Page 61 – KultScene

11 K-Pop Songs to Celebrate Pride Month

June 25, 2015/in Entertainment /by Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelum

In the US and other countries around the world, June is considered pride month. This refers to a time for the LGBT community to promote and celebrate self-affirmation, equal rights, and increase visibility of their community. It’s directly the opposite of shame, so instead of laying low and living in the dark, pride is all about celebrating oneself. And even if Korea is not as open with LGBT issues, that doesn’t mean K-pop songs aren’t the perfect jams to celebrate gay pride. So on that note, here are some of our favorite songs to sing and dance to this joyous month.

2NE1 “I Am the Best”

Imagine walking through the red velvet rope at the entrance of the club flicking your hair over your shoulder because you obviously didn’t wait in line or were carded. The dark, smoky corridor into the dance floor is your runway, and you work it to the max to make your grand entrance. What’s the soundtrack to this slow motion moment? 2NE1’s “I Am the Best,” of course! If K-pop held Fierce Awards, this would be the winner. Maybe it’s the empowerment behind the lyrics and the ladies’ performance, or maybe it’s those thumping beats and the repetitive naega jeil jal naga that makes you feel fabulous once the song comes out, but there’s no denying “I Am the Best” is, well, the best song to represent your awesome self.

Brown Eyed Girls “Abracadabra”

Staying on the fierce theme, few songs were embraced by the LGBT community as warmly as “Abracadabra” by Brown Eyed Girls. Like “I Am the Best,” there’s something about the beat, the dance, and of course, the guy cursing out lyrics that make it totally badass. Especially that hip sway dance coined “arrogant dance” which screams “I’m too fabulous for you.”

Kara “Mamamia”

Once in the dance floor, you need all the jams to make you feel fabulous and bust out your best moves. Kara’s “Mamamia” and its respective choreography is the perfect song for such scenario. With its retro disco beats yet vero ‘90s pop, it’s impossible not to make you want to werk.

Jo Kwon “Awesome Girl”

Another upbeat anthem to dance and sing along to is Jo Kwon’s “Awesome Girl.” Even if it wasn’t a single, the track is full of energy and personality and is all kinds of fun.

Also on KultScene: Summer 2015 K-Pop Fashion Trends

T-ara “Sugar Free”

Let’s be real, T-ara’s “Sugar Free” was made for the club. Any club, for that matter. But it’s when you pair it with the choreography at the chorus that makes it perfect for pride.

N.O.M “A Guys”

If you don’t know who N.O.M are or why you’ve never heard of them is probably because their concept is banned from TV in Korea. I mean, click on this video. Their whole concept is gender bending while being fabulous. They are truly unique Korea, let alone Asia. “A Guys” was surely made with the gay club in mind.

Orange Caramel “Bangkok City”

Thailand’s kathoey or ladyboys are famous around the world, and even more so for considering them a third gender of their own. And despite Orange Caramel not using any drag queens in their music video for “Bangkok City,” it’s safe to say that’s what they were going for with their whole concept and sound wise.

Girls’ Generation “Love & Girls”

One group that did use drag queens though was Girls’ Generation for their “Love & Girls” music video. What’s fascinating about this is that for a song about girls and friendship, the director was inclusive of other types of “girls,” which is very progressive for K-pop.

Lee Hyori “Miss Korea”

And while we’re on the subject of queens, what better than a song by the queen about queens? Lee Hyori’s “Miss Korea” might not be a dance track, but it’s a self empowering anthem nonetheless.

Also on KultScene: Juck Juck Grunzie Brings Psychedelic Sounds To Asia, Glastonbury, And Beyond [INTERVIEW]

Jo Kwon “Animal”

Let’s be real. Jo Kwon’s whole solo album was fabulous and awesome and just perfect. However, revisiting the drag topic, the singer performed “Animal” in heels not even girl idols would wear and dropped sass all over the stage. There’s no one as fierce or fiercer than Jo Kwon, and for that, he takes the crown for baddest bxtch.

Amber “Beautiful”

But pride anthems are not all about being fierce and self empowering, they’re also about loving and accepting your “Beautiful” self just the way you are. That’s why this Amber song off of her solo album hits you right in the feels. It perfectly depicts her journey into being ok with herself and embracing her uniqueness.

