SS501 Rebirth!

Thanks to a friend who sent me a blurb today, I found out that SS501 is coming out with a new mini-album. I know, I'm such a bad fan.  I didn't even know about this ahead of time.  Anyways, this is the first time that everybody will be back together recording, after Kim Hyun Joong's working on Boys Over Flowers and various other members were also having different projects.  Titled Rebirth, this new mini-album was highly anticipated and has been well received when it first hit the stores today.  The special edition of the album (with a poster, etc) is out in Korea today, October 20th, while the regular edition will be released October 22nd. The album follows as thus:

01. WASTELAND
02. Love Like This (네게로)
03. 하루만(Only One Day)
04. Obsess (중동...)
05. 완.두.콩.

DSP worked hard to make this a successful album, bringing in famous songwriters as well as the amazing producer Steven Lee, known for winning 15 Japan Golden Disc awards.  He has also produced many top artists in both Korea and Japan, including DBSK, Bi-Rain, and Super Junior.  Ken Lewis, who has worked with Usher and Kanye West was also brought in to mix the songs.  With so much talent brought on board, it's no wonder than the album has been a huge hit so far.

SS501 has had some good luck as well.  Their main song, Love Like This, was apparently a hot item wanted by many other artists.  Thankfully, SS501 was able to successfully bid for the song and use it to bring us another great album.  I don't know if this occurred to anybody else but the opening of Love Like This really reminds me of Justin Bieber's song One Time.  The fact that SS501 can change styles so dramatically, especially from the Triple-S heavy electronic beat filled UR Man, really shows SS501's skill across the board.

Although I have loved the the mini-albums SS501 have brought us, I am dying for another real full album.  How much longer must our fans wait?  I hope that all of the members and the team stayy healthy, especially in the midst of news of exhaustion.  I know that I am anticipating another great album.

While I know that the album has only been out for a few hours, I must say that I was rather disappointed that I could not find the complete album out online yet.  I want to listen to it now!  However, watch for an update as I will make sure to post it right here, on Asian Media Ramblings.




Cover Art for SS501's Mini-Album Rebirth

Love Like this


Album Previews (Out of Order)

Lee Seung Ki Spotting!

While browsing YouTube recently (and I bet that you do it too), I came across this cute video for some random song. This is what happens when you randomly click on interesting looking "Related Videos" suggested by YouTube. The endeavor paid off. The video was amazingly heart touching and the song wasn't bad. However, I could not place the main protagonist. He looked so familiar yet. At first, I thought that he just looked somewhat like some Lee Dong Gun but then I soon realized that it couldn't be Lee Dong Gun. Who was it? It was not until the end of the video that I realized: It is our good friend Lee Seung Ki from Shining Inheritance. I was amazed at the transformation from his hot, bad attitude, idol boy look in Shining Inheritance to this kind and dorky high school student. It just shows how versatile he can be and how talented he is. I must say that I rather like the feel of this character he portrays, though who could ever dislike the cute boy in Shining Inheritance? Does anybody know who sings the song and what it is titled?

Video with Lee Seung Ki

Where U At?

For anybody who did not know, I have a new-found obsession with the Korean group Big Bang. While I will do a complete entry on them in the (near hopefully) future, I just wanted to share some news I heard today. Imagine my delighted surprise when I heard that Tae Yang has come out with a new song and MV! This was such a great relief from the endless work that I have been piled under (hence the sporadic posing). However, I could not pass up on notifying all of you on this great news. I must admit that the ending is kinda of weird. Check it out and tell me what you think!

Where U At By Tae Yang Ft. Teddy

BoA Minute!

So, this is way overdue but for everybody who doesn't know, BoA Kwon, extremely talented Korean pop star has come out with an English album, now for sale at retailers such as ITunes and Amazon.  She is now focusing her efforts on dominating the American market.  By the looks of it, she is the most successful of all Korean artists who have attempted to dominate the American market.  The list of those who have *ahem* not done extremely well just goes on and on: Se7en, Bi-Rain (who is apparently the new desire of Megan Fox's heart), Wonder Girls, etc.  So why is BoA able to do it?  Extreme popularity back home, amazing dance moves, hard work, good image, smart decisions by her management company, and her pretty looks just may have something to do with it.  What has most surprised me is the fact that she has caught the attention of many, not just Asian Americans.  Teenagers and adults all over the world are dancing and bopping to her catchy lyrics.  Recently (depending on how you define that term), BoA was featured on Imeem's Single of the Second playlist, which just further shows how much attention she has garnered.  She has been able to snag a cover shot of NYLON magazine and performed at the San Francisco Gay Pride Festival.  Wondering if all of this will last?  Let's watch and see.

