2PM
Korean Pop at it's best!
Monday, September 20, 2010
YES. I'M BLACK. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN I KNEW LENA HORNE!!
Okay. This is a topic that I felt was touchy. but then I read the blog below and realized that it's not just me. Now I can honestly say that I love and cherish the asian culture. And as I've said on many occasions I choose to not be judgemental and have an open mind. But!!! One day I was watching this korean film, and I hate to admit it , but I really had to concentrate and look at all the actors very carefully. Because if I didn't I wouldn't know what was happening. Now I'm not saying in all korean films. But this one. The actors all looked alike to me.
Now of course ths made me go back to the adage that "all black people look alike" and in all honesty I couldn't get mad. Because at this point I was guilty of the same thing..
Now to appease myself I went to my video store and spoke with the korean owner who is now an aquantance of mine. He asked how I liked the movie, and I told him the truth. But cautiously I told him about...well...they all looked alike. He laughed and just quietly said. "No problem"."Sometimes I think all black people look alike.. It was just that simpple. No violence. No hurt feelings. Just two people who exchanged an opinion. And in all honesty, you can call me naive if you want to, but I felt no type of negativity or racism.No. I don't think I'm blind. That was just the way I was raised.
There is a lesson here. And that lesson is that even though I don't feel a prejudice or negativity. I will choose to pay closer attention. Just like any race there are attractive people and the not so attractive people. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Just remember that there are different eyes!
THE ARTICLE BELOW WAS TAKEN FROM THE BLOG:
STUFF WHITE PEOPLE DO
Asian Americans often claim to be good at distinguishing their groups from each other--Japanese Americans from Korean Americans, Chinese Americans from Filipino Americans, and so on. It's hard to blame non-Asian Americans for lacking that ability (unless we're talking about distinguishing, say, Japanese Americans from Asian Indian Americans).
However, the common failure to distinguish individual members of a group from each other is a problem, and it's an area where non-Asian Americans should simply try harder. And when it comes to African Americans, non-African Americans should try harder too.
Okay. This is a topic that I felt was touchy. but then I read the blog below and realized that it's not just me. Now I can honestly say that I love and cherish the asian culture. And as I've said on many occasions I choose to not be judgemental and have an open mind. But!!! One day I was watching this korean film, and I hate to admit it , but I really had to concentrate and look at all the actors very carefully. Because if I didn't I wouldn't know what was happening. Now I'm not saying in all korean films. But this one. The actors all looked alike to me.
Now of course ths made me go back to the adage that "all black people look alike" and in all honesty I couldn't get mad. Because at this point I was guilty of the same thing..
Now to appease myself I went to my video store and spoke with the korean owner who is now an aquantance of mine. He asked how I liked the movie, and I told him the truth. But cautiously I told him about...well...they all looked alike. He laughed and just quietly said. "No problem"."Sometimes I think all black people look alike.. It was just that simpple. No violence. No hurt feelings. Just two people who exchanged an opinion. And in all honesty, you can call me naive if you want to, but I felt no type of negativity or racism.No. I don't think I'm blind. That was just the way I was raised.
There is a lesson here. And that lesson is that even though I don't feel a prejudice or negativity. I will choose to pay closer attention. Just like any race there are attractive people and the not so attractive people. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Just remember that there are different eyes!
THE ARTICLE BELOW WAS TAKEN FROM THE BLOG:
STUFF WHITE PEOPLE DO
The ways of white folks, I mean, some white folks . . . (Langston Hughes)
Asian Americans often claim to be good at distinguishing their groups from each other--Japanese Americans from Korean Americans, Chinese Americans from Filipino Americans, and so on. It's hard to blame non-Asian Americans for lacking that ability (unless we're talking about distinguishing, say, Japanese Americans from Asian Indian Americans).
However, the common failure to distinguish individual members of a group from each other is a problem, and it's an area where non-Asian Americans should simply try harder. And when it comes to African Americans, non-African Americans should try harder too.
As you may have heard, People magazine recently screwed up royally in this respect. They did a feature on a Korean actor and singer named Rain (or Bi, in Korean). He's the Asian sensation who's been having a feud/dance contest with Stephen Colbert lately, and also the Asian sensation who's also currently starring in the new Wachowski brothers film, Speed Racer:
Problem is, that photo on the upper-left of the original page isn't Rain--it's Karl Yune, a Korean American actor (and the younger brother of a more famous actor, Rick Yune). That's the real Rain in the inset photo that's superimposed on the lower-right of the magazine page.
Rain and Karl Yune don't really look alike, do they? Alike enough to mix up their photos in such a prominent, publicity-generating magazine?
Rain and Karl Yune don't really look alike, do they? Alike enough to mix up their photos in such a prominent, publicity-generating magazine?
These things have happened before, so you'd think the people at People would know better by now. In 1988, Rolling Stone magazine committed a similar gaffe when it sent P. J. O'Rourke, the reactionary, white, psuedo-gonzo journalist, to South Korea. O'Rourke's ostensible topic was elections and political protests, but his real interest was pursuing and depicting what struck him as the bizarre, alienating elements of a foreign place.
For O'Rourke, none of the individual Koreans emerged as distinct human beings--they're more like an undifferentiated, "tea-stained" horde. At one point, scanning the Korean faces at a major demonstration, O'Rourke wrote with something approaching terror:
I was looking at this multitude, and I was thinking, "Oh no, they really do all look alike--the same Blackgama hair, the same high-boned pie-plate face, the same tea-stain complexion, the same sharp-focused look in one million anthracite eyes."
For O'Rourke, none of the individual Koreans emerged as distinct human beings--they're more like an undifferentiated, "tea-stained" horde. At one point, scanning the Korean faces at a major demonstration, O'Rourke wrote with something approaching terror:
I was looking at this multitude, and I was thinking, "Oh no, they really do all look alike--the same Blackgama hair, the same high-boned pie-plate face, the same tea-stain complexion, the same sharp-focused look in one million anthracite eyes."
