May Pang's Asian Media Internet News

MADHOUSE, the animation studio which released popular anime hits such as Chobits, Cardcaptor Sakura, Death Note, and popular animated film Paprika, is set to release their newest animated film Mai Mai Miracle (マイマイ新子と千年の魔法 Maimai Shinko to Sen-nen no Maho) this November 21st in Japan. [hidepost]
The book is based on Nobuko Takagi's novel of her autobiography. The plot centers around nine-year old Shinko Aoki who is a young girl growing up in a small town in Japan in 1955. She discovers that she has a family connection to a thousand-year-old province of a legend called Suō. Along with her classmate Kiiko Shimazu, the  two young children go on a journey full of magic to find out about a girl named Nagiko Kiyohara who lived on the same land 1,000 years ago.
At the 2008 Tokyo International Anime Fair, the film and its new director, Sunao Katabuchi, were announced. The trailer to the film shows somewhat of a Hayao Miyazaki feel to it. That's because Katabuchi had worked with Miyazaki himself on the Studio Ghibli animated film, Sherlock Hound.

MADHOUSE never lets down! Look forward to the new film by director Sunao Katabuchi!

Universal Music Japan has signed an exclusive management contract with songwriter/producer Jeff Miyahara who is originally from Los Angeles and is now one of  Japan's most successful producers.  Universal Music Japan's goal is to expose Miyahara to as many platforms world wide as possible and to increase Miyahara's opportunities in the business. Miyahara has worked with artists such as Boyz II Men, Timbaland, Crystal Kay, Speech from Arrested Development, Yuna Ito, and Juju to name a few.

The board of Nichi Bei Times (NBT), Northern California's oldest Japanese American newspaper in circulation, has made the decision to shut down the paper. Nichi Bei Times was suffering some years back from low profits in sales. NBT had been around for 63 years. I myself read the NBT from time to time. I will definitely miss it. The board of NBT will start a nonprofit organization called the Nichi Bei Foundation and I am hoping that it will be extremely successful.

If you would like to donate to the Nichi Bei Foundation, please click on this link: http://nichibeifoundation.org/

Please join their Facebook  here: http://www.facebook.com/nichibei and Twitter here: http://twitter.com/nichibei

Steve Nguyen is Vietmanese-American and is the Chief Executive Officer of media company and firm, Stickblade Incorporated. He has appeared in the past in television series such as Las Vegas and Scrubs. His recent short film, The Making of a Memoir will be screened at the New York City Film Festival, San Diego Film Festival, and the Beverly Hills Shorts Film Festival. [hidepost]

Please tell me what inspired you to become a film producer and actor?

My video production teacher and mentor actually inspired me to become an actor, and he really gave me the confidence that I needed to pursue it. He told me that a local talent agency was in town, and I really made a great impression on the talent reps.

While I was an actor, my agents and I found it really difficult to get much work… so eventually I grew tired of waiting and decided to hop onto an independent production while I was in college. From there, I collaborated with several filmmakers and sort of fell into producing after that.

What is your recent short film about? How are you hoping audiences perceive it?

It’s a short documentary called The Making of a Memoir that is based off of a memoir by Lac Su titled I Love Yous are for White People. The premise of the film was based off of his reflections towards his past, which displayed the process going on through his mind as he was writing his experiences down. We decided to shoot it about three months prior to the release of his book, hence the title.

I’m hoping my audience learns the deeper meaning behind the Vietnamese refugee experience, and I hope that whoever stumbles across this film will be inclined to learn more about Lac’s story.

Would you say independent films are your niche?

I would say so, because it’s what I’ve been doing for the last four years.

Can you please tell me about your FlipHD channel on YouTube?

I came up with the idea about doing a web series based on the Sundance Channel program Iconoclasts where they pair two "creative visionaries" who discuss their lives, influences, and art. Around May, I started a YouTube channel that profiled independent and mainstream artists from different backgrounds and filmed them being informal, yet informative.

You can check it out at www.youtube.com/SteveNguyenFlipHD

How did you come about establishing your own media production company and information technology development firm?

It came about after high school, where I paired up with three of my friends to create an IT solutions firm. After both of them transferred to out of state universities, I picked up where we left off and established another subsidiary called Stickblade Incorporated with another company called Cord Hosting, Inc. who was willing to let my firm work on special projects with them. Since 2008, Stickblade Incorporated has branched out into new media ventures that allow us to integrate film and media resources into our business.