Do you have other K-pop songs you would include in your pride playlist? Share your picks in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

[Renders: ByMadHatter, Milevip, poubery, angelchristina]

Artist Spotlight: HISTORY’s Jang Yi Jeong

June 24, 2015/in Artist Spotlight, Entertainment /by Tamar Herman

As a group with relatively little fanfare in the Korean music world, Loen Tree’s male K-pop quintet HISTORY has shown off its talent time and time again. The group’s latest release, the May mini-album “Beyond The History,” showcased their talent once again, and particularly highlighted the skill of the group’s youngest member, Jang Yi Jeong.

Jang gained fame prior to joining HISTORY as a contestant on “Birth Of A Great Star 2”. Although he didn’t win the competition, Jang’s powerful vocals and likeable personality led to him gaining a spot in HISTORY. In the group, Jang was not only the youngest member, but also the center vocalist of a group filled with talent.

After HISTORY’s debut, Jang’s highest profile solo work was being featured on IU’s “Friday.” The soft ballad about going on a date was extremely popular in South Korea, but it’s Jang’s latest work that is the most exciting.

Also on KultScene: Gyuri & From The Airport’s ‘The Little Prince’ Review

The latest album gave Jang another chance to shine; he wrote the group’s title track, “Just Might Die” and released his own solo song, “1CENTURY.” While many K-pop idols nowadays are known for their compositional skills, it’s rare that a rookie group would go with a title song written by a member unless they had absolute confidence in the song. Jang spoke about the responsibility that went along with it in an interview with Loen’s 1theK YouTube channel, where he admitted that he felt the pressure from the members to make a good song. The result was “Just Might Die.”

Not only did Jang have a role in every aspect of “Just Might Die,” including directing the recording, he also was involved in the songs “Ghost” and “1Century” on the same album.

If “Just Might Die” wasn’t enough of a surprise to turn our attention to HISTORY’s youngest member, Jang’s solo rap “1Century” did that.

Yes, a rap song. Just like “Just Might Die,” Jang also wrote “1Century.” HISTORY has other members who rap, but Jang Yi Jeong’s debut as a rapper is one of the best rap songs we’ve heard from a Korean idol that wasn’t originally an underground rapper. The emotion is there, the different rap styles; it’s all there. Jang isn’t as talented as people who make their careers as rappers, such as San-E or Mad Clown, but there’s no doubt that there is basic, raw skill there.

Also on KultScene: 8 K-Pop Girl Power Anthems Pt. 4

Matching his singing skills with his composing talent and newly revealed aptitude for rap shows how well rounded Jang Yi Jeong is not as a general K-pop but as a musician in general. It is honestly confounding when thinking about how one of the most promising talents in the Korean music world is going unrecognized.

What do you think about Jang Yi Jeong? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Juck Juck Grunzie Brings Psychedelic Sounds To Asia, Glastonbury, And Beyond [INTERVIEW]

June 23, 2015/in Features /by Tam Huynh

In the last couple of years, Korea has seen a steady increase in female bands, one of which is thepsychedelic noise-rock band Juck Juck Grunzie. The band consists of four members, three of whom are female with an accompanying male drummer. Juck Juck Grunzie spoke to KultScene about their unique band name, influences, their upcoming summer European tour, and much more.

It’s great to have a chance to talk to you. Could you please introduce Juck Juck Grunzie to KultScene’s readers? Read more

Summer 2015 K-Pop Fashion Trends

June 22, 2015/in Fashion /by Alejandro Abarca

Fashion is constantly evolving and reinventing itself. Every season the trends change, but usually they take inspiration from the past. Koreans are known for being fashion lovers and early adopters of trends, making them their own and becoming trendsetters. Moreover, Korean magazines always showcase the trends in amazing editorials that feature some of our favorite acts. Here are our picks for the trends seen in Korean magazine editorials for Summer 2015.

Denim Galore

Denim is one of the staples in every person’s wardrobe. Denim comes in many forms, from jackets, to pants, to skirts and dresses. They are very easy to pair with many things, making it one of the most versatile fabrics in fashion. Whether it’s pairing denim on denim (a denim skirt with a denim shirt) or making your denim item your statement piece, there are many ways to stay on this very popular trend, and one of the easiest to try for this summer. It even ties in with the ‘70s revival for this summer.

