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[Exclusive Interview] MASC Talks About Their Upcoming Promo Tour in Malaysia

Friday, November 23, 2018

MASC which stands for "Masculine", consisting of members Woosoo, Heejae, Ireah and Moonbong will be coming to Malaysia this December for MASC Bling Promo Tour in Malaysia 2018. The group will be visiting Miri, Sarawak on 22 & 23rd December then will be heading to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah during Christmas. Let's get to know more about MASC before we get into details of their promotion in Malaysia.

Q: Tell us more about MASC. Introduce to those who have yet to know MASC.

MASC: We, MASC is a group which formed by 4 members, so far we still couldn’t completely show everyone about our ability and musicality. We are able to digest different music genres such as Hip Hop, Ballad, Dance, and turned all these genres into MASC’s color. By combining each member's colours, we are able to bring a huge synergy effect to the audiences.

Q: Is this your first visit to Malaysia? What are you looking forward to do here?

MASC: This is our first time visiting Malaysia, what we want do most is to meeting MaBling and sing them our songs. If there's time, we would like to explore the beauty of Malaysia and visit some tourist spots.

Q: Any special performances prepared for this promo tour? Could you share us a little about it?

MASC: We have prepared some performances which MaBling have not seen before. Please stay tuned to our performances as it's a secret.

Q: It's been a while since MASC released "Do It" Single in 2017, any plan for new single or new album in 2019?

MASC: This is a question which lots of people are curious about. We will be having a comeback in 2019 with better songs and performances.

Q: We heard Woosoo and Ireah are good in music composing, what inspired you to compose the songs and any music genre that you would like to give it a try?

Woosoo: I receive inspiration through my daily life. Sometimes I receive inspiration while talking with the members or either walking on the street. When I have no inspiration, I will watch a lot of movies. For genre that I want to try… I will not limit to any genre. I want to show my own music and voice through various genres.

Ireah: I receive inspiration through movies, books and good music as well. I will always bring a pen and a notebook with me to jot down any good keywords happened in my daily life. I like exciting music, but personally I want to show music that is soft and emotional that able to express human daily life.

Q: Woosoo and Heejae has featured in drama “The Miracle”, any plan to start acting?

Woosoo & Heejae: We always have the desire and dream towards acting, if there’s chance, we would definitely challenge it and present a good acting.

Q: We know MASC has been through member changes, share us your thought about the changes happen within these 2 years.

MASC: We had a tough time thinking and worrying a lot, but we were able to make it thanks to MaBling who have been supporting us. Since we’ve been through it, we are thankful and appreciate the connection between each member now.

Q: How do MASC maintain a good relationship with one another? Which member helps to maintain/build team harmony?

MASC: We are trying hard in order to maintain team harmony. We will not speak frankly about our own opinion, and I think the secret in maintaining a good relationship is to listen to everyone’s opinion.

Q: What are MASC hidden charms or individual charms that you think will stand out among all?

MASC: We show our charisma image when on stage, but actually we are energetic and quite cute behind the stage. Surprisingly, the cutest member among the member is Woosoo. Moonbong is the member who danced well in girl group’s dances and good in makeup as well. He has many skills. Ireah, is the most serious member, but he is clumsy, his charm is his clumsiness. Heejae is the most talkative and bright, but he’s the most serious among the member when he’s on the stage or during the interview.

Q: What can we expect MASC in 2019?

MASC: The biggest plan in 2019 is our comeback. We will bring better songs to meet up with MaBling, and we will be active for activities in Korea and having overseas tour as well. We would like to spend a quality time with MaBling from Japan, Europe, Brazil, and other countries.

MASC Bling Promo Tour in Malaysia 2018 Details:
Miri, Sarawak

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

[UPDATE]

For more information about the promo tour, check out YiPin Studio Facebook Page.

MASC Greetings:

More about MASC

MASC debuted as a four-member boy group (Woosoo, 26, ACE and Heejee) in 2016 with their debut mini album "Strange". In 2017, additional 4 members - Ireah, Chibin, Moonbong and Doeun joined the group and MASC made a comeback as a 8-member group and released single album "Do It". In 2018, Chibin, Doeun, A.C.E and 26 announced their departure and currently, MASC is set to comeback as a group of 4 (Woosoo, Heejae, Ireah and Moonbong) with new album and will also be holding overseas tour starting with Southeast Asia which Malaysia is including in one of their stops.

2019 Michelin Guide Gourmand Restaurants

Enjoy The Michelin Rated Korean Cuisine in Seoul

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Michelin Korea has announced its 2019 edition of Bib Gourmand restaurants in Seoul. Fifteen new restaurants were included to the list while forty-six restaurants from the previous year were retained, adding up to a total of sixty-one restaurants for 2019.

Although the restaurants on Bib Gourmand are incomparable with the luxury of Michelin Guide starred restaurants, the affordability of Bib Gourmand and the delicious food makes up for it! To be included on the list, restaurants must have outstanding meals under a certain price, based on the cost of living in the specific region. In Europe, meals must be 35 Euros or less, 5000 yen in Japan, 40 dollars in the United States, and 35,000 won in Korea.

We have listed few 2019 Michelin Guide Gourmand Restaurants in Seoul:
Bukmakgol (북막골)

Operating hours: 11:00~21:30 (KST); Weekend Break Time: 15:00~16:00 (KST)

Bukmakgol is a Hanok (Korean traditional house) restaurant located at the end of Samcheon-dong Street, serving Korean cuisine such as Beef ribs, Roasted Pork, Bibimbap, Beef Stew, Shrimp Dumplings, Short Rib Soup..etc

(left) Boiled and roasted Pork with Garlic: 31,000 won (Regular) / 43,000 won (large)
(right) Stone Age Beef Ribs: 53,000 won (Regular) / 93,000 won (large)

Prize range: 9,000 won ~ 53,000 won (regular size)

Address: 124-6, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Directions: From Seoul Station, take Maeul Bus Jongno 11 and get off at Korea Banking Institute Bus Stop. Take a right at the first street and make another left turn to reach the restaurant within 70m

Imun Seolnongtang (이문설농탕)

Operating hours: 08:00~21:00 (Sunday until ~ 20:00)
pic cr: Imun Seolnongtang Official Website

Imun Seolnongtang has been serving seolleongtang (ox bone soup) for nearly a hundred years since 1907. The restaurant is well known for its rich seolleongtang broth which both beef meat and bones are simmered for more than 15 hours.

Seolleongtang: 9,000won (Regular)/ 12,000 won (large)
Koreans will put rice and minced green onion in seolleongtang and eat it together with the diced radish kimchi

Prize range: 9,000 won ~ 30,000 wonAddress: 38-13, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Directions: From Jonggak Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 3-1, walk straight and turn right after NH Bank, the restaurant is located 70m ahead.

Pildong Myeonok (필동면옥)

Operating hours: 11:00~ 21:00; Closed on 2nd, 4th and 5th Sunday of the month
pic cr: hsong.egloos.com

Pildong Myeonok serves Pyeongyang-style Naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles), which the noodles has a milder flavor compared to Hamheung-style cold noodles. The chewy noodles and refreshing broth definitely will delight your tastebuds.

Naengmyeon: 10,000 won

Prize range: 7,000 won ~ 25,000 won
Address: 26, Seoae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Directions: Located near Chungmuro Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 1

Yonggeumok (용금옥)

Operating hours: 10:30 ~ 22:00
pic cr: Yonggeumok Official Website

Yonggeumok has 84 years tradition in serving chueo tang (loach stew), which is also a famous dish in Namwon (the southwestern Korean city). The restaurant also serves jeon (Korean pancake), Ddeok, Suyeok and more.

Namdo Chueo Tang: 10,000 won
pic cr: Yonggeumok Official Website

Prize range: 10,000 won ~ 40,000 won
Address: 41-2, Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Directions: Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2 then walk straight for about 390m to reach the restaurant.

Be sure to include these Michellin rated Korean cuisine in your must-eat food list when you visit Seoul.

cr: KTO, KTO Singapore

2pm

Exciting Variety Shows & Survival Shows Await!

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Airs on Viu from 26 Nov, every Monday
Starring 2PM's Nichkhun, Alvin Cheung, Eric Chong

Viu is also proud to present its newest travel cooking K-Variety show Wok the World, an original production by tvN in partnership with Viu, which began its filming in Singapore two weeks ago! Be sure to catch 2PM’s Nichkhun as he joins three-Michelin star chef Alvin Leung, also known as the Demon Chef, and his apprentice, MasterChef Canada Season 1 winner, Eric Chong, to bring traditional Chinese culinary recipes to a whole new level.

