May Pang's Asian Media Internet News

Seems like the Asian scene has been revolving themselves around dance more often. So where did people get that term, 'Asians CAN'T Dance?' That question is being contradicted from what has been going on. Reality Dance Shows, especially MTV's America's Best Dance Crew and FOX's So You Think You Can Dance, spotlights dancers of all races (yes, that does include Asian) to show what they got on the dance floor. [hidepost]

I personally follow America's Dance Crew, and notice that every season winner has at least one Asian in the crews. This past season, Season 3, the winners were Quest Crew, all of them coming from Asian decent and now the first all Asian Crew to win on the show.

Now, dance competitions, especially those revolving around hip hop, have been getting more Asian crews and it is still growing. Last year, The Philippine All Stars won the gold at the World Hip Hop Dance Competitions. This year, who knows who will win!

From July 27- August 2 is the USA & World Hip Hop Dance Championships in Las Vegas. America's Best Dance Crew's own Season 1 Finalists Kaba Modern and Season 2 Finalists So Real Cru are among the competitors dancing it out for the gold.

Also on August 9, will the season 4 premiere of America's Dance Crew. New Jersey's own Fr3sh Dance Crew are one of the nine crews ready to battle it out to take the title.

Good luck to all the dance crews competing and keep on dancing!

Watch the Phillipine All Stars perform at last year's World Hip Hop Dance Competitions!
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At this years NYAFF-New York Asian Film Festival, that took place from June 19-July 5, I had the pleasure of watching one of Yoshihiro Nishimura's films called Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl. [hidepost]

This movie follows the daily lives of two beautiful high school girls caught up in a love triangle with the most gorgeous guy that attends there. What no one knows is that the new transfer student, played by actress Yukie Kawamura, who never does anything to stand out is keeping a deep, dark secret. Her secret is that she has been a vampire for century after century. The boy she has a crush on, Takumi Saito, is unaware that on “White Day”, a holiday where all the girls in Japan confess their love to a boy of their choice by giving him chocolates, the vampire girl has injected her own blood into the very chocolate that he bites into. Her rival, played by actress, Elly Otoguro, also has a crush on Takumi and will do anything to win his heart.

Chaos consumes the high school very soon and serial murders begin taking victim after victim. Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl was full of the most insane, “Mortal Kombat” like, gory battles that have ever been seen. The director of the movie, Yoshihiro Nishimura, geniusly injected bits of humor in the right places in almost every scene. Who would of thought that killing could be so funny? Mr. Nishimura also poked some extra fun at the ganguro culture and of girls holding wrist-cutting marathons in the school. This movie is definitely a treat for the free soul and a savory feast for the eyes.

CHECK OUT THE COOL MOVIE TRAILER HERE:

Three members of Asia's hottest band, Dong Bang Shin Ki, are filing a lawsuit against their own entertainment company SM Entertainment.

Band members Hero Jaejoong, Xiah Junsu, and Micky Yoochun have all gone to Seoul District Court to give in an application for provisional disposition to terminate the "non exclusivity clause" in their contract. [hidepost]

What is known of their current contract with SM includes belonging exclusively to the company for 13 years and the allocation of profits. Profits from album sales are 80% to SM Entertainment and 20% to the five members of the band and is split accordingly among them.

The three members all invested in a Chinese Cosmetics company called CreBeau. As gifts, the boys received items such as an Audi R8 for Micky Yoochun and a townhouse for Xiah Junsu's parents. SM Entertainment was not happy with this because of their "exclusivity clause" in their contract.

The lawyers for each of the three band members have stated that this situation has been discussed for over two months. They tried to keep the situation quiet but unfortunately, if has come to attention that actions must be taken if the exclusivity clause isn't dropped.

Rumor has it that if nothing is done, the three members will leave the group! I feel terrible for their fanbase, Cassopeia. They broke the Guiness World Record earlier this year... What would happen if they broke up? Each of the members of the group has amazing talent in what they do. Let's hope for the best for them!

