Asian on Air Program - Passion for Korea :)

Dear Diary,

I want to tell you a secret..I want to tell you about what I've felt for a long time. Please don't tell anyone, alright? Please be patient with me.

One fair day, my Tita(Aunt) told me she was planning to go to South Korea to meet a friend who's coming from the US this May 2013. She asked me if I want to come with her with the condition that I'll spend for myself. I was so excited that I said "Yes!" without any other thoughts. I am currently saving Php100 or 2714 Won a week and I don't know if it would suffice for even the airfare. (ㅠㅡㅠ) I was hoping and praying for someone who could sponsor this dream. Sounds impossible, diary, right?

Did you remember the Korean drama "Rooftop Prince" where Prince Lee Gak rode in a horse and was transported from Joseon era to 2012? You know what, I wanted to try the horse riding Gangnam Style and test if I would be transported from here to Korea! "오빤 강남스타일 강남스타일" ㅋㅋㅋ Of course it's impossible - again! (ㅠㅡㅠ)

All were impossible until KTO (KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION) and KOREAN AIR launched Asian on Air Program. Asians were thrilled. "It's our chance to go to Korea!" they said. And in my case, for real, I can't sleep for nights! Faced with the question, "What would you want to do/hear/see in Korea?" I can't think of anything because I want to try everything! I literally want to do EVERYTHING!

I promised myself to have my first airplane ride bound to South Korea. Whenever I go to far places, I ride on buses or ships, not on airplanes. I really hope the world known Korean Air can give me that first "Excellence in Flight" experience towards that Land of My Dreams.

Koreans has treasured their history. They love what they were and who they are. I want to have that same attitude too towards my country and people. To do this, I  want to visit their palaces, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Gyeongbokgung and Gyeonghuigung while wearing their traditional dress, hanbok. How did the Koreans of long ago lived? We always study at school early civilization, Mesopotamian, Assyrian, medieval history and the list goes on and on. What was the Kingdom of Korea specifically the Joseon Dynasty like?  I want to go to Jeonju, the home of Korean tradition and feel what it feels to be like them. I heard Korea has lot of festivals! I hope I can attend even one. I don't have any idea about these celebrations but i know they are really worth watching and experiencing!How do they do that traditional wedding? How about the ceremonial tea ceremony? What are their traditional instruments? Can I hold and play even one instrument? By studying others, will I discover myself?

When I went for a vacation to a metropolitan city just this May, my aunt brought me to a Korean restaurant and convenient store. It was my first time. Asked my Tita how happy I was even when we were still riding the jeepney. And even if some of the tastes were foreign to me, I still ate all of it and enjoyed it a lot. I even took a picture of my first Korean ice cream. Sadly, here in my city, there are no Korean stores. I only buy Jjampong instant noodles. It's the only available here. It would be nice to eat real Korean foods like ddukbokkie, bulgogi, bibimbap, kimchi, jjampong, kalbi, shinsollo, hanjongshik and many more! Generally, I will eat it as long as its Korean. By eating their food, will I be inspired to cook my family's meals? Sadly, though I'm the eldest, my younger sister cooks for my whole family and I just sit and study. I'm embarrassed.

I am a Christian and I always stand in awe of the beauty of GOD's creations. Korea has wonderful tourist destinations. Diary, have you heard of Jeju Island? I want to go there! I have no words to say how beautiful Jeju Island is. It is truly a splendid and magnificent display of GOD's wondrous works! It is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Most people I know knows this place. I also want to see personally the flowers shown in Korea Tourist Organization's Miss Flower video. I thought such wonderful fields of flowers no longer exist. I was mistaken. It still lives in the land of my dream. I want to sleep on the grass fields as well. Can you imagine? You're like in the dramas!

My family and friends usually tell me that I have a unique taste of fashion. It's not my uniqueness but Koreans' creative minds that's unique. Sadly I just copied their styles. I would like to go to any street in Seoul and just observe every Korean's unique fashion If I go there will I know my own uniqueness as a person? Moreover, I would like to go to Nandaemun Market and say, "안녕하세요. 아줌마, 좀 깍아 주세요?" And, I would like to roam around busy districts of Seoul and observe.  Through their tradition, I'll know Korea's past. Through their technology, I'll discover modern Korea. Change is indeed inevitable. However, I hope they'll always preserve what they have - their beautiful culture. In the same way like them, I would like to cherish the more and most essential things in life which GOD has given me.

