lollipop ladies

There’s another girl group new to the K-pop music scene: 2NE1 (pronounced similarly to “twenty-one”). These four ladies (CL, Dom, Minzy, and Dara) were introduced alongside the K-pop’s favourite boy band, Big Bang, in the song “Lollipop,” which was both a single and a commercial for LG’s Cyon Lollipop cell phones.

They’re first single, “Fire,” which I don’t remember hearing about from my students. Now they’ve released their second single, called “I Don’t Care.” It’s about finally distancing oneself from a bad boyfriend—and it’s catchy, too. I have to say, 2NE1 scores 3/3 with me. I’m a fan of these girls.

I Don’t Care
2NE1

konglish poetry

Most schedulers, diaries, and notebooks in Korea covered with English quotations, usually about love, or inspirational messages. The imperfections of the writing tend to give these quotations a beautiful lyrical quality. I spent some time at my local Artbox store, writing down some of this “Konglish poetry,” which I’ve included here.

What is life if we have no time to stand and stare
No time to see and feel, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night

Love is here and there.

The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience
to the utmost, to reach our eagerly and without fear
for newer and richer experience.

inventions and recipes,
anger and sorrow,
letters sent to
not knowing…
this is the real part,
is yours. Write fast.
…write over them,
paint over them.
and let go.

Promise yourself to be strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind. Look at the
sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

The stars in the sky, the fish in the sea,
the animals on earth everything has many secrets.

A good day is expected to begin!
Wishing you a garden full of happiness,
today and Everyday!

Are you doing good lately? Open now, don’t delay!
This could be your lucky day, you know what I mean?

Look under your feet.
The great opportunity is where you are.
Every place is under the stars.
Every place is the center of the universe.

Imagination is more important than knowledge
Memories with you is not lost. I do not want to forget.
However days and months may flow, the time spent
with you does not fade. You are still alive there. A
photograph can also shut up small temperature there.
It is memory accumulation equipment which the human
begins to forget various things produced.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

Please always know that I love you more
than anything else in the world.
Being with you makes me feel so happy.
Ever since I met you, things
are looking pretty good.

The best and most beautiful thing in the
world cannot be see nor touched
but are feet with the heart. Happy the man, whose
wish and care a few paternal
acres bound, content
to breathe his native air in his
own ground. Whose herds with milk, whose fields
with bread, whose flocks supply him with
attire; whose trees in summer
yield him shade in winter, fire blest,
who can unconcernedly find hours, day and
years slide soft away in health
of body, peace of mind;
quiet by day.

Happiness
There is only one
happiness in life, to
love and to be loved.
Time
The busier you are,
the more time you need to take
time to do things right.
Record
We need to record words
for our learning.
Future
Have you given any thought
to your future? Let’s
do one thing at a time.
Hero
Everyone is necessarily the
hero of his own life story.

Life is a beautiful journey.
It is with great pleasure that I impart my
inspirational stuffs. I desire nothing else but
you’ll be richly blessed and powerfully
inspired by the thoughts and perspectives
as journeyer in life.

The quiet
water of a lake
Love is like the ripples on
a lake ever widening

wonder girls

The latest song from the Wonder Girls is, no surprise, another big hit. And again, I discovered the song only after I accidentally said the title during class (I asked my students, “Does anybody know the answer? No? Nobody?”) and all my students broke out into song and dance. Like all their songs, “Nobody” is catchy. My favourite of theirs, though, is still “So Hot,” about a girl who hates all the attention she gets for being really attractive. I just think the video is funny.

“Nobody”

“So Hot”

“Tell Me”

last farewell

Big Bang is back, most definitely! Big Bang is a K-pop group my students talk about all the time. The girls still get excited every time they ask me if I know them and I answer, “Big Bang? Of course I know them. I love them!” I do get stuck, though, when I’m asked to name my favourite member—I can only name two (G-dragon and TOP) because a few students have adopted these as their English names. I can’t recognize them in pictures, either, much to the disappointment of my students who show me pictures and introduce them as their “boyfriends.” This song, “Last Farewell,” came out months ago (I first heard it last winter!), but I still love it—my favourite K-pop song so far!

English lyrics:

“Last Farewell”
Big Bang

Yes! Big Bang is back! Most definitely, incredible! Hey move!
B to the I to the G (Bang, bang) about love

Chorus
I don’t wanna be without you girl, I wish that the last farewell is not near
Just today for the entire day, I don’t wanna be without you girl
My clumsy heart, please hug it and go
I love you, I need you girl

[SR] Baby baby baby although it’s a little awkward, we
[DS] baby baby baby are still loving each other
[TY] baby baby baby and even though it’s frightening,
Even though the end can be seen, for me [there’s] only you girl

[Taeyang]
You, who filled me with only pain and treated me cruelly
I, who stroked you soothingly, but then changing again, avoided you
Worry from wondering how we went wrong
Wandering inside a problem that has no answer
[G-Dragon]
Even if I am a wanderer lost on a path enclosed inside a maze, I can’t do this at all
Only being able to wait, asking you to come to me in muffled steps girl
Like when we first met, like when this was still new
Like this, like this, like this, like that, like that, like that never leave my side

Chorus
I don’t wanna be without you girl, I wish that the last farewell is not near
Just today for the entire day, I don’t wanna be without you girl
My clumsy heart, please hug it and go
I love you, I need you girl

[SR] Baby baby baby although it’s a little awkward, we
[DS] baby baby baby are still loving each other
[TY] baby baby baby and even though it’s frightening,
Even though the end can be seen, for me [there’s] only you girl

[TOP] (Seungri)
You didn’t contact me after leaving without a single word (Without a single word)
But one day you suddenly appeared (Asking how I was doing)
Are you playing around with me or is this really love
Even in a single day, I get confused twelve more times (About love)

[TOP] (Daesung)
I asked you in return why you would want a toy that you were going to play with only once or twice
The sweet taste for a very short moment, the cotton candy that we melted too easily
(Because it seems like I also won’t be able to block the weary heart anymore)
Grab me quickly (Before you leave)

Chorus
I don’t wanna be without you girl, I wish that the last farewell is not near
Just today for the entire day, I don’t wanna be without you girl
My clumsy heart, please hug it and go
I love you, I need you girl

[SR] Baby baby baby although it’s a little awkward, we
[DS] baby baby baby are still loving each other
[TY] baby baby baby and even though it’s frightening,
Even though the end can be seen, for me [there’s] only you girl

[DS] Although I still love you, although you’re so important to me ye
[SR] That nobody can take my place, I know (You know)
[TY] Oh please just hug me quietly

Chorus
I don’t wanna be without you girl, I wish that the last farewell is not near
Just today for the entire day, I don’t wanna be without you girl
My clumsy heart, please hug it and go
I love you, I need you girl

[SR] Baby baby baby although it’s a little awkward, we (Although it’s a little awkward)
[DS] baby baby baby are still loving each other (But I love you)
[TY] baby baby baby and even though it’s frightening,
Even though the end can be seen, for me [there’s] only you girl

check your pulse

Check your pulse, it’s proof that you’re not listening to
The call your life’s been issuing you
The rhythm of a line of idle days

Scared of a world outside you should go explore
Pull all the shades and wander the great indoors
The great indoors

Lamplight makes the shadows play
And posters take the walls away
The TV is your window pane
The view won’t let you down
So put your faith in a late night show
I bet you didn’t even know
Depends on how far out you go
The channel numbers change

Scared of a world outside you should go explore
Pull all the shades and wander the great indoors

Though lately I can’t blame you
I have seen the world
And sometimes wish your room had room for two

So go unlock the door
And find what you are here for
Leave the great indoors
Leave the great indoors

Check your pulse, it’s proof that you’re not listening to
The call your life’s been issuing you
The rhythm of a line of idle days, of idle days

~ John Mayer, “Great Indoors”

malaysia, truly asia

There’s a place not far away
Different faces yet all the same
With a million dreams in one golden celebration (Malaysia)

Come and spread your wings
There’s so much to see
There’s a million colours right before your eyes
It’s time to celebrate
One golden celebration

Malaysia truly Asia
Malaysia truly Asia

Malaysia celebrated its 50th year of Independence in 2007 and the commemorative tourism TV commercials were still playing in Korea well into 2008. The song from theses ads was quite catchy; it seemed as though no one could say “Malaysia” without adding “truly Asia” afterwards. Emails from friends read, Have fun in Malaysia Truly Asia! or, So how is Malaysia Truly Asia? I never thought of it as more than an ad campaign—until I arrived in Malaysia, that is.

I was picked up from the airport by a new friend who I only recently found out was Malaysian. He took me to a small outdoor restaurant where I met three of his co-workers and enjoyed a snack under the cool midnight moon. Over “pull tea” and crepe-like pancakes, he introduced me to Malaysia’s unique and diverse cultures.

There are three major ethnic groups in Malaysia (Indian, Chinese, and Malay) as well as several traditional ethnic groups. It’s not easy balancing the needs of all these different cultures in one country. “Malays of Chinese background say they’re Chinese, not Malaysian,” my friend said. “Malays and Indians are represented in government, but there’s not so much Chinese representation, so Chinese-Malays don’t feel Malaysian.”

Over the next few days, when I was walking and riding though KL, I was impressed by the mixture of people. Unlike Korea, in which everyone has black hair, black or dark brown eyes, and white skin, I was suddenly surrounded by a potporri of people—dark-skinned Indians, Buddhist or Taoist Chinese, scarf-wearing Malays—who not only looked different but also spoke different languages and practiced different religions.

My friend told me that the Indians, Chinese, and Malays were about equal, each taking a third of the population. Travelling around the city, that estimation seemed realistic. But Malays actually form the biggest ethnic groups with about half the population, while the Chinese-Malays account for roughly 25% and Indian-Malays roughly 10%. Malay is the official language, which all students must study in school even if the primary language at the school itself is Chinese or English. Islam is the official and predominate religion, but Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, and other religions are also practiced in large numbers.

The diversity couldn’t be overlooked; it wasn’t long before I realized that “Malaysia Truly Asia” was more than a slogan. No, it’s not perfect and the groups don’t always get along, but Malaysia, in all its varieties, is Asia—truly.

girl, girl, hey u-go-girl

Lee Hyori is one of the hottest K-pop stars today. I first noticed her on TV in a couple Black Bean TheraTea (a bottled tea drink) and soju (Korean alcohol) commericals and didn’t find out until later that she’s a very famous singer. But, with her sexy image, she’s more known for her looks than her singing/dancing/acting talent.

This is her catchy first single “U-Go-Girl” off her third album, It’s HYORISH.

English lyrics:

“U-Go-Girl”
Lee Hyori

Hey girl!

Ya’ll know what this is!
Yeah! It’s the princess Lee Hyori
She’s back! Yeah! Two double-O eight!
Be ready! Hey girl!

Girl, girl, hey u-go-girl
Da da da da da that girl
Girl, girl, hey u-go-girl
Baby, baby, baby, baby girl
(Say what?) What am I to wear today?
And how should I do my hair?
How’s this? How about that?
Don’t keep questioning yourself girl

What am I to say today?
How should I give my heart?
How’s this? How about that?
Don’t keep questioning yourself girl

Girl, girl, hey u-go-girl
Da da da da da that girl
Girl, girl, hey u-go-girl
Baby, baby, baby, baby girl
(Girl) Be truthful from this moment on
(Girl) Be strong from this moment on
Show your heart right at this moment, right now, tonight
(Girl) Sometimes sweetly
(Girl) Sometimes confidently
Show your heart right at this moment, right now, tonight

Girl, girl, hey u-go-girl
Da da da da da that girl
Girl, girl, hey u-go-girl
Baby, baby, baby, baby girl
(U-ah!) I wonder why you’re calling me again today
Is something wrong?
What should I do about this?
What should I do about that?
Don’t keep questioning yourself girl

Will that person like it too? If your heart boils down,
And you take out the small coin in your pocket,
Wondering if it’ll come out as heads or tails
Don’t keep questioning yourself girl

Girl, girl, hey u-go-girl
Da da da da da that girl
Girl, girl, hey u-go-girl
Baby, baby, baby, baby girl
(Girl) Be truthful from this moment on
(Girl) Be strong from this moment on
Show your heart right at this moment, right now, tonight
(Girl) Sometimes sweetly
(Girl) Sometimes confidently
Show your heart right at this moment, right now, tonight

Crazy night! Dance all night!
Let me take you home tonight!
It’s all right! Hey girl, party tonight! (Party tonight)
Crazy night! Dance all night!
Let me take you home tonight!
It’s all right! Hey girl, party tonight! (Party tonight)

Girl, girl, hey u-go-girl
Da da da da da that girl
Girl, girl, hey u-go-girl
Baby, baby, baby, baby girl
Girl, girl, hey u-go-girl
Da da da da da that girl
Girl, girl, hey u-go-girl
Baby, baby, baby, baby girl

I like that, that, that girl and let me see ya
Bring it back, back, back girl (Okay!)
I like that, that, that girl and let me see ya
Bring it back, back, back girl (One more time baby!)
I like that, that, that girl and let me see ya
Bring it back, back, back girl (Okay!)
I like that, that, that girl and let me see ya
Bring it back, back, back girl (Girl!)

tell me / lies

There are two songs in Korea that have been topping the charts and dominating radio airplay for months: “Tell Me” and “Lies”. These two songs, by K-pop (Korean pop) girl band Wonder Girls and boy band Big Bang, respectively, are inescapable. We here them in stores, in clubs, in classrooms during lunch time, or as cell phone ring tunes. Literally, everywhere, all the time. As annoying as it is to hear the same songs over and over, I have to admit they’re both catchy songs.

I’ve had to eliminate tell me from my classroom vocabulary because those two little words would cause thirty teenage female students to simultaneously erupt into song. “Tell me! Tell me! T-t-t-t-t-tell me!” And then they’d ask me, “Teacher, do you know the dance to Wonder Girls?” Then I’d spent the next five minutes just trying to get back on track.

On the other hand, mentioning Big Bang as part of an example for whatever lesson I’m teaching instantly makes me a ‘cool’ teacher. “So, girls, we use present simple verbs to talk about facts and routines,” I glance around at all the blank stares and stifled yawns, “for example, ‘I ride the bus to school everyday.’ ‘I like Big Bang.’” And the yawns turn to smiles and laughter. Score.

This video is from their concert special on KBS TV (aired 5 October 2007) when Wonder Girls and Big Bang performed both of their huge hits for a large crowd. Listen to the synchronized “Tell me, tell me, t-t-t-t-t-tell me” from the audience; it’s my favourite part.

Here are the English translations I’ve found online for these two K-pop classics:

“Tell Me”
Wonder Girls

I did not know you to like me
I feel so good, oh so good
I thought it was a dream
Maybe I should pinch my cheeks, I just feel so good

I thought maybe you didn’t like me
I spent nights pondering about it
But now I know that you like me
Oh my, tell me again

Tell me, tell me
Tell-tell-tell-tell-tell-tell me
That you love me, that you waited for me
Tell me tell me
Tell-tell-tell-tell-tell-tell me
Tell me that you need me, tell me
Tell me, tell me
Tell-tell-tell-tell-tell-tell me
I want to hear more, keep on telling me
Tell me, tell me
Tell-tell-tell-tell-tell-tell me
Say that it is not a dream, tell me

I don’t know why my heart is beating so much
My chest is about to burst
When you see me
I feel like a person shocked with electricity

I don’t know how long I’ve been waiting
I don’t know how long I’ve been dreaming
But now I know that you love me
Oh my, tell me again

Tell me, tell me, tell me you
Want me, want me, want me too
Tell me, tell me, tell me you
Love me too, love me too

*   *   *

“Lies”
Big Bang

Yeah (Love is pain)
To all my broken-hearted people (Come again)
One’s old a flame, scream my name
And I’m so sick of love songs, yeah I hate them love songs, memento of ours

It’s raining late at night, it brings you here, I run at the end of memories
I could live fine without you, even if you beg it will come to no use
I drank the alcohol I couldn’t drink, I even drank up the night that burned my heart
I hate it, a day without you is too long, I beg to finally forget about you (It’s all lies)

Without you, I have no smiles
No tears well up
I don’t want to live anymore

You’re like a [unknown]
It makes me mad
I think I’m going insane at the thought of you
I want to see you, but they say I can’t, it’s all over, I’ll be right there

I’m so sorry but I love you, it’s all lies
I didn’t know, but now I do, I need you
I’m so sorry but I love you, sharp words on a whim I didn’t even know, I sent you off
I’m so sorry but I love you, it’s all lies
I’m so sorry (I’m so sorry) but I love you (I love you more, more )
I’m so sorry but I love you leave me and could you forget me slowly so I can hurt

That song I sang you that I put everything into (People probably don’t know)
By myself, so that nobody else knows (Yeah, the words that I said were all lies)
Now I’m being left alone, the sight of me not knowing what to do
The crinkled note in my pocket that told of separation
I have folded (Where are you, that habit of mine of calling you)
I want to change, I want to laugh it all off now

Oh oh oh oh oh for everything to be a dream
Oh oh oh oh oh because I’m nothing more than this
I still can’t forget you, even if it takes forever, even until I die
I wonder if that hurt I gave you has healed
I’m sorry because I didn’t do anything for you

inspiration

I’m writing you to
Catch you up on places I’ve been
And you held this letter
Probably got excited
But there’s nothing else inside it

Didn’t have a camera by my side this time
Hoping I would see the world with both my eyes
Maybe I will tell you all about it when I’m
In the mood to lose my way with words

Today skies are painted colors of a cowboy cliche
And strange how clouds that look like mountains in the sky
Are next to mountains anyway

Didn’t have a camera by my side this time
Hoping I would see the world through both my eyes
Maybe I will tell you all about it when I’m
In the mood to lose my way
But let me say

You should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes
It brought me back to life
You’ll be with me next time I go outside
No more 3×5s

Guess you had to be there
Guess you had to be with me

Today I finally overcame
Tryin to fit the world inside a picture frame
Maybe I will tell you all about it when I’m
In the mood to lose my way
But let me say

You should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes
It brought me back to life
You’ll be with me next time I go outside
No more 3×5s
Just no more 3×5s

~ John Mayer, “3×5″