Etude House Soon Jung Hydro Barrier Cream and Golden Child Bomin Endorsement Photocards Review

Golden Child's Bomin has really built a name for himself with his various individual schedules and endorsements. I blogged a bit about Bomin's individual merch here, but I've added to my collection since then so I figured I'd make a quick post. I won't actually be blogging about the skincare product itself, but rather on the packaging and photocards.

Bomin has been an endorser for Korean beauty brand Etude House. In a previous post linked above, I blogged about Bomin standees that were included as freebies from purchasing the various versions of the Play Color Eyes Hersey's Kisses Brush Kit. There are specific other skincare products that also include 2 Bomin photocards.

I didn't really have any interest in any skincare moments, but this one really caught my eye and is applicable for the bonus 2 Bomin photocards via Ktown4u. From Etude's Soon Jung line, this is their Hydro Barrier Cream that comes in a cute milk carton packaging.

Information and instructions are printed in both English and Korean. You can open the packaging on this backside.

Opening the flap reveals two samples, along with the jar of cream.

The hydro barrier cream comes in a minimalist plastic jar, and the pH5.5 Relief Toner and 10-Free Moist Emulsion samples come in plastic bottles.

And here are the 2 Bomin photocards! I like how the photocards are a set instead of a random inclusion. These photocards have a glossy finish. 

The backsides of the photocards have Etude's logo.

Here is my updated mini Bomin collection! Included are the Ateen 2 Photo Essay Book and Peripera lip tint, My Dahlia fabric perfumes, and Etude House standees and photocards.

Overall, I'm so happy for Bomin and how he's been branching out in various fields! I'm excited to see what else is in store for Bomin!

Golden Child Bomin Drama and Endorsement Merchandise Collection [Ateen 2, Peripera, My Dahlia, Etude House]

Golden Child's maknae on top Choi Bomin has already built quite the resume at his young age. From acting in dramas to endorsing clothing and beauty brands to MCing, he continues to shine in whatever field he tries! Starting with acting in web drama "Ateen 2" in April 2019, endorsements and fan meetings with the main cast followed, along with merchandise and beauty products centered around that drama. Additional individual endorsement partnerships continued, and I'm happy to have been able to collect a few along the way.

Here I'll be showing my various Bomin goods and endorsements, specifically:

• Ateen 2: Photo Essay Book and Peripera Ink Matte Blur
• My Dahlia: Fabric Perfume
• Etude House: Hershey's Kisses Play Color Eyes Brush Kit and Standees

I don't have an unboxing review for the endorsement products since I don't actually use them and wouldn't be able to provide much. I previously reviewed the Ateen 2 Photo Essay Book which I'll provide the link later on, and here I'll also be going more in depth into the Etude House standees.

Ateen 2

At a time where there wasn't much Golden Child merchandise, I really wanted the Ateen 2 Photo Essay Book. And I thought a Korean book with Bomin would help me to practice my reading. I'm really grateful to have been able to find this book. I have an unboxing review of this book here.

Here is a closeup of the packaging and lip tint. It's interesting how Bomin's character here has an ear piericing; throughout the drama I was scared if he'd end up getting a piercing or not. There's also a profile on Bomin's character, whose English name is Zoo-Ha and includes birth date, blood type, astrological sign, and a school subject he enjoys.

My Dahlia

Bomin was an endorsement model for perfume brand My Dahlia in 2019, but it's a bit mysterious what happened with this partnership because one day the brand's Instagram removed any mentioning of Bomin...but anyways, he modeled this series of fabric perfumes, which can be found at Olive & Young. His sticker is taped onto the exterior packaging, and there is a different image per flavor. I'm really grateful to have been in Seoul for Golden Child's Future And Past concert and to have found these at Olive & Young^^

I was considering doing a review on these, but the lids are sealed off with another sticker (not of Bomin) and I didn't want to ruin it, and it's not like I would use these sprays anyways because I like to preserve. Regardless, I have these displayed on my shelf^^

