May Pang's Asian Media Internet News

On August 17th, Youtube Star and Kollaboration 2010 winner Clara Chung performed at Sullivan Hall for The Supply Education Group, a non profit organization who raises money for school supplies to give to schools in developing nations. Clara, along with other acts such as Jason Min and Cate Song, showcased their talents and entertained the crowd.

We had the opportunity to interview Clara Chung after the performance. We talked about her upcoming album “Art in My Heart” and other fun topics. One thing we noticed about her is that she is a total sweetheart. Humble to the core, she was as real as she can be. We also noticed that she makes time for everyone. Even if it is for a short amount of time, she will talk to you and give you her full undivided attention.

We thank Clara once again for such a fun video and we look forward to working with her again in the near future.

Check out Clara’s Youtube

Follow her on Twitter

Pre-order her Album

For more information on The Supply Education Group, click here

Check out our interview with Clara Chung!

source: Twitter, YouTube, iTunes, The Supply Education Group

When it comes to video games, I usually tend to play games that encourage the player to think strategically. That’s why games like Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney and Pokemon are among some of my favorites. But one of my absolute favorite game series would have to be Professor Layton (or レイトン教授シリーズ in Japan). With the upcoming release of Professor Layton and the Unwound Future in the USA, Professor Layton is my Pick of the Week.
Professor Layton is an action/adventure/puzzle interactive novel in which the player must complete a series of puzzles to progress in the story line. Developed by company Level-5, the series consists of a total of four games and one feature film. With the announcement of the Nintendo 3DS, the series is due for at least two more games and another movie.
The series started with Professor Layton and the Curious Village. This game sold me for the whole series. Each game has over one hundred puzzles and more that can be downloaded via wi-fi. In the first two games released in America, you begin with famous archaeologist Professor Layton and his young apprentice Luke Triton. Together, they solve all sorts of mysteries. Along the way, they encounter many obstacles including the main villain of the first three games, Don Paolo who holds a deep hatred for the professor. Professor Layton even adopts a daughter, Flora Reinhold, under the instruction of her late father’s will.
The series also has an amazing soundtrack. The game itself has a very vintage feel. With the series being partly inspired by Sherlock Holmes, you can only imagine what the actual game is like. The soundtrack is very classy, chic, and even includes accordion. When I heard Don Paolo’s theme, my mind was blown. It’s an eerie yet addictive soundtrack that really puts the player in the mood for some good puzzles.
Now this all seems like a fairly simple story. Professor and apprentice receive a letter, they solve some puzzles and save the day. But really, the plot in each game is quite odd. It’s more like Professor and apprentice receive a letter, solve many puzzles and get involved in a ridiculous plot twist, and then they save the day. But that’s what makes the game quirky and fun. You never know what will happen!
With the third installment about to be released next month, I think I’m now prepared for yet another incredibly strange story (and yes, I did pre-order it already).

For more information, take a look at the official website for Professor Layton and the Unwound Future!

Watch the trailer for Professor Layton and the Unwound Future!

Credit: MachinimaTrailer

It was a sad day in Korea last week when news broke out that one of its brightest stars, internationally renowned fashion designer Andre Kim, had faded and passed away.

The 74-year-old died from complications from pneumonia several weeks after being admitted to the hospital.

The larger-than-life designer had definitely made a name for himself in Korea, coming from a lowly farmer’s son, who lived through the end of the Japanese occupation and the Korean War, all the way up to top-rate fashion designer with runway shows in Paris, Sydney and New York. And he was well-loved by the Korean people, who looked passed his eccentric painted-on hair and all-white garb, to embrace his fantasy-filled designs. The designer couldn’t go anywhere without a crowd of fans following, even when shopping in Insadong, which is where I once saw him nearly three years ago.

People pressed up against shop windows wherever he went just to catch a glimpse. Even I had to step up on a bench just to catch sight of him and snap a picture, even though I had never heard of him at the time.