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The ‘70s Revival

The ‘70s was one of the most fun eras in fashion. It was very experimental, with men and women playing with androgyny. This trend takes inspiration “from” the hippie scene, disco, and the later revival of mod in the ‘70s. Bold prints, flares, peasant blouses, mini, and a-line skirts are a must for this trend. Not only can your clothes channel this trend but your hair as well. For women, give yourself some thick wavy curls and add a bit of volume to the crown of your head. If you have layers, channel your inner Farrah Fawcett and curl out your layers to give you that iconic look. For men, you can be a little daring and style your hair a la Ziggy Stardust or flip it back with a part in the middle and you are ready to go.

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Also on KultScene: Top Seoul Fashion Week F/W 2015 Collections

Bold Prints, Suits, & Sandals

This summer is all about the bold prints. Stripes, geometric, jacquard, and flower prints are a must for this season and many retailers out there are already embracing this trend, making it very easy to sport. Don’t be afraid to mix flowers with jacquard prints or stripes. The mixing of prints make a bold statement and gives a very unique feel to your outfit, but it is an art that needs practice in order to master.

The prints come in a variety of pieces. From printed joggers, pants, and culottes, to amazing tailored suits, bomber jackets, and board shorts. Dressing up and dressing down prints is as easy as putting on a simple T-shirt and jeans. For this summer, you can pair up your printed suit with your favorite sandals to give that casual and relaxed look to your suit. There are many options out there for amazing sandals like jelly sandals or harness sandals, and classics like the Teva or Birkenstocks.

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Also on KultScene: Fashion Icon: 2AM’s Jo Kwon

Which trend is your favorite? Will you be rocking any of these trends this summer? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Playlist Sunday: Father’s Day

June 21, 2015/in Fans, Playlist Sunday /by KultScene

To celebrate Fathers’ Day today, at KultScene we wanted to put together a playlist in dedication to the leading men in our lives, whether it be our fathers, uncles, or grandparents. Although they are rarer than songs dedicated to mothers, there are still a few touching and meaningful K-pop songs for our fathers.

It won’t take much for tears to well up in your eyes when listening to Insooni’s “Father”. Whether you understand the lyrics or not, just knowing that this song is written about a father, whether he was a present one or if not, will automatically tug at your heartstrings. We loved each other, we hated each other, but you held me precious more than anyone and I miss you; what child doesn’t bicker with their parents, what child doesn’t have moments of fury and resentment towards their parents? And at the same time, what father wouldn’t want to protect his child? It’s all a part of growing up; it’s all a part of learning. No matter how much you guys may argue and bicker with one another, just don’t forget to say your “I love you’s” at the end of it all.

–Tam

Also on KultScene: Artist Spotlight: ZPZG

The lyrics for the song “Sorry” by f(x) really stand out because of how honestly and clearly they express a relationship a lot of us have with our father. Maybe it’s because our fathers don’t always understand us or because they do things which irritate us, but we constantly find ourselves doing things to hurt our fathers, intentionally or not, and sometimes it’s difficult to open our mouths to apologise. The constant repetition of “Sorry, I’m sorry” brings across this meaning very well.

–Anna

He’s a mother, father, gentleman, that everyone knows, but Psy’s actually a really big daddy’s boy, or at least he makes the case for everybody being one in his song, “Father.” The song is about Psy’s father, who stands in as a representative of all hardworking fathers who work so hard for the success of their children. “Father” describes the admiration and pain of a son looking to his father who worked hard all his life, but due to the amount of time he has spent focusing on work he is disconnected from his children. The song ends with Psy saying “don’t be lonely anymore,” urging people to recognize how hard their parents work for them.

–Tamar

Also on KultScene: Gyuri & From The Airport’s ‘The Little Prince’ Review

I can’t be the only one who cried reading the lyrics right? Off of the Asia special edition of their album “Born to Beat,” BTOB’s “Father” is an obvious addition to any Father’s Day playlist. The heart wrenching song describes the fatherly love that we often take for granted as a youth and emphasizes the sacrifices our fathers make for us. His wrinkled eyes, his beaten hands, his lonely back. Why is it that these things only become apparent as we grow up? The lyrics are very poetic, and the powerful notes of the seven members could not convey the pain any better. These are the words we all felt, but never been able to voice out loud. The ballad ends with the very sentimental line “I love you forever my father,”and after a listen, it’ll have you repeating the same.