Etude House

Bomin's latest partnership is with Etude House! By purchasing a Play Color Eyes Hershey's Kisses Brush Kit, a mini Bomin standee is included. The A version comes with the Milk Chocolate set, the B version comes with the Almond Chocolate set, and the C version comes with the Special Dark set. The C version standee is exclusive to Ktown4u. There is also another version standee that is given when purchased directly from Etude House Korea. I was able to find someone selling the A and C standees, and I bought the Version B set from Ktown4u. I don't really use makeup but I'm a sucker for cute packaging, so I'm happy to have just one of these Hershey's Kisses sets. I won't be doing an unboxing review of the set though.

The standees are made of sturdy foam and are packaged really well inside a rectangular foam board. Each standee also comes with 2 bases; the smaller base is about 1.75" in diameter (when measured from the straight edge, not the point), and the bigger base is about 2" in diameter.

The color of the base is different based on the version. The standee is about 8.5" tall with the base.

The foam is super high quality and thick, at 0.125" in width. The finish even feels like a ceramic tile, it's so smooth and polished and sturdy. To assemble the standee, I suggest not putting the base all the way up to Bomin's feet, or else it'll be rocky. The foot sticks into the base really well and feels very stable (so again I don't suggest sticking the base all the way up to the feet, because it's hard to bring back down because it's so tight).

These standees are so adorable and I'm really grateful to have them as part of my greater Golden Child collection. I can't wait to see what else Bomin's partnership with Etude holds, as well as Bomin's future projects!

[IFNT COLL] My Infinite Collection Introduction

Infinite means the world to me as they've helped me become a better version of myself. Not only that, I'm so grateful to Inspirits for helping me grow as well. Recently I had an application essay with the topic What is your best community? and I instinctively wrote about how the Inspirit community has given me so much strength and how I always want to give back to the fandom. I hope that my blog posts have helped Inspirits and the broader audience with better understanding Infinite merchandise and Korean merchandise in general. Now I'll begin a series of posts to reveal my entire Infinite collection that also compiles my unboxing reviews of those items.

I have been collecting since March 2013 and am really proud of this collection, though of course it's not complete and I'm missing quite a few of the more recent releases due to the many versions being released. Everything is official and was purchased new except for BTD Type B (black) and Over The Top.

To begin, I store majority of my Infinite merchandise on my shelves here. The bottom shelf is all Infinite stuff, from right to left: drama OSTs, mini albums, singles, full length albums, repackaged albums, Japanese releases, photo essay books, Japanese DVDs, Korean DVDs, and Reality limited edition at the end. The shelf above on the left contains collection card binders, Season's Greetings boxes, IDEA photobook, and She's Back limited album. I'm running out of room so there are some items sadly not on display.

I display some of my Infinite memorabilia on these shelves. I put random items on here, like L'aile's goods, fansite fans, concert merchandise, calendars, T-money cards, and endorsement goods. You can also see the L's Bravo Viewtiful Part 2 poster on the left - many of my posters are framed and lying against my walls. I'll figure out how to show those later.

As you can see, my displays are quite messy. Once I finish this series of posts, I hope to reorganize my room and properly display my Infinite merchandise. Then, I would like to post my Inspirit room tour to properly show my displays.

I have been wanting to post about my Infinite collection for quite some time but still haven't figured out an efficient way to organize everything. I'll try my best and break up my collection into separate, detailed posts:

∞ Infinite Korean Albums
∞ Infinite Japanese Albums
∞ Infinite Solo/Sub-Unit/Project Albums
∞ Infinite Other Albums

∞ Infinite DVDs

∞ Infinite Miscellaneous Official Goods

∞ Infinite Events Merchandise

∞ Infinite Collaboration and Endorsement Merchandise

∞ Infinite Magazine Features

∞ Drama Merchandise

I will provide links to the above posts as I finish them and will continue to update these posts as I collect more items. I'll also place all of these posts under the label "My Infinite Collection." Additionally, in each post I will provide links to my unboxing reviews of each item pictured, hyperlinked to (∞).

