May Pang's Asian Media Internet News

Korean pop group BIGBANG has recently collaborated with Japanese fast fashion brand UNIQLO to release a special line of T-shirts. The line was released on February 5th and met with positive results. One of the 3 floors at the specialty UT Store in Harajuku was dedicated to the BIG BANG items. Reports claim that more than 1,200 people had lined up the night before and waited until the store opened in the morning. This rush set a new record for UNIQLO as the highest single-day sales of an item in both quantity and revenue.

10 different T-shirts are available in typical men sizes and in XS, intended for women. Limited edition designs are also available in certain stores, such as UNIQLO Shinsaibashi and the UT Store in Harajuku.

This collaboration is supposed to help promote BIGBANG’s upcoming tour in Japan this May. There is also a special chaku-voice (artist spoken ringtone) and movie downloads given to customers. In addition to the downloads, a lottery was held to giveaway posters and concert tickets.

I personally went to the UNIQLO in Kawasaki the day of release and saw the items. There was a lot to choose from and cute designs.  The items are very fairly priced compared to other official BIGBANG items I have seen before. Maybe I should go out and actually buy something before they all sell out!

Source: Tokyograph.com

For all you who love eyes, selca, purikura, or just simply have an obsession with circle lenses, I introduce you to Pink Colour Cosmetic Circle Lenses (Pinkcon). This website sells all kinds of lenses that KFDA approved, so yes people, they are legit.

The Toronto based website is perfect and very affordable for anyone who doesn’t want to wear a pair of glasses or if you are preparing for your next anime convention to cosplay. For those of you who need prescription lenses, Toric lenses are available. 

Every year, Pinkcon hosts a modeling contest, where people enter by posting photos of themselves wearing circle lenses. The winners get a free pair of lenses every month along with free contact accessories and becomes a model for the website and their products.

So far after looking through this website and having a chat with the CEO, they are very careful to ship their lenses to their customers to avoid damages to the lenses. When you order one pair of lenses, you will get the original instructions on how to put on the lenses along with a travel kit and a mini catalog for future orders. Ordering two pairs will get you a travel kit, a bottle of lens solution, and an extra lens case. Three pairs will get you a travel kit, lens solution, lens remover, and two lens cases.

May Pang’s AMIN was given a discount code for our readers who are interested in purchasing.

When checking out make sure to put in ‘amin2010‘ for a discount!

For even more information, check out pinkcon.com!

Join their Facebook group here!

Subscribe to their Youtube!

As most of us know, this week was fashion week! May Pang’s AMIN was invited to attend Vivienne Tam‘s show at the Theatre in Lincoln Center. At the show, Vivienne Tam showcased her Spring 2011 collection which was influenced by the east. She even called the line, “the new silk road.”

The collection included baggy and loose clothing which incorporated a lot of soft blacks. Many of the models sported jackets and flowing dresses, which seemed very versatile.

Vivienne had also invited the Wonder Girls and JYP as her personal guests!

After the event, AMIN writer Christina Jacildo and I passed by a Best Buy where we found that Vivienne Tam has designed headphones for the company Monster (which also distributes Beats by Dr. Dre) called Butterfly. Check out these awesome headphones!

Take a look at the photos from the event!

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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.

Designers Shyamal & Bhumika brought their Bollywood fashion line to NYC last Thursday to showcase their cool collections. The designers who are used to dress Bollywood celebs are now spreading their collections from east to west.

Who is Bhumika and Shyamal Shodhan? The designers began working in fashion in 2000 Ahmedabad, India. Their label, Shyamal & Bhumika, was nominated for “Best Indian Wear” at the 2008 Marie Claire India Fashion Awards.

Now the fashion duo are ready to take over NYC runways!

2NE1′s having their latest commercial for the online shop – 11st.  Each member displays their own unique and gorgeous looks.  The photo shoot also shows a more mature side of 2NE1.

2NE1′s latest CF for 11st:

Lately, 11st held the “2NE1 delivery” campaign, which 2NE1 enjoyed and had fun.  CL said, “When I got to the lobby (for delivery), they asked me where Sandara Park was!”  Sandara had a different experience of delivering goods and at the same time receiving gifts from her fans.  As many fans are excited about their comeback,  CL says that they are in progress of their new album and will be ready for comeback soon!

Check out some of the photos from 2NE1′s photo shoot for 11st!

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CL’s delivery – 1st story

Dara’s delivery – 2nd story

Bom’s delivery – 3rd story

Minzy’s delivery – 4th story

Sources :

http://www.11st.co.kr/event/event.page?evt=11monthFreeInstallment

http://www.youtube.com/user/JAMJOOsubs#p/u

http://www.youtube.com/user/YGSRASubs

What is it with KPOP stars and going blond? Zin Tae Hwa, member of boy band Battle, has gone solo! [hidepost] Today, he has released his first solo single called “Fallen Angel.” It is an amazing music video with many visuals and constantly plays on the angel/devil concept. It’s very thought out and has amazing visuals that will keep you entertained all through the video. As an angel, Tae Hwa’s eyes seem to pierce the viewers with his blue eyes and white eyelashes. Tae Hwa’s image definitely conveys a different style than what G-Dragon’s blond look has to offer in “Heartbreaker” and “Breathe.” This is definitely a track worth listening to. Good luck to Zin Tae Hwa and his first solo single! I’m looking forward to seeing this performed live!

Watch Zin Tae Hwa’s Music Video “Fallen Angel!”
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Mallika Sherawat is famous for being Bollywood’s “sex symbol” and has starred in many Bollywood films such as Murder, Jeena Sirf Mere Liye, The Myth featuring Jackie Chan and her upcoming Hollywood film, Hisss. [hidepost]

It was Mallika’s first time to attend NYC’s Fashion Week which presents the best fashion and one of the most hottest events of the year.
Mallika checked out her favorite label, BCBG, and thought the show was great.
“I love BCBG, it’s a classic brand. They’re not too over the top and the new collection looks like something that I would wear.” says Sherawat.

The actress seemed real happy to visit and to be part of the one of the hottest fashion events of the year .

Take a look at Mallika Sherawat’s upcoming film, Hisss

Video Credit: ExHumanxx[/hidepost]

I am a crazed fan of America’s Next Top Model (ANTM), not missing one  single episode of ANTM.  ANTM is known for the very diverse girls that come on the show from a variety of different ethnicities, sexual orientation, and religions. I am very happy to see Asian representation on one of my favorite reality shows. Tyra Banks usually has some surprise in store for every season of ANTM. For the first time in history, Tyra is giving a chance in a billion to models 5’7 and under. Meet Jennifer An, one of the finalists on ANTM’s Cycle 13 that’s taking place in Los Angeles. She’s a 23 year old from Philadelpia and she lives in New York and she stands at a 5’5.  Check out her interview for the show here!