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Post by tinkerbell on Oct 17, 2008 15:27:29 GMT -5
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Post by Nene on Oct 17, 2008 19:33:30 GMT -5
jinju, Glad to hear from you. I thought you were busy with the stock market, hehe. Hope everything will be fine. I'm glad they cast So Ji Sup and Shin Hyun Joon as brothers in this new series. I agree both of them are very talented. Looking forward to seeing Cain & Abel. It will be another good k-drama. I just found these lovely pictures.
Huang Xiaoming, Crystal Liu and Zhang Ziyi are gorgeous. It's nice to see them having a friendly chit-chat. That's fantastic! News Updates
BYJ will use the helicopter to attend The Order award ceremony after the wedding
BYJ will fly to Choongcheongdo from Gangwondo with only one hour in between on the 18th.
Both events will be held on the same day. One is the wedding of Park Seong Woong and Shin Eun Jeong, whom he filmed with in ‘TWSSG.’ This will be held in Hongcheon, Gangwondo. The other one is an award ceremony which will be held in Cheongju, Choongbuk exactly one hour later.
PSW and SEJ will marry at Vivaldi Park of Damyung Resort in Hongcheon at 3 pm. BYJ shared his joys and sorrows with them while he filmed ‘TWSSG’. His schedule was so tight that his attendance wasn’t clear. But there is a special arrangement to use the helicopter and the problem is now solved.
Quickly after the wedding, BYJ will be taken by helicopter near the Art Center in Cheongju where the award ceremony of the Order of Culture Merit will be held. The car that is prepared in advance will be used from the heliport to the Art Center. He will receive the Order at the award ceremony. This will be held for the ‘2008 Cultural Day’ event with Jang Na Ra, Andre Kim, and the poet Kim Young Rang.
Meanwhile, his Japanese fans will gather in Hongcheon and Cheongju. Vivaldi Park of Daemyung Resort was already fully booked by 400 Japanese fans and it’s known that 400 fans will visit Cheongju via the chartered flight.
Reporter, Kim Ingoo clark@joongang.co.kr]
We'll see a lot of pictures from both events. October is indeed a very good month. WooHoo!
Lee Ji Ah : "Bae Yong-Joon deserves a cultural medal."
Ji-ah praised when she heard about Yong Joon receiving the cultural medal on 17th.
On Oct. 16, in the interviews with News-en, Ji-ah was delighted as if it was she who was receiving the medal. She was proud as one of the Koreans. Ji-ah said in excitement, "Receiving the cultural medal is, in fact, a very cool event, I am so excited!"
Their relationship was accomplished by year 2007's newsmaking drama, Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi. Yong Joon and Ji-ah acted as Damdeok and Sujini and drew people's attention. The meeting between the most famous actor, Yong Joon and Ji-ah, who received the nickname Cinderella was fresh and sensational. This was possible because they enlightened each other.
Ji-ah said, without a doubt, that Yong Joon had the ability to take such medals. She explained that he should have received one long time ago. She said "Yong Joon really did a lot for this country, in front of and behind the media."
No wonder, Yong Joon is more than just an actor. He is the one who is treated as the Korean cultural icon. His spreading powers don't just stop as an actor, but also gives the effects to the entire culture.
In fact, Yong Joon, by his efforts on advertising Korean cultural stream with the drama Winter Sonata, was selected as the cultural medal receiver. His receiving such medal stands for the great development of mass culture and its present position.
Ji-ah also knew all these facts. That is why she said "happy" without any hesitation. Also, her friends played an important part. Ji-ah said that she realized Yong Joon's impact and influence, thanks to her friends who live in Japan. The man she saw and acted with was a man with more powers than she has ever imagined.
Ji-ah said "Many people, especially my (Korean) friends living in Japan, say that they are proud whenever they see Yong Joon. There are so many who are proud to be Koreans," which showed how well Yong Joon is doing his job as a cultural diplomat. "It gives us a lot of pride to see Koreans being loved overseas. As my friend said, he makes me happy to be a Korean like himself." she added. original in korean: NewsEn translated into english: 이쟈짱 / ejiah.com
I love Lee Ji-ah and BYJ. I really want them to become an item. BYJ, please don't look too far, hehe.
