May Pang's Asian Media Internet News

That's right! We got the opportunity to have an interview with the young comedian, Ryan Higa. Many know Ryan from his videos on YouTube (youtube name is Nigahiga). His videos are various spoofs of 'how-to' guides, movies, infomercials, and even originals of his own, for example, Ninja Melk.

However, Ryan does not do it alone. He shoots these videos with his friends from home, and they all don't fail to impress and make their viewers have a good laugh.

Ryan's fame was so well known from the views from YouTube that he, along with his friend, Sean Fujiyoshi, got their chance to shine, on the big screen. In late 2008, Ryan released his first feature-length film, 'Ryan and Sean's Not So Excellent Adventure.'

Here is our interview with Ryan. We thank you for giving us this opportunity and we look forward to all your future endeavors.

What made you decide to broadcast your comedic talent on youtube?

I used to use an old VHS camcorder which needed a cassette to play.  We'd
have to take the cassette to our friends homes to play on their VCR's.
Uploading the videos on Youtubes made it easier to share with our friends.

What are your favorite hobbies to do when you're not on youtube?

I like to go to the gym to work out or grapple and I like playing XBox
360.

Where do you get your ideas for making these Youtube videos?

I've got pages of just ideas...whenever I think of something, I'm jotting
it down.

How does it feel to be a Youtube star with all the popularity?

So far it's been a good experience...there are a lot of people who don't
know me.

Is there any comedic actor/ actress you wanna work with?

Will Smith, Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller...I don't
know, there are so many comedic actors/actresses I look up to.

What was your reaction of the movie, Ryan and Sean's Not So Excellent Adventure? Anything you wanted to take out? Add?

It was a good experience but we didn't write the script so it's not really
our type of comedy.

What was the process of making the movie?

The filming took 2 weeks.  It was really tiring..we'd get up at 6 am and
get back to the hotel around 8 or 9 pm and then we had to study our lines
for the next day.

If you weren't doing what you're doing now, what would you be doing?

I would probably be going to college full time.

Where do you aspire to go to next?

I'd like to mainstream into television or movies.

Random Question: What kind of deodorant do you use?

That is random...actually I don't use any, I use cologne.

Check out 'The Ninja Glare':

credit: ryanhiga @ Youtube, wikipedia

© 2010 May Pang's AMIN. All rights reserved. No part of this article can be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.

If you're reading this now, Kwon JiYong, aka G-Dragon from Big Bang, showcased a well-talked about concert, his Shine a Light Tour. The concerts got so much attention, especially from two songs that were performed, that netizens started to highly criticize the artist and management company for showcasing such inappropriate performances for a young audience. It came to the point where police officials started to investigate the concerts. If the officials rule that G-Dragon did violate the law, the artist would result to paying a hefty fine, as well as going to prison.

Fans of G-Dragon and Big Bang were infuriated that their idol was getting bashed left and right; from the controversies of plagiarism of songs in his first album "Heartbreaker" to hearing he might go to jail because of the 'extreme' performances. They had to take a stand. From all over the world, they began sending petitions to the prosecution office. Even fans who attended the actual concerts protested saying that G-Dragon's actions were not obscene enough to receive such harsh consequences. They decided to show their support and make petitions for their beloved leader.

Aimee Lee Lucas, the female dancer who was in the infamous 'bed' scene with G-Dragon during 'Breathe,' was actually surprised of the reactions after the concerts:

“I was shocked when I heard what was happening,” Aimee says. “We performed two shows on a Saturday and Sunday. All the VIPs and big people came out on Saturday and no one said anything. During rehearsals, no one told us we were going too far and should hold back. So the reaction was surprising.”

It's true that a picture can speak a thousand words. One of the photos from the concert showed Aimee with her legs around G-Dragon, making it look like a 'dry humping' act. However Aimee stated:

“There was no humping,” she continues. “If you watch the (footage), the whole bit lasts only a few seconds. He straddles me for a bit, we do some ‘acting’ and then we’re done. I had to lift myself (on the stand-up bed) and hang there and support all my body weight with my arms. I could only do that for a couple of seconds so there wasn’t any time to do any humping.”

Not long after Aimee released her statement, G-Dragon released his own two cents on the concerts. From a person who pushes himself to the fullest, giving his all to make sure everyone in the audience (even those sitting in the back) got the full Kwon JiYong effect, was indeed effected by the netizen's harsh criticisms.

He stated:

"I’m a popular artist for the public. I believe in how the public judges me. It’s my fault if the public felt what I intended was too much or too inappropriate. But it wasn’t a concert that was aired to the public so I wanted to show a more fierce and memorable side. I’m so sad that things weren’t accepted the way I intended them to be accepted.

