Must-Buy K-Drama Merchandise & Where To Find Them

A wonderful way to look back on the past year is to recognize that countless Singaporeans were introduced to K-dramas. Loyal K-drama fans were also delighted with new shows such as the Squid Game and My Name. The circuit breaker period gave people the chance to binge-watch on these shows on various streaming platforms. Due to its growing audience, K-drama merchandise are sold everywhere!

To help you get started with your Yuletide gifts, we produced a list of the most adorable K-Drama merchandise you can purchase online.

#1: VERSATILE CANVAS TOTES

These K-Drama themed canvas totes are both functional and personal. Skip the plastic bags next time you run errands and grab one of these canvas totes instead. A Shopee store called “kfcjunjun1.sg” sells a lineup of designs including Hospital Playlist, Vincenzo, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, and True Beauty totes.

Hospital Playlist and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha totes come in a variety of designs costing as low as S$4.29. While the Vincenzo and True Beauty totes range from S$4.73 to S$5.70.

#2: CUTE MR. BUCKWHEAT (BOGLEGEL) TOY

If you are a fan of Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God), the Mr. Buckwheat toy is a recognizable item. Goblin revolves around the life of the immortal goblin Kim Shin who looks for a human bride to remove an invisible sword from his chest. Suddenly, a student named Ji Eun-Tak confesses to him that she is the chosen one.

Image Credits: facebook.com/bowmeowph (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God)

While shopping, Ji Eun-Tak points to a toy and tells the Goblin that it resembles him. They end up buying the toy to symbolize their relationship. Get the toy for S$18.90 at Lazada.

#3: CHILDISH DINO FAMILY SHIRT

Children and kids at heart can wear the matching dinosaur family tees worn by Moon-young (Seo Ye-ji), Sang-tae (Oh Jung-se), and Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun). These characters were the lead characters in the drama series “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay”. The series follows a life of an antisocial children’s book author and an employee in a psychiatric hospital.

Are you a Dino fan? Get yours for S$20 at Shopee.

#4: TRENDY PILLOW COVERS

Record breaking Squid Game is a deadly competition with hundreds of cash-strapped contestants and tempting prizes. It is one of the most popular shows on Netflix to date. If your friends and loved ones are obsessed with Squid Game, you may gift them with some printed pillow covers. All it takes is a quick browse through Lazada, and you will find countless options to choose from.

For instance, one shop sells pillow covers (45x45cm) for as low as S$1.89 per piece. The shop carries about thirty-nine designs. Snag a pillow case or two!

#5: FULLER-LOOKING LIPS

In an exclusive interview, Son Ye-jin’s glam team in “Crash Landing on You” shared the beauty products that they used for the actress. They used the ma:nyo Herbal Fresh Moist BB Cream, Jennyhouse Air Fit Artist Eyeshadow, TONYMOLY Back Stage Gel Eyeliner, and Jennyhouse Air Fit Lipstick.

Image Credits: facebook.com/115802663557977 (Korean Sunshine/Crash Landing On You)

Her lip color is naturally pink. Therefore, the glam team used the shade Monica Robe to enhance her lips. Get this shade at Shopee for S$34.18.

Note: Prices may vary due to sitewide promotions such as 11.11 events.

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5 Most Affordable Dental Clinics In Singapore

“You’re never fully dressed without a smile.” – Martin Charnin

Despite being a nerve-wrecking affair, going to the dentist on a regular basis is recommended by experts. Here is a list of the places you can visit for dental check-up, oral maintenance, and more.

#1: NTUC HEALTH DENTICARE

Formerly known as Unity Denticare, NTUC Health Denticare has a rich history of being a household name for affordable dental services. This institution is a part of the NTUC Health, Singapore’s largest healthcare cooperative, since 1971. NTUC Health Denticare has eighteen dental clinics and two mobile dental clinics. Find a branch that is most convenient for you.

Consultation costs about S$25 to S$35. While scaling and polishing costs about S$50 to S$110. Subsidies are available if you carry Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation, or CHAS cards.

