Asian Model Awards

Asian Model Awards

[NEWS] SBS Korean Drama coming soon to 80 different countries?

“Brilliant Legacy,” is sentimental love story, stars Lee Seung-gi as a wealthy socialite and Han Hyo-ju as the commoner girl whom he comes to adore.The Korean Wave has already washed over large swaths of Asia, but one local state-sponsored non-profit company has adopted a new approach to keep the waters rising.The Korean Foundation for International Culture Exchange announced it has acquired a limited international license for “Brilliant Legacy,” a television drama that gained ratings of over 40 percent when it aired on SBS here, and will give away broadcasting rights for free in 81 overseas countries as a way of boosting Korean popular culture.The drama, a sentimental love story, stars Lee Seung-gi as a wealthy socialite and Han Hyo-ju as the commoner girl whom he comes to adore.SBS retained licensing rights in Japan, China and Southeast Asia, and is still negotiating with broadcasters in those areas to air the drama, which originally ran on weekends from April to July last year. EastAsia already has high demand for Korean films and dramas, and thus was excluded from the deal with the foundation.The same organization acquired the rights to “The Painter of Winds” from SBS last year, contributing to its airing in 30 countries.Cr: JoongAnd Daily Read More →

Indian food has been voted as the most popular International Cuisine in Seoul, Koreans are not aware of the other aspects of Indian culture

In day to day life here in Korea I have been experiencing several things which is quitedelightful to me.

Yesterday after a hectic travel from Suwon to Hoegi I took a nap for around 2 hours and then again I start getting redy for my another appointment with my dowmi "helper" to hangout in Itewan. We take a subway , reacher the Itewan, my dowmi was so excited as even if she is Korean she was never been in Itewan. For me it was 3 rd time after comming here in Seoul.
First of all we were trying to locate the nice resturant where both of us can have nice delicacies of Indian taste. On top of that Korean really like Indian food as well as my dowmi too really like it. She does not mind the spicyness of Indian achar, chooley and other varieties.

I took her to one of the Indian resturand which was already filled with lot's of Korean as well as other foreigners. There again I met my Indian senior and Junior who are in Yonsei University learning Korean language now.They were also very happy to see us moreover they were very excited to know about my Korean freinds fondness towards Indian food.
So we shared about our own cultural experiences and ahared to one another.

The Korean President on the Eve of India's Republic Day, 26th of Jan, 2010

Marching towards the close relationship ties between the Land of the Morning Calm and One of the most Democratic country called Inda.

Korea Embraces the India's Look East as well as Asia Policy"

Seoul Embraces 'Look Asia Policy'

President Lee Myung-bak urged business leaders of Korea and India Monday to step up cooperation in the IT and services sectors, industrial infrastructure development and exchanges of technology and human resources.
Lee made the remarks in an address at a Korea-India business forum here, which attracted some 350 entrepreneurs and economic policymakers from the two countries.

"Korea and India have increased bilateral trade by more than 800 times since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973," Lee said. "Currently, some 50,000 Indian people are working for 380 Korean firms, a fact that reflects there has been great progress in Korea-India relations."

He called for joint efforts to develop the IT and services industries.

"The Look East Policy and my New Asia Initiative share common goals of economic development and regional prosperity," the President said. "In this regard, I propose joint projects in the IT and services sectors and for the development of industrial infrastructure, tourism and cultural exchanges."

The Korean president is focusing on holding active discussions with policymakers and businesspeople here to lay the groundwork for stronger business ties between the two nations.
South Korean officials hope the visit will provide a crucial opportunity for the two nations to discuss ways to set the future course of action following the CEPA, a de-facto free trade accord.
Seoul and New Delhi are seeking to double bilateral trade between Korea and India to $30 billion by 2014.

For more detail
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2010/01/270_59643.html

Moving towards the path of goodwill relation between India and Myanmar where Manipur as the medium to link.