— Shelley

When we first picked this theme, I was nervous because I didn’t know any K-pop songs about fathers. That didn’t improve much after everyone else picked the ones in existence, so I had to get creative. And the most that my imagination allowed me was Psy’s “Gentleman.” Yes, it’s not about dads or anything even close. It does however say “mother, father, gentleman,” and that’s close enough for me!

— Alexis

What’s your favorite K-pop song about father’s? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Artist Spotlight: ZPZG

June 19, 2015/in Artist Spotlight, Entertainment /by Shelley Foo

With so many rookie groups debuting practically every week, it’s easy to miss some of the more promising acts that the K-pop world has to offer. Luckily for ZPZG though, the four member South Korean boy band left a deep impression on this Kultscene writer. Comprised of leader/rapper Khan and vocalists Na Kang (N.K.), Baek Gyeom, and Lee Ji Hoon, these fresh-faced boys are bringing back the old-school K-pop sound that we all loved circa mid-2000s, making the flower boy image the new “cool” in a scene that is presently entrenched in power concepts.

via zpzg-usa on Tumblr

The quartet under J Star Entertainment first made its official debut on September 25^th of last year with their digital single, “Going Crazy.” It is a delightful earworm that mixes the mellow strums of ukuleles with the addictive synths at its core to produce an unforgettable and refreshing pop track. Nothing risky, but that’s to be expected for the new kids on the block under an indie label. The group even plays on the safe side by keeping the plot of the music video simple in order to underscore the energetic choreography and the numerous winks and eye smiles of the boys that are sure to have the noona (older female) fans melting in their seats. And how can we ignore the way they serenade and follow the girl whom they have fallen madly in love with around while she tries to avoid the camera’s gaze?? Big Bang’s “Lies” anyone? Indeed, the nostalgia factor is certainly strong with this group.

Also on Kultscene Gyuri & From The Airport’s ‘The Little Prince’ Review

And while “Going Crazy” may be the only release from the group since their debut, they were also seen at the Itaewon Global Village Festival a couple months later covering, of all groups, Big Bang’s “Sunset Glow.” Even here they were able to bring their youthful and enthusiastic flair from their first single to the classic hit. Until they comeback with an album that contains more than a song and its instrumental version, it seems that they have found their niche in upbeat and sweet love songs from yesteryear.

Since promotions for “Going Crazy” have ended, the group has fallen off the radar, but not into total obscurity per se. Thanks to member Kang’s talented bloodlines, the group has been able to stay alive since it has been revealed that the vocalist is the younger cousin of Beast’s dancing machine Kikwang. Moreover, popular idol group EXO’s Chanyeol gave a somewhat overdue shoutout earlier this year to the boys on his personal Instagram account, citing that the high school classmates helped him adjust to the new learning environment after he transferred over. This generated much buzz and interest in the fledgling group.

via zpzg.kang on Instagram

Nowadays, the boys have been staying true to their group’s name, which stands for zest play, zest grow. With fervor, the boys have been enjoying their vacation time while practicing for their upcoming Japanese concert in July. No comeback dates have been revealed as of yet, which only opens up the floor to questions about what avenues the four are going to take next. For their age (17-23), the pretty boy image works best, and through their performances the members have showed us that tried and true never goes out of style.

Also on Kultscene 2PM’s ‘My House’ Music Video & Song Review

As fans anticipate their return and watch them mature into men, they should take this opportunity to work on incorporating both new and old sounds into their music as well. Show us more of Khan’s raps that “Going Crazy” did not quite do justice to, or how about giving us more harmonization between the main vocalists? Although their catchy debut song did not achieve much fanfare as it should have (blame the marketing team), with the right guidance the boys should be able to establish themselves in the always competitive music business. After training for years, they’ve already got the know-how to do so. Hopefully one day ZPZG will develop a name of its own and not just as Beast’s distant cousin group or the kids who went to school with EXO’s Chanyeol.

