# month of silence....
I was on my long-lasted business trip in Asia so I practically had no time for blogging...

New KIA car

A few days ago I check up some updates in car market. I need it for my research and it's useful for me cuz I wanna buy a car soon. In my next post I share some info about my short-list))

This September Motor Show will be held in a capital of France.
KIA will represent new model Carens.
You can see scetches of this car below:

I hope they will make sedan~
I like this Peter Schreyer's style "sharp" line that became a KIA zest. This auto designer made my KIA fav - Picanto that is supposed to be 2012 model.

Cooking experiense. 돈까스

Whwn I was in Korea I liked two dishes themost - 돈까스 (pork cutlet) and tteokpokki.
Having come back to my hometown I wanted to make it to treat my family. Cuz the taste is mmm yummi~

Actually 돈까스 is the same as very popular Russian dish but the main is sause. It is tonkasy (donkatsu) sause that makes this dish sodelisious !! So do not ignore this ingridient.

To make this you need pork, flour, eggs and bread and donkatsu sause.
It's really easy to make it~

돈까스 a la Russie ~   ;) 

옐로우 시티

K-POP gains popularity and bacame new stream in world pop-music. 

When I check my i-google i am offered "k-pop" as youtube videos I may like.

To be honest I do not know new bands well (cuz I'm loyal to SS501, SE7EN, BigBang and so on))

But there is not only pop in Korea~ kkkk

A friend of mine sent me a link to new (for me) band.

Tadam~~

this is 옐로우 시티 or Yellow city.

This is Korean-Japanese indie group. 

I used to fonf of Japanese indie group (oshare key) so I was curious to listen to Yellow city.

This is the link I got from my friend:

I love this word "은" )))

Who is Yellow city?

Yellow city is 4 talanted stylish guys: Jang Hyeongjun, Ji Mingi, Kim Hyeonji and Yamato Shimitsu. 

They are relatively new band but they make quality rock mucis that might be as popular as K-pop))

I listened to their mini-album....

Now rock is not my favourite genre but still I wanna add "Eung" in my playlist!  

So, I recommend all who love ballads (not-hard rock but still active guitar parts in melogy)  this band!~

I say yes)) 

The more I like is nice voice of vocalist Jang Hyeonjun! 

Do you know any other mixed rock bands? No?) Me too!! kkkk 

I was surprised when found out that one of member is lady~

Dear Yellow city, now you have one more fan))

One more video - Blossom: 

Enjoy~~

My new fav band

Since I fall in love with Asian music I listened to differened genres and bands to choose the best one.
I updated playlist in my mp3 weekly and made up a top-10/20 and so on of my "big-big love for this week"~

I like to try new things and music is not an exception.

And now a new cool band accompanies me on comuting)))
This is BUSKER-BUSKER~

This song, People from Seoul makes me feel said... I fell in love with this dynamic city, people, life style. I wish I can live here for some time)))
Ok, let's come back to Busker-busker

My next song I heard was Yeosu Bam Pada. Nice ballad, must listen when you feel blue or in love)) But to be honest it's not my favourite song. The most one I like is "The first love". Excellent~

Recently Busker-Busker released new songs: "If you really love me" from "1st Wrap Up Album", 
that beat music charts! 


So, recommend to listen to Busker-busker songs to everyone! On their albums you can find both ballad and energetic melodies so you can choose a song up to your mood. 


P.S. next time I'll share my chart of Korean songs~  

62 years ago...

June 25, 1950 Korean war has started.
Awful conflict in which several countries were involved.
Historians argue about reasons of outbreaking the war. But fact is fact: this day became a turning point in Korean history.
The war that made Korea divided into North and South.
The war that isn't ended oficially.

Kangta came back~

One of my favourite Korean solo artist - Kangta - came back to Korea after his long-lasted concert trip to China!
Personally I think he is not popular among Russian k-pop fans.
I learnt about him by chance when found his "Nocturne" in the Net. This touching ballad appealed to me and I searched some more information about Kangta.

I hope he will release new single or album!!
According to Arirang.co.kr, Kangta gas been cast to play a role of an architest in drama "Happy Ending"/
He starred in dramas already, but unfortunately I haven't seen his plays at all.
So, I'm awaiting to see this talanted artist in new dorama. 

진. 선. 미.

진. 선. 미. Sounds like a female name, right?
It was my firstthought when I heard this ~

There are some famous Jin Sum Mi (actress, politician) but here I would like to talk about different thing.

Well, 진-선-미 is a ranks for Miss Korea contest.
Every coutry has it's own criteria for evaluating Miss XXX contest and Korea apply 진. 선. 미. standart.
The winner of such a contest will be a representative on Miss Universe pageant.

In Korea this contest takes place from 1957.

진 - is a winner, it's ideal lady who is beautiful, intelligent, kind and so on. It is the only one winner in this cathegory.

There are 2 선 finalists who go to 2 another prestigious pageants - Miss International and Miss Earth respectively. They must be excellent in terms of kind, good character, nice appearance. 