Website opened
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 24 2010: Minister of sports and Youth Affairs and IFCD, N Biren formally opened a website of Indo-Myanmar Fraternal Alliance today. The address of the website is www.imfa.co.in. While speaking at the simple function of opening the website at the office of the Alliance on the third floor of Gambhir Singh Shopping Arcade on BT road, Minister Biren observed that world has been turned into a global village by the ever developing science and technology.

Manipur one of the tiny land of India, is moving towards the acheiver's spot in the field of Cinema too.

Manipuri films strike it rich
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 24 2010: Manipuri films have struck it rich this year by walking away with the lion's share of the honour at the 56th National Film Awards, 2008 and Mumbai International Film Festival, 2010, organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Four persons from Manipur will be conferred the prestigious National Award at the 56th National Awards while ten films from Manipur will be screened at the 11th Mumbai International Film Festival in both the competitive and non-competitive categories. For the first time in the history of Manipuri Cinema, the Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) will be conferred on the film, 'AFSPA 1958,' directed by Haobam Paban Kumar and produced by BM Sunzu and Paban Kumar in the non-feature film category. Noted critic, RK Bidur will be conferred the Best Critic Award in the 56th National Film Awards, 2008 . In the other categories, BM Sunzu's film 'Shingnaba' has been conferred the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) for best adventure/sport film, while Elangbam Natasha will receive the best Narrator award for the film 'Sanakeithel.' President Pratibha Patil will give away the prizes in March this year. The Swarna Kamal award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh each for the producer and the director, the best critic award a cash prize of Rs 75 thousand and the Rajat Kamal medal carries a cash prize of Rs 50 thousand each for the producer and the director. The Narration award carries a cash prize of Rs 50 thousand. In another notable achievement, ten films from Manipur will be screened at the 11th Mumbai International Film Festival, 2010 . In the competition section, Kh Bishwamitra's 'The Boiling Blood,' Bobby Wahengbam's 'Roshni,' Chaoba Thiyam's 'Eye of an I' Suvas E's 'The Sun is still not setting' and Bhumenjoy Konsam's 'Tiger Head' will be screened. In the non-competition section and North East section, Oken Amakcham's 'Ratan Thiyam-The Man of Theatre,' Haobam Paban's 'Mr India,' Ronel Haobam's 'My Story-You and Me,' Romi Meitei's 'Cease Baby's Whimpering Cry' and A Priyobarta's 'Pung-Rhythm of Paradise' will be screened.

'It would be great to see Indian techies in South Korea' India - Korea relation in growing fast.

Special report from the the news Times of India new 24th jan 2010

South Korean president Lee Myung-bak is a man of action. As mayor of Seoul, he veritably transformed his country’s capital. Can he do the same relation with the India?
Indrani Bagchi asked him on his first visit to the country as chief guest at this year’s Republic Day celebrations. Excerpts from the interview:
How would you assess the Indo-Korean relationship today?
India has made rapid economic development and contributed to the global economy. I am certain India will continue to make steady progress by harnessing its great potential.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1973, Indo-Korean relations have become stronger through vibrant exchanges in a wide range of fields, including foreign policy and security issues, economy and trade, science and technology, and education and culture. In particular, the two countries have witnessed remarkable progress in the economic sector.

Bilateral trade increased eight times in a decade from $2.1 billion in 1999 to $15.6 billion in 2008. In addition, many Korean companies have successfully established favourable images in India. We are also closely collaborating within the framework of the G-20 summit in an effort to address the global financial and economic crisis.

South Korea will be hosting the G-20 summit this year. What issues do you think will dominate the agenda?
The G-20 summit will focus on global post-crisis economic management. We will also discuss and follow-up on various policies that will ensure a strong, sustainable and balanced growth of the global economy, following its recovery.

Other crucial topics expected to be on the agenda include how to carry out agreements reached in the previous G-20 summits. They include ways to accomplish a rebalancing of the global economy; reforms in the governance structure of international financial institutions such as a readjustment of the IMF quota; and supervision of large financial institutions.

South Korea is now a leader in “green growth”. Do you see India becoming a partner in this sector? If so, how?
India has abundant natural resources and outstanding human resources, so we can work closely together in the following areas: low-carbon technology, development of clean energy, including new renewable energy and nuclear energy; green transportation, including electric vehicles and railroads; and energy-efficient technologies, including electrical power grids and low-carbon industrial processes.