At first I thought he was weird. Then after looking at some of his designs, I still thought he was weird, but I admired his work, which was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. To me, it was all my little girl princess fantasies brought to life.

Glamorous dresses with sparkles and shine. Original prints. And an elegant combination of Western ball gowns with Korean tradition. I always felt as though I was watching a Korean princess walk down the runway. His work transported me to another place and time.

Some call his clothing impractical, which they may be, but at least they were original.

And he had a signature ending for each show- a couple walking down the runway as if it were an aisle, representing a couple getting married in full-on wedding regalia that could only from from his mind. Andre Kim always said that this ending symbolized his search for true love. Unfortunately, Kim never married, but he does leave behind an adopted son and a nation of devoted fans.

So, rest in peace, Andre Kim. You’ll always be in the hearts of Koreans and fans everywhere.

Singaporean singer JJ Lin has just released a new song titled “I AM.” This song is the theme song for his upcoming tour starting on August 21st in Beijing, China. The “I AM” tour will continue until April 2011.

Here are the tour dates for “I AM!”
1) 8/21 – Beijing, China
2) 8/28 – Shanghai, China
3) 9/17 – Cheng Du, China
4) 9/25 – Guang Zhou, China
5) 10/15 – Chang Sha, China
6) 10/30 – Kung Ming, China
7) 11/6 – Wu Han, China
8. 11/13 – Nan Jing, China
9) Malaysia (unconfirmed)
10) March 2011 – Singapore
11) April 2011 – Taipei Arena (Doom), Taiwan

Take a look at JJ Lin’s new song “I AM!”

If you haven’t already, check out our interview with JJ Lin!

Source: JJFO Forums

Big Bang member Taeyang has just released the music video for his newest song “I’ll Be There.” This song is a new addition to Taeyang’s repackaged album “SOLAR.”

The music video for “I’ll Be There” is dark, a little reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” at times. It also features amazing choreography by the one and only Shaun Evaristo. With the video beginning with a shirtless Taeyang, this is sure to please all the fangirls.

The repackaged album has not been released yet but is expected to be released next week. The album will include eight already released songs and 4 new songs. These songs include and English and Korean versions to “I’ll Be There,” an English version to his hit song “Wedding Dress,” and “CONNECTION” featuring Bigtone.

I’m definitely looking forward to the repackaged album. There’s one thing I’m definitely sure of. If there was ever a zombie apocalypse, I know where I’d like to be.

Take a look at Taeyang’s new music video “I’ll Be There!”

Just when you thought that AKB48 had a lot of band members, another large group comes out. The self-proclaimed “male AKB48″ has arrived. A new boy group called Naked Boyz has just debuted this past Thursday in Tokyo, Japan with a whopping 44 members! Their ages range from 16-30 years old so there’s a large variety of boys for everyone. This group promises to perform several times a year in their “base” at the Live Hall Face in western Tokyo in Shinjuku.

Naked Boyz will appear on Japanese television on NTV August 28th to participate in their 24-hour annual charity marathon. They are also scheduled to appear on Mache-Vari variety show in September.

Some of the members have also done other solo activities such as variety shows, television, movies, and stage productions. It’s great that so many of these boys have prior experience in the entertainment world.

To find out more information on Naked Boyz, check their official site here.

Source: Anime News Network

It’s only been a little over a year since Korean pop girl group 2NE1 first made their debut into the music scene. 2NE1 has been working with music producer and leader of the group Black Eyed Peas Will.I.AM for their American music debut. On August 17th  President Yang HyunSeok stated the following:

2NE1 has been working with music producer Will.I.AM for the past few months. Through a close acquaintance, we were given the chance to show Will.I.AM 2NE1′s MV and after seeing the MV, Will.I.Am said he wanted to do music production for 2NE1 for their American debut.” “2NE1 and Will.I.AM has been working on the music production on 3 windows for about 3 weeks in cities like L.A and London and currently they have finished recording about 10 songs.