Do you like ZPZG? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Gyuri & From The Airport’s ‘The Little Prince’ Review

June 18, 2015/in Entertainment, MUSIC /by Joe Palmer

Collaborations between indie artists and idols always interest me in some way. It shows a level of musical appreciation we might not usually see in idols. When most are hungry to be merely famous, it’s nice to see some who genuinely try with alternative music. That being said, most idol/indie collaborations end up being completely safe, coffee shop style songs. This is due to both the mainstream and indie trends moving more towards that style of song. It’s seriously popular in Korea. So when Kara’s Gyuri released “The Little Prince,” a surprise single, with the fairly safe indie band From The Airport, I was worried it would be a disappointment. Luckily my worries were unfounded.

I have never been a huge fan of Gyuri’s voice. Her soft voice is distinctive and quite strong, but whenever she went for bigger notes, it didn’t work for me. Even when she hit those notes perfectly like in Kara’s recent “Cupid,” I wasn’t feeling it. I’ve now realized why it wasn’t working for me. Gyuri has an indie voice. Her soft airy voice belongs with the Neon Bunny’s of this world. Needless to say, it works perfectly with From The Airport.

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Song

For “The Little Prince,” From The Airport have mostly ditched their usual rock sound for something more synth based. The odd guitar riff is thrown every now and then to keep things interesting though. These funky guitars allow the track to stray away from all out EDM territory. The glittering synths have a restraint to them that shines alongside Gyuri’s voice. Her breathy voice threatens to burst just like the electronics. Yet both are allowed to simmer back down without straining the song further than it needed to go. When it does finally reach a climax, the song soars into euphoria rather than crashing into a breakdown.

I was hoping the lyrics would reference Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s novel of the same name. However, they are fairly standard lyrics about the rush of feeling one has for their lover. As an effort from an idol who hasn’t written much, they are not too bad though.

If the references can’t be found in the lyrics, there might be some to be found in the tone. Saint-Exupéry’s novel, though a children’s book, has a sombre and measured, but fantastical tone to it. In a similar way, Gyuri and From The Airport’s “The Little Prince” has a subdued melancholic tone to it before bursting into the chorus. Its lyrical sentiments, too, are bright. Matching a sad tone with such a happy concept would seem like a contradiction, but it works to highlight the happier parts better. The contrast between the start and finish and the music and lyrics of the song serve to create something more than the sum of its parts.

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The song does not really transcend its genre elements though. The synths are great, Gyuri’s voice works well with it all and it’s an interesting new approach for her. And yet, it still feels a little lacking. Nothing new is carved out here. After a couple of really excited listens, I began to lose interest.

The other song they came out with, “Return,” does nothing to rectify this. It goes for a more traditional From The Airport sound with lots more guitar to go with the synths. It’s charming and features From The Airport’s Milo on vocals. This helps it from being a forgettable B-side. The cheerleader chants are pretty fun, but, again, it loses something with every new listen.

Overall

I’m not really disappointed with this collaboration. Generic songs are the norm in K-pop, so here it is no different. I guess it being a more indie orientated track made my expectations higher. Or they made me like it more than I really did at the first listen. Gyuri is really impressive and shown she has range outside of the idol world. In reality, it’s probably one of the best idol/indie team ups in K-pop. It represents a good jumping off point for other idols to follow on and work on some interesting projects themselves.

Gyuri & From The Airport's 'The Little Prince'

3.5

What do you think of this collaboration? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
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5 English Covers by Korean Male Singers Pt. 2

June 17, 2015/in Fans /by Tam Huynh

How did you discover your favorite artist? Was it through a TV show, or by word of mouth? Surprisingly enough, a lot of my favorite artists, whether they’re solo artists or in a group, I discovered on YouTube. Usually while rummaging through random song covers. It starts off with a cover that they’re singing from another Korean artist and eventually I’ll find them singing a cover of an English song and immediately fall in love. And while YouTube is filled with them and we’ve already talked about five other covers we love, here are the latest picks of English covers by Korean male singers.
Read more

2PM’s ‘My House’ Music Video & Song Review

June 16, 2015/in Entertainment, MUSIC VIDEOS /by Anna Cheang

Two weeks after their initially planned date of release, 2PM is back with their fifth full album, appropriately titled “No.5”. Written and composed by oldest member Jun. K, “My House” marks the return of the group ever since their last release “Go Crazy” in 2014. 2PM is back!