Park Ye Jin and Lee Hong Gi In Teacher-Student Relationship
October 17, 2008 by coolsmurf Park Ye Jin and F.T. Island’s Lee Hong Gi will play out a teacher-student relationship in SBS “Master of Study” drama scheduled for broadcast after “Tazza” in the Mon-Tue timeslot starting from 1st December.
“Master of Study” is adapted from a popular Japanese manga “Dragon Zakura” and revolves around 6 students with the worst grades in a special class. Many interesting stories happen along the way as they take on the challenge of getting into the prestigious Seoul University with hilarious results.
Park Ye Jin plays an english teacher who is easily moved (emotional) while Lee Hong Gi plays a student who has dreams of becoming a singer. Other students already casted include Byeol Kim who is a bully initially but later becomes a cheerful maths genius. Hwang Baek Hyun plays a rebellious student while singer Rich is a student who looks mature on the outside but is actually very humorous. Three other roles hasn’t been casted yet and among them is a maths teacher who is very popular but has a mysterious background.
According to the drama PD, “Although we are unable to keep totally to the original storyline in the manga, but we will seek inspiration from the Japanese manga and drama adapation and try our best to produce a good drama.” “Master of Study” will begin filming at the end of this month.
The follow-up drama to “Tazza” was supposed to be “Terroir” starring Han Hye Jin and Kim Joo Hyuk but it has been postponed to 2009 because SBS wants to fight KBS idol drama “Boys Over Flowers” with it’s own idol drama.
I'm very happy for Park Ye Jin (chulin). She's a good actress and I like her a lot. Good luck!
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Post by Nene on Oct 18, 2008 2:31:42 GMT -5
tinkerbell,
Thank you so much for those stories and pictures. They're simply amazing! I enjoyed them all.
This is my favorite picture. It really touched my heart.
It's amazing to see them take care of each other. IMO, they have feelings like human-beings.
I also like those signs you've posted. I've never seen them before. They're simply hilarious. Thank you for a good laugh.
I found some more funny signs for you.
tinkerbell, you've got to watch this video. It's amazing! Japanese Monkey Waiters Restaraunt Uses Monkeys as Waiters
(weird asia news) You expect to see something a little strange from time to time while traveling through Asia, but one establishment has something to really shock you.
Kayabuki, a Japanese tavern in Utsunomiya, recently employed 2 Macaques monkeys to act as waiters. Fuku is 12 years-old and Yat is a young 4 years of age and both seem to enjoy their new work.
japan-monkey-waiter01 Restaraunt Uses Monkeys as Waiters picture
Kaoru Otsuka, owner of the tavern, says the 2 monkeys are their household pets, but one day he noticed one of them mimicking a waiter by giving the customer a hot towel in the restaurant.
Mr. Otsuka thought it would be an interesting idea to have them actually serve the customers.
japan-monkey-waiter02 Restaraunt Uses Monkeys as Waiters picture
Both monkeys works 2 hours a day, serving drinks and handing customer hot towels.
They don’t seem to mind the work and are happy to do it in exchange for some Edamame (soybeans) from the customers as tip.
The monkey waiters have done such a good job and brought so much business to the restaurant, Mr. Otsuka admits they’re better than his real son at the job. Do you want those monkeys to serve you? I'm afraid of monkeys, so I'll ask for real waiters, hehe.
I love Beethoven Virus too. It's a very good series. The three main cast members (Kim Myung Min, Lee Ji Ah and Jang Guen Suk) are simply fantastic. I just read that BV's director is the same person who directed Damo. Since it's doing very well, they decided to extend BV to 19 episodes. I found some nice pictures for you. Jackie Chan Brings 'Heart' to Henan
Jackie Chan, who is as venerated in philanthropy as in show business, has turned his maiden visit to the central Chinese province of Henan into a highflying fundraiser.
The Hong Kong actor arrived in Xinxiang, a city in the northern part of Henan, on Tuesday to kick off his charity efforts in the province that are expected to last for days.
A fundraising auction for a local school was held shortly after Chan's arrival. A dozen items were put on for auction, which were all from Chan's personal collection and included a T-shirt he designed, and a CD of his Olympic songs.
