Must-Buy K-Drama Merchandise & Where To Find Them

A wonderful way to look back on the past year is to recognize that countless Singaporeans were introduced to K-dramas. Loyal K-drama fans were also delighted with new shows such as the Squid Game and My Name. The circuit breaker period gave people the chance to binge-watch on these shows on various streaming platforms. Due to its growing audience, K-drama merchandise are sold everywhere!

To help you get started with your Yuletide gifts, we produced a list of the most adorable K-Drama merchandise you can purchase online.

#1: VERSATILE CANVAS TOTES

These K-Drama themed canvas totes are both functional and personal. Skip the plastic bags next time you run errands and grab one of these canvas totes instead. A Shopee store called “kfcjunjun1.sg” sells a lineup of designs including Hospital Playlist, Vincenzo, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, and True Beauty totes.

Hospital Playlist and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha totes come in a variety of designs costing as low as S$4.29. While the Vincenzo and True Beauty totes range from S$4.73 to S$5.70.

#2: CUTE MR. BUCKWHEAT (BOGLEGEL) TOY

If you are a fan of Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God), the Mr. Buckwheat toy is a recognizable item. Goblin revolves around the life of the immortal goblin Kim Shin who looks for a human bride to remove an invisible sword from his chest. Suddenly, a student named Ji Eun-Tak confesses to him that she is the chosen one.

Image Credits: facebook.com/bowmeowph (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God)

While shopping, Ji Eun-Tak points to a toy and tells the Goblin that it resembles him. They end up buying the toy to symbolize their relationship. Get the toy for S$18.90 at Lazada.

#3: CHILDISH DINO FAMILY SHIRT

Children and kids at heart can wear the matching dinosaur family tees worn by Moon-young (Seo Ye-ji), Sang-tae (Oh Jung-se), and Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun). These characters were the lead characters in the drama series “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay”. The series follows a life of an antisocial children’s book author and an employee in a psychiatric hospital.

Are you a Dino fan? Get yours for S$20 at Shopee.

#4: TRENDY PILLOW COVERS

Record breaking Squid Game is a deadly competition with hundreds of cash-strapped contestants and tempting prizes. It is one of the most popular shows on Netflix to date. If your friends and loved ones are obsessed with Squid Game, you may gift them with some printed pillow covers. All it takes is a quick browse through Lazada, and you will find countless options to choose from.

For instance, one shop sells pillow covers (45x45cm) for as low as S$1.89 per piece. The shop carries about thirty-nine designs. Snag a pillow case or two!

#5: FULLER-LOOKING LIPS

In an exclusive interview, Son Ye-jin’s glam team in “Crash Landing on You” shared the beauty products that they used for the actress. They used the ma:nyo Herbal Fresh Moist BB Cream, Jennyhouse Air Fit Artist Eyeshadow, TONYMOLY Back Stage Gel Eyeliner, and Jennyhouse Air Fit Lipstick.

Image Credits: facebook.com/115802663557977 (Korean Sunshine/Crash Landing On You)

Her lip color is naturally pink. Therefore, the glam team used the shade Monica Robe to enhance her lips. Get this shade at Shopee for S$34.18.

Note: Prices may vary due to sitewide promotions such as 11.11 events.

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6 Heart-warming Lessons From Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a Korean drama available on tvN and Netflix. It is a hilarious, heart-warming, and healing love story that surrounds a dentist from the city and a man who can do everything. The show has displayed a myriad of life lessons.

From its leads to the stories of the people in the community, here are 6 remarkable lessons you can learn from Mr. Hong Du-Sik (Kim Seon-Ho) and Dr. Yoon Hye-Jin (Shin Min-Ah).

Image Credits: facebook.com/groups/938482076948075/media

“Do you know what it means to be a good parent? It is staying healthy for a long time. They should not endure pain to save money for their children. They should take care of themselves.” – Dr. Yoon Hye-Jin

Health is wealth. Dr. Yoon’s parents sacrificed themselves to provide the best life for their daughter. We only see the products of the sacrifices without thinking of its effects. How will the sacrifices you make affect the people whom you will leave behind?

“Life isn’t so fair for all of us. Some spend their whole lives on unpaved roads, while some run at full speed only to reach the edge of a cliff.” — Mr. Hong

We all have different struggles and have been brought from diverse circumstances. Each of us has a distinct timeline in life. Mr. Hong reminds us that just because we have not experienced what others are going through, does not mean that their feelings are not valid. Let us keep our minds and hearts open to understand others.

