Mega fan of BTS earns up to S$1,320 writing one fanfiction story about the K-pop group

Ms Ng Kwok Ching poses with the BTS portraits she drew and her Loveholic Beauty cosmetics

Peeps who love K-pop should be familiar with BTS. The award-winning South Korean boy band has such an extensive global success that even their country’s parliament passed a new ‘BTS law’ last month.

The revamped legislation allows top K-pop stars like BTS’s oldest member, Kim Seok-jin (commonly known as Jin), to defer their military duty until they hit 30. Jin, who turned 28 on Dec 4, 2020, will now continue to thrive at what might be the peak of his career till 2022.

For some fans like Ms Ng Kwok Ching, this is fantastic news. The 19-year-old student is a super fan of BTS and famous for her literary stories depicting the seven pop stars in various make-believe contexts.

Little celebrity recognised by her readers
Wattpad writer jiminfication

Image Credits: Wattpad

A reader noticed her at her neighbourhood coffee shop while she was getting chicken rice, something she didn’t anticipate would ever occur when she wrote her first story online in 2017. 

“I was very shocked because I don’t usually mention my personal Instagram account a lot. The fact that they can remember my face is very unexpected,” she commented.

The 19-year-old student who goes by her online nickname jiminfication has acquired a community of over 77,000 readers on Wattpad, a popular social storytelling site among fantasy fiction readers and authors.

Seven stories all on BTS
BTS

Image Credits: USA Today

In her spare time as a pastime, Ms Kwok had always been engaged in writing original works. So the decision to publish BTS fantasy novels was a no-brainer. It also enabled her to cultivate her artistic talents while becoming more involved as a BTS supporter.

As of Dec 31, 2020, she has written seven stories all about BTS. Typically penned in the romance genre, BTS members are put in different hypothetical scenarios with a set of new characters developed by Ms Kwok herself.

“I think I put a lot of my personal touch into these stories,” she noted. “So when you read them, it really pulls at your heartstrings.”

Her most notable story to date is entitled Rivals. Rivals is a 50-chapter piece in which a high-performing female student, competes with another student at the school played by BTS’ Jungkook.

Ms Kwok was able to generate US$1,000 (S$1,320) from multiple sources just for this particular story. On average, she received around US$250 to US$500 (S$330 to S$660) each for her other narratives.

Starting her own cosmetics business with the money
Loveholic Beauty

Image Credits: Loveholic Beauty

She also achieved one of her childhood dreams to launch her independent makeup company with the revenue generated.

Earlier this year, she created Loveholic Beauty. Using a capital of just US$1,000 (S$1,320), she contracted vendors that sent her formulations for a few lip gloss and eye shadow items, which she tried and checked before selecting the ones she wanted to produce for her shop. She also crafted the packaging design and did all the publicity content herself.

While Loveholic Beauty has not yet made money, Ms Kwok said she intends to keep expanding the venture and her client base.

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How To Manage Your New Year Expectations

It is hard to believe the unprecedented year 2020 has come to a close. While things have certainly changed, people still develop expectations about future events. However, many people see the new year as a means to refresh a “frozen browser”. Change does not come overnight. View 2021 as a timeline for change. You will morph into the person you want to be as the days go by.

On that note, here are several tips to help you manage your life expectations.

LIFE HAS MEANING

Viktor Frankl was an Austrian Holocaust survivor, a neurologist, a psychiatrist, a philosopher and an author. He founded Logotherapy, which looks at the beauty in suffering. He believes in man’s dedicated search for meaning. Defining what matters to you can help you manage your expectations. Working at home or being trapped in your own space can make you feel helpless. It helps to adapt to the situation that you are in. Humans are incredibly resilient and challenging circumstances such as the pandemic help as foster and nurture our relationships. Focus on that.

WORK RELATIONSHIPS TAKE TIME

If you have a specific list of expectations about how your co-workers should respond or behave around you, your work relationships will suffer. I am not referring to acceptable (e.g., meeting the deadlines) and unacceptable behaviors (e.g., sexual harassment) here. Instead, you must not expect the person to behave a certain way just because you desire them to. For instance, you cannot expect your co-worker who is not a “morning person” to greet you with a cheerful high-five every morning. You will be disappointed. Accept your co-workers as they are.

STAY IN THE MOMENT

Sports Psychology highlights that the body is capable of far more than what we believe. Athletes who applied Sports Psychology to their routines have practiced visualization for success. It is good to visualize a pleasant future, but being anxious about the future can diminish your well-being. Avoid contemplating about what the future effects of the pandemic. Instead, do your best to stay in the moment. Try meditation. Mindful meditation is the process of actively and openly observing one’s physical, mental, and emotional experiences.

SET SMALL TREATS

Open your 2021 calendar and set your monthly goals. Accomplishing each goal entails getting a small treat. As many of our plans for the year have been postponed, you may allow each family member to choose a monthly treat to boost their motivation.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Year 2020 taught us that not everything goes as planned. Instead of hitching your wagon to the assumptions of the future, re-direct your mind to the present moment. It takes self-acceptance, patience, and will to manage your expectations.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

What are your financial expectations for year 2021? Be flexible enough to embrace life’s surprises!

