YeinJee's Asian Blog

Cameron Highlands holiday and blogging break

Yein Jee — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:13:44 +0000

Will be having a short vacation at Cameron Highlands in coming weekend. CH is a popular getaway destination in Malaysia, famous for its cool weather, lush green, tea plantations and strawberry farms etc.

Will take the chance to have a blogging break as well; the blog will not be updated until June 20, CU all again then… [image courtesy of Sykez]

Cameron Highlands holiday and blogging break from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Seo Taiji – Morning Snow music video

Yein Jee — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:18:53 +0000

English subbed music video of “Morning Snow” (아침의 눈) by Korean rock star Seo Taiji, from his latest “8th Atomos” album. The song tells people to appreciate things around us, as good things come and go like the morning snow.

The music has a very strong European music element, but it’s a pretty cool attempt for K-pop nonetheless; and the song is not bad at all… loving it.

[credits to TwirlyBox@Youtube]

Seo Taiji – Morning Snow music video from YeinJee's Asian Blog

S.H.E Luna wallpapers

Yein Jee — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:07:20 +0000

Wallpapers of Taiwanese pop group S.H.E. for the Chinese version of Luna [Cn] multiplayer online role playing game…

[1024x768][1280x960]

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S.H.E Luna wallpapers from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Son Dam-bi for Bean Pole fashion & accessories

Yein Jee — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:02:29 +0000

Korean pop singer Son Dam-bi has recently signed an endorsement contract with Bean Pole, a Korean fashion and accessories brand.

Some promotional photos ala red carpet style below…

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Son Dam-bi for Bean Pole fashion & accessories from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Entertainment roundup (July 9, 2009)

Yein Jee — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:50:24 +0000

Entertainment snippets from other sources…

China – John Woo to direct biggest budget film [Cri]

HKG – Michael’s 1987 TVB visit (pic) [Stareastasia]

Korea – Honey Lee endorses Neutrogena [K-popped]

Korea – Goo Hye-sun in Vogue [Koreanclicks]

Korean celebs on Twitter [Kbites]

Thailand – K-pop group 2PM meets Thai PM [Kbites]

UK – “Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince” premiered in London [Dailymail]

USA – Kal Penn starts work as White House liaison [Imprinttalk]

Entertainment roundup (July 9, 2009) from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Toyama Tourism Anime Project

Yein Jee — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:52:22 +0000

Two Toyama based animation studios, P.A. Works and The Berich have created some short animes to promote Toyama tourism, based on the theme “Tear Bringing Toyama Prefecture”.

Sharing here are videos from P.A. Works; three short stories about love, friendship and family; with Mt Tateyama, Toyama Bay, and the village of Gokayama as backdrop.

The first video is a summary of the stories; theme song by local singer Sophie+. The English subbed videos with more tourism details are embedded further below, with real (and beautiful) footages by Toyama Television Broadcasting…

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Toyama Tourism Anime Project from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Tokyo is world’s most expensive city (2009)

Yein Jee — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:06:12 +0000

Tokyo has knocked Moscow off the top spot as the world’s most expensive city for expatriates, according to the latest Cost of Living Survey from Mercer.

Currency fluctuation is the major factor for the ups and downs. London (UK), Seoul (South Korea) and Sydney (Australia) etc. are dropped significantly because of weakened currency.

10 most expensive cities in 2009 [2008 ranking in brackets]

1. Tokyo, Japan (2)
2. Osaka, Japan (11)
3. Moscow, Russia (1)
4. Geneva, Switzerland (8)
5. Hong Kong, China (6)
6. Zürich, Switzerland (9)
7. Copenhagen, Denmark (7)
8. New York City, USA (22)
9. Beijing, China (20)
10. Singapore (13)

Tokyo is world’s most expensive city (2009) from YeinJee's Asian Blog

19% Korean actresses forced sex for career

Yein Jee — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:37:27 +0000

A recent Korean survey, based on 183 respondents out of 2000 entertainers, found that one out of five actresses was forced to provide sexual entertainment to influential figures or witnessed their colleagues being forced to do so.

This indicates the late Jang Ja-yeon, who committed suicide in March because of her coerced involvement in casting couch favours, was not an isolated victim in the Korean entertainment industry [more on Koreatimes]

Casting couch is a situation that involves trading of sexual favours in return for employment or for career advancement; a term which is often used in (but not limited to) the film industry [wiki]

It’s not surprising that such practise do exist, but the figure is quite astonishing nonetheless. I would have thought that only some dubious agencies would involve in these scandalous schemes… but the result (if trustable) shows that a few of the ‘reputable’ companies might be involved as well.

Meanwhile, CEO of Jang’s former agency has been arrested after being deported back from Japan where he had been hiding since the scandal was exposed. Innocent until proven not; but there’s no reason for him to run away if he’s not guilty… hope that justice could be served.