But it's not just white folks who lump members of other groups together (and who knows what sort of person slipped up at People). Over at Ask a Korean, a blogger named "the Korean" has a confession to make about what he sees as a natural human tendency:
This process happens to any race of people who are considered "exotic."Here's a confession: the Korean himself, for some years after he moved to the U.S., had the hardest time distinguishing Danny Glover and Morgan Freeman. They are both slim, distinguished looking black men who have some gray hair -- at least, those were the only things that stuck in the Korean's head whenever he saw Mr. Glover or Mr. Freeman. So even though they look nothing like each other, the Korean's mind just jumped the gun, until he consciously tried to remember every single facial feature of the two men.
So depending on the context, failing to distinguish between the members of a group can happen to anyone--it's not something that only white folks do.
When it becomes a problem, though, is when you have regular contact with people outside your group. When you're working with them, or attending school with them. Then it's definitely worth the effort to try to remember "every single facial feature," so that you can remember that very important thing, their names.
Since this blog is about Stuff White People Do, I'll point out the most common, annoying, and at worst, demeaning way that white folks tend to confuse non-white people for each other--they call people of color they know by each other's names.
Usually if there's one non-white person around, all the white folks know that person's name, just because he or she is such an anomaly. But if they know, for instance, two black women, or two Asian men, white folks often use their names interchangeably.
New York Times veteran Lena Williams discusses this problem in her book, It's the Little Things: Everyday Interactions that Anger, Annoy, and Divide the Races. As Williams points out, what white name-confusion boils down to is a lack of respect:
We've all done it: called an acquaintance, colleague, or classmate by someone else's name. Yet black Americans are more likely to become agitated when whites call them by another's name, because they are convinced the mistake stems from the racial stereotype that "all blacks look alike." It's another form of invisibility.
"We all have gradations in skin color and hair texture, but white people don't seem to make those distinctions," said Cassandra Woods, a thin, dark brown-skinned woman in her forties. A former bank teller, Ms. Woods recalled countless times when regular customers mistook her for another black teller, who was lighter in complexion, heavier in build, and ten years her junior.
"It was bad enough when regular customers did it," she said, "but even some of my longtime colleagues would make the same mistake."
Williams (who is also black) also recalls incidents in which she and other black people are mistaken for celebrities, and for other black individuals that white folks know.
But these were strangers, and their mistake was understandable. It's a far more grievous injury when the mistaken identity is made by whites who, by now, should know better. You know, people you work with, go to school with, live in the same apartment complex with.
"We feel as though we're interchangeable parts," said my brother, known as Doc to friends and family. "That whites don't take the time to look at us or get to know us as individuals with our own unique qualities and habits and hobbies."Williams admits that this can happen in reverse too. Black people often mistake white people for each other too. However, "there is a difference":
Blacks have been stereotyped for so long, the perception, in most cases, has become a kind of cold, harsh reality. Deep down, many whites truly feel that most blacks look alike. . . . [Also,] blacks sometimes bark at whites and say things that are rude, stereotypical, and ignorant, but we don't, in a systematic way, deprive them of their livelihood or anything that has an ongoing effect on their life or lifestyles."So what can sincere, goodhearted white folks do about the problems that arise from their tendency to think that non-white people all look alike?
Open your eyes. Look more closely for distinguishing features. Have conversations with the non-white folks around you so that their distinctive qualities emerge past the veil of their color.
In other words, get to know the non-white people around in the same way that you've been led to know the white people around you--as individuals.
This process happens to any race of people who are considered "exotic."Here's a confession: the Korean himself, for some years after he moved to the U.S., had the hardest time distinguishing Danny Glover and Morgan Freeman. They are both slim, distinguished looking black men who have some gray hair -- at least, those were the only things that stuck in the Korean's head whenever he saw Mr. Glover or Mr. Freeman. So even though they look nothing like each other, the Korean's mind just jumped the gun, until he consciously tried to remember every single facial feature of the two men.So depending on the context, failing to distinguish between the members of a group can happen to anyone--it's not something that only white folks do.When it becomes a problem, though, is when you have regular contact with people outside your group. When you're working with them, or attending school with them. Then it's definitely worth the effort to try to remember "every single facial feature," so that you can remember that very important thing, their names.
Since this blog is about Stuff White People Do, I'll point out the most common, annoying, and at worst, demeaning way that white folks tend to confuse non-white people for each other--they call people of color they know by each other's names.
Usually if there's one non-white person around, all the white folks know that person's name, just because he or she is such an anomaly. But if they know, for instance, two black women, or two Asian men, white folks often use their names interchangeably.
New York Times veteran Lena Williams discusses this problem in her book, It's the Little Things: Everyday Interactions that Anger, Annoy, and Divide the Races. As Williams points out, what white name-confusion boils down to is a lack of respect:
We've all done it: called an acquaintance, colleague, or classmate by someone else's name. Yet black Americans are more likely to become agitated when whites call them by another's name, because they are convinced the mistake stems from the racial stereotype that "all blacks look alike." It's another form of invisibility.
"We all have gradations in skin color and hair texture, but white people don't seem to make those distinctions," said Cassandra Woods, a thin, dark brown-skinned woman in her forties. A former bank teller, Ms. Woods recalled countless times when regular customers mistook her for another black teller, who was lighter in complexion, heavier in build, and ten years her junior.
"It was bad enough when regular customers did it," she said, "but even some of my longtime colleagues would make the same mistake."
Williams (who is also black) also recalls incidents in which she and other black people are mistaken for celebrities, and for other black individuals that white folks know.
But these were strangers, and their mistake was understandable. It's a far more grievous injury when the mistaken identity is made by whites who, by now, should know better. You know, people you work with, go to school with, live in the same apartment complex with.
"We feel as though we're interchangeable parts," said my brother, known as Doc to friends and family. "That whites don't take the time to look at us or get to know us as individuals with our own unique qualities and habits and hobbies."Williams admits that this can happen in reverse too. Black people often mistake white people for each other too. However, "there is a difference":
Blacks have been stereotyped for so long, the perception, in most cases, has become a kind of cold, harsh reality. Deep down, many whites truly feel that most blacks look alike. . . . [Also,] blacks sometimes bark at whites and say things that are rude, stereotypical, and ignorant, but we don't, in a systematic way, deprive them of their livelihood or anything that has an ongoing effect on their life or lifestyles."So what can sincere, goodhearted white folks do about the problems that arise from their tendency to think that non-white people all look alike?
