May Pang's Asian Media Internet News

Photo by Laura Suuronen

Layla Lane is a duo made up of both Valerie Stern and Hidehito Ikumo (Heday). They bring a unique flavor to the music scene combining rock and a hint gypsy swing. Their music has recently been featured on a popular Coca Cola advertisement in Japan where they sing the popular Japanese song "Sunday Monday Tuesday" (which has also been sung by celebrities such as Hulk Hogan). The group's hot single "No More" will be featured on the soundtrack for the Hollywood movie "Killers" starring Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl.

While I was in Japan this past Winter and Spring, I had the opportunity to interview Layla Lane and special guest Mitsuru Kuramoto, a famous writer for Japan's popular comedy duo Down Town. I was fortunate to also see this duo perform in Tokyo at the Crawfish in Akasaka. Take a peek at their performance!

For more information, check out Layla Lane's official website: CLICK HERE

Interview with Layla Lane

Layla Lane's performance in Akasaka

Japanese Coca Cola CM with Layla Lane

Layla Lane's Music Video "No More"

AMIN is proud to bring you an exclusive interview with one of Japan's most skilled guitarist MIYAVI!

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The Month of May was Asian Pacific heritage month and as a special celebration Verizon and HTC put together another amazing event. Last year they brought us Epik High and this year they brought us the APAHM concert tour that went to a total of 5 cities and featured guest such as Mike Relm, JJ Lin, Evonne Hsu and Vanness Wu.

Fellow AMIN writer, Lara Visconti, and myself were bold enough to hop a bus all the way to Washington DC to view the event. As we arrived, there were tons of fans lined up outside the venue waiting for the show to start. Fortunately for us, we were able to wait inside. While waiting, we were able to hear JJ Lin do his sound check! After a few minutes, we were able to meet up with Evonne Hsu and do a quick interview with her. Evonne was very gracious and was great to interview. Take a look at our interview with Evonne Hsu!

A few minutes after our interview with Evonne, the fans were allowed in to get their seats and of course, their Verizon glow sticks. Before the performance, we had a chance to talk to Tim Youn and Fernando Molinar, both from Verizon. They expressed their excitement about these concerts and want to bring more awareness to Asian Pacific American Heritage month . If more awesome events like this take place I'm sure APAHM will gain more recognition in the years to come.

The first up was Mike Relm. He wasn't able to get his second turntable to work so he worked with his Mac, a turntable and his new iPad! When he used his iPad, he brought it down to an audience member and let them take a shot at being a DJ. Mike Relm mixed all sorts of songs and videos together. He used clips from the hit movie "Office Space" and even used a clip from the famous YouTube video "Charlie Bit my Finger." Check out our footage of Mike Relm!

After Mike Relm, famous Singaporean artist JJ Lin was introduced. An introduction video was played followed by his hit song "Cao Cao (曹操)." Everyone went wild and cheered at the top of their lungs. He performed other songs such as "The Killer (殺手)" and "100 Days (100 天)." The girls went wild as they ran to the front of the stage to give JJ Lin their glow sticks and flowers. One girl even told him that she wanted to have his baby! JJ Lin's performance had a great mix of songs whether they were upbeat songs or slow songs accompanied by the piano. Check out our footage of JJ Lin's performance!

The last performance was by Evonne Hsu. Evonne started off her performance with her a remake of her hit song "Big Wind" all with new choreography. She also sung a large variety of song such as "Sing" and the famous song from the Disney movie "The Little Mermaid." She was very energetic on stage whether  she was singing a ballad or a pop song. She revealed things to the audience such as her love of musicals and how she came to be a star. She even came down to the audience to sing and her fans ran straight up to her. She even took someone's camera and filmed herself from the stage! Evonne Hsu knows how to put on a great performance!

After the concert, we were able to meet up with Mike Relm, JJ Lin, and Evonne Hsu. We asked them a few questions about their careers. After every interview, we always as a random question. This time, we got a hilarious response from JJ Lin and Evonne Hsu. Check it out!

Check out some of the photos from the event!

