*I have to admit, Busan boys are gorgeous! I can spot them anywhere. In the subway, along the road, in a restaurant, in the hostel, delivery guy... Girls in Busan are so lucky!

No comments

Posted at 12:00 AM |  by Colene Hyori