FT Island's Jong Hoon Gets Outdoors

I wanted to share this because I absolutely fell in love with this photo of FT Island's Leader, Choi Jong Hoon.

He tweeted from his personal Twitter today that he was out "climbing". Not sure if this is the direct translation or an English equivalent because he definitely does not look like he's breaking a sweat. Lol!

Courtesy Choi Jong Hoon's Personal Twitter

He looks so stylish as he's adjusting his hat in the sunlight. But what is up with the jacket? Is the weather that cool in South Korea now that he needs to keep warmer? He's wearing long pants too!

FT Island's cool leader pretty much looks good in everything he puts on. So it's no surprise he looks good even while he is outdoors.

What a cutie!

Chai out...

Korea's Chuseok Holiday

It's one of the four major holidays of Korea. This year, September 30th is Chuseok in Korea. It's a holiday similar to what Americans consider Thanksgiving, but it is so much more.

It's a family tradition going back to their roots. It's honoring their ancestors, paying respects at loved ones grave sites. Spending quality time with family by chatting and playing games. It's a time where everyone stops their every day life and actually, well hopefully, takes a day off. And of course, don't forget about the food. Everyone gathers at the head of household's home and partakes of some delicious home made delicacies.

What a wonderful holiday!

For a more detailed account of Chuseok, go to the article on Allkpop (http://www.allkpop.com/2012/09/a-detailed-explanation-of-chuseok-2)or various sites online.

"Shanghai Calling" is Calling

Got great news recently! The one, the only, Daniel Henney, star of My Name is Kim Sam Soon, Spring Waltz and X-Men Origins: Wolverine, will be coming to our hometown for the Hawaii International Film Festival!

So excited!! Hoping to catch a glimpse or two of him!

Plus, HIFF will be screening his movie, "Shanghai Calling" two nights during the festival! Love it!

Can't wait for October to come already!

Anyone in the area planning on attending either the gala or the screenings?

TVXQ Catch Me is released

It's finally out!  Well, for me the wait for 'Catch Me' wasn't that long.  Not like SHINee.  I'm still waiting for their Dazzling Girl release.

Yunho and Changmin look good.  Their teaser image was odd and too yellow-y but their MV looks better.  It looks very futuristic.  I like their arm band things and when it's all connected and they danced.  That looks cool.

 I think I need to get use to their songs, even when they were the 5 DBSK.  I basically only like MIROTIC. That song was kept on replay on my iPod for the longest time and I love the choreography for MIROTIC. I like the dance only MV because it was basically them singing and dancing, nothing flashy.   Don't Bring Me Down was okay.

'Catch Me' sounds very techno.  I'm not that really into techno music.  I think I need to see the live version to get really into the music. Because I don't understand Korean,  I really don't understand the concept of the video.

I want them to release a dance only version.  Here's their video from SM Entertainment.

CNBlue Stunned at Airport

European Boices (pronounced as "voices", but with a b) rejoice! CNBlue has arrived in London for their concert on September 22nd.

The almost all of the members of the South Korean K-PopRock band arrived in London on September 20th and were stunned to see more than 400 fans waiting for them at the airport. Lee Jung Shin, their bassist, was finishing filming on a drama he was doing and is expected to join them soon, if not there already.

Security had a difficult time escorting the men safely to their cars since they had not accounted for so many fans at the airport.

This just goes to prove how strong the K-Pop wave is. What a change it has been in the past five years where no one except for Asia knew about these unique boy bands. Now, they have taken the world by storm. In this case, CNBlue storm.

What I like about this band is that they actually play instruments, they are live, up close and real. Not really choreographed. To me, this makes them a whole lot easier to relate to.

Will be looking forward to reviews of the concert! In the meantime, I hope the fans treat them nicely and with care. It will be hard to resist them, but please restrain yourselves. Hee hee.

Source: AllKpop

SHINee's Dazzling Girl Video Comments

EMI Japan has put out a SHINee members video about their upcoming song Dazzling Girl.

