Come, sirs, we must bustle!

Rochefort: This d'Artagnan... he lodges with you, does he not? We will find Monsieur d'Artagnan a suitable lodging in the Bastille for the time being.
M. Bonancieux: And afterwards?
Rochefort: [coldly] Once in the Bastille, there is no afterwards. 

No Asia-related. Or maybe not?

Some music

Not jazz yet, please be patient. 

As for now, few loud and noisy sounds which I didn't like, because of lack of the power in the lead vocal. But anyway I'm giving it here for trying.

Maya - is a female rock singer, and you can check her music too. I'm sorry if this post is not elaborated enough. I just got no time as for now. By the night, I will update this post with more stuff.

But I liked the single of Quaziq V, and the not new but requested album of Miji. Sometimes cheezy, but who cares?

Song Junggi on SKKS

I just got this in my KBS newsletter. I checked the website, and voila!

The boy is cute and kinda honest about his work. But I must say - Dirty Carnival? With your face?? 

And I'm not naive, I don't believe either in SKKS 2 or a movie. Would be nice to have another opportunity to drool over Yucheon in robes and gat, but I know it won't happen.

Article for petto and Kang Dongwon lovers out there, keke...

Nightmares domino

It's always like this, when one bad thing happens, it always causes other bad things to follow (I almost wrote "bed", ekhemm). I know I'm beating the dead horse, cause the news are all over the place at least for 2 weeks, but I can't believe it still.

HOW ON EARTH ANYONE WANTS TO RE-MAKE THAT CRAP??

That crap being Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, jdrama.

SM Entertainment (another reason for hatin' to add. This way, the mountain of my disdain has overgrown Himalayas) plans to remake that... that something. I'm within the minority on Earth that hated that drama with all my might. I didn't read the manga, but I doubt it would turn me into feverish fan of abovementioned series. So OK, bring it on, SMEnt, I can take everything! I'm starting my training routine today anyway!

Some updated disturbing images follow, so be prepared.

Pan-Asianism again?

   Oh well, Manchuria also belongs to Japan because it was occupied for couple of years (1931 - 1945, from Mukden incident). And let's not forget about Philippines, why they never thought about giving all their teritory to Japan again? Tsunami is one thing, but the move nationalistic politicians are performing is another. Years of reconciliation may go in vain if this happens. And if I know the sick aspirations of Japanese leaders - it will.

This will spark Korean nationalistic tendencies as well. 

The history books for students in Japan are already full of horrendous mistakes as the authors and Ministry tampered with facts, but this is another wrong point politicians are scoring. Preying on those imperial dreams and ambitions of people is a display of non-existant morale and low understanding of the history. But then again, those people who glorify the past (ah Aurelia Legenda!) in contrast with sad contemporary times (ah, bleak Iron Days, mappō, Kali Yuga, whatever!) are not extremely versed in knowledge of the history. Nationalism always caused the fall of empires and individuals alike. Being proud of one's country history is one thing, but distorting it and fanatic zeal for its "achievements" is something completely different. Funny thing, in Japan there are not that many books on 16th century wars (Imjin Wars), that ruined Joseon Kingdom completely, to the least peasant. But there are mangas on Asahara with his whole shitty messages. And Asahara is not shown and drawn as a psychopath that he is, but a happy, smiling bearded man. Just like Santa in white robes.

The article is below.

To be... or ehm... I have the photoshoot!

  

   80% of Korean Teen Celebs Do Not Attend School Regularly

So what? We all know about this. No one could convince me, not even with a thousand blings and peacock make-up, that with tight schedules as usually entertainers have, one is able to attend the classes. I'm not that clueless. So if they are unable to attend, I'd say - drop it. Not everyone has to put M.A. before the name anyway. Do what you do best and stop pretending. At least IU is honest as she said she won't be attending the college because of lack of time.

The other issues are more serious though. We had this talk not once and not twice over on DA and in private. Entertainment uses its stars to the maximum. And the nature can't stand the void, so if someone is not willing, there are others who will.

The article is below.

The Greed, The Power, The Payback

 

   Midas was the king of Pessinus, capital of Phrygia, a region in Asia Minor. He was the adopted son of Gordias and Cybele and was well known for his pristine rose garden and love of the pleasures of life.

(...) The leader of the satyrs, entrusted with Dionysus' education, was Silenus. One day, completely in character for a satyr, Silenus became intoxicated and passed out in Midas' rose garden. The peasants found him and brought him before their king. Luckily, Midas recognized Silenus and treated him well for five days and nights. During this time, Silenus entertained Midas and his court with fantastic tales.