Locations: 18 clinics islandwide

#2: Q & M DENTAL GROUP SINGAPORE

One of the most widespread dental brands in Singapore is Q & M Dental Group. With over seventy dental clinics across the country and a pool of more than two-hundred dentists and specialists, you will be able to find a branch near to you.

Consultation costs about S$21.40 and consultation with specialists starts costs about S$37.45. This price can go up. Scaling and polishing start from S$74.90. Thus, your total bill can be at least S$96.30. Subsidies are available if you carry Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation, or CHAS cards.

Locations: Click here

#3: PKWY DENTAL PRACTICE

The PKWY Dental Practice used to be called the Parkway Dental Practice. PKWY Dental Practice is located at the heart of Orchard. Despite being surrounded by overpriced dental clinics, it offers a friendlier price for nearby residents.

A consultation including scaling and polishing costs about S$80 to S$160. If you are a first-time client, you can avail the S$88 package that includes consultation, scaling, polishing, and x-ray.

Location: 9 Scotts Road, #12-02 Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210

#4: AZURE DENTAL

Create a pleasant and stress-free dental experience with your beloved kids at Azure Dental. It is a child-friendly dental clinic equipped with booster seats for children to sit comfortably. There is also a free all-you-can-drink coffee and tea in the waiting area. This is ideal for parents who are waiting for their children’s appointments to be over.

Consultation starts at S$32. While scaling and polishing services range from S$96 to S$160.

Location: 781 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269759

#5: SINGHEALTH AND NHG POLYCLINICS

If you are looking for a dental option for regular check-up and oral maintenance, search no further than the neighborhood polyclinic. Neighborhood polyclinics offer subsidized dental treatment and care. Both SingHealth and National Healthcare Group polyclinics have dental services, and it is easy to make an appointment online.

Consultation fees range between S$14.10 to S$27 for Singaporean citizens. Children and elderly pay S$8.25 to S$16.80. Lastly, emergency dental consultation fees are up to S$31.20 for Singaporean citizens. Children and elderly pay about S$28.20 for emergency dental consultation.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

These are the specific prices:

SingHealth
Singaporean adults: S$16 to S$28.60
Children and elderly: S$8.25 to S$14.90

NHG
Singaporean adults: S$16.50 to S$27.80
Children and elderly: S$10.60 to S$16.80

Sources: 1 & 2

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5 Affordable Counselling Options In Singapore

Counselling is the professional guidance given to an individual. The professional uses psychological methods in collecting case history data, personal interview, and testing interests or aptitudes.

Counselling is a form of talk therapy whereby an individual, a couple, or a family talk about their problems with a trained professional counsellor. Remember that your mental wellbeing is as important as your physical health. Whether you are struggling with addiction or facing the pressures at work, here are five affordable counselling options in Singapore.

#1: FAMILY LIFE SOCIETY/CATHOLIC FAMILY LIFE (CFL)

Family Life Society or Catholic Family Life (CFL) is a registered charity and a member of the National Council of Social Services. Their patron is the Catholic Archbishop of Singapore. CFL aims to provide pro-bono counselling services to anyone who requires support.

While CFL focuses on parenting and pregnancy issues, they also provide a listening ear to people who are dealing with personal and family issues.

Visit their website for more information.

#2: SINGAPORE COUNSELLING CENTRE (SCC)

Singapore Counselling Centre (SCC) offers professional counselling in different languages and dialects such as English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, Cantonese, and Hokkien. Its services are available from Monday to Sunday. The flexibility allows people who work on the weekdays to get necessary help on the weekends.

The rates vary for adults, children, youth, couples, and families. For instance, one-session is priced at S$160.60 for adults, S$160.50 for children and youth, $235.40 for couples, and S$363.80 for families. You can purchase a 10-session package to save up to 20%.

Visit their website for more information.

#3: SILVER RIBBON SINGAPORE

Do not worry about the hefty bills that come with counselling services because the Silver Ribbon Singapore offer free counselling services through video calls.

As a strong advocate for mental health, the people behind Silver Ribbon Singapore organize mental health workshops and awareness seminars. They help students, migrant workers, and psychiatric inmates to better cope with their personal struggles.