I really ran straight forward to get to this solo concert since I was a young kid. I might be saying this because I’m still young but after the concert I thought to myself, “I don’t want anything else.” But then the next day, I only saw criticism on the internet so my heart felt like it was breaking.

A fake laugh came out instead of tears as I asked myself, “Wherever I go, will I be criticized?” All I wanted was to show the audience various sides of me. I showed many images of myself during my performances, including a cheerful look and a cool look; why was only this part highlighted and made into an incident? The press articles of the media used such strong words in the headlines, and when I realized that my parents would see the articles, I felt embarrassed and disappointed.

I didn’t think too much. But I wish people wouldn’t judge so quickly and pessimistically. The song Breathe is about not wanting to wake up because your ideal type keeps appearing in your dream. The song has a fantasy theme so I wanted to use the bed to show someone who’s lost in his dreams. To the public, it came off as something too sexual. I thought to myself, “I’m not like that but I guess it seemed that way to people.”

Whether people give positive or negative comments, they are taking interest in me. If someone tells me I did something wrong, I take it as a comment to help me fix my ways. I’ll listen to what everyone’s saying and use it to help improve the next album. I’ll do my best with the Big Bang album coming out later this year."

It just truly shows how strong minded G-Dragon is. He keeps going even when he is being pushed to the ground. So what is your reaction to this news? Should this all just stop and let the artist be or does he really deserve what he's getting? Including possible imprisonment? We want to hear your thoughts on this.

source: allkpop, youoffendmeyouoffendmyfamily, kr.news.yahoo, omgkpop, soompi.com

Recently, I had to the opportunity to attend the release party of Korean-American music artist, Johnny Phlo.

The turn out of the event was such a success! Everyone had to have had a good time and if they didn't, they're just plain out crazy!

Johnny Phlo, along with music artists Decipher and Ailee, were present at the event and stunned us with awesome performances, singing songs from Johnny's new album, "Basic Strategy." Johnny and Decipher also graced us with their own version of Wonder Girl's "Nobody," swooning the ladies in the audience with roses. Johnny and Ailee ended the show with their newly released single, "Rollercoaster," which made everyone get up and dance.

One thing I do have to say about the event promoted by MuZo Entertainment and Allkpop is they really know how to take care of their people. I'm sure preparations for the event were frustrating and difficult, but they kept their cool and went about with what they had to do. Hence, the good turnout of the party.

AMIN thanks Muzo and Allkpop for giving us the opportunity to attend this event and we look forward to more of their events in the future.

To purchase Johnny Phlo's Album "Basic Strategy" go to www.johnnyphlo.com

Check out the photos from the part!

We were also able to conduct and interview with Johnny Phlo for his new album! It was a great interview and we all had an awesome time.

JYP Entertainment has officially announced that Wonder Girls member, Sun Mi (aka Mimi), will be postponing her musical career to continue her academic career. JYP released this official statement:

JYP Entertainment has announced that Mimi from the Wonder Girls has decided
to postpone her musical career to pursue an academic career.

Mimi, the rest of the Wonder Girls members, her family, and JYP Entertainment
have collectively decided to postpone her musical career for the time being.

JYP Entertainment said, “Mimi had a truly memorable, once in a lifetime
experience while living in the U.S. and touring over 50 cities. We support her
decision to pursue an academic career at this time. We will also support Mimi if
she chooses to return to singing after her academics are complete. In the
meantime, she plans to frequent JYP facilities and continue her dance and vocal
classes.”

Mimi will remain with the Wonder Girls in the U.S., continuing with any scheduled
performances and activities until the end of February. As of March, she will return
to Korea and prepare to focus on her studies. JYP has named 17 year old Lim as
the newest member to the quintet. Lim has gone through extensive training at the
JYP Academy for three years and is fluent in four languages: English, Korean,
Mandarin and Cantonese.

So it seems Mimi may come back to the group in the future. When? No one is sure right now but we support Sun Mi in her decision. Lim is also very promising as well so it's not all bad. Although it will not be the same without her, the best we can do is support the Wonder Girls and Sun Mi in their future endeavors.

Source: Wonder Girls World

Earlier this week Taiwanese singer, Van Ness Wu, released his music video for his new Japanese single "Reason." I must say I am impressed with Van Ness Wu's sharp dancing skills.

Word on the street says that Van Ness Wu will be filming another music video in Japan this spring. Wu will be releasing his full Japanese album on February 3rd called "Reflections."  Recently, he was very busy with filming of the drama Autumn's Concerto (下一站,幸福), also known as Next Stop, Happiness. After the filming was complete, he rushed to Japan to shoot his music video "Reason."

