Sasuke-Ninja Warrior weekend-Makoto Nagano

Makoto Nagano-Sasuke All Star

http://home.comcast.net/~themiyamas/index.html (source)

Since I had to miss bits and pieces of the American Ninja (G4) premiere last week, I watched some of the reruns in between my study breaks over this past weekend.

So I got to see the rebuilt obstacle course after only the SECOND man in Sasuke history (started 1997) Makoto Nagano 長野 誠,(a Sasuke All Star) win during the 17th rendition and the first ninja warrior achieved it during the 4th one-Kazuhiko Akiyama in 1999 (crab fisherman). So there was show before the 18th one showing a completely redone First Stage. Some things taken off "jump hang" which always got people to lose. But it was replaced with other hard obstacles on in particular was the "spider walk" which you had to jump to tackle this obstacle. In the past it was in the second stage in various seasons and you started from the ground level. Another brutal obstacle I saw was the "salmon ladder" and the third stage edited "cliff hanger" was insane!

Season 18 started out crazy with only a few making it to stage two, alot of the all-stars did not make it past Stage 1! Only Nagano made it! But he disqualified himself on the third stage by going off course. (It was heart breaking!) Then onto Season 19, a shocking, two people made it past stage 1. Turns out that the producers/creators Sasuke did not want even ONE person to pass Stage one. They got close to their wish and by stage 2, both contestants could not pass the salmon ladder. The two American Ninja contestants from G4 could not win over the "spider walk" which was the obstacle that obliterated alot of Sasuke hopefuls.

This show is still one of my guilty pleasures! I am glad that the real commentary is still intact as I heard the UK version they took out the subtitles! I always have a great kick and laugh of what is said by the Japanese commentators.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWEe4nTB8e4 Makoto Nagano tackling stage one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg_6ShqefE Makoto Nagano winning 17th season SASUKE

http://home.comcast.net/~thepowerofsasuke/naganoe.html Mini Bio on Makoto Nagano

Air City on AZN -premiered last night

I have been following the Korean dramas for a bit of time on AZN TV!

Last night, they premiered AIR CITY which I had rented last month. I will get to see it again with better subs (the English ones towards the later chapters were HORRIFIC!) Plus I will be watching it with painful commercials. I guess that is the price I have to pay.

I do like Choi Ji Woo and Lee Jung Jae. Too bad I heard it was not a hit in Korea. Then again it was against some stiff competition while it was on in Korea.

Showtime show-The Brotherhood-a clip

On the most recent episode that was shown at 10pm on Showtime this past Sunday (11/18/2007), I saw that there were two Asian guys (Chinese as they were speaking Cantonese to each other) were selling fake LV bags to Michael (Jason Isaacs) in the Showtime show "The Brotherhood" which I think is great. See the clip below! Plus the Chinese was not butchered and spot on! (What a relief and it was not painful to my ears too!)

****Showtime should really step it up on advertising this show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BidQsymTjjk

Granted this blog is on Asian entertainment mainly, I wanted to point out that it is good to have Asian representation on shows. But also we need more VARIETY of characters in shows. I find that Asian men are typecasted in only a few roles criminals, martial artists, geeks etc.

I want to see more Asian men and women on TV! The American media does not accurately portray real life.

Sasuke (aka Ninja Warrior) new episodes and American on Ninja Warrior

Tonight is the long awaited NINJA fest I have been dying to see! Viewers will watch the winner of the G4 contest to find the next American Ninja Warrior (who was sent off to Japan back earlier this fall) to compete on "Sasuke" aka Ninja Warrior. (For those of you who did not get the memo it is an awesome tv show on G4. )

I have been addicted since its first few shows back in March of this year. I like that they do not dub over the original Japanese language commentary. I always get a hoot on what the commentator says! The basic premise is 100 people compete in a competition that requires contestants to go through three intense rounds (obstacle course) to try to become the next ninja warrior. Only two men have succeed in all 17 seasons of Ninja Warrior! As for the Women's Ninja Warrior, theirs is less emphasis on strength but more on balance and agility but one woman dominated and became Ninja Warrior three times in a row!

I plan to watch tonight the three brand spanking new episodes of "Sasuke" tonight!

Nanking-the movie---go check it out!!!!

I recently blogged about the upcoming soon to be in limited release the movie based on Iris Chang's "Rape of Nanking" movie called "Nanking".

This film will be in limited release starting next month in December. It premieres in the Boston area at the Landmark Kendall Theaters on January 25, 2008!

