GFN 98.7 FM, Gwangju and Jeollanamdo's only all English radio station, is holding a DJ contest to discover talented individuals and recruit one of them as a freelance DJ for a locally produced music program.

Please submit the application form with a demo file by January 27th. The application is available for download here. The required running time of the demo is a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 5 minutes. The demo should be produced in a radio show format.

There will be a public audition on February 4th at 1PM for those lucky individuals who pass the preliminary round.

The top five applicants will win a prize and the opportunity to become DJs or Guests at GFN. The top applicant will be hired as a freelance DJ for GFN.

What to Submit:

Preliminary Round – Send an application form (available for download here) and a demo file (in English) to gfn@gfn.or.kr. Please be sure to include your name in the files names.

Final Round – Send a resume and a personal statement to gfn@gfn@or.kr.

Evaluation:

The Preliminary Round will be based on your performance in your demo file.

The Final Round at the GFN Hall on February 4^th will be based on an interview and audition.

Schedule:

Application Period: Jan. 1^st ~ Jan. 27^th Friday

The results of the preliminary round will be announced on February 1^st.

The Final Round: Saturday, Feb. 4^th, 1PM at the GFN Hall 1F

The results of the final round will be announced on Friday, Feb. 7^th.

Prizes:

First: 1,000,000 Won, selection as a freelance DJ at GFN

Second: 500,000 Won

Third: 300,000 Won

Fourth: 200,000 Won

Fifth: 100,000 Won

※ Runner-ups will also get future chances to become DJs or Guests for GFN programming.

For more information: www.gfn.or.kr / 062)460-0991 / gfn@gfn.or.kr

For those of us surrounded by Kpop daily, it has either become a guilty pleasure or something that you consciously tune out. Of course for me it is the former.

Recently a popular online video site posted reactions of kids who were shown some Kpop for the first time. It is light and refreshing and might also totally explain what is on your mind regarding the subject.

Nonetheless, Kpop is one of the fastest growing music genres around the world raking in billions in gross annual income. The trainee system is second to none and production quality is flawless.

2012 looks like it will be an even bigger and better year for Korea as the Hallyu is in more demand than ever around the globe from Europe, South America and even deepest darkest Central Africa.

Enough about that, below watch as the kids tell it like it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd6EQ4MxTWE&feature=player_embedded

Peace,

Jdragon

PS. JDragon is one half of the dynamic Kpop duo who bring you GFN98.7 AND 93.7FM’s KPOPULAR daily. Listen on www.gfn.or.kr right after the midday news.

2011 has come and gone and it is time to reflect on the year that was and look at the top 10 songs that ruled the charts this year.

Enough talk and lets get down to the top 10 which you can also use as the perfect Kpop party playlist!

10.) miss A – Good-bye Baby http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuGGKmPF8tU

Best rookies for 2010 Miss A came back with this track which soon became a favorite.

9.) IU – Good Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbW-vthh4k0

Eternally lovable IU’s song rocketed to number one, not only in sales but also as the number 1 track to sing in the Noraebang. She is back with her cute timetraveling smash You and I.

8.) 4MEN – Once In A Lifetime http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cMAzAd_vik&feature=fvst

OST and ballad singers 4 men had a huge hit with this one and are still continuing to rule the charts with the latest song That man and That woman.

7.) SISTAR – So Cool http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzo5aTYNaak&feature=fvst

Everybody rocked it like this in 2011 getting down with this dancefloor winner. Keep them coming Sistar.

6.) 2NE1 – Ugly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUGY_KGcHNg

The only artists to have 6 successive number 1 hits this year and hit fashionista’s 2ne1 are the only group in with 2 songs in the top 10 this year.

5.) Leessang – I Turned Off the TV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCrNIBjAm_w

Massive rap and RnB collaboration Leesung returned and had everyone singing this years surprise hit I turned of the TV

4.) B2ST – On Rainy Days http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ybcWrdn5I4

Boy group Beast are off on a 21 city international concert run starting in 2012 which is sure to capture the hears of all beautiful women around the world.