For all those wishing to listen to her American album, it can be found on Imeem.com.

BoA Kwon's American Album

BoA

Drama Update: Meteor Shower (Chinese Hana Yori Dango)

Now what is this that I hear of another adaptation coming out?  Apparently, a new mainland Chinese version (not to be mistaken with the Taiwan version) will be coming out soon.  Filming has begun in Xiamen and the drama is due to air on Hunan TV (Hunan Tai) in August. It is said that the drama will be called Meteor Shower.  However, instead of the typical romantic idol drama format, statements have been made about changing the plot for the Chinese version and turning it into an "inspirational drama."  This was foreseeable since the Chinese government had banned Meteor Garden due to the "bad themes" promoting a love for money.  

Many fans are disappointed in the casting, complaining that the producers should have chosen more well-known actors to compete in this contest to be the best.  The only slightly well known figures to be casted for the main five characters, are Yu Hao Ming playing Duan Yulei (Hanazawa Rui) and Wei Chen playing Ye Shuo (Mimasaka Akira).  Joining these two will be Zhang Han, playing Yun Hai (Domyouji Tsukasa), Zhu Zixiao playing Ximen Ruiqian (Nishikado Sojirou), and Zheng Shuang playing Chu Yuxun (Makino Tsukushi).  Apparently Hangeng, the Chinese member of the Korean idol boy band Super Junior, was one of the top picks to be part of the F4 but turned down the offer to focus on promoting Super Junior's 3rd album. 

This Chinese production has brought along quite a bit of controversy.  Apparently, Group 8 Media, which produced the Korean Boys Over Flowers purchased rights the the Hana Yori Dango franchise.  With this contract in place, no new adaptations are supposed to begin production in the following two years.  However, Meteor Shower has not only already started filming, they have begun their slew of press releases.  Korean fans are, of course, furious.  In return the producers of the Chinese adaptation states that they are not basing the drama on the manga, but will instead be producing a "completely different story."  They have even changed the name of the boy idols, converting from "F4" to "H4."

Do we want to watch this?  The Chinese dramas that I have watched thus far have been rather good and well done, lacking the over-the-top factor I find appears often in Taiwan dramas.  However, I am slightly worried about the plot changes in store.  I guess I will watch it to see how it differs from the rest. The music trailer is officially out.  Hope you enjoy!


Pictures of the Chinese F4:

The new table of each different portrayal of the main five characters:

Music Trailer for Meteor Shower :





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To my surprise, there is a much older version of Hana Yori Dango pre-dating all of this craze.  The first live-action movie Hana Yori Dango (Japanese) was actually made in 1995, directed by Yasuyuki Kusuda, starring Uchida Yuki as Makino Tsukushi, Shosuke Tanihara as Domyouji Tsukasa, Naohito Fujiki as Hanazawa Rui, Koichi Hashizume as Mimasaka Akira, and Kensaku Saeki as Nishikado Sojirou.  Naohito Fujiki also made a cameo appearance in the Hana Yori Dango Final.  Does anybody know where I can watch this?

Drama Update: Boys Before Flowers

This is coming greatly belated but I couldn't help but spread the word (if anybody hasn't heard yet) about the (relatively) new Korean Drama 꽃보다 남자 / Kgotboda Namja, otherwise known as Boys Before Flowers.  The drama is the third adaptation of Yoko Kamio's popular Shojo manga 花より男子, (Hana Yori Dango).  F4 made Meteor Garden in Taiwan and the Japanese did their own rendition too, so of course, the Koreans had to create something to trump them all.  The Korean drama stars Koo Hye Sun as Geum Jan Di (Makino Tsukushi), Lee Min Ho as Goo Joon Pyo (Domyouji Tsukasa), Kim Hyun Joong as Yoon Ji Hoo (Hanazawa Rui), Kim Bum as So Yi Jung (Nishikado Sojirou), and Kim Joon as Song Woo Bin (Mimasaka Akira).

For all of those who have not yet watched it (gasp), the plot follows the manga, creating a tumultuous love triangle between Geum Jan Di, Goo Joon Pyo, and Yoon Ji Hoo.  Further complicated by family pressures and disparities in social class, this classic love story is reproduced in modern day Korea.  Geum Jan Di is a hardworking a filial daughter while Goo Joon Pyo is the typical spoiled aristocratic heir to the corporation.  Mixed into this is Yoon Ji Hoo, the knight in shining armor, who comes to love Jan Di.

The question of which rendition is the best is hotly debated.  Meteor Garden with the good looking Jerry Yan and Vic Chou?  Or Hana Yori Dango with the cute Matsumoto Jun and Oguri Shun.  Or Boys Before Flowers with the handsome Lee Min Ho and Kim Hyun Joong?  Personally, I am not a big fan of Meteor Garden.  This may have a lot to do with the relatively oldness of the drama but what really puts me off is the horrible styling and clothing choices.  Some of the sets look hastily put together and obviously fake.  The acting is mediocre and often too exaggerated. On the other hand, Hana Yori Dango presents a much more realistic tone, though some of the scenes are very dark.  The acting is superb and the cast looks good together, with  Matsumoto Jun and Oguri Shun having previously worked together in the Japanese drama Gokusen.  The outfits are well put together and present a very chic and stylish picture. Matsuda Shota, playing Nishikado Sojirou, and Abe Tsuyoshi, playing Mimasaka Akira, complement the others well.  Similarly, I really like Boys Before Flowers.  While the acting, casting, and clothing were all completed wonderfully, I felt that the drama really incorporated the Korean feel into the drama.  The inclusion of the porridge shop sets it apart from the dango store in the Japanese version.  Similarly, while Inoue Mao plays a rather pretty Makino, thus gaining our affections, Koo Hye Sun successfully portrays the poor, plain looking girl that the aloof heir eventually falls in love with without laying it on too thick.  She presents a very honest feel to the drama and comically contrasts Min Ho as she refuses to allow for his immaturity.

Some photos of the five stars of Boys Before Flowers: Koo Hye Sun as Geum Jan Di (Makino Tsukushi), Lee Min Ho as Goo Joon Pyo (Domyouji Tsukasa), Kim Hyun Joong as Yoon Ji Hoo (Hanazawa Rui), Kim Bum as So Yi Jung (Nishikado Sojirou), and Kim Joon as Song Woo Bin (Mimasaka Akira)

Picture of Koo Hye Sun:

She is so pretty in this picture.  It's amazing how well she created the character of Geum Jan Di.


Pictures of the five stars from Hana Yori Dango: Inoue Mao (Makino Tsukushi), Matsumoto Jun (Domoyoji Tsukasa), Oguri Shun (Hanazawa Rui), Matsuda Shota (Nishikado Sojirou), and Abe Tsuyoshi (Mimasaka Akira)

Picture of the five stars in Meteor Garden: Barbie Hsu as Shan Cai (Makino Tsukushi), Jerry Yan as Dao Ming Si (Domyouji Tsukasa), Vic Chou as Hua Ze Lei (Hanazawa Rui), Vanness Wu as Mei Zuo Ling (Mimasaka Akira), and Ken Chu as Xi Men (Nishikado Sojirou)

 

 

Tables of each different portrayal of the F4:

Drama Update: Shining Inheritance

Nowadays, I am watching the Korean Drama, Shining Inheritance, starring Han Hyo Joo as Go Eun Sung, Lee Seung Ki as Hwan Sun Woo, Bae Soo Bin as Park Jun Se, and Moon Chae Won as Yoo Seung Mi.  The story revolves around Go Eun Sung and Sun Woo Hwan in this classic Cinderella story.  Go Eun Sung goes from riches to rags overnight as her father "dies," his company goes bankrupt, and her evil stepmother kicks her out due to the stepmother's supposed inability to support both the biological children of her deceased husband as well as her own daughter, Seung Mi.  Added to this, Eun Sung's autistic younger brother, Go Eun Woo, played by Yun Joon Suk, wanders off one night and goes missing .

While Eun Sung is struggling to support herself and find Eun Woo, she finds her old true friend Lee Hye Ri, played by Min Young Won, for help.  She also encounters the kind and handsome Park Jun Se who falls in love with her.  What really causes the story to turn around is when Eun Sung encounters the Jang Sook Ja, the grandmother fondly known as "hymunni," played by Ban Hyo Jung.  Through saving grandmother's life and caring for the grandmother, Eun Sung gains the admiration of the grandmother.  Jang Sook Ja turns out to be the CEO of a large food corporation, who is disappointed in her family, especially Sun Woo Hwan, her heir.  As a way to cure her family's bad character as well as bring some stability in her life, the grandmother brings Eun Sung into her household, declaring Eun Sung her new heir.

Unbeknownst to Eun Sung, her evil stepmother, Baek Sung Hee, played by Kim Mi Sook, is actually orchestrating everything in the background, having hidden money from Eun Sung's father and bought a luxurious apartment as well as deserting Eun Woo in the countryside.  However, everything comes back to bite her, for as Newton's third law of physics states, "every force has an equal and opposite force."  Eun Sung's father, having been mistakenly been declared dead, comes back to haunt Sung Hee after hiding in the shadows to enable his family to collect the life insurance in his name after the collapse of his company.  Hwan, the love of Seung Mi's life and Sung Hee's hope for a future of relaxation, loses the inheritance and begins to love Eun Sung.  The grandmother, in return for Eun Sung's help, sends out men to search Seoul and the surrounding countryside for Eun Woo, making his discovery imminent, threatening Sung Hee with his impeccable memory and innocence that prevents him from lying.  Eun Sung, the girl she previously viewed as a burden, is about to become the heir to one of the largest food corporations in Seoul and a huge inheritance, leaving Hwan penniless.

Shining Inheritance can be found on Mysoju.com and Dramacrazy.net for all who wish to watch it.  I highly advise this drama.  It adds a touch of humor to the classic love triangle, bringing the classic Cinderella tale to the modern day in Seoul.  The casting is superb and the acting is well done.  The outfits prepared are chic and aid the characterizations in the story, revealing each character's inner nature.  Overall, this is a great drama.  Hope you enjoy!

Photos of the four main actors/actresses: Han Hyo Joo (Go Eun Sung), Lee Seung Ki (Sun Woo Hwan), Bae Soo Bin (Park Jun Se), and Moon Chae Won (Yoo Seung Mi)

Von Dutch Madness

Today, my friend, (insert name), was wearing a Von Dutch T-shirt.  What is with this Von Dutch craziness?  According to her, I am entirely overreacting but this is an extremely puzzling situation.  I have always thought of Von Dutch as this old brand that is fading out of the spotlight.  As a young child, I had some recollection of the brand but thought that it was an older 90s tradition.  However, as I watch videos of my favorite Korean artists online, I am noticing this surging Von Dutch fad.  Super Junior, SS501, and many, many more are all sporting the looks-like-squirted-out-mustard-shaped-lettered logo, may it be on T-shirts or even plain caps, though they look very svelte atop the heads of our beloved idols.  Not only in Korea, this brand is also surging in the US.  While I have yet to see a wide donning of Von Dutch apparel, Lindsay Lohan has recently (depends on how you define "recently") become one of the promoters of the brand.

What is Von Dutch?  This question has been buzzing around my cranium ever since this new sighting this morning.  I decided to look it up but my Wikipedia search proved to be largely unfruitful, only naming Kenny Howard as the inspiration.  More importantly, why is it catching on in Korea?  How can such simple apparel be such a standout hit?  Anybody with any news, please share!

Where is The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince?

Oh the woe. Dailymotion.com has removed all episodes of The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince, due to "a breach of the Terms of Use." This has a huge ripple effect. Sites such as Mysoju and Asiandramacrazy.net all get the majority of their episodes of The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince from Dailymotion's copy. Now, I have been unable to find the show anywhere. While their are Mandarin and Cantonese dubbed versions on Youtube, I have yet to find a site where it is English subbed but still uses the original voicings.