I have Korean friends who I knew through the internet only. One is a teacher and the other is a theologian. Both of them live in Seoul and are 10 years older than me. I also have a younger friend, DongIl, who's living in Daegu and is currently preparing for his college entrance exams. He tells me about Korea's history and people. I know Koreans are nice people not because others say so but because I feel it from them. I want to meet my Korean friends personally. I would like to ask them what Korean life is. Are they happy? Are they lonely? Or are they the same as with me having both?


I knew I wanted to go to that place because of an "invincible treasure" - a treasure cherished within one's heart. I figured out I want to go to Korea to know myself through them. I figured out Korea is a friend, a teacher, a mirror. They reflect how beautiful life is. Diary, you'll never understand but now, I certainly do.

I hope I can tell KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION and KOREAN AIR about what and how I feel. Thank you for listening! GOD bless us!

Your dearest friend,

Alyna Ruth Reyna

P.S. Some of the pictures I showed you are not mine. No copyright infringement intended. Good night my friend. I'll sleep now. It's 1:00 AM already.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

[buzz Korea] Best Place to Travel - Korea

As I was walking down the isles of nowhere one afternoon, I met someone. She smiled at me. I smiled back. She has fair-complexion, medium-cut hair, black round eyes, an average-lengthed nose and pink lips. Her smile was sweet. Her eyes are twinkling, filled with hope and awe. She was sitting under a tree. I came up to her and started a conversation. “Hi Dear! How are you? Are you new in here?” I spoke to her. “Hello! Uhm, not really. I used to come here when I’m full of thoughts. [smiling] Pleased to meet you” she answered. “Full of dreams? You have more sunrises to face and sunsets to witness. It seems to me that you are filled with inspiration” I said. Then we started to walk around the place. She smiled at me again. And slowly said, “Hmmm. You’ll just be bored. They say my dream isn't that interesting at all Madam.” I tapped her back and said, “Go on. I have much time. My ears are on you Miss.” She stared at me. She kept silent for a while. Then she gave off a smile. Feeling the ease she started sharing.

South Korea was once just an ordinary name of a country to me. But now, it seems that with just the hearing of its name, my ears tingle and my heart pounds. Korea has became a dream to me. They call it weird. I call it beautiful.

It all started on the TV. The first Korean drama I saw was SBS' Save the Last Dance for Me (마지막 춤은 나와 함께) starred by Kim Yoo Jin and Ji Sung. It showed the simple and complex life of ordinary and influential Koreans. I was fascinated by the way they interpreted and held on to love as well as the evident tradition and values of Koreans. Their OST, Our Love Will Always Last had the perfect combination of music and message. I watched a lot of Korean dramas since then- historical, romantic comedy and melodrama.

Because I watched historical dramas like The Moon that Embraces the Sun (해를 품은 달), I became oriented to the wonderful past of Korea- the Joseon dynasty. I really, really, really want to visit the 5 Grand Palaces of Korea - Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Gyeongbokgung and Gyeonghuigung while wearing their traditional dress, hanbok. These palaces show their genius in architecture and the grand of their history.

Because I always watched romantic comedies and melodramas, I now know different places of Seoul and other provinces.

I want to take a picture with King Sejong's monument and post it in FB. I want to share that once in a lifetime experience! Sejong the Great (May 15, 1397 – April 8, 1450, r. 1418–1450) was the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He used the creation of Hangeul and the advancement of technology to expand his territory.


I want to visit Namsan Tower and try to count all the love locks there! Many visitors ride the Namsan Cable Car up the mountain, and then walk to the tower. The tower features a gift shop and restaurants on the ground floor. In a poll of nearly 2,000 foreign visitors, conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in November 2011, 16 percent stated that hanging named padlocks on the Tower fence as a symbol of love as their favorite activity in Seoul.

It would be nice to take a picture with regular people who catwalks at Myeongdong with their new fashion! I would like to be amazed with all the latest trends of Korean fashion here and catwalk myself if I can buy an affordable dress. 

Myeongdong is all about shopping! From the towering super stores of Migliore, Lotte Department Store, Avatar and High Harriet to the cozy, mom-and-pop shops.

I would like to buy my own hanbok at Nandaemun market and say "좀 깍아 주세요?" Namdaemun Market is a large traditional market in Seoul, South Korea. It is the oldest and largest market in Korea.

I would like to play my guitar and sing a song too at Hongdae. But I wonder if they would listen to me ^^*. Hongdae is known for its urban arts and indie music, culture, clubs and entertainments.

I want to go and explore the Gangnam district and do the Gangnam style!