Here are some web links for more information:

http://www.nankingthefilm.com/press.aspx (this link will have many articles written up about the film)

http://www.nankingthefilm.com/ (the film's website) ****You can sign up to get updates when it comes to your a theater near you or when the DVD is out.

http://ted.aol.com/category.php?catID=359 Ted Leonsis the producer of the film found moi's blog entry and linked to it about the Boston Premiere event (last Friday) where Iris Chang's parents both attended on the third anniversary of her death.

Thanks Ted for producing this film!

Go out and tell your friends, family and support this film!

(*Please note that there are might be some material that will be unsuitable for young children.)

Boston Area Premiere-UNDOING-Dec 7, 2007 (FR)

Undoing

showing at 9:45 and midnight (2006) dir Chris Chan Lee w/ Sung Kang, Kelly Hu, Tom Bower, Russell Wong, Jose Zuniga [90 min]

After a mysterious year-long absence, Sam ("Better Luck Tomorrow" and "Finishing the Game"- Sung Kang) returns to Los Angeles determined to find redemption from the past. His mentor and only friend, Don Osa (Tom Bower), is a retired gangster with a parallel desire to leave the former world behind. But as Sam tries to balance revenge with reconciliation, he is drawn back to the shadowy world he left behind. This cool thriller set in L.A.'s Koreatown from Chris Chan Lee, director of the acclaimed Yellow, features an electric performance from Sung Kang, some great eccentric characters, and a film noir style tinged with L.A. neon. Don't miss this chance to see it on the big screen!

(source-www.brattlefilm.org)

NANKING-the movie 11.9.2007

Friday, November 9, 2007

Spent a day at work and caught up with some data entry and learned how to update and install the new ACT for Financial Planners, convert all our data whilst at work.

Went to the post office and got my Zhang Hui Mei concert ticket (yeah!). I must admit it was misleading when I got it on line I had the pick it up at the offices option. So I chose it to save $5 shipping charge. But within three days, they mailed it and had to charge me the $5. I was a bit upset. I cannot easily go to Chinatown due to my schedule but I was planning to pick it up. They could NOT wait a week? Very frustrating! I am looking forward to the concert on Thanksgiving at Mohegan Sun. Granted I am clueless to her work for the last few words but she has a great voice and I believe that she is very talented.

My sis and I grabbed some food at Boca Grande. I had not gone there in a long time. The prices went up but it was not bad for a chorizo burrito grande with rice, beans, avocado, and hot sauce.
We went the special event premiere NANKING the movie at the John Hancock at the Back Bay Event Center in the old John Hancock Center building. For our $15 tickets we were in the front area but on the side of the center tickets. There was a special performance by the North American Chorus Association with Yang Yang on the piano and Wan Jun Qiao conducted with soloist Fennie Chen singing “God Bless America.” Then there were three songs sung in Mandarin Chinese –Ballad of the Yellow River and Defending the Yellow River.

Emcee Sarinna Chiang talked about the Asian American Cultural Foundation WWII Asian History Society and then introduced "Rape of Nanking" author Iris Chang’s parents Professor Ying Ying and Professor ShauJin Chang. There was moving commentary from her father and then her mother introduced a rare photo montage of Iris from childhood til adulthood. Then there was a special trailer premiere of a film on Iris Chang. Afterwards, there was a quick short film about the GA Study Tour to China in 2007 for US educators to learn about the Nanking Massacre on a paid tour to create and use their notes with lacking information within the US History books.

Then Ted Leonsis who is a top executive at AOL spoke of his experience about Iris Chang’s book and how he became inspired to produce her book to create “Nanking.” Then we saw a hour footage of the 90 minute film of “Nanking”. There was not a dry eye in the house. It was an interesting premise to use actors to read aloud the letters and dairies while there was real footage, photos and interviews with survivors pulled the film together. The emotional testimonies from the Chinese soldiers and survivors while contrasted with the non contrite Japanese soldiers’ testimonials collaborate with the Chinese survivors interviews.

War is never a good time. The world is not aware of what happened in Nanking in the English speaking world until Iris Chang wrote her book “The Rape of Nanking.” I recall my mom telling me of what the Japanese did to the Chinese during WWII and she showed me very disturbing photos and explained what had happened to the Chinese at that time. My mother always had the wish that I would write a book about this horrific historical event that the world is not common knowledge outside of Chinese language history books.

During WWII, it made sense after the Japanese took over Shanghai their next target would be the Chinese capital Nanking which was only 120 miles away. The Chinese who fled to Nanking told of horrific stories of looting, raping and killing that happened in Shanghai. Japanese were definitely planning to capture the capital in 1937. The Westerners living in Nanking at the time their personal writings-dairies and letters flushed out the actual footage and photos. The graphic photos, videos and interviews were heart breaking. Over 200,000 Chinese died and about 20,000 Chinese women were raped during this time as estimated by the Tokyo War Tribunal.
What is upsetting and disturbing is there are still Japanese who deny that this every happened. To the Chinese with my mother included, she calls it the untold Holocaust. It is important that the world knows about the Nanking Massacre. It is sad that Iris Chang is no longer with us, but her legacy lives on. Friday night marked the third anniversary of her death.

There was a brief Q and A after the movie was shown. We were informed that HBO bought the rights so it will be shown there and it will premiere in December and at the Landmark Kendall theaters in Cambridge on January 25, 2008.

For more pics:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20384&l=e48d1&id=575810425

How the Lack of Love Affects Two Men (KR 2006) 애정결핍이 두 남자에게 미치는 영향

Lee Hye Young actress who plays-Mimi

(Pics credit-Hancinema/dramawiki)

How the Lack of Love Affects Two Men - 애정결핍이 두 남자에게 미치는 영향 (Ae-jeong-gyeol-pil-i Doo Nam-ja-e-ge Mi-chi-neun Yeng-hyang) .

Cast
Baek Yoon-sik (백윤식) Dong Chul (Dad) (Like a Virgin, Art of Fighting, President's Last Bang)

Bong Tae-gyu (봉태규) Dong Hyun (Son) (Good Lawyer's Wife/Ssunday Seoul/ drama: Rooftop Cat)

Lee Hye-young (이혜영) Mimi (beautiful widow) (dramas: Dal Ja's Spring/PaPa/Cheot Sarang)

Ahn Kil-kang (안길강)

Jeong Woo (정우)

Woo Hyeon (우현)

Hwang Seok-jeong (황석정)

Synopsis (koreanfilm.or.kr)

A miserly father and his clever yet immature son live emotionally impoverished lives together. That life is interrupted when a beautiful widow moves in as a tenant. A battle between father and son to win the widow’s heart begins. No concession, No scruples, No rules.

I read a good film review by lunapark6 regarding this movie as well as by James Mudge at beyondhollywood.com.

THOUGHTS

I did not know what to expect with this film. But the acting was great and there is definitely "toilet" humor in this film. Baek Yoon Sik plays Dong Chul, always turns in an excellent performance and here plays a suave con artist who bilks money from big companies by blackmailing them. He has an old school charm about him and also lectures to others on his methods to making money. He never misses a trick.

His son Dong Hyun is well played by Bong Tae Gyu, I remember the first time I saw him was in "Rooftop Cat" as Jung Da Bin's annoying and troublesome brother. Here he is no match for his articulate father, but he has a "softer side" but if all else doesn't work, he does resort to forcefulness. They have lived quite a bit of time without a woman in their lives.

One day an attractive divorce Mimi (well played by Lee Hye Young) decides to rent the space below to open a coffee shop. Every man in this town is drooling including father and son Dong Chul and Dong Hyun. Both men decide to compete to win her affections.

Their hijinks and efforts as they both undergo to get her attention at times seem far fetched and juvenile but they really do stop at nothing to win the upper hand----tying each other up while sleeping. If all else fails, then they can even be mean to their object of desire. At times it does feel weird that both are trying to "hit" on Mimi for dates and more.

Overall it is a funny film and I had a few laughs.

Xeno (제노) and Younha 윤하 not your typical Kpop girl band group members

Younha Go
( photo credit IMEEM)


(XENO 제노)

I just saw a clip of Xeno (제노) singing "I Promise". Her English singing ability is good. She has the cute tomboyish looks that with a surprisingly strong clear voice. She is clearly a young teen but she has talent potential! She came out in Korea as a 17 year old last year.

Xeno - 나쁜사람 (Bad Person) MV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhHur82yPps

Xeno- I Promise MV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mzdjcnkwI4

Many people in the industry are starting to compare her to Korean Singer Younha 윤하 who is also good at singing English songs well. Judge for yourself, I think Xeno has potential but it is premature to call Xeno is similar to Younha. But she is no Younha. Younha can sing in Japanese, English and Korean but also play the piano and can dance well. Plus she specializes in a more rock sound from what I gather on the net.

Younha - Secret Number 486 (English Subtitles)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_X2BG3bASQ

Younha - Because of you (Kelly Clarkson's song)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Har5JOmGcdo

Younha - How Do I Live (English)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBj_5wfXFYY

Younha - Since U Been Gone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IghqZWxGVq0

Younha - Love Condition (연애조건) Perf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZz5QnGb8cU

Younha - Audition (Her debut MV)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q33k4Jr7wI

Younha (윤하) - Gida Rida (기다리다)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BB830720C8

Te Wo Tsunaide~YOUNHA~(English subs)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOdbKAPVyq0

Arirang TV Interview with Younha (English Subbed) Showbiz extra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAyluLj2DIY

Dal Ja's Spring (KR 2007) 달자의 봄

(KBS/wiki.d-addicts)

Dal Ja's Spring (aka Spring of Oh Dal Ja) (KR KBS2- 2007) 달자의 봄 is a recent drama I caught that was broadcast during January to March of 2007. It marks the first drama for Chae Rim since her divorce from her husband. I really loved Chae Rim in this drama! It is nice to see her comedic side here as a 33 year old woman who never really had a relationship but she has a great career! She may be fumble and not be perfect, but her colleagues and people around her enjoy her warm earnestness, good heart and ever present smile and good attitude.

This drama spanned 22 episodes and it was a fun journey. I thought the episode titles were cute (see below) and the artwork used was nice. There were some homages to various movies, dramas within the drama that I laughed at such as to "Hwangjini", "Chariots of Fire", "The Bodyguard", and "Rocky" to name a few. Overall I thought the acting was solid, though I did not find Lee Min Ki (as Tae Bong) as believable. He seemed a bit stiff and not as fluid and natural as Chae Rim. Even the older generation---Tae Bong's parents and Dal Ja's grandmother and mom had some side stories which I liked. It was not all concentrated on Dal Ja and her worries.

It was good to see again Lee Hye Young as the alluring TV personality Wee Seon Joo. I remember her in "Cheot Sarang" or First Love and Papa. She has the right mix of coolness that enables her to not get hurt. But does this hide a more vulnerable heart?

I enjoyed that the drama talked about various women and their experiences especially in episode 14---"I am Not Superwoman". It is not easy being a woman whether a mom, mother in law, daughter, girlfriend, friend or work colleague. Women have many troubles and strive to overcome the many stigmas and situations that always come their way whether on the job or in their own personal lives. For Dal Ja it is her age and lack of dating experience and having a boyfriend that befuddles her the most. She wants "real love".

When two men come into her life after her disastrous dating experience with colleague and play boy Shin Sae Do (played by Gong Hyeon Jin), she is thrilled. Initially she thinks Eom Ki Joong is her night in shining armour--he is successful, handsome and knows how to treat a woman. But his past comes to haunt Dal Ja just as she is Ki Joong start dating. Her contract boyfriend Tae Bong comes in handy even though he is six younger than her.

Lately, I have noticed alot of "contract" dating or "Boyfriend for hire" as a topic favored by drama writers in the last few years. If it is not a contract, the couple "fake" their relationship until later they both have feelings with each other such as found in "Wedding", "Kim Sam Soon", "Witch Yoo Hee", "Coffee Prince" and even "Dal Ja's Spring". But I do find that element fun. It is nice to see how the couple like each other.

Dal Ja's Spring was great and I LOVE LOVED the soundtrack. It is rare that I do not enjoy the OST for a drama.

Thanks to the awesome fansubs it made the watching of this drama more enjoyable. (I like it when the song lyrics are translated too as it is not the usual case.)

(wiki.d-addicts)
Chae Rim 채림 (All About Eve) as Oh Dal Ja
Lee Min Ki 이민기 (李民基)as Kang Tae Bong
Lee Hyun Woo 이현우 (actor/singer) (Rooftop Cat/Wedding) as Uhm Gi Joong
Lee Hye Young 이혜영 (First Love/Papa) as Wee Seon Joo
Gong Hyeong Jin 공형진 as Shin Sae Do

Extended Cast
Seo Yeong Hee as Jang Soo Jin
Kil Young Woo as Tae Bong's father
Kwon Ki Sun as Yeong Shim (Tae Bong's mother)
Kim Na Woon as Go Soon Ae (Oh Dal Ja's sunbae)
Jang Young Nam as Uhm Gi Joong's wife
Lee Kyung Jin as Jung Ae (Dal Ja's mother)
Kim Young Ok as Dal Ja's grandmother
Kim Sung Kyum as Tae Bong's grandfather
Oh Kyung Soo as the department director
Kim Jae Wook as Choon Ha (Tae Bong's friend)
Seo Yeong as Hong Ji Hee

Main Characters profile:
Chae Rim 채림 as Oh Dal Ja
33-year-old promising home shopping channel managing director. She owns a house and a car thanks to a career driven life. She’s interested in men but is a disaster on real dates. She’s a professional in work but a novice in love. She begins a dreamy love affair with flirtatious coworker Shin Sedo but is enraged to find out about his infidelity. She hires a boyfriend by contract, Taebong, to seek revenge on Sedo.

Lee Min Ki 이민기 (李民基)as Kang Tae Bong
27-year-old freelancer for a proxy dating agency. He begins to pretend as Dalja’s boyfriend. It takes people time to discover his warm heart due to his outspoken character. He develops feelings for Dalja.

Lee Hyun Woo 이현우 as Uhm Gi Joong
36-year-old prospering businessman who heads an importing firm of foreign brand goods. He is polite and humble with reputable character. But he’s very possessive and hates to lose. He asks Dalja to start a relationship with him as he thought she would be comfortable and not have high expectations on love. He is aghast at her elementary dating experience but grows attracted to her more and more.

Lee Hye Young 이혜영 as Wee Seon Joo
33-year-old home shopping network show host. A former hot model, she disappeared from the public eye when she married at 29. She returns three years later as a divorcee. The talented show host, who can be fussy and particular, gets on Dalja’s nerves. She is a dating genius who knows all dating rules there are and what not. Her skills shine in making Shin Sedo as her man.

Synopsis (wikipedia)
Oh Dal Ja is a manager at a home shopping center. She is already 33 years old and is still single. And still waiting for her 'prince' to come. She has everything... money, power and success. The only thing she dreams about is marriage. Then she meets flirty guy, Shin Se Do, who seemed very nice to her. After seeing how he flirts with Wee Seon Joo (and later dumped Dal Ja for her), the beautiful host of the home shopping tv show, she seeks revenge. Kang Tae Bong , a guy 6 years younger than her and has a mysterious past, pretends to be her boyfiend and signs a dating contract with her. But then again, who is this Eom Ki Jeong that seemed to be the perfect gentleman? He's an enterprise representative who's just so perfect.. rich, good-looking, intelligent and courteous but recently separated from his wife.

Three men, one woman.. who will win Oh Dal Ja's charm? Who will end up as her 'knight in shining armor?'

Drama targeted many stereotypes in Korean society. Including older women dating or marrying younger men or single women over 30s dealing with everyday social pressures as well as working mothers juggling their work and family life.

Episode and Episode Titles (wikipedia)
Ep. 1 Things That Drive Her Crazy
Ep. 2 Can Love be Hired?
Ep. 3 A Romantic Inquiry Through a Powerful, Fated Encounter
Ep. 4 There was a Prince, indeed, However..
Ep. 5 Her Stance on Handling an Unsuitable Relationship
Ep. 6 Show Must Go On!
Ep. 7 We Need 2% Moisture In Our Hearts
Ep. 8 Lack of Love's Adverse Effect on an Old Maid
Ep. 9 The Weight Of One Brick...
Ep. 10 Sometimes...Remember That We Are Right Next to You!
Ep. 11 The Rules for Action and Reaction in Dating
Ep. 12 The Reason Why Our Romance Is Beautiful
Ep. 13 Happy Valentine's Day To You!
Ep. 14 It's O.K. Even If You're Not Superwoman!
Ep. 15 Love Saturates My Heart Like A Spring Shower!
Ep. 16 There Needs To Be Loyalty in Love!
Ep. 17 The Earnest Things That Need To Be Thrown Away While In Love Part 1
Ep. 18 The Earnest Things That Need To Be Thrown Away While In Love Part 2
Ep. 19 Living As A Man.. That's The Way It Is
Ep. 20 Living As A Woman.. That's The Way It Is
Ep. 21 People That Are Hopeless With Love
Ep. 22 Spring Comes (Around) Again, Flowers Bloom Again
Source: TNS Media Korea

í== OST == 달자의 봄 OST [2007.01.25]

01. Gi Juk Gat Eun Sarang - Lee Kyung Hwa
02. Sweet Lover - Park Hye Kyung
03. To You Mine - Pearl's Day
04. Choo Uk Eul Yul Da - So Yun
05. Nae Son Eul Jab Ah Jwuh - K-Jun
06. Na Bbeun Sarang - M.R.J (Kang Jae Hyuk)
07. Shim Jang - Eun Young
08 Impression
09 Ya-Ya-Ya
10. Choo Uk Eul Yul Da (Inst.)
11 Lively Breeze12 Surprise13 To You Mine (Funky Ver.)
14. Gi Juk Gat Eun Sarang (Orchestra Ver.)
15. Nuh Eh Gi Uk
16. Gi Juk Gat Eun Sarang (Original Ver.)

Staff
Screenwriter: Kang Eun Kyung
P.D.: Lee Jae Sang
Music: Ji Pyung Kwon