Dionysus came to Midas and was glad to be reunited with Silenus his surrogate father. He decided to reward Midas for his hospitality and granted him one wish. Midas wished that everything he touched be turned to gold. Dionysus warned him about the dangers of such a wish, but Midas was too distracted with the prospect of being surrounded by gold to listen. Dionysus gave him the gift. Initially, King Midas was thrilled with his new gift and turned everything he could to gold, including his beloved roses. His attitude changed, however, when he was unable to eat or drink since his food and wine were also changed to unappetizing gold. He even accidentally killed his daughter when he touched her, and this truly made him realize the depth of his mistake. Desperate, Midas pleaded to Dionysus for help. Dionysus instructed Midas to bathe in the headwaters of the Pactolus River, and the wish would be washed away. Midas went to the river, and as soon as he touched the water, the river carried away the golden touch. The gold settled in the sands of the Pactolus River and was carried downstream to Lydia, one of the richest kingdoms in the ancient world and the source of the earliest coinage. (...)

by Anna Baldwin

"Midas." Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopedia Mythica Online.
<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/midas.html>
[Accessed March 27, 2011].

This way we can go into the drama called Midas.

JYJ - few other videos

   I'd like to thank the person who tirelessly makes those videos possible to be found. Please, add either a watermark or just nickname in the file name, because there is no info on it. And the file is available on public search. Nevertheless, I'm deeply grateful.

In one of these videos boys are talking about the books they are currently reading. I can't write more, because staring at the picture above causes me to forget all letters and words...

Korean Youngsters Unhappier Than Chinese, Japanese

   Hmm, the survey doesn't look that good, but as every survey, it has to be taken with a grain of salt. I don't trust any of the polls and sociology. Sociology takes some cell and treats it as the whole tissue. Polls and ratings don't have any impact on me either. But one thing is sure - in many societies youngsters are less and less happy. I know in my place it's the same.

Korean Artists and NGO in motion

   Two months ago I was looking frantically for any news on that and all I could find (I mean news on some substantial help, not "let's record the song and sell it" crap) was Park Yongha, Kim Namgil and JYJ boys. Now, looks like more artists do more than talking.

This time it's about Lee Seungcheol.

JYJ - World Tour and videos

I sent a complaint letter to C-JeS Entertainment. I don't care anymore, I'm not going to be quiet. The "international" KNG website screwed me royally and didn't care to reply to any of my 3 messages, so I removed the links from my bookmarks. I will not die a less happy woman if I'm not going to be a member there. But I'm really pissed off about their attitude toward Europe. Hell, there are people in Menacing Western Countries too! There are people who would like to support someone, even if the support meant  only writing the cheering up messages on the board. We did make someone cry last year, we can make someone smile! This is what I firmly believe in.

To calm myself, I watched some videos. 

And I have to say one thing - Junsu is growing tremendously on me.

8 Days of Jeongjo's Assassination

   I'm slowly finishing this 10 - episode drama about those 8 days during which King Jeongjo was being the target of the assassins.

Yes, it's all because of SKKS.

About the drama:

Title: 정조암살미스터리 8일 / Eight Days Mystery of Jeong Jo Assassination 

Plot: The drama is about the assassination attempts on King Jeong Jo's life during the 8 day period when he left the palace for a ceremony to honor his father who was killed by his grandfather. 

Original work: Novel by Won Haeng 

Cast: 

Kim Sang Joong as King Jeong Jo
Jung Ae Ri as Lady Hong of Hyekyung Palace
Park Jung Chul as Jung Yak Yong
Lee Sun Ho as Jang In Hyung
Hee Won as So Hyung Bi
Kim Sung Kyum as Young Jo
Kim Ki Hyun as Kim Jung Soo
Park Chan Hwan as Shim Hwan Ji
Lee Dae Yeon as Moon In Bang
Jang Ki Yong (장기용) as Hong Jae Chul
Park Soo Hyun as Choi Ki Soo

Official Website

Miss Ripley in motion

Oh damn... So the nightmares can actually come into life?
Nate article

49 Days: picture spoiler

Yes, because I'm mean^^
And because I noticed they gave Han Kang one of the best pencils in the world to sketch, keke^^

Few cuts

   Yes, because I almost cut myself seeing KNG, ehh...

Park Shihu all cuts combined (wedding ceremony), Kim Namgil from the Golden Fishery cut, Royal Family cast and preview and 49 Days cast. Uff...

Fluxus

According to their YT channel: 플럭서스 뮤직 (Fluxus Music):
Founded in 2002 in Korea, FLUXUS MUSIC has become a major influence in the world of Korean Pop Music. It has become a brand name to both the media and the music listeners, who have come to expect trendy and soulful music from FLUXUS MUSIC artists. (Loveholics, Clazziquai Project, Alex,W&Whale,Handsome People, Winterplay,Yi Sung Yol, Ibadi, Byebye Sea).

That means, I'm all in.

AFA Winners

Ha Jeongwu. I repeat - Ha Jeongwu!!

Junsu and Jonghyeon^^

 Heavenly voice - JYJ Kim Junsu

   The fangirl in me just had a small knot^^. I was watching Entertainment Weekly from yesterday, and there was a ranking of the high voices. I know, not everyone likes guys/girls singing the high notes, but believe me, it's a really hard work. My sister did a reasearch once on it and all I know, I know from her. So, number 4 on the list was Kim Junsu whose singing just blew me off. Not only me, the jury was in shock as well. I thought: Hmm, what a pity Jonghyeon wasn't on the list... but suddenly, the number 2 spot was taken by him! Wahahaha!!!

IU took the winning place, but the girl is training to reach 4 octaves and that means something.

49 Days: embarkment

   Finally, after two first episodes. There is a lot I'd like to say about this drama that started, in my opinion, well. Two first episodes lay an outline for the rest of the series, but I believe screenplay will mess up the existence of the characters even more. I didn't write "lives", but "existence" on purpose. The main character is a wandering soul. So the word "life" is inappropriate.

접속 무비월드 2011-03-19 - JJY cut

   OK, let me regain my senses. I was making some lunch, cutting kimchi while watching this show, when suddenly I heard some guy said something about Jeong Jaeyoung's voice. Good thing I didn't hold anything boiling. So I had no other choice than cut it. It wasn't about this man, but there was an interview with Jang Jin, the director of new omnibus movie, Romantic Heaven. For those who can't link Jang Jin and Mr. Jeong, few titles that the former directed: Quiz King, Righteous Ties, Someone Special, Guns And Talks (yeye!!). And he was a scriptwriter to: Public Enemy Returns, The Big Scene, Going By The Book, Righteous Ties, Welcome to Dongmakgol, Someone Special. Still nothing? Well, in all those movies JJY appeared, either as the character or the cameo.

That made me want to watch Going By The Book Again... damn...

New Tales of Gisaeng: some stills

I opened random episode and made some stills^^

49 Days: pictures

Nothing except for some pics.

Park Yucheon in "Miss Ripley" confimed

  Normally I would have to take some horse tranquilizer, but the female cast in this drama is making my blood stop. Park Yucheon (I wonder when hancinema will stop calling him by this *!&^%$#$ nickname) is confirmed to star in MBC drama Miss Ripley. That means - both brothers were snatched by MBC, keke.

Nate News from March 16

Upcoming drama

Uhm... After bland opening of the year it looks like the Spring will bring some more interesting dramas.  Ah, hell, I'm not counting the three of 2011 dramas, because I'm sure I will end up liking them in solitude. But it's not shooing the sleep away anyway. I realized, after the new semester started, that the more I have to do, the better I can manage my schedule. Suddenly I found time for 3 drama to watch. The fourth is coming tomorrow^^.

The Discovery of Affection - tells the story of an actress who is slightly over her glorious day and her relationship with an actor who is in the peak of his popularity. The screenwriters are... wait for it... Hong sisters! So I think everyone knows what to expect.

The Princess' Man - (after hancinema) A project that focuses on the tragic relationship between King Sejong's second son. General Sooyang and Kim Jong-seo. With the "Gaeyu-jungnan" as the basic structure, this is a historical version of "Romeo and Juliet" between General Sooyang and Kim Jong-seo, General Sooyang's daughter and Kim Jong-seo's son. This one is scheduled to July, so not that soon, and maybe even the title will change, but looks good. 

49 Days: 24 Hours

I was anticipating Bad Guy also... I hope they don't mess things up.

And just funny trivia. I read today about the trench our dear Reaper/Angel of Death/whatever was wearing on the set. It was electric blue in color. The stylists for the drama explained that every time this grim person is clad in ash-colored, black, grey clothes, so they wanted to break the stereotype. He also plays guitar and I'm not kidding here. He looks as if he was chosen to do this against his own will. Or something else - maybe he started to grow the conscience of his job? Mulla...