What are we fans to do? The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince is my favorite drama of all time. Not only is the plot well developed, the acting is extremely good, with great casting selections. Yoon Eun Hye (Go Eun Chan) and Gong Yoo (Han Kyul) worked very well together as a couple. Similarly, Lee Sun Gyun (Choi Han Seong)and Chae Jung Ahn (Han Yoo Joo) provided a great more mature balance to the mix. Topped off by the other characters working in the cafe, the drama achieved a great balance of drama and comedy.

With the casting, we also got a group of extremely attractive males, in particular Gong Yoo, Lee Sun Gyun, and Kim Jae Wook (Noh Sun Ki). On the female side, Yoon Eun Hye and and Chae Jung Ahn do not lose at all to their counterparts. Whoever did the clothing selections did a phenomenal job at making all of them look amazing, yet very laid back. Such an attractive drama, which it makes it all the better.

Rumors have also appeared online detailing the possibility of a sequel! Yay! Ratings for The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince reached 27.7% and was one of the most watched dramas in 2007. I really hope that they do make a sequel as I loved the drama. MBC, the company that produced The First Shop of Coffee Prince has indicated an interest in producing a sequel. However, Gong Yoo has been drafted and has stated that he will be leaving within a year, and would thus not be in the sequel. Personally, I think that shooting should be put off until he comes back. Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye make a great couple. His conscription started on January 14, 2008 and sidusHQ, his agency, has stated that he will finish his service by December 8, 2009.

~~~~~~~

Back from a major hiatus. I have officially found an English subbed version!!

Crunchyroll.com, which has recently become a disappointment in its determination to take off all of its dramas (for legality issues...I guess we can't argue there) has obtained permission to post certain shows (mainly K-Dramas as I have heard), including The First Shop of Coffee Prince!! Not only does it have grammatically correct subs, the quality is extremely good for an online posting. Happy watching!!

Some cast pictures to enjoy...


Three of the Co-stars (from left to right; Lee Seon-gyun, Yoon Eun-hye, Gong Yoo):

Personally, I love Yoon Eun-Hye's dress in this picture. It's extremely simple yet the design is new, modern, and extremely cute. Combined with her adorable heels, Yoon Eun-Hye presents a perfect image of stylish yet friendly. Does anybody know where I can get her outfit??


Yoon Eun-Hye and Gong Yoo:

So pretty! I love the way the button up shirt contrasts the dress. It seems to be made of such a comfortable material.


Multiple Angles on Yoon Eun-Hye's Dress:

Ok, getting a little obsessive. Her shoes are so cute though!

Yoon Eun-Hye:

She looks amazing in this picture. The dress fits her perfectly. I love the cut. (What's this I hear about her new drama Lady Castle?)


A final Yoon Eun-Hye:

She looks amazing in this picture. I love her longer hair as well as the white dress. Whoever shot this picture did an great job.

Gong Yoo:

Nice clean shot of him.


Multiple photos of the four main actors/actresses: Yoon Eun-hye (Go Eun-Chan), Gong Yoo (Choi Han-Gyeol), Lee Seon-gyun (Choi Han-Seong), and Chae Jung Ahn (Han Yu-Ju):

Super Junior - It's You

Super Junior has come out with what SM Company is calling a "Version C" of the Sorry Sorry album. In addition to the original playlist, four new songs are being added:

2. "그녀는 위험해 (She Wants It)"
3. "너라고 (It's You)"
4. "사랑이 죽는 병 (Love Disease)"
5. "첫번째 이야기 (Love U More)"

This new addition is proving to be a great addition to the album. Wheesung wrote the lyrics for Love Disease while Love U More is the product of our very own Sungmin and Ryewook. My favorite, however, is the new song It's You. The new video for it is infinitely better than that of Sorry Sorry. Most of the guys look much better too, with better hair cuts, especially Hankyung/Hangeng and Heechul. I also really like Hangeng's jacket. Overall, the wardrobes were well put together. They have posted both a purely drama version and a purely dance version, as well as a combined finished product. Check them out!

It's you



It's You (Dance Version)



It's You (Drama Version)

Super Junior's Third Album is Officially Out!

