The Oh!K Review: Really OK?!

On 20 October 2014, a new Korean TV channel has landed in Singapore and that is Oh!K. Oh!K is a channel operated by Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific. Oh!K airs dramas and variety programs from MBC (or Munhwa Broadcasting Company), a TV broadcaster from South Korea. MBC was the last channel to reach Singapore after 2 other broadcasters, KBS and SBS, got their own channels.

With the addition of this new channel, Starhub now has 5 South Korean TV channels - KBS World (Ch 115), ONE TV Asia (Ch 820/823), Channel M Asia (Ch 824), KMTV (Ch 846) and the new Oh!K channel (Ch 816).

Oh!K is a free channel when customers subscribe to Basic Chinese Entertainment HD Upsize Group or other packages which contain Oh!K, including the Dynasty HD Pack, Malay Pack or Indian Pack from Starhub, catering to other races as well. Oh!K previously had its free preview on Starhub from 20 October 2014 to 11 November 2014.

Oh!K Channel Logo (Source: www.onscreenasia.com)

My review about Oh!K

In my opinion, I have been waiting for a channel which specialised in broadcasting MBC programs for a very long time, around 4 to 5 years. I was wondering why MBC took a long time? Previously, to watch MBC program, I'll have to go to the internet to watch especially Infinity Challenge or on free to air channels and other cable channels for MBC dramas. I'm not saying that it is troublesome but seriously does MBC not want to work with other operators to have their own channel outside South Korea? Finally, as I heard news about the new channel, without a second thought, it must be from MBC. And I was correct when I got more information about the new channel on the Internet and newspapers.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to watch it at home during the free preview period because unlike KBS World, ONE and Channel M Asia, it is the only channel that ONLY airs in HD (High Definition) feed, meaning if you only subscribe to basic channel packs along with a normal set top box, you cannot receive that channel (even though there's sound). That really made me disappointed as I thought I could watch all 3 broadcasters from South Korea. So, during the weekends at my Grandmother's house, I watched the free preview as they have the Hubstation HD (the black-coloured one).

During that free preview period, I was even more disappointed about the channel. I know the channel was here not a few days ago but when they are airing in HD, shouldn't they provide multi-language subtitles instead of dual-language subtitles? One thing I notice during that period was I could see English subtitles below and Chinese subtitles above it but there are not appearing simultaneously, meaning that the Chinese appeared slower than English. Some HD channels like ONE or Channel 8 will provide viewers to change subtitles so that's the reason I believe Oh!K channel would have it but unfortunately, no.

Well, other than the subtitles, the sound quality was another issue. Oh!K previously provided dual sound, Korean or Chinese. During the free preview period, it was hard to hear what they were saying when it's in Korean but when it's changed to Chinese, it became very loud that made other people awake. So from that free preview, I felt that they could really improve and benefit.

After the free preview period, I still managed to watch it at my Grandmother's house because I believe they have subscribed the HD pack. I continued to watch it during the weekends until 28 December 2014 when I finally got to watch it at home after changing the Hubstation (the silver-coloured one) to the HD Interactive Set Top Box.

Screen Capture of Oh!K Channel (Source: http://www.starhubtvanywhere.com/tvanywhere/watchchannel/816/oh-k)

The issues that I have stated during the free preview period have already resolved after I got the channel. They have multi-language subtitles since late December 2014 where audience can choose English, Chinese, Malay or even no subtitles and audience can also choose to listen in Korean audio, Chinese audio or Malay audio as well.

Now to the content. The content is much similar to ONE, with many dramas but lesser variety programs. However, the delivery of the content in Oh!K is much faster as compared to other channels.

For example, latest MBC dramas can be seen within 24 hours on Oh!K (Only applicable to Monday-Tuesday dramas) as compared to 2 weeks (4 episodes) for KBS World or a month (8 episodes) for ONE. Latest episodes of selected variety shows like Infinity Challenge, Show! Music Core and Dad, Where are you Going? (now on hiatus) can be seen on Oh!K 1 week after Korea's broadcast, which is already considered the fastest as compared to 3 weeks for KBS World or 2 weeks for ONE.

