K-Pop Academy [Week 11]

This week us K-Pop Academy students took a field trip to the British Museum. Exciting~.. I've only visited the museum once even though it's so close to my university, so it was lovely going with the KA class.

First we were taken around the Korean room in the museum. The room was filled with beautiful artifacts and sculptures. We were kindly shown around the room and given information about the various artifacts.

Source: KCCUK

Not only did we see fascinating artifacts but we gained a better understanding of the Korean history: from understanding how Buddhism became more popular in Korea to the armour worn by solders in Korea.

Korean pottery was just amazing. They had a slight wonky-ness to them which showed that the pots had their own 'personality'. Rather than being perfectly designed, the imperfect nature of the vase made them unique.

Almost, one of the most spectacular pieces in the room was the Sarangbang (사랑방), typically used as a scholar's work room in the past. At first I thought SarangBang meant 'Love Room' *awkward* so I was surprised to hear about the actually use of this house. Scholars would often sit outside the room and greet guests while the women in the family would stay indoors.

Sarangbang

KA students with the exhibitor in front of the Sarangbang
Source: KCCUK

 After having a look around the Korean room, we had a quick look at the Samsung room. I had no idea there was a Samsung room in the British Museum so it was great to know that the Korean brand had grown so much

 Then we carried out group tasks. One of them was to see who could complete a jigsaw with the Korean map the fastest. Then we had to draw a campaign poster of a Korean historical building or activity. My group designed a poster about Taekkeyon, a traditional form of martial art.

My groups poster about Taekkeyon

 Overall, it was a lot of fun learning more about the Korean history through the artifacts. I'll definitely be visiting the Korean room more often to see the new pieces~..
To find out more about the Korea room in the British Museum click here or even better, visit it yourself if you get the chance. ^^

KA in front of the British Museum
Source: KCCUK

Check out the video of this weeks class:

Our next class will be the K-Pop Academy graduation ceremony. Oh my goodness, I can't believe  all these weeks have passed by so fast~.. I don't want it to end! T___T


-Tamanna

K-Pop Academy [Week 10 - Homework]

The focus of this weeks class was the Future of K-Pop. I wasn't actually able to attend this week class (because of protests in my town). Boohoo~! It felt strange staying at home staying at home on a Saturday. But the focus of this weeks class was the future of K-Pop.

So for the homework I chose to do a comic strip of what kind of K-Pop star I would choose if I was a CEO. CEO Sidika, it's got a nice ring to it. Haha. =P

The comic strip tells the story of what happens during the auditions and what the judges look for when selecting contestants.

Here's a closer look at the story:

Contestants are practicng hard in the waiting room

The judges are waiting patiently for the next act. (There's me in the pink top). Haha

The door opens and in walks..

..a contestant who is really pretty..

..but her singing is awful. So regardless of the fact that she is attractive,
which is often a must for K-Pop idols, she gets buzzed off.

The next contestant is doesn't look like a typical, doll-like K-Pop idols..

..however, she has the voice of an angel so you goes through. =)

A geeky boy walks in next. Surprisingly he has amazing b-boying skills and
since I am always amazing by b-boying he easily goes through to the next round.

The last contestant is dressed from top to toe in Indian attire. The judges don't know what to
expect but she has some amazing Bollywood moves..

..so she also goes through.

All in all, my comic strip illustrates that although I understand that beauty is seen as a must in K-Pop, there are other more important factors such as true talent~.. =) Plus, I barely see any ethnic minorities in K-Pop which is understandable since it's such a homogeneous country but a little of colour would be nice. Haha~.. =)

Hope you enjoyed my comic.. ^0^

K-Pop Academy [Week 9 - Homework]

As this week class was focused on noraebang, I decided to do a video of my singing Korean songs. For those who have witnessed my singing during noraebang, you know how terrible my singing is. But I made this video to illustrate how I bug my family with by constantly singing along to K-Pop songs. Here's my video:

Thanks to my family for getting involved and not bring afraid to make themselves look crazy like me. Haha.

