( Source )

After all, even actress Oh Yoon-ah (우윤아) does, or at least according to the black text in the advertisement above.

It also proclaims that her buttocks are worthy of being described as part of a “쭉쭉빵빵” figure, so presumably the logic is that she needs the product being advertised to maintain that figure, with apologies to her buttocks for having used different methods previously.

Yet that’s based on the assumption that, in Korea too, it is a legal requirement for endorsers of products to (pretend to) have already used or be using what they’re advertising. But perhaps that would be applying too much logic here:

Compelling viewing for sure, albeit possibly designed to distract you from the fact that Applehip Korea is arguing that sitting on your ass all day will give you “apple hips” (애플힙) like those of the women in the commercial. Or to be more precise, at least two hours a day, with three uses of the massage function according to this Korean “news” article. See here and here for instructions, and all yours for a mere 330,000 won (US$281)!

Of course, by no means is South Korea the only country in the world where essentially useless exercise equipment (if this could be called that!) is sold, and the seat may well improve one’s posture. But as this Korean source (refreshingly) laments, while Korean women’s interest in their appearance is excessively high, their interest in exercise is very limited. Indeed the entire beauty, diet, and exercise industries here are predicated on a widespread belief that obtaining the perfect body is possible provided one merely buys and passively uses, applies or digests various products.

Lest that sound like exaggeration, see here and here for further examples and links to studies providing empirical evidence. Unfortunately there is currently little legislation to prevent advertisers of “health-related” products specifically continuing to make such absurd claims of their products.

On a final note, did anyone else find having a guy standing with a sign saying “Women! Apologize to your bottoms!” a little creepy? How about several of them, standing on a street with placards and a shopping cart full of apples?

(Found via: Chris in South Korea)

Update: Not really related – the buttock-dancing in the commercials is not as much of a jump for Korea as it may at first appear – but the commercials instantly reminded of these ones from Reebok that have created so much controversy in the US recently. For those of you unfamiliar with them, see the ensuing discussion here, here, and here.

(For all posts in the Korean Sociological Images series, see here)

a.s. Zondag 29 November 2009 heeft sneakershop UNKNOWN (Alkmaar) koopzondag en is dan geopend van 12:00uur tot 17:00uur!

How would you like to pump up your Black Friday buying power and give back to nonprofits in need at no extra cost to you? Well, if you do click over to GoodShop before you hit over 900 online stores, you can take advantage of stash of coupons. It only takes a few extra seconds and up to 30% of your purchases will be donated to the nonprofit of your choice. (There are over 85,000 charitable organizations registered with the site.)

Trust me, I realize that this sounds suspiciously like a scam but my dance organization, Monkeyhouse,  has worked with this site for three years. Checks really do arrive each fall and somehow they are always slightly larger than we were expecting.  In fact, Monkeyhouse just received another Goodshop donation on Monday.  I am so encouraged by this passive revenue stream that I have personally offered to match all the money that Monkeyhouse earns through GoodShop in November and December.

GoodShop has teamed up with over 180 participating shoe stores, and they have got deals for you whether you are into stilettos, sneakers, or retro roller skates. For instance, if  you got inspired by Shoetube’s recent Tess Tuesday post,

you could cut $10 off a $100 purchase and send 6.5 – 8% to your favorite school, charity, or religious organization with GoodShop.

Or, if Wendy’s romp through nostalgia reminded you to revamp your running shoes, you could save 20% if you rush to GoodShop by 11/29/09. But don’t worry if you miss out on that deal’s deadline, there are several other coupons and they will always kick back 4-8.5%  of your total to a worthy nonprofit.

Even if you have got to get golf shoes after this week’s Quick Fix, you can support your favorite cause by swinging by GoodShop beforehand.

So hop on over to GoodShop and discover how easy it is to give this holiday season.

A ansiedade da torcida Colorada para esta reta final do Brasileirão é grande. E não podia ser diferente, pois vamos em busca de mais um título nacional!

Nessa reta decisiva o apoio da torcida será fundamental, cada lance dos jogos contarão com a força que vem das arquibancadas.

E você já escolheu com qual camisa vai torcer por este título?

Escolha aqui a sua Camisa Oficial do Inter e vamos empurrar o Colorado para o título do Campeonato Brasileiro!

The AP is reporting that the legendary professional Basketball player Allen Iverson is set to announce his retirement from the N.B.A. Iverson , a former Most Valuable Player for the N.B.A. has been in the league since the 1996 season, in which he was drafted in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_Iverson

He played with the Sixers for 10 years. During his tenure he was Rookie of the Year, League MVP, 2x All-Star MVP, and led the league in scoring for four years. After his rookie season, during which he led the 76ers in points, assists and minutes, Iverson was named the 1996 NBA Rookie of the Year and was a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

The 10-time All-Star played three games this season with Memphis before taking a leave of absence to attend to personal matters. He was waived after the two sides agreed to part ways.

The New York Knicks considered signing Iverson last week after he cleared waivers, before deciding he would take too much playing time away from younger players they are trying to develop.

With no apparent interest from any other NBA teams, Allen Iverson is set to retire.

Iverson will always be credited for popularizing the streetball style move called the cross-over, and for his exciting tricky aggressive driving style of play.

He was never the tallest on the floor, just the most dangerous player that always wanted the ball.

Allen Iverson is a sho-in for the Hall of Fame, and I suspect that he can still run with the best of them, given a team that can design their plays to allow Iverson to shoot at will.

I personally enjoyed the years I got to watch him compete in the NBA, and I look forward to seeing what he does in the future.

Thanks for the 100 percent effort Allen Iverson…you were worth watching and you will be missed.

Read the full story here…

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hPZfEWbAiIKgjsNDLhC1jiVSsJZAD9C78M580

O Natal vem aí e nada melhor do que presentear seu filho com uma Camisa do Cruzeiro, não é?

Por isso a Shop Cruzeiro recomenda a Camisa Infantil do clube celeste.

Este modelo de camisa conta com as mesmas tecnologias das camisas dos jogadores, e vai oferecer o melhor de qualidade para seu filho, sem contar que ele vai poder expor para todos seus amigos a paixão pelo Cruzeiro.

Compre aqui a Camisa Infantil do Cruzeiro!

Ansioso pelo Hepta? Todos nós tricolores estamos!

Faltam apenas duas rodadas para acabar um campeonato que pode entrar para a história, e, o melhor, só dependemos de nossas forças para garantirmos o incrível Tetra-Hepta.

Neste fim de semana, já temos a chance de soltar o grito de “É Campeão!”, mas para isso vamos precisar enfrentar mais uma decisão de mexer com o coração.

Para esta reta final o apoio da torcida com certeza vai ser fundamental, pois onde for que sejam os jogos, sempre a nação tricolor estará presente empurrando nossa equipe para fazer história.

E você já escolheu a sua camisa para torcer pelo Hepta? Então confira aqui na São Paulo Mania os vários modelos de Camisas Oficiais do São Paulo para você torcer por mais um título brasileiro!

Ohhh yeah! That’s right! Hellz Bellz have collaborated with Reebok and came up with this! I love it! Studded kicks all the way. This shoe is to be released in two days…also meaning on Black Friday! These babies will only be in selected Hellz Bellz retail stores and come with two laces, black and yellow. It’s Hellz stepping stone into footwear and I do admit, they’re off on a great start! I can’t wait to get these babies! If you purchase them on their soon to drop online store you’ll get a special gift along with these precious kicks.

Here’s the skinny.

Hello everyone! Here are today’s deals delivered straight to my inbox and right here for your viewing and shopping pleasure:

Groupon’s Los Angeles Daily Deal
$12 for $25 worth of cookies, brownies, & delicious desserts at Plantine Cookies, which was named one of the 20 Best Bakeries by LA Magazine. That’s a $13 savings!

Coupon Cabin

• 50% off coupon for New York & Company: 50% off your entire online order. Expires November 30.
• 70% off coupon for Restaurant.com: Insert coupon code THANKS for 70% off your entire online order. Expires November 26 so USE IT NOW!
• 15% off coupon for JC Penney: Insert coupon code PCTHANJC for 15% off your entire online order. Expires December 31.
• 15% off coupon for Lord & Taylor: Insert coupon code THANKS for 15% off your entire online order. Expires November 30.
• 15% off coupon for 1-800-FLOWERS.com: Insert coupon code COUPONCABIN15 for 15% your entire order (some exclusions apply; see website). Expires December 31.
• Nordstroms: Free Lancome Absolue Precious Cells sample expires November 30
• Zales: $50 off a $300 purchase expires December 24
• Liz Claiborne: $20 off any purchase expires November 30
• Boston Market: $4 off a $20 purchase expires December 2
• Loehmanns: 15% off any purchase during the month of your birthday expires December 31
• PacSun: $25 Pacbucks Coupon expires December 12
• $5 off $25 coupon for Aeropostale: Insert coupon code 5GIFT for $5 off your online order of $25 or more. Expires November 30
• 20% off coupon for Alloy: Insert coupon code CCUSE20 for 20% off your entire online order. Expires December 3.
• 15% off coupon for Reebok: Insert coupon code 15CABIN for 15% off your entire online order (some exclusions apply; see website). Expires November 30.
• 20% off $100 coupon for Ann Taylor LOFT: Insert coupon code 20CABIN for 20% off your online order of $100 or more. Expires January 5.
• 20% off coupon for Gap: Insert coupon code GAP20 for 20% off your entire online order. Expires December 15.
• Wilson’s Leather: 25% off AND free shipping coupon expires December 24
• Drugstore.com: $10 off $50 coupon expires December 1

Enjoy! Save & spend wisely!