Get ready for Netflix’s upcoming outer space sci-fi blockbuster Space Sweepers! Starring popular stars Song Joong-ki, Kim Tae-ri, Jin Sun-kyu, Yoo Hai-jin, and directed by Jo Sung-hee of A Werewolf Boy and Phantom Detective, Space Sweepers is a galactic adventure you don’t want to miss out on.

Seollal or the Korean Lunar New Year is the most celebrated holiday in Korea. It follows the Lunar schedule and it's celebrated in similar ways to the Chinese New Year. Most people travel back home to visit their relatives, spend time with their family members and to pay respect to their ancestors and feast. It was also believed that celebrating the Lunar New Year would attract good luck and chase the bad and evil spirits away. Although both festivals share similarities but when comes to food, these are the differences: 

i. Tteokguk (Rice Cake Soup)

photo credit: Koreanbapsang

Tteokguk carries special significance during Seollal. It represents health and symbolise rich and prosperity. By having Tteokguk also means growing another year older and have a new beginning for the New Year. Since it's hard to find Tteokguk in Malaysia, you can always replace with Tteokbokki (the spicy rice cake): https://shp.ee/6fyvcgj

ii, Japchae (Glass Noodle)

photo credit: Serious Eats

Japchae is made with glass noodles and various vegetables. It's one of the most iconic Korean food that often served as a side dish or mixed with a main dish. You will rarely see a Seollal table without japchae on it. If you're a Korean food maniac, you definitely familiar it: https://shp.ee/f97w2nt

iii. Jeon (Pancake)

photo credit: CJ - CheilJeDang

It's a traditional must-eat New Year dish in Korea. There are many types of Jeon but during Seollal, these are the popular ones that you should try - Kimchi Jeon, Saengseon Jeon (seafood pancake), and Hobak Jeon (Pan fried Zucchini). 

Make your Chinese New Year celebration a little different this year by having traditional Korean foods. Catch the K-wave in the culinary form! Search HERE for more K-foods options and you may check out with below Shopee's voucher codes to receive a discount on your purchase.

*Above voucher codes are valid on 25 January only. 

Happy Shopping!

Staying home and self-isolation can be really stressful sometimes, so it's good to look for a K-drama to help relieve some stress and let out a good laugh. If you're still looking for one, tvN's on-going historical fantasy-comedy drama 'Mr. Queen' starring Shin Hye-Sun and Kim Jung-Hyun would be the best choice for you. 

'Mr.Queen' talks about the male chef for the president in the Blue House, Jang Bong Hwan (starring Choi Jin Hyuk) from the modern-day who accidentally slips from his balcony and falls into a pool. Somehow his soul/spirit winds up and enters the body of Queen Kim So-Young (starring Shin Hye-Sun) in the Joseon era. Kim Jung-hyun, however, plays the King Cheol-Jong who has two faces - gentle and easygoing while maintaining composure. 

Thanks to tvN Asia, we received a list of Q&A where Shin Hye-Sun talked about her character in the drama and message to viewers of 'Mr.Queen'. 

Shin Hye-Sun (SHS): Mr. Queen is a scandalous drama where due to an unfortunate incident the soul of Korea’s representative arrogant man enters the body of a queen and has to deal with a two-faced king. My role is Kim So-yong, the combination of the original body of a queen that lives in the strict Joseon era and the soul of a hot-blooded man Jang Bong-hwan.

Q: What's your first impression of each other (Kim Jung-Hyun)? How's your chemistry with one another when acting?

SHS: My first impression of Jung-hyun is that he is a very warm and kind person, and his image made me think that we will have good chemistry. Needless to say, our chemistry was great and he was someone that I could always trust in and rely on on-set.

Q: If you could switch body with someone in real life, who would you want to switch with and why?

SHS: I don’t want to switch bodies. I feel like I have experienced in switching bodies through this drama and this experience is sufficient for me. Even just thinking of switching bodies sounds complicated and makes my head hurt. As such, I want to live with my soul and my physical body for the rest of my life.

Q: How would you describe your own personality? What are the similarities and differences between yourself and your role in the drama.

SHS: In real life, I enjoy being comfortable and I think I am someone who is very easy-going. I feel like when I am shy, I am similar to So-yong. When I am in uncomfortable situations, I am the quiet type. In comfortable situations, I am similar to Jang Bong-hwan. I don’t like frustrating situations, but I don’t think that I am as adaptable as Bong-hwan.

Q: If you were going back to the Joseon era now, and you could bring 5 things, what would they be?

SHS: Hot pack, toothpaste, mobile phone, ramyeon and chocolate.

Q: Please say something to the viewers who are waiting in anticipation for 'Mr. Queen'.

SHS: I hope that the viewers of 'Mr. Queen' are able to temporarily put down their worries and troubles and watch our drama in a jovial mood. Please take care of your health and I hope that your lives will be filled with happy moments~ Let’s meet through 'Mr. Queen'. Thank you.

According to Nielson Korea, the latest episode of the drama scored an average nationwide rating of 12.8% and a peak of 14.3%, setting a new personal record for the show's highest ratings to date. 'Mr. Queen' also broke its own personal ratings record among the key demographic of viewers ages 20 to 49, with whom it scored an average nationwide rating of 7.9% and a peak of 8.7%. Additionally, the drama successfully continued its streak of taking first place in its time slot across all channels, including public broadcast networks.

Don't forget to tune into tvN Asia (Astro Ch.395 HD), every Sunday and Monday, 9.45PM to watch Mr.Queen that has an intriguing storyline and witty humour. 

image credit to tvN