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Catching up with HOME MADE KAZOKU

Posted by Jessica Dawson On November - 29 - 2010View Comments

Yes! We have another exclusive interview with Japanese hip-hop trio HOME MADE KAZOKU! We decided to catch up with the guys again and see what they’ve been up to since Otakon 2010. If you haven’t checked our previous interview, check here. The group has been very busy with various performances around Japan and they took the time to reply to some of your questions. So let’s start!

Jessica: How have you guys been? MICRO’s birthday just passed. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! How did you celebrate?

MICRO: Lots of people wished me a happy birthday and celebrated in various places. The biggest surprise was a huge cake that the students presented me during the encore at a school festival. I was surprised and so touched, it brought tears to my eyes.

Jessica: You have just released your new single “Nukumori.” Can you tell us a little bit about the song and how it was inspired?

MICRO: At the end of each show in the CIRCLE TOUR, I’d call out, “Let’s all hold hands to make a family circle that can only be made today!” And that felt really good. What is it about holding hands that makes you feel kind and care and respect of the others? The feelings I had then was “nukumori (warmth.)” It’s a very special song that I want everyone to hear, especially now, in these times.

KURO: I felt really moved when we ended the shows and meet & greet sessions in the CIRCLE TOUR by all holding hands. When we tried to put that feeling into a song, it came down to the word “nukumori.” No matter how many tools are invented to connect with people (like Twitter, Mixi, Facebook, etc.) nothing compares to the human touch. The most important thing comes from the heart.

U-ICHI: I felt everyone’s “nukumori” on our last tour.

Jessica: So, is there “Nukumori” hand cream? What’s the deal with that?

MICRO: It’s a promotional item for fun. We want you to be well-groomed when you hold hands!  I’m sure people would be happier to hold hands with someone with soft and supple skin.

KURO: Since your skin tends to get chapped and dry during the winter, we made it to contribute to a happier “hands-on” relationship for touching and holding hands.

U-ICHI: The record company said they wanted to make a promo item, so we thought you should be prepared with this hand cream for when you get a chance to hold hands with that special someone. It’s a little joke!

Jessica: We first met back at Otakon 2010 in Baltimore. Can you now tell us how you felt about that experience? What differences did you see with the American audience?

MICRO: I didn’t find a single difference with the audience when comparing the US and Japan.  There is the obvious difference in the language, but I realized that our thoughts reach the audience if we sing directly to their hearts, from the bottom of our hearts. You know they say, “Music has no borders,” well, I understood the true meaning of that! I can’t wait to perform in the US again.

KURO: I was a little worried about what kind of reaction we would get, but once we started playing we felt the same vibe that we get from the fans in Japan. Our experience at Otakon was very encouraging. I’m really looking forward to performing abroad again.

U-ICHI: It was a life-changing experience! Performing felt so good, I can’t wait to do it again, and I think it went to my head!

Jessica: Is there a particular memory that stands out from your concert/time at Otakon?

MICRO: The fire, maybe? That was unexpected. The thing that surprised me the most was that everyone sang our songs in Japanese. I really felt their love.

KURO: The meet & greet/autograph session after the show that lasted over two hours.

U-ICHI: The crowd’s vibes when we were playing the non-anime songs!! It was awesome.

Jessica: You guys just hosted the your very first KAZOKU FES 10′. Despite the heavy rain that day, how did you feel about the turn out?

MICRO: We had some really serious rain. But thanks to all the people that were soaking wet but stayed to watch until the end, all the artists that kept on singing although their instruments got wet, and all the staff and everybody backstage who took it to the limit to keep it going, we were all incredibly united and it turned out to be an awesome day.

KURO: The rain was almost a kind of production effect that united the performers and audience.  Maybe it was the feeling that we all made it through the rain together. It was really moving. As it was with Woodstock, rain comes with any legendary concert.

U-ICHI: I was really moved. I’m grateful to the performers, audience, and staffs for making it all happen. I was filled with a feeling of accomplishment and a renewed sense of mission.

Jessica: You have worked with a lot of people over the years and this concert was a way to celebrate that friendship with those artist and your fans. Was it hard to pick the artist that performed?

MICRO: That’s true. There were so many more artists that we wanted and it was a difficult decision, but we started by asking those people that we have a personal relationship and are close with or respect and look up to.

KURO: Organizing the bookings was the hardest. We want to ask the people that we couldn’t this year to come next year. The basis of KAZOKU Festival is people that are connected. You get to see sessions here that you can’t see anywhere else.

U-ICHI: I chose people that I respect or personally like. Other than personal preferences, HOME MADE KAZOKU considered the choices as a group.

Jessica: You have fans from all over the world. How do you feel about illegal downloading since some of your CDs do not reach certain countries?

MICRO: I guess it’s the tide of the times. I figure I’ll just have to make an amazing song that people will HAVE to buy!

KURO: You can’t really help it. You can’t stop the tide. I’m happy that at least it helps our songs reach as many people as possible. If they really like us they’ll come to see our shows and I trust that they will buy our CDs in the end.

U-ICHI: I wish they would stop!! It demeans the value.

Jessica: Are you planing to have any more performances abroad anytime soon?

MICRO: We don’t have any plans yet, but if we’re invited, we’d be happy to come anytime!

KURO: There are some plans in the works that have come up in meetings. I’m sure they’ll come together soon. I hope you’ll come see us when we’re there!

U-ICHI: I’d love to go. Europe is attractive too!

Jessica: If you had to describe HMKU as a color, what color would it be?

MICRO: Light purple!

KURO: I think green.

U-ICHI: Rainbow color.

Jessica: All three of you have been put into a body switching machine. What would you do if you had the chance to be another person for a week?

MICRO: I’d become Jay-Z and spend the week recording feature songs with HOME MADE KAZOKU.

KURO: I want to tour the world with Prince. His ideas are always so original. I think his view and approach about the CD media format is interesting too. Now that we’ve lost Michael, I’d like to learn as much as I can by spending time with a living legend.

U-ICHI: Jay-Z.

Also, check out this clip from their performance at  KAZOKU FES 2010 of their new single NUKUMORI!

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Tae Yang Releases “I Need A Girl” MV

Posted by Christina Jacildo On July - 1 - 2010View Comments

Picture-6Yes! It is here! TaeYang just released his album just hours ago and more surprises are at hand! Right now M! Countdown is being aired as we speak and while that show is going on, his MV was released! It’s just a simple video, which I find cute! Take a look for yourself!

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The Karate Kid Movie Review

Posted by Maimounah Masudi On June - 25 - 2010View Comments

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Hollywood is constantly making remakes. For the most part, they need to leave the originals alone. A few nights ago I decided to go to the movies, (thanks to a friend named Edward Hong) with a posse of friends, including fellow AMIN writers: Lara Visconti and Jessica Dawson to watch The Karate Kid 2010 movie. I was so skeptical. I am a fan of the original one with all of its cheesiness. I do admit that I watched  all of  The Karate Kid sequels ever made. Part two was my favorite, because Mr. Miyagi, played by the late Pat Morita, and Daniel, played by Ralph Macchio, went to the beautiful island of Okinawa. I hated part three and the feminist in me  likes part four just because for a change a girl was The Next Karate Kid.

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Picture-6Fans got really excited when they found out Big Bang’s vocalist TaeYang, real name Dong Young Bae, will be releasing his first full length album “SOLAR” on July 1st. Throughout the week, YG Entertainment has been releasing the track titles from his album, leaving the fans in suspense. Some of the tracks you may already heard, like “Wedding Dress,” “Only Look at Me,” “Where U At,” and “Prayer,” but there are new tracks that are to be heard. There will be two versions of this album: a regular version and a deluxe version.

Well, the full track list is finally complete! Along with an audio preview to the first track, which is called, “SOLAR.” The title track in which TaeYang is to promote will be “I Need a Girl,” featuring Big Bang Leader G-Dragon. The MV is already in the process of filming and it is heard that Sandara Park will be in the video, based on the photos from her me2day . What a great contribution for YG Family, they’re ALWAYS together! Also Shaun Evaristo, whom we interviewed in the beginning of this year, is to be helping YG Entertainment and TaeYang with choreography, so we all know that the dancing is going to be flawless!

I’m excited for this album to come out! Being a TaeYang fan myself, I’m ready to hear and see what he has in store for us. What do you guys think of his track list and audio preview?

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Here is the full track list:

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source: bigbangupdates, bbupdates2010 @ youtube, allkpop, soompi, omgkpop, ygbigbang,com/taeyang

Open Casting Call for K-town Reality Show

Posted by Maimounah Masudi On April - 17 - 2010View Comments

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Open auditions for the L.A. K-town based Jersey Shore series will begin this April 24 from 12pm to 6pm. Those who are interested can apply here Craigslist. You can also send in your headshots, cover letter, and/ resume to asianrealityshow@gmail.com. Be sure to join the Facebook group!

Big Bang Leader Clear From All Charges

Posted by Christina Jacildo On March - 15 - 2010View Comments

gdshinealightAfter months of on going investigations on his Shine A Light Tour concerts showcased December of last year, due to inappropriate performances of sexual behavior and banned songs, Big Bang Leader Kwon JiYong aka G-Dragon, has been cleared of all charges.

YG Entertainment has stated that even though songs such as Korean Dream and She’s Gone were banned because of ratings, the concert itself wasn’t banned, making the concert unable to break any laws performance wise.

As for the ‘bed’ scene in the song Breathe, showcased during the concert, it was meant for show so that charge was cleared as well.

Even though G-Dragon’s concerts were cleared of charges, they were to pay a fine of 3,000,000 won ($2,600 USD) as demanded by police. YG Entertainment’s staff took care of that matter, as G-Dragon was the performer, he must take responsibility for his actions.

It’s good that G-Dragon wasn’t put into jail and that leaves a big sign of relief for Big Bang fans right? At least no drastic actions were taken on the fans’ part, aside from ongoing support and petitions stating that G-Dragon did nothing wrong.

G-Dragon is also expected to release a collaboration with Flo-Rida in the near future, another controversy due to plagiarism cleared when his album and title song ‘Heartbreaker’ was released in August 2009. Are fans excited to hear this?

source: allkpop

G-Dragon’s Shine A Light Concert Aired in Japan

Posted by Christina Jacildo On February - 13 - 2010View Comments

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G-Dragon, leader of the Korean boy band Big Bang, had a controversial concert last year in December. As we have been reporting, G-Dragon had recently been taken in for questioning on the events that happened. He and choreographer Aimee Lee Lucas performed his song “Breathe” where they shared a bed and took part in activities of what some have said is sexually explicit. Now, G-Dragon’s concert has been aired in Japan with the footage unedited and everyone gets to see what really happened that night.

What do you all think? Was taking G-Dragon into questioning worth the trouble?

Last Call For Grammy Contest

Posted by Maimounah Masudi On February - 10 - 2010View Comments

grammy awards

Come on guys! Our contest to win three exclusive Official 52nd Annual Grammy Awards Booklets and three official posters ends this Sunday, February 14 on Valentine’s Day. I myself went to New York City’s Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square to watch the Grammy’s along with other recording academy members that did not go out to the event in Los Angeles on the big screen and I had the best time ever. I was given my own copy of the Grammy booklet and official poster. The Grammy Award booklet is 144 pages and it contains awesome photos of all the nominees, including a page dedicated to the one and only King of Pop Michael Jackson, and dedications to Grammy music legends.

Don’t miss out on this one time opportunity to receive some awesome memorabilia from the most watched music award ceremony in history! Comment on this post or on this one http://maypang-amin.com/2010/02/02/grammy-awards-giveaway/ for your name to be drawn to become one of the three lucky winners whom will be announced on Monday February 15.

G-Dragon Summoned for Public Prosecution in Secret

Posted by Christina Jacildo On February - 4 - 2010View Comments

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Just when you think things will lighten up for Big Bang member and leader G-Dragon, he was secretly summoned to the Prosecution Office for questioning of the controversies that occurred during his Shine A Light concerts in December.

He arrived at the Prosecution Office during the evening of February 4th, and was held there for an hour. The investigations of the concerts were to determine whether G-Dragon performances were planned by the company and done on purpose, or was he just implying a sexual act for his audience.

The Ministry of Family Health and Welfare asked prosecutors to investigate G-Dragon’s concerts, as families of those who attended the concerts being under aged complained that his performances were indeed inappropriate and it violated both youth act laws and public performance laws.

Fans took a stand against the Prosecution Office by sending petitions saying it was not inappropriate and that G-Dragon should not be charged. G-Dragon himself as well as Aimee Lee Lucas, his dance partner during his ‘Breathe‘ performance even gave their two cents of the concerts.

Yang Hyun Suk, the President and CEO of YG Entertainment, stated that the performances were planned and it was to showcase a diversity to the fans who attended the concerts. However if legalities were to occur, he would humbly take the blame.

The Prosecution attorney plans to end all investigations by next week once all considerations for legal violations are finalized for the artist.

What are your feelings on this? We want to hear from you!

credit: asiae, omgkpop

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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.”

12601135742009120700334s-400x450It’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.”gdshinealight1

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