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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A look at the timeline of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project from 2013 to 2021

An artist's impression of a KL-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) station.

What a cold and wet start to 2021. You’ve probably heard or seen from the news that Singapore and Malaysia will not proceed with the HSR project after a lapse in agreement on Dec 31, 2020. The Prime Ministers of both countries revealed in a joint statement on the first day of the new year.

“In light of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the Malaysian economy, the government of Malaysia had proposed several changes to the HSR Project. Both governments had conducted several discussions with regard to these changes and had not been able to reach an agreement. Therefore, the HSR Agreement had lapsed on Dec 31, 2020,” the leaders said.

Following the termination, Malaysia will have to compensate for costs already incurred by Singapore in delivering its obligations under the HSR Bilateral Agreement. Here’s a look at the HSR project timeline since ideation from 2013 to termination in 2021.

February 2013

At the Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and then Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak in February 2013, the public first knew of the HSR project.

In 2016
The MOU signing ceremony

Image Credits: CNA

Under the witnesses of both premiers, Singapore and Malaysia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in July 2016.

At the end of 2016, a legally binding bilateral project deal opened the way for its execution. Under the pact, the HSR’s express service would commence by Dec 31, 2026.

The agreement also asserted that the production, installation, and management of civil infrastructure and stations within their own countries would be both governments’ responsibility.

In 2017

The Land Transport Authority of Singapore (LTA) announced the establishment of a wholly-owned subsidiary – SG HSR – to execute the project and the development, ownership, funding, and maintenance of civil infrastructure in Singapore.

It will then partner its Malaysian counterpart, MyHSR, in an open international tender to mutually select the venture’s assets company and the international contractor.

The project was set to operate for eight stops over 350km: Singapore, Iskandar Puteri, Batu Pahat, Muar, Melaka, Seremban, Sepang-Putrajaya, and Kuala Lumpur. Proposed terminus stations were for Bandar Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur and Jurong East in Singapore.

For the initiative, the Singapore government acquired both Raffles Country Club and Jurong Country Club to host the HSR terminus.

May 2018
Dr Mahathir

Image Credits: CNA

In a media conference on May 28, 2020, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced that Malaysia would cancel the HSR project, saying the venture would not favour his country.

“It’s not beneficial. It’s going to cost us a huge sum of money. We’ll make no money at all from this arrangement,” Dr Mahathir said. He also commented on how the HSR project would cost Malaysia RM110 billion in an interview with the Financial Times, but would not gain a single penny for his nation.

July 2018

Roughly two months from his statement, Dr Mahathir responded by saying his government would aim to discuss the project’s postponement with Singapore. “When we looked at the financial situation of the country we thought that we couldn’t go ahead (with the HSR),” he told reporters.

“But having studied it and the implication of unilaterally discarding the contract, we decided we may have to do it at a later date, we may have to reduce the price. But (the) reduction of the price is very difficult as far as we can make out. So it has to be deferred.”

September 2018
Singapore Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan (left) and Malaysian Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali exchange documents in Putrajaya on Sep 5, 2018

Image Credits: CNA

Both countries signed a new deal to officially consent to delay development of the HSR until the end of May 2020. Under the new arrangement, the HSR’s express service would begin by Jan 1, 2031, instead of Dec 31, 2026.

By the end of January 2019, Malaysia had to pay abortive costs amounting to around S$15 million to halt the campaign.

Furthermore, according to a joint declaration by both sides on the issue, Singapore’s negotiated costs in complying with the HSR Bilateral Agreement will also be borne by Malaysia if they did not continue with the project by May 31, 2020.

May 2020

Following Dr Mahathir’s resignation as prime minister, the two countries reached a consensus to delay the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR project until the end of 2020.

Khaw Boon Wan, then Singapore’s transport minister, said that Singapore yielded to the suspension considering the context of international ties, but clarified that it would be the last extension of the suspension period.

November 2020
Malaysian Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz

Image Credits: Bernama

Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Malaysian finance minister, said the Malaysian government wanted to continue the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR project as it was likely to generate a good ripple effect on the national economy. He stated, however, that this was also contingent on ongoing negotiations with Singapore.

December 2020

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin communicated via video-conference about the action plan forward.

Shortly after, Malaysian media claimed that without Singapore’s participation, Putrajaya could pursue the project. Therefore, instead of Jurong East in Singapore, the track could end in Johor in Malaysia.

January 2021
The concept design for Malacca station along the KL-Singapore HSR

Image Credits: MyHSR

We bid farewell to the highly anticipated HSR goal that could cut down travelling time between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur by train to 90 minutes.

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Great Alternatives To New Year’s Resolutions

Research has shown that less than 10% of New Year’s resolutions were accomplished by the participants. If these people were hyped by the power of the new year, why are they likely to fail by February? The primary reason why resolutions fail is its tendency to be intangible. Moreover, it comes down to how an individual manages his or her habits.

Instead of setting the bar high for yourself, consider the great alternatives found on this list.

