I know there are some foreigners who have no interest in Korean music, but I am not one of them. I started listening to Korean music my sophomore year in college once I got into Korean dramas. I love the way Korean sounds the way some people love how the French language sounds. IDK, there is just something very captivating about the language. Which is why I am trying to learn it in the hopes of being somewhat fluent in the distant future.

So, if you have not given Korean music a chance, here is an opportunity to start. I tend to stay away from the extreme K-poppers like SNSD or Super Junior and go for the more mellow, indie, or hip-hip music. So here are a ten of my favorite Korean artists and their songs. (Excludes songs from other entries)

Enjoy!!!!!

My favorite song from my first Korean drama; Full House

One of my favorite Korean bands: Nell (Totally underrated)


How can you not love Epik High? As much as I adore Tablo, my heart belongs to Mithra!


This song captured me the first time I heard it. There is a very haunting element to it.


The minute the music starts I cannot help but smile.


This trio is all kinds of awesome mixed into wonderful songs:)


Loveholics know how to make you addicted for life


This is my favorite Fly To The Sky song


Mr. Sexy Voice


Very unique sounding

These songs don't even begin to dent my collection of Korean music, let alone Japanese and Taiwanese music.

Other Korean artists you should check out if your are curious, bored, or just have free time

-Rain
-Se7en
-Lee Seung Gi
-Big Mama
-Drunken Tiger
-Biuret
-Donawhale
-Humming Urban Stereo
-Sol Flower
-Tearliner

There is a whole world out there filled with awesome Korean music if you are willing to give it a chance. Yeah, you might not/most likely won't understand what their saying, but the last time I checked music was a universal language!

Explore and Enjoy:)
Lola O.

I sent out my contract to Korea Connections last week (-$60 again), and they have received it. Unfortunately, they tell me I have to wait till January to get my Notice of Appointment so I can get started on the visa/flight stuff for the second time. I'm hoping I will get my NOA in December because this whole waiting to the last minute thing that seems to be ever so prominent in Korean culture is very frustrating and leaves a lot of room for mishaps.

I just feel like things are still up in the air until I get my NOA, visa, and book my flight. I'm going through that same nervous tension I went through the first time, but it isn't as bad. I'm sure it will be February before I know it, and then there will be no turning back this time around.

As far as my health goes, I'm doing A LOT better, but still dealing with being anemic. Which makes me feel tired super fast, but I am working on building up my iron and energy so I can feel like a 22 year old again. My doctor decided that when I am in Korea I will have to take Prilosec everyday for a year as a preventative measure. Since there is a chance I could have another ulcer in the next year. I'm taking all the steps I can to prevent this from happening again! He said if I take it everyday for a year, and nothing happens then I can stop. I don't know if they have Prilosec in Korea so I am thinking of just buying a years supply in Costco depending on how much it will cost me.

I cannot wait to finally start this chapter of my life in Seoul, and see what happens. This will be my first "real challenge" in life; away from everything I know in the hopes of discovering and experiencing so much more. Can you feel my excitement? I know it won't be all smiles and fun, but hopefully it will be more good than bad. I think all the research, blog reading, and more research has helped me feel confident about my expectations. I know that no matter how much I learn from all my readings that nothing will compare to a firsthand experience.

As far as my expectations go, I'm going to just keep an open-mind and hope for the best while considering it might not go as smoothly as I want. It is a learning experience after all so there are bound to be pitfalls and complications. Like Charles Swindoll said, " life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. Everyone I talk to about going to Seoul tell me the most important thing is to keep/have an open-mind so that is what I am going to try my best to do.

While I'm here I get to have my Thanksgiving, best friend's wedding, Christmas, New Years, and a visit from my older sister all in the next three months to keep me busy. I just cannot wait for it to be February and for things to finally start falling place!!

Now, it's time for some Big Bang Love: Japanese Style:)....enjoy!!!!


This song makes me like Daesung a lot for some reason. But no one beats TaeYang in my book.

Be blessed,
Lola O.

A few days ago I was reading a blog, and they were talking about Robert's Frost's "The Road Not Taken". It got me thinking about the whole "road less traveled" concept, and it just really resonated with me, especially how I feel at this point in my life. I turned down a great job opportunity because I want to go to Seoul. I don't want to take the easy way out when I know it will leave me unsatisfied and disappointed in myself.

So then today I was driving back from Costco with my mom and we were listening to this song;

I've heard this song before, and it took me a while to find it on the internet, but it describes exactly how I feel right now about myself and where my life is going. I've never wanted to do things the way everyone else does. I've always wanted to follow my own path, and figure things out my way. I want to be uncommon.