“If you cannot pick up spilled milk, you should at least apologize to them for spilling the milk, rather than avoiding them.” — Mr. Hong

Escapism is often an easier route than taking responsibility for our actions. Some people tend to escape from the mistakes they have made towards others. Remember that there is nothing wrong with admitting a mistake and saying sorry.

“You’re bound to meet unexpected situations in life. Even if you use an umbrella, you will end up getting drenched. Just put your hands up and welcome the rain.” — Mr. Hong

Image Credits: facebook.com/netflixph

Much like the pandemic, unexpected situations happen all the time. Despite how ready you are, you still need to adjust to the current situation. Appreciate the circumstances coming your way to see the beauty in life.

“La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la,
Romantic Sunday,
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la,
It’s a beautiful and shining day.” — OST

The OST is such an earworm! It is impossible not to sing the OST as you watch the entire series. This song highlights the beauty of life and the importance of love.

“Money and success aren’t the only valuable things in life. Happiness, self-contentment, world peace, love… Anyway, life is not a mathematical situation. It does not have a clear answer. There is no right answer either. You’re just given a problem and it’s up to you how you solve it.” — Mr. Hong

Indeed! There life’s problems do not have clear solutions. It is up to us to solve these problems as they come along. There is no right way to lead your life. It is in your hands to take responsibility for the decisions you make.

Source: 1

 

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Experience The Natural Wonders Of These 4 Local Farms

“Just being surrounded by bountiful nature, rejuvenates and inspires us.“
– E.O. Wilson

Nature heals. Research showed that environments can increase or reduce our stress. What you are seeing, hearing, and feeling at any moment changes your physical and emotional well-being.

If you feel suffocated within the walls of your home, try visiting farms in Singapore. From vegetable farms to animal farms, we have you covered!

#1: HAY DIARIES

Since its inception in 1988, Hay Diaries has been the only goat farm in the country. Located within Lim Chu Kang, guests are free to explore the premises and to witness the goat milking session between 9:00 to 10:30 am.

Get close with the goats as you purchase the Alfalfa Hay (S$5 per packet) and feed the goats. End your goat farm experience by skimming through the souvenirs such as fresh goat’s milk and handmade soap.

Image Credits: Hay Diaries via facebook.com

Location: 3 Lim Chu Kang Lane 4, Singapore 718859
Website: haydairies.sg

#2: BOLLYWOOD VEGGIES

Home to the Poison Ivy Bistro, the Bollywood Veggies lets you travel back to simpler times. Their Bistro is a farm-to-table eatery where guests go for a quick lunch after visiting the nearby farm. Try their unique Blue Nasi Lemak, which is infused with blue pea flower.

After a hearty lunch, you can walk around the premises to enjoy the wide variety of plants. What’s more? They have a food museum with about twenty-four oil paintings that illustrate the relationship between food and human civilization.

Image Credits: Bollywood Veggies via facebook.com

Location: 100 Neo Tiew Road, Singapore 719026
Website: bollywoodveggies.com.sg

#3: THE LIVE TURTLE AND TORTOISE MUSEUM

Did you know that this place is a Guinness World Records holder? Witness the undeniable charm of various species of turtles and tortoises such as the Six-Legged Tortoise and the Pig Nose Flying Turtle. See and feel the spirit of the Sulcata Tortoise for luck, and the Thailand’s Golden Temple Turtle for wealth.

You will be given the chance to interact with these creatures by petting and feeding them. However, please do not lift them up as it can cause them stress. Tickets cost S$10 for children aged 3-6 and S$14 for those above 7 years old.

Image Credits: The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum via facebook.com

Note: Due to the Phase 2 Heightened alert, group entries will be limited to 5 people per group. Only fully vaccinated visitors will be allowed entry. Children under 12 years old need not be vaccinated.

Location: ORTO, 81 Lor Chencharu #01-16, Singapore 769198
Website: turtle-tortoise.com

#4: THE SUNDOWNER

Nestled within a once empty concrete rooftop, the Sundowner is an urban farm and lounge space which offers guests the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of organic farming and to indulge in farm-to-table goodies.

It is an oasis of green floating above the bustling cafes and bars of the Siglap restaurant belt. You can opt for the Rooftop Farm Experience to learn about organic farming as taught by a master gardener, to don a bee suit, and to get a sample of unifloral honey. This experience is priced at S$115 for adults and at S$85 for children.