Judges choose four 미 winners, four the most good-looking girls. 

I can't help mention that 진'2009 - Kim Juri studied ballet in Russia~

and all 7 winners:

Miss Korea (jin): Kim Ju-ri
Miss Korea (sun): Cha Ye-rin, Seo Eun-mi
Miss Korea (mi): Park Ye-joo, Lee Seul-gi, Yoo Su-jung, Choi Ji-hee

Miss KOREA 2012 date is July, 6!!~~

Less than one month ~ soon we got know who will be crowded next^^

Go here to get updated information 

Winner of Miss Korea 2011:

이성혜

Compare yourself with a Korean~

Long time haven't seen~
I was busy with my dissertation, prepared some researsh.
Doing this rutine work I found very interesting website)
Even if you are not interested in economics/sociology/statistics/demography as science areas I bet you will enjoy this site!
Ready?
GO~~

Fing a this banner and click.

Follow instructions and get your results!
Homo statisticus will help you~

Input your data: name, age, height, weight, marital status and educational background. Then choose one character that suits you the most.
Your data will be compared with average indicators so you can compare you with anaverage Korean.
I got know that I'm 5 cm taller than average Korean female of my age group and that I have to eat a lot)/
For me the most surprising survey result was time use:

 According to the result, avarage Korean female practically does not work! ))As for me I work 9-to-6 and combine work with post-graduate.
It was the most interesting statistical Beareau website I've ever visited. Enjoy~ And share your results).

ALL RIGHTS OF THE WEBSITE BELONGS TO KOREAN STATISTICAL INFORMATION SERVICE

26 TOPIK

26 Test of Proficiency in Korean is over!
I so worried before taking the exam but it didn't seem so difficult~

Waiting for results announcement ;)

While preparing for the exam I fount quite useful sources and techniques for remembering word and grammar structures.

Now it's time to take a rest and watch doramas~
I'll take up Fashion King dorama

Borrowed here: http://asian-drama.org/fashion-king-4-corner-love-line-began-propels-ratings-to-2-digit/

According to data of AGB Nielsen Media Research agency released on April 3rd, 2012, the rating for episode 5 of SBS Korean drama series Fashion King is 10.1%, a slight increase from 9.6% rating achieved on episode 4. The love relationship of lead characters in Fashion King officially began, making the ratings rose and successfully regained its footing in double-digit number.

In the episode, Young Gul (Yoo Ah In) and Anna (Yuri), together with Jae Hyuk (Lee Je Hoon) and Ga Young (Shin Se Kyung) have favorable feelings to each other, and the love relationships are gradually become clearer. Young Gul and Anna encounter by chance at Dongdaemun and drink together. The drunken Anna said, “Michael recognizes me, really happy.” Young Gul said, “You have your charm,” and send the drunk Anna home.

Jae Hyuk who has a favorable impression to Ga Young comes to Anna’s house as he is worried about Anna, but saw Young Gul is together with Anna, instantly becomes angry. So the love relationship of the four heroes officially began.

In addition, the MBC’s Lights and Shadows and KBS 2TV’s Love Rain broadcast at the same time slot rated 21.7% and 4.4% respectively.

April 1 in Korea

April 1st is international "Fool Day" when everyone jokes, kidding, play a tricks.
On April 1 you often can hear "Hey, your back is white!!!"

In Korea it's practically the same.
One of the most popular topics for tricks is love affairs.
So if you get such a message :
만약 내가 사귀자면
우리는 사결 수 있을까?
졀대 상상 못 했겠지?
예상 못 했겠지? 노도.
고민. 내 말을 받아 줘

be careful~ read first syllables of every line (from up to down):
만우졀 예고 that means Fool Day notice. So don't take it serious ;)

The text may differ:

       만약내가사귀자면
우리사귈수있겠나
절대안되겠쩨ㅡㅡ
예상못했제..나도
고민 많이 했다.
- P양 -　　

만약에내가사라져
도우리친했던친구
인거절대로있지마
그래도예전일못잊
을것같다고마웠어
     만나도인사하자머
    우리가언제친했냐
     절대인사하지마라
    예의상욕은안할께
    고마웠어...........
 
만일내가사기자면
우리사귈수있을까
절대못대겠지......
예상못했지??나도
고민많이했어......
 

2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit

This days, on March 26-27 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit is held.

Today Dmitryi Medvedev, a President of the Russian Federation came to Seoul.
It is extremely important event for world politics and global security. Heads of 53 leading states and 4 International organizations are to come to Seoul to discuss urgent issues.
Follow updetes by visiting the official web-site .
Here is an agenda:

Today, on March, 26 D. Medvedev meets the USA President Barak Obama and President of Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak.

Taken from the official web-site:
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak (R) and Chinese President Hu Jintao shake hands prior to their talks at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on March 26, 2012, on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit. Leaders and representatives of more than 50 countries will launch the two-day summit the same day to discuss steps to protect nuclear facilities and combat nuclear terrorist threats. 

