Guest Blogger: M. Tayo - I’m Petty Rapstar: Volume 2

I'm Petty Rapstar: Volume 2

Because TransRacial Lives Matter Ya'll~

No that’s not a typo, that’s genuinely what I think the MNET show, Unpretty Rapstar: Volume 2 should be renamed, as that’s all I’ve witnessed so far. And this time, I’m here for all of it.

After the runaway success of the first season, one thing was made very clear: pettiness sells and gets people talking. So this season, all the focus is on petty one-upmanship, poor attempts at throwing shade and of course, our favorite type of appropriation: cultural appropriation.

I initially refused to watch Unpretty Rapstar, because I loathe the Korean variety/competition show editing technique where they instant replay before the event has even happened, which kills the momentum entirely. I used to find myself shouting at the screen in frustration over wanting just to experience the complete scene uninterrupted by other people’s reactions, (Jackson of GOT7 reuniting with his parents on Roommates is a great example of this terrible editing technique). Seriously Korea, stop it. Just let the scene speak for itself.

I’m also not a fan of runner-up Jessi. As a long time BoA fan, I wasn’t too impressed with the remarks she made about BoA’s alleged sexuality (it was a while ago, but still), plus I don’t like the delusion she has about being a skilled MC, when all she does is throw in random Korean words amongst mostly mangled English. However when I was introduced to the Goddess that is Cheetah, I changed my mind about this particular show.

So when I found out that Yubin, of the newly reformed Wonder Girls was scheduled to be on the show, it was a done deal.

I decided to watch it solely for Yubin (and maybe Hyorin, even though I’m still confused as to why she’s on the show).

A majority of the girls are very talented, mostly the older heads like Yubin, Gilme and Kittib. There’s even a wildcard in Yezi, but we all know that the standout talent is Truedy.

This young cat, entered the arena, decked out in old-skool hip-hop attire and threw so many English phrases around within the first 20 seconds of everyone meeting her, that they immediately questioned her nationality. When faced with the dreaded question that most mixed-Koreans face, she looked genuinely shocked and proclaimed that, she was a person from Eunpyeong-Gu (a region in Seoul). At no point did she mention the fact that she was mixed, either on the show or in any of the TV-spots before hand.

Guest Blogger: Ronnie - Beauty of Korea

Hello Pink Fashion Ninjas, culture enthusiasts and travel junkies! 

My name is Ronnie or just Ron for short. Whether you know very little or a lot about Korea I'm very honored to be able to share a part of my experience with you all. I lived in Korea for a year and a half, I couldn't possibly tell you everything I've seen and done but I'll give you a few highlights.

Korea has a rich history of music and dance, some of which I was able to see up close and personal. This is called Jangguchum (장구춤) a dance performed with drums. It's usually done solo but can also be done in a small pairs. The one dance I saw that really enchanted me the most was a folk dance called Buchaechum (부채춤.) It is a fan dance performed in groups of female dancers wearing Hanboks. The colors were brilliant, their movements precise, vibrant and mesmerizing. I was told its origins go back to shaman dance. It's done for different occasions. Kpop will undoubtedly cross your mind when you think about Korea but check out some performances to get a broader taste of Korea's identity and watch some folk dances. There are lots of videos online if you can't visit Korea(yet!) The music and dancing is one of a kind.

"Kpop will undoubtedly cross your mind when you think about Korea but check out some performances to get a broader taste of Korea's identity and watch some folk dances."

I also got to visit a Korean Folk Village. If you ever get the opportunity, I highly recommend it. You'll see traditional houses and get a glimpse into the past to see how early Korean people lived.
One in particular had a few entertainment attractions, I rode this mechanical llama haha. I felt like a really big kid ^_^

Why are Korean Face Shapes a Big Deal? + Etude House Firm V-Zone Patch Review

To anyone familiar with Korean culture you'll already have a gist on today's post. Most know that face shape in Korea is a HUGE deal that starts from childhood all the way to the ajummah days. During my time as a teacher in Korea, I heard my students fret over their face shape, eyes not being big enough or skin not be white enough. Though these topics can be concerns of any preteen, the worriment and stress emphasized in South Korea impacts ones daily life and career tremendously.

To go more in depth on this trend one must look at its history. How did face shape like the V-Line become so important and why is it such a huge factor today for Koreans? And after that I'll segue into a review of Etude House's popular Firm V-Zone Patch, that when used daily, can give the coveted pointy V-Line chin! Though for me it seemed more like being wrapped in a neck brace but we'll get there soon enough.

So why are pointy chins and face shape so important in Korea?

Guest Blogger: D.Lashore (BiAlamode) - THE LEADING MAN: Korean Style

For years Hollywood has been the leader in the way of the cinematic world. Truth be told, from just about every aspect of all things arts and entertainment, Hollywood has always been the go to (historically speaking)….the gold standard by which every other entertainment market around the world sets itself against. However, I must admit that even as I say that, I think Hollywood has “fallen off” a bit lately. With the re-vamping (*or re-hashing as some would say*) of many of its most popular movie franchises from the not-too-distant past, I was inspired…if you will…to turn my mind’s eye to some of Hollywood’s most popular leading men. I would say Hollywood could do with a fresh take on some of its age old ideas and become even more diverse. Sooo the daydream began……I thought….”if Hollywood came a’calling in Korea, what Korean male lovelies would they choose for the most popular categories for male leads on film…these are my thoughts. Hey Hollywood…..you might want to take notes?!

The Strong Silent type:

Hollywood style

l-r: Hugh Jackman, Henry Cavill, Liev Schreiber

Korean style

l-r: Won Bin, Song Jae Rim, T.O.P.

The strong silent type may be a man of a few words, but his eyes will tell you everything you need to know. However, when he does speak, he’s “E.F. Hutton” in full effect. Mysteriously, sexy…..this one will have you waiting with bated breath.

Guest Blogger: Shonna - 7 Great Tourist Spots in Korea

We're starting Guest Blogger Month off with a bang with writer Shonna giving you the top places to visit in Korea! Some of these places I've never heard of so I will have to check them out!

7 great tourist spots in South Korea

Hello to all the pink fashion ninja readers. I hope you enjoy reading these posts as much as I do. Let me start first by introducing myself. My name is Shonna Sutton otherwise known as Shonna Sutton haha. I am from North Carolina. I have come across an interest into Asian cultures when I was in high school. My high school friends introduce me to a few manga’s and it just took off from there. When I started college that’s when I grew an interest with Korea. The language was so interesting to me so I wanted to know more about the country. I have watched quite a few Korean dramas and also listened to many kpop songs. BIGBANG 짱! :D

Enough of that we are here to know about my list of spots to check out anytime you are traveling to Korea. You may know these spots already or you may not know them. I have never been to Korea myself  but, these are the places I want to visit. They are really cool so check them out!

1. Namhansanseong Fortress

If you like hiking trails then I recommend Namhansanseong Fortress. It is located on Mt. Namhansan in the Gyeonggi-do Province. It was originally built as an earthen fortress during Gogureyo period, about 2,000 years ago but properly built in 1621 after many renovations. A very beautiful place with great scenery throughout the whole year.

DIY BB Cream for Dark Skin Tones - Korean Beauty Now

A fan of BB Cream but not able to get it in your shade? Well no more worries because now you can make your own at home! This simple DIY recipe can be done with just a few items you already own.

But before we get started let's get more acquainted with BB, CC, DD and EE (ahah j/k) creams! Because honestly they can be confusing. Fashionista.com has a simple but great article explaining the difference of each. The world of K Beauty is a Pandora's box of surprises so the more you know the better you'll be at buying the right products for you.