Both enterprises and individuals were attracted to the event, which eventually raised 2.55 million yuan (US$373,314).
Chan will donate the proceeds to the Dragon's Heart children's center, a recently completed boarding school named after his youth-oriented charity project. The center provides education and rehabilitation facilities to mentally handicapped children.
During his stay, Chan also visited children at the center and spent time playing games with them.
Initiated in 2004, Chan's Dragon's Heart project has financed the building of 21 schools across China, according to its Web site. Jackie Chan is a good man. I love and admire him for helping the needy and the underprivileged. He's a real role model.
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Post by Nene on Oct 19, 2008 15:57:04 GMT -5
jinju,
I guessed it right, hehe. BYJ managed to attend both events-- Shin Eunjeong & Park Seongwong Wedding and the Order of Culture Merit Ceremony. Wow, there're so many pictures for us to enjoy--hard to choose because they all are awesome. BYJ is absolutely drop dead gorgeous and very charming.
BYJ AT SHIN EUNJEONG & PARK SEONGWONG WEDDING
SHIN EUNJEONG & PARK SEONGWONG WEDDING
jinju, SEJ and PSW played the comic couple (Joo Moochi and Dalbi) in TWSSG and fell in love on the set of this wonderful drama. At first, I didn't recognize them either because they looked completely different.
They're a lovely couple now.
GUESTS
Yay! Lee Seo Jin also showed up. I like his new haircut. He's very handsome. Hope to hear good news from him soon.
BYJ AT THE CULTURAL CENTER
Since the two events were held on the same day (Oct 18) and only one hour in between, BYJ decided to fly to Choenjoo to attend the Order of Culture Merit Ceremony. Is the scene familiar? It reminds me of Hotelier. It's great to see him in a helicopter. He looks very presidential, hehe. Love it. I was so happy for BYJ because he's done so much for his country. Looking at those beautiful pictures, I could tell he's ecstatic to have this great honor. He just couldn't stop smiling, hehe. His parents must be very proud of their famous son too. Congrats!
Bae Receives National Order of Culture Merit
By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter
Hallyu (Korean wave) star Bae Yong-joon has been given the Hwa-Gwan Order of Culture Merit by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at an event celebrating the 2008 Culture Day.
``I will further think about my roles as an actor and celebrity. I will also do my best to promote Korea in the future. I thank everyone here and abroad who allowed me to stand here on this honorable stage,'' he said after receiving the merit at a ceremony held at the Cheongju Arts Center, North Chungcheong Province Saturday. This is the first time an actor has been given the honor, which is divided into five categories, Geum-Gwan, Eun-Gwan, Bo-Gwan, Og-Gwan and Hwa-Gwan.
Having such a tight schedule, the actor arrived by helicopter, rushing through some 400 Japanese fans who have been waiting for him in front of the arts center prior to the event.
Bae, 35, was given the honor as he has continuously devoted his work and himself to promote Korean culture to the world through dramas, his restaurant business and other cultural activities.
His drama ``Winter Sonata (2002), in which he starred with another top star Choi Ji-woo, was a great success and was aired in more than 20 countries, catapulting him to become one of Korea's most successful actors. His other works include drama ``Taewangsasingi'' (The Four Guardian Gods of the King) (2007) and movie ``April Snow'' (2005). Bae also launched a Korean traditional restaurant ``Gosireh'' in Tokyo in 2006, along with introducing Korean kimchi ``Gosireh Cabbage Kimchi'' to Japan through supermarkets and department stores.
Bae recently became the nation's goodwill ambassador in a bid to bring more than 10 million tourists here and also take Korean tourism to the next level.
The actor also visited Munkyeong, North Gyeongsang Province and other cultural cities to research and further work on a Korean guide book he is planning to publish soon.
Along with Bae, designer Andre Kim and singer Jang Na-ra were also present at the ceremony to receive the Bo-Gwan Order of Culture Merit and Today's Young Artist Award, respectively.