They look like they are in their Sherlock clothes.  It's in Japanese, so I don't understand a darn thing, except at the beginning when the introduced themselves.

I like how they are comfortable speaking in Japanese.  They look good.

I found a translation of what they are saying.  Briefly, Key explains what the words Dazzling Girls is in Japanese.

Jonghyun explains that it's a piano, techo song with a light and fresh feel.   That this is their first original song in Japanese.  Their other songs were first released in Korean then translated into Japanese.

Then each member was asked what is their favorite part of the song.  Onew said he liked the part that they sang Love, Love, Love.  Key likes the part where they sing Dazzling Girl.  Minho liked the Boom Boom Pow part of the rap.

They started describing their "part" in the video.  Minho - hair designer, Key - Stylist, Taemin - makeup artist, Onew - designer and Jonghyun -  cameraman.

Cute Taemin explained that in the middle of filming a toad came in the studio and distracted him, so he spent some time with the toad.

Then they discussed the other single Run With Me.

This is the video from EMI Japan.  There are English Sub ones on YouTube.

TVXQ comeback

TVXQ have been releasing teaser images for their comeback "Catch Me" on September 24th.

SM Entertainment stated "'Catch Me' will have a trendy Dutch electronic sound and incorporate a powerful orchestral melody.  Stimulating the ear with a dubstep melody line, it is a fresh dance track."

Yunho was the first to have his teaser image released.  Yikes! It looks like part of his head is shaved.  Almost reminiscent of Key's Lucifer hair.  Too bad his eyes are covered.

Changmin teaser is just as odd.  I don't know about his "bowl" haircut.  It looks like they were trying to do a double image on the photo but it doesn't work really well.  I think the yellow tint doesn't work well with both photos.

I like their group teaser photo the best.  They look wonderful here.   Yunho looks kind of like Kim Hyun Joong.  I can't wait to see their comeback.

So many comebacks and releases of groups I like.  This will be an exciting fall season.  Yipppeee!

Source + Photos: Allkpop

FT Island's Album Sales Soar Past 30,000

Photo Credit FNC Entertainment

Chukkahaeyo (Congratulations) to one of my favorite groups, FT Island, who are enjoying their comebacks on multiple stages! So far, the 5 member flower boy band has graced the stages of Music Bank, M Countdown and Inkigayo. And they are reaping in the adoration of fans that have been waiting for their full length album.

Online sources report that their album, "Five Treasure Box" has sold more than 30,000 copies in just their first week! They currently hold first place on the music charts for album sales.

Choi Min Hwan, Lee Jae Jin, Song Seung Hyun, Lee Hong Ki, Choi Jong Hoon, hwaiting!

Source: Korea Star Daily

Super Junior nominated for MTV's 2012 EMA

Congrats to Super Junior! 

EMA is Europe Music Awards.  It will be broadcasted on November 11, 2012 in Frankfurt, Germany.

They were nominated under the category "Best Asian Act" along with EXILE from Japan, Hangeng from China, Yuna from Malaysia and Jolin Tsai from Taiwan.

Hangeng was a former Super Junior member who left SM Entertainment, citing mistreatment from the company.

The winner of the Best Asian Act will represent Asia in the Best Worldwide Act.  In last year's show, BigBang was the first Act that won the Best Worldwide Act.

You can vote for your favorite nominees from now through November 9th.

Click HERE for the voting page.

There's a whole bunch of other categories but you know I'm going to vote for Super Junior.

Let's have Super Junior win!  woohoo!  Hwaiting!!

Source: MTV Europe Music Awards
Photo: The Jakarta Post

SNSD Girls Generation Japanese Single

Before SHINee's Dazzling debuts, there's going to be SNSD's single, to be release Sept 26, 2012.  It's not new song but a remake of their popular Korean version, Oh!

The MV came out and they still have their popular cheerleading costume.  

For me it takes time to get use to the Japanese version.  There are some of the same english words and they kept one part in Korean.  It took me a moment to realize they were singing in Korean when it should have been Japanese.

I think this is their fourth song they did in Japanese.  The three other songs were Gee, Genie and Mr. Taxi.  

I prefer Mr. Taxi in Japanese since that was the first version I've heard.  I didn't realize it was a Japanese version until I saw the Korean version weeks later.  derp!

What do you think of this version?  

Source: Allkpop

Video credit: SMTown

FT Island's "I Wish" Concert Teaser

I was surfing the net for updates on FT Island and found this clip that their agency, FNC, released on the group's YouTube channel.

The clip is footage of the group performing a bit of their new song, "I Wish", at their concert either September 1st or 2nd. (Video credit to FNC and FT Island. Video from FT Island's YouTube channel)

I'm watching this clip, and I'm thinking, boy, you take out the girl in the video and it's a totally different look. Well, that and the fact they are all sweaty and not really acting that is. *fangirly squealing*

Hong Ki, of course, is utilizing his hands and (omg) dancing?! He does a kind of cha cha (or is it salsa?) in place. It's very cute, but umm, sorry Hong Ki. Like you better singing and acting than dancing. And thank goodness you fixed your horns, I mean hair. And you nixed the head band! Woot woot!

The rest of the group looks awesome, exhausted, yet radiantly happy to be performing in front of their fans. Excited to showcase their new music.

Min Hwan powerfully strikes the drums and hats (how many does that guy need?), Jae Jin plucks his bass (and I must say looks a heck of a lot older than in recent months. Must be the hair.) Seung Hyun smiles at the fans his wide teethy smile, while Jong Hoon rocks out on his guitar proudly showing off his muscles.

Rock on FT Island, rock on...

SHINee's Dazzling Girl MV Teaser

The teaser is out!!!  WoooHooo!  hmmm...it's only barely halfway into September.  October 10th is so far away.

It's only the chorus.  The same part they used in the CF I posted in my earlier blog.

Chai is better than me at hearing if groups are pitchy, auto-tuned and their mistakes, I prefer the dancing/choreography more than the music.  I just know what songs I like.  When I listen to the CF I liked the  music but only listened to it a couple of times.  But, I noticed that it sounds very auto-tuned (if I can use that as an adjective).

In this teaser, I kept on replaying it because I could see them dancing. They look good. I'm just partial to guys with short hair. hahaha.  I think I'm a bit too giddy to write about the video, I don't know what to write.

I wish they didn't put the teasers out so early because it's so hard to wait until the 10th.

I don't own the video. Credit: EMI Music Japan

FT Island's New M/V "I Wish"

Allow me to do a bit of fangirly screaming right now...*Screams, squeals, whoops!*

The day I have been waiting for is here! (Chai, that's me)

FT Island's new album is now public! The group members tweeted from their Twitter accounts earlier today one word, "Gongae" meaning "public" and fans knew exactly what this was. The members were announcing the availability of their new album, "Five Treasure Box" and the debut of their new music video "I Wish". For the video please see below. Video credit to FNC and FT Island's official YouTube account.

And what do you know? Seen a review of this song already, check it out at Fabulously Filorean.

Lee Hong Ki Tweets Spooky Selca

I've been joking with friends about Lee Hong Ki's hairstyle on their new album cover, "Five Treasure Box", now available to the public.

In the picture, you will see his wavy hair has a pair of unusual kinks that resemble, well, Devil's horns. Yes, Hong Ki, you are definitely devilish with your innocent smile and mischievous twinkle in your eye...yup.

But what an uncanny coincidence when I happened to see an adorable selca that the M! Countdown MC through Twitter and, lo and behold, there is an abnormality in the photo. If you take a look at the lower left hand corner of the image, you will see the reflection of what looks like a pale face in the mirror next to Hong Ki's head. Go ahead, take a look!

Photo credit to Lee Hong Ki's Twitter

Aigoo...one after the other Hong Ki? Blame your band mates for pointing this out to you. But lucky thing they did!

Too bad it's not Halloween yet.

SHINee smartphone app

EMI Music Japan had gotten their renewal for the SHINee app coinciding with the single Dazzling Girl coming out on October 10th.  Lucky Japan fans!!

What does this mean?  Well, for smartphone users, you can download the SHINee app.

You can upload <PC> Http://Shinee.Jp/app/ <smartphone> Http://Shinee.Jp/sp/app/

If it doesn't work go here.

It will give the information on the latest releases, member profiles, media information, watch videos, and venues confirmation (I'm thinking only for Japan venues).

I tried clicking for the one that says PC but it seems to just direct me to the phone app.  It will work for Andriod and iPhones.

Enjoy!  Let me know if you did it.  How is it?

Source: SHINee Japan

H.O.T. - debuted 16 years ago

After my first post on H.O.T., I didn't realize that it's been 16 years since their debut, Sept 7, 1996.  A fan had sent Jang Woo Hyuk an anniversary cake celebrating their debut.

The boy band is considered the forerunners of the Korean idol groups.  They were created by the chairman of SM Entertainment.

Members "Sexy Guy" Kangta was the first member and the leader.  "Radiant" Moon Hee Jun was the second member to join and he also had his friend "Shy Guy" Lee Jae Won to audition and then became the third member.  "Wild Guy" Woo Hyuk became the fourth member of HOT after he won a dance contest.  "Mood Guy" Tony An auditioned in LA along with Andy Lee and won the fifth spot.  Andy Lee later became a member of Shinwha.

There's talk of a reunion since last year, since the final member completed his military duty . It would be really nice to see them together.  I don't know if it will come true since there were issues between the company and the members when they disbanded after 5 years.

In any case, in celebration of their debut, here's Full of Happiness, just because Super Junior did a remake of this song.  We are the Future was considered one of their best songs.  My favorite song is Candy.

I don't own this video. Credit: mutjinnamja88 from SM Entertainment.  Sorry for the quality. =/

Photo Source: Allkpop

FT Island Reveals New Album Cover

Popular South Korean K-Pop/Rock FT Island is making it's comeback onto the music scene with their 4th Korean album titled, "Five Treasure Box".

This name is significant as it directly alludes to the name of the group. The "FT" in FT Island stands for "Five Treasure". The reference to the music box, one can only assume, means that this is a compilation of melodies of the group.

In statements released earlier this week, the group, and it's management company FNC Entertainment, have mentioned that group members Lee Hong Ki, Lee Jae Jin, Choi Jong Hoon, Choi Min Hwan and Song Seung Hyun have all taken to writing some of the songs on the album and the composition of the tracks themselves. The group expressed that the tracks are of a music style that they are actively interested in pursuing. This is particularly interesting to me since Leader Choi Jong Hoon seems to have taken a liking in expressing himself through musical composition. The last song he had composed, "Stay", which portrayed a sweet accoustic sound and vocal harmonies on the group's Japanese album earlier this year was a hit with the Japanese fans.

The five have just come off of a 2 day concert on their home turf of Korea where they debuted some of the tracks to their Primadonna's. Chatter after the concert have fans saying that the group has become more mature and that it is showing in the way they perform onstage and in their music.

I'm hoping for only good, nay, great things from the group as they are one of my favorites.

Primadonna's and fans all over can expect to see their album come out online on September 10th. And for those of you in Asia, especially Korea, you will be able to see a video off of the album titled, "I Wish" through Naver. Lucky for all of you!

Photo courtesy of FNC Entertainment

Btw, anyone else think that Lee Hong Ki's hair looks like he has horns coming out of his head? Deliberate or intentional?

Source: AllKPop

Hawaii Okinawan Festival 2012

Every year around the end of summer, Hawaii holds its annual Hawaii Okinawan Festival at Kapiolani Park.

For those that are not familiar with Hawaii, in particular the island of Oahu, it is held in the park right at the edge of Waikiki, near historic Diamond Head.

You are greeted left and right with banners with the words Mensore! (Welcome!).Thousands of people, Japanese, Okinawan, and every other culture, flock to Kapiolani Park. On the Sunday that I went, I encountered Germans and what seemed like Iranian women from the looks of their clothing.

There are booths filled with authentic Japanese and Okinawan food(obaasan or grandmother's recipes passed down to younger generations) such as andagi or okinawan doughnuts, yakisoba or fried noodles and champuru or stir fried bittermelon with meat and tofu. Most people come for the andagi and the long lines are testament to it. Having an andagi that was made at any of the bon dances or the Okinawan Festival is like gold. It can be replicated, but the crunchy, slightly sweet, light texture of these fried golden pieces of heaven are unmatched. All other andagi taste and feel like doughy lead after you eat one from here.

Other than food...you can tell what I like...There are tents filled with cultural wares, health products and plants. Along with handcrafted items.

Japanese and Okinawan music wafted through the air as performers played their koto (lap stringed instrument) and shakuhachi (Japanese flute) and sing onstage at the band stand. We were treated to a lively taiko performance, which my family loved. There are even game booths for the kids! Our family scrambled to put a decent mini golf game together before heading to spin the wheel for a prize at another booth.

It is a very big deal in Hawaii, especially since this festival signifies that the bon dance season is almost at an end.

Highly recommended for anyone traveling to Hawaii at the end of summer!

Happy Birthday Green Tea!

It happens once a year, we all love it or we all hate it. We celebrate it in our own ways. A birthday.

I wanted to send a shout out to my friend, Green Tea! Happy birthday! 생일 축하해! And many more to come!

Another year has passed, and hopefully next year we will be celebrating the anniversary of our blog.

Congratulations on making it this far!

H.O.T. Candy

I just needed to share as I was looking at some videos in YouTube.

I had this one as one of my favorites.  H.O.T. - High-Five of Teenagers.  They were so popular during their time.  I think I found this last year because SHINee did a cover of this song on a SBS show.  SHINee looked so cute in their big puffy mittens.  Too bad they didn't sing the whole song.

So, of course, I had to find the original group who sang "candy".   I came to love this song as well.  The members are Kangta the leader, Hee Jun, Woo Hyuk, Jae Won and Tony.  When "candy" first came out they were so young, younger than their performance in this video.

When I first saw Hee Jun I thought he was just a MC or Korean comedian.  I didn't know he was an idol.  I just saw him in so many variety shows.  He was funny so I thought he was a comedian.

Kang Ta still sings for SM Entertainment and still tours with SMTown.

Tony, just left his 1.5 year position as MC for Mnet's M! Countdown.

They had many hits after Candy, We are the Future, Warrior's Decendant, Haeng Bok Full of Happiness (which Suju redid).

I wish I had their song on my iPod but I just have to settle for this YouTube video.

There were many covers of Candy from Big Bang, Infinite, TeenTop but my favorite is SHINee. Too bad JongHyun didn't perform.

I do not own these videos.
Credit: misquesis for HOT video and mrsrehmacmd for SHINee cover.

SHINee's Dazzling Girl Group Photo and Fan Club Event

Very unexpected surprise.  I didn't expect a teaser group shot.

I could see which one is Key easily, but it took me a moment to figure out the rest of the boys.  Minho and Jonghyun look similar and so does Onew and Taemin.

BIG NEWS for SHINee's Japan Fans.  There's going to be an Official Fan Club "SHINee World J" event on 2012 Dec 20 (Osaka Castle Hall) & 24 (Makuhari Messe Event Hall).  It's going to be opened for it's members.  They are holding the event to become closer to their fans.

 I don't know how to become a member but here's the site that you can check out: Shinee World J fanclub it's in Japanese.  You can only view it on a PC and not a mobile phone, yet.  Details on the event will be on the site at a later date.

If someone can read Japanese and joined the site, please message me the details.  Shucks! I think I need to start learning to read Japanese. =/

Oh, and I found a CF with the Dazzling Girl music.  Nice.
I don't own the video. Uploaded by: 013panxochannel2. Credit: SHINee Japan.

Source: SHINee Japan