Meaning

It’s alright. Let’s go to my house
It’s alright. Just make it a secret
In 10 minutes I’ll be waiting for you over there
It’s alright. Let’s go to my house

Seemingly simple lyrics but have a subtle sensuality, which when placed in the context of the song and music video have a whole other meaning. The false assurances and confidence that we allow ourselves to believe in order to fulfill our own desires, these lyrics express it perfectly.

Also on Kultscene: EXO’s ‘Love Me Right’ Repackaged Album Review

Song

Jun. K is well-known not just for his vocal abilities, but also his songwriting abilities, as can be seen by his composing the title track for this album and the album before this. He doesn’t disappoint with “My House,” which combines a series of seemingly random sounds like the ticking of a clock and into an addictive dance track. The track also showcases each of the members’ vocal and rapping abilities, and in true 2PM style, gives equal parts to each member, allowing them to shine individually and as a group. The smoothness of their vocals adds to the sensuality of the lyrics and enhances the song. The chorus is very repetitive, which creates a hook for the song and makes it easy to remember.

Videography

The music video is fairy-tale like, with the setting of a ball and with the people in the video dressed up formally. The colour tone of the video is more on the dark side, giving it a more dreamy feel. There are constant appearances of a clock which strikes midnight, along with the female character tossing her slipper on the staircase towards the end of the video, which is a play on the classic fairy-tale “Cinderella”. Other fairy-tale references in the video can be seen in the red apple the female character is seen eating (Snow White), the claws that appear on Chansung’s hands (Beauty and the Beast), the bunny singing the high-pitched and auto-tuned notes (Alice in Wonderland) and Taecyeon’s appearance as a wolf during his rapping scene (Little Red Riding Hood).

via wooyoungforever @ Tumblr

via wooyoungforever @ Tumblr

via wooyoungforever @ Tumblr

via wooyoungforever @ Tumblr

via wooyoungforever @ Tumblr

Style

As mentioned above, the video was set in a ballroom setting, hence explaining the extremely gorgeous ball gown the main female character is donning. The female character is played by none other than “Miss Korea” contestant Yumi Kim, who fits the role very well with her stunning visuals.

In the dancing scenes, 2PM are dressed casually while they don fanciful suits in the rest of the video. They do look good in their suits, but there are certain hairstyles that do not suit them and make them look overly stiff. Similarly, they look comfortable and natural in their casual attire, but there are some outfits that just make them look plain weird. Still, 2PM’s natural aesthetics make up for the occasionally bad fashion choices.

via vseoks @ Tumblr

Also on Kultscene: Fantasy Vs. Reality Performances to See At KCON 2015

Overall Thoughts

The music video wasn’t perfect, and neither was the song, but it was a great title track in all and showed 2PM’s continuous growth as artists. The music video was more symbolic and artistic than normal, but it still carried 2PM’s unique flavor. I’m certainly looking forward to their live performances of this song. Check out the music video below!

Culinary Hallyu: Shin Kim’s ‘Banchan Story’ Will Bring Korean Food Lovers Together [Interview]

June 15, 2015/in Food /by Tamar Herman

You may think you know a lot about Korean food based on what you’ve eaten at the newest Korean barbecue joint in your city or what you’ve seen stars on Korean television shows. But Shin Kim thinks that a lot of Korean food aficionados are only touching on the stories and history of Korean dishes, and is kicking off a new sort of culinary-cultural fusion experience known as Banchan Story

Shin Kim is known from DramaFever’s “Cooking With Shin” series and the recipes from her personal blog. Now, she’s kicking off something a bit new, a new culinary experience class that she’s calling Banchan Story. With the tagline “whispers from every little dish,” Banchan Story is part Korean culture meetup, part history lesson, and all food.

Banchan Story is a way that Kim hopes to combine foodies and fans of the Korean wave, known in Korea as hallyu. This is made up of all sorts of Korean culture that is exported abroad, primarily K-pop, Korean movies, and Korean television dramas. Food and beauty products are some of the lesser discussed, but just as important, parts of the Korean wave.

While some people come to Korean cooking classes with little knowledge and are just looking for some fun new food, Kim said that anytime she mentioned the fact that she subtitles Korean dramas a few people’s eyes lit up and they admitted to being fans.