It's been a pretty bumpy road for Wu after the Taiwanese group F4 parted ways. Previously, he was under Sony but the music video he released never received proper air time. So, with not too many options, Wu placed  the music video on Youtube himself only to be criticized.  Even though that was a rough time for him he is still on good terms with his manager from Sony. Currently, Wu is relaxing with his family back in LA. Afterward, he will go to Japan around March and he has hopes of putting on a small concert.

Oh yes, a concert in Japan sounds pretty good right about now. I'll be there as long as he promises to takes off his shirt... Okay, I'll go for other reasons as well.

source: cpopaccess.com recordchina.co.jp, 99yuchi@YT

I hate to pick at songs but this is one of those times when it must be done! This is a trend that has been continuing more more than a year, that's how bad it is. The sad part? I've compiled a list and I believe there are a ton more songs out there that meet this criteria. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the "baby, lady" syndrome.
This trend has been around for a while in Korean songs. When one hears the word "baby," expect to hear "lady" shortly after. Why in this order? I don't know. I never seem to hear it the other way around either. Here's a quick list of the songs that have the "baby, lady" syndrome.

Oh My Baby - Big Bang (Credit: shortiis)

Look Only at Me - Tae Yang (Credit: theREALiVIPSUBS)

Wedding Dress - Tae Yang (Credit: BIGBANG)

Ring Ding Dong - SHINee (Credit: sment)

결혼해줘 (Marry Me) - F.T.Island (Credit: Jenpooable)

10점 만점에 10점 - 2PM (Credit: JYPEntertainment)

Confessions of a Friend - 2AM (Credit: 2am)

Shahrukh Khan is one of the most famous figures in Bollywood. Most of Khan's films have become some of Bollywood's biggest hits and has made it to the top Indian productions in the overseas markets making him one of the most successful actors of India.

India's film director, Karan Johar releases another drama, 'My Name Is Khan' starring Shahrukh Khan. The movie tells the story of a Muslim man from Mumbai who suffers from a type of autism. He marries a single mother in San Francisco played by Kajol, a famous actress of Bollywood, but then becomes detained by U.S. authorities at L.A.X.

There has already been alot of buzz over the film as Shahrukh Khan himself got detained at a U.S. airport when he came over to promote his film.

Will this film be another SRK hit?
The film will be released on February 12th 2010.

Check out the 'My Name Is Khan' International Trailer Seen Here:

Or at least he wants to be! In a recent interview with Star World's "Asia Uncut" Edison Chen revealed his hopes for an interesting film role. What kind of role? Oh, just something that of a homosexual person or a psycho killer. Chen laughed and said, "I am an entertaining performer, so whatever I do entertains everyone!"

2 years ago, Chen was caught up in a huge scandal nicknamed the "Artists' Nude Scandal," which involved many famous female talents. After all the hype has died down, Edison is ready to hop back into the spotlight. When asked about his life during the 2 years after the scandal he said, "I didn't even know if I was the perpetrator or the victim." Thankfully, Chen has many good friends who supported him during the past 2 years when he was receiving a lot of negative attention and facing many barriers. He describes this whole incident as "an intangible gift."

I'm glad that Edison is coming back. Even after the whole scandal you can't deny that the guy has some talent. Or at least he looks good while trying. No complaints here!

Source: mingpao
Translation: casablanca-- @ http://asianfanatics.net

Recently, Aimee Lee Lucas, assistant choreographer and dancer to YG Entertainment's 2ne1 and Big Bang (you may notice her as the sexy lady dancing with Tae Yang in Big Bang's 'Number 1' music video), was interviewed by Kanauru Productions. Aimee is also known very well since she works with Shaun Evaristo, whom we at AMIN had the privilege of interviewing in the past.

In the interview, she was asked how working with YG was. Her answer was:

"YG takes care of us. Every time we go, it's five star treatment... Everywhere they go, they take us along. We're just like one of the family."

She was also asked what it was like working Big Bang's G-Dragon, Tae Yang, and 2ne1. The interview itself was very down to earth with some humor put in between.

Aimee, we wish you luck in all your endeavors and maybe we can even have the pleasure of having an interview with you too!

Check out the interview with Aimee:

Check out the interview with Shaun Evaristo!

credit: kanauru @ youtube, kanauru productions, 2ne1evo, aimee lee lucas @ facebook, Always TaeYang

BoA will be realeasing her seventh Japanese album, 'Identity', in February 2010. The album will include two new singles, "Bump Bump" and "Mamoritai: White Wishes" The singles reachead #5 and #2 on the Oricon charts.
Along with the album release, BoA will be going on a nationwide tour across Japan from February to April in a tour called "BoA LIVE 2010."
We haven't heard much about BoA in a while but her newest Japanese album sounds promising. Be sure to check it out!

BoA's "Bump Bump" and "Mamoritai: White Wishes" Seen Here: