It cannot be helped. I love Wayne Lai (黎耀祥). He's been plastered all over Hong Kong since last year's successful run of Rosy Business (巾幗梟雄), selling everything from groceries to cleaner to (gasp) fitness memberships. There is nothing to say except he's a truly awesome actor. And fit as hell. Mmm-mmm.
Say what you want, Greyson Chance is pretty awesome. I love his songs, all 2 of them. Here is a recent performance from Ellen. It's his new tune, Waiting Outside the Lines. A little unpolished - vocally he could be stronger in some parts, but it's a kid banging on a piano and debuting a new song on a national tv show. I was doing nothing productive at that age, or this one.
Holy shit fuck. Thank you, Charlene Choi! Look at William Chan now! Okay, so maybe this wasn't all her doing, but Mr. Choi has undergone quite the transformation. Maybe it all started with the Rexona deodorant ad he shot some month's back. Shit's powerful. Whatever the prime mover, William Chan is now steps away from becoming a K-Pop star. Exhibit A: video. Now this is one of those shitty TVB jobs, i.e. it's not the real video but some cheap Tseung Kwan O substitute b/c TVB won't show the real one. But it's still, shall we say...fierce? Boy wonder's got some moves, and some muscles. Singing voice, not so much, but keep at it, kid. We'll see if this portends a brighter future.
巾幗梟雄之義海豪情 (No Regrets): I'm up to episode 19. Episode 21 aired tonight, and I believe we're in the home stretch. Yawn. The first few episodes were fitting of an anniversary series; of course Spare Rib Boy's (Ngo Kanin) acting was tops. But the second half of the show has veered into numbing anti-Japanese war propaganda. Things that bother me: Fala Chen - sorry, boys, but I just don't see the appeal; Spare Rib Boy - he doesn't bother me but his lack of screen time does, though he seems to be making a comeback in the final week; crazy Japanese guffawing and other obnoxious caricatures - it's too easy and simplistic. This latter point is my main complaint for the last 2 weeks' episodes. I don't mean that this historical period has been overdone. Rather, the static, black and white portrayal of good Chinese folks under the oppressive, and slightly buffoonish, Japanese needs a paint job. There is a slight makeover in the forms of Lau Sing and Gau Mui; both are interesting characters who have firm loyalties but not always steady ways of showing it. And let's credit actors Wayne Lai and Sheren Tang for another round of brilliant performances. But their effort is too often drowned out by background noise. Nancy Wu and Evergreen Mak are both strong in this series, but Ms. Wu especially needs to turn the decibel level down a notch. Lau Sing's housemates similarly need to cut the histrionics, but then, it wouldn't be a TVB series without. Overall, it's been a fair run and I think the pace is picking up a bit as we near the end, but I feel that finishing up this series has become a chore. I watch it because I must, not because I want to.
刑警 (Gun Metal Grey): Meanwhile, the 9:30p slot is no chore at all. I'm even watching it on the teevee instead of waiting until it's uploaded on TVB.com the next day. Much more exciting than the Bowie police procedural I just finished. The story itself is interesting, but I think what I really enjoy is the acting. I don't think I've ever seen an entire Michael Miu show and I never watched anything with Felix Wong (I know, I need to catch up on my 80s shows). I've only recently become a fan of Nancy Wu after seeing her in the original 巾幗梟雄 (Rosy Business) and her love match in this show is played by Vincent Wong, who I'd never heard of. Alas, all are spectacular, all reign in the overacting. Incidentally, it's Jessica Hsuan, who I usually like, who's a non-factor in this series. Mostly I object to her non-role, which is to be the female catch all. When things need to be explained to the audience or when a stupid character's stupid actions are necessary to move the story forward, they call on Ms. Hsuan. In any case, tonight's episode was Felix Wong's character's turning point. He killed a suspect then lied about it. It's all downhill from here for him. But let's hope the show doesn't go the same way.
I kind of shat my pants earlier because I finally made the connection between the new movie about Bruce Lee and one Aarif Lee - the latter plays the former. A few weeks ago I saw parts of Echoes of the Rainbow and while was not left overly impressed by Mr. Lee the Younger, I still thought he did Hong Kong proud. Anyway, according to the font of knowledge, Wikipedia, he graduated with a degree in physics. Um, beat that, anyone else in the HK entertainment industry.