I'm really excited to be doing this extensive (and hopefully photo-heavy) blogging because I seldom take the time to look at every item I have. I hope you enjoy these posts as much as I do creating them and please ask if you have questions about anything.

How I Store Kpop Goods (Photocards, Clear Files, etc.)

Part of what I love about Kpop is the additional goodies that Kpop album include, such as photocards and postcards. After getting into Kpop, I fell in love with collecting random memorabilia besides photocards and postcards, such as mini posters, A4 clear files, as well as fansite goods. I started collecting stuff like this about two years ago, and it wasn't until last year that I figured out a decent way to store these types of things. Here I'll be writing about how I store my Kpop goods. I mostly collect Infinite memorabilia, so I'll relate this post mostly to Infinite's merchandise (and somehow they managed to be mostly of Myungsoo).

So many Kpop albums now don't just include a standard sized photocard, but they're getting more creative and they're getting to be postcard sized and even A4 sized. I didn't want to just leave my photocards in the albums, so I decided to buy art portfolio books in several dimensions, to best fit my various sized cards. My smallest dimension one is for 4" x 6" postcards, which contains 60 sleeves. I bought this, which is actually just for postcards and not specifically to hold art, for $2 at Daiso, a Japanese $2 store, but sadly I haven't seen this product for a year or so now.

I use this one to store all my small photocards, as well as my 4" x 6" postcards (above); the small photocards can slide around a bit in their sleeves since they're so small, but the postcards fit so well. In this sleeve is one of the bookmarks from my You're Beautiful OST album; many of the paper goods from albums will fit in this size.

You can see that many of photocards fit in this book, including the typical trading card sized photocards like Infinite H's, 4" x 6" postcards like from Infinite's New Challenge and from Myungsoo's endorsement for Shara Shara, and Infinite's Natuur Pop postcard set.

My remaining three are official art portfolio books, that I bought at my university bookstore in the art section. I bought them all from the brand Itoya, and they all have 24 sleeves and are more expensive for much fewer sleeves, at about $10 to $20 each.

The smallest book I have of the art portfolio books is 5" x 7" (above), which is perfect for postcards slightly larger than the 4" x 6" postcards. This size is perfect for Infinite's Destiny postcards and the postcard set from the drama My Lovely Girl.

The next size up that I bought was 8.5" x 11" (above), which is also A4 sized or regular printer paper sized. I have a set of IU and Infinite bromide mini posters that are just slightly shorter than A4, and fit perfectly in this book. This is also perfect for A4 photocards, like Infinite's She's Back photocard on the bottom right, or cards just a bit larger than the standard postcard size, like Infinite's Be Back on the left.

And lastly, I have an 11" x 14" book (above). I have several A4 clear files, which are meant to store A4 sized paper, meaning that the clear file itself has to be larger than A4. The top is from Infinite's Rally 1 in 2013; the one of the left is the folder containing all the files. The bottom ones are clear files from Infinite's That Summer Concert 2.The clear files (and the folders they came in) are a bit smaller than the full dimensions of this book, so they slide around a bit if I'm flipping through them quickly, but this is the best I could do.

Also the mini poster included in Infinite's IDEA Photobook are just slightly taller than A4, so I had to put it in this book as well. On the left is the backside of one of Infinite's Natuur Pop endorsement clear files.

And of course the next size up would probably be my posters, but for those I just frame them up and display them on my walls or sadly roll them up into a poster tube.

Some people would rather store photocards in binders like collecting trading cards, but that seems too complicated for me and I'd be too inclined to collect every photocard from each album to complete the sets. Also because photocards come in so many dimensions, it'd seem too difficult to find sleeves tailored for each one. I've settled on my method with these art portfolio books, but I just recently ran out of room in my 4" x 6" book and have photocards waiting to be put in sleeves...maybe I will try the binder method some day, just for the smaller photocards, and have the larger cards in these books. The only downfall about the way I organize my cards, however, is if I get a new photocard and have to change the order of my cards, since the sleeves can't be moved like binder sleeves.