What is your opinion about the current images portrayed by Asian American men and women in the media?

Personally, I believe that many people read too much into the propaganda about Asian Americans being perceived pessimistically in the media. For somebody like me, you learn not to be easily offended by any of those negative portrayals. Sure, it may be difficult for Asian Americans to be taken seriously in the media industry, but you have to look at the bigger picture and see how much we have accomplished throughout the last decade in every other field. It’s actually quite incredible!

Who were your influences while growing up?

My influences were based primarily around musicians and athletes growing up like Michael Jackson and Michael Jordan because of their unbelievable work ethic and showmanship. With regards to that, I wanted to take that passion and apply it to my interests as a filmmaker.

What other upcoming projects do you have planned?

I have several projects planned for the upcoming year, but I’m not inclined to reveal anything until I’m absolutely sure that I get the official word from both parties. Just be prepared for something epic!

Where do you see yourself as a film producer and actor in the next five years?

As long as I can continue to produce films that continue to endorse positive messages and inspire people, the future looks very bright. With regards to acting, I have no expectations whatsoever.[/hidepost]

That's right K-drama lovers. The naively, sweet star from "Coffee Prince" and "Goong" is making her comeback on the silver screen after nearly two years. And this time, she's not Miss Sweet and Innocent anymore.

[hidepost]

Yoon plays Kang Hae-na, the heir of a major Korean corporation, in her newest show "My Fair Lady" (also known as "Lady Castle"). She grows up rich, bossy and selfish, and leads a glamorous life of luxury in her mansion, "Lady Castle." But alas, Hae-na is alone and unable to make friends or get a boyfriend because of her selfish and picky ways.

Then along comes Seo Dong-chan, played by Yoon Sang-hyun from the popular "My Wife is a Superwoman", a playboy who takes on the role of butler in order to win over the pickiest girl in town for her money. He must support his sick mother and pay off debts.

However, his plans are thrown for a loop when Lee Tae-yoon, played by Jung Il-woo from "Moon River," a poised and modest lawyer enters the story. Putting aside his rich upbringing, he decides to open a small law practice to help the unfortunate. He dismisses Hae-na as a spoiled brat until he discovers her tragic past.

KBS promises the series will be entertaining and funny, despite producers' early fears about how the public would initially receive Yoon's character.

"The producer worried that people would hate my character," the 24-year-old actress said at a press conference. "She has a strong personality, but I'll mix it with my own and make the audience connect with her and laugh along the way."

"My Fair Lady" airs on KBS at 10 p.m. on Tuesdays. The first episode aired on Aug. 18.

Watch the preview to "My Fair Lady!"
[/hidepost]

Hold on fans of ultra-powerful Zhang Ziyi, from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Memoirs of a Geisha." If you love the actress' strong characters and dramatic movies, you're in for quite a surprise in her newest film. [hidepost]

In "Sophie's Revenge," the 30-year-old actress plays a feisty cartoonist out on a mission to get revenge on her ex-fiancé when he dumps her for a glamorous actress just two weeks before their wedding. It's Zhang's producing debut, as well as the first romantic comedy that the actress has been in during her 10-year career.

"It was a big change," she said in an interview with Korean press. "Sophie's character coincides with my real personality about 60 to 70 percent. I can be bright and adorable, even though I played a lot of strong personas before."

The movie is also the international acting debut for Korean actor So Ji-sub, star of "Rough Cut" and "Cain and Abel". Sub recently finished his two-year mandatory military service, and was up for the challenge of a Chinese-language film.

"After getting out of military, I wanted to challenge myself as an actor with new projects, and China is a new start," he said in a recent press conference.

The actor has a smaller role than his fans are use to, playing the fiancé that leaves Sophie. However, So said that it was a stepping stone since he is not well-known in China. He also said the movie was a "fresh relief" from his usual callous roles.

The movie is already out in China and Hong Kong, and will be released in Korea on Aug. 20. No word yet on a US release or distribution. However, popular import websites, such as YesAsia, are sure to carry the film when it is released on DVD.

Watch the trailer for "Sophie's Revenge!"

Video Credit: vestrialin[/hidepost]

On Tuesday, August 18, one of Korea's most-celebrated former presidents, Kim Dae-Jung, or DJ as he was known in the media, passed away from complications with pneumonia. He was 85.

Kim Dae-jung had a career of firsts. In 1998, he became the first opposition party candidate to be elected as president in about 50 years of modern history of South Korea. He was the first Korean to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. He helped guide South Korea through the IMF financial crisis.

But he was most known for his involvement in the democracy movement in Korea before his presidency, during the military dictatorship. He was once kidnapped and sentenced to death for his belief in democracy, then later pardoned. As a sign of forgiveness, he later went on to pardon the former president who condemned him to die, when he received his own death sentence.

Kim was also known for his desire to create a better relationship between North and South Korea through his "Sunshine Policy", for which he won his Nobel Peace Prize in 2001, after he held the first-ever summit with North Korea.

Because of these efforts throughout Kim's life, even NK leader Kim Jong-il has sent his condolences to Kim Dae-jung's family and intends to send a delegation to the South to pay respects to the late former president, along with a funeral wreath.

"Though he passed away to our regret, the feats he performed to achieve national reconciliation and realize the desire for reunification will remain long with the nation," Kim Jong-Il was quoted by media as saying.

The current Lee Myung-bak administration has decided to hold a state funeral for the former head-of-state, an uncommon move since a president has never had a state funeral in South Korea. The funeral will be held on Sunday at 2 pm after a six-day mourning period.

The late president's body is currently lying in state in the National Assembly where a giant altar has been built for mourners to pay their respects.

Japanese music artist, Crystal Kay, is preparing to celebrate her 10th anniversary with a new album! [hidepost] Of course it's not just any old album. It's titled "BEST of CRYSTAL KAY," which is a compilation of her biggest hits. The limited edition version will include a "premium disc" that includes four collaborative songs. These two songs are songs that are currently being used in other promotions.
The first song is titled "Over and Over," which is produced by m-flo's Taku Takahashi. This song is featured in the MBS show "Dress" and in commercials for NTT East's FLET'S Hikari.
The second track, "Step by Step," is a collaboration with producer Yasutaka Nakata (producer of the Japanese band Perfume). This song will be used as the opening for the upcoming anime "Jungle Taitei."
"Private Dancers," the third collaborative track, features rappers Mummy-D (RHYMESTER) and KREVA. Last but not least is the song "Helpless Night," a collaboration with KAT-TUN member Akanishi Jin.
Her album is set to release September 2nd.

Watch Crystal Kay's single "After Love -First Boyfriend-" featuring KANAME(CHEMISTRY)!

Video Credit: K0RKAI[/hidepost]

The first court hearing in the court case against SM Entertainment will start soon! Hero Jaejoong, Xiah Junsu, and Micky Yoochun are all preparing themselves for the court hearing ahead. [hidepost] The hearing is scheduled for 21st of this month.
On the 17th, a representative from Sejong law firm stated, "We are preparing for the first hearing that will be soon.... TVXQ's stand and SM Entertainment's Stand on this situation have not changed at all.... As they are still under SM Entertainment, all five of them are completing the schedules they have been given."
The three members filed for and Exclusive Contract Validity Suspension and Provisional Disposition Request against SM Entertainment to remove themselves from the exclusivity contract. Hero Jaejoong, Xiah Junsu, and Micky Yoochun also filed for a Preservation of Evidence to get the exact amount of their income. The court ruled that SM Entertainment give in all paperwork relevant to the lawsuit.
With all of this done, TVXQ's official fanclub, Cassiopeia, has also began boycotting SM Entertainment ever since the cancellation of SM TOWN LIVE '09. U-KNOW Yunho and Max Changmin are still not involved with the lawsuit.
Check up with AMIN as we give you the latest on the DBSK lawsuit![/hidepost]

It's about time! G-Dragon, leader of Korean band Big Bang, has released his solo album along with the music video for the title track "Heartbreaker." [hidepost] G-Dragon brings us an apple themed video with this new platinum blond hair. It's an addictive song that will have anyone dancing and singing, "You're my heart heart heart heart heart breaker!" The video hints the story between Adam and Eve as they all eat apples (or drink apple juice...?) from the tree of knowledge. At the end of the video, G-Dragon is shown looking at himself with the girl he loves. Very scandalous, if I do say so myself. The song then ends and begins with the song "Breathe."
I'm looking forward to what G-Dragon has to offer in his upcoming live performances! I have high expectations and this album will do well. Congratulations, G-Dragon!

Watch G-Dragon's new music video "Heartbreaker!"
[/hidepost]