UPDATE!

SM Entertainment has stated that TVXQ is a band that represents all of Asia and their activities must continue! Isn't that good news for everyone? I was afraid of the potential depressed/angry fans. Well, thank goodness they're still contunieing! It would be terrible to see such an amazing band fall.

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At this years NYAFF-New York Asian Film Festival, that took place from June 19-July 5, I had the pleasure of watching one of Tak Sakaguchi's films called Be A Man! Samurai School. Here follows my review of his movie. [hidepost]

Some parents believe that their sons should carry the family name and uphold the family honor. Sons should be strong and if they show any signs of shedding tears they need to be told, “Be a man”. Some boys need a little more pushing and what better way to do that then to send them to samurai school! In Be a Man! Samurai School, directed by Japan’s one and only action star Tak Sakaguchi, various unexpecting sons go through back breaking, knuckle crunching, mind searing training from sun up to sun down.

The guys in the school share their short comings in life with one another and they soon begin building a brotherhood together. They turn to each other when they feel that they cannot go any further. They learn to find the will power within themselves to survive anything. Sakaguchi also successfully added dashes of humor to his movie scenes that left the viewers roaring with laughter.

One day the past comes back to bite Samurai School in the form of a very pissed off, renegade ex student, Omito Date that has come back to take over the school. Tak Sakaguchi, Shoei, and Shin ‘taro Yamada band together to fight Omito’s three students. Amazing battles take place in some of the most deadliest and at times, breath taking, beautiful backdrops. Of course the rules are that one victor must be left standing. Martial arts fans all over are sure to be able to kick back and enjoy this movie that was executed with great skill.

VIEW THE AWESOME TRAILER HERE:
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Just two days before his birthday on July 26th, J.Tune Entertainment announced that actor/singer/dancer Rain will have his own Internet protocol television (IPTV) channel, courtesy of SK Broad and TV.
That means that fans can see and learn about the popular Asian star all-day, every day starting next month. It’s the first time that a local celebrity has his or her own channel on IPTV.
The channel features many categories, including music videos from his last five albums, behind the scenes clips about his clothing line, Six to Five, commercials, performances, live concert footage, photoshoots and basically anything that Rain fans could ever desire to see.
"As this is the first time for a local celebrity to have an exclusive channel on television, we feel a great deal of responsibility. We will put forth our efforts to bring more exclusive channels for artists in the long run. This channel has given us the opportunity to look for ways artists can get closer to and communicate better with fans,'' J.Tune Entertainment said to a local Seoul newspaper.
The announcement of the channel also came just two days before Rain's global fan meet-up at Grand Green Palace at Kyunghee University.
The meeting was a great success as about 3,000 fans from all over the world, including Japan, the Philippines and Hong Kong, came to see the popular star. It was the first time in a year that he held a global fan meeting.
Rain entertained fans by singing "Fresh Woman", "My Girl" and "Rainism" while fans showed support to him by piling birthday presents on the stage prior to the meetings start, since it was his 27th birthday. His agency was also kind enough to provide English subtitles for the meeting, since many of the fans came from all over the world.
Rain also answered questions by fans, talking about how he was glad he didn't do plastic surgery when asked to by agencies, and how keeping busy helps keep him successful. He opened up to his fans, admitting that sometimes, even he is lonely.
"There are times when I really feel lonely and don't have the will to do anything. Whenever that happens, I look up negative articles about me. They give me a boost and I am up and ready for the day,'' he said.
However, the meeting left on a positive note with Rain telling fans that he is Rain and they are his cloud, so they should stick together.

Yet another Korean actor is looking to enter into the Hollywood limelight. Actor Kwon Sang-woo, from the popular series "Cinderella Man," is up for a part in the film "The Green Hornet." If he succeeds, he will be the third Korean this year to co-star in a major Hollywood action film.

