
News
220321 – fromis_9 Lee Saerom, ‘Eastern Philosophy Essay’ [Star’s Book]
In 2019, an average adult only read six books per year. Me, too, only read one book in two months. Thus, stars become book curators, recommend books, and act as a medium to incite the public’s desire to read. If you go to a curated bookstore, usually you can find out more about your book preference. Likewise, through this ‘Star’s Book’ corner, I hope you will have fun and know more about your tastes and interests through the curation of stars.
Today’s Curator: Singer Lee Saerom (fromis_9)
Lee Saerom is the captain of fromis_9, a nine-member girl group formed through the Mnet survival audition program “Idol School.” She made her first pre-debut stage on 29 November 2017, at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) in Yokohama, Japan, and made her official debut on 24 January 2018.
Graduated from the Musical Theatre Department at Hanlim Multi Art School and Department of Broadcasting & Entertainment at Dongduk Women’s University, she went through a trainee period for four years and seven months at various agencies and dance academies, giving her solid dance skills and charms. In her team, she leads fromis_9 in a warm style by acting as a leader that carefully pays attention to details and takes care of things that others are likely to miss. In addition, she appeared on several broadcasts even before her debut due to her resemblance with actress Han Chae-Young. She was also cast in the drama ‘Ad Genius Lee Tae-Baek’ (2013), playing the role of young Han Chae-Young (Go Ah-Ri).
Today’s Book: ‘Eastern Philosophy Essay’ | Authors Gyo-Bin Kim and Hyeon-Gu Kim | Illustration by Bu-Rok Lee | Dongnyok Publishers
‘Eastern Philosophy Essay’ is?
‘Eastern Philosophy Essay’, first published in 1993, is still loved by many even years later. The first volume introduces the main ideas of Confucius, Mencius, Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, Xunzi, Feizi, and other relatively less known ‘Hundred Schools of Thought’, which are deeply embedded into our consciousness and daily life but are unfamiliar to us in some way.
It explains the socio-historical background in which an idea was born, how the person who played a central role in it lived their life, and the core arguments of the idea and the meaning it carries at that time. At the same time, it also points out the limitations and contradictions of those ideas from today’s perspective to avoid biased opinions. In addition, this book talks about the differences and similarities of each idea, comparing Confucius with Mencius, Confucius with Lao Tzu, Lao Tzu with Chuang Tzu, Xunzi with Feizi, and through this, the readers will eventually find out what those ideas are trying to say.
Why do you recommend ‘Eastern Philosophy Essay’?
“I suddenly remembered a book titled ‘Reading The Analects Happily’ that I encountered when I was 20 years old. That was the first time I felt my thoughts were awakened while reading a book, and thanks to that memory, I ended up finding ‘Eastern Philosophy Essay’ that easily explained the main ideas of Confucius and other ‘Hundred Schools of Thought’ philosophers. I liked the fact that I could read it in my own judgment and thought since that there are no sugar-coating or narrow-minded ideas and interpretations. I think it’s a book that could help people who are not interested in philosophy to learn and help them have a philosophy of their own.”
Today’s Highlight:
The highest form of goodness is like water.
Water knows how to benefit all things without striving with them.
It stays in places loathed by all men.
Therefore, it comes near the Tao.
Chapter 8 of ‘Tao Te Ching’ by Lao Tzu
“While reading books, I often think and relate to them with my real-life concerns. As someone who promotes in a group, I share my life with many friends, both public and private. Since I am the captain, that sentence brought me a lot of thoughts when I had concerns about where I should position myself and tried not to be swept away by various events and emotions.”
“When I deeply look at the meaning of ‘Goodness’ and the ‘Tao’ mentioned by Lao Tzu, in which ‘Tao’ is represented with ‘Water’, it brought me back to my original nature as a human being with nothing, and I took some time to reflect upon my humble self. A sacrifice without any compensation, a sentence born from one’s desire to live as someone who sacrifices themselves to bring great benefit to others. I hope that many people can gain enlightenment by reading and reflecting on it together.”
Lee Saerom’s review in one sentence:
“If you work hard to become a thinker in this era with philosophy, the world will become a better place.”
220323 – Jiwon Has Tested Positive for COVID-19
“Hello.
This is PLEDIS Entertainment.
We would like to provide you with some information on fromis_9 member Park Jiwon being diagnosed with COVID-19 as well as adjustments in her activities.
Park Jiwon was tested positive on the self-test kit on Wednesday afternoon, March 23. She promptly took a rapid antigen test and was confirmed with COVID-19. She is currently not exhibiting symptoms other than mild cough and is administering self-treatment at home.
Song Hayoung, Roh Jisun, Lee Nagyung, the members that have come into contact with Park Jiwon, were all tested negative on self-test kits on Wednesday, the 23rd and are not exhibiting any extraordinary symptoms.
Therefore, it would be difficult for Park Jiwon to take part in fromis_9’s activities for a while. We will provide you with updates on her activity resumption.
We will continue to provide support for the rapid recovery of Park Jiwon, placing our highest priority on the health and safety of our artists. We will also continue to fully cooperate with the requests and guidelines of healthcare authorities.
Thank you.”
220327 – Hayoung and Nagyung Have Tested Positive for COVID-19
“Hello.
This is PLEDIS Entertainment.
We would like to provide you with some information on fromis_9 members Song Hayoung and Lee Nagyung being diagnosed with COVID-19 as well as adjustments in their activities.
Song Hayoung was tested positive on a self-test she took on the evening of Saturday, March 26. She promptly took a rapid antigen test and was confirmed with COVID-19. She is currently not exhibiting symptoms other than a mild fever and is administering self-treatment at home.
Lee Nagyung was tested positive on a rapid antigen test she took and was confirmed with COVID-19 on the morning of Sunday, March 27. She is also not exhibiting any symptoms other than a sore throat and is administering self-treatment at home.
Roh Jisun, the member who had come into contact with Song Hayoung, was tested negative on a self-test she proactively took on Saturday, the 26th and is not exhibiting any extraordinary symptoms.
Therefore, it would be difficult for Song Hayoung and Lee Nagyung to take part in fromis_9’s activities for a while. We will provide you with updates on their activity resumption.
We will continue to provide support for the rapid recovery of Song Hayoung and Lee Nagyung, placing our highest priority on the health and safety of our artists. We will also continue to fully cooperate with the requests and guidelines of healthcare authorities.
Thank you.”
Interviews
220324 – Special Midnight Guest Interview [S Cawaii! Magazine]
Official YouTube
CHANNEL_9
220324 – CHANNEL_9 EP.25 Defeat Song Hayoung! 1 VS 8🏆
fromisoda
220321 – fromisoda #46
Official Instagram
It was a very happy birthday, flover💜
Pictures that I found while browsing through my album🥰
#Jiwon
For this week too, cheer up☘️
#Seoyeon
Translation:
🖤
#Chaeyoung
You got new nails done, chaengrang?
Chaeyoung’s Reply|Translation:
I just got it done..💕I’m touched, rosieline💕
My loves❤️
Thanks to flovers who create an unforgettable day for me every year, this year too I had the happiest and warmest birthday.
With all the congratulations and love, today I feel very grateful and it became a day where I especially miss my loves even more.
Before blowing the birthday candles, I always think of our flovers and say my wishes and it feels like my wishes come true so I’m very happy! Let us be together for a very long time 🙂
Today’s weather that’s filled with the sunshine of March was as warm as a spring day just like flovers’ hearts.
I have to end this perfect day by thinking of our flovers! Thank you for being with me on my 25th birthday. I love you so much☘️🐰🌼
Instagram Story Translation:
‘Still Love Me?’
Individual Instagram
Saerom
Source: Saerom’s Instagram
Jiwon
Source: Jiwon’s Instagram
Jisun
Source: Jisun’s Instagram
Seoyeon
Source: Seoyeon’s Instagram
Chaeyoung
Source: Chaeyoung’s Instagram
Weverse
Weverse Media Updates
Source: fromis_9’s Weverse
Join Weverse to read all of fromis_9’s posts of the week
Official TikTok
220321 – 😆Run that back
220323 – 😏On Wesnesday we dance
220325 – 😵Don’t turn around!
MISC
Variety
220322 – Saerom and Gyuri at Seoul Fashion Week [MYDAILY]
220322 – Hayoung “Still Love Me?” MV Teaser [Shofar Entertainment]
220323 – Hayoung “Still Love Me?” Vertical Preview Ver. [Facebook]

220324 – Hayoung “Still Love Me?” MV [Shofar Entertainment]
220324 – Hayoung “Still Love Me?” Vertical Live Ver. [Facebook]

220325 – Hayoung “Still Love Me?” Vertical Lyric Video Ver. [Facebook]

220324 – Super Junior’s Idol vs Idol Ep.1 [KNTV]
220325 – Super Idol League Season 43 Ep. 3 [Huya TV]
220326 – Wendy’s YoungStreet [SBS PowerFM]
Photos & Short Clips
Misc Photo Updates of the Week
This Week’s Upcoming Schedule
220331 – CHANNEL_9 EP.26 – 9 PM KST
220331 – Super Junior’s Idol vs Idol Ep. 2 – 10:30 PM KST
220401 – FANVATAR 10-second Fairy Moment – 6:30 PM KST
Contributors: Brad, Bruno and JJ
Editor: Mitch
Special thanks to fromisubs, fiq, Aaron and Folt for the translations.
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This Recap is also available on Reddit.