“I figured, it would be nice to actually have Korean cooking classes that go in depth into the story behind the dishes,” Kim told KultScene over the phone. “A lot of time these days, because so many people are watching Korean dramas, it would be fun to tie these dishes to the dramas that feature the everyday, home dishes of Korea.” Banchan Story is Kim’s inventive way to combine the interest in Korean pop culture and Korean food, and to create an environment for people to meet up.”

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“First and foremost Banchan Story is about me helping you cooking Korean food at the class and at home, so it’ll be step by step instruction with me guiding you through,” explained Kim. “But for people who are interested in Korean culture, I think it’ll be fun to gather together and cook together and eat together and talk about culture and history and food. And that’s why I opened this up; I wanted to share this family-like, friendly gathering for people who want to learn more about it.”

Why the name? Banchan is the Korean word for small side dishes served at just about every traditional Korean meal, and Kim discovered that a lot of people came to her cooking classes for widely known dishes like japche noodles and kimchi, but left with a love of the side dishes.

“A lot of people are surprised by how good the little side dishes are and how simple it is to make so I think a lot of time they come for the big Korean dishes that they recognize but end up liking the little dishes that they didn’t know about,” Kim said as she explained the reason behind the title of her latest venture. “A lot of people recognize a lot of Korean dishes that even a few years back wasn’t the case. But then still, all these little dishes come out when you order something at a Korean restaurant they get lumped together as just ‘those little side dishes’ so I thought I could go in depth about those little dishes and teach people how to make them.”

Those little dishes don’t always get so much screen time on Korean television shows and movies, but a lot of other food does and Kim thinks the rise in popularity of Korean food is innately linked to other Korean media.

“Korean shows were first and foremost for Korean people, so it always piques people’s interest and it’s part of the culture to have food all the time and talk about it. And it’s sort of feeding each other that’s a big deal, so people like to see it, and they show more [food] so that people are interested. And from that, people who got exposed to K-pop and dramas see this. And at first I didn’t notice it, because I’m so used to the food in the shows I watched, but people noticed that if you watch Korean shows often and long enough the same food comes up again and again. People look it up and get interested.”

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According to Kim, Korean culture is largely focused on food, resulting in the amount of focus on food that people see on television and movies. “Korean dramas and movies, or even variety shows, they show people eating all the time. And it’s not just like in American shows, where they show the characters eating at a diner or eating once in a while, but it’s not a big focus unless it’s a holiday scene. There’s not usually a lot of zooming in on the food, but in Korean culture and Korean shows they always take time to show off the actual food and show people enjoying the food itself. And I think that comes up because Korean people really like to eat, they like to see what other people are eating and how it’s made and how they can get it, and how they can eat.”

Since Banchan Story is currently only in New York City, Kim has kept up her recipe blog. Here are some of our favorite recipes from Shin Kim:

Kimchi-Style Cucumber Salad (오이 무침 – Oi Muchim)

INGREDIENTS:

1 package Persian cucumbers (mini, thin cucumbers, 7 in a package)
2 tablespoons coarse sea salt

Seasoning
2 tablespoons rice vinegar or brown rice vinegar
1 tablespoon Korean red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
2 scallions, washed and chopped fine
2 ~3 cloves garlic, peeled and grated
2 teaspoons sugar

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut cucumbers to thin slices. Sprinkle sea salt over cucumber slices and mix well. Let it rest for 10~15 minutes, just until cucumber slices start to sweat and soften. This also depends on how thin the cucumber slices are, so keep an eye on it. If it’s your first time and you’re not sure, go under rather than over, meaning, don’t let it sit too long, which will get the cucumber too salty and too soft.

2. In the meantime, mix rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, toasted sesame seeds, scallion, garlic and sugar together.

3. Rinse off salt from cucumber in cold water and gently squeeze to remove excess water.

4. Mix cucumber slices in seasoning.

Keep it in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

In case you’re interested, Banchan Story kicks off in New York City on July 8^th, at an event sponsored by the Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange (KOFICE) and H-Mart. Banchan Story classes will begin this summer in Manhattan. Check out Banchan Story HERE.

Do you cook Korean food? What do you think about the connection between Korean food and Korean TV shows/movies? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.