Credits :sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr
Source : The Korea Times
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Post by jinju0 on Oct 19, 2008 19:13:01 GMT -5
nene,WOW! what great pictures. that is so wonderful for SEJ & PSW! what a wonderful memory to have. i happy that BYJ was able to go to the wedding. BYJ is so handsome! it doesn't look like he got a haircut yet. they are a very lovely couple! what great photos! YAY! LSJ! he did get a good haircut. i wonder when he is going to get married? i thought it was suppose to be very soon. he looks good. yes, i does look like a scene right out of Hotelier. he is great!it's wonderful how BYJ got the Order of Culture Merit and congrats to the recipients. he is a great representative for korea.
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Post by Nene on Oct 21, 2008 18:02:24 GMT -5
jinju, I Found some entertainment news for you. Han Ji Min Joins “Cain and Abel” as So Ji Sub’s Lover
(HANFEVER)
Actress Han Ji Min, who played the role of Song Yeon in MBC’s “Yi San“, will be playing in SBS’s upcoming drama “Cain and Abel“, collaborating with So Ji Sub, Shin Hyun Joon and Chae Jung Ahn.
With the addition of Han Ji Min and the confirmed cast of So Ji Sub, Shin Hyun Joon and Chae Jung Ahn a while back, all four leading cast of the drama have been selected. Han Ji Min will play as a refugee in the drama and will get involved in a love triangle with So Ji Sub and Chae Jung Ahn.
“Cain and Abel”, which depicts the conflict between two brothers, will begin its filming in November and is scheduled to air in February next year.
Finally a new drama for Han Ji Min! So this confirms the rumour that has been going around for the past few days on Han Ji Min cast for the drama. It goes that Han Ji Min had attended the ice-breaking session for the drama and therefore sources confirmed her involvement in this drama. A versatile actress where her drawback is probably her small build. Now this news just up my anticipation for the drama. Source: mydaily Can you believe this? Our lovely Han Ji Min is joining Cain & Abel. We'll have a chance to see three of our favorite stars in another great series. WooHoo! IMO, it's gonna be another big hit.
Newlywed Kwon Sang-woo
has been picked as the second favorite in a Top 10 list of Asia’s young actors as chosen by Japanese female fans (part of Asahi TV program SmaSTATION). He came in behind Taiwan’s F4, stars of the Hana Yori Dango adaptation Meteor Garden. (3rd: Jay Chou, 4th: Song Seung-heon, 5th: Jaycee Chan, 6th: Lee Junki, and Rain in 10th.) (javabeans)
Though he's already married, he's still very popular. We still love you. WooHoo!
Vic Chou (ZaiZai) Buys Property; "Accidentally" Escapes Recent Finance Disaster, Monday October 20, 2008 Taiwan Source: Ming Pao Translated by: Initial E @ http:// asianfanatics.net
Even though many people have been losing money lately, Zai Zai (Zhou Yu Min) as escaped that fate, even spending almost 350 thousand to buy a 800 acre(?) mansion that can also grow sugarcane and papayas. He is worth almost 2500 thousand, rising to become a mature diamond man(?!), has Da S missed a get rich opportunity?
The F4 concert in Japan has just ended its Osaka leg, the night before they had a huge celebration at a hotel. Zaizai happily revealed that he has escaped from the global financial crisis, now he has 5 cars, 3 houses. He has already been in the entertainment circle for 8 years, his financial worth is over 2500 thousand, he can be called a multi-billionaire (in taiwanese dollars). His newly purchased mansion, is for his future sons and grandsons.
Before it was revealed that Peter Ho and Da S would act in a new movie 'Summer Bubbles', it was also rumoured that Peter Ho had asked Zaizai to be the main male lead, but in the end zaizai rejected it, and it was changed to Dylan Kuo instead. Zaizai explained that his schedule was already packed till March 2009, other than Ruffian Hero, now he already has 4 other dramas and movies. Summer Bubbles was late in contacting him, thats why he had no time left for it, not because of the casting. Did Lee Jia graduate from college?
By seoulbeats + October 21st, 2008
That’s what Korean netizens are trying to figure out. According to her profile, Lee Jia studied design at Pasadena Art Center before she went over to Korea to film her first drama, “The Legend” but that was never been confirmed, which made many to question the authenticity of her profile.
This is not the first time Lee Jia received fair amount of skepticism due to ambiguous information on her profile and again, the newbie actress is not even blinking an eye. The composed actress responded by saying, “you’ll know with time. I’m not in a hurry to reveal more about myself than necessary.”
