VIRAL: Koreans pick prettiest Pinoy celeb

A video of a group of Koreans sharing their thoughts on Filipino celebrities is now making the rounds online, getting nearly 30,000 views in less than three days.

In the clip, three pairs of Koreans were shown photos of various Filipino stars, where each of them shared how they find the celebrities.

The stars whose pictures were shown include Julia Barretto, Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo, Marian Rivera, and Liza Soberano.

While they admired the looks of said celebrities, some of them were expressed disbelief that Barretto, Padilla, Bernardo, Rivera and Soberano do not look like their age.

At the end of the clip, which was uploaded by Korean Star TV on its official YouTube channel, they also chose their favorite.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why rich Koreans are shunning BMWs for Maseratis

SEOUL - Flashy Maseratis and Bentleys are fast becoming the cars of choice for young, monied South Koreans, eclipsing German luxury brands now so commonplace that some in Seoul's upscale Gangnam district jokingly refer to a BMW 5-series as a Hyundai Sonata.

Driving the sales of six-figure plus cars is a growing acceptance of conspicuous consumption in the conservative home of Hyundai Motor Co, where more younger, affluent Koreans are turning their backs on their parents' frugal ways.

"While our parents saved a lot in the past, younger people nowadays spend on things they can enjoy," said chef-restauranteur Song Ji-hoon, who last year sold his Mercedes-Benz CLS to buy a Maserati Ghibli.

"The street is now flooded with German cars. My car is not something one can see often," Song, 34, told Reuters.

Last year, the Seoul dealership of Volkswagen unit Bentley Motors was the top global seller of Flying Spur sedans, which start at just under quarter of a million dollars. The outlet, in Gangnam, ranked second in overall sales behind one in Dubai.

South Korea is also the seventh-largest market for Fiat Chrysler's Maserati, which saw sales increase five-fold last year to a record 723 cars after the brand introduced its Ghibli sports sedan, which starts at around $90,000.

"Korean consumers now want to flaunt themselves," said Kevin Kang, chief operating officer of the joint dealership for British luxury brands Aston Martin and McLaren Automotive which will open in the first half of this year in Gangnam.

"There lingers antipathy towards the wealthy, but at the same time there is aspiration to be wealthy," he said.

Imported luxury vehicles were relatively scarce in South Korea before a trade deal which took effect in 2011 unleashed an influx of high-end mainstream German cars from the likes of BMW , Audi AG, and Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz.

While South Korea is the 11th largest car market, it ranks in the top four for certain top-end models such as Audi's A8 and the Mercedes-Benz S Class line, according to the companies.

Sales of imported vehicles priced above 100 million won ($91,100) grew by a third in 2014 from a year earlier to 14,975, the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association says, a figure that excludes Maserati, Lamborghini and Ferarri, which are not association members.

Sales of foreign brands priced 150 million won ($136,339) and above nearly doubled last year, as more wealthy drivers sought "ultra-premium" cars to flaunt their status, a trend mocked and celebrated in Psy's 2012 hit song "Gangnam Style".

"There is a strong me-too-ism in Korea. People follow what other people are buying," said Andy Bae, senior analyst at automotive research firm IHS, which expects South Korea's ultra-luxury car market to grow 45 percent by 2017.

South Korea's overall car market grew 8 percent last year.

The number of South Koreans with assets exceeding 1 billion won doubled to about 167,000 in 2013 from five years earlier, according to KB Research. This rising wealth, coupled with younger peoples' desire to stand out in a traditionally conformist society, is encouraging luxury automakers.

Koreans are also marrying later and often rely on parents for housing, leaving many with the means to splash out on flashy purchases.

"As consumers get younger, they are less shy about something that stands out," said Kim Eui-young, a sales manager at the Maserati dealership in Gangnam, which opened in 2007.

Some ultra-luxury cars owners, however, prefer discretion.

A businessman in his 40s, who did not want to be identified, said he bought a blue Ferrari 355 Spider to enjoy on weekends. He also owns a Porsche and a Maserati, but drives a Hyundai SUV to work every day. "People are looking at my cars," he said. "But my employees do not know."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Korean tourists cancel trips to Bohol, Cebu

SEOUL, South Korea —The devastating earthquake in Cebu and Bohol has affected tourism as well.

The Philippine Department of Tourism’s office here has received reports of cancellations of bookings to Cebu and Bohol, which happen to be the top two favorite destinations of Koreans.

Cancellations are already estimated to number around a thousand.

But Tourism Director and Attaché Maricon Basco-Ebron said travel agents are hoping to convince South Korean tourists to instead visit other destinations in the Philippines such as Boracay and Palawan.

“Bohol and Cebu are the favorite destinations of Koreans. We were alarmed actually. We’ve seen all the destinations ruined by the earthquake. Kaagad-agad, nagtawag kami ng aming mga ahente dito and mga airlines and we are given reports that there are a lot of cancellations. But I think it should not be a cause for alarm. Some of the agents are trying to bring them to other destinations in the Philippines. ‘Yun naman ang magandang resulta. That’s why we have to be fast on the draw,” Ebron said.

South Korea is the Philippines’s top source of tourists, contributing 1,031,155 tourist arrivals in 2012. The DOT is targeting to attract 1.2 million tourists this year.

Of the million South Korean tourists that visit the Philippines, about 30% go to Bohol and Cebu.

“I think the reason why they like Cebu is they find everything in one place. There’s culture there, there’s the beach and a lot of them go to Cebu for (English) studies,” Ebron said, adding that tourists also find Cebu very safe.

Ebron hopes that the cancellations of trips to Bohol and Cebu would only be temporary and that Koreans would only defer their trips or choose another destination in the Philippines.

“We’re trying to bring them to other destinations para imbes na mag-cancel sila for Cebu and Bohol perhaps we can bring them to Boracay or Palawan, to the other destinations that we have.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Gangnam style: A guide to Seoul's most affluent district

SEOUL, South Korea - The infectious dance hit "Gangnam Style" has unexpectedly put the spotlight on Gangnam, the most affluent district in the Korean capital.

For most Koreans, having a Gangnam address means you've got money. Gangnam has the most expensive real estate in the country. Businessweek reported that about 1% of Seoul's population lives in Gangnam and the average apartment in the area costs about $716,000 or around P29 million.

Not surprisingly, Gangnam is the place where you can find the flagship stores of the top luxury brands, as well as some of the city's the most expensive restaurants and shops.

Korean singer Psy may have poked fun at Gangnam's new rich, saying "Gangnam Style" all about "dressing classy and dancing cheesy," but ABS-CBNnews.com discovers Gangnam is all about the high life.

Here's a guide to Gangnam:

Cheongdam

Cheongdam is synonymous with luxury, with men and women going around dressed in head-to-toe designer duds and driving fancy cars.

In Cheongdam, you can find the flagship stores of top luxury brands Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Ferragamo, Tory Burch and 10 Corso Como - all in one area.

One of the most eye-catching buildings is that of Italian store 10 Corso Como. The shop offers a range of cult designers from all over the world, as well as a bookstore, restaurant and cafe.

Interestingly, the luxury brands' flagship stores are usually half-empty, not because of lack of interest but mostly because Koreans prefer buying their Chanels and Vuittons at nearby Galleria or Hyundai department stores.

High-end beauty salons, art galleries and boutiques of Korean designers are also found in Cheongdam.

Tucked away in the alleys are small cafes and stylish restaurants, where you just might a Korean celebrity having coffee. The headquarters of top entertainment agencies like SM Entertainment (home of SuperJunior and SHINee), JYP Entertainment (2PM, Wonder Girls) and Cube Entertainment (Beast,4Minute) can be found in the area.

Garosugil

Garosugil is a stretch of road with gingko trees in Sinsa-dong. The name itself means tree-lined street, which gave the area a certain charm. Art galleries used to fill the area, along with small boutiques and restaurants.








The street used to be known for quiet cafes and shops of young designers, but is now being overrun by big-name international and Korean brands.

Kate Spade, Fossil, Massimo Dutti, Forever 21 and Finnish brand Marimekko have opened shops in Garosugil.

Lovers of ballet flats should drop by London Sole, while fans of Korean artist Youk Shim-won's quirky art should visit her shop filled with bags, wallets and accessories.

Try to visit Buccella for good, tasty sandwiches, Allo Paper Garden for brunch, and Deux Creme for delicious tarts and pies.

The Simone Handbag Museum, which opened recently, features a collection of 300 historical handbags from all over the world. The museum is built by Kenny Park, founder of Korean luxury bag brand Simone. The 10-storey building is shaped like a bag with a handle has already been featured on the New York Times and the Financial Times.

Apgujeong

You know you're in Apgujeong when you get off the subway station and see all the ads for plastic surgery and skin care clinics. With nearly 400 clinics in the neigborhood, it's no wonder why there's a street dubbed "Plastic Surgery Street." Some Asian tourists have been known to go to Korean clinics in hopes of getting the same nose or cheekbones as their favorite Korean drama stars.

If plastic surgery is not your cup of tea, Apgujeong has its own Rodeo Street, but the area has little similarity with Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. There are many shops selling second-hand luxury goods such as handbags, shoes, clothes and watches, but don't expect cheap prices. For fans of H&M, there's a big store along the main road.

Across the street from Rodeo Drive is Galleria Department Store, Luxury Hall East and Luxury Hall West, where you can find top international and Korean designer brands.










Dosan Park area

Dosan Park is an oasis of peace and quiet in the middle of bustling Seoul. The park is dedicated to Dosan Ahn Chang-ho, who was a known freedom fighter.

The Dosan Park area has a few notable stores and restaurants.

Maison Hermès, the flagship store of the French brand, only offers Birkins and Kellys, but also has a cafe where you can have a cup of coffee and a museum where you can have a taste of contemporary art. The glass-covered building is a sight to behold whether day or night.

There are also several art centers in the area, such as Horim Art Center (with its distinctive building that reminds one of ceramics) and Coreana Art & Culture complex, a museum dedicated to cosmetics.

A popular restaurant near Dosan Park is Gorilla in the Kitchen, more popularly known to Korean drama fans as the restaurant owned by "Winter Sonata" actor Bae Yong-joon. The place serves healthy dishes and does not use any cream and butter or deep-fry any of the ingredients. It also has an in-house food consultant and trainer to give nutrition and health advice for customers.

For obssessive compulsive dieters, the menu lists the ingredients, calories and nutritional details of the dishes. For instance, the oven-baked pineapple chicken breast is only 412 calories.

source: abs-cbnnews.com