Other dramas which are still ongoing are also aired on Oh!K. Some are in original audio while the others are available in Chinese and Malay. For example, Legendary Witches which first aired in October 2014 and Rosy Lovers which also first aired in October 2014 were shown on Oh!K 2 months after Korea's broadcast.

The + points:
Faster delivery contents make the channel very unique to watch but there's also a risk where the show could stop airing due to some live events. Previously, Pride and Prejudice have stopped airing a few times due to football games and live award ceremonies.

The openings of most shows are left in which I like to see it because those are rare to see when you are watching it via the internet. It is also considered rare as ONE rarely show openings for most programs like the latest Korean dramas and variety shows.

The - points:
Many shows did not start and end at the exact timing as provided on the TV guide. As a result, when I wanted to record some programs, I may not be able to watch the whole show.

Overall, it is still worth to watch Oh!K so not just an OK rating but excellent.

Stand by Me Doraemon Movie Review

Date: 15 December 2014
Showtime: 7.40pm (Digital in Japanese)
Venue: Golden Village at Jurong Point

A true Doraemon fan should never miss out on this movie and it's true, I'm not joking!

Having seen the animation series on television for the past decade, this is really the first time I've really watched a full length Doraemon movie at the cinema. Actually, there were previous Doraemon movies shown on television especially during the public holidays but I didn't watch it full, probably because it's not to my liking and got used to the normal 6 to 8 minutes short series.

Thankfully, this movie never made me wanted to sleep or leave the cinema, I laughed instead and also felt that it was also heartwarming.

Stand by Me Doraemon tells about the beginning where Doraemon began to help Nobita after a boy named Sewashi claiming that his family is suffering from the debts Nobita made after 4 generations. Nobita's future can be re-written with the help of Doraemon's gadgets such as Anywhere Door, Memory Bread and Take-Copter. However, something has to be sacrificed where Doraemon has to go back to the 22nd century when Nobita feels happier after his future has been re-written.

Before the movie started its production, Doraemon comics have shown those scenes from Doraemon staying to help out Nobita and leaving Nobita after successfully completed his duties. To me, I had a rough idea on how the comic sequences might turn out into a movie even though in actual fact they have added some scenes here and there to make it more entertaining.

I must say as technology advances, Stand by Me Doraemon has made it in 3D, unlike what I've seen on television. All characters have a slightly different look as compared to the normal cartoon series. What surprised me the most was...Nobita's dad! I can't reveal that much but you really have to compare with the cartoon series and the movie itself. A totally unexpected look I could say. The 3D look of the setting also made a 180 degree change, see it for yourself.

The movie itself contains lots of laughs and not forgetting, sadness into it. When a thing is gained, something is sacrificed. This is the one sentence that really needs to consider in our daily lives. This movie has clearly shown it which is a plus point.

Stand by Me Doraemon was first shown in Japan in August 2014, stood at the #1 spot for 5 weeks. After that, the movie is distributed to Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong. 3 different versions are shown in Singapore, Digital in Japanese, Digital in Mandarin and 3D in Japanese. I've listened to the Mandarin-dubbed trailer and it is amazing to hear the same voices like in the normal cartoon series. Sadly, the Mandarin version only has 2 showtimes while the Japanese version has 4 or 5 showtimes so it could have been better if the number of showtimes is even but after listening to the Japanese version, the overall movie was great.

Plus points:

The movie has clearly shown what we normally see it on television, the introduction of various gadgets by Doraemon to help Nobita, at the start of the movie. Honestly speaking, without those scenes, something is really missing from the movie and who is Doraemon? A blue earless cyborg cat from the 22nd century! Obviously, he has to show such abilities! (Common sense)

Needless to say, the 3D effects are great and the characters' expressions really add a lot of points to it, totally entertaining! Wonder if budget permits, will there be another movie filming in 3D?

Minus points/Suggestions:

Not exactly minus points but not all characters really show up in that movie. Suneo's dad and mum? Shizuka's mum? Where are they? Maybe the directors are thinking that they are not important characters after all. Well, no harm to that.

