#p;ff

[ex-krkeru-blog]

Chuseok Event | Self-Para | Foreign Festivities

Takeru approached the village of Hanok dressed in his royal purple and pink hanbok that he had chosen. Luckily the fee was free to all those wearing hanboks. Admittedly, Takeru had never actually partook in any of the South Korean festivals that was held. Maybe it was because whenever a festival came around he always felt homesick. Even though the festivals in this foreign country had similarities to festivals in Japan, there were still many differences. It was a different culture after all. Usually during festival seasons Takeru would lock himself up in his studio apartment and take the days off of work. Which was an incredibly rare sight. Since he hardly took time off work he was always granted the festivals off (if there happened to be work on those days). Probably in assumption that he would attend.

Upon entering the village he was given a beaded bracelet that he was told not to lose. He slipped it onto his wrist and and nodded towards the staff who had given it to him. He had no idea why a bracelet would be so important; maybe it was so the staff and volunteers knew he didn’t try to con his way in?

The first thing he did whilst in the village was head over towards the food. There were some people that he recognized and greeted but he didn’t want to bother them as most of them were on dates or came with other friends. Not that he cared really. As long as they were happy. Of course he tried the famous half-moon cakes that they were selling and it was one of the most delicious cakes he had ever eaten. Of course, nothing compared to cakes in Japan but that wasn’t important. He made sure to buy a couple of extra packaged so he could take them home and eat them later. He tried out some other food of course; half of it he didn’t know what it was due to the fact that his Korean wasn’t completely perfect. 

Secondly he tried out some traditional painting. Now Takeru wasn’t an artsy guy (excluding music) and he probably butchered the painting. It mostly consisted of stick figures and elementary-school level drawings of hills and houses. But hey, he was happy with it and the teachers didn’t seem to mind. His painting was mostly coloured in shades of blues, pinks and purples; his favourite colours. Once the small painting was done he tucked it under his arm and proceeded to explore the village. 

The scenery was certainly a sight to behold. The ancient buildings and beautiful trees that were contained within the village was breathtaking. There came the homesickness again. Takeru quickly scurried off to a corner of the village where he knew no one would see him... probably. He quickly pulled out a cigarette from his bag and decided to have a quick smoke to calm his nerves. He took off the outer pieces of the hanbok so they wouldn’t smell like the smoke and his garments underneath he would probably take to the dry cleaners. Sometimes he wished he was back in Japan and had his family again.

However, he couldn’t deny that he was enjoying the Chuseok Festival. 

[rkseungmi]

fashion fluster ♥ yoonji & seungmi

It was always refreshing to shop in other parts of the capital city of Seoul, because I could always find some sort of inspiration of what to design next. Even in my year, I wanted to design something that was perfect and just the perfect design that was not only fashionable, but also comfortable so that people could wear it. It would have to be something that I would’ve worn if I was still performing, unlike all the odd fashions I’ve seen these days. But being an idol - from what I’ve seen on TV and online - is more than a career. It’s a 24/7 job, even when you’re at home because there’s always a camera on you in some way. Being online and writing SNS posts was no longer a form of freedom of speech or expression, so you could rant about your day and say what actually was the good thing about it. It was a job in every direction, with something so small as going to the airport meant being fashionable that fans could buy certain pieces of fashion and it would boost sales.

Given the fact that I had been away from the music scene for quite some time, I wasn’t sure anyone would’ve known I was ever an “artist”. I didn’t believe that people could forget so easily, because sometimes the people of this nation just thought too hard about things. Something so trivial as a small mistake, like the way nuts were served as being wrong was enough to get yelled and cursed at until that person had to receive counseling? I guess that’s just a different perspective I have from others, my hands already knit-picking at the garments hanging at stalls. The sun was still fairly bright, but it wasn’t exactly daytime just yet. It was a weekday, but I’d be surprised if there were a few students wandering around the area. Not so much now unless it was earlier, of course. And there it was, something that completely caught my eye and I reached out for it.

Seungmi had went on a trip with her school friends earlier that day. It wasn't something special, a short trip to a local market that serves as part of the orientation period although she doubted they still needed any of that. Fun was how she would describe the trip, most likely the last time she'll spend a day away from school with her friends before graduation. The thought saddened her a bit, just a month ago she was the one accompanying her seniors and congratulating them, this year it's her turn and she's never felt as bewildered. Walking down the street with her pocket camera slung over her neck, she glanced left and right, looking for picturesque objects that will beautify their yearbook. Regretting her decision of walking alone, she's starting to want to go back to the cafe her friends were. Touching the clip of her skirt out of habit, she spotted something. Light cascading from the branches, enveloping the tree in a warm glow as green started to grow and pale complexions started to brighten. Spring has arrived, her favorite season is here. Lifting her camera, she snapped a photo, shutter clicking as lights were captured in the tiny object. Previewing before moving, she smiled as warmly as the wind felt right at that moment.

Different trinkets filled the place. Rows and lines of accessories and fabric, handcrafted plates and vases –everything was there and it felt beautiful. Inhaling the fresh air, she lifted her hands again to take a picture. Looking around, her attention was caught by a few friendship bracelets displayed on one of the many stalls. Ideas of friendship bracelets are childish but oddly enough, she's attracted to it. Walking in, one step at a time, hands on her camera, she took one and fitted them on her wrist. Cute. "I'll take two of these." Clear packaging with a cute ribbon on top, she gave her a bill and waited a short while for ones of lower value before catching a glimpse of the stall beside her. Cloth and garment were hung neatly, sold to people in their unique and one-of-a-kind state. Refreshing how flea markets are, as her eyes continued scouring through items.

[tabisoo]

Familiar Face | Min&Seunghyun

Seunghyun was starting to think this cafe he always went to was magical, because he always seemed to meet everyone he knew in here. There he was, sitting at his usual spot, coffee in hand, journal in the other. He was enjoying himself and suddenly a familiar face presented itself to him in the form of Min.

He hadn't known her that well, but he knew her well enough to have a pleasant, easygoing conversation with her over a nice cup of coffee. He ran into her quite often in this very cafe, so really he shouldn't have been surprised to see her. Perhaps it wasn't the fact that it was her he was running into, but that it was in that cafe that he ran into her.

Upon spotting her he smiled gently, waving her over. He pushed the chair across from him out with his foot, keeping his smile on as he watched her. This would be a splendid morning for him, it seemed.