Available on Viu every Mon
Starring Kang Ho Dong, Lee Su Guen, Sechs Kies's Eun Ji Won, Ahn Jae Hyun, WINNER's Mino & BLOCK B's P.O.

New Journey to the West returns with its 5 th and 6th season, joined by members Kang Ho Dong, Lee Su Geun, Eun Ji Won, Ahn Jae Hyun, Mino and new member, P.O of Block B. They face various challenges as they travel across Korea, Japan and Hong Kong. Their antics will keep you entertained and have you rolling on the floor, laughing by the end of each episode!

Airs on Viu, every Sunday

Guided Adventure brings men to various countries, through package tours alongside participating travellers and invited guests including Running Man’s Haha. This second season will see g.o.d.’s Park Joon Hyung, Sechs Kies’ Eun Ji Won and actor Sung Hoon travel around various countries experiencing local cultures, based on the schedule tailored from the wish lists of the fixed cast and invited guests, and local package tours.

Airs on Viu, every Sunday

Survival programmes will also continue to capture viewers’ hearts this November. The latest show to join the bandwagon is Under Nineteen. Hosted by Kim So Hyun, Under Nineteen will feature famed celebrities such as Super Junior’s Eunhyuk, EXID’s Solji, Crush and Dynamic Duo as they mentor 57 creative youths for a chance to be a part of an idol group.

Airs on Viu, every Friday
Starring IZ*ONE

On a similar note, with the finale of Produce 48 and the final 12 members chosen, IZ*ONE share their journey to becoming a group together. Sharing their experiences from rooming in a dorm to recording their debut track, the girls will be showcasing their charms and appeal to their fans in their own variety show! Fans of the winners can continue to follow the group on their journey as they share their personal stories and experiences in their debut variety show, IZ*ONE CHU.

credit to Viu Singapore

Children of Nobody

Watch the star-studded lineup for November K-Dramas on Viu!

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Airs on Viu from 29 Nov, every Thursday & Friday, 4 hours after Korea!
Starring Song Hye Kyo, Park Bo Gum

Prepare to be awed by the star-studded line-up of K-dramas coming to you on Viu this month! First up is this year-end’s most highly-anticipated drama, Encounter, starring two of Korea’s most popular Hallyu idols, Song Hye Kyo and Park Bo Gum.

Cha Soo Hyun (Song Hye Kyo), the daughter of an influential politician, divorces from her wealthy husband, to free herself from her burdens. She travels to Cuba to escape from her stresses and meets Kim Jin Hyuk (Park Bo Gum), a free- spirited man, who helps her after an unfortunate incident. Their lives start to intertwine upon their return to Korea where they fall in love, but this fateful romance also causes devastation in their lives.

Capitalising the trend of noona-dongseang relationships is also Children of Nobody, starring Kim Sun Ah and Lee Yi Kyung, as it centres around Cha Woo Kyung (Kim Sun Ah) whose perfect life is forever changed when she meets with an accident.

Airs on Viu from 22 Nov, every Thursday & Friday
Starring Kim Sun Ah, Lee Yi Kyung, VIXX's N

Cha Woo Kyung (Kim Sun Ah) works at a children’s centre as a child counsellor. Her life is perfect: she has a job that she loves, is married to a gentle, competent husband and is also pregnant with her second child. Her life changes when an accident occurs. Kang Ji Hun (Lee Yi Kyung) works as a detective who is in pain, hiding his troubled past. He has a strong belief that criminals should be punished to the fullest extent.

Also known as Korea’s Little Sister, Kim Yoo Jung, is back on the small screen in the drama adaptation of a popular webcomic of the same name, Clean with Passion for Now.

Airs on Viu from 27 Nov, every Tuesday & Wednesday
Starring Kim Yoo Jung, Yoon Kyun Sang, Song Jae Rim

Based on the eponymous webcomic, Jang Sun Gyeol (Yoon Kyun Sang) has mysophobia (fear of germs) and owns a cleaning company. He meets Gil Oh Sol (Kim Yoo Jung), a job seeker with a bright personality, who gets hired at his company. Oh Sol helps Sun Gyeol overcome his phobia and sparks fly between them. With a 12-year age gap between the two leads, fans can look forward to their chemistry in this romantic comedy!

credit: Viu Singapore