Movie rating: 10 (A really must-watch movie! Watch it before 2014 ends or maybe at the start of 2015 to ring in the new year)

Will I want to Continue Watching Infinity Challenge?

2014 has been a very bad year to the world, whether be it international news, local news or entertainment news. Every incident that has happened this year was indeed shocking, disappointing and saddening.

I'm going to talk about what recently happened to my favourite Korean variety show, Infinity Challenge (IC). Yes, it's another shocking news in the entertainment industry and also disappointing the fans.

On November 8,  IC member Noh Hong-Chul was involved in a drink-driving incident while he was re-parking his car after found that his car was illegally parked. Noh was driving 20-30 meters before he was stopped by the police. He declined to perform a breathalyser test but chose to do a blood test. Although the result of the sobriety test will be released on November 17, he decided to leave his position in "Infinity Challenge" and "I Live Alone", both programs are currently showing on Munhwa Broadcasting Company (MBC) in South Korea ("Infinity Challenge" is currently airing in Singapore after years of waiting on Oh!K, a channel provided by Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific in partnership with MBC).

IC has broadcasted its 400th episode and many things happened along the way before the actual celebration and after that.

In April, due to Sewol tragedy, all South Korean variety shows, music shows and comedies were halted in respect to the tragedy. IC stopped for 2 weeks. However, while people were mourning, IC member Gil (also a member in Leessang) involved in a drink-driving incident, causing an uproar. Remaining members asked him to stay but he chose to leave his position.

What happened after that? His last episode was on April 12 (The "Speed Racer" special). Frankly speaking, I didn't watch that episode.  I "purposely" skipped that episode even though the show was back on air again and didn't know when I would really watch that episode. It's just saddening to hear that. When the show was back on air, his appearance was all edited out although a part of his body and head can be seen. He has yet to return on the show and I don't know whether the audience will forgive him if he comes back. Personally, if he comes back and has done a deep reflection, maybe I would but subsequent actions will be definitely a NO!

In October, a week before the 400th episode special, there was a broadcasting accident where the last 15 minutes of the show had no editing involved. The apology was done in a song sang by Yoo Jae-Suk on the 400th episode. The possibility could be the editors were too focused on the 400th episode and forgot about the actual show to be broadcasted that week.

In November 8, few hours before IC aired, Noh was involved in drink-driving incident, 2nd person to do so, and has withdrawn from the show.  However, there's difference between Gil and Noh in terms of the actual broadcast.

Huge editing was done to Noh when there's less than 12 hours left before the actual broadcast. As there's not much time and the show had to go on, around 5% of him was aired even though the image focused on Haha, the other member in IC and other guests. Also, because he talked a lot in that episode, his voice was remained intact while he only appeared when singers performed.  Unlike Gil, he didn't talk much and was largely edited out when there was more time focusing on editing after his withdrawal.

The rating for that November 8 show was totally unexpected. 14.7%, which was 2.2% higher than the previous episode according to TNmS in South Korea. Here's some possibilities on why the rating increased. It's just my thought about that.

1. The special was about "Saturday! Saturday! I am a Singer" special where singers from the 1990 to 1999 were invited to perform songs in order to advance to the show. It definitely brought back memories to the audience especially the Seo Tai-Ji part, therefore the increase in rating. Previously in episode 390, IC had also done a special where they invited singers from the 1990s to join in the fun. That episode garnered a 13.8% rating.

2. Noh's last episode. Fans of Noh would like to look how he was edited out from the show.

3. Noh's last episode. Audience would really want to know how he was edited out.

4. Maybe "Immortal Songs 2" and "Star King" not that interesting so many people tuned in to IC.

What's the real reason? It still yet to be uncovered.

Personal thoughts

During the "Election 2014" special, I've voted for Noh during the actual polling day in May. Shocking, right? I didn't vote for Yoo Jae-Suk even though I know it's a huge favourite. The reason why I voted for him is because I'm curious to know what will happen if he really becomes the leader, uncovering all the members' secrets.

With that incident happened, I could imagine what would have happened if he was chosen as a leader. Possible re-election or making Yoo to be the next leader if he was 2nd? That situation would be like what really happened in the political world where political members doing wrong things resulting in leaving their positions.

I felt shocked yet disappointed by the action he has done but I'm glad that he immediately withdrawn from his position knowing how the audience might feel if he had decided to stay. I really hope that he is making a deep reflection and come back as soon as possible with a brand new look.

One more thing, it's very important, PLEASE DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!

Would I want to continue watching IC?

I will and will definitely wait when all 7 members reunite. Hopefully by the 500th episode in 2016?

National Service Medical Check-Up Appointment

First of all, I would like to say that my appointment was nearly 3 weeks ago from the date of posting this entry. I've thought of posting days after the appointment but I really don't know should I post it. Read it for yourself and all I stated here are true, nothing but the truth.

Few months before the actual day, I've received a letter from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) stating that I need to book a medical check-up appointment. I went too quick that I clicked on the portal, filled in all the necessary fields such as family particulars, uniform sizes, shoe sizes and personal information etc. and book for the appointment. A step before my poly mates did.  As a result, I went there alone. I tried to change the appointment but all slots were taken up. I didn't want to call the person-in-charge so I decided to go there alone.

I've been to the hospital for a yearly check-up with professor and also for a hearing test every year.  All of the medical professionals that I've seen all these years have said to my parents, "Your son may not need to serve the National Service." I've heard that many times but for that stubborn me, I told myself it's totally impossible for me to not serve the nation. At most, they would let me to be a clerk. That kind of thinking continued to be in my head until the day of appointment.

Date: 18 September 2014
Venue: Central Manpower Base (CMPB) @ Depot Road

My appointment was 8.30am. To prevent me getting lost all the time whenever I reach a strange place, I've done homework days before the actual appointment. I reached the Redhill MRT at nearly 8am. Not a surprise to me, there were a lot of people at the bus stop and many people were waiting to board on bus service 145, the place that would lead near the destination after a few minutes walk.

When I reached CMPB, I had to go through a security check. After security check, I had to queue up to exchange my EZ-Link card for a visitor pass to enter CMPB. After the exchange, it's another security check. Well, it's a must to go through strict security checks before entering any facilities there.

I've reached the destination after a few minutes walk. As I entered, there were many people queuing up to get number slip. That's where the medical check-up began. I waited for my number to be called up to register for medical screening. As I was waiting, I looked at the 2 TV Screens located to my left and right. On the left, it was showing news and on the right, it was showing the "Every Singaporean Son" documentary. The recruits were digging the soil hours and hours, they received letters from their loved ones and cried and they wrote back with a kiss being stamped on the paper BUT! no red lipstick, obviously. It's green, you know what that green colour is. That scenario was what I saw while waiting. After that, it was time to register. By the way, the males wearing army uniforms, were they working as a clerk? I don't know as I continued to think the scope of a clerk if I was really posted there.

I've sent in all the necessary documents for them to look. All the documents were past year medical reports that I've received from the hospital. After the registration, it was time for check-up. The first station...Station 5. I went towards Station 5 and was surprised to see the letters "ENT"! What?! Are you seriously kidding me?! Sending me to ENT first was like giving me an immediate failure in academic tests. So, you already know the content of the medical reports, right? I've high-frequency hearing loss at a young age and that was due to an operation. I thought I would be sent to a special school but no, I'm receiving normal education and here I am, right now in Polytechnic.

I had to go there to accept the fate. As I entered the ENT room, there were two cubicles for two pre-enlistees to take the hearing test. My name was called after 10 minutes of waiting. Wearing my hearing aids along, I've told the person-in-charge of the station that I'm wearing hearing aids. That 1 sentence caused a traffic congestion in the room. I hogged up the cubicle for 10 minutes, on average a person only takes 2 to 3 minutes. I'm not acting in not raising up my hands even though I heard a sound. The sound was too soft that it appeared countless times in my ear. Sometimes I would raise up my hand when I heard a sound but through the earphones, I've heard, "There was no sound.". That sentence that I always hear in the hospital, it's also in CMPB. The person-in-charge also asked to stay a while more as what the medical report that I've given him was totally different from the results that I had. That's the reason why I hogged up the cubicle for a long time. Instead of asking me to go home which I initially thought, I went to the next station.