Infinite Pepsi Scratch Ticket

The Pepsi Pep Concert on November 15th, 2014 had performances by Infinite, Beast, Apink and Girl's Day. To get free tickets, I think throughout the month of September you had to buy an Infinite Pack at fast food chain restaurant Lotteria (they're roughly $10, which is so expensive for a fast food restaurant!), and the meal pack would come with a booklet with a scratch card. I went onto the Pepsi Concert website (http://www.pepsievent.co.kr) and I think you can also get tickets through convenient stores as well, but it was kind of confusing. Anyways, because I'm not clear about this process at all, I'll just reveal that booklet that my friend gave me!

There are seven different Pepsi lottery tickets, one per Infinite member. My friend got only two Hoya cards, so she gave me one! Wow, blond hair Hoya from the Last Romeo era!

Here is some information about the lottery.

Here's a page of all the members! I didn't know all the members would be included in each booklet, so I'm so happy about this. Also it looks like there was a page that was torn to the right, so I don't know what that is...

I think this back page shows the prizes one could receive through this lottery. (It says 700 people for the concert and 100 people for the speakers, but on the website I think there are a total of 5000 people who can win each of these prizes).

It must be nice being able to receive all these free Infinite goodies from endorsements! If I lived in Seoul, I'd probably gain so much weight buying all these Infinite Packs and just trying to collect all the members' tickets.

Infinite's L Shara Shara Endorsement Product Reviews

On my trip to Korea, I was able to attain some Shara Shara goodies for myself after visiting several locations and many failed attempts to get anything with Myungsoo on it for a reasonable price.

The older goodies are the two face mask sheets. They are the same product, but with a different image on the front. The backside even says that this is the mask that "perfect guy L recommends," but of course I could never use it!

The postcard on the left is also from the older promotion. The worker was nice enough to put my postcard in a protective plastic bag! The right postcard is from the latest promotions. It reminds me of the Infinite's Kimi Ga Ireba II normal version, the water photoshoot!

I also received a poster, which came very protected and rolled up. The poster is very glossy and thick, yet it's also fragile like card stock, so it was really easy to bend the edges when I was unrolling it. The image is the same as the postcard.

I also received a fan with an image from the same photoshoot, advertising for some product.

And lastly, I received this gorgeous shopping bag! It contains the photos from the older photoshoot. I love the white one so much; the feathers are just amazing.

During the last few days of my stay in Seoul, Shara Shara also had new mini standees as freebies, but I somehow resisted the urge.

Infinite Elite Endorsement Product Reviews

Infinite endorses Elite school uniforms, and with that they've released quite a few endorsement products. However, I really don't know how you can get these goodies (I heard it's not as easy as buying their uniforms...?) besides going to the secondary market. Anyways, I still managed to get them, so here's my unboxing.

IU & Infinite Mini Bromide Set

This set comes in a shiny red envelope. It is conveniently sealed with a resealable sticker.

There are a total of eight posters, one of IU and one for each member of Infinite. On each poster is a close up photo, a full body image (most images of which are the same as my Elite poster), a printed autograph and a QR code that all links to the same Elite page on Naver with a video of each person. These posters are quite small, just 8.25 inches by 10.25 inches, and the backside is white. The order it came in is from left to right, top to bottom.

Infinite We ❤ Fit Comic Book and Catalog

This is a mini comic book and uniform catalog in one, starring Infinite and Juniel. It's 5.875 inches by 8.25 inches and there are 22 pages.

Some of the pages are advertisements for the various uniform fits that Elite offers, like the top photo (lol to Myungsoo in the corner). Other pages are the comic book portion, but I couldn't really follow along...

I'm so happy to have these Elite products! I hope Infinite continues to endorse them in the future.