3.) 2NE1 – I Am the Best http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK3H2X5vESQ&feature=fvst

Taking the best band in the world title this year 2ne1 made their mark and are here to stay.

2.) GG – I Cheated (feat. Park Bom) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQj_nL4UR2M

Oh how the wind blew this year with a quirky electro beat infused comedy sketch song that was beloved by the nation.

And the number 1 song went to Tiara who took us back to the 70’s disco dancefloor with Roly Poly.

1.) T-ARA – Roly Poly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwdjEA4r5yU

Those were the top 10 for 2012 and I am looking forward to another year of music pleasure in 2012.

PS. JDragon is one half of the dynamic Kpop duo who bring you GFN98.7 AND 93.7FM’s KPOPULAR daily. Listen on www.gfn.or.kr right after the midday news.

Carlos Vargas, from Paterson, New Jersey, has been in Gwangju since February 2009 and has been involved in community life ever since, working at Speakeasy and as the chef and bartender at Tequilaz. In his spare time, Carlos also works as an English teacher!

In March 2011, Carlos set up The Kebab Scooter, a 125cc scooter that he transformed into a mobile food cart. Since then he has been serving kebabs, hummus and falafel to the hungry masses of Gwangju at Bubble Bar on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as at the Kunsthalle’s Flea Market on the last Saturday of every month.

Carlos set up his business as a way to give more food options to foreign residents of Gwangju, although he has found that the long lines forming outside Bubble Bar for his kebabs are composed of Koreans and expats alike! Currently, the most popular items on his menu are chicken kebabs and jalapeño hummus, although with the introduction of the new pesto hummus, there may be competition for the top spot!

The Kebab Scooter has been so popular, in fact, that Carlos has now expanded his business to create Kebaburritos, a food truck serving a fusion of Turkish and Mexican food. Kebaburritos will operate in the same locations as the scooter, and will also offer lunch deliveries to the homes, schools and offices of Gwangju, as well as a hummus delivery service!

To place an order or peruse the menu, visit The Kebab Scooter or Kebaburritos on Facebook or call Carlos on 010-6872-0106

**I’m a SUPERSTAR O- K!**

Reality singing tv shows this year has turned out to be quite the crowd pleaser and money maker. Superstar K, unquestionably the biggest such contest in Korea has almost reached its pinnacle for this year.

Yes, two weeks away from crowning the new title holder. The season started of with much hype as last year’s shock winner Hoe Gak earned a great reputation and quickly nabbed number 1 spots all over the charts.

This year - they lowered the participation age as well as introduced groups as contenders and it shook up the industry and created a newer and fresher feel. There was also a couple of foreign contestants from the USA who made it into the top 10.

On Saturday October 29^th, the last soloist left in the contest was eliminated as unfortunately Christina was voted out and now it is down to three very talented and spirited groups, Two Months, Busker Busker, and Ooh Laa Laa Session.

These three have long emerged as the front runners of the contest with the soloists names barely being remembered. Last Friday saw a showdown to see who will be in the final two and also the shot of being Superstar K three.

Here is a quick rundown of the three finalists with their most popular songs

Two Months - A co-ed vocal duo who’s charm mainly rests on their cute guitar jazzy melodies and emotive singing.

Vixen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbw3hsuvhzk

Busker Busker - A trio band who features an excellent vocalist who seems to be adept to singing in any genre from rock to ballads.

Makolina

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rbr9hgIOk3w

Ooh Laa Laa Session - A fearless foursome who have taken the show by storm with their lively singing and dancing and unique fashion sense. Their lead singer is also undergoing treatment for cancer at the moment.

Bad Boy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BISTZ6gzLfw

From Jdragon

PS. JDragon is one half of the dynamic Kpop duo who bring you GFN98.7FM’s KPOPULAR daily. Listen on www.gfn.or.kr right after the midday news.