According to news sources, the 32-year-old actor is up for the role of Kato, sidekick to the Green Hornet. The part was originally given to Chinese actor Stephen Chow, who was also suppose to direct the film, however left the project because of "creative differences" in December 2008.

Kwon has passed an English audition and is currently waiting to hear if he has the part. The decision should be made in about a month.

The movie is based on a 1930s radio show, which was then turned into a comic book , TV series, and later on, a film. It is about a newspaper publisher who turns into a crime-fighting hero at night. This version was co-written by Seth Rogen, who stars as the Green Hornet, and is directed by Michel Gondry, director of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."

Nicholas Cage is slated to play a villain and Cameron Diaz will play the Green Hornet's love interest. The scheduled U.S. release date is July 9, 2010. Korea's release date has yet to be announced.

Jay Sean, born as Kamaljit Singh Jhooti is of Punjabi (South Indian/Asian) descent.
The artist was on his way to become a doctor but in 2003 he left medical school behind to a sign a deal with Virgin Records.
Jay Sean recorded his first single “Dance With You” in 2004 which made the top twenty hits on the UK chart list.
As of today, Jay Sean is known as one of UK’s most famous pop stars.

In 2008, Jay Sean signed with the American hip-hop oriented label, Cash Money Records.
“It’s always been a dream for me to sign to an American label. And it’s great to be accepted by the best in the game.” says Jay sean.
Jay Sean's dream has finally come true with the success of making a debut hit in the US. His new track from his 2009 album, My Own Way is called "Down" featuring the well-known rapper, Lil Wayne.
So whats next for the rising star? stay tuned to see what he has coming for us next!

Download his music today and check Out Jay Sean's Debut Video Featuring Lil Wayne!

Inuyasha, a Feudal Fairytale is a long running manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi. The story follows the adventures of a time traveling girl named Kagome, the half-demon Inuyasha, a fox demon named Shippo, a lecherous monk named Miroku, a demon slayer named Sango, as they try to gather the shards of the Shikon Jewel and defeat the villain of the story, Naraku. The manga ran for an outstanding 13 years, from November 13, 1996 until June 18th 2008. [hidepost]

The manga was adapted into a 167 episode TV anime series produced by Sunrise, and four movies were also created to accompany the series. The anime only lasted for four years (from 2000 until 2004) and the TV anime series ended without concluding the series. However, on July 25, 2009 at Comic-Con in San Francisco, CA, Viz Media announced it has acquired Inuyasha: The Final Act. The Final Act continues beyond where the first anime series went off, into the final 21 volumes of Takahashi’s manga.
Inuyasha: The Final Act will premiere between October and December of this year (2009). [/hidepost]

Juliana Paes and Marcio Garcia featured in 'Caminho das Índias'

'Caminho das Índias' (portugese for India's Way) is the highest rated television show in Brazil which is all about India and Bollywood. [hidepost]
The plot is a tale about a forbidden love between two Indians of very different backgrounds.
Brazilian actress, Juliana Paes plays the role of Maya who is intelligent, cheerful, part of a traditional family and an employee of a company in Rajasthan. Actor Marcio Garcia, plays the role of Bahuan who is finishing his studies in America where he works but could never forget the humiliation he suffered from as a child for being a "dalit" (the untouchable).

Maya has reached the age for marriage and like every other Indian girl, she always believed that her parents were the best for finding her a suitable husband but that was until she met Bahuan. She doesn't understand why he seems so reticent but only when his truth comes to light she understands his fears.
Get a grasp of this show that is filled with love, reason, sanity and insanity!

Take a Look At 'Caminho das Índias'
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This season of "America's Got Talent" is getting a taste of Bollywood.This year, many desi teams from all over the nation have been auditioning for the show. The Bollywood team, Berkley Ishaara from California, caught the judges eyes Monday night. The team performed to the famous hit from Slumdog Millionaire, Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny).

Take a Look At Monday's Perfomance!