May Pang's Asian Media Internet News

So first and foremost, I am warning everyone that as much as I enjoy 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, for those of you who are not familiar either the game itself or the study of psychotherapy and pharmaceuticals… you might have a little trouble understanding what’s going on.

Here are the basics. The playable character in the game, Junpei, wakes up in what looks like a prison cell with no memory of how he got there. Shocker. After a few minutes he remembers being drugged in his home by someone in a gas mask. Soon after, Junpei realizes he is in a ship and the only window in the cabin breaks and begins filling up with water. Here’s where the game play starts. It’s honestly like any other flash media room escape game you can find online. There are even some harder puzzles out there in the wide world of the internet as well. What sets this game apart is its complex story line, multiple endings, and that it is a visual novel.

This aspect of the game, I’m not a huge fan of. While you are given options in the game, like which room you want to explore, that’s really all the choices you get in the game. You never get to directly control your characters movements or explore the ship on your own. In between the mini escape games are long stretches of reading passages, not very well written passages. Everything was written very literally; much like how Twilight was written.

Like I mentioned earlier, what sets this game apart is its use of a unique story, and that no one ending gives you the whole story. The story makes use of a drug company gone mad and a disease where someone cannot tell one person from another using their face. Also, you need to complete each ending to have a full understanding of what exactly happening to these characters and why. Fortunately, when you finish an ending, the passages you have already read can be fast forwarded, which is a huge plus because the text passes by at a snail’s pace. If you have a very long car or plane ride ahead of you I do suggest buying this game because it has a lot of play time. But if you’re looking for more of an action game, I’d stay away. Overall, 999 gets a 6/10.

Check out the trailer for 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors:

With BIGBANG‘s epic comeback happening so quickly, SBS airs an hour feature for BIGBANG called ‘The BIGBANG Show.’ The hour special was aired on February 28th in Korea to thousands of fans everywhere, many of the fangirls faces filled with glee.

What actually transpired that night? I’ll tell you. Performances of their new songs, some old, and of course, a special parody of the hit drama ‘Secret Garden.’

BIGBANG chose to perform three of their new tracks from the mini-album: ‘Cafe‘, ‘What is Right‘, and their title track ‘Tonight. What exactly were their concepts for each of these songs? I’ll break it down for you.

BIGBANG’s title track ‘Tonight’ stuck with the theme of the music video (which also premiered that night). It featured the boys in a Las Vegas setting, with billboards and flashing signs scattered throughout the back. The boys donned variations of red and black clothing with metallic accents. TaeYang wears sunglasses, just as he does in the music video. G-Dragon also proceeds to play a guitar and smash it, and in turn making the illusion of the guitar smashing being the cause of the fireworks going off. Well, played G-Dragon, well played.

‘Cafe,’ a personal favorite of mine, was a very interesting approach. In the first shot, we see TOP wearing a top (OH SO PUNNY) with his face across his torso… Not that I mind completely. We also see all of the other band members take their spots on stage, TOP standing center stage, TaeYang and Daesung sitting at the cafe table, G-Dragon with the microphone, and Seungri standing on the other side of the stage. Then we reaslize ALL of the BIGBANG members wore shirts with their faces on it. Considering this song seems to emphasize how a couple meet in a cafe, I found this a little strange. I’m pretty sure the boys aren’t trying to have a conversation with themselves.

The last performance out of their new songs was ‘What is Right.” Now if any of you have heard our AMIN Bi-Weekly Ranting, you would know that I expressed my… disappointment with this particular song. Of course that wouldn’t stop anyone from enjoying the song. The boys wore an almost military style attire… which threw me off. The song itself sounds like such a happy song yet they’re in military attire? I don’t get it. Regardless, the fans enjoyed this performance.

Overall, I did enjoy this comeback. For many, it was long awaited and very fulfilling. For others, maybe not as much. The boys seem to be enjoying the fact that they’re back. We’re seeing a different style from each member yet they seem to be sticking to a formula. I still can’t help but feel that Daesung isn’t getting enough attention that he really deserves. Many fangirls were pleased, the sponsors who got commercial spots were pleased, and SBS & YG Entertainment were definitely pleased. Definitely a successful night for all.

BIGBANG Performs ‘Cafe!’

BIGBANG Performs ‘What is Right!’

BIGBANG Performs ‘Tonight!’

Source: BIGBANG YouTube Channel

Has anyone else ever notice that the Japanese love to portray Christianity as a religion full of the biggest bad asses in the world? Alexander Anderson, from Hellsing, is the craziest, most violent, kick-ass priest I have ever seen. He shoots hundreds of cleavers out of his jacket for crying out loud! Then of course there is Nicholas D. Wolfwood from Trigun, who is obviously amazing in and of himself, with his gun-toting cross backpack! But no anime has the sheer number of “Christian” priests doing the “Lord’s work” than Trinity Blood.

Trinity Blood was originally a light novel that was adapted into both a manga and an anime. The anime was released in 2005 by Gonzo. Funimation bought the licensed the rights and aired a dubbed version for North America in 2006.

Vampires, Catholicism, and all the poor fools who stand between them… a tale truly as old as time. However in this run through of the story, the main protagonist and antagonist are brother hybrid-esc vampires called Crusniks. There are aptly named Cain and Abel (for those who know the Christian Bible, try to guess which one the bad guy is). As a twist they feed on other vampires. Hah! I was glad to see the creators knock those cocky vampires down a few pegs without having to rely on werewolves. God I hate Twilight… *shiver* Anyway, I don’t know how the Christian Church works in this world, but it seems to be made up of elite warriors with trademark abilities and fighting styles. Just how I like’m!

The story revolves around Abel Nightroad and his love interest, the cliché naïve nun Esther Blanchett. She is a young, kind, free spirited, redhead who will follow you to til end if you give her a deep intimate stare and say, “trust me.” The main baddy, Cain, is trying to start a global war between the Terrans (humans), the Vatican (Church), and the Methuselah (vampires).  But Abel and his priestly S.W.A.T team is going to make him go through them first, which he does on a few occasions.

Abel in Crusnik mode

The show has a lot of espionage and mystery in it which gives the story some driving force besides purely relying on the Dragon Ball Z style LETS WIN BY BEATING UP THE BAD GUY plot device. The animation and fight scenes are beautifully animated. I’m usually not a big fan of the overly black Vampire Knight clothing style where everyone’s apparel look incredibly dramatic, but it worked for me in Trinity Blood. The one criticism I had with the show was honestly that it ended before I really felt full closure. There is a semi-final battle that ends the immediate threat, but leaves the main problems still open ended. There was an extreme sense of “we have won the battle but have yet to win the war.” I guess that is sometimes the problem that arises when one watches a twenty-four episode show. That’s just me though; I wouldn’t let my troubles with the ending deter anyone from watching the show. Its a great series and here is a quick preview from the opening to better emphasize what I’ve been talking about.

Textbooks for high school students in Korea will begin to feature more modern music.

Tae Sung Publishing Company has released a new revised textbook that will feature one of BIGBANG’s biggest hits ‘Sunset Glow,’ (released in 2008) which was originally a song by Lee Moon Sae (released in 1988). A comparison between the two versions based on their time periods is discussed in the chapter “Lesson 6 – Music of Our Age.” The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said that the three revised textbooks, which qualified in July 2010, feature current songs released by idol groups to cater to current students.

A representative in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said, “Our music textbooks used to contain classical music or art songs, but those publishing companies have used content concerning popular songs and idol groups for the first time. These days, it has become the trend for textbooks in every subject to try to maximize the learning effect in students by giving them motivation.”

Listen to the original ‘Sunset Glow’ performed by Lee Moon Sae!

Listen to BIGBANG’s version of ‘Sunset Glow!’

Watch Lee Moon Sae and BIGBANG perform ‘Sunset Glow’ together!

Source: KBS Global

Recently, Nintendo announced that their new handheld gaming system, the Nintendo 3DS will be available on March 27, 2011 for $249.99; the same original Wii and PSP price. Although this is a heavy price tag for a handheld system, The 3DS will offer a pedometer, an activity tracker, 3 cameras (2 on the front and one on the back; one camera will have the ability to take 3D pictures), a “Mii Maker” which helps you create your own identical Mii with the aid of the “Face Camera”, an “analog stick”, comes packaged with a 2G SD card, and will have the ability to play 3D movies.

I’ve been working as a waitress since December to make sure I have enough money saved to buy the 3DS on its release date, and recently, Nintendo announced 16 3D games will be available for purchase the same as the 3DS.