19% Korean actresses forced sex for career from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Offbeat roundup (July 7, 2009)

Yein Jee — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:31:53 +0000

Offbeat snippets from other sources…

Germany – Creative commercial… life’s too short for the wrong job [Wickedreport]

Japan – Body inflation tattoo art [Japanprobe]

Korean farmer with 85 satellite dishes [NYT]

Korea – Micro-miniskirt biggest eyesore at workplace [Koreatimes]

Nathan’s – Chestnut beats Kobayashi again in hot dog eating [Imprinttalk]

Oldest bible goes online [Codexsinaiticus]

Topography – Most complete earth’s surface terrain map published [BBC]

Virtual – ‘Billions’ stolen in online robbery [BBC]

Offbeat roundup (July 7, 2009) from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Cute guinea pigs munching green

Yein Jee — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:14:20 +0000

Four cute guinea pigs (and a rabbit) munching on their food. Pics available on their master’s Japanese blog; more vids on his/her Youtube channel…

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Cute guinea pigs munching green from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Liu Ye married with French girlfriend

Yein Jee — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:49:43 +0000

Chinese actor Liu Ye and his French girlfriend Anais Martane got married in Beijing on Sunday (July 5) in both Jewish and Chinese traditional wedding ceremonies…

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Liu Ye married with French girlfriend from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Entertainment roundup (July 5, 2009)

Yein Jee — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:43:21 +0000

Entertainment snippets from other sources…

Japan – Yukie Nakama on anti-drug poster [JT]

Korea – Choi Ji-woo donates W100 million ($78k USD) scholarship to hometown students [Stareastasia]

Korea – Gu Hye-sun’s art exhibition [K-popped]

Korea – Park Shi-yeon’s High Cut [K-popped]

Korea – BoA goes bling bling (pic) [Shenyue]

Korea – Seoul Auto Salon show girls [RCA]

Korea – Jang Yoon-jeong and Big Bang voted top favourite singer [Kbites]

Trailer – Korean monster-movie “Chaw” [Youtube]

Entertainment roundup (July 5, 2009) from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Lee Hyori for Chum Churum soju

Yein Jee — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:39:34 +0000

Cute Korean commercial for Chum Churum soju (Korean rice wine), featuring pop star Lee Hyori. Eye candy pics after the video…

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Lee Hyori for Chum Churum soju from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Manny Pacquiao and Nicole Scherzinger in Filipino movie

Yein Jee — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:38:11 +0000

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao and pop singer Nicole Scherzinger from the Pussycat Dolls are set to star in a Filipino movie, titled “Wapakman”.

Pacquiao, nicknamed Pacman, is one of the world’s top boxer and highest paid sportsman; while Nicole, the lead singer for PCD is actually a half Filipina… so, it actually makes sense for the duo to work together in a Filipino production.

Pacman will play a superhero in the action comedy with Nicole the leading lady; Filipino-Greek wrestler Dave Batista will play the villain [image via Pinoygigs]

Manny Pacquiao and Nicole Scherzinger in Filipino movie from YeinJee's Asian Blog

T-ara release sextuplets photos

Yein Jee — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:26:52 +0000

Korean all-girls pop group T-ara have released some promotional photos in preparation for their debut album. Hmmm, the girls look identical at first glance; most of the time talent agencies would try to create unique identities for each members in a pop group, not the case for T-ara obviously.

Sextuplets is not a bad word btw; two = twins, six = sextuplets. Just a tease…

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T-ara release sextuplets photos from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Lee Min-ho & Son Dam-bi, Korean CF king & queen

Yein Jee — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:13:26 +0000

Actor Lee Min-ho and singer Son Dam-bi were named the best male and female commercial film models in a Korean broadcast and advertising festival in June.

Hi-Mart CF, featuring Cha Tae-hyun, Park Bo-young and Wang Suk-hyun from movie “Speed Scandal”, won the netizen popularity award.

Lee Min-ho – Truegen

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Lee Min-ho & Son Dam-bi, Korean CF king & queen from YeinJee's Asian Blog

MTV Asia Awards 2009 in Malaysia again?

Yein Jee — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:43:31 +0000

Seems like the MTV Asia Awards will be back to Malaysia again in 2009, according to Korean pop mogul JYP that is.

No official confirmation has been made by MTV Asia yet, but JYP lets his words slipped with his recent Tweet…

“Sorry cuz of the Jonas Brothers tour we can’t go to da MTV asian awards in Malaysia. But I’m sending 2pm so don’t b too sad!”

The ‘we’ is referring to JYP’s favourite employees, the Wonder Girls, who are busy working as opening act for Jonas Brothers’ tour in USA; and as replacement his company is sending boy band 2PM to the award ceremony instead.

Funny thing is most folks didn’t know that MAA will be held in Malaysia again, or if it would be held at all in 2009… and we certainly didn’t know that the Wonder Girls were scheduled to come at the first place.

MTV Asia Awards 2009 in Malaysia again? from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Yui Aragaki looks best in Yukata

Yein Jee — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:52:33 +0000

Undated photo of Japanese idol Yui Aragaki in Yukata, a traditional Japanese bathrobe which is a popular fashion during summer festivals…

Aragaki was voted the best looking female celeb in Yukata in a recent Oricon poll; Hiroshi Tamaki tops the male chart but I couldn’t care much lol [pic via G2slp]

Yui Aragaki looks best in Yukata from YeinJee's Asian Blog

New Restaurant Ipoh Chicken Rice, Sri Petaling, KL

Yein Jee — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:47:18 +0000

Dined at the New Restaurant Ipoh Chicken Rice in Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur last weekend. It’s a branch of a famous restaurant (in Gasing, PJ) which has been operating since 1977; this one was opened a couple of years ago.

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New Restaurant Ipoh Chicken Rice, Sri Petaling, KL from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Philippines roasted pig parade

Yein Jee — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:53:05 +0000

Roasted pigs in costumes were paraded on the feast of St. John the Baptist in the hundred year old practise in the Philippines. Festival goers also got to sample the roasted suckling pigs (lechón), a famous Filipino delicacy, for free…

Philippines roasted pig parade from YeinJee's Asian Blog