Economic ties are the bulwark of the Indo-Korean relationship. But surely there are other areas with potential for growth?
South Korea’s forte is in IT hardware manufacturing while India’s is in IT services. In this respect, it is possible to produce synergy in the IT area between the two countries. I look forward to seeing the joint participation of software companies from both countries in building an IT infrastructure in India.

Also, it would be great to see Indian software professionals working in South Korea’s manufacturing sector, and an enhanced collaboration in the area of Mobile-WiMAX, wireless broadband Internet technology. In addition, Korea has the know-how in constructing power and petrochemical plants as well as oil and gas plants.

The POSCO project in Orissa has been delayed, though efforts are being made to fast track it. What are your expectations from the Indian government?
The project will become an exemplary model of industrial cooperation that combines Korea’s know-how in the steel industry and capital with India’s resources and market. The Indian government should continue to show interest in and provide assistance for the remaining procedures, including the acquisition of mineral rights needed to secure raw materials.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between South Korea and India took effect from January. How will it transform bilateral relations?
It is the first such agreement between South Korea and one of the BRIC countries. It is significant that the agreement will be able to serve as a bridge to bolster economic and trade relations between Northeast and Southwest Asia. India’s high-flying economic growth has prompted a surge in bilateral trade and investment between our two countries. I am certain that this trend will further expand with the inception of the CEPA.

What is the future of Indo-Korean relations?
South Korea and India, though geographically far apart, have shared close historic and emotional bonds. In a poem written when Korea was under Japanese colonial rule, Rabindranath Tagore referred to South Korea as the “lamp of the East.”

It gave an enormous boost to the oppressed Koreans at that time. Since the 1970s, there have been active people-to-people exchanges involving workers from both our countries. Currently, there are about 9,000 Koreans staying in India with about 7,000 Indians living in South Korea.

one can visit the website and the page given below.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/interviews/It-would-be-great-to-see-Indian-techies-in-South-Korea/articleshow/5493574.cms

Good New's for those who love travelling , specially who wanted to visit Myanmar "a land of Pagoda"

Yangon visa facility available at Moreh
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 21 2010: To go to Myanmar, one does not need to go to Kolkata for getting the required visa anymore. The same can now be availed from the border town of Moreh. This was disclosed by president of Indo-Myanmar Fraternal Alliance RK Subaschandra during a press conference at the office chamber of Education Minister L Jayantakumar here this afternoon. Subaschandra informed that the approval for providing visa facility at Moreh has been given as a result of the consistent efforts made jointly by Indo-Myanmar Fraternal Alliance and Myanmar Diamond Place Company Group. Earlier, any individual who wished to visit Myanmar, either for trade or tourist purpose, had to go to Kolkata for getting the required visa. This had cause lot of difficulties to the people, he said. Subaschandra explained that SDPO, Moreh who would also be the Immigration Officer of the country would be responsible for issuing group visas. The visas would be issued after the officer establish communications with Myanmarese authorities on-line. Likewise, people of Myanmar who would like to visit Manipur or any other parts of India have to approach their authorities concerned for getting the visa from the Immigration Officer of India. Besides, Education Minister L Jayantakumar, Tourism Minister TN Haokip and Tourism Commissioner KK Chhetry were also present during the press conference.

"Sajibu Cheiraoba" New year day of Manipuri specially among the "Meitei's"

Cheiraoba is the name of Meitei's New year day like the Sol Nal in Korean. The interesting part is that both the societies follow the lunar calender and according to the yearly lunar calender wise they observe the special day.
Cheiraoba is an important traditional festival of the Meiteis held in every house on the month of April or "Sajibu in Manipuri" every year.According to the lunar wise it always fall on the first day in the Month of Sajibu i,e April.

Ceiraoba is one of the biggest abd symbolic festival among the Meitei gropu. In other word it indicates strong mutual relationship between the household family members towards their own identity as well towards society.
I had been overthinking about writing something regarding the Cheiraoba, as we specially the youngster who had been staying away from home have been forgetting our own culture slowly due to the influence of the modernization as well as globalization.

