Singer Mina, who became an instant celebrity when she was photographed in an unconventional and sexy ensemble during the 2002 World Cup, returns to her homeland after a stint in China.
In an interview, the 37-year-old talked candidly about dealing with rumours and prejudice against her and how she wants to shed her sexy image.
Serious: 'Take a good look, boys. You ain't gonna see this much of me no more.'
After getting noticed at the 2002 World Cup, the lady had no peace whenever she appeared at events related to the World Cup. Many haters would post malicious comments about her and Mina was tremendously hurt by their remarks.
Ms. World Cup 2002 was even accused of undergoing plastic surgery and being an exhibitionist. Nonetheless she admits, “To be honest, I worked out really hard because I wanted to be seen.” Mina had been seen, but it was all for the wrong reasons. And on top of that, the lady faced financial difficulties after her father died and her mother attempted suicide.
Mina then made the decision to relocate to China to rebuild her career.
Sizzle: Mina heating up Maxim
“My younger siblings had to quit their jobs because they needed to look after our mother. I became the sole breadwinner in the family, so I started my career in China, even though I didn't have a manager,” she shares.
“At first, I was very depressed because I was alone in a foreign country, had no friends, and couldn't speak the language.”
Now, the singer is returning to South Korea and wants to rid herself of her sexy image. She said: “I think I'll panic if I'm asked to perform in events related to the 2010 World Cup. I want to be recognised as nothing other than a singer.”
Wanna rub shoulders with FT Island, Brown Eyed Girls or even T-Max? Then make sure you’re one of the 10 winners of the exclusive passes to the Meet & Greet session in conjunction with the Sundown Festival: Seoul’d Out! 2009.
Abracadabra: Wanna meet the magical Brown Eyed Girls?
The session will be held on Dec 11 (Friday) at Korea Plaza, Singapore.
All you have to do is...
...create a handmade and handwritten fan letter to any one of the Kpop stars that are going to Singapore (click here for the list of stars).
Results of a survey conducted by the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute show that South Koreans are more hospitable towards Western tourists compared to their Asian counterparts.
Visitors from 16 countries took a survey during the first half of 2009. Of the 5,822 participants, tourists from Western countries gave Koreans high points for hospitality while tourists from Asian countries gave them a lower rating.
Malaysian tourists: Rooster (left) and Orchid en route to Namsan
The Germans (79.7%) and French (77.9%) think South Koreans are friendly, followed by the British (77.1%), Americans (73%) and Australians (71.4%).
Meanwhile, tourists from Asia gave a lower rating: Taiwan (32.8%), Thailand (48.9%), Japan (48.6%) and Hong Kong/Singapore (44.5%). This suggests that Koreans are selective when it comes to showing hospitality. I believe this happens in Malaysia too. Friends have lamented how Malaysians can be all smiley and kind towards the Mat Salleh (white guys) but show a long face towards fellow Malaysians/ Asians. Sigh.
For health and vitality: Don't forget to eat fruits even in a foreign land. Rooster buys oranges.
Nonetheless, when the K-popped! Trio were in Seoul last November, we didn’t run into any particularly rude person.... Maybe there was that street food ajumma who fleeced Orchid and I and there was that waitress who was a little moody…but Koreans were generally friendly to us Malaysian gals.
An ajusshi even directed Orchid and I to a more happening tourist spot when we were walking about aimlessly, and who can forget the friendly (and efficient) staff at Doulos Hotel?
What about you, do you have a gripe (or praise) about hospitality in South Korea?
Korean heartthrob Rain (a.k.a Jung Ji-hoon) loves his character Raizo, in Ninja Assassin because “he’s very sexy” thus our favourite Hallyu Star can easily relate to him. Ha ha…cute.
The 27-year-old, along with the movie’s director James McTeigue, talked to the Korean Beacon in New York on Nov 13.
Praises: Rain (right) on McTeigue: 'He's always awesome, he's the best.'
Rain spoke a little English and seemed more comfortable with the language than in previous interviews. Nonetheless, he was at his best when conversing in Korean.
Ninja says: 'Raizo is not a Japanese character.'
When asked how does it feel to have his own movie, Rain unabashedly replies: “Finally, you know, I’m gonna be a superstar. Keep watching me.”
Wanna keep watching Rain? Hit the play button below for the full interview:
Hyun Bin (Friend, Our Legend) and Lee Bo Young (Mr Goodbye, Queen of the Game) were at the premiere of their movie "I am Happy". The media preview and press conference was held on November 13, 2pm at Seoul's Haengdang Wangsimni CGV.
D i s c l a i m e r :
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Serious: 'Take a good look, boys. You ain't gonna
Sizzle: Mina heating up Maxim