Also since I love noraebang so much, I compared my experiences of noraeabang in England to Korea.

England

Korea

All in all, wherever you go, whoever you go with, noraebang is always a blast~! After going the first time, I realised why it was so popuar in Korea. It lets you release stress and sing at the top of your lungs without being afriad that you can't sing.

If you guys haven't been noraebang yet, I really recommend you to try go!

-Tamanna

K-Pop Academy [Week 9]

First off, apologies for the last post. Amidst exam stress, I almost forgot to write this review. Oops~.
The focus of this weeks class was British Pop vs K-Pop. Honestly I haven't listened to Brit-Pop much lately because I've been so absorbed in K-Pop, actually Korean music in general. But as a child I loved British Pop music from Spice Girls to 5ive.

The first half of the class started where we left off last week. We listened to different variations of Arirang. I had heard a few beforehand but I didn't know there were so many different types. We then sang the chorus of Arirang in groups. I am by no means the best singer but I gave it my best shot and it was a lot of fun. 

Then we heard the difference between Brit-Pop and K-Pop over time. When it came to the current music, we all got excited and started singing along.

Lyrics to Arirang

Before the break we were split into groups for the MulChoong Noraebang game for the second half of the class. Each team was given a song. My team was group B so our song was Gee, a catchy energetic hit song by SNSD. The other teams were Bad Girl Good Girl, Black and White and I Need A Girl.

The aim of the game was that each member of the team was given a small section of the lyrics to memorize and then if they made a mistake when singing it, the whole team got wet. It was fun shoting water at the other teams but it wasn't great when I was on the receiving end~.. o__O Haha.

Overall I had an awesome day, as usual~! Thanks KCCUK! ^0^

Here's a short video of what us KA students got up to this week:

K-Pop Academy [Week 8 - Homework]

The focus of this weeks class was traditional Korean music. Since I've heard Arirang (아리랑) a couple of times before, I decided to research about it for this weeks homework.

When I first read the lyrics, I thought it was a simply sad song about a woman losing her love but the more I researched about it, understood the true meaning of the song. This song is used to express the feeling of Korean sorrow and oppression (한) as well as bringing people together and trying to lift the spirits of the nation.

Therefore, I attempted to do a storyboard about Arirang.  It was pretty big so it took a while to stick up but here's the finished product. (It's surprising how much time I spent on this when I'm meant to studying for my last year uni exams. Yikes~!)

Story board about Arirang

Posing with the big storyboard

Additionally, I was fascinated by the Korean fusion songs I heard in class so I attempted to make one myself by combining the traditional Arirang song with Poison Gas (독기) by LeeSsang (리쌍). As the lyrics of Poison Gas also express the feeling of hardship and trying to overcome difficult obstacles in life, I thought it would go well with the meaning of Arirang.

The English translation of the song is:

Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo

Arirang over the hill we go

(from Arirang)

I get up from this life that is like a ditch

I live by achieving what I want

I go up more more more, go up

(from Poison Gas)

I used the storyboard in the video to illustrate the story told in the Arirang song. This is my first ever attempt at mixing a song so I hope you guys like it~! ^^

-Tamanna

K-Pop Academy [Week 8]

The topic for this weeks class was traditional Korean music. Since we all love K-Pop, learning about the roots of Korean music gives us an insight into how K-Pop might have came about.  As we entered the lecture room there was a traditional Korean instrument in the middle of the room so I was intrigued to find out more.

First, we were given a lecture by Dr Keith Howard, a lecturer at SOAS university. He talked us through the change in Korean music over time. The oldest piece of Korean music was made in 1116 so listening to how the music evolved was great. Some of the instruments played in the earlier pieces actually reminded me of the Bangladeshi music.

After hearing samples of Korean music, we had the chance to hear it being played live by Jung JiEun. She played us 5 pieces: Sanjo, Shimhyangmu, Daraji variations, Arirang and Amazing Arace. She played the Gayageum so effortlessly and beautifully. It made me want to learn, even though I am awful at playing instruments.

During the second half of the lesson, we had the chance to play Korean instruments ourselves. Yay!
We were taught to play Sameulnori which is played using 4 different instruments: the Kkwanggwai, Ching, Changgo and the Puk. All these instruments together create a wonderful fusion of sounds. So the K-Pop Academy became the K-Pop orchestra as we were taught by Nami Morrisght how to play the instruments.

The Changgo

We were each asked which instrument we want to play and then shown how to play it properly.  Initially I was playing the Kkwaengari which was pretty simple to play. But I thought I'd be creative and switch to the Changgo. Then we had to play a simple song. Well I say simple, but I started to get a little confused with the rhythm after a while but I had a lot of fun.

K-Pop Academy students eager to play the instruments

Overall, it was another awesome day. I learnt a lot about Korean music and it was nice to hear someone play it live as well as learn a bit myself.

I complied bits of footage from this weeks class to give you guys a taster of what we get up to in class and during our breaks so check it out. ^^

K-Pop Academy [Week 7 - Homework]

As I'm sure you all know, from my numerous posts about Korean Cultural Centre UK events, the KCCUK hard to make people aware of Korean culture. Saturday's All Eyes On Korea event is a prime example of this. The focus for this weeks lesson was Korean culture and events so as part of this weeks homework I made a video about another 5 possible events the KCCUK could hold to promote Korea further.

If there are any aspects of Korean culture that you would like to learn more about, feel free to leave a comment. ^^

-Tamanna

K-Pop Academy [Week 7]

This week was the 'Hot and Cold' class where members of our family and friends were invited to come to our class to discuss their opinions, about K-Pop and Korean class. It was a chance for the students to show their loved ones why they love K-Pop culture so much and for some, it was a way for people to convince their parents that K-Pop was helping them for the better.

Class started with a performance from Katrina, a fellow K-Pop Academy student. She composed an amaing song about the K-Pop Academy and her experience so far. She performed so well, Its a shame I don't have a video of her performance. After her performance, the lyrics were displayed on screen and we all sang along.

Katrina singing the song she composed about the K-Pop Academy
Source: KCCUK

The song was a brilliant way to display all the students experiences and how much fun we're having so far. A short presentation was then given about K-Pop in the UK and what we've done for the past 6 weeks at the K-Pop Academy. All the guests were engrossed in the video as it gave them an insight into the various task we've done so far.

Source: KCCUK

 In the second half of the class, students were required to make a short pitch why they are passionate about Korea and K-Pop. The guests then scored the teams on how convincing the team was in persuading them to become interested in K-Pop and Korean culture.

My group decided to talk about how we were first introducted to Korean culture and we prepared a K-Pop dance to 2NE1's Clap Your Hands. We tried to go for the entertaining perspective rather than being very perssuasive. Other groups has really convincing pitches about how they met a lot of their good friends through an interest in K-Pop and it helped them to be movitvated in academic studies. The best 2 groups were given a prize.

A group giving their pitch
Source: KCCUK

Guests scoring the pitches

The last activity of the day was a quiz for the guest to test their knowledge about K-Pop. As some o the guests were K-Pop fans themselves, the groups were split equally with a mixture of K-Pop fans and people who had never heard of K-Pop.

Guests taking part in the quiz
Source KCCUK

Afsana looking eager to answer a question
Source: KCCUK

Us students then joined our guests team to help them answer the question so I joined group A. It then turned into a game of 'who can get their hands up the fast'. Haha. In the end, the winning team was Team B. Congratulations guys~! =)

Overall, the day was really enjoyable as it was useful for both us students and the guests. I'm glad my sister had the chance to see what I do in the K-Pop Academy because after every class I always tell her what an awesome time I've had~! ^^

K-Pop Academy in the news!

There has been another article in the Korean news about the K-Pop Academy. It talks about all the events we've been doing in the K-Pop Academy. It feels good seeing the academy getting media attention and representing the Hallyu wave in the UK.

Click here to read the article and watch the video about the K-Pop Academy.