Open your eyes. Look more closely for distinguishing features. Have conversations with the non-white folks around you so that their distinctive qualities emerge past the veil of their color.
In other words, get to know the non-white people around in the same way that you've been led to know the white people around you--as individuals.
CLOUDY. BUT NO "RAIN"!!!
Don't know what really happened. But this is just another update in the career of RAIN!! The reason I post so much about him, is not only my admiration of him for his discipline , determination, and overall presence. He is the main reason and start to me of the whole KPOP phenomenom! And don't get it twisted, but he's also "easy on the eyes" and breaks all stereotypes of the weak and so - called feminine asian male.
THOSE who attended Rain’s press con Sept. 6 were disappointed—the Korean pop star was a no-show.
The organizers told the media beginning to gather that the Korean representatives were already on their way to announce something. That sounded like bad news. After all, people were there to see Rain—not his management team.
After a couple of hours, a Korean representative took the mic and through an interpreter, explained that there had been a miscommunication between them and the Philippine promoters—Rain’s team thought the press con was Sept. 9.
Nobody asked the obvious—was Rain already in the hotel? If he was, why not ask him down to meet the eager press?
Some were even saying that the Korean hunk was, in fact, already in the hotel—swimming.
Anyway, the press con finally took place Sept. 9 at the Champagne Room of Manila Hotel. It drew even more media, plus a handful of Koreans, who were glad to see their famous countrymen in the Philippines.
Rain, Jung Ji-Hoon in real life, was here for a Sept. 11 concert, “Intensity,” which also featured Korean boyband U-Kiss and crooner Christian Bautista.
“This is my first show ever in the Philippines,” he said, through an interpreter. “So you can expect anything.”
The Korean superstar truly deserves the show’s title—he has seven studio albums, has starred in the series “Full House” and in Hollywood films “Speed Racer ” and “Ninja Assassin,” plus he has also done modeling, and designing.
He is also busy with “Fugitive,” a Korean spy drama series where he plays the private investigator Ji Woo.
His party has already been to Seoul, Japan, HK, Macau, and now, the Philippines (shooting in Cebu, Greenhills in San Juan, Cubao in QC, and in Roxas Boulevard).
Included in the series (to be titled “Runway” when it is shown in the country on TV5) are Lee Na Young, Lee Jung Jin, Yoon Jin Seo, and Daniel Henney, who were all at the press con.
Rain may be the lead star of the series, but in the press con, it was clear how Daniel, best known for his part in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” quite effortlessly “stole” the spotlight. Apart from his good looks, he was the only one who didn’t need an interpreter.
E-mail the author at ninomarksablan @yahoo.com.
Don't know what really happened. But this is just another update in the career of RAIN!! The reason I post so much about him, is not only my admiration of him for his discipline , determination, and overall presence. He is the main reason and start to me of the whole KPOP phenomenom! And don't get it twisted, but he's also "easy on the eyes" and breaks all stereotypes of the weak and so - called feminine asian male.
Rain, at last
THOSE who attended Rain’s press con Sept. 6 were disappointed—the Korean pop star was a no-show.
The organizers told the media beginning to gather that the Korean representatives were already on their way to announce something. That sounded like bad news. After all, people were there to see Rain—not his management team.
After a couple of hours, a Korean representative took the mic and through an interpreter, explained that there had been a miscommunication between them and the Philippine promoters—Rain’s team thought the press con was Sept. 9.
Nobody asked the obvious—was Rain already in the hotel? If he was, why not ask him down to meet the eager press?
Some were even saying that the Korean hunk was, in fact, already in the hotel—swimming.
Anyway, the press con finally took place Sept. 9 at the Champagne Room of Manila Hotel. It drew even more media, plus a handful of Koreans, who were glad to see their famous countrymen in the Philippines.
Rain, Jung Ji-Hoon in real life, was here for a Sept. 11 concert, “Intensity,” which also featured Korean boyband U-Kiss and crooner Christian Bautista.
“This is my first show ever in the Philippines,” he said, through an interpreter. “So you can expect anything.”
The Korean superstar truly deserves the show’s title—he has seven studio albums, has starred in the series “Full House” and in Hollywood films “Speed Racer ” and “Ninja Assassin,” plus he has also done modeling, and designing.
He is also busy with “Fugitive,” a Korean spy drama series where he plays the private investigator Ji Woo.
His party has already been to Seoul, Japan, HK, Macau, and now, the Philippines (shooting in Cebu, Greenhills in San Juan, Cubao in QC, and in Roxas Boulevard).
Included in the series (to be titled “Runway” when it is shown in the country on TV5) are Lee Na Young, Lee Jung Jin, Yoon Jin Seo, and Daniel Henney, who were all at the press con.
Rain may be the lead star of the series, but in the press con, it was clear how Daniel, best known for his part in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” quite effortlessly “stole” the spotlight. Apart from his good looks, he was the only one who didn’t need an interpreter.
E-mail the author at ninomarksablan @yahoo.com.
SHINEE: KOREA'S NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK???
This group is called "Shinee". Now they were the 2nd group I think I ever saw on the asian channel. With the converter box that channel would be 44.5! Who knew there were so many Korean people? No judgement. Just an observation.
Back to the vid. I found that this vid made me feel young. Not that I'm old. It reminded me of the day of old variety shows where they premiered new acts.Okay. Here I am aging myself: THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW".
These guys are just adorable and again the camera loves a sweet face that just exudes joy. The choreography is upbeat. Complicated enough to win over a scholar, yet friendly enough for fans to emulate the moves in the mirror while holding a hair brush as a make shift microphone
The thing that gets to me though is that these guys were just sweet little guys that sang and danced and in all honesty look very happy and upbeat.
That is why to my surprise they come back with another vid in which they have shed the boyish charm and amplified the sex quotient by ...well... megawatts! These young men have taken the color black, (or rather the primary) feathers, wings and an inflated budget. That with a new and defiant choreography, have raised their creative value immensely.
Back to the vid. I found that this vid made me feel young. Not that I'm old. It reminded me of the day of old variety shows where they premiered new acts.Okay. Here I am aging myself: THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW".
These guys are just adorable and again the camera loves a sweet face that just exudes joy. The choreography is upbeat. Complicated enough to win over a scholar, yet friendly enough for fans to emulate the moves in the mirror while holding a hair brush as a make shift microphone
The thing that gets to me though is that these guys were just sweet little guys that sang and danced and in all honesty look very happy and upbeat.
That is why to my surprise they come back with another vid in which they have shed the boyish charm and amplified the sex quotient by ...well... megawatts! These young men have taken the color black, (or rather the primary) feathers, wings and an inflated budget. That with a new and defiant choreography, have raised their creative value immensely.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
RAIN WORKED! THE MOVIE DIDN'T!!
I am so impressed with the dedication and work that RAIN puts into his career. He has a goal and he has the dedication to hit the mark. I'm just saddened by the fact that there were such "high hopes" for Ninja Assassin. Yet for some reason I knew it would fail. First of all no one here in the states really know who RAIN is Also I rememeber the billboards when they went up in Los Angeles. They started off by showing body parts then gradually moved up to showing RAIN. Yet his name was never seen or mentioned during the whole campaignSomeone really needs to specifically write something that caters to RAIN'S strengths, which I think are his charming personality and his disarming charismatic presence!.
He trained so hard. And I respect that soooo much! He is a true inspiration to anyone who wants to fulfill their dreams.
He trained so hard. And I respect that soooo much! He is a true inspiration to anyone who wants to fulfill their dreams.
"TAE YANGS FOR THE MEMORIES"!!!
I had discussed the great " TAE YANG" awhile back. I gave him the name "CHIN CHIN N***A"! Becasuse his swagger is that of a black man trapped insde a korean body. I love when my opinions are validated. I'm trying to keep up and catch up with all that is going on in The KPOP era,. It's hard but rewarding. Yes. I have my opinions, and Yes I borrow from other outlets. But I'm learning , teaching and sharing. And I give credit and the talent their due! I give credit to other writers if necessary. But dammit., I'm not going to lessen my creative insight.
I had discussed the great " TAE YANG" awhile back. I gave him the name "CHIN CHIN N***A"! Becasuse his swagger is that of a black man trapped insde a korean body. I love when my opinions are validated. I'm trying to keep up and catch up with all that is going on in The KPOP era,. It's hard but rewarding. Yes. I have my opinions, and Yes I borrow from other outlets. But I'm learning , teaching and sharing. And I give credit and the talent their due! I give credit to other writers if necessary. But dammit., I'm not going to lessen my creative insight.
MY INSIGHTS ON THE TIME MAG INTERVIEW!!!
I found this interview very interesting by the fact that I don't know when it was conducted but from his english I can tell it was early on in his career. I'm fascinated with his thoiught process as he has to pauxe constantly to process, focus, and give the best corect answer he can. No judgement. But it on;y makes me commend him for his dedication to presenting a good professional image.
I love the fact that he has on his IPOD Stevie Wonder, Nat King Cole and Eminem. This along with his love of hip hop just makes me love him even more. It makes you wonder where this love came from. What triggered this like? I do know that he was trained and mentored by the great Park Jin Young! He'll be discussed later. But the legend goes that when Park Jin Young was training and teaching Rain he felt that Rain wasn't paying attention because he was shy and quiet. When Park visited Rain at his home, it is said that he broke down iin tears when he entered Rain's room. Upon entering he found that the walls were completely covered with Post it's of every note, detail and direction that Park Jin Young had ever told h
I do know that this interview was conducted before "Ninja Assasin" and "Speed Racer"! He has a definite mind set of his goals. Work hard in his 20's. And in his 30's have a family and a pretty wife. One thing I can't agree with though is his love for "Kimchi". Maybe I got a bad batch and maybe I will try and give it a chance.again. But as of right now. That stuff is nasty and off limits to me!
I love the fact that he has on his IPOD Stevie Wonder, Nat King Cole and Eminem. This along with his love of hip hop just makes me love him even more. It makes you wonder where this love came from. What triggered this like? I do know that he was trained and mentored by the great Park Jin Young! He'll be discussed later. But the legend goes that when Park Jin Young was training and teaching Rain he felt that Rain wasn't paying attention because he was shy and quiet. When Park visited Rain at his home, it is said that he broke down iin tears when he entered Rain's room. Upon entering he found that the walls were completely covered with Post it's of every note, detail and direction that Park Jin Young had ever told h
I do know that this interview was conducted before "Ninja Assasin" and "Speed Racer"! He has a definite mind set of his goals. Work hard in his 20's. And in his 30's have a family and a pretty wife. One thing I can't agree with though is his love for "Kimchi". Maybe I got a bad batch and maybe I will try and give it a chance.again. But as of right now. That stuff is nasty and off limits to me!
CL, BOM, DARA AND MINZY MAKE UP THE HOT GIRL GROUP "2NE1"!!!
The video is "Clap your hands"! All I can say is that these girls "give it to you" "Serve it to you" " They damn well just hand it over"! The vid starts out HOT from the beginning. The girls start off in HOT DYKE GANGSTA' CHIC. Then move on to WHITE AND RED KINDAH' BACKPACK COUTURE,, moving effortlessly to SLEAZY SEXY PRINCESS PERSIA PRESENTATION !!
They end with the boys in all white moving and swinging to a good hook and groove. These girls are as far away from "cookie cutter" then can be. And the boys, an added bonus: the group BIG BANG , INCOGNITO giving an assist to an already hot and funky girl group bonanza!!
englishnews@chosun.com / Sep. 18, 2010 09:09 KST
Why Japanese Girls Go Mad for Korean Girl Bands
Korean girl groups are attracting more fervent admirers among their own sex in Japan than from the young men they are ostensibly manufactured to appeal to. About 80 percent of the audience at the debut showcase of Girls' Generation at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo on Aug. 25 were female, from teenagers to women in their 30s. Plenty of them even sported Girls' Generation outfitsThings are much the same with other Korean girl groups like 4 Minute, Kara and Brown Eyed Girls. Management agencies admit that even though the bands were meant to target male fans, more than half of the fans are young girls. In Korea, girl bands have traditionally been popular among men of all ages, from teens to those in their 50s.
AKB 48 and Morning Musume are the leading Japanese girl bands this year. Dressed in frilly princess dresses and much given to winsome smiles, they dance and sing to routines mainly choreographed with dainty movements of hands and feet. But Korean girl groups have a bolder, more dynamic image. They wear angular uniforms or tight skinny jeans, and dance to choreography that uses the whole body. On stage, they appear confident and charismatic.
Kim Young-min of agency SM Entertainment said, "Japanese girls who've had enough of Japanese girl bands that strictly appeal to men's protective instincts seem to take bolder Korean girl groups as a role model."
Thanks to their notoriously grueling training, Korean girl groups tend to be better at dancing and singing than Japanese ones. Members of Korean girl bands go through an average of three to six years of training, while Japanese girls get just six months to a year.
Japanese management agencies recently shifted from quality to quantity, on the assumption that anyone can become an "idol" with the right marketing support. AKB 48, as the name suggests, has 48 members who perform a daily gig for fans in a small theatre in Tokyo's Akihabara. Often members are launched straight off the street and then learn on the job due to these schedules.
Oricon, the Japanese equivalent to charts provider Billboard, recently said Japanese girls in their teens and 20s are taking to Korean girl bands during a lull for Korean boy bands.
Bands such as TVXQ, Big Bang and SHINee turned Japanese girls on to K-pop, with the number of Japanese TVXQ fans estimated at over 300,000. That prompted Japanese management agencies to concentrate on the boy band market, according to Shin Sung-hee of Sony Music Entertainment. "They had no interest in girl groups whatsoever, so the current Korean girl band phenomenon took people in both Korea and Japan by surprise," he said.
AKB 48 and Morning Musume are the leading Japanese girl bands this year. Dressed in frilly princess dresses and much given to winsome smiles, they dance and sing to routines mainly choreographed with dainty movements of hands and feet. But Korean girl groups have a bolder, more dynamic image. They wear angular uniforms or tight skinny jeans, and dance to choreography that uses the whole body. On stage, they appear confident and charismatic.
Kim Young-min of agency SM Entertainment said, "Japanese girls who've had enough of Japanese girl bands that strictly appeal to men's protective instincts seem to take bolder Korean girl groups as a role model."
Thanks to their notoriously grueling training, Korean girl groups tend to be better at dancing and singing than Japanese ones. Members of Korean girl bands go through an average of three to six years of training, while Japanese girls get just six months to a year.
Japanese management agencies recently shifted from quality to quantity, on the assumption that anyone can become an "idol" with the right marketing support. AKB 48, as the name suggests, has 48 members who perform a daily gig for fans in a small theatre in Tokyo's Akihabara. Often members are launched straight off the street and then learn on the job due to these schedules.
Oricon, the Japanese equivalent to charts provider Billboard, recently said Japanese girls in their teens and 20s are taking to Korean girl bands during a lull for Korean boy bands.
Bands such as TVXQ, Big Bang and SHINee turned Japanese girls on to K-pop, with the number of Japanese TVXQ fans estimated at over 300,000. That prompted Japanese management agencies to concentrate on the boy band market, according to Shin Sung-hee of Sony Music Entertainment. "They had no interest in girl groups whatsoever, so the current Korean girl band phenomenon took people in both Korea and Japan by surprise," he said.
englishnews@chosun.com / Sep. 18, 2010 09:09 KST
.Saturday, September 18, 2010
RAIN TRIUMPHS AGAIN!!!
RAIN DOESN'T JUST HAVE THE GIRL'S SCREAMING. HE HAS THE WOMEN TOO!!!
Another article in my long admiration of the star : RAIN!!!
From the ‘ahjumma’ (‘manang’ in their 50s) to the tweens and teens, they got their fill of RainTOUTED as the biggest K-Pop event to hit Manila, “Intensity” which featured Christian Bautista, U-Kiss and Rain clearly showed the growing popularity of K-Pop in the Philippines.
With only three-week notice, fans found their way to the MOA concert grounds Sept. 11.
It was perfect time to watch the different fan-girls who came to support their idols.
Rain’s ‘ahjummas’At around 6 a.m. on the day of the mini concert (in Korea a performance has to last at least three hours to be considered a concert) some 60 to 70 foreign fans had already started to mass near the VIP entrance. The concert was to start at 8 p.m. but the fans were already there to make sure they’d get the best spots in the mosh pit.
Most of the fans were what I would call Rain’s “professional ‘fan-girls’” (boys). They’re mostly from Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Macau, China, and even HK.
They’ve made it their business to follow him around the globe for his concerts, fan meets and other activities. Some have been following Rain around the country since his arrival in Cebu Sept. 1. Rain spent two weeks here to shoot for his TV series Fugitive.On the day of the concert, they were joined by Pinoy fans, many of whom are members of Cloud PH, Rain’s local fan club.
None of them fit the K-Pop fan-girl stereotype—they’re certainly not in their teens. Most of Rain’s fans are in the 30s to 40s. The age range of Rain’s Japanese fans is 40 to 60, while here, most of his fans are in their late 20s to 30s. They are mostly “ahjummas”—or “manang.”
These are mostly women who followed his dramas , the most popular of which was “Full House.” I talked to two fans (who requested anonymity) who admitted to being in their 50s. They said they’ve never experienced being a fan-girl until Rain came along—and they’re proud to be his fans.
They initially admired Rain for his good looks and pumped-up performance. They became loyal fans because his life story inspired them. Rain rose above difficulties to be famous.
Since most of these “professional” fans are actually professionals, with high-paying jobs, they can afford to follow Rain around and buy his albums, DVDs, photo-books, whatever merchandise.
They’ve also come to love fan-girling because it has allowed them to network with other fans from all over the world, creating a community bound by their love for the Korean pop star.
RAIN DOESN'T JUST HAVE THE GIRL'S SCREAMING. HE HAS THE WOMEN TOO!!!
Another article in my long admiration of the star : RAIN!!!
The fan-girls went home happy
From the ‘ahjumma’ (‘manang’ in their 50s) to the tweens and teens, they got their fill of RainTOUTED as the biggest K-Pop event to hit Manila, “Intensity” which featured Christian Bautista, U-Kiss and Rain clearly showed the growing popularity of K-Pop in the Philippines.
With only three-week notice, fans found their way to the MOA concert grounds Sept. 11.
It was perfect time to watch the different fan-girls who came to support their idols.
Rain’s ‘ahjummas’At around 6 a.m. on the day of the mini concert (in Korea a performance has to last at least three hours to be considered a concert) some 60 to 70 foreign fans had already started to mass near the VIP entrance. The concert was to start at 8 p.m. but the fans were already there to make sure they’d get the best spots in the mosh pit.
Most of the fans were what I would call Rain’s “professional ‘fan-girls’” (boys). They’re mostly from Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Macau, China, and even HK.
They’ve made it their business to follow him around the globe for his concerts, fan meets and other activities. Some have been following Rain around the country since his arrival in Cebu Sept. 1. Rain spent two weeks here to shoot for his TV series Fugitive.On the day of the concert, they were joined by Pinoy fans, many of whom are members of Cloud PH, Rain’s local fan club.
None of them fit the K-Pop fan-girl stereotype—they’re certainly not in their teens. Most of Rain’s fans are in the 30s to 40s. The age range of Rain’s Japanese fans is 40 to 60, while here, most of his fans are in their late 20s to 30s. They are mostly “ahjummas”—or “manang.”
These are mostly women who followed his dramas , the most popular of which was “Full House.” I talked to two fans (who requested anonymity) who admitted to being in their 50s. They said they’ve never experienced being a fan-girl until Rain came along—and they’re proud to be his fans.
They initially admired Rain for his good looks and pumped-up performance. They became loyal fans because his life story inspired them. Rain rose above difficulties to be famous.
Since most of these “professional” fans are actually professionals, with high-paying jobs, they can afford to follow Rain around and buy his albums, DVDs, photo-books, whatever merchandise.
They’ve also come to love fan-girling because it has allowed them to network with other fans from all over the world, creating a community bound by their love for the Korean pop star.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Okay. I found this story disturbing because I really like Hiyori-lee I fell in love with the vid. "Go Go Girl"!!
Hiyori - Lee to me is one of the finest women on the planet. And my taste I feel has a wide range. At one point in time my fav white women were Elizabeth Montgomery. Yvonne Craig ( as Batgirl) Barbara Eden and a hidden gem Anne Francis from "Honey West"!
HOT SINGER IN HOT WATER!! Hyo-ri Composer Arrested for Plagiarism
Hiyori - Lee to me is one of the finest women on the planet. And my taste I feel has a wide range. At one point in time my fav white women were Elizabeth Montgomery. Yvonne Craig ( as Batgirl) Barbara Eden and a hidden gem Anne Francis from "Honey West"!
HOT SINGER IN HOT WATER!! Hyo-ri Composer Arrested for Plagiarism
The disgraced composer Bahnus was arrested on Tuesday for selling a number of plagiarized songs to K-pop star Lee Hyo-ri, according to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office.
Prosecutors said they took the step because he tainted the image of Korean pop music in the world and caused a huge amount of damage to the singer.
Lee's agency sued Bahnus in July for selling songs that he had basically copied for W29 million (US$1=W1,162). Seven songs on Lee's fourth album immediately drew accusations of plagiarism when the album was released this year. Lee admitted the charge in June, saying she had also been deceived, and has withdrawn from all singing engagements since then.
Prosecutors said they took the step because he tainted the image of Korean pop music in the world and caused a huge amount of damage to the singer.
Lee's agency sued Bahnus in July for selling songs that he had basically copied for W29 million (US$1=W1,162). Seven songs on Lee's fourth album immediately drew accusations of plagiarism when the album was released this year. Lee admitted the charge in June, saying she had also been deceived, and has withdrawn from all singing engagements since then.
englishnews@chosun.com / Sep. 15,
Sunday, September 12, 2010
IT'S NOT JUST A CAUSE. IT'S BECAUSE.......
I have walked the "AIDS" walk once in my life. It started at Paramount Studios and went through the streets of Los Angeles. Through the Fairfax District and even winding up in the Larchmont area. It was a beautiful event and I can honestly say that it was an event that has stayed dear to my heart!
But even though AIDS is still prevalent, I now find myself also gravitating towards a cure for Cancer. We are one people. One World. Which makes us all of one heart. It's not just a matter of finding a cure. It's also about finding out about how much we care.
I have walked the "AIDS" walk once in my life. It started at Paramount Studios and went through the streets of Los Angeles. Through the Fairfax District and even winding up in the Larchmont area. It was a beautiful event and I can honestly say that it was an event that has stayed dear to my heart!
But even though AIDS is still prevalent, I now find myself also gravitating towards a cure for Cancer. We are one people. One World. Which makes us all of one heart. It's not just a matter of finding a cure. It's also about finding out about how much we care.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
ANOTHER NEWS UPDATE ON THE CAREER OF SUPERSTAR "RAIN"!!!
I have to say that I am so happy to see RAIN in a new acting project. Yes. It is overseas, but I feel that RAIN is such a "Presence"! This newest gig won't do anything to bring him closer to recognition in the states. But diehard fans such as myself are just pleased to see his talent being utilized in more avenues of entertainment
BELOW IS A RECENT NEWS ARTICLE REGARDING THE SUPERSTAR!!
Share4 Korean pop superstar Rain—whose real name is Jung Ji-Hoon—will be performing tonight, September 11, in front of his Filipino and Philip
pine-based Korean fans at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds in Pasay City.
The one-night concert dubbed Intensity will be the highlight of Rain's extended Manila stay, which saw the 28-year-old singer-actor shuttling from Cebu to various locations in Metro Manila to shoot scenes for his upcoming Korean action-drama series titled The Fugitive.
Local television network TV5 will reportedly air the program here in the country under the title Runaway.
In the series, Rain will be portraying a private investigator named Ji Woo. The cast and crew of the show travelled to Seoul, Japan, Macau, Hong Kong and the Philippines to film various scenes, making the program one of the most ambitious series in Korean television.
The group reportedly went to Cebu first last September 1, before heading to shoot in Greenhills, San Juan; Cubao in Quezon City; and selected spots along Roxas Boulevard in the busy district of Manila.
With the help of an interpreter, Rain told the press last Thursday, September 9, in the Champagne Room of the Manila Hotel, that portraying a spy investigator was certainly a big challenge, considering the magnitude of the project.
Rain's credentials as an actor include the well-loved Korean hit series Full House, as well as the Hollywood films Speed Racer (2008) and Ninja Assassin (2009), where he assumed the lead role of Raizo.
Also present at the Manila Hotel press conference were The Fugitive co-stars Lee Na Young, Lee Jungjin, Yoon Jin Seo, Daniel Henney, and director Kwak Jung Hwan.
K-POP MANILA EVENT. For his concert tonight, Rain will be joined by the Korean group U-Kiss, along with Filipino balladeer Christian Bautista.
It's interesting to note that Christian—who is himself popular in some neighboring Asian countries, particularly Indonesia—also collaborated recently with other Korean artists collectively called One Way.
Rain's popularity outside his home country makes him arguably the biggest export of the Korean pop music industry.
Starting as a backup dancer, Rain worked his way up to become a certified solo artist, releasing seven studio albums to date: Bad Guy (2002), How To Avoid The Sun (2003), It's Raining (2004), Rain's World (2006), Eternal Rain (2006), Rainism (2008), and Back To The Basic (2010).
The young singer-actor found himself at the center of the Korean Pop—popularly referred to by fans and the media as K-Pop—phenomenon that swept across Asia, including the Philippines, starting the early part of the new millennium.
Time magazine included Rain in its 2006 "100 Most Influential People Who Shape Our World" list. In 2007, the Korean superstar was listed by People magazine as one of the "Most Beautiful People" in the world.
Rain has also branched out to other fields like modeling, business, and designing.
During the Manila presscon, Rain described his long stay as "comfortable," and rated the food as "decent." He also thanked his Filipino fans and the people for their genuine hospitality.
"This is my first show ever in the Philippines, so you can expect anything," Rain said about his concert tonight. - Bong Godinez, PEP
BELOW IS A RECENT NEWS ARTICLE REGARDING THE SUPERSTAR!!
Share4 Korean pop superstar Rain—whose real name is Jung Ji-Hoon—will be performing tonight, September 11, in front of his Filipino and Philip
pine-based Korean fans at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds in Pasay City.
The one-night concert dubbed Intensity will be the highlight of Rain's extended Manila stay, which saw the 28-year-old singer-actor shuttling from Cebu to various locations in Metro Manila to shoot scenes for his upcoming Korean action-drama series titled The Fugitive.
Local television network TV5 will reportedly air the program here in the country under the title Runaway.
In the series, Rain will be portraying a private investigator named Ji Woo. The cast and crew of the show travelled to Seoul, Japan, Macau, Hong Kong and the Philippines to film various scenes, making the program one of the most ambitious series in Korean television.
The group reportedly went to Cebu first last September 1, before heading to shoot in Greenhills, San Juan; Cubao in Quezon City; and selected spots along Roxas Boulevard in the busy district of Manila.
With the help of an interpreter, Rain told the press last Thursday, September 9, in the Champagne Room of the Manila Hotel, that portraying a spy investigator was certainly a big challenge, considering the magnitude of the project.
Rain's credentials as an actor include the well-loved Korean hit series Full House, as well as the Hollywood films Speed Racer (2008) and Ninja Assassin (2009), where he assumed the lead role of Raizo.
Also present at the Manila Hotel press conference were The Fugitive co-stars Lee Na Young, Lee Jungjin, Yoon Jin Seo, Daniel Henney, and director Kwak Jung Hwan.
K-POP MANILA EVENT. For his concert tonight, Rain will be joined by the Korean group U-Kiss, along with Filipino balladeer Christian Bautista.
It's interesting to note that Christian—who is himself popular in some neighboring Asian countries, particularly Indonesia—also collaborated recently with other Korean artists collectively called One Way.
Rain's popularity outside his home country makes him arguably the biggest export of the Korean pop music industry.
Starting as a backup dancer, Rain worked his way up to become a certified solo artist, releasing seven studio albums to date: Bad Guy (2002), How To Avoid The Sun (2003), It's Raining (2004), Rain's World (2006), Eternal Rain (2006), Rainism (2008), and Back To The Basic (2010).
The young singer-actor found himself at the center of the Korean Pop—popularly referred to by fans and the media as K-Pop—phenomenon that swept across Asia, including the Philippines, starting the early part of the new millennium.
Time magazine included Rain in its 2006 "100 Most Influential People Who Shape Our World" list. In 2007, the Korean superstar was listed by People magazine as one of the "Most Beautiful People" in the world.
Rain has also branched out to other fields like modeling, business, and designing.
During the Manila presscon, Rain described his long stay as "comfortable," and rated the food as "decent." He also thanked his Filipino fans and the people for their genuine hospitality.
"This is my first show ever in the Philippines, so you can expect anything," Rain said about his concert tonight. - Bong Godinez, PEP
SO "WONG"!. "IT WAS RIGHT"!!
Another notch in the Asian belt. This time the torch is carried by a young man by the name of Alex Wong. Alex had been to an audition last season and passed with "flying colors". The only thing was, that he was under contract with another dance company and was not allowed a " leave of absence".. This story is significant to me because Alex had already in some minds reached a level of success that would have made some content. But not Alex. He wanted to learn. Experience. Mingle in the non ballet world of groove, jazz and hip hop! He wanted a new adventure. It didn't work that season, but he was allowed to come back the next! Along with male dancers. Kent(incredible) Robert (amazing) and Billy(superb)Jose(charismatic). He stood his own and in some cases surpassed. Yes. I would find myself looking forward to seeing the wonderful Asian dancing man. He could do no wrong.
Then the moment came when specific styles were random and mandatory. Alex got HIP HOP!!!!THE BALLET DANCER GOT HIPHOP!!
GASP!!!Now was this something that Alex could do?
Then the moment came when specific styles were random and mandatory. Alex got HIP HOP!!!!THE BALLET DANCER GOT HIPHOP!!
GASP!!!Now was this something that Alex could do?
THE DEFINITION OF " A.B.D." HAS BEEN FOREVER CHANGED BY POREOTIX!!!!
POREOTIX!!!!
This asian dance chain gang is intricate, charismatic and pleasing to the eye.Their party and "Let's put on a show" attitude make their style distinct and pronounced. Another point of praise is the fact that they've embraced their inner "SWIGSWAG". (definition in earlier blog) They are definitely all man as far as I can see. But they have a gift for giving you expert feminine moves and swaggerisms that emphasize their variety and unconditional committment to their particular "love of dance. "They have a groove in their gyration. And a gyration in their groove!.. To see a performance like this gives another definition and meaning to the term "Gift of GOD"! Their's is a creative respect that should be applauded and bowed down to! And I for one am leading the standing ovation!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
FROM "WALL STREET JOURNAL" A BLOG BY "KANA INAGAKI"!! *blog credit given*
September 6, 2010, 6:15 PM JST.Korean Boy Bands, Anime: Saving Japan’s Music Biz?.Search Japan South Korean pop band Tong Vfang Xien Qi, known better in Japan as Tohoshinki.It’s not easy trying to make money in Japan’s music industry. For years now, much of the revenue from higher-margin CD sales has been robbed by the bursting growth of digital music downloads and pirates.
So it may have come as a surprise when music talent management company Avex Group Holdings early last week raised its net profit forecast for the
Avex shares registered a fresh 2010 high on Thursday and shares are up 64% year-toApril-September period a hefty six-fold to 3 billion yen. That compares with the 476 million yen net loss it booked for the same period a year earlier.
And it’s not only the company that’s bullish — investors liked the sound of it too.
-date versus a 12% decline in the broader Nikkei Stock Average.
The reasons are even more intriguing: a boost in CD and DVD sales linked to mega-hit animated series “One Piece” and the hugely popular South Korean boy band Tong Vfang Xien Qi, known better in Japan as Tohoshinki.
Earlier this year, the five-member South Korean pop group, which made a debut here in 2005, devastated fans with an announcement that it would cease group activities in Japan and focus on solo work. Fortunately for Avex, that sparked sales of a Tohoshinki greatest hits album and solo singles.
“I have to admit this bad luck has also brought us good luck,” said Avex spokesperson Taishi Arashida. “These guys are clearly beyond the conventional South Korean boom.”
So it may have come as a surprise when music talent management company Avex Group Holdings early last week raised its net profit forecast for the
Avex shares registered a fresh 2010 high on Thursday and shares are up 64% year-toApril-September period a hefty six-fold to 3 billion yen. That compares with the 476 million yen net loss it booked for the same period a year earlier.
And it’s not only the company that’s bullish — investors liked the sound of it too.
-date versus a 12% decline in the broader Nikkei Stock Average.
The reasons are even more intriguing: a boost in CD and DVD sales linked to mega-hit animated series “One Piece” and the hugely popular South Korean boy band Tong Vfang Xien Qi, known better in Japan as Tohoshinki.
Earlier this year, the five-member South Korean pop group, which made a debut here in 2005, devastated fans with an announcement that it would cease group activities in Japan and focus on solo work. Fortunately for Avex, that sparked sales of a Tohoshinki greatest hits album and solo singles.
“I have to admit this bad luck has also brought us good luck,” said Avex spokesperson Taishi Arashida. “These guys are clearly beyond the conventional South Korean boom.”
FAIRY TALE VERSUS REALITY!
MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB.
THE DOCTOR FAINTED.
JACK AND JILL WENT UP THE HILL.
TO GO BEHIND THE BARN AND GET BUSY!
TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR.
OOOH. MY "E" JUST KICKED IN.
ARE YOU A GOOD WITCH OR A BAD WITCH?
SISTAH'! ARE YOU HIGH?
I'LL HUFF AND I'LL PUFF AND I'LL BLOW YOUR HOUSE DOWN
BITCH!!! I GOT A GUN!
MY GRANDMA. WHAT BIG TEETH YOU HAVE.
GIRL. THOSE ARE MY GUMS.
HAND ME MY DENTURES UP THERE ON THE DRESSER.
WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK.
DOPEY! STOP SMACKIN' ON THAT GUM!!
JACK BE NIMBLE. JACK BE QUICK.
GIRL! THAT BOY ON CRACK!!!
HUMPTY DUMPTY SAT ON A WALL
NO GIRL. HE WAS TAGGIN' THE WALL
RUB A DUB DUB THREE MEN IN A TUB.
WEST HOLLYWOOD.
THE DOCTOR FAINTED.
JACK AND JILL WENT UP THE HILL.
TO GO BEHIND THE BARN AND GET BUSY!
TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR.
OOOH. MY "E" JUST KICKED IN.
ARE YOU A GOOD WITCH OR A BAD WITCH?
SISTAH'! ARE YOU HIGH?
I'LL HUFF AND I'LL PUFF AND I'LL BLOW YOUR HOUSE DOWN
BITCH!!! I GOT A GUN!
MY GRANDMA. WHAT BIG TEETH YOU HAVE.
GIRL. THOSE ARE MY GUMS.
HAND ME MY DENTURES UP THERE ON THE DRESSER.
WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK.
DOPEY! STOP SMACKIN' ON THAT GUM!!
JACK BE NIMBLE. JACK BE QUICK.
GIRL! THAT BOY ON CRACK!!!
HUMPTY DUMPTY SAT ON A WALL
NO GIRL. HE WAS TAGGIN' THE WALL
RUB A DUB DUB THREE MEN IN A TUB.
WEST HOLLYWOOD.
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