Visit their website for more information.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#4: SINGAPORE ASSOCIATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH (SAMH)

If you are uncomfortable with communicating with an actual professional counsellor through an in-person session, you may opt for a phone call or an online helpline instead. Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) has a helpline for all mental health-related issues.

SAMH has an in-person donation-based counselling session and a helpline. Counselling sessions are free to people whose finances are tight. Call 1800-283-7019 for more details.

#5: ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN FOR ACTION AND RESEARCH (AWARE)

In Singapore, Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) aids females who have been victims of sexual assault or harassment. AWARE’s female-centric programs and services are designed to help females to deal with issues such as sexuality and violence.

Services are exclusively available for women above 21, but they also accept referrals from the Sexual Assault Care Centre. These sessions can only be done on an appointment basis. Adults are charged at 1% of their monthly salary (i.e., capped at S$150). While students or people with no income are required to pay a minimum fee of S$20. Call 1800 777 5555 for more details.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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4 Wet Markets Offering Fresh and Affordable Groceries In Singapore

Just like the shopping centres and community parks, wet markets have been the glue that binds our communities together. Get the freshest and cheapest ingredients when you head down these wet markets early in the morning!

*Please note that the regulations in these wet markets are subject to changes to follow the COVID-19 restrictions. It goes without saying that your safety remains a top priority.

#1: CHINATOWN WET MARKET

The Chinatown Wet Market is one of the unique wet markets in Singapore as it stores exotic meats such as live frogs, eels, and turtles. It is situated in the iconic Chinatown Complex building. This market offers both the eccentric and familiar ingredients for your special recipes. After shopping, you can head upstairs to explore the meals sold by the food vendors. These vendors sell old-school Singaporean food like popiah, dumplings, and lor mee.

Location: Chinatown Complex, 335 Smith St., 050335

#2: TEKKA CENTRE

Tekka Centre is the largest wet market in Singapore with 284 stalls. Its wide space is home to fresh produce and dry goods for all kinds of needs. This market is haven for both food enthusiasts and fashion lovers. Nestled in the heart of Little India, the Tekka centre is a melting pot of diversity. Greet the vendors and ask for quality seafood. The centre is known for its famous Sri Lankan crabs!

Location: 665 Buffalo Rd., 210665

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#3: CHONG PANG MARKET + FOOD CENTRE

The Chong Pang Market + Food Centre has captivated both the nearby patrons and the distant customers for several years. This wet market serves quality meats and produce as early as 5 AM. Apart from shopping, you may visit this place to get a satisfying digestive experience. The dozens of food stalls serve hungry residents until late at night. Try the famous Chong Pang Nasi Lemak while you are there.

Location: 105 Yishun Ring Rd., 760105

#4: ADMIRALTY WET MARKET

Part of the newly renovated premises at the Admiralty Place Neighbourhood Centre, the Admiralty Wet Market offers fresh ingredients for your daily meals. It is a short walk away from the Admiralty MRT Station. Its newly renovated premises features improved ventilation and lighting as well as a more efficient layout to enhance your shopping experience.

Location: Block 678A Woodlands Ave. 6, 731678

Singapore’s wet market is one of the best places for bargain hunters. What are you waiting for? Roll up your sleeves and have an interesting experience with these four wet markets.

Sources: 1 & 2

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How Giant helps me cut my grocery expenditure by lowering the prices of everyday essentials!

Inflation is clearly on the horizon; prices of residential housing and car COEs have been on a consistent upward trend. Coupled with an uncertain economic outlook, tightening my purse strings and increasing my savings have been of utmost priority. As such, dining out are now considered luxuries and replaced with home-cooked meals. Moreover, eating at home is now the norm as we do our part to reduce unnecessary social interactions. These inevitably increases the proportion of my household budget spent on groceries and it is an expenditure that I now monitor like a hawk. Saving on groceries becomes even more critical with rising prices. Thankfully, I have been saving significantly by purchasing everyday essentials from Giant’s Lower Prices That Last campaign.

What Is Giant’s Lower Prices That Last campaign?

Since Sep 2020, Giant has reduced the prices of over hundreds of essentials/favourite brands to help households with their cost-of-living concerns as a result of the economic fallouts from the pandemic. Giant is commited to keeping them at everyday same low prices so that shoppers need not wait for sales nor constantly monitor for promotions. It is a long-term commitment to deliver everyday same low prices, unlike typical promotions that are often fleeting and cannot be relied upon on a long-term basis.

In an environment of rising inflation, Giant’s commitment to deliver hundreds of popular daily essentials at low prices is most welcome. Simply look out for the iconic finger heart icon to spot items under the Lower Prices That Last campaign.

Celebrating 1st year anniversary of the Lower Prices That Last campaign

In fact, Giant’s Lower Prices That Last campaign has been so enduring that it is now celebrating its 1st year anniversary with hundreds more items added! This is definitely a testament of its commitment to provide lower prices!

Here are some examples of existing products featured under the Lower Prices That Last Campaign.

Meanwhile, to celebrate the first anniversary of its Lower Prices That Last campaign, here are new products that will be featured from henceforth.

Fruit Tree Juice No Sugar Added 1L

 

$2.25
Was $2.70

Maintain good health and immunity with Fruit Tree Juice. High in antioxidant and vitamin C, the juice is power-packed with nutrients and offers various health benefits. What’s more, the juice is completely natural and has no sugar added! Refresh yourself today for only $2.25 a pack.

Yu Pin King Gold Label Light Soy Sauce 500ml

$1.00
Was $1.60

Yu Pin King is a renowned brand from Hong Kong that offers a wide range of Chinese groceries and they are known for offering good quality products at a reasonable price. You can get a bottle of their Gold Label Light Soy Sauce for just a dollar at Giant!

Perdigao Frozen Whole Chicken 1KG ($2.65, was $3.75)

$2.65
Was $3.75

In reducing food prices and the cost of cooking, Giant is bringing down the price of chicken to ensure shoppers get the most of their budget. The Perdiago Frozen Whole Chicken is now available at a super low price of $2.65 instead of the usual $3.75.

Dettol Antibacterial Body Wash Twin Pack 2X950g ($13.95, was $15.75)

$13.95
Was $15.75

Personal hygiene is ever so important, especially during this current period. The Dettol Antibacterial Body Wash is definitely a good choice to keep the germs away. It is an affordable option as well since the price of the twin pack has dropped from $15.75 to $13.95.

Huggies Gold Pants Unisex (Size M-XXL) ($18.85, was $21.95)

$18.85
Was $21.95

 

Parents rejoice! You no longer need to wait for promotions to get diapers for your baby. Prices of Huggies Gold Pants Unisex diapers will be perpetually reduced from $21.95 to $18.85 as long as they are featured under the Lower Prices That Last campaign.

Why I simply love grocery shopping at Giant

Firstly, I can satisfy my grocery requirements simply from shopping within the basket of items under Giant’s Lower Prices That Last campaign, which feature over hundreds of essentials/favourite brands. It is also reassuring to know that my hard-earned money never goes to waste because Giant’s commitment towards Freshness ensures that I always get the freshest fruits, vegetables, seafood and meats.

Everything that I need for my household are under one roof, making Giant an extremely convenient one-stop shopping place. For instance, besides fresh food products and daily necessities, I can also purchase health and beauty products, as well as home & living appliances, electronics from the decked-up general merchandise area. Lastly, my mum comes along as well and she qualifies for the 3% discount for Seniors on top of existing lower prices that last items. As she is 60 years old and older, she enjoys 3% off from Monday to Friday till 31 Dec. This is great because this Senior Citizens Special has expanded from only Tuesday weekly to every weekday per week. This provides a safe shopping environment for seniors where they can avoid the weekend crowd.

Finally, we both agree that shopping at Giant is just like meeting our extended family or neighbours as we are always welcomed with a warm and authentic service experience.

In summary, I get fresh products conveniently, delivered with a warmth and sincerity that I have grown accustomed to and most importantly, massive savings on my grocery bills. What are you waiting for? Head down to a Giant store nearest to you and check out hundreds more of your everyday essentials at lower prices!

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