I know that this is part of her “image making” but shouidn’t a new comer actress be at least honest with her profile? Shady shady, just like her managerment company CEO, Bae Yong Joon.
Nintendo DS to Introduce Yonsama Hangeul Software in January
Actor Bae Yong-joon's management agency Keyeast says it has allowed the portable multimedia devices Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Light the right to use the actor's face and voice for their Korean language education software. Under the latest agreement, Nintendo will release a brand new software program that allows users to listen, read and write Korean with Bae Yong-joon in January. The educational program will be divided into three levels so that users can enjoy a wide range of games according to their level of Korean.
"DS Yonsama," the prospective name for the new program will be introduced to the market through an internet shopping mall run by BOF nternational, the Japanese branch of Keyeast. The software will be sold for 5,000 yen and will receive pre-orders.
Keyeast says the demand for Nintendo's Hangeul education software is expected to be high. Some 22 million units of the Nintendo DS have been sold in Japan and it is considered a must-have item among women in their 30s.
Bae is currently planning to release a travel book and photo book about the "beauty of Korea." (asianfanatics.net)
Tang Wei Appeared in Event, Stole Limelight from Maggie Cheung & Shu Qi
Source: netlife Translated by: hippokathy88 @ asianfanatics.net
On October 18 with her appearance at an anniversary celebration of the world-famous designing brand Max Mara, Tang Wei had officially made her comeback in China after more than half a year being "banned". There were other stars spotted at the event like Maggie Cheung & Shu Qi but Tang Wei had all the media's attention.
Tang Wei appeared in China with her Hong Kong citizenship, answered interviews in Cantonese & English.
Ever since she was banned from China, Tang Wei has only appeared in Taiwan, Korea and other countries. This time, Tang Wei showed up in China as a Hong Kong citizen. After being granted Hong Kong citizenship, Tang Wei had stayed there in order to work on her career progression. She hoped with Hong Kong's independant law, she could come back to the entertainment circle soon. She had also revealed that in short future, she would not start any filming projects and denied the collaboration with Korean stars Lee Jun Ki & Jang Dong Gun.
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Post by Nene on Oct 22, 2008 2:17:11 GMT -5
tinkerbell, This just in..
Balhae Castle Unearthed
A castle-sized mound of the Balhae Kingdom has been unearthed in Primorsky Kray, Russia. The ruins confirm that Balhae (698-926) stretched even to the 45th to 46th parallels and was the indisputable successor to Koguryo (37 B.C.-668 A.D.).
The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage made the announcement Thursday. From Sept. 3 until Oct. 2 in cooperation with the history, archeology and folklore research center at the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the NRICH excavated the ruins of Pyeongji Castle in the Koksharovka-1 area of the Chuguevskiy rayon district east of Lake Xingkai in the Russian Far East. "In this area, we unearthed lots of relics and large building sites furnished with the ‘ondol' floor heating system typical of Balhae,” the NRICH said.
The ruins of a castle from Korea’s ancient Balhae Kingdom unearthed in the Koksharovka-1 area in Primorsky Krai, Russia by the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage under the Cultural Heritage Administration. /Courtesy of Cultural Heritage Administration
The Koksharovka-1 area in the upper reaches of the Ussuri River is 1,645 m long and measures 160,000 sq. m. The castle is well preserved, with the highest point in the ruins being 6 m and the widest point in the castle wall 10 to 14 m. The NRICH said the castle “is decisive evidence refuting the claim of some Russian scholars that Balhae's northernmost border was south of Primorsky Kray." (englishnews@chosun.com )
Ancient Korean Castle Found in Russia
KBS GLOBAL NEWS Oct 21, 2008 The ruins of a grand castle from Korea’s ancient Baehae Kingdom have been discovered near Ussuri River in the northern central region of Primorsky Krai, Russia.
The Natural Cultural Properties Research Institute announced that after excavating the ruins of a castle in the Koksharovka-1 area with its Russian counterpart during the period of September 3 through October 2, they have found both castle remnants and relics from Balhae.