Extremely sorry sorry (Haha) about the late posting. Super Junior's new CD has officially been released. I have found that while the title song "Sorry Sorry" is slightly annoying at first to listen, it grows on you surprisingly quickly. Overall, I believe the CD is OK, but nowhere reaches the level of musical skill and creativity of the previous albums. The choreography is horrendous, far from reaching my expectations (read previous blog entries). However, I have realized that the choreography looks much better live, appearing less clunky an awkward. On that note, I believe that Yesung looks great with his new look for this album, though I still can't get over the extremely short and unstylish haircuts (Hangeng and Eunhyuk) that many of the other guys are sporting.

Support Super Junior! While I'm not sure I completely love this album (what is SM thinking?), I can tell that the guys put in a lot of work.

For all those interested, the complete album:

Super Junior vol.3 - SORRY SORRY

Sorry Sorry!

Super Junior's new title song "Sorry Sorry" has been released and is the hottest new thing online. Thousands of CDs have already been pre-ordered, both in stores and online. The questions is: Do we like their new style? Many comments have complained about the lack of individual voice quality, claiming that it is now hard to tell the difference between the singers. Others have complained that the song is too similar to other songs that have been produced in the past in both the US and by SM Company.

Personally, I think the song is ok. My main complaint is that it lacks much of a tune, and is extremely repetitive. The entire seems to be basically the same heavy beat in the background, with the band members basically singing monotone. What is up with that? Personally, I feel that it has lost all of its Asian characteristics present in Super Junior's previous songs, and has over-Westernized. Where is the creativity? In the past, I loved Super Junior's songs because of their willingness to work with different styles and combine them in a way that works out in the end. Rarely do you see a band who's songs range so much, genre-wise, from "U" to "Don't Don" to "Miracle" to "Twins: Knock Out." The band has been able to produce a great variety of songs in the past that have all become part of the group's identity. This song totally lacks the creativity that I originally admired the group for. It is too heavy on the beat and becomes extremely boring, after all we hear is this monotone blurb.

Also, what is up with the new hairstyles? From the pictures already released, I am not at all pleased with the new images the group members have for the new CD. What have you done to their hair? SM Company, give us back our beloved Super Junior!

However, contrary to what it may seem, I am still a strong supporter of Super Junior. While this title song is not phenomenal, they definitely have the talent and the looks to pull of this CD. I'm psyched to hear the rest of the CD. Super Junior, Fighting! Jia You! Gambatte!

In particular, I can't wait for the music video. The group has quite a few extremely talented dancers. My favorite is Eunhyuk. I love his movements and the grace apparent in all of his motions. However, lets not forget Donghae, Hangeng, and Shindong! Everybody has looked amazing in the past and I'm really anticipating some awesome choreography. What has set Super Junior apart from many other groups is their ability to bring unique and amazing choreography, time after time after time. If anybody has any info on the upcoming music video, please share!

For anybody who hasn't listened to it yet...

Super Junior's "Sorry Sorry":

Super Junior Comeback!

After over a year of inactivity, Super Junior, the boy band produced by SM Company, is making its comeback with its third album "Sorry Sorry." With the group's new album, they have once again, changed their look. The new album is said to have a "urban funky" feel. Personally, I am extremely psyched for their new album. The playlist goes as follows:

01. Sorry Sorry
02. 니가 좋은 이유 (Why I Like You)
03. 마주치지말자 (Let’s Not)
04. 앤젤라 (Angela)
05. Reset
06. Monster
07. What If
08. 이별, 넌쉽니 (Heartquake)
09. Club No.1
10. Happy Together
11. 죽어있는것 (Dead at Heart)
12. Shining Star

To help with the choreography, SM company has brought in Nick Bass and Trent Dickens. Footage has been posted of Donghae and Eunhyuk dancing with them to Justin Timberlake's "My Love" have been posted on Youtube.




Also posted is a cooler video of the four dancing to Ne-Yo's "Because of You." The moves in this video are amazing. This is definitely worth checking out.



Both the teaser images and the teaser video have already been released for their new album. The album is set to come out March 12th. However, SM company has announced that a preview of the title song, "Sorry Sorry" will be release March 9th, at 10 am in Korea, on sites such as Melon, Dosirak, Cyworld, Seongong, and Soribada. If anybody can find the specific URL for this release, it would be greatly appreciated!


Teaser Video of the new album: