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If you want to experience something totally new, something you've never seen in your life, then

Korean dramas, K-Pop, and all things Korean are just the right things for you! 

Korean stuffs are really like hidden jewels. You won't know how great they are until you've 

really looked into them. 

Korean Dramas Worth Watching

Many Americans think of Korean dramas as lame shows. 
Some Korean Dramas can, in fact, be weird and pretty lame. 
But most are worth watching. 
These dramas show the social structure and expectations in Korean society, 
the ways Koreans live, and universal themes and morals. 

These are the Korean dramas I found to be most entertaining and worth watching: 
* The list is in alphabetical order. 

1. Dae Jang Geum - is a historical, fictional drama about a kitchen cook.

2. Dream High - is a drama about teenagers striving to achieve their dreams. 

3. Golden Bride - is a drama about a Vietnamese woman coming to live in Korea. It tells of the hardships and happiness she faces. 

4. High Kick Through the Roof - is a sitcom about several Korean families. 

5. Moon Embracing the Sun - is a historical, fictional drama about love between a prince and a girl. 

6.  Princess Hours - is a drama about a girl who becomes a Korean princess after she gets engaged to a Korean prince who goes to her school. 

7. .Pure in Heart - is a drama about a young woman who at the end meets her love. 

8. Rooftop Prince - is a drama about an ancient prince time traveling to present day Seoul, Korea and meeting a modern girl and falling in love with her. 

9. Stairway to Heaven - is a drama about family, hatred, love, and jealousy. 

10. You're Beautiful - is a drama about a girl who pretends to be a guy to be part of an idol group of boys. 

These dramas were all very popular in Korea. (and overseas) I recommend them! 

Two Sides of Korea

Korea can't be defined in one word. It has so many different sides. 
But it can kind of be broken down into two sides. 
One side of Korea is crazy, partying, and vibrant. 
The other side of Korea is quiet, philosophical, and beautiful. 

Whichever side you like, Korea won't fail you. 

The crazy partying vibrant side: 

The night view of Seoul. The lights won't go out till morning!
You can even order chicken or go out to eat in the middle of the night!
They partying won't stop. 

Psy's Concert. Oppan Gangnam Style! 

The quiet philosophical beautiful side: 

Korean palace. The clean, bright look of palaces set it apart from other  cultures. 

Korean traditional dress. Isn't it lovely? 

Basic Korean Phrases

Korean can be really hard to learn for foreigners. 
First of all, it's long and hard to pronounce. 

So, I will introduce you to easy Korean phrases you can use instead of long, complicated sentences! 
*Note: these phrases are informal. Formal phrases are long and hard to learn at first. 

ex) Hi- Ahn Young (informal)
      Hi - Ahn Young Ha Se Yo 

Here: 

• Hi/Bye - Ahn Young
• Yes - Ne
• No- Aniyo 
• Thank you - Go Ma Wuh 
• Hey - Ya
• Excuse me - Juh Gi Yo 
• Help me - Doh Wah Joo Se Yo 
• Sorry - Mi Ahn
• What? - Muh? or Ne? 
• Cheer up - Fighting! 

I will introduce you to more words and phrases next time! 

Korean Sushi

Kim bap 

It's really delicious! 

It contains ham, radish, carrot, egg, rice, seaweed, and cucumber. 

The ingredients can vary. Some people add different things or more things. 

Have a Taste of K-Pop!

You might be wondering- what's so great about K-Pop? 
K-Pop is great because it's really fun to listen to. 
Plus there are really cool dance moves. 
And it's got catchy lyrics. 
Listening to these songs can make you forget about your stress! 
It's really fun! 

Here: Have a Taste of K-Pop! 

Girls Generation - Gee 

Super Junior - Sorry Sorry 

Psy - Gangnam Style 

K-Pop

Kpop is South Korean pop music. 

History : Kpop began in 1885 when American missions taught Koreans American and British folk songs. The Western songs were sung with Korean lyrics and they became known as "changga." Changgas became widely popular in the early 1900's when Koreans, oppressed by the Japanese rule, sang to express their opposition towards the rule. During this time period, Korean changgas evolved and became what is known today as Korean trot. Trots became immensely popular among the Koreans. 

After the liberation from Japanese government and the end of the Korean War, American pop came into the Korean peninsula, influencing Korean trot. Westernized trots were popular in armies and attracted attention from many Koreans. Korean artists began to arise and some gained international popularity, such as the Kim Sisters. 

In the 1970's, music became something that was fun for the Koreans. Before, Koreans sang music as they went through oppression and war. Now Koreans, mostly college students, were following American hippie styles to entertain themselves. Many artists with unique styles became well known during this period. 

In the 1980's, ballad singers arose. 

The songs of 1990's in Korea incorporated American rap, rock, and techno. Seo Taiji and Boys turned the history of Kpop upside down as their rap lyrics talked about problems of Korean society. Their revolutionary songs took the audience by storms. Seo Taiji and Boys forever influenced the Korean music industry. The audience changed from college students to teenagers. 

Also in the 1990's, Lee Sooman founded Korea's largest talent agency and record label, SM Entertainment. YG, JYP, and FNC followed afterwards. They produced idol-groups for teenage girls and boys. H.O.T of SM became the first idol boy group. 

In the twenty-first century, the Hallyu (Korean) Wave spread Kpop to other parts of the world. 


Kpop Artists Most Well-Known in America:  (Top Five) 

1. Psy (artist) 

2. Girls' Generation (Girl Idol Group) 

3. Big Bang (Boy Idol Group) 

4. 2NE1 (Girl Idol Group) 

5. Super Junior (Boy Idol Group) 

Jewel Korea Blog Intro

Welcome to Jewel Korea! 

As the name hints, Jewel Korea is a blog about Korea. 

Korea is a fascinating country hard to discover at first. 
It is like a jewel hidden among many different cultures. 

Once you get to discover Korea, it is hard to resist its charms. 

This blog will explore Korean food, music, and more! 

Ahn Young! 

Girls Generation - Top Korean Girl Idol Group