But recently when I was looking in the internet I came across on einteresting article based on this particular festival . I think the article is quite interesting for us.

We can go through in this link and can have a look on the article
http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Festival_of_Manipur.Manipur_Festival_Mangi_Devi.Sajibu_Cheiraoba

The person has written a book based on Ceiraoba too.
Festival of Manipur :: A book by N. Mangi Devi

Sajibu Cheiraoba
Meitei New Year Day

The Art of Making Paper .......Its amazing and very artistic..!

People use to call the lad of the hermit kingdom but now the land of the technologies.

Hallyu or New Korean Cultural wave in Indian North-East Region

Korean products have been playing an important role in each and every household. Specially the big cities are almost occupied by the Korean products and companies like Samsung, LG etc are the main players.
Many people appreciates the Korean companies and warmly welcome the products as well as accomodate freinldly in their daliy lives.
On the otherhand, korean cultural waves arestill unable to breakthrough the ceiling glass of an Indian audience and the popularity in the heart of the people due to the Indian Bollywood as Bollywood is the most movie producing in the world.
However, the most amazing loopholes can be seen in the northeast region of India. Where the Korean , Chinese and Japanese products are reigning in the market as well in the heart of the people instead of an Indian products.
Specially Korean cultural products like Korean drama , Korean movies and Korean music are playing an important role in the younger generations heart and mind.
In short, Manipur in the epicentre of Korean Hallyu impact. Now Manipur is representing a stronghold of Hallyu presence in India.
This reflects the Korean very much presence in the NorthEast region of India which can lead a bridge in making cultural relations between India and Korea.

Seeking national brand promotion for the betterment of Korean language through hallyu.

The Korean Language Institute (KLI) of Yonsei University, the first institute for foreigners, has joined the campaign to upgrade the national brand through an active promotion of Korean language and literature all over the world.
Since the government has been highly dependent on Korean films and popular music in boosting Korean culture wave. Nowadays it is pertinantly focussing on the Korean food, tekwondo . Sruprisingly the foreigners are very much interested on this fields.
I think everycountry should pay attention to their own rich culture as well as their rich language to extend beyound the boundary to interact with another culture.

Korean Actors are mesmerising the South East Asian viewer's and across the boundary

The popularity of Hallyu throughout Asia, the Korean wave's influence is very much visible in China, Japan and Southeast Asia, spreading to India, the Middle East, Central Asia, Iran, Israel, Turkey and Russia. The Korean wave is quickly expanding beyond Asia through internet and other informalways and has a substantial presence in North, Central and South America, particularly in Chile, Mexico and Argentina, and is increasingly becoming popular in the United States. It is also gaining momentum in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, led by Hungary and Norway. It is gathering positive interest in North Africa, attracting a sizable niche audience in Egypt. Currently, the Korean wave is starting to hit the shores of the United Kingdom and Australia.







It has proved that Korean can influence the viewers not only in hardware but the softpower too. Earlier it was only technology who use to dominate but now with aura of colorful hally products is combining the potentiality of Korean ability to show the efficiency as well as comodity too woo the people.

Manipur University is going to upgrade the subjects and foreign language specially Korean and Japanese.

In addition to the existing Departments in the Manipur University, steps have been taken up for opening the department of Sociology, Environmental Sciences and Foreign Language Department.

Functioning of the Foreign Language Department would be started with Japanese and Korean. Plans are also afoot for construction of cultural and sports complex, outdoor stadium, swimming pool and another indoor stadium, the VC informed the gathering.

This will give an opportunity to learn the new language and understand the culture. Specially youngester who are enduring the Korean wave will able to fulfill their dreams through learning the language.