K-Pop Academy [Week 6 - Homework]

For this weeks homework, I chose to do a video about Korean manners and etiquette.

Hope you enjoy watching it~! ^^

-Tamanna

K-Pop Academy [Week 6]

Today we had the opportunity to visit Ambassador Choo's residence in London. As the Ambassador is very busy, we were privilaged to have the chance to go to his house so we could learn more about Korean traditions.

As we entered the Ambassador's house, we were warmly greeted by the Ambassador and his wife Madam Song.They were dressed in hanboks, traditional Korean attire, which gave the house an authentic Korean feel.

We were then lead to a impressive room and offered drinks. I had a delicious apple and cinnamon drink. Laid out on a large table was an assortion of beautifully decorated traditional Korean snacks. Ambassador Choo introduced himself and his wife and made us all feel at ease. He told us to help ourselves to the food even holding the tray for us and recommending his favourite snacks.

Ambassador Choo and Madam Song with the impressive table of Korean food
Source: KCCUK

Ambassador Choo talking to students
Source: KCCUK

Source: KCCUK

As everyone was trying out all the snacks, students were talking to the chef. He was happy to ask everyone how the food was made and more about Korean food in general. Seeing as Korean food is made from scratch, he must have worked really hard to make such a large quantity of food so it was really impressive.

Chef talking to a K-Pop Academy student
Source: KCCUK

Source: KCCUK

 All the snacks were delicious especially rice cake that was stuffed with sesame seeds. I remember having them in Korea so it brought back memories having it again after so long. Also, the apple and cinammon drink was tasty. It even had little stars in it which were made of fruit, I think.

After tasting yummy Korean food, we were then given a short presentation of what we have done at the K-Pop Academy so far. It doesn't feel like 6 weeks have passed by. Then we had a brief presentation about Korean holidays such as Chuseok (추석) and Hansik (한식) and this helped us understand Korean traditions. For instance, bowing (절) to elders in Korean culture is seen as a form of respect especially bowing to the grave deceased anscestors.

Source: KCCUK

This presentation was then followed by a Q&A session with Ambassador Choo and Madam Song. To break the ice, I asked them about their thoughts on the Hallyu Wave. 

Source: KCCUK

 My fellow classmates asked really interesting question about the future plan of promoting K-Pop in the UK, to which the Ambassador replied that there are plans for a K-Pop concert in the O2 Areana on the 3rd June. Yes, you read that right. A K-Pop concert on the 3rd of June in London. We all cheered with delight~!

Ambassador Choo announcing plans about a K-Pop concert
Source: KCCUK

Then we formally presented the gifts all of us students got for the Ambassdor and Madam Song. It was our way of saying thank you. I hope they liked the presents.

 

Madam Song, Ambassador Choo and I
Source: KCCUK

Next it was time for us to learn how to bow properly. We were split into small groups so that we could then bow to the Ambassador and Madam. We tried several times until we were in sync. The students who were the best at bowing wore hanboks.

A rather dodgy picture of us practicing how to bow
Source: KCCUK

Each group entered the room one by one and bowed. Everyone tried really hard. My team were picked as the best team and given a gift. As well as this, the two students who were the best at bowing were given a gorgeous fan.

The keyring we won

Chloe and Sean bowing in hanboks
Source: KCCUK

The Ambassador continued talking to us about Korean traditions and joking around. It was really nice because he was asking us questions and it felt like we were all having a conversation which made the serious atmosphere feel more confortable and eased our anxiety. He told us about Korean herbal medicine and even tried out a Korean remedy on a student.

Ambassador Choo trying a Korean remedy on Sean
Source: KCCUK

Group picture of Ambassador Choo, Madam Song, KCC staff and K-Pop Academy students
Source: KCCUK

Overall, I had a lot of fun at the ambassadors home. We were really lucky to have the chance to visit it and we felt very welcome due to his hospitality. Also, we learnt a lot about Korean culture through this visit.

Thank you KCCUK for organising this visit. ^^

-Tamanna