Kangta

For all ballad lovers (I'm not a big fan of such a genre)

Found very nice romantic composition by chance.
Unfortunately I did not know who is singer and the title of the song so I googled it by put a stroke from the lyrics
(teutgi practice ~~ ). And the result was:

Kangta (안칠현) - 야상곡 (Nocturne).
The song with lyrics you can find here


Kangta is ex-member of H.O.T. (High-five of Teenagers <--- nice title for band kkkkk) and international project Kangta & Vanness.

According to Wiki, in 2006, Kangta was chosen as a runner up for Best Korean Singer overseas, according to Arirang International Broadcasting.

Youtube video:
Kangta

Cant help sharing photos of Kangta wearing military uniform:

Kangta is not only singer but an actor as well. He appeared in Chinese and Korean movies and dramas.

Official web-site: http://kangta.smtown.com/ 

Fashion Magazines

I think there are practically no ladies who dislike fashion magazines or don't fond of style and fashion.

Having read all key Russian current issues - Cosmo, Vogue, Glamour, Elle I googled for Korean one~

Can't help share some photos with you )

NOTE: all pictures from this post are taken by me from open Internet sources.
ALL COPY RIGHTS BELONGS to authors.

Nichkkun for Arena Homme

Sulli ( fx) for Vogue Girl

A shop I wanna visit

I'm a registered user of very useful and interesting web-site - visitkorea.com

Once surfing it just without any purpose just for fun I bumped in an extremely interesting (*for me*) clothes shop.
The title of this shop is Daria, the same as my name!!!~~~

click here to learn more.

I wonder who is owner of this shop?))
Is he or she Russian? ~ Cuz my name is Slavic, not "international" and widely spread like for example Maria or Anna. So curious about it )))

Unfortunately I did not know about this shop when I was in Korea. but definitely next time  I wanna drop there and buy some items for sure!!~~~

Does anybody was there? If yes, please share your opinion here))

Countdown: 1 month

Today is March, 15....
One month left to April 15 - the most important day for all who study Korean ~

I fellow the strategy I blogged before and wanna say, it's fruitful !!

I'm the kind of student who catch grammar structures easily (lucky I am) but words... So many words to remember!!!
I tried to do several previous tests and good nod bad results~~

Anyway, the closer the day of exam the more I worry ((

14th in Korea

Find very interesting article about some Korean "holidays".

Recently we celebrated one of my favourite holiday - International Women Day~
As I got known from my Korean friend, this day is not famous in Korea. *unfortunately*

But Koreans celebrate March, 14 - white day.

Almost a month ago couples congratelated their halfes and presented heart-shaped cards, chocolates and so on~ Very romantic holiday, but not so famous in Russia)) we have our own holiday - Day of love and faith (July 8).

But every 14th there are any holiday:

January, 14 - Day of diary. Friends exchange with diaries congratulating each other with coming Asian New Year.

February, 14 - St. Valentine Day. Ladies present chocolates to men they like.

March, 14 - men present back

  *Author comment: I think it's unfair! Gentlemen should present chocolate/sweets to ladies first!
April, 14 - Black day. Everyone who were not given a chocolate eat black noodle TT.TT They wear black clothes  as well

May, 14 - Day of roses - Those who in love present roses to their darlings

June, 14 - Day of kiss. No comments)

July, 14 - Day of silver. People exchange with silver souvenirs, accessorises and so on

August, 14 - Green Day. Walk in a park or forest on this day!

September, 14 - Day of Photo. The best time for shoot-session~

   P.S. Sept. 14 - is a day of my school as well!!

October, 14 - Wine Day. What wine do you prefer?~

November, 14 - Cinema day

December, 14 - Hug Day.

Hardly ever this days are commonly celebrated (maybe except Feb., Mar., Apr.) but it's one more reason to make a gift for your friend or just have fun~

Happy Women's Day!!

I sincerely congratulate all ladies with our holiday!

tonnip manse~~~

Today is Korean national holiday - Samil (March, 1)

On March 1, 1919 Korean national Independence movement happened. All social groups joined to rise against Japanese colonization rule that was very hard and painful.
"Tonnip manse" was a motto of the movement.
Here is an articledated on March 1, 1919

and national army - Euibyeon

to be continued...

It was my graduation thesis topik~
I studied this topic thoroughly and wannashare this with you!

Daegu. Shopping and street fashion

One more post about one of my favourite city - Daegu.
I remember it as a relatively quite, friendly city comfortable for life. Maybe there are not a lot of places to go out..........

Hovewer, there are some great places for shopping there~

Lee Seung Gi was everywhere!!!

KEITH brand

 Stilyzation to Chanel classic jacket is evedent))

One of my favourite shop in Daegu~

Daegu  lags behind Seoul and Busan in terms of shopping, but there are a lot of interesting items ~
Last year I noticed that men fashion in Korea differs from city to city. z.B. Seoul guys wear pants a la Lee Minho, 7/8 in Busan and shorts in Daegu )))

Daegu street fashion
"Colourful boy" from Kyungpook National University: