End of Year Empties 空瓶

I can't believe 2022 is over! 以下是我年底清空的护肤品！ Below's what I finished using towards the end of this personally crazy year:

Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C 24 Hour Moisturizer - Rose scent too strong, and broke me out, so I had to use the rest on my body. I do not recommend.

 

Dr Jart's Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream - I got to try this for free, because my sister handed it down to me when she moved to Tokyo. This face lotion is moisturizing and didn't feel sticky, so I do recommend and would use it again.

 

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA Surface Hydration - I didn't like the texture of this moisturizer, so I ended up using it as hand cream Lol

 

AmorePacific Vintage Single Extract Essence (Not pictured) - Great results, but expensive, so if I find it on sale again I would repurchase.

 

Thayer's Facial Toner Lavender - One of my fave toners. Would purchase again if on sale. 

 

Innisfree Dewy Glow Jelly Cream -  Smell nice, and absorbs quickly. This was a sample size, and I liked it enough so I purchased the regular size when it was on sale to use in 2024 haha

2022 Drama Recap

See below for a list of the tv shows I watched and remembered from 2022 (aka the year Covid became endemic):

1. Silent Sea
2. Extraordinary Attorney Woo
3. Old Enough!
4. Singles Inferno (Season 1)
5. Because this is My First Life
6. All of Us are Dead
7. The World of the Married
8. Anatomy of a Scandal
9. Alchemy of Souls (Part 1)
10. Bridgerton (Season 2)
11. Kim’s Convenience (Season 5)
12. Light The Night (Parts 2 & 3)
13. Derry Girls (Season 3)
14. Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
15. The Empress
16. Royal Feast / 尚食
17. Love like the Galaxy / 星汉灿烂
18. Fighting Youth / 正青春
19. A Dream of Splendor / 梦华录
20. Mom, Don’t Do That! / 媽，別鬧了！
21. House of the Dragon (Season 1)
22. Rings of Power (Season 1)
23. Wednesday (Season 1)
24. Sh**ting Stars

Korean Skincare Haul

TJ Maxx and Marshalls are two American stores (BTW - they're owned by the same parent company: Marmaxx) that have lower priced seasonal inventory. Twice a year these two shops have yellow tag clearance sales for a couple weeks, where certain items are at its lowest price for the year!

When prices are at its lowest, that's when I start searching for skincare products that I can try/use for the next year! All the products shown below don't expire until 2023 or 2024!

However, this buying style doesn't work if you don't like using new skincare products, because their inventory is unpredictable.

This yellow-tag sale I hauled:

1. Mulberry Blemish Clearing Toner
2. Farmstay Collagen Water Full Moist Emulsion
3. AmorePacific Vintage Single Extract Essence (dupe for SK-II's Pitera essence)
   
4. Missha Time Revolution Artemisia Ampoule
   
5. Pretty Skin Vitamin C Ampoule
   

I'll post an update skincare routine if/when I unbox these!

Skincare Spotlight: Dr. Jart+

Dr. Jart+ is a South Korean skincare brand (닥터자르트 in Korean), and reads simply as "Doctor Jart". Dr.Jart+ is not an actual doctor, but a philosophy of "doctor joins art".

 

I haven't used a lot of their products, but wanted to recommend the ones that worked for my sister who has sensitive skin, just in case you want to try this brand!

 

Ceramidin Moisturizing Cream and Vital Hydra Solution Sheet Mask (not pictured) both help your skin retain moisture.

Cicapair Calming Gel Cream

 

(absorbs quickly and soothes redness)

Mineral Sunscreen

 

(has a faint scent, and slight white cast, which dries matte, so better for hot/humid weather)

Jump below for their lackluster products that I don't recommend...

2021 Drama Recap

COVID19 continues to ravage our earth, even with multiple vaccines and boosters. Therefore, I continued to watch tv shows while I work-from-home! 

I've ranked the ones I watched in 2021 below (#1 being my fave!)

1. Alice in Borderland Season 1 -  Mind boggling Japanese drama adapted from a manga. Main characters play games with their lives in order to survive in an alternate realm.
   
2. Sweet Home Season 1 - Loaded with jump scares and frightening monsters, as modern South Korea turns apocalyptic.
3. Royal Nirvana / 鹤唳华亭 and Special/别云间 (2019) - Hella depressing Chinese historical drama that made me weep due to its portrayal of complex relations, e.g. father-son; daughter-father, etc.  
4. The Devil Judge - Dystopian South Korea is full of corruption and only Ji Sung's cheekbones can save 'em!
5. Rebel Princess / 上阳赋 - Zhang Ziyi's first tv drama, enuff said
   
6. Mr. Queen - Hilarious time traveling Korean historical drama with a gender-bending twist. 
7. The Great Season 2 - Historically inaccurate, but hilarious with charismatic cast and colorful costumes.
   
8. Marvelous Women / 当家主母 - Historic Chinese women deliver strong feminist message
   
9. Mine - Korean drama about the scandals and secrets of rich/chaebol family
10. Only Murders in the Building -  Original Hulu show with funny cast and intriguing murder mystery plot
    
11. Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 8 - Last season of this adorable comedic cop show
12. Steven Universe  Seasons 3-4 - Cartoon involving whimsical characters and a save-the-world plot
    
13. Vincenzo / 빈센조 - I watched it because it's Song Joongki's first drama post-divorce. I kept watching, because of its dramatic and comedic characters, but it was hard to binge, due to some ridiculous plot twists.
    
14. Squid Game - Indebted people play traditional Korean games with their lives for a chance to win money.
15. Hellbound - Very confusing South Korean drama about death prophecies
    
16. Song of Youth / 玉楼春-  Long historical Chinese drama centered on a large family and revenge.
17. Light the Night Season 1 - Taiwanese murder mystery drama on Netflix starring Ruby Lin
    
18. Hospital Playlist Season 1 -  South Korean drama set in modern day (sans COVID19 pandemic) about a groups of doctors who have known each other since medical school and start a band after hours.
    
19. Bridgerton Season 1 - Set in 1800s London, this Gossip Girl-esque drama provides excessive sex scenes and historical inaccuracies. 
20. Court Lady / 骊歌行 - Promising cast and story, but ruined with crazy sub-lots and abrupt editing/scene transitions.
21.  Street Dance of China Season 4 - Some of my fave dancers (e.g. Gumball) didn't make it far, and the winner disappointed me, again!
    

Jump below to see which shows I started, but couldn't finish due to various reasons!

Innisfree Jeju Pomegranate Serum Review

I was on the look-out for a new serum, since my previous one (Enzo Laszlo Hydra-Therapy Skin Revitalizer Serum) was running-out.

I often shop Marshalls/TJ Maxx (aka Marmaxx) for discounted skincare, because they usually have cheap Asian skincare products.

 I wasn't looking to purchase this specific serum, however, this 3 pack of Innisfree Jeju Pomegranate Revitalizing Serum was discounted to $19, so I couldn't resist!

Innisfree is a well-known Korean brand, which is why I bought these serums without doing any skin testing or review reading.  I did check the expiration year, which is 2023, so it'll last!

I paid ~$20 after tax for three 50 ml bottles, which is a steal for ~$7/bottle! As skincare lovers know, most big name Korean serums retail for double digits.

The bottle is a bright red, and the scent is not overpowering. I may gift a bottle to my mum or sis for Christmas or Chinese New Year!

UPDATE: I've been using it for a couple weeks now and haven't broken out. It's viscous and absorbs quickly, so I feel my skin is hydrated.  Time will tell if it improves skin’s elasticity, clarity and wrinkles.

Autumn Skincare Faves

Below are my current fave skincare products. I'm mainly using them to combat the drier air as we shift from autumn to winter.  

I apply the Shiseido Revitalizing Treatment Softener after my toner, and I can feel my skin sucking it in! A few pats and it's all absorbed!

It's Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Serum is the thickest serum I've ever used. It's not fast absorbing and feels more like a lotion, which is good in transitional weather.

To avoid flakiness and allow for products to penetrate deeper I exfoliate at least once a week. My current fave is Babor's Enzyme Cleanser, which is a physical exfoliator. You shake out the powder in your palm, and then add water to emulsify. My sister has sensitive skin and found this physical exfoliant gentle enough for her. However, she only uses it once a week to avoid over-exfoliating.

As we transition from autumn to winter the air itself is hydration sucking, so I start using a sleeping mask before bed to prevent moisture leaving my face! Laneige's Water Sleeping Mask is OG and I found this bottle discounted for $10 at my local Marshall's!

My Sunnies

Man, it's brutal out here! #iykyk

With temperatures reaching 100s this week, everyone should be sun-protecting! Below are the current sunnies protecting my precious eye areas.

First loves are my Ray-Bans (American). I own the classic Clubmaster, Wayfarer, and Aviator!

Clubmaster was a gift to myself for graduating law school.

Aviators were both gifted. One lens is more blue (top photo), the other is more green (bottom photo).

Wayfarer was handed-down from my sis, because it kept sliding off her nose.

Rest of my collection are one-offs:

I forgot the prices for all of these (sorry!)

Bought this in Seoul, SK in 2017! They're not branded, but I loved the big cat-eye shape too much to care.

 

This Max Mara tortoiseshell cat-eye sunny (Italian) was a birthday gift from my lovely sis. She scored them at Nordstrom Rack!
 

This Prada Baroque black sunny (Italian) was my first designer pair of sunglasses. However, the seller didn't provide the original case, so it's likely fake :(  But I loved the curved frame and was on a tight budget, so I still purchased 'em.

Toner Evaluations

 I've tried MANY toners, because it's a product I'm constantly changing up. According to the Korean 10 Step Method, we're suppose to swipe/splash toner on immediately after we finish cleansing.

However, toner usage, like eye creams, can be controversial, because its affects aren't immediate (unless you used a cleanser that dried out your skin!) and it can be expensive!

Read on for my evaluations...

January 2021 Skincare Empties 空瓶

My skincare empties aka 空瓶 from January 2021!

Most of these are Asian skincare products I bought in 2019 when I last traveled abroad 😅 These products took me a year to use, since a little goes a long way and I don't regularly exfoliate 😁

*Not shown are various sheet masks.

2020 Drama Recap

With COVID19 raging the world, quarantine mandates, and a strict work-from-home policy, I watched a copious amount of dramas this year!

1. Kingdom Season 2 - Sequel to 2019's hottest zombie show has more political intrigue and plot twists
   
2. The Bad Kids / Cat’s Cradle / 隐秘的角落 -  Criminal thriller that delves into human nature of adults and children (one of the best contemporary Chinese dramas!)
   
3. Go Ahead / 以家人之名  - Modern Chinese drama regarding familial relations, which made my ugly cry
4. World of the Married - A frightening tale of marriage and betrayal set in modern day South Korea
   
5. Uncanny Counter - Refreshing revenge story involving evils spirits, and the afterlife
   
6. It's Okay to Not Be Okay - Unique story set in a mental health hospital with lead actress frolicking in capturing outfits
7. Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty / 梦回大清 - Romantic Chinese drama where lead girl travels through time to the Qing dynasty, under Kangxi’s reign
8. The Great - Hilarious portrayal of Catherine the Great's rise to power
   
9. The Song of Glory / 锦绣南歌  - Revenge and justice are major themes in this historical drama that follows a Chinese military family
10. The Ghost Bride - A young lady  living in 1890s Colonial-era Malaysia receives a proposal to become the ghost bride of a a wealthy family's recently-deceased son.
11. Record of Youth -  Slice of life Korean drama starring the adorable Park Bogum before he leaves for military service
12. Black-ish Season 7 - Family sitcom of a Black family set in suburbs of Los Angeles
13. The Romance of Tiger and Rose / 传闻中的陈芊芊 - A screenwriter literally falls into her own story, and has to change the story to survive
    
14. Tale of the Nine Tailed -  Supernatural beings live among humans and help prevent disaster in South Korea
    

2019 Drama Recap

Sharing my favourite dramas/tv shows from 2019! They're listed from most fave to least fave of what I remember watching in 2019:

1. The Kingdom Season 1 -  Battling zombies in historical Joseon/Chosun dynasty
   
2. Joy of Life / 庆余年 / Qing Yu Nian Season 1  - Historic drama that follows a mysterious young man as he battles politics
   
3. Crash Landing on You (CLOY) - Gorgeous romantic leads with a comedic take on life in North Korea
4. Hotel del Luna - Supernatural drama set in a fancy hotel starring IU
5. Black-ish Season 6 - Family sitcom of the Johnsons, a Black family living in the suburbs of LA
6. Fresh off the Boat Season 6 - Last season of this family sitcom involving a first generation Chinese family
7. American Housewife Season 4 - Family sitcom of a white middle class family living among wealthy neighbors
   
8. Story of Ming Lan / 知否知否应是绿肥红瘦 - Chinese historical drama following a noblewoman's life
   
9. Search: WWW - Workplace drama starring strong female leads
10. The Great Show - Comedic family drama starring handsome
    Song Seung-heon
11. Her Private Life - Korean drama about being an older fangirl
12. Touch Your Heart - Cute romantic comedy starring Lee Dongwook and
    Yoo In-na 
13. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series -  Spin-off sequel of original HSM series, so it was very nostalgic for me
14. Coffee & Vanilla -  Love story with a 10 year age gap
    

2018 Drama Recap

I am well aware it's not 2018, but since we are still staying home so much in 2021, I wanted to share my fave dramas/tv shows from 2018. They're listed from my most to least fave of what I watched in 2018 (mainly Asian dramas)

1. Story of Yanxi Palace - Historical Chinese drama about revenge with vibrant female leads
2. Sky Castle - Modern day Korean drama with mesmerizing female leads and an unpredictable plot
3. Nirvana in Fire 2 (琅琊榜之风起长林) - Technically a 2017 drama, but finished in 2018, so I'm adding it here, because it's an excellent Chinese historical drama about family and justice
4. Fresh off the Boat Season 5 - Comedy involving a first generation Chinese family in Florida
5. Black-ish Season 5 - Family sitcom of a Black family set in
   suburbs of Los Angeles
6. What Is Wrong with Secretary Kim? - Korean romantic comedy starring Park Seo-Joon.
   

7. A Korean Odyssey - Modern Korean re-telling of the Chinese folklore "Journey to the West" starring Lee Seunggi
   

8. The Guest - Supernatural Korean drama
9. American Housewife Season 3 - Family comedy narrated by matriarch of a middle-class family living among wealthy neighbors
10. Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace - Same historic setting as Story of Yanxi Palace, but the costumes and props aren't as aesthetically pleasing

Army Explained

Definitions of Army:

Noun

1. An organized military force equipped for fighting on land
1.  the branch of a nation's armed services that conducts military operations on land
2. Great multitude
3. Group of Frogs, which can also be called colony or a knot
4. Bangtan Soyandan (BTS) fans 
1. A.R.M.Y. stands for "Adorable Representative MC (emcee) for Youth"
1. BangtanSoyandan means bulletproof boys scouts in Korean
   
2. For more info on U.S.A.'s BTS ARMY club, visit here!

Happy Birthday G-Dragon!!!

Wishing the leader of BigBang (Kwon Ji-Yong) a fantastic day where he can get his cray-on!

 

Big Bang English-Speaking-Fan Start-Up Kit

So you wanna be a Big Bang fan!? Well, if you're an English speaking, non-Korean understanding individual, here's the basic info to start loving Bigbang!

 

YG Entertainment created Bigbang in 2006 (#10years) through a survival program. BigBang fans are officially called V.I.P.'s (named after their single with the same name). 

There are 5 permanent members of BigBang: 

• G-Dragon
• Birth name= Kwon Jiyong
• Nicknames= GD 
• Roles= Leader, Rapper, Songwriter, Composer, Producer, Fashionista 
• Solo Albums= Heartbreaker (2009), One of a Kind (2012), and Coup d'Etat (2013)
• T.O.P.
• Birth name= Choi Seunghyun
• Nicknames= Bingu, Tabi
• Roles= Oldest, Rapper, Songwriter, Tallest, Actor
• Solo Releases= Doom Dada (2014)
• Taeyang
• Birth name= Dong Youngbae
• Nicknames= YB, Sol
• Roles= Vocalist, Shortest, Most Soulful, Shirtlessness
• Solo Albums= Solar (2010) and Rise (2014)
• Daesung
• Birth name= Kang Daesung
• Other names= D-Lite, DS
• Roles= Vocalist, Funniest
• Solo Albums (all in Japanese)= D'scover (2013), D'slove (2014), and Delight (2014)
• Seungri
• Birth name= Lee Seunghyun
• Other names= V.I., SR
• Roles= Youngest/Maknae, Vocalist
• Solo Mini-Albums= V.V.I.P. (2011) and Let's Talk About Love (2013)

Break-out song: Lies (2007)

Most viewed music video: Fantastic Baby (2012)

Instagram Accounts:

1. G-Dragon
2. TOP
3. Taeyang
4. Seungri
5. Daesung- no official Insta
6. Can't read Korean? Then check aboutbigbang for a possible translation
7. Want more? Then check-out bigbang hkvip for the best fan cams

My favorite VIP tumblrs:

1. http://theoneshots.tumblr.com/tagged/BIG-BANG
2. http://monozukikansatsu.tumblr.com/
3. http://bingu-choom-top.tumblr.com/
4. http://funnykpopstuff.tumblr.com/tagged/big+bang
5. http://topswisewords.tumblr.com/

WELCOME TO THE FANDOM!