Thursday, March 14, 2013

South Korean Holiday: March 14-White Day

Today is White Day in South Korea. It's an unofficial fun holiday that is the guy's version of Valentines Day. On Valentines Day the women give candy and gifts to the men. On White Day the men give candy and gifts to the women. The holiday is mostly celebrated by couples.

White day is celebrated in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China.

White day began in 1978 in Japan as an "answer day" to Valentines Day. Men should reciprocate after getting candy and gifts from women on Valentines Day.

Music Video: G.NA "oops"

This video features Ilhoon of BTOB. The song is from her new EP titled "Beautiful Kisses" (March 2013).


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Music Video: Jinbo "Be My Friend"


Jinbo (The SuperFreak) is a Korean R&B artist. He won “Best Soul/R&B Album” for his debut album in 2010. He owns a record label named SuperFreak Records.

This song is off of the new album titled "Fantasy" which was released in March 2013.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Music Video: UKISS "Standing Still"

UKISS is one of my favorite K-pop groups.

Music Video: Eric Nam "Heaven's Door" (Korean and English Version)

Eric has a nice voice! Eric Nam is a Korean-American from Atlanta, Georgia. He was discovered on YouTube performing cover songs.

He released his first album, "Cloud 9" in January of 2013.

Korean Version (with English subtitles-click on cc)



English Version

Friday, March 1, 2013

South Korean Holiday: March 1 Movement

Today is the March 1st Movement which is a public holiday in South Korea. The Official name is the Samil movement (삼일 운동). It is also known as the Manse Demonstrations.

The day is named after an event which happened on March 1, 1919. Koreans wanted to be free from Japanese rule after hearing a speech by Woodrow Wilson.

33 people started the movement. They met at a restaurant in Seoul to prevent a riot. They read the Korean Declaration of Independence written by Choe Nam-Seon. They all signed the declaration and sent it to the Japanese Governer-General of Korea. They called the police to tell them of their actions and they were arrested.

Crowds gathered in Tapgol Park (Pagoda Park) to hear a student read the declaration. Protests broke out demanding freedom from the Japanese.

Japanese police used force to end the movement. They did horrible things to the Koreans. In one of the most famous incidents they took Koreans to a church where they locked it and set it on fire. Those who were arrested were taken to Seodaemun Prison where they were tortured or executed.

My Visit to Seodaemun Prisonhttp://valeriebethinsouthkorea.blogspot.com/2009/03/day-80-seodaemun-prison.html

Here is a video that describes the March 1st Movement: