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Wah~ Yuchun looks so… sexy! Well, he always does. I’m sure everyone agrees with me. And the rest of them are just… Yummy.
My Micky Mouse:
Maybe it’s just me but I don’t like the exposed chests. It makes me want to turn away. I mean it’s sexy and all but don’t fluant it 24/7. I have a hard time looking at them, I find myself staring at their faces more than I used to. Ah~ But, that doesn’t matter. Here’s the rest of their sexyness…
Aren’t they all so cute? Junsu and Yuchun… cuties!
That’s all. Now off I go to eat chocolate cake work out. ^^Hope you had fun looking at the really pretty pictures. I’m loving the graphics. Have a happy day^^
The Hollywood remake of the 2001 Korean box-office hit “My Sassy Girl” will open nationwide in Korea on Oct. 30, according to the film’s domestic distributor, Showbox.
Starring Jesse Bradford (“John Tucker Must Die”) and Elisha Cuthbert (“The Girl Next Door, 24″), the Yann Samuell-directed remake of the same name will be similar to the original, aside from the location and the female lead re-imagined as a wealthy socialite.
Set in New York, the movie tells the story of an everyman’s romantic involvement with an eccentric, free-spirited woman.
(kws@heraldm.com)
2008.09.24
Somehow, I don’t think it will be half as good. I’ve only ever watched the subbed version because of my lack of understanding of the Korean language, so… again, Minjee will edit this, as she has most likely seen it. ^^ I rely too much on her. Here’s hoping it fails miserably is a hit.
“EDIT“ Hello! Of course it won’t be as good. No offense to anyone, but anytime Hollywood remakes a great asian classic it always loses its appeal. Ah, but, really I hope people enjoy it. Maybe than they’ll want to watch the original. From what I remember of it(It’s been a few years.) it had a good storyline. The plot was simple and easy to follow. Hope everyone enjoys the remake as much as the original was enjoyed.
Renowned writers from China and Japan are to visit Seoul later this month to attend a forum on East Asian literature, organizers were quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency.
Leading Japanese playwright and writer Inoue Hisashi and Chinese author Mo Yan, who gained notoriety with his novel-turned film “Red Sorghum,” will visit South Korea to participate in a seven-day East Asia Literature Forum starting on Sept. 29, announced Daesan Foundation, a Seoul-based literary organization.
The forum is the first of its kind and was established to promote exchange and understanding between the writers of South Korea, China and Japan.
Some 50 writers from the three East Asian countries will participate in the forum, including Chinese author Tie Ning, whose short story “Ah, Xiangxue” won a Chinese national award in 1982, and Su Tong, best known for his book “Wives and Concubines,” which was later adapted into the acclaimed film “Raise the Red Lantern.” Japanese writer Masahiko Shimada, a self-described left-wing author, will be in attendance, as will Keiichiro Hirano and Risa Wataya, winners of Japan’s prestigious Akutagawa Prize at the ages of 23 and 19 respectively.
Hwang Sok-yon, a South Korean novelist sentenced to 7 years in prison in 1993 for an unauthorized visit to North Korea and freed by presidential pardon from former President Kim Dae Jung after serving five years, will also take part in the forum, the foundation said.
2008.09.16
I don’t know anything about these people… so, Minjee will edit this later and give her input.^^ Much love and support…
“EDIT“ Hello! This is Minjee. I’ve been gone a long time, right? A week with my family was what I needed. I got to speak my native tongue nearly the whole time. So glad! Now, on to this post. Mo Yan! I haven’t read many Chinese novels, but I really enjoyed reading his. Red Sorghum is one of the best books ever… of the chinese ones. And Hwang Sokyon, too? Ah, I really want to go home now. ^^I guess I have to settle for second-hand news.
Pop idol makes shaky start in musical
Having well-known singers and actors on theater stage is a formula for success in musicals and plays, but the trend has become so prevalent that it seems almost passe.
Still, public attention was generated when two members of the popular Korean boy band Super Junior — Kang-in and Hee-chul — decided to make their musical debut in “Xanadu,” sharing the lead role.The show — a 1960s movie turned into a Broadway musical about a muse who comes to the human world and finds true love — seemed to be a perfect match for the pop idols.