[58 Anniversary] Minister Plans Long-Term Blueprint to Promote Culture

Culture Minister Yu In-chon said he will formulate a long-term overseas promotional strategy to boost the global popularity of Korean culture.Long-term planning invariably means a bigger budget in promoting Korean culture. He said the plan is on the drawing board, adding that the action program will eventuate early next year.
The Korea Festival, titled ``Made In Korea'' has been underway at Belgium's Centre for Fine Arts (Palais des Beaux-Arts) in Brussels, the largest art center in the country. It will continue until the end of February, ending a five-month run. A similar event will be held in Petit Palais, Paris in 2010.

The minister of culture, sports and tourism said the event is gaining huge popularity in Brussels because it shows the essence of Korean culture ― not only traditional culture, but also food, fashion and other things. He added preparations took two years.
He said the comprehensive Korean cultural promotion policies would be completed by 2012.
Popular Culture

As a former actor who has been active both on stage and on the small screen, the minister said he would push for more aggressive policies to promote the culture.

To support the domestic popular cultural industry, he will establish an exclusive concert hall for pop singers only.The government is considering two candidate venues to be remodeled as a pop singers' exclusive hall with 3,000 seats ― the Olympic Hall in Olympic Park and Jangchung Gymnasium.
This year, this system will be applied to musicals and plays. Writers and composers will be encouraged to submit works, among which the top prizewinner will receive 20 million won and two runner-ups 10 million each. Six contestants will receive funding to showcase their works (3 million won for plays and 5 million won for musicals). The promotion of regular auditions is also expected to revamp the competitiveness of the national organizations.

The government will continue to support thespians to make good performances for one or two years. The national theaters should create their own works.
Currently, Yu, a former thespian himself, said not only plays and musicals but also other fine arts need state support. ``Artists, whatever the genre is, always have a hard time. So the government should increase the support in building up the infrastructure and creativity works,'' he said.
The ministry will put 255 billion won in building and supporting 485 public gymnasiums nationwide this year.
The ministry will also cooperate with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development to improve the physical education environment at schools to make students exercise better and more.

For more detail
chungay@koreatimes.co.kr

Lee Joon-ki is 2009’s Top Hallyu Star

An online poll conducted by Finance and Economy News showed that Lee Joon-ki beat fellow nominees such as Bae Yong-joon, Kang Dong-won, Kwon Sang-woo, So Ji-sub and Song Seung-hun for the coveted title.




The results are based on votes cast by netizens, as well as the site’s page view statistics. Lee raked in 40% of the total 26,078 votes and subsequently named the No. 1 Hallyu Star of 2009.

Winners for the other categories are shown below:

Male idol group : TVXQ (received 56.6% of votes)
Female group : Girls' Generation (41.1%)
Solo singer : Rain (31.1%)
Male actor : Yoo Seung-ho (34.5%)
Female actress : Han Hyo-joo (52.4%)
Drama : "Shining Inheritance" (33.3%)
Film : "Take Off" (29%)

For more details plize visit

http://k-popped.com/2010/01/lee-joon-ki-is-2009s-top-hallyu-star.html

Korean Wave called "Hallyu" rising up and up..!

Talented people are no less in the land of Morning Calm. Here comes one of the popular singer cum actress called Jung Nara.



Jang Nara (장나라)

In China, her Korean Wave star status is unbeatable. Jang Nara even landed a role in a Chinese TV drama . Everywhere she goes, fans adore her and follow her.
With her debut album in 2001, she began her journey to stardom. The reaction to Jang Na-ra, the singer, was tremendous.Her first steps into acting were tentative, but she soon overcame her reservations and fans weren't disappointed with her work. She's done so much!

Read more: http://www.hancinema.net/korean_Jang_Nara.php?news=21626#ixzz0bkFwnwJe

Korea hopes for 8.5 million tourists in 2010

South Korea is going to make a special effort to woo the tourists from its closer neighboring countries like China and Japan. In the new year onwards, hoping the visitor tally to the nation to reach 8.5 million, Yonhap News reported .

The period starting from this year to 2012 is designated as "Visit Korea" years, intended to attract more foreign tourists as part of efforts to bolster the service industry.

The government also designated Hallyu (Korean Wave) star Bae Yong-jun as the Promotional Ambassador, who is widely popular in Japan and China.

Last year, around 7 million foreigners toured South Korea, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Corp.