I had the opportunity to attend Rutgers University's Korean Student Association's (KSA) Project Korea III on April 3, 2010. It was a show highlighting Korean culture and appreciating it in a fun yet entertaining way. The students who took part in putting this event together along with the help of sponsors such as allkpop and Dramafever did an amazing job, making this event a huge success. Of course with a creative and hilarious musical and CRAZY Performers' line up, who wouldn't?

The show started off with a promotional video of the annual semi formal dance that KSA has which happens around the end of April. The video was a spoof of the FOX television series 'Glee,' and being a 'Glee' fan myself, I found it really awesome and amusing. What a way to promote! Following that, KSA's President, James Kim, and Vice President, Soon Ho Choi, were the emcees for the evening, explaining what KSA was about and giving the audience such a warm welcome in both English and Korean. Also there were raffle tickets being sold before the show so the emcees announced some of the winners, receiving a signed Project Korea poster as their prize. The raffles went on throughout the show, announcing winners before each segment.

Following that was the musical KSA planned and worked hard on. The story was based of a typical K-Drama: Common Girl, Rich boy, or a prince in this case, they meet on bad terms, they're both put in an arranged marriage as a promise their grandfathers made years ago, she's having a hard time being a princess, the prince's rival happens to be his cousin who wants to push him off the thrown so he uses the princess to do so by wooing her, and somehow someway throughout all the chaos they still end up together with all the lovey dovey cute playfullness both have. It was a good musical. My personal favorite, was the 'fight' between the two princes. Throughout the musical, the actors used K-Pop idol dances to showcase their messages and how they felt, songs such as 2PM's "Heartbeat", TaeYang's "Wedding Dress", and Brown Eyed Girl's "Sign" were a few of the songs used to dance too. The fight between Prince Shin and his cousin was a U-Kiss/Bravesound dance battle, using the songs "Man Man Ha Ni" and "Bingeul Bingeul Bingeul". It was really creative and funny; both sides did a good job.

Once the musical concluded, James came back on stage to thank some of the people of KSA who helped make Project Korea come to life and after that, the audience were graced with a performance line up that left my ears ringing (you'll see as you keep reading).

The line up began with the acoustic sounds and beautiful voice of Clara Chung. She was Kollaboration LA's most recent winner. Her performance was amazing and she got the audience involved as well. Plus, the way she recorded her voice as well as a bunch of other instruments making it into one melody on stage, just blew me away.

Following that was Philadephia's own Decipher. He, along with Soon Ho, performed his version of  Lloyd Banks' "Beamer, Benz, and Bentley," it's called "Hyundai, Daewoo, Kia." He showed his dance moves on stage, it was smooth and slick , as well as slowed it down for the ladies with a slow track. Korean American TaeYang from Philly maybe?

Right after, we had Johnnyphlo on stage. He did an amazing job as well, getting the audience involved with his song "Keep Your Head Up to the Sky." Also he had Ailee join him onstage for his song off of his recent album "Basic Strategy," "Rollercoaster". That song till this is day is one of my personal favorites. Following that, he gathered all of the other performers in a joint collab on the Wonder Girls R&B version of "Nobody." Here's a fun fact! Did you know that Johnnyphlo is also a part of KSA? Well believe it!!!

To end of the show with a bang, yes a bang, we were introduced to Seattle's BBoy Dance Crew, Art of Movement. For people who know Art of Movement, or for people who follow K-Pop very well, Jay Park, or Jaebeom, is in the group, making his first public appearance since his time with 2PM in Korea. It was really good seeing him with his crew. The crew played some games allowing audience members to win Art of Movement towels. The games were very interesting as they catered to each crew member's talents, like walking in a hand stand, being the best at rock paper scissors, staring without blinking, and even being the master of dancing to Beyonce's "Single Ladies." The crew even got to do some freestyle break dancing which got the crowd roaring like crazy. It could really leave your ears ringing. I know mine were XD.

Project Korea III was so much fun. If given the opportunity, I'd go again. Thanks to KSA for putting such an amazing event!

Click here to check out the photos from Project Korea III!