Although Super Junior fans eagerly awaited the musical, there was a lingering doubt about whether the two young stars would be able to sing and act in the theater.
Prior to the show’s opening, the two pop idols seemed determined to showcase their talent for musical acting. They even said that they would rehearse far more than required to disprove the claim that they got the roles because of their boy-band success. In last Tuesday’s performance, where Kang-in played the main character Sonny, he succeeded in drawing his fans to the theater. At first, a number of doe-eyed teenage girls could be seen gazing at their idol in admiration.
Kang-in made a strong presence on the stage with his cute appearance and trademark smile, to wild responses from his fans. But he did not seem not fully prepared for the show, which required a combination of singing, acting, and roller skating. In most parts of the show, the main characters are on roller skates, due to the show’s unusual setting.
Kang-in’s singing and acting was far from professional, falling short of the level you would expect, and he gave the impression that he was not comfortable with his performance.
Kang-in was also shaky and unstable when skating — at one point he tripped and almost wiped out, prompting chuckles from the audience.
Kang-in’s less-than-impressive performance raised questions about the musical industry’s preference for high-profile entertainers from other fields, even if their presence does help ticket sales.
Meanwhile, the “Panadu” seats — where people could watch the show right up close to the actors, who would occasionally come and play with them — were a refreshing experiment as audiences seated in the special section enjoyed interacting with actors.
“Xanadu” will run through Nov. 23 at Doosan Art Center in Yeonji-dong, northern Seoul. For further information, call (02) 745-5570.
By Koh Young-aah
2008.09.22
Ah~ Poor Kangin… I’m sure he did his best.
I had meant to put this up… uh, I kind of forgot. It was meant to be up here on the 22nd, but of course I didn’t make it. Once again, poor kangin.
Sorry for not getting it on time. ^^
I won’t say I’m a big fan of them. I don’t not like them but… Yeah. Although they are real cute. ^^ Random interview post up ahead.
A chorus of young voices light up the room.
“Hi! We’re SHINee!”Bright and bubbly, the brand new five-member boy band shouts and bows in unison.
Here at the S.M. Entertainment headquarters on a Tuesday afternoon for their interview with The Korea Herald, the fledgling pop singers file in eagerly.
The future looks bright for them. After all, they are under the label that brought us top boy bands TVXQ and SuperJunior.
They are young. They are hot. And they are singing their way into pop fans’ hearts.
In short, this group of 15 to 18-year olds fits the formula for making it in the Korean pop industry.
And it seems to be working.
Just three months into their career, the group crooned their way into the hearts of older women across the nation with their debut single, “Replay,” nabbing a Cyworld Digital Music “Rookie of the Month” Award and a Mnet 20’s Choice “Hot New Star” Award with the surefire chorus, “Sister, you’re so pretty.”
“Love like Oxygen,” the first single off of SHINee’s full length album, climbed to the number three spot for the first week of September on music download site Soribada (www.soribada.com).
Boy band SHINee (from left to right): Onew, Taemin, Jonghyun, Minho, Key [S.M. Entertainment]Their first full length album, “The SHINee World,” hit the top of the Korean pop charts this week on online music store Hottracks (www.hottracks.co.kr) following its release in late August.
But before they make it big, SHINee wants to let people know who they are and what their new album is all about.
It is just past lunchtime when they roll in. Jong-hyun and Key, the most talkative of the group, introduce themselves first.Decked out in skinny black jeans and jackets it is hard to tell who is who, save for the youngest member, Tae-min, who is wearing a bowler hat.
Having already been on the interview circuit, the boys act like pros. SHINee leader O-new, in particular, keeps his cool. That is until the band starts talking about their Mnet reality show.
In each episode, a female guest star dates SHINee. At the end of each show, she gets to choose her favorite.
The boys start laughing as they discuss how Key got picked twice and everyone but O-new won once.
The 18-year old singer crosses his arms and pouts: “I haven’t been chosen yet because I didn’t want to get picked.”
As the joking and bantering goes on, it gets easier to tell them apart. The tanned, ambitious one with the strong vocals is Jong-hyun. The kid who never gets picked but always acts with a sense of duty is O-new.
Tae-min is the baby with the hip-hop moves. Key takes the band’s energy level up a notch. And Min-ho, who sits shyly in the corner for most of the interview, likes to play soccer and basketball.