So if you're in Hong Kong lately, you've seen a lot of adverts for a new movie simply titled 李小龍 or Bruce Lee, My Brother. FYI, this coming November 27 is the 70th anniversary of his birth and the city is flipping ecstatic. At least the Hong Kong Film Archive has a whole day marathon - which would be awesome if I didn't have to work. It's screening some of his early work, as in when he 10 years old kind of early. Anyway, I thought they found an actor who at least resembled Mr. Lee the Elder, no easy task, for the movie.The bus adverts have a better profile than the movie poster pictured above. For some reason I thought they had 'scored' a TVB actor. Common sense should have told me this was impossible, for any number of reasons. Poked around a bit and basically was shocked and awed to find out the skinny, sensitive Aarif Lee, who is the type of guy my mom (or I) would want me to bring home if he was 7 years older, will be playing the Bruce Man. Yeah, I admit it, it's the abs. Watch the trailer below, and someone's been working out. And I'm not that, that shallow. MC Jin's in it, an old favorite, and it doesn't look ridiculous.
I can't for the life of me fathom why The Life of Pi is so popular. I've been working on this book for the last 2 months and can't make it past 5 pages without falling asleep. This post is an attempt to wake myself up, not that talking about a boring book is a great remedy. This is almost 400 pages mostly of a boy and a lion trapped on a boat in the Pacific Ocean. Ang Lee is supposedly directing a film version. I'll leave it up to him because right now my brain is seriously half mush.
Doing a little bit of housekeeping and found some images on my desk. Yes, a bit old but still worth sharing.
Exhibit A - allkpop generating controversy by claiming that Taeyang's summer album release performed below expectations. Countered by stubborn facts, such as Solar's iTunes ranking. How many Korean artists have debuted near the top of the RnB chart, sans promotions? Oh, none. Can't hold us down, haters.
Exhibit B -allkpop readers showing Taeyang some love. Yup!
Despite a lot of TVB misses lately, I can't help but falling in love with Lam Fung every damn time I see his perfect face. He was my first TVB crush (味美情緣 or Taste of Love) back in 2002. I've stayed faithful!
All I have to say about this is that Junsu should be in YG. His voice is lightyears ahead of the rest of 2PM. Leave the dark side of K-Pop, Junsu!!
It's rare to find Junsu solos. The closest it comes are his duets with Jay Park which, as much as I love Jay (or his abs), he ain't no Junsu. Here is an unadultered solo.
Not less than 3 hours ago, I declared my support for Ngo Kanin for Best Supporting Actor. Looks like I'm not the only one. Apple Daily interviewed him and revealed that netizens are in love with Spare Rib Boy's snot. (Explanation: His character - Spare Rib Boy - was falsely accused of murdering a gangster's son, so he nearly got a bullet in the brain. Spare Rib Boy freaked out, started crying, and probably pissed his pants.)
J. Reyez f Chris Jackson on 'Little Miss Innocent'. Okay, making up for several months of delinquent blogging by going on a posting spree, and avoiding some work. This track is...going on my iPod. Listen, download, subscribe. It's been a good 2010 for Asian music.
I am looooving Jason Chen right now. He just popped a Chinese cover for the youtube crowd. It's David Tao's 天天. If you're not familiar with Jason Chen, get familiar. I listen to a shitload of youtube artists, and this guy ain't playing. Currently rotating on the iPod is his cover of Far*East Movement's 'Rocketeer' with J. Reyez, who would be amazing even if he didn't do a massive hit cover of Taeyang's 'Wedding Dress'. Check out Jason Chen's latest and subscribe.
No fan of either JYP Entertainment or SM Entertainment, the dueling K-Pop powerhouses that beam up Wonder Girls and SNSD, respectively. But if I'm taking sides, why does this new SNSD concept seem so familiar? Oh yes, because Wonder Girls already owns the retro style.
Yes, back in my TVB form. This is my spiritual television home. The Beeb is probably where I exist in reality, and the combined US networks are my careless flings. But ahh, TVB......so here is the song I've listened to most lately. Ron Ng sings the themesong for 巾幗梟雄 (Rosy Business) called 紅蝴蝶 (Red Butterfly).
I'm burning my eyeballs on a TVB binge. Currently watching 讀心神探 (Every Move You Make) only because it's slightly more interesting than most of the other offerings of late. I'm not particularly a Bowie fan, but he has a respectable record when it comes to appearing in shows that do not suck, quite an accomplishment these days.
What I really want to talk about, however, is the anniversary series. The sequel to last year's hit 巾幗梟雄 (Rosy Business) - 巾幗梟雄之義海豪情 (No Regrets) - started last Monday. In the buildup, I decided to watch the original since it was all over the place in early 2009. Meanwhile, I was still one hot mess back then and missed the whole affair. But I do remember that much of the city was arrested by this show. I was walking home when the last episode aired and saw quite a few folks gathered around a sushi restaurant's outdoor tv screen. Naturally, I played along like I knew what was going on and caught some of the show. In any case, I now have 25 glorious episodes waiting for me, and in about a week, I've gotten through 20. Not bad considering all the work I've been bringing home plus catching up on 讀心神探 and rushing through 3-4 BBC shows.