Image Credits: The Sundowner via facebook.com

You can also make your own pizza with their 3-hour class. This activity is perfect for friends, families, and co-workers. Private Pizza-Making experience costs S$350, for two pax.

Location: 705A E Coast Rd, Singapore 459062
Website: thesundownersg.com

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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Listen To These Motivating Podcasts To Brighten Your Day

We all deserve a little boost to help us get through the day. With a myriad of ways to feel motivated, you can try listening to podcasts. Whether you are enjoying a nice bath or cooking a hearty breakfast, tune in to these inspiring and informative podcasts to keep you energized.

#1: THE HARDCORE SELF HELP PODCAST

Amidst the chaos brought by the pandemic, people became more aware of their mental wellness. Know more about mental health by listening to The Hardcore Self Help podcast! It is a weekly podcast that answers your queries about mental health such as getting more information about dealing with anxiety, depression, relationships, addiction, and more.

Hosted by Psychologist and author Robert Duff, each episode invites other professionals to voice out their expert opinions on various mental health issues and related topics.

#2: TED HEALTH

The TED Health podcast, much like the TED Talks, provide the best educational talks from their conferences and events. Get your daily dose of innovative and significant health-related contents to uplift your spirits. For instance, one episode showcases a program that trains grandmothers in Zimbabwe to treat depression.

Hosted by Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, the TED Health podcast covers everything from smart daily habits to new medical breakthroughs. It can answer some pressing questions you never knew you had and share ideas that you won’t hear anywhere else.

#3: GOOD LIFE PROJECT

What does it mean to have a good life? What is the role of happiness, love, kindness, and friendship to our lives? How does race, identity, gender, and economical status influence our lives? All these questions and other topics are explored every week in the stimulating conversations of the Good Life Project.

Thought-provoking, educational, and relatable, the “Good Life Project” exists to empower people to take action in important areas of their lives. Each episode features inspiring people including research professor Dr. Brené Brown, Bishop Michael Curry, activist Glennon Doyle, actor Matthew McConaughey, and many more.

#4: OPTIMAL HEALTH DAILY

As the name suggests, Optimal Health Daily is a podcast crafted for people who are looking for ways to improve their lives one step at a time. Let this podcast accompany you to your commute, workout, or regular routines. Each episode brings realistic and practical information about various topics such as activated charcoal, exercise, and dieting.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

What’s more? Each episode is under 15 minutes, with an average running time of 10 minutes. You do not have to read lengthy academic journals or blog entries; all you need to do is to listen and learn.

Sources: 1 & 2

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BTS Meal To Launch In Singapore On June 21

In 2013, a South Korean boy group called BTS or 방탄소년단 debuted under Big Hit Entertainment (HYBE Corporation). The group smoothly made its way to the hearts of many and had since become a global icon.

With smash hits like Dynamite and Butter, BTS made its way to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Global 200. In fact, its newly released song Butter blasted with a record-breaking 289.2 million streams and 249,000 sold worldwide in the May 21-27 tracking week.

Another surprise came earlier this year as McDonald’s promoted the “BTS Meal”. BTS Meal went on sale in South Korea, United States, and 10 other countries last May 2021. This meal consists of a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, Medium Fries, Coke, and two new dipping sauces. These new flavors are Sweet Chili and Cajun. The packaging for the BTS Meal comes in purple and was printed with the group’s logo.

BTS MEAL CRAZE

As BTS’ popularity skyrocketed, there have been concerns that the launch of the meal could draw crowds in some Asian countries where COVID-19 cases have risen and where vaccination levels remain relatively low.

McDonald’s was instructed to temporarily shut some outlets in Indonesia last week when the introduction of the BTS Meal sparked frenzy. Several delivery riders were seen massing inside and outside of the food chain during the meal’s launching. Their local police said that the temporary closure of several outlets was “because they were found to have violated health protocols”, including limiting capacity to 50%.

Thus, Indonesian fans created a crowdfunding page to raise money for drivers and their families. They have acknowledged that the delivery drivers faced long lines and possible exposure to the COVID-19 to bring them their meals.

LAUNCH IN SINGAPORE

Due to the tightening of social distancing rules and the ban on dine-in options, the meal’s rollout in Singapore was delayed last month. The launch was re-scheduled to June 21 instead. Please adhere to the safety procedures when scoring your coveted meal.

Image Credits: facebook.com/mcdsg

Fans must know that the BTS Meal does not come with photo cards or other related merchandise. Instead, you can order the collaboration’s official BTS x McDonald’s merch at HYBE Merch.

Sources: 1, 2, 3 & 4

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