From Seoul, I really would like to go to Jeju Island and do all possible activities I can. I have no words to say how beautiful Jeju Island is. It is truly a splendid and magnificent display of GOD's creations!

I also want to see personally the flowers shown in Korea Tourist Organization's Miss Flower video. I thought such wonderful fields of flowers no longer exist. I was mistaken. It still lives in the land of my dream.

(KTO Miss Flower Video Link)

There are a lot of other beautiful places in Korea but their foods are the best as well! When I went for a vacation to a metropolitan city just this May, my aunt brought me to a Korean restaurant and convenient store. It was my first time. And even if some of the tastes were foreign to me, I still ate all of it and enjoyed it a lot. I even took a picture of my first Korean ice cream.

Sadly, here in my city, there are no Korean stores. I only buy Jjampong instant noodles. It's the only available here. It would be nice to eat real Korean foods like ddukbokkie, bulgogi, bibimbap, kimchi, jjampong, kalbi, shinsollo, hanjongshik and many more!

Ddukbokkie 

 Bulgogi

 Bibimbap

Kimchi 

Jjampong

I heard Korea has lot of festivals! I hope I can attend even one. These celebrations I know are really worth watching and experiencing!

Furthermore, I started listening to Kpop and was amazed by their very unique genre. I always wanted to meet these world known artists personally and of course have a picture with them and shake their hands. I guess doing both is enough. I want to meet in person first of all, Choi Siwon, Park Yoochun, Jang Geun Suk, Ji Sung, Kim Yoo Jin, Suzy Bae, Han Ji Min, Ha Ji Won and Jun Ji Hyun. I am a real dreamer, right? I mentioned famous artists.

Choi Siwon

Ji Sung

I want to visit their entertainment agencies and if possible, I'll audition too! If I'd be given the chance, shall I audition at SM Entertainment? ^^* If I want to, I should practice a lot!

Kim Yoo Jin

Actually, I have friends from Korea who are older than me for about 10 years. One is a Korean teacher  and the other a theologian in Seoul. I also have a younger friend, DongIl from Daegu. They are so nice to me. I want to meet them personally someday.

I also want to attend a local Christian church in Korea.

I want to know more of Korea, so I strived hard in studying Hangeul by myself. My Korean is still not that fluent but I practice in writing and speaking it. I sometimes talk with my family and friends in Korean and they do not understand me. When my Aunt told me she is planning to go to Korea for a 3-day vacation this May, I asked her earnestly to bring me with her. Now, I am saving P100 or about 2714 Won every week for the trip. I sometimes cry. It has been not just an ordinary desire but now is a dream.


My only connection to knowing Korea more is ibuzzkorea.com the official website of Korea Tourism Organization. I joined a lot of their contests and blessed, won once on the Annyeong event. I won an Ipad and it really helped me in my studies. However, I still have the desire to go to Korea myself. It's wonderful to see those people who won the Touch Korea Tour Contest. They were all so happy with the experience. I know I will too someday :)

I did not notice that my heart has felt that excitement and yearning she was mentioning. It seemed as though her life isn’t that new to me. The feeling of belongingness arose. And so I feel so comfortable with her even though we just met that time. I hugged her tight and said, "FIGHTING! HWAITING! AJA!" Since dusk’s breeze is kissing us already, I need to leave and head for home. Treasuring the precious time we shared and the conversation we had, I wanted to know who she really is…I mean her name. But I noticed her writing something in a piece of paper. Hurrying for the ride, I bade her goodbye. She held my hand and put the piece of paper in my pocket. She smiled again and softly said, “Thank you so much, Madam. I feel better now.” Again, I smiled back, “You are welcome Miss. Thank you too! God bless you.” She walked back and waved her hand. “Adios! May God be with you in your journey.” I hurriedly get in the car and headed home.

Reaching home after an hour, I went to my room and took a nap. Suddenly, I hear a loud music close to my ears. I opened my eyes and noticed the present scenario. I’m in our room where I love in reality. I woke up. I hurriedly grabbed on my pocket as I remembered the piece of paper she gave me. It reads:

“You and I aren’t really different. Thank you for allowing me to give you a quick look of what you are today and where you want to be in the future. Never fear, always remember, You can do all things through Jesus Who is in you. He’s with you. He deserves all the glory.

With care,

YOU [Alyna]”

It was just a dream. That Madam and Miss are one. They’re just me.

**NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED**


You can join the contest here: http://www.ibuzzkorea.com/eng/event/awards/