May Pang's Asian Media Internet News

AMIN writers Melanie Braverman, Jessica Dawson, Christina Jacildo, and myself have been hard at work for the past few weeks. Why? Because Otakon 2010 is this weekend! The four of us will be attending this large anime convention to bring you all coverage of the guests and other events. Some of the guests that will be appearing are kanon from the popular J-Rock band An Cafe, Home Made Kazoku, fashion designer h.naoto, The Yoshida Brothers, Yoshiki & Sugizo of X Japan and more. The four of us (going under the name of the Straight Line Association) will also be participating in the masquerade, a  where Yoshiki & Sugizo of X Japan will also be performing. kanon of An Cafe will also be DJing during Otakon's nightly rave, the Otakurave.

Come to Otakon July 30 - April 1 at the Baltimore Convention Center and join us for a whole weekend of fun!

Source: Otakon

We all know DeAndre Cortez Way as Soulja Boy Tell Em', the 19-year old who became famous with songs such as "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" and "Kiss Me Thru the Phone." With Soulja Boy's newest album titled "Dre" just released, some songs have made their way onto the internet before it's release. Two of these songs are titled "Anime" and "Goku."

In the past, Soulja Boy has shown that he indeed does love anime. He previously released a mixtape that has been inspired by Death Note. Even one of the tracks on the mixtape samples from the Death Note soundtrack. Soulja Boy also has an account with the popular art site, DeviantArt. On the site, he wrote in his journal:

I had an idea of me in the year 3054 flying cars, floating cities, underwater civilizations. And there is an evil dude thats controlling the world through fear and power. And then I come in and murk his ass and save the day and become the youngest hero lol.... How does that sound? Quite an imagination huh? Think about it though futuristic effects, bullet time, fights, shootouts, the whole 9 lol im just brainstorming!

But mark my words ONE DAY I will complete my vision.. ha ha. Ok back to work I'm going to go in the studio and finishing mixing the pro tools sessions to my hard drive.

That journal entry was written in late May. Two months later, we get these two songs. These songs instantly became popular with lyrics such as "Bitch, I look like Goku" and "I look like Gohan, smoking marijuana." Many netizens agree that the best part of both these songs is when it ended.

Well Soulja Boy, I think you have another hit on your hands with that "Super Saiyan swagger" of yours.

Take a listen to Soulja Boy's "Anime" and "Goku!"

SM Entertainment's boy group SHINee is back with their second full length album entitled "Lucifer." Since their debut in 2008, their style and music changed drastically. The album consists of 14 tracks, their title track being "Lucifer."

In addition to their album release, the group also released their music video for the title track. The song is very catchy, however, I was a bit disappointed with their new look. The 'mohican' hairstyle on member Key doesn't suit him at all. Leave that hairstyle to G-Dragon. That of course is my opinion, many people will think otherwise.

The start of their comeback promotions begin July 23rd during KBS Music Bank. Looking forward to their performance live and best of luck to them!

Watch "Lucifer" MV!

source: omgkpop, sment @ youtube, kpoplive

While the Korean summers are often miserably rainy, humid and hot, I have to say summer here is still my favorite time of year, mostly due to the plethora of rock festivals taking place. I love going out and discovering new bands and meeting awesome musicians. And this is how I discovered my pick of the week: Guckkasten.

I’ve caught them at a couple shows and still have a lot to learn about them, but just those couple of shows were enough to get me hooked. They have a stage presence that is funny and entertaining and their music sets them apart from other bands in the indie scene. With anywhere from 200 to 300 indie bands vying for attention and fans in Hongdae, it definitely takes something special to stand out from the crowd and these guys have it.

The four-person band has a sound all their own. Describe as psychedelic rock and ‘hauntingly beautiful,’ their sound sticks with you even after they’ve stopped playing and their somewhat dorky lead singer, Ha Hyun-woo makes sure that all eyes are on them once they hit the stage. After the first time I saw them, I couldn’t get their song, “Faust” out of my head for days. Until I succumbed to buying their first album “Guckkasten,” that is. From the opening, “la, la la,” by Hyun-woo, the listener is definitely hooked on the song. Some songs are upbeat and some are more mellow, making you want to sway slowly with the music. Sometimes I feel as though I’m transported back in time, and sometimes I just want to dance.

And in terms of indie bands here, they are definitely one of the top bands, playing at all the major festivals in the country and getting spots on live shows on MNet. They even performed with Kara and f(x), something that attests to their growing popularity, (though I won’t hold it against them. ^_^). The more I learn about them and watch them, the more I think they could be the bridge that helps make the rock scene a little more mainstream in a country that is obsessed with manufactured idol groups.

Not to mention, these guys got their start in the same place that all indie bands in Korea get their start. Club FF. A somewhat hole-in-the-wall live club that was the springboard for other popular bands such as Galaxy Express and the Rocktigers, who both still grace the small stage from time to time.

But don’t take my word for it. Check these guys out. They are definitely worth a listen.

It was announced at the Tokyo Dome concert on Friday night that KAT-TUN's Akanishi Jin will be "officially graduating" from the group. Johnny's Entertainment president Johnny Kitagawa spoke to the press that day and stated that the final decision will be made after Akanishi's US tour this fall. However, it seems like the decision has all been finalized at this point.

Akanishi has been in the USA since May working on his solo career. He has performed several shows in LA this past June and has a 7-city tour scheduled for September and October. President Kitagawa also stated that Akanishi is already planning future concerts for 2011. Meanwhile, KAT-TUN has been continuing on as a 5-member group similarly as they did when Akanishi left temporarily to study abroad in the USA in 2006.

Kitagawa explained that the main focus is that Akanishi becomes successful in the US. He added on that it would be too soft on Akanishi to let him return to KAT-TUN if he wasn't successful in this venture. It would be unforgivable to KAT-TUN fans to have Akanishi return the same way he did after studying abroad.

Kitagawa once again reassured fans that KAT-TUN will not disband. Even though the groups name is based on the first initials of each member's family name, it is said that Akanishi's "A" will be replaced by extending Kazuya Kamenashi's "K" to "KA". Kitagawa said that there are no plans replace Akanishi with a new member and that there is no need to have six people in the group. He stated that the remaining five members are currently doing fine without Akanishi.

Well, we all saw this one coming. It makes me a little sad to see it actually happen though since I used to be a big KAT-TUN fan back in their early days. Can Jin make put his foot in the door and take a bigger leap in the USA than the Wonder Girls? Good luck with that! Just for old time sake, here's the video to their debut single "REAL FACE."

Source: Tokyograph

After four months, the popular techno-pop girl group Perfume will be releasing a new single titled "VOICE." The cover designs have been reviled, with the first press limited edition focusing on three pairs of beautiful legs in different types of high heels. As for the regular addition, the cover shows the three members in an expressive close-up.

The b-side song called "575" is also included in the first press limited edition. This version includes a DVD containing the music video for "575" which is also the song used for the KDDI "iida" commercial.

This year marks Perfume's 10 year anniversary. On November 11th, the group will be holding their performances "Perfume LIVE @ TOKYO DOME '1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11'"

Make sure to pick up a copy at yesasia.com! The single will be released on August 11th!

source: www.jpopasia.com/news/

Starting August 21st in Bejing, singer JJ Lin will be heading out on a world tour. Before striking out on the stage, JJ decided to impress us all with his new body by showing some promotional photos. Apparently JJ has been making trips to the gym 4 times a week to wow us with this body.  Even staff members were surprised once he took off his shirt for the shot.

A columnist from the popular Appledaily pointed out that JJ's nipple seems to be absent from this photo. JJ's record company stated the missing nipple was in fact there but, it was digitally removed because it didn't look good. However, they did promise that the fans will get to see the real JJ during the concert, nipples and all.

Dang JJ! I was in utter shock when I saw that photo (and I am not complaining.) Didn't he say earlier in our interview that people wouldn't want his body? Well I think he has changed a few minds. Now more people are gonna want to have his babies!

credits: cpopaccess.com

Japanese Idol group KAT-TUN made an appearance on Korea's Mnet M! Countdown on July 1st. This is their first appearance on the show. The group was given a warm welcome by the emcees of the show and were given a short interview, asking questions like what was their favorite Korean musicians. I don't understand Japanese, but I swore I heard one of them say Rain and Big Bang . Of course it didn't end just there. They also performed "The D-Motion" shortly after as fans cheered them on. Great job to KAT-TUN and all the best in what's yet to come in the future!

Check out 'The 'D-Motion'

source: eunjokihoon @ youtube

Yes! 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!

Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to the month of July... in Korea that is! July 1st is such a special day! It's a national holiday in Canada, it's the start of a new month, and last but not least, it's the day where Korean music artists such as Jo Kwon, TaeYang, and new girl group Miss A, among others, release albums and singles this day.

Let's start with Jo Kwon. The 2AM vocalist has been a regular along with BEG vocalist Ga In as a married couple on the Korean variety show, We Got Married. Recently Kwon decided to showcase another event for his lovely wife. Did he succeed since his couple ring event? I would say yes. Throughout the show, he made up a melody from the first time they moved into a new home. From then on, with a couple of revisions and help from song writers and producers, he came up with a final track called "The Moving Song," and performed it for Ga In when they moved from their small villa to their new spacious apartment. Fans worldwide absolutely enjoyed the song, to the point where they requested and begged for the song to be released on mp3. Wish granted! "The Moving Song" or in this case, "The Day I Confessed," was released as a digital single. Kwon tweeted this update before his departure for the States to join the Wonder Girls on their world tour.

Next up is new girl group Miss A. I have been hearing a lot of things about this new group from the Twitter updates of Jo Kwon and 2PM members NichKhun and Taecyeon. So who is this new group? Under AQ Entertainment, a sub-label under JYP Entertainment, Miss A consists of four members, Fei, Jia, Suzy, and Min. Min has been receiving training prior from joining the group. Miss A released their debut MV called "Badgirl Goodgirl" on June 30th and is scheduled to have their debut performance on M! Countdown on July 1st. Since JYP has this tendency of releasing such successful groups like Wonder Girls, 2PM, and 2AM; seeing how much potential they have, I'm sure Miss A will do very well!

Last but certainly not least, the moment VIP fans have been waiting for, for over two years, the release of TaeYang's full length album "SOLAR." Throughout the past two weeks, we have been hearing teasers, seeing photos through personal cafes and websites, and just flat out waiting for the Big Bang vocalist to come up with something to 'WOW' his audience. I personally was one of those people anticipating this release. TaeYang is also scheduled to have his comeback stage on M! Countdown on July 1st with his title song "I Need a Girl." His best friend and Big Bang member G-Dragon will join him in his performance. This man made me wait for so long, I cannot wait to see what he has in store for us.

July is one packed month, and this is only the beginning. Let's see what is in store for us in the world of K-Pop. I hope you're ready!

Listen to Jo Kwon's "The Day I Confessed":

Listen to Miss A's "Badgirl Goodgirl"

Listen to TaeYang's "I Need a Girl"

source: allkpop, alwaystaeyang, twitter, newsen, LOVEISBEG @ youtube, sweety5552288 @ youtube, essbee023 @ youtube