It was also said that since 3 members from 2NE1 are fluent in English, all the songs were recorded in English and the process was completed earlier than expected. On the girls debut in American, YG Entertainment said,

As to the concrete plans and time period the girls will debut in the States, we have not decided on them yet. But since Will.I.AM will be busy for his concert tour and Black Eyed Pea’s upcoming new album, it will most probably not happen within this year. Plans for 2NE1′s American debut, we will be consulting Will.I.Am on plans and decisions, since he will be the key for their debut in the States. But we will stay away from the idea of 2NE1 promoting long term and staying in the States. Since the girls have received great love from fans in Korea, we will not have them neglect their activities in Korea. Furthermore, they will also be debuting in Japan early next year. Hence we will need to come up with a plan for the girls to be able to promote at the same time in 3 countries.

2NE1 Is also planing to make a comeback on September 9th with a new album called “To Anyone” complete with 12 tracks.

This is really exciting. I have always had high hopes for 2NE1. They brought something a little different to the k-pop scene that other girl groups couldn’t and to pair them up with someone like Will.I.AM is pretty epic.

Source: OSEN

Credit: kbites

During Otakon 2010, AMIN writer Jessica Dawson and I were able to meet up with the bassist of Antic Cafe (An Cafe) Kanon. Since An Cafe’s announcement of their hiatus earlier this year, each of the band members has been pursuing their own activities. Kanon had been one of the panelists at Otakon 2010 where he discussed his newest video game he has produced titled Pinky☆Distortion. He also took part in Friday night’s Otakurave where he DJed for the con-goers. AMIN writers Christina Jacildo, Jessica Dawson and myself had attended the Otakurave that night. Kanon played a variety of anime songs from anime such as the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and K-ON! He was well recieved at the Otakurave where the con-goers pushed and danced their way to the front just to see Kanon DJ.

Watch our exclusive interview with Kanon!

Baltimore, Maryland was home to Otakon 2010, the largest Anime convention in the East Coast. What better way to end an awesome ‘Anime’ weekend with a packed concert by none other than Home Made Kazoku from Japan. I had the opportunity to attend the concert with fellow AMIN writers Jessica Dawson and Lara Visconti, who interviewed them earlier that weekend.

Personally, I’ve never heard of Home Made Kazoku until just recently (thanks to Jessica playing their songs endlessly). They reminded me of a happier version of the Korean rap trio Epik High. Their sound was very upbeat, fun and carefree. So I was definitely expecting some of that at the concert.

I would describe the concert in two words: FLIPPIN’ AMAZING!! The fan energy was non-stop, waving their hands left and right, jumping up and down, and singing along to the songs (even if it was in Japanese). The group performed songs like “No Rain, No Rainbow” and “Salvia no Tsubomi” along with songs from Anime such as Naruto and Bleach. Even though I do not know their songs very well, I, along with the girls, were dancing along in the crowd.

The concert was so much fun, we also were able to get autographs from the group right after. I also developed a little crush on Kuro since he had such a charm on stage. If given the opportunity to meet them or see them in concert again, I would gladly take the offer. It’s easier to appreciate an artist after you’ve see them live.

Check out the pictures from the concert!

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At Otakon 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland I had the pleasure of interviewing Home Made Kazoku, one of Japan’s hottest hip hop groups. This group has come a long way since their major debut back in 2004 with Ki/oon Records /Sony Music Entertainment Japan Inc. They recently released a special EP of their Anime hits for digital download on iTunes. The EP includes songs from anime series, such as Psalms of Planets Eureka Seven (“Shonen Heart”), NARUTO (“Shooting Star”) and BLEACH (“Thank You!!”)  Group members Micro (MC), Kuro (MC), and U-ICHI (DJ) sat down with me a few days before their 1st major performance in the USA. Check out the video right here!