Plus, hell, he's skinny...

Sageuk research

   I'm asking for help in my upcoming project on sageuk drama. If you can, please reply to the following questions. The thread with them is on D-A already, but you can reply here anonymously.
Sageuk drama research. 

Questions:
1. Why are you interested in sageuk drama?
2. Do you think the cast fits the genre? How are they dealing with different settings?
3. Are those dramas historically accurate?
4. Do they make you want to expand your interest in Korea?
5. What part of korean traditional culture you like/appreciate the most?
6. Do those drama make you look for more information?
7. Have you ever read/buy book after watching sageuk to deepen your understanding of the history shown?
8. What aspect of the shown history you like the best? (costumes, action, music, language, customs, etc.)?
9. What is the reason of their popularity abroad?
10. Your own opinion, reflections on sageuk drama? 

Thank you for even one sentence for each.

Bubble Sisters

Two songs on their digital single, but most definitely I will look out for those ladies in the future. One voice reminds me of BMK, and this is something. They are not perfect, but have vast space within which they can improve and move around. It's weird I haven't found them earlier. I'll look for their older albums. If I find some time before that.

Park Shihu at Lee Cheonhee and Jeon Hyejin Wedding

The funny thing is, the show featuring the footage from this ceremony has been lying on my HD for some time (OK, since yesterday) and I just watched it because I gave myself an hour of free time from work. And then I was... Oh, crap, that was what I think it was??

Jeon Hyejin and Park Shihu appeared together in Family's Honor, where she played his younger sister, Hyeju.

The wedding was held on March 11.

Kim Namgil-nim ^^

  

   Happy Birthday to this wonderful man! May your days be bright and nights without fear!

March thoughts

    I don't think this is relevant to any particular area of anybody's interest, but since sometimes I vent my frustration here, I decided to put my recent observations and their results in here. I rarely use the word "hate", sometimes as a joke to emphasise something (like I hate SBS management system, yess...), but lately I came to one conclusion - I really hate dilettantes. In most of the dictionaries this word is used as the synonym to "amateur", but as much as amateur may have the positive side to it, dilettante, on the other hand, doesn't.

The Quake

In 1923, Tokyo was hit by a strong earthquake that remained the strongest quake ever recorded in Japan. It was 7.9 on now obsolete Richter scale with its focus deep beneath Izu Ōshima Islands.It remined so until yesterday. On March 11th the ground deep in the ocean trembled and sent waves of tremors, and what's worse, real waves towards the land. In 1923 Tokyo paid a hecatomb mainly because of panic and really bad planning system in the military base where people sought the shelter. Gasoline tanks were also there. Tokyo was mainly wooden back then, so I think everyone can tell the rest.

In case of deep-focus, under-ocean quakes, the impact of actual trembling is not that big. The most disastrous thing is tsunami sent by such deep quakes. Tsunami leaves nothing on its way. Literally it means "port wave", and there is a wisdom in it. Tsunami on the plain ocean/sea surface is invisible, but the energy generated by such strong trigger changes the parameters of oscillations. The power and difference in the wave's amplitude and also the change in the terrain (getting higher) leads to "magnifying" the wave. This is why tsunami is called "port wave", because it is only visible when closing to the land. 

Seismic waves

Earthquakes Q and A

Kanamori - Moment Magnitude

And something for watching or reading:

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2011/03/20113124353222667.html

Park Shihu - photoshoot

 

   

   I almost wrote Kim Namgil. What's wrong with me these days??

Another set of pics appeared, actually 2 days ago, but I almost withdrew from all my usual, everyday sites, so didn't have time to do it. And due to some circumstances today, I came back earlier and by sheer chance (a-ha a-ha :P) I found those.

Hell Within

Since few days the case of late Jang Jayeon has been making headlines everywhere. Apparently police seized letters in which this poor soul named all wrongdoings done to her. She committed suicide in 2009.

New Tales of Gisaeng: my new obsession

   I'm not sure how long it will last, but as for now, I think of the meeting at work with pure disdain, because it will deprive me of watching. Well, the fact I'm baking cookies now (*throws some to well known Ladies out there*) also takes some time, but anyway.

Actually two things draw me to this drama, but due to work I had to put it on hold, and I went back to it this Saturday. Those things are: hanboks and traditional accessories and Jun Nomin. He doesn't appear in this drama, but his wife does. Beautiful, dignified, talented woman. 

49 Days: press conference

Ah, what the hell, some pics. Just one thought - who let Bae Subin enter in such pants?? It's a crime against  male humanity!

Some ramblings

   Before I vanish again into the stuff I have to do for yesterday, I want to express my sincere hateful love for Life Is Beautiful drama. I have never thought any drama longer than 20 at most (yes, Goong was an exception) episodes could make me glued to the screen so much. Don't count taeha dramas. LIB was the first to do that and Assorted Jewels just followed. After that, only Seongkyunkwan Scandal made me feel rejuvenated again.

What has become out of me? I embarked on long journeys with New Tales of Gisaeng, Twinkle Twinkle and Royal Family (OK, this one is short). I'm helplessly enamoured with long, full of details and well paced dramas. So what if I have to wait for a proper "spark" between main couple 20+  episodes like in Family's Honor? So what if I have to endure all evil characters that apparently don't sleep only to come up with their ultimate plan to ruin somebody else's life? Long dramas have certain charm in their pace that no drama can fulfill. Or maybe I'm just getting old?

Yucheon praised^^

Ah, damn... I have good eyes. And yes, I'm bragging, I'm not humble. *shrugs*

But since I'm stupid, I started to translate this article during my "consultation hour", ekhem, but then by accident found out that hancinema reported it. So yes, my laziness took over.

My Love (내사랑 )

   

    I was drawn to this movie partially thanks to solid, very, very good cast, partially thanks to this poster which I find very nice, and partially thanks to my obsession with Kim Namgil-nim. The director's name is Lee Han. No? Still doesn't ring any bell? Well, this marvelous man used the stage name "Lee Han" up until 2008. Ekhem...

At first I was very sceptical to watch it. I thought "Damn, another movie about love, how am I going to go through this?". The answer is one - exeptionally well. I liked everyone in this movie, the characters were sketched, because not even portrayed fully, with finesse and freshness. The music was non-existant in some scenes which I also find nice. Plus, I found the way of directing and shooting also worth noticing.

It's not a perfect movie. There is nothing like a perfect movie. But as I said, I may like a total crap, because of my mood and inclinations, and I may bash a masterpiece because I don't like it. Simple as The Diva's mind. Ekhem...

Music, music

   I'm in a mood for some traditional Korean music, this is why I'm listening to old DBSK. Ekhem... no wait, wrong blog... Speaking of which, I read that their first album is on re-sale in Japan. Do they mean their acoustic one, ufufufu...?

Bad, bad army

   I'm frustrated. It's cold here (although today was +15 degrees, whoohoo!) in my flat, and the cold gets on my nerves too easily. And when I'm ticked off, I may be a little harsh. Oh, btw. new The Diva pics from Japan are all over the net. Kim Haneul looked all embarassed. She probably wasn't, but those stills gave such impression. Anyway, I have strong resolution to finish Secret Garden (at last), but my strong will may be crumbled by something else. I'm slacking lately with reviews, but have no time for this. Mondays became suddenly so heavy and tense, so I have to give up my weekends to prepare for it.

49 Days: official release

    SBS launched the website and of course released lots of stills.

That's good for me and those who are waiting for this drama. The word "possess" for me is like catnip for a cat. What can I do?

Plus, I can't refuse Jeong Ilwu, I like the boy.

The shortest web address ever: http://tv.sbs.co.kr/49/

JYJ - phantom petition

I tried to look for it very dilligently, and of course when I had time, that means not so much.

According to The Korea Herald the petition is nowhere to be seen. The petition was reportedly signed by over 80 thousands fans (86,418) and translated to 10 languages. Hell, if it could help, I'd translate too, but I simply couldn't find any source where I could sign it. Was it "under-the-counter" kind of petition?

Park Shihu - pictures - continuation

The main part of the meeting.

Park Shihu - pictures

 

Shanghai fanmeeting. As probably everyone knows, his Taiwan one was postponed to June. We had this talk, I don't quite understand the idea of fanmeetings either, but agencies would do everything to push their stars to maximum.

March 1st Movement - Samil Undong (삼일 운동)

Public offices and even some websites will be closed until Wednesday, March 2nd.

What is this about? Basically, this is a commemoration of fighting for freedom at the beginning of 20th century. In 1910, Japan annexed Korea and made it a part of the Empire. The process of denationalization of Koreans accelerated from that moment on.