So far I've only seen 2 full episodes of 巾幗梟雄之義海豪情 but that was enough to convince me to blog about one 敖嘉年 (Ngo Kanin). And let's go ahead and establish that I've crushed on him since 隨時候命 (Always Ready) when he played Charmain's moody brother. 巾幗梟雄 propelled him to substantial fame in Hong Kong though, and he was rewarded Most Improved Actor for his role as a total bastard in that show. Kanin definitely made a bitch of a villain, but I absolutely love his overly polite, good boy characters; his Yau Bong in 胭脂水粉 (The Charm Beneath) was syrupy sweet. I'm happy to say that he returns to form in 巾幗梟雄之義海豪情. Kanin plays 唐吉 (Tong Kat), or 排骨仔 (Pai Gwut Zai/Spare Ribs Boy), a country bumpkin who loves his granny and goes to the big city to become a police officer. The kid is so, so innocent and thus gets picked on by everyone. The real treasure though is Kanin, who captures scrawny little Pai Gwut perfectly. And this post is mainly to say that he better win the Best Supporting Actor Award this year. He is a-mazing.
Ian McKellen rails against the bright young things of today's (British) theatrical scene. The Guardian counters. In his rebuttal, Michael Billington notes the "shining young talent" lighting up the stages. Who does he single out? Dominic Cooper, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and yes, my dearest Samuel Barnett. Spot on. It's been awhile since I posted, well, anything, but especially about Mr. Barnett. But I just finished up series two of Beautiful People and once again, the young man astounds. He only appears at the beginning and end of each episode, but each appearance is so savory. Yes, savory. However, it looks like we'll just have to wait for that talent to percolate.
Yes, Taeyang's album came out today and I am excited beyond words, which is why I'm going to write about something else. Many people have been anticipating Solar, but probably the major headline in the last day and a half is Park Yong Ha's suicide. I hadn't seen his shows or movies or listened to his music so when I first heard the news, I only had a generic sense of sadness. By all accounts, he seemed like a popular actor who earned the admiration of fans first through his acting and then his music. When I saw his picture, I thought he looked familiar but couldn't place him because I knew he wasn't in the one Korean movie I've seen. Then I realized he took part in the Lotte Duty Free advert and song with Big Bang, Rain, and Song Seung Hun. When I first came across this video a month or so ago, I remember thinking that Park Yong Ha (I didn't know his name at the time) had a unique, soothing voice that kind of matched his boyish face. But now, no more. Life, people are sometimes like that; just flashes of brilliance, of tenderness, of joy, of hope that bloom and fade.
(Park Yong Ha appears 2nd and is wearing a blue shirt.)
Alright, I feel compelled to write something about Taeyang's upcoming album, Solar (not to be confused with my favorite Hong Kong band Soler). Really though, it's not an easy thing as Taeyang and his music defy words. But it's 4 days remaining and we have been teased left and right - and I-just-can't-take-it-anymore!!
So, thoughts first on the track listing. There are 13 for the deluxe edition, I believe 11 for the regular one, and a total of 9 new tracks. Wedding Dress and Where U At appear on both albums, and Look Only At Me and Prayer are bonus tracks of the deluxe set. Excluding these, Taeyang contributed to 3 songs. YG standbys Teddy and Kush also contribute as does YB's bestie, G-Dragon. Additional writers, composers, and producers appear as well, so it'll be interesting to hear the diversity but also the unique Taeyang sound that pulls the album together.
On to the music...for some reason, YG thought it was a good idea to give the fangirls a mini-heart attack for the week leading up to Solar's release on July 1 by unleashing 1+ minute snippets everyday.
[Track 1] Intro - Taeyang's "just got a question for y'all. ARE YOU READY FOR SOLAR?" Honey, do you even need to ask? He strips it down in this intro (no, he does not strip down) and teases with only a drum line and a few scattered sound effects. The result is something completely fresh and deliberately evocative of a late spring or summer dawn. Just you, the birdies, and Taeyang.
[Track 2] Superstar - This song opens with an almost sporting arena drumbeat, like our boy Taeyang is getting ready to go a few rounds - which matches the lyrics, or the English parts that I understand. He's telling a girl to get with him and to give him her love because, after all, she's his superstar. It's not aggressive but supremely confident. Interesting because one wonders if this matches his approach to dating, though if his interviews are any indication, he's nowhere near this forward.
[Track 4] Just a Feeling - So how awesome are Taeyang's songwriting skills? VERY. This collaborative effort (with the ubiquitous Teddy) has a steady dance beat but is not overrun with electronica. Producer Teddy is starting to lay off on all that interference and delivers a controlled song that let's Taeyang's voice do the leading. "It's just a feeling..." but I think this album is going to kill. Yeah, all the k-pop kiddies better be scared.
[Track 5] You're My - "You're my chocolate, my sweetest chocolate. I really wanna have you.....You're my ice cream, my sweetest ice cream. I really wanna have you....." Right. Not the coolest lyrics, but maybe the Korean parts are awesome! But random food references aside, this is a super mellow track, perfect for displaying Taeyang's sweet, soulful voice. Just a few sparse piano strains and Mr. Dong to the Yongbae. It's not something you'll put on when making out with your other half, but it's perfect if he's lying next to you, caressing your face as you slowly drift to sleep...wishing he was Taeyang.
Update: So it seems that I like every K-Pop cover of SNSD's Gee better than the original. Or at least there are 2 that I prefer. New boy band Infinite (check out their wicked dance skills in Come Back Again) is making quite an entrance and earn points by paying homage to 'classics', including Wonder Girls' Tell Me.
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Loving Super Junior's cover of Gee. Yes, the original by SNSD is infectious - but wholly irritating. Slow down the beat, subtract the pastel shorts and obnoxious 'cutie' faces, and the song suddenly becomes quite enjoyable!
So the long awaited oral defense for my masters thesis will be tomorrow. In less than 24 hours, the carnage will be complete. If I don't pass, I might just ship myself off to South Korea in a crate. At least then I can be a failure surrounded by awesome pop music. In the meantime, I'm trying to draw on some inspiration from a few hard working lads......Alas, my examination board does not look like this, in which case I'd be ecstatic about my oral.
So a month or so ago, I noted a certain Hidetoshi Nakata's collaboration with Calvin Klein. It was a very, um, revealing statement on the upcoming World Cup. Well, now Nakata's gotten his fellow countrymen to join in, though this time the photoshoot isn't with a famous undies brand. But don't despair, it's posh Dunhill that has hooked up Team Japan with some sweet threads. Result below. Unfortunately I can't find a massive copy, but this assault of finely suited men should nevertheless get you - if you are a heterosexual woman - geared up for some World Cup action!
Big Bang has been spoiling us recently with the sudden release of their Tell Me Goodbye MV and their appearance and sweep at the MTV Japan VMAs. They dropped their latest single release today. The Tell Me Goodbye CD features the title track, a remix, and third song, Hands Up. I wasn't too hot on it when they first sang it at the VMAs, but I'm giving it a fresh listen without the static of screaming girls - and I looooove it! It's bouncy and infectious, which means haters will hate. It has a club feel but isn't overpowered by electronica. There's still enough space for Daesung and Youngbae to lay down their smooth vocals with room enough for li'l Seungri and the big bad rappers, G-Dragon and T.O.P., to do their thing. Hands Up is just what we need to kick off the summer!
Alas, I cannot quit being a fangirl. I think I was born a fangirl and will most definitely die one. Anyway, tonight was the MTV Japan Video Music Awards...starring Big BANG! (Vanness Wu was also nominated.) Details out of the way - Big Bang was nominated for 2 awards (Best Pop Video - Koe Ki Kasete and Best Newcomer - Gara Gara Go!) and won both. G-Dragon also won for his collaboration with W-inds. Did anyone doubt that these boys wouldn't sweep?
Now, the sprinkles on top of the cherry on top of the icing. An interview, in Japanese, taken from what appears to be the Coca-Cola room. [snark]
G-Dragon acting a total goof with the Tell Me Goodbye CD.
Youngbae saying '4 years, 5 years' and sounding like a perfect little American-born Korean.
T.O.P. looking confused, constipated, or pissed because he's in a obnoxiously sponsored interview room.
Youngbae, again, giving the sponsors exactly what they want - a Coke-filled moment of ecstasy.
A few months ago, I commented on Christina Ricci's resemblance to Mrs. Toby Stephens, or, more commonly, Anna Louise-Plowman. Well, with the Wonder Girls making a very brief return to Korea to plug their latest hit 2 Different Tears, we've been seeing them all over the teevee. And once again, I'm getting visions of Ms. Ricci, this time in the form of Wonder Girl Sunye. The pictures don't quite capture the look, but if you watch her hosting this week's Music Core with fellow Wonder Yubin, you'll see Christina Ricci's long lost Korean cousin.
Damn, Rain. He's rocking out to his latest, Hip Song, in some classic threads, 'normal clothes' as one commenter exclaimed. Shirt's a little tight there, but I ain't complaining.
Going to a Gershwin concert tomorrow. Surprise, I do have slightly more sophisticated musical tastes. A video to get prepped. This is one of my favorite pieces of cinema from the last decade.
Just caught an interesting post over at iBigbang, a fansite that I admittedly check multiple times a day. They're asking readers what they think of the many World Cup songs being unleashed by K-Pop idol groups in preparation for the upcoming tournament. The results of an online survey are posted and you can check out the stats (Big Bang comes in at #2 for male groups).
Meanwhile, after seeing release notices for non-Big Bang World Cup songs for weeks, and ignoring them for weeks, I finally gave all the groups a listen. Here's what I think......
T-Ara/We Are the One - It's an appropriate blend of 'I heart Korea' shirts, pom poms, and actual soccer balls. Plus they throw in a lot of international flags in order to please K-Pop fans near and far, or because the World Cup is a massive global sporting event. In any case, this is a cheerful song with plenty of 'ole's to get you into a celebratory mood. Probably as close as a girl group can get to the spirit of these raucous games without compromising their cutesy image. Thumbs up!
Kara/We're With You - What is going on here? Do they even know that the World Cup is a massive soccer tournament? These ladies look like they popped out of a bubble gum factory. The song is typical K-Pop fare with plenty of fluorescent pastels and amply short skirts, but watching the video, you'd have no idea it was Kara's World Cup entry. I can't comment on the lyrics because I'm lazy and haven't looked up the English translation, but zero points for a festive World Cup-y atmosphere. And for the record, Goo Hara looks like an android.
After School/Dreams Again! - The video itself is a bit dull, unless you are an After School fan, in which case it's awesome! It's basically a no budget, behind-the-scenes MV with the added bonus of demonstrating to the world that these ladies look fucking gorgeous even in floppy red t-shirts. As for the song, it almost has an ethereal quality, though I'm not sure if that's the music or them. You're probably not going to jump out of your seat and run down the street draped in a Korean flag when you hear this song, but it will leave you feeling proud of your team, if your team is Korea.
4Minute+Brown Eyed Girls/Once More, Korea! - So this song is what you get when you combine the Village People, Pet Shop Boys, and two hot Korean girl groups. 4Minute and Brown Eyed Girls give Go West a Korean makeover, and it works surprisingly well. Then again, anything by the Village People qualifies as a stadium hit. It has double the energy and is repetitive enough to get fans clapping and bouncing their heads; the rapping also gives the song a bit of a funk factor. It helps if you understand Korean though otherwise you'll be thinking about soccer while going west.
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Super Junior/Victory - Face painting, bullhorns, flags, banners, cheerleaders, flying toilet paper - what more do you want in a World Cup video? The boys even manage to sneak in some Sorry, Sorry. It's all a bit cheeky, but they look and sound like they're having a bloody good time, and their persistent shouts of 'Victory, victory, Korea' are pretty infectious. Even makes me want to cheer for Korea!
2PM/What's Your Celebration - Cheerful punk is how I'm going to try to describe this one. It's different from the usual 2PM fare, which will either thrill or disappoint, and you'll probably want to bounce up and down more than pop and lock. The boys also throw in some anthem moments that do a good job of generating that energetic soccer match atmosphere.
2AM/No. 1 - The question everyone's asking - why are they autotuned? Alas, some things in life are meant to remain a mystery. The song and video have definitely grown on me, thanks especially to goofball Jo Kwon. It's really soothing and in that way is similar to the group's other songs. But I'm not sure soothing is what you want when it comes to the World Cup. It feels more like a consolation song, something to calm the fans when their team gets knocked out (not saying Korea needs this though America sure does). I also think this is the South Korean entry on the official World Cup album
Big Bang+Queen Yuna+Trans Fixion/Shouts of Reds - Well.....do I need to say anything? Everything these guys touch turns to gold, especially true because they've enlisted Olympic gold medalist Kim Yuna, who, for the record, sings better than everyone in EEG. I'll explain it this way. My university has one of the most storied college football programs in America, and the Friday before every home football game, we all barreled into the arena for a huge pep rally. It was this euphoric chaos - students painted and adorned with our colors and mascot, alumni cheering like our football program was actually good again, and general fans going nuts because everyone around them was going nuts. Never mind that our program sucked; that kernel of hope inside every sports fan kept inflating as the night went on. For me, that's what I want in a World Cup song, something with equal parts of spontaneity, exuberance, and madness so that I can cheer with pride. This song captures all of that and is just what I need to get ready for World Cup fever!
Chinese knock off alert: Mr. and Mrs. Smith + The Incredibles = Mr. and Mrs. Incredible. The new film directed by Vincent Kok and produced by Peter Chan was unveiled at Cannes and immediately bought by international distributors.