Infinite Natuur Pop Endorsement Product Reviews

For the few months that Infinite endorsed Natuur Pop, they released exclusive products like beach balls, hand mirrors, and more, and I was finally to attain a few!

Postcard Set

There are two different versions of these postcard sets: this one and a close-up one. There are seven photos in a set, and they come in a plastic pouch with a sliding plastic zipper on top. The postcards are super snug inside the pouch, so it was really hard to take them out, even after I ripped out the zipper.

Here is the order that the postcards come in, from top to bottom, left to right. Each card is about 4.0625 inches by 5.75 inches. I love the chic pastel outfits and romantic offerings, reminiscent of the "Man in Love" Japanese music video!

Here is a close up of Hoya's card. Included in the corner is his printed autograph.

 The backside has a grid pattern, the cute postage Natuur Pop logo, and their social media info.

Folder

Natuur Pop also released three types of A4 folders, with bright and loud outfits that they wore for the CF, definitely contrasting with the postcards.

The backside has matching colorful patterns.

Infinite doesn't endorse Natuur Pop anymore, so it's getting more difficult to find these (besides paying ridiculous prices on eBay). I hope Infinite will endorse more brands soon!

Korean Beauty Brand: Shara Shara

Shara Shara is a Korean cosmetic brand that is fairly new (within the past few years) and has several locations in Seoul, mainly in Myungdong.  This brand is very girly, with its hot pink crown logo and slogan being "the romantic lounge for ladies."  Shara Shara seems more childish than competitors like Etude House and Holika Holika, because of its trademark cartoon girl figures (you'll know what I mean if you visit a store).  I, myself, have never been to Shara Shara, but would have definitely felt embarrassed stepping inside.  During the end of the summer, Shara Shara announced L as its latest and sole endorser.  I've honestly never heard of Shara Shara, so if it weren't for L, I would have never known about this brand.

I sent my mom on a mission while she was in Seoul: to go to Shara Shara and make a big enough purchase to get me all the L freebies. Honestly, Shara Shara is so smart to have L as their latest endorser; because of L, I'm buying so many Shara products without even caring about what they are.  Above are the freebies my mom received.

I received two hot pink pens with two padded, girly cartoon heads at the ends.  This is an example of the childish aspect of the brand. The backs of the heads say the brand and its slogan.

I also received a small pack of moist towelettes that, according to the back, can be used anywhere on the go.

And here is the one freebie I truly wanted the most: the doll!  There are two versions of the L doll, the other with him sweetly holding out a bouquet of flowers.  The doll is about 7.5 inches tall and comes with a base to stand it up.

I always keep L on my messy desk, near my One Great Step ticket and merchandise!

I didn't expect to receive a poster, which is such a nice surprise!  Sadly, the workers don't care about L like I do, and therefore the poster was mistreated with lots of bends and creases. The poster is highly glossy and has a printed signature of L, along with the message "Be Mine Shara Shara" in Korean.  I love how L looks so fresh and innocent in the doll form but so hot in the poster.  He looks so edgy and irresistible with that hairstyle and jacket, yet so adorable sucking on that colorful lollipop!  I just don't know what to make of this cuteness.

And lastly, here is the box of cotton pads.  L looks so dashing in his pink suit (it reminds me of Koi Ni Ochiru Toki promotions back in June!). On the side it says how the pads are super soft.

Here are the other two sides of the box.  L looks like such a precious angel in white with those feathers in his hair!  The other side explains more about the pads.  This box is so special to me, so of course I'll never open it!

On many of Shara's products, including the bottom of the cotton pad box, there's a QR code that sends you to this page:

This QR code is to guarantee that the product you purchased is, indeed, an official product of Shara Shara. I've never seen something like this for beauty products, which I thought was interesting, especially since this isn't even a high end brand prone to having others create counterfeits.

I now have a few of their products, so I'll be reviewing them soon.  Hopefully I'll like Shara's products as much as I love their freebies!