Who are they you say? Some of you may know the members of Quest Crew from various cultural events, stage shows like Kollaboration, and TV shows such as So You Think You Can Dance, and America's Best Dance Crew. The members consist of Dominic "D-Trix" Sandoval, Hokuto "Hok" Konishi, Ryan "Ryanimay" Conferido, Ryan Feng, Steve Terada, Brian "Hirano" Hirano, Victor "Vic" Kim, Andy "Rocket Man" Luo, Lydia Paek, and Aris Paracuelles

Let's face it, Quest Crew is becoming known worldwide! Ever since their winning victory on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew, they're in high demand. From members traveling to different parts of the country and the world, to performing in front of thousands in various award shows and sports games; they're gaining more popularity wherever they go.

With hectic schedules going underway, May Pang's AMIN had the opportunity to interview some of the members of Quest Crew.

(1) How do you think the election of Asian Americans to the White House and the Cabinet will affect your life as an Asian American?

I believe the election of Asian Americans to the White House Cabinet will help direct American political focus slightly more towards issues in Asia. Conversely I think young Asian Americans might start showing more political awareness. Growing up with few prominent Asian American political figures, I never developed much political interest. However, as the American political picture becomes progressively more diverse, I believe young Americans, not just Asians Americans, will become more proactive in the political scene as a larger population of role models from different ethnic backgrounds becomes available. - Andy Luo

It would definitely be a milestone for the advancement of Asian Americans in American culture. How it would affect me in daily life will depend on the stances the certain individual takes, but it does raise the status of Asian Americans in the eyes of the population. - Ryan Feng

(2) Who is the person that most influenced you in your life?

The person who has influenced my life the most would definitely be my older brother. As healthy competition, our sibling rivalry has always drove me to compete and perform at my best. At the very least, I've always tried to emulate his positive traits. - Andy Luo

My mom. - Aris Paracuelles

Salvador Dali, Itou Naoki. - Hokuto Konishi

The person that most influenced my life is my mom. She has supported me in everything that I do. - Steve Terada

My parents, their hard work allowed me to do what I am doing now. - Ryan Feng

(3) What are your favorite kinds of video games to play and why?

Favorite video games huh? Well I love/hate anything with a compelling story. I love them because they keep you in the game, you have to keep playing to get the whole story because the stories are really good. I hate them because they keep you in the game, you HAVE to keep playing to get the whole story because the stories are THAT good haha. Also, a lot of them are single player and it's just more fun to play with a buddy. - Andy Luo

Fighting games because it's really fun bashing on my friends.. and tower defense games because I'm really good. - Aris Paracuelles

Strategy RPG, puzzle, and TOWER DEFENSE!!!... if u play them you'll understand why. - Hokuto Konishi

Fighting games. They tap into my competitiveness when I play my friends! - Steve Terada

Shooting games. A great way to deal with aggression. - Ryan Feng

(4) What got everyone into dancing? What was the trigger?

I'm not sure if everyone means any dancer on earth or just the ones in Quest, but in general I think the reason anyone starts dancing is because it just feels good. Being in rhythmic motion is completely different from your everyday standard movements. It's almost a separate state of mind, one in which you can express yourself and interpret the world in your own little way. - Andy Luo

The power dance has to move someone's heart... I was infected by the dance bug! - Hokuto Konishi

I got into dancing because my sister starting dancing in the collegiate dance scene in college. I saw how much fun it looked and it was a good way to meet people socially. - Steve Terada

Curiosity was my trigger, I always thought it was cool and something I might be able to do, so I tried. - Ryan Feng

(5) State one secret fact about a Quest Crew member that people don't know about (The catch: Another member from the group has to be the one to state the fact. e.g: Victor has to say one fact about Hok, and Hok has to say one about D-Trix, etc)

Did you know...Lydia started dancing with us when she was 15. (before Quest was started) - Andy Luo

Conferido just bought a new hair straightener and I'm pretty jealous cuz its a really good one. - Aris Paracuelles

Victor used to eat buffets every week as a kid. - Hokuto Konishi

Aris can catch anything you throw at him! It's amazing! - Steve Terada

(6) Random Question: Cinnamon Toast Crunch: With or Without Milk?

Cinnamon Toast Crunch with milk of course. All cereal needs milk. CTC could actually go both ways but with milk is nicer. Side note...Lucky Charms all the way. - Andy Luo

W/ MILK BABY! - Aris Paracuelles

WITH!! ahhh I'm craving milk now... mmmmm - Hokuto Konishi

With milk. - Brian Hirano

With milk of course! - Steve Terada

With, how else do you get cinnamon milk? - Ryan Feng

(7) What was it like being in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel?

I wasn't in the movie, but it was pretty funny seeing my real good friends on a huge screen. - Aris Paracuelles

It was amazing to do a movie with the guys... but I wish we were in avatar too... I could've rocked my hair. - Hokuto Konishi

We slept and chilled in our trailers till it was night time almost and we would do multiple takes of our routine. We had long but relatively low stress shoot days. - Steve Terada

Very cool to be in a movie. It was my first. - Ryan Feng

(8) If you weren't a dancer, what would you be doing now?

If I wasn't a dancer I'd be doing exactly what I am doing right now. Working as an Aerospace Engineer by day and hitting the gym at night. - Andy Luo

I would be handling a lot of computer stuff.. building, fixing and what not. As if i don't do that already. I would be a nurse I suppose haha. - Aris Paracuelles

An artist. - Hokuto Konishi

If I wasn't dancing right now I'd probably be in business school or working in finance. - Brian Hirano

I would be working on a martial arts company with my best friends and furthering my career as a stunt man. - Steve Terada

I'd like to think I'd be doing photography. - Ryan Feng

(9) Who are some known artists the group would want to work with?

Well I know we really wanted to work with Black Eyed Peas. I loved doing ISA show with Far East Movement. - Andy Luo

Jonas Brothers! BEP! - Aris Paracuelles

BUSTA RHYMES!!!! ... it would be such an honour. LMFAO... fun guys. Melody Gardot... amazingly sexy. - Hokuto Konishi

Personally I would like to work with artists like Usher, Justin Timberlake, Black Eyed Peas, or Ryan Leslie. - Brian Hirano

We would definitely love to work with Black Eyed Peas. I think their energy and style would be a good match for Quest. - Steve Terada

JUSTIN, JANET JACKSON. - Ryan Feng

To Quest Crew and their wonderful staff, thank you again VERY much for an awesome interview! We looking forward to working with you again in the future.

Sad news in the world of KPOP today. An official statement has been released that 2PM's former leader, Jay Park/Park Jaebum, will not be returning to the group. After several excrutiating months of waiting for an answer, the Hottests finally got theirs... and it's not the news they were hoping for. JYPE released a letter through their official website today. The letter stated:

On December 22nd, 2009, Jaebeom had confessed to Jung Wook representative that he had done something wrong during Again and Again promotions. It was apparently more serious than his MySpace controversy.

The six other members were not notified then as they were busy with year-end activities. On January 3rd, 2010, everyone of us (along with the members) sat down for a discussion and later came to an agreement 3 days later that it was no longer possible for Park Jaebeom to continue activities along with 2PM.

We thus decided to terminate our exclusive contract with Jaebeom.

It was also revealed that JYP had planned for Jay to return to 2PM this upcoming April with their new album. Unfortunately due to this turn of events, Jay's contract was terminated. Before 2PM's activities resumed in April, JYP was to have a conference regarding Jay's return. Also, this decision was made January 3rd yet JYPE didn't release a statement until now. Many of the fans are in an uproar because of this. 2PM's promotional activities for their album 1:59PM weren't scheduled to end until January 17th. The announcement of Jay's contract termination may have interfered with their activities if they did not wait. The Hottests are also annoyed with the fact that the other 6 remaining members agreed to this decision. Some believed that they betrayed Jay with this decision.

After the announcement of this terrible news, the Hottests started a protest in front of the JYPE building and are currently writing many letters. JYPE has also scheduled a conference with the fans on the 27th. The fans are right now in an uproar and I'm sure many of them are waiting for this conference.

It's a shame all of this had to happen the way it did. Many people, including myself, waited for an answer regarding Jay. Now and answer has come to us and many of us aren't happy. Right now, all we can do is support Jay, JYP, and the rest of 2PM with their future activities.

Three time Olympian Apolo Anton Ohno has done it! On Saturday night in the 1,000-meter short-track speed skating event, he won bronze making it his seventh medal. He broke Olympian Bonnie Blair's previous record by one medal now making him the most decorated Winter Olympian in U.S. history. United States over all has received a total of 23 medals during this Olympics. Apolo now has two more events to come. Apolo, we are proud and honored to have you on our team. Go Team U.S.A.!

We attended the Polysics Concert at the Gramercy Theater in New York City February 13 on Saturday night and it was insane! The line was pretty long, wrapped around the building as all the Polysics fans anticipated what was in store for them. When we finally got inside we waited anxiously for the concert to start, not knowing what to expect. The Polysics came on the stage making sure all of their instruments were in tune, testing them out to  A-ha's "Take On Me" playing in the background coming while the audience was singing along with the lyrics.

The Polysics began with greeting the crowd with a warm welcome, telling everyone how much they loved New York.  They opened with the song Young Oh Oh! and the crowd sang along and swayed their hangs back and forth in delight. The fans started a mosh pit near the front of the stage, getting excited over the Polysics amazing energy. Other fans were jumping up and down, singing the songs with Polysics. At one point Hiro commanded the crowd to do jumping jacks. It was an incredible sight to see! The mood during the concert was at all times energetic. It was surreal seeing the Polysics work the stage in their orange jumpsuits. Hiro swayed to and fro across the stage playing his guitar with precision speed. Kayo pulled out her pom poms at times, shaking them at the crowd as if we were at a football game. Fumi played her bass like it was going to take off into orbit and Masashi beat on the drums as if he were beamed in from another world.

Polysics played the crowd favorites Digital Coffee, Bero Bero, I My Me Mine, Kaja Kaja Goo, and Shout Aloud! to name a few. Hiro asked the crowd did they want to be his Valentine and the crowd yelled "YES"! in unison.  The concert had our adrenaline pumping the entire time and  once it was time for it to end, we didn't want it to. The Polysics played their last song and bid their goodbyes. Yet as they left the stage, the crowd shouted, "POLYSICS! POLYSICS! POLYSICS!" and they came out to play a couple more supercharged songs for an encore.

The Polysics is a music group that knows how to entertain with expertise while having fun doing it. We definitely cannot wait to see them rock again!

Check out our exclusve interview with the Polysics!

Take a look at our photo gallery of the concert!

In watching the Olympics this year I have seen so many inspiring , triumphant stories. Some of the stories have an unbelievable surprise like Olympic figure skater, Nobunari Oda of Japan. He is a direct descendant, number 17 in line, of the daimyo Oda Nobunaga also known as the "Demon King". I could barely contain myself when I heard the commentators talk about his noble ancestry. I have read so much on feudal Japan, because I was fascinated with it. I really liked learning about the war strategies and the stories behind all the leaders of that time. I remember reading about Oda Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi to name a few. It's thrilling to know that Nobunari Oda now skating in the Olympics is a part of ancient Japan's great history.

This has been an awesome four days of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics so far. I've been a hardcore fan of the Olympics since I was a small child and I still get excited whenever I hear the Olympics' theme song. This Olympics has had some powerful competitors and amongst them is a long list of Asian/Asian Americans who have practically been in every competition, especially  in speed skating.

American apple pie Apolo Ohno's silver medal in the 1500M final February 13 is the sixth medal he has won now making him the most successful short track athlete in history. Ohno has surpassed Eric Heiden as the most decorated male for the Winter Olympics. The gold went to Korea's Lee Jung-Su and the bronze to our very own J.R. Celski. I am extremely happy to see Celski up on his feet again after his almost tragic accident during the Olympic trials when the blade from his skate ripped his thigh almost cutting his femoral artery apart.

Figure skating has always been my most cherished sport. I watched all the pair skating these last two days on pins and needles! The jumps have always been my favorites and the skating is absolutely breath taking. In the short program Sunday night, China's couple Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo performed a flawless short program receiving record scores.  What a way for them to start the Lunar New Year! Monday night Shen and Zhao won the gold in the free skate program, the first in China's history which will make their wedding celebration that they have been holding off on even sweeter. Teammates Pang Qing and Tong Jian of China took the silver home for the free skate program.

Congratulations to all the winners and keep it up my Asian people!