#1: CHOOSE A WORD TO GUIDE YOUR YEAR

Select a word at the beginning of each year and use it as inspiration to dictate your actions. It is hard to believe the unprecedented year 2020 has come to a close. While things have certainly changed, the passion in your heart remains. Visualize and manifest the world you want to live in by using these words as a guide: present, gratitude, generosity, and prosperity.

#2: MAKE A BUCKET LIST FOR THE YEAR

Instead of setting unrealistic goals, you may write a bucket list highlighting the experiences or achievements that you want to reach this 2021. Create a list that contains both lighthearted and serious items. Your list may include going camping inside the house, making a monthly budget, or serving a delicious dinner at your parents’ house.

#3: CREATE A YEARLY CHALLENGE

A yearly challenge is a concrete and realistic goal that you want to achieve within the year. Selecting one goal allows you to put all your efforts into tackling it. Here are some examples of the challenges that you may accomplish this 2021:

a. learning a new language
b. writing a book
c. getting out of debt

#4: SET A NEW GOAL EACH MONTH

Goals are more manageable when you divide it into small chunks. Perhaps January will be the month that you will dedicate to self-help books. While, February will be the month to pack your healthy lunches. You may create a 12-month calendar that outlines each of your monthly goals. Increase your motivation by rewarding yourself at the end of each month.

#5: TRACK YOUR HEALTHY HABITS

Write down three healthy habits that you accomplished per month. Having a visual cue that displays your accomplishments will motivate you to keep up the good work. Stay flexible and leave a room for healthy habits to emerge each day.

#6: DEVELOP A MANTRA

A mantra is a statement that you repeat frequently with concentration. Develop a mantra that will help you feel more empowered and positive. Rather than deciding that 2021 will be the year you will save more money, you can have a mantra stating you will only “buy what you need”. When you are shopping, remind yourself of this mantra. Repeating this in your head will help your behavior to change in time.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

The statement “new year, new me” has turned into a funny cliché nowadays. 2020 was a disappointing year. Instead of looking at 2021 as an instant re-do of your life. Look at it as a timeline for change. Change will not come overnight. You will morph into the person you want to be as the days go by.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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10 Ideal Dates Based On Your Love Language

When you find the person that truly makes you happy and fulfilled, you will take the extra effort to build a long-lasting relationship. Strengthen the foundation that you built by having date nights or weekend getaways. Make your partner feel loved and appreciated by speaking their love language.

Dr. Gary Chapman is the renowned author of the “5 Love Languages”. It highlights that there are 5 ways that we can communicate love namely through: words of affirmation, receiving gifts, quality time, acts of service, or physical touch. Here are customized and inexpensive romantic ideas suited to your love languages:

RECEIVING GIFTS

For people who are fond of receiving gifts, dedicating the day to arts or shopping can be enjoyable. Schedule a painting night where you paint each other’s canvases. Exchange these trinkets of affection as the day ends. It is not only a fun activity, but also a memorable evening shared with your partner.

Another great idea is a shopping date. Add some spice by shopping for each other. Plan a shopping trip to your partner’s favorite malls. Create some guidelines such as your budget limits and your shopping categories. From an interesting book to a unique article of clothing, choose meaningful gifts for your partner. It is synonymous to playing a game with the added benefit of making your partner feel absolutely adored.

ACTS OF SERVICE

People who speak acts of service primarily feel appreciated when their partner does important things for them such as easing the list of responsibilities they have for the day. Cooking a delicious dinner at home is perfect. It eliminates a task on their to-do list and saves them from spending money. Moreover, you are showing your partner how much you care about him or her.

Another inexpensive date idea is having an art day at home. Gather all your art materials and complete a DIY project together. Make sure you pick a project that will add value to your lives.

QUALITY TIME

It is self-explanatory – people who have quality time as their love language want a fruitful date with their loved ones. You can either have a quiet dinner out or a refreshing hike. Spend uninterrupted time with your partner and chat about your day. Make sure to make a “no phones” policy to soak in each other’s company.

Alternatively, you may hike together. A nice view at the end of your walk will be an extra bonus. The most important thing is that you gave each other an opportunity to spend more time together. Take photos!

PHYSICAL TOUCH

For some people, they indulge in kisses and hugs. It does not have to be a total PDA. Simply make your partner feel safe by sharing a quick peck on the cheek or holding each other’s hands. You cannot go wrong with a couples massage. Either hire a professional or give each other massages.

You may also go ice skating or rollerblading. Hold your partner to avoid stumbling across the ice. Your muscles might be sore afterward, but your partner will be glad.

WORDS OF AFFIRMATION

What are words when you do not mean them when you say them? Express these loving words and show them through making a scavenger hunt or exchanging love letters. Start by creating a scavenger hunt with clues that are meaningful to your relationship (e.g., where your first date was). Add compliments in the process.

Image credits: unsplash.com

Next, you may exchange love letters. Sit down and write to each other. Watch your partner’s heart melt with your sweet words. Tell your partner why she or he is the reason your life has changed.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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