Here’s the list:
Pilotwings Resort –Nintendo
Steel Diver – Nintendo
nintendogs + cats – Nintendo
Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition – CAPCOM
The Sims 3 – EA
Madden NFL Football – EA SPORTS
Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars – LucasArts
RIDGE RACER 3D – NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
Super Monkey Ball 3D – SEGA
BUST-A-MOVE UNIVERSE – Square-Enix, Inc.
SAMURAI WARRIORS: Chronicles – TECMO KOEI AMERICA Corp.
Asphalt 3D – UBISOFT
Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D – UBISOFT
Rayman 3D – UBISOFT
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Shadow Wars – UBISOFT

Our fourth AMIN Rant is today! As many of you know, Korean boyband BIGBANG has released their fourth mini-album after two, long years so as a tribute to them, we have dedicated our fourth rant to their mini-album. What do we think? Listen to our rant and you’ll see!

Disclaimer: We didn’t edit some of the parts we ended up feeling were funny… You’ll notice.

Click here to order BIGBANG’s mini-album Tonight on iTunes!

Click here to see BIGBANG on Soribada!

Podcast: Play in new window

Having their contract signed last year with Avex Japan, it’s time for 2NE1′s debut in Japan this spring.  Although the exact track list and debut date is not yet confirmed, it is announced on their Japan official website that their debut single will be last year’s hit song “Go Away” (Japanese version).  On 16th March, their licensed album “2NE1″ will be released in Japan.

The track list for “2NE1″ as below:

• 1. FIRE
• 2. I DON’T CARE
• 3. IN THE CLUB
• 4. LET’S GO PARTY
• 5. PRETTY BOY
• 6. STAY TOGETHER
• 7. LOLLIPOP
• 8. I’M BUSY
• 9. PLEASE DON’T GO
• 10. KISS

I believe the fans can’t wait for the charismatic girls’ hot debut in Japan!

Source: 2NE1 Avex Japan Official Website

Super Scribblenauts, a game for the Nintendo DS developed by 5th Cell, was recommended to me recently from a friend. At first I was a little hesitant to play. From what I understood previously about the game, all that was required of you was to a few silly words here and there, and you would be through the game in an afternoon.
I’m happy to see how wrong I was. In Super Scribblenauts, yes you do use an on screen keyboard to enter nouns and adjectives to help you reach little stars called “Starites”; but that can range from simply using “giraffe” to “giant green pregnant giraffe”. It all depends on you.
As you progress through the levels, you complete constellations. You can redo the levels to gain higher scores and earn more points to customize your character avatar. However, you have to think of new words and adjectives each time if you want to earn more points. That’s something I actually really enjoy about this game. It’s not some mindless action or turn based fighting game that you can watch TV and play at the same time. Super Scribblenauts challenges and makes you think while still being an entertaining game. Overall I give it an 8 out of 10 points!

Check out some of the gameplay from Super Scribblenauts!

The popular idol boy group U-KISS is expected to lose two of its members. Alexander and Kim Ki Bum have decided to leave the group. Alexander made the decision to leave the group to pursue his studies and Ki Bum wanted to pursue his Piro-Piro business , a character company with his brother, SS501 member Kim Hyung Joon.

U-KISS’s agency is still open to accepting members to join U-KISS but will this effect the group? New members adding could either make or break the group. We wish the best of luck to Alexander and Ki Bum in their future endeavors and to the remaining members of U-KISS in their musical success.

source: allkpop, NTN Seoul, Star News

I believe this should be good news for all the V.I.Ps (BIGBANG’s fanbase). Since their last album, their fans have waited for two years for BIGBANG’s comeback. This time, their comeback stage will be BIG SHOW 2011, which will be held from 25th to 27th Feb in Seoul . Their 4th mini album will be released on February 24th and this time, BIGBANG promises to give the V.I.Ps a totally fresh and different image. Their title track this time is “TONIGHT,” and two of the songs “Hands Up” and “Somebody To Love” have already been previously released in their Japanese singles. As we can see from the tracklist below, BIGBANG member, G-Dragon, has a lot on his shoulders this time as he has taken part in the writing process and production of every single song on the mini-album. The Japanese version of their 4th mini album will be released on March 30th.

Their new styles:

The track list as below:

Finally, let’s enjoy the comeback trailers:

BIGBANG Comeback Countdown Spot #1 (G-Dragon version):

BIGBANG Comeback Countdown Spot #2 (Seungri version):

BIGBANG Comeback Countdown Spot #3 (Taeyang version):

BIGBANG Comeback Countdown Spot #4 (Daesung version):

BIGBANG Comeback Countdown Spot #5 (T.O.P.)

BIGBANG INTRO TEASER

BIGBANG members have been updating their Me2Day these few days. They are also very excited about their comeback and are counting down together with the V.I.Ps. Let’s get ready to shout “BIGBANG rocks the night!”