The new Korean War movie 71-Into the Fire will be released soon. It tells the story of 71 student soldiers from South Korea who defended a school against hundreds of North Koreans. I believe there's an anti-war vibe (though not completely sure on this), which is highly appropriate considering the current situation between the two Koreas over the sinking of the Cheonan in late March. That news deserves a separate, more serious post, forthcoming, but the MV for the soundtrack allows for some appropriate reflection on the whole matter. Although promotions have been pasted across Big Bang boards for months, I haven't gotten overly excited about the film. After all, T.O.P., who stars in this movie, isn't my favorite - though I still love the man. But this MV has singularly improved my already good impression of him. Without saying a word, he packs so much emotion into 4 minutes. While he usually shoots sex bombs from those famous eyes, here he manages to bring the innocence, fear, courage, and devastation of a young solider at war. If you're not moved, kindly oil your tin heart.
A couple weeks ago, Sisters of Pearl premiered and slightly boosted the sagging 8:30p TVB power hour. Okay, not really, though I think the show is still more interesting than In the Eye of the Beholder and Suspects in Love, combined. I've been half keeping up but lost interest these last few episodes. Everyone has a malicious plan stretching decades back, generally striking a wooden stake through the heart of believability. Don't be surprised if the pet dog is holding a grudge. Meanwhile in the 9:30p slot, Ada Choi and company are rocking steady with Fly with Me, which I haven't seen. The show is ending this week though which means TVB gets to try again for that elusive 2010 super hit. The latest contender is The Mysteries of Love (談情說案) starring Raymond Lam Fung, a man I don't mind spending every weeknight with. The story's a little suspect, starting with the fact that Lam Fung is supposed to be a genius physics professor at City U. Um, clearly the writers and casting department have never attended a college physics class. Unbelievable character development aside, there will be love, forensics, explosions, and Kenneth Ma Gok Ming. Also not the biggest Kenneth Ma fan, but he won't quit our TV screens these days so I think it's just best to accept his presence (and focus on his costars).
I don't know why I haven't posted this before, but a few months back, comedian Joe Wong was a guest at the Radio and Television Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C. He turned in a pretty sharp performance and while he didn't go Colbert - slightly more difficult considering the administration, he still delivered some uncomfortable moments, albeit for the right side of the aisle.
Amongst the newer crop of comedians, he's one of my favorites because he generally refrains from the frat boy humor currently in vogue. He also capitalizes on his Chinese and immigrant experience in ways that no one else can. Considering the difficulties in transitioning from Chinese humor (which largely avoids the sarcasm and bite of American comedy) and in grasping enough of the language and culture to actually be funny, this guy's a true talent.
(Jesse Jackson and Bill O'Reilly tablemates? Interesting dinner conversation.)
Get ready for......Gallants! This new movie has an old school feel with some old school actors, but since I'm not well versed on the Hong Kong glory days of yore, I really don't know what the hell this film's about. Perhaps the real locals will have a better idea. In the meantime, here's a trailer, and yes, MC Jin continues his assault on Hong Kong. He's invaded the interviewer's couch with Big Boys Club, the Jade Solid Gold mike, every ridiculous TVB game and variety show, and of course, you can't drink a box of lemon tea without humming his hit track ABC. Go Gallants! Go Jin!
Heaven will either be filled with angels and fluffy marshmallow clouds - or copious amounts of pop music and entertainment. I'm kind of aching for the latter now, though there is the whole issue of getting to heaven. In any case, there have been a series of interviews with the men of Big Bang - and yes, their latest video clearly requires them to be characterized as such. Retrospectives on G-Dragon, Daesung, and most recently Seungri have been read and re-read, and re-read again. But at long last, it's dear Youngbae's turn! I can't wait for this 10 part series to come out. Check out any of the BB fan sites to get the latest. I recommend Always Taeyang this time around - because if you're going to spazz about the TY, you might as well spazz with someone even crazier than you.
A special news section......YouTube celebrates its 5th birthday! Big Bang fans celebrated by storming the site to watch their latest MV Tell Me Goodbye. Supposedly, the average visitor only spends 15 minutes a day on this site; clearly I am not the average visitor. And that is why this news merits added attention. Without YouTube...well, I clearly would be a lot more productive. Anyway, check out their birthday channel with guest appearances by YouTube stars over the years. I also just watched Conan O'Brien's contribution which included 5 of his favorite videos. Funny haha.
The Wonder Girls' Nobody is being flogged, tarred, and feathered to death here in Hong Kong, perhaps because of the Chinese release of their CD a couple months ago which includes a Mandarin version of the song. I've been riding the anti-wave a bit while waiting for them to produce another Nobody-sized hit so I kind of missed this release a couple days ago. Their new song 2 Different Tears isn't as infectious but it has a subtle disco vibe that has me bobbing my head as I write. The video's a colorful mix of 70s and 80s nostalgia, plus Bobby Lee saturated in varying shades of glitter. The whole retro look fits the Wonder Girls well, and I like it so much better than the underage schoolgirl look of other girl groups (ahem, SNSD). Hopefully they can find ways to keep it fresh thus extended their American shelf life.
There are 2 versions. Posted is the Korean, click for the English.
[Fangirl squeal.] This MV dropped very unexpectedly today, and the ladies are beside themselves. No teaser, no hints, just *boom* - hotness. YG knows how to make a statement. Kids of K-Pop, step aside.
No disrespect to all the other boy groups reigning in K-Popdom, but really, I can't see any other group pulling off this video. Maybe they can get the individual elements - the period, the suits, the color, the story, but the sum sexiness cannot be equaled.
G-Dragon waxing lyrical in the rain + Taeyang channeling 1930s smooth + Daesung rocking the fedora + T.O.P. playing old school gangsta + maknae Seungri palming a revolver = unearthly hotness
There are groups that have better choreography or more collective muscle mass, but none have the musical and stylistic diversity of these boys men. They can do hip hop (V.I.P.), punk (Oh My Friend), R&B (A Fool's Only Tears), alt-rock (This Love), ballads (Let Me Hear Your Voice), and pure pop (Lollipop 2); they sing in Korean, Japanese, and English; they look fi-ine whether they're sporting funky skinny jeans and high tops, street wear, suits, or...nothing. Criticize them for autotuning the hell out of their music, but that's a plague on all the houses of K-Pop. As this video shows, they don't need no stinkin' autotune. Just give them a solid track and they will lay waste to the competition without busting a single synchronized move or showing any skin. I mean, ovaries are popping out of control (allkpop, Soompi, Big Bang Updates) despite the fact that these guys are just standing around for most of the video bundled up in suits and gloves. Now that's hot.
If you keep up with internet memes, you will probably have heard about Greyson Chance, a kid from Oklahoma who cannonballed all other Paparazzi covers with a performance at some school assembly. He appeared on Ellen Degeneres' show after Perez Hilton got ahold of the YouTube video and took a call from the Divine Miss Gaga. Turns out the kid composes his own shit, and it is fan-fucking-tastic. What was I doing at 13? Not being this awesome, that's for sure.
Here is an original entitled Broken Hearts. You might be wondering what the hell this kid knows about broken hearts, but he's getting inspiration somewhere.
Alas, a gritty Gordon Brown didn't do the trick. (Actually an April Fool's Day poster. And they forgot the comma. How common.) Good thing there was a wellspring of euphoria from the 2008 election that has basically buoyed liberals in every political confrontation from America to the UK since then. All I'm going to say about that right now, since it's 6:30a and I haven't slept, is that Nick Clegg ought to be satisfied with himself.
I'm fiercely loyal to the YG Family and Big Bang will always be number 1 in my fangirl heart, but what can I say......2PM does the job while BB's on hiatus. They don't have the personality of my favorite Korean boys, but they do sport enough 6 packs to send me into a stupor.
Catch their latest performance on M! Countdown before it's pulled from the internet. Poor Junsu's got a bum knee so he can only stand there looking like a hard ass, which he does proper well. Meanwhile, poor Nichkuhn is still sporting that awful bronzy mop. It looks like a high school science teacher's leftover toupee.
This is a couple months old but no less newsworthy. I tell you, these Asians want to excel at everything. It's not enough to be math and science and piano prodigies. Now these little runts are turning to pen spinning. Is there any field Asians won't try to conquer? This story is so McDull - Hong Kong's favorite underachieving piglet. We can't all be doctors and lawyers and engineers, but dammit, we can at least try to be the best damn pen spinner this side of the harbor.
Robert Mugabe wants to send an ark of animals to Dear Leader. Definitely can't make up this kind of crazy.
(Women) marrying men 7-9 years younger could find their life expectancy decline. Of course this doesn't take into account that if my husband is Taeyang, that is so damn worth it.
A reporter for The Guardian suggests that what South Africa really needs is an IKEA. Um...yes, nothing like cheap, mass produced furniture in neon colors to get your country on the right track.
Nepali butler inherits some pricey Manhattan property.
The Navy's new policy allowing women aboard submarines troubles current and former servicemen, who clearly don't see the irony when speaking about the camaraderie that includes 'man hugs and bottom pats'.
Who would've thought li'l William Chan, EEG's latest boy wonder and occasional co-host of Big Boys Club, was hiding a 6 pack (look closely)? At least he's trying. The bigger question is why are he and Sherman Chung spraying their chest and nether regions? Answer - they smell. That's right, this is the way Hong Kong pushes deodorant, and Rexona have enlisted the two to blast their bodies with freshness. Mmmm, smells like teen spirit!
Right, to all 1.5 people who sometimes read my blog, I have a mission --> VOTE FOR RAIN! The adorable Bi - that is, adorably ripped - is nominated for an MTV movie award this year. He's up against Angelina Jolie, Channing Tatum, Chris Pine, and Sam Worthington for Biggest Badass. And while I do have a soft spot for Captain Kirk (M. Pine), really, Rain was in a movie called Ninja Assassin. That kind of makes Star Trek sound like a dull evening with Grandpa. As for the other nominees, sure, they can all create massive amounts of hurt, but how many are badass enough to be caught posing in this getup?
Right. None. So join the K-pop army and get this adorable ninja killing angel a golden bucket of popcorn!
And in case you forgot how much ass Rain can kick.......
It's hard to believe but there are some things that make me squeal more than Taeyang, like cute furry baby animals. And I'm not alone. Pictures of a baby fox getting its head crammed into a watering can made it to the top of BBC's shared news section. Collective 'awwwwww'.
Here's a touching story from Beijing. A young street singer dubbed the 'Xidan Angel' after the district where she performed finds an even bigger audience on the internet and attracts the attention of a record company. Let's hope they preserve her identity and not turn her into a cardboard super girl.
It's official. I love 2NE1. (Do we sense a theme today?) My brother and I have been throwing comments back and forth about our favorite Korean groups and, while both of us agreed early on that Park Bom's got pipes, I never really took interest in the girl groups - because I'm shallow like that. But with the little brother going on and on about T-ara and SNSD and all the other Sanrio-encrusted girls he's into, I took time to revisit the resident female talents at YG. They're still relatively new and haven't lined up even a mini-hit parade, but their debut songs (Fire and I Don't Care) turned out to be a bit catchy after a few listens. Hopefully the powers that be over at YG work their magic and give these ladies some awesome music. Hmm, or better yet, G-Dragon, T.O.P., and the members of 2NE1 could write their own material.
In any case, these girls are fierce. You won't find these chicas dressed up as cheerleaders or in matching pastel shorts, though Dara could go for the cute-off if it came down to that. Otherwise, CL's rapping + Park Bom's singing + li'l Minji's dancing will knock you down. If I'm choosing a dodgeball team, I'd take these 4 ladies over all 9 Girls Generation. SNSD can Oh! and Gee on the sidelines, or step into the court if they want to risk that plastic. (Yeah, I went there.)
You know I'm posting a video. Covering Rihanna's Take a Bow.
It cannot be helped; I like JLS. I didn't understand the screaming teenage throngs when they first emerged on the X Factor scene, but a couple years later they're still going strong and putting out pleasing pop hits. And that's really all we want in a boy band, right? Oh, and solid abs. They deliver on both counts. Maybe too I'm charmed by pint-sized frontman Aston Merrygold, who has an affable kid next door appeal, like the guy my mom would want to mow our lawn. JB and Oritse, on the other hand, remind me too much of goofy Turk from Scrubs while Marvin, by default, kind of claims the 'bad boy' label (those eyes!). Anyway, their single One Shot from earlier this year.
Presumably, a song celebrating the Shanghai World Expo should be vibrant and uplifting, trumpeting China's accomplishments and hearkening visitors the world over to visit the great nation. So why does Hankyung's contribution to this effort sound so somber? It's like he's singing his own elegy. Nothing to do with his lawsuit against SM Entertainment or Super Junior's newly announced and much reduced lineup? Ohhh, so much trauma in the K-Pop world these past few months.......
China posts an alarming increase in energy use over the last 6 months, prompting worries amongst both the Chinese leadership and the international community.
HBO's documentary about slain UN diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello recalls the man that one writer likened to a cross between James Bond and Bobby Kennedy.
I've been neglecting my Hong Kong entertainment for awhile, just like TVB has been neglecting to put a show worth watching in the 8:30p slot for some months now. The latest offering gives some hope though. 掌上明珠 (Sister of Pearl) seems to have the right blend of star power, family drama, and jewelry (it's Hong Kong after all) to induce the masses every night. The show is fronted by actual actors with proven records, which is always a bonus when it comes to TVB. Jessica Hsuan and Kiki Sheung go head to head as sisters who let love and their father's pearl business get in the way, while Bowie Lam and Michael Tao provide all the other dastardly, scheming plot lines that make for your daily hour of family fun. The 1950-60s costumes and set are added polish. Time will tell if this show sucks, but I really hope it doesn't.
So I was watching videos of Rain, who I like because who doesn't like Rain? The man is fit as hell, he sings, he dances, he acts, and he even eye smiles. But he's never made me want to do anything immoral. So what is it about li'l Taeyang that makes me feel like a bad Catholic girl? This......