So what is it like to be in a boy band?
“We sleep in one room with five beds,” answered Key.
“Jong-hyun sings in his sleep,” adds O-new.
“I make Tae-min fried dumplings, heat things up for him,” Key says proudly.
“Three-minute chef!” The rest of the band teases him.
All the boys laugh as they talk about living together. But they become more serious when it comes to music.
“Everyone wanted to be a performer from early on,” said Key, who started preparing for his debut in his second year of middle school. Taemin went to auditions when he was in sixth grade. The other boys also got cast for S.M. Entertainment in 2005 and 2006.
They talk about it as if this was all ages ago, which seems odd, since they is still in their teens and because it serves as a reminder that these are not just your average run-of-the-mill kids. They are full-time singers.
But despite the fact that they are mature when it comes to work, SHINee are still inexperienced when it comes to dating.
“Because we started training early, there was no time to date,” Key says. “So when we got ‘Replay,’ we were really surprised, because we hadn’t fallen in love with an older woman before.”
“We got some secondhand experience from videos,” Jong-hyun points out.
“Music videos,” leader O-new clarifies, to make sure there are no misunderstandings.
That secondhand experience must have helped. The group convincingly courts an older girl in the music video for the hit single, while soulfully belting out the lyrics for this R&B song.
Many of the other tracks on their new album also stick to the topic of romance, including Jong-hyun’s favorite “Love’s Way,” and “ROMANTIC,” which Min-ho cites as his favorite track.
So while the boys themselves might not be ready for love, it looks like their fans will have a hard time keeping themselves from falling for them.
By Jean Oh
2008.09.18
^^ Minjee Unnie is coming back! I’m happy, only a few more hours. I will definetely make her play soccer with me. And Oppa too! ^^
You probably don’t know, but at the moment I’m living with my grandmother, Mamaw. As you probably also don’t know, I’m not christian. Actually I don’t really believe in anything. Ah, but Mamaw is a die-hard christian. Now you must know that she goes to church every sunday and has faith classes on wednesday and the r.o.c. on friday. She hates that I don’t believe in god. Ahaha, but I hate that there are times when she is racist. The past month or so she has been trying to change me. I like to wear my long-sleeved sweaters all the time. Even during summer. I like to listen to my music all the time. I like to be on the internet. I like to have my children(animals) visit all the time. I REALLY like bringing stray animals in and making them only like me. Oh, and I love to eat. She, on the other hand, says long-sleeves are for cold weather. Okay, I can handle that. She says I play my music too loud. I can barely hear it. So I turn it down. She says I need to get up and help her, that’s what I’m here for. I do. Just when she doesn’t need me I like to be on the internet. She says I can’t have my children over too much because they don’t like her. Well, what does she expect? They were all strays at one point and they only like me(Although they do like Minjee). She says I can feed the outside cats but I can’t bring them in. Why not? They’re sweet and adorable little children. Sure, I have Chullie and Saja(Sweety) but I’m really used to having cats.
I have changed alot since I first came here. Mostly for the better, as I’ve been trying to change my personality so I don’t come off as a complete anti-social(Although I am). I don’t mind changing when I’m the one trying to change myself. Fine, I’ll do everything she says because Minjee says I have to, but I will not, I repeat, WILL NOT, change my religion. Lately she’s been trying to force me to go with her to church. I can’t. I just can’t. I’ve changed too much for her sake. I’m getting tired of not being myself. I’ve decided. I’m going back to my old self. I’ve tried, I really have. Hu~ I’m just so tired. I want to be myself for once. I want to be Anti-social. I want to openly hate people again. I REALLY want to be able to go back to being myself. I miss saying what was on my mind. In the recent months I have gained so many problems. I’m used to saying the things that I think. I can deal with the lack of sleep. I’m used to it, me being an insomniac. I can deal with cutting down on my eating, because she’s trying to diet. I can deal with so many things, but there is a breaking point. I’m about to break.
Maybe it’s for the best if I do. I should just let her break me. I should give in. I’m tired… too tired to resist. Maybe tonight I’ll go to the r.o.c. with her. Maybe, I’ll just become a zombie like everyone else. Hahaha~ wouldn’t it be better than trying to fight someone 24/7? I’ll become just another person who wakes up and follows the crowd. That’s what she wants. That is what everyone wants.
I’ve been up for four days now, and my mind isn’t clear. I really need to sleep soon. As minjee has told me countless times, it isn’t good for my health. I miss her.
On a happier note, Minjee and Youngwoon and their Mom and Dad are comeing back tomorrow. Maybe I’ll visit and she’ll help me figure it all out. Tired~~~
Am sure most of you will not want to read this… but I have to get it off my chest. I HATE HER!!! It’s not that she’s a woman, not that she’s Christian, not that’s she’s white, but that she hates animals! How do I know this? Because she supports aerial killing of wolves and bears. If you don’t know anything about the process, let me tell you, it’s horrible. I usually don’t comment on American politics, as I really couldn’t care less. But this woman is… Argh! Seeing as I’m finally registered to vote, it has made me even more upset. I’m probably not making any sense, but I just learned of this today. ~~I haven’t been myself since Minjee isn’t here~~
I’m just pissed. I would rather have that Obama guy than have someone as fucked up as that woman. This is what got me:
Palin approved and expanded the state’s aerial predator control program, where wolves are shot from aircraft and bears hunted from aircraft and killed upon landing. This year, her state biologists even dragged 14 newborn wolf pups from their den and, having already shot their parents, then shot each of the pups in the head at close range. Last year, her administration offered a $150 bounty for each wolf killed until the bounty was ruled illegal by the courts. Hundreds of wolves are killed each year by this antiquated state program that has no scientific justification whatsoever, but rather is designed to appease Palin’s urban sport hunter supporters. ~~~From the Seattle Post Intelligencer~~~
And as Gandhi once said: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Now, what exactly does that mean? Hmm? The last time I saw an animal being treated well, excluding my beloved animals, was nearly a year ago. And that was only because it was Chico and his owner is really nice. One year. Now what does that say? I’ve never been a big fan of my own country. I’ve never woke up and went, ‘Wow! I’m glad I was born in America!’. Now with this coming up… No, I need to stop ranting about the country, I’ll get to it later. Right now I need to clear my head and talk calmly about that… woman.
That woman, who I hate, is a waste of good meat that could be used to feed the wolves she wants to kill so bad. This is getting out of hand, I think. So I’ll leave you with some pretty pictures of the so-called sport she supports.
Disgusting, no?
How could anyone do this, seriously?
Can you really make yourself put her in power?
Their proud of it. See? So proud of their trophies.
These are just a few of the photos that popped up when i searched her name and aerial hunting. I’m sure you can find many more.
Now, I really have to make myself calm down, so bye.
I’m not too sure if I’m happy about this or not. BoA is debuting in America. Not that I don’t like her, just, I’ve never really been much of a fan of hers. And to me, English music is… I can’t stand it, to be blunt. I wish her the best, of course. Hope she does well. I might even listen to a few of her songs… Well, her korean ones.
Here’s what I read…
Japanese, American, Chinese and Korean press gathered at the Imperial Palace Hotel yesterday in Seoul to get the latest on BoA’s entry into the U.S. music market.
BoA’s Lee Soo-man – founder and producer of her Korean label S.M. Entertainment – and her U.S.-based music publishing agent, choreographer and project manager showed up to clue the press in on the diva’s upcoming U.S. single and plans for the future.
BoA immediately stunned reporters by walking in with a cast on her left arm.
“I wanted to look put together and pretty today,” the 21-year old singer explained at the press conference. “But I fell.”
The accident happened on Tuesday night after BoA and her team finished preparing for the press conference at S.M. Entertainment headquarters. On her way out, she fell down the stairs and injured herself.
BoA’s doctors say she will fully recover within six weeks. And her injury will not affect her work schedule.
Still upbeat despite the cast on her arm, BoA was eager to talk about her first U.S. single and her upcoming full-length album.
The single, titled “Eat You Up,” is slated for release via the internet on Oct. 7 along with two music videos. The album will be hitting store shelves in America next year.
“In reality, we started to talk about going into the American market two or three years ago,” BoA confessed. “It was very hard preparing for this in secret.”
S.M. Entertainment chairman Lee Soo-man, who will be promoting BoA via S.M. USA, started prepping for the pop diva’s entry in 2005.
With the help of their publishing agent Hayden Bell, BoA and chairman Lee teamed up with top music producers Bloodshy and Avant to work on “Eat You Up.”
Known for producing Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” which they co-wrote, the Swedish duo put their talent to work for BoA.
They came out with a catchy chorus, a staccato electronic vibe and deep bass beats. In keeping with the current trend in the U.S. pop scene, the single veered away from BoA’s standard R&B and hip-hop sound.
To keep BoA’s hip-hop flavor intact, choreographers for her American and Asian music videos infused dance moves with a few solo riffs.
Misha Gabriel, who worked with Justin Timberlake, choreographed the routine for her Korean music video. It was directed by Cha Eun-taek.
Flii Stylz, known for his work with Chris Brown and Usher, choreographed her American music video.
“In April, we filmed a music video in New York and in July we filmed one in Korea,” said founder Lee. “So it is unusual, but there will be two music videos for the single.”
At the press conference, reporters caught a preview of both videos. The first, directed by Cha Eun-taek, bordered on generic, recalling Jennifer Lopez’s hit “I’m Glad.”
In keeping with the “Flashdance”-inspired video, Cha’s version opens up in a stuffy audition room. BoA and her dancers break into the audition and blow the judges away with their dance moves.
Diane Martel – the genius behind Ciara’s powerful “Like a Boy” – directed the U.S. version, which, unfortunately, disappoints. Lacking the wit and humor of her recent work – N.E.R.D’s “Everybody Nose (All The Girls Standing In The Line For the Bathroom” – Martel’s “Eat You Up” relies on rapid cuts between beauty shots of BoA and shots of her dancing on a dusty, grey moonscape.
But there is still hope.
BoA will be collaborating with rapper Flo Rida – who made it big with his single “Low” – on a remix of “Eat You Up,” giving her a chance to put out yet another video.
The press was also given a few sound bytes of another upcoming song, “Look Who’s Talking.” The addictive chorus boded well for the Asian pop princess.
And with Project Manager Max Gousse – who worked with Beyonce, Jay-Z and Usher – backing her up, BoA has a strong chance of making it in the U.S. market.
By Jean Oh
And another thing… I really don’t like any of those artist mentioned above. If her music is anything like theirs… Anyway… Wish her well!
I’ve realised I haven’t put up anything meaningful in forever.
How I didn’t know about this before… I have no clue. Jaehwan is one of my fav. actors ever. As I can’t think clearly right now, I’ll just post up what I read.
Actor Ahn Jae-hwan, 36, was found dead in his car yesterday morning. Police suspect suicide and are conducting an investigation.
Police said that Ahn was found dead alone in the back seat of his Carnival minivan, which was parked in a neighborhood in Nowon-gu, Seoul.
A suicide note and two burnt charcoal briquettes were also found in the car. Investigators suspect he died from inhaling toxic gas.
Police said that Ahn probably died several days ago. A witness said that the vehicle had been parked there for several days.
Ahn’s body has been taken to a nearby hospital for an autopsy.
According to local news reports, the suicide note expressed his love for Jung Sun-hee, his famous comedian and DJ wife. The couple married last November.
Business ventures that Ahn had been a part of had recently failed, and he was suffering from deteriorating health. There were also rumors of marital strife.
By Park Min-young
2008.09.09
Isn’t that just sad. Ah! Now I miss him. T_T
First off… I miss his smile! I miss seeing him in variety shows. Most of all, I miss his sense of humor. And if I said I didn’t miss his small eyes, I would really be lying. I have a thing for small eyes. But, isn’t he so cute? So adorably cute… I just want to hug him to pieces every time I see him. What’s the reason for me saying all of this? There is none. I was going through Minjee Unnie’s videos a few days ago and I came across one of my favourite X-man episodes with him in it. I couldn’t understand any of it, ’cause she doesn’t watch subbed videos, but I still watched it all through. I’m so pitiful. But, how can you not fall for him?
On a side note: Those of you waiting for Minjee to put more up in the korean language section will have to wait. She didn’t take her laptop with her and won’t be able to read her email for a bit. Ah, but, ‘Peanuts’ You didn’t make your question clear. Please send another email to Shakugan_ku@hotmail.com …But, again, you will still have to wait a bit. She’ll be back in a few days. ^^ She’s so lucky. ^^ I wanted to go see Xien Hou play.