The next station was Station 4, the eyesight test. Not much of a problem, except for the fact that for the colourblind test, I've failed to name all correct numbers especially for the 2nd last number. It was totally hard that I almost wanted to ask, "Isn't that no number?". I moved on for the eyesight test. I covered my left eye with spectacles to read the last row and my right eye to read the last row backwards. That's where I received a comment, "Your eyesight is good.". I'm totally speechless.

Next up was Station 3, the X-ray station where I had to remove my top for radioactive x-ray. Nothing much to talk about. You only hear countless "Boom" in that station where the x-ray is being filmed. That's all.

Station 2 was next. I noticed that I was going backwards. The dentist checked my teeth and said a lot of things to another person. I don't know what were they talking about. I thought I could break the code but sigh.

The laboratory was the last station before entering Station 6. I took a cup with a litmus paper and went to the toilet to pee. Based on the previous incident happened 2 years ago, the volume largely decreased. A blunder happened here where I almost showed him the content instead of taking out the litmus paper.

After the test, it was the blood test. I had a blood donation a month ago and now they were going to take my blood?! Thankfully, nothing happened.

Station 6 was the next station. That's where a lot of people were waiting inside the room to get height and weight, electrocardiography (ECG), blood pressure and consultation. Again, in ECG, I had to remove my top to facilitate the procedure. Everything's fine except that I had to listen to "Boom Clap" from their radio while doing ECG. I almost wanted to move my body as the song went "Boom Clap".

It was time for consultation. One person in front of me printed the ticket by himself, only then he was asked by the counter staff about something and he gave up that paper. Then, the paper was taken by me with a waiting number "0030" and sat at the last row on the right. After sitting for a while, the counter staff asked me did I have a waiting number and I showed it to her. She told to move in front and asked the remaining pre-enlistees to sit at the last row on the right. The seats were filled up on the left. That's when the lady told everyone that the seats on the left are for the pre-enlistees who do not have any medical history and for the right, yes, medical history was involved. No waiting number is needed for the people on the left and that's the reason why the person in front gave up the number to me.

0030 was up at room 1. I went in there and received consultation from the doctor. I was told to remove the top and pants. There was one part of the consultation where I was about to remove the pants and showed him the "balls", I mistakenly heard that he was asking "Did you receive any operation?" instead of missing out the last 3 words "on your "balls"?"  I initially answered I received operation at upper body. After that, I changed my answer after I heard him asking the same question. Still, I showed him everything where I had operations on.

Initially, I saw on his computer screen, it was a PES D for hearing. PES D was considered as a question mark as it requires you to have consultations at the hospital before receiving the actual PES status based on the results that they have gotten. BUT! After looking at my medical reports and typed a lot of things, I got my PES status and that result was totally out of my expectation. I thought I would have to serve as a clerk.

I received a notice from the counter and went home. What's missing from other pre-enlistees? Station 7 where a vocation assessment is done and photograph taking.  I didn't get a chance to do the test but based on what I've heard and read, it made people went bonkers. Well, maybe not, some people said it's too easy for them.

That's where I realised why I was given that result. If MINDEF enlisted me, it would disrupt the whole procedure in the army for the 2 years even as a clerk. That reason I would accept, it's very logical. That's also where I don't know should I post this entry to share. It may sound like I'm faking myself to not go into National Service but with the documents I have given to them, I've admitted defeat. The professors and doctors were right. Why didn't I believe in them?

Sadly, I can't serve the nation but still I have to move on with my own life. Instead of serving the nation, I would serve the bond for 2 years, similar to National Service. It's the same after all.

I went for lunch after 90 minutes of check-up. Hopefully, it's not a record.

Epilogue:

I took the bus back for lunch but didn't notice that there is a loop for that bus service. As a result, the bus went one big round and passed by CMPB again. I was fooled by the loop again.