Along with Marianivka Castle, which was also found in Primorsky Krai, the newly discovered site is located in the northern tip of the region. The NCPRI said that the castle would have been as large and elegant as a royal castle, and the characteristics of the ruins and relics were similar to those from the Goguryeo Kingdom. Thus, the discovery may help find a link between the Balhae Kingdom and the succeeding Gogureyo Kingdom and confirm the disputed territory of Balhae.
“The latest excavation is decisive evidence that will help quell the controversy over Balhae’s territory and include the northern central region of Primorsky Krai as part of its territory,” said the institute. “Russian scholars tended to refute the claim that the region was part of Balhae’s territory.”
The excavation came as part of the institute’s three year archeological project in Primorsky Krai, which started in 2006. The institute plans to strengthen its collaboration with Russian archeologists for further findings in the Koksharovka-1 area.
I found an amazing tourist hot spot in South America that you might be interested. It's a small town called Coroico in Bolivia.
Here are some beautiful pictures.
credit: Irax's Travel Blogs
The views and the landscapes are breathtakingly beautiful. In order to get there, we have to drive through the dangerous stretch of mountain road called the North Yungas Road aka "Death Road"--the most dangerous road in the world.
Built by Paraguayan prisoners of war in the 1930s, the North Yungas Road, which locals call the “Road of Death,” snakes across roughly 40 miles of the Andes in northeastern Bolivia. In 1995, the Inter-American Development Bank named the La Paz to Coroico route “the world’s most dangerous road.” And for good reason. The unpaved road is bordered by 3,000-foot cliffs. More than 100 travelers die every year trekking the route’s hairpin curves. (Forbes)
Here are some pictures. (credit: hotelscostarica.net)
I really admire people who use this dangerous road daily. It's absolutely insane. I won't complain about the bad roads back in my country again, hehe. I heard thousands of bikers from around the world come to "Death Road" each year for a ride of their life. tinkerbell, do you want to try? Hahaha, you won't catch me on this road anytime soon.
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Post by Nene on Oct 27, 2008 2:41:25 GMT -5
jinju, I hope you're ok and that everything is fine and back to normal. For me, I was not so lucky. Believe it or not, I almost got into a car accident a few days ago. I didn't know what's wrong. My car suddenly lost power and I felt like it was slipping into neutral gear. I tried to step on the gas but the car would not accelerate. I was so scared. I tried my best to control my car. Luckily I managed to pull over to the side of the road. OMG, that's the scariest thing that ever happened to me. Later I found out that it's due to the transmission failure and a transmission replacement cost around US$ 3,000. Very unlucky indeed!
After looking at this lovely pic of HXM and Crystal, I feel much better.
I like HXM in this picture. He's very handsome. I also found Crystal Liu's newest pictures. They're taken from Jimmy Lin's concert a few days ago. Here are some of her pictures. More Pictures From Garnier Promotion
(Yifei-Liu.com) I adore HXM and Crystal and hope they'll do another drama together soon.
Can you guess who's the famous star in the pictures below?
Is that really you,.........?
I have to admit I didn't recognize her at all. She's simply incredible! Please click on the link to find the answer.
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Post by jinju0 on Oct 27, 2008 14:24:36 GMT -5
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Post by Nene on Oct 28, 2008 22:10:07 GMT -5
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, SEVEN STARS! I HOPE IT WAS SPECIAL AND BLESSED.
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Post by Nene on Oct 28, 2008 22:47:35 GMT -5
jinju
Yes, I heard about this terrible tragedy. It's one of the most heinous and heart breaking crimes I've ever heard of. It's cruel and senseless. My condolences to Jennifer Hudson and her family.
Thank you so much for your concern. Thank God I was not hurt. It could have been worse.
I found some more news and pictures of Princes William and Harry and their activities.
Into the wild: Princes William and Harry begin their gruelling and dangerous South African charity bike trek
By Rebecca English Last updated at 6:07 PM on 18th October 2008
With warpaint streaked down their faces, Princes William and Harry sped off into the South African wilderness today on an epic 1,000-mile motorbike trek for charity.
The gruelling endurance rally takes in some of the most inhospitable terrain known to man and, William told the Mail, will challenge the brothers like never before.
The 26-year-old prince has had his own motocross bike since the age of eight while Harry, 24, took his test over the summer in order to compete in the Enduro Africa 'ride for life'.
'It is fair to say that we are bricking it,' he joked.
The Princes
The Princes are wearing bulky protective clothing underneath their normal clothes for the challenging Enduro Africa bike trek
It is also the first time that the two brothers - who aren't even allowed to travel on the same plane for security reasons - have undertaken a challenge of this magnitude together before.
'We never really spend any time together as we have both got separate jobs going on at the moment. So it is going to be great fun,' added Harry.
'I don't know how we are going to get on yet, we will have to tell you later. We might argue, we might have a bit of fun - we will have to see how it goes - but we are really looking forward it.'
Yesterday the pair laughed and joked with their 86 fellow riders as they made last-minute checks on their Honda CRF 230s, super-light 200cc trail bikes which will prove easier to manoeuvre over the goat tracks that the group will be forced to traverse
Prince Harry shows his tender broody side as he meets sick children hours after return from charity bike ride
By Rebecca English Last updated at 7:33 PM on 27th October 2008
Prince Harry had his hands full at an awards ceremony to recognise the bravery of some the country's most severely ill children tonight.
The 24-year-old royal, who returned from his marathon 1,000 mile charity motorbike across South Africa on Monday, laughed and joked with cheeky Harvey Fleming, five, who suffers from a chronic lung condition and almost died in March.
'He seems so happy and full of life,' he said incredulously to Harvey's mother, Paula. Caring Prince Harry talks to Lily Slater, four, who won the 'Best Brave Child 2-5' prize at the WellChild Awards in London
Former intensive care nurse Mrs Fleming, 40, and her husband David, 43, from Brigg, North Lincolnshire, first took Harvey, who was born extremely prematurely and spent the first two years of his life in hospital on a ventilator, into their home as foster carers.
They fell in love with the happy-go-lucky little boy, however, and after it become clear that he could not be returned to his birth parents, offered to adopt him.
'He was so tiny and sad in his hospital bed. He couldn't stand or walk, but he sort of crawled by dragging his legs and came straight to us. He had a smile that would melt anyone's heart,' she said
Prince Harry to become helicopter pilot
Monday, 27 Oct 2008 Prince Harry will train to become a helicopter pilotPrince Harry has decided to follow in his older brother's footsteps and train to become a helicopter pilot, Clarence House has confirmed.
Harry, 24, has volunteered to join the Army Air Corps (AAC), as he continues his military career.
Last month, his brother Prince William announced he was to train to become a full-time pilot flying Sea King helicopters for the Royal Air Force.
"Prince Harry has chosen to seek selection with the AAC now because he has completed his tour of duty as a troop leader with the Household Cavalry Regiment at Windsor," the Clarence House statement said. "Such a move is quite common for young officers at this stage in their army career." Harry has begun a selection process and it will be decided next month whether he can start the air corps programme.
The 24-year-old has already served two-and-a-half years in the Household Cavalry Regiment. Last December, he spent ten weeks on active service in Afghanistan.
His father, Prince Charles, and uncle, the Duke of York, have both also learnt to pilot helicopters.
Have you ever seen celebrity mugshots? I've seen some but I was surprised to see the ones below:
Celebrity Mugshots
Bill Gates Mugshot - During his time down in New Mexico Bill Gates was stopped for a traffic infraction. The complete details of his arrest are not known, and Gates himself has changed his story several times on what happened that night, but the most plausible is that he ran a stop light and wasn't carrying his license with him when he was pulled over. Keanu Reeves mugshot - Arrested in LA on May 5, 1993 for driving under the influence. Keanu allegedly confessed to the DUI. It has been reported that this mug shot made Reeves straighten his life out. It apparently reminded him of his father who is currently serving a 10 year sentence for drugs offences.
Macaulay Culkin was arrested in Oklahoma for possession of marijuana and two controlled dangerous substances (Xanax and sleeping pills) for which he did not have a prescription. He briefly jailed before being released on $4,000 bond.
Al Pacino mugshot - Arrested in Rhode Island for carrying a concealed weapon. Pacino, aged 21 and living in New York City, stayed in jail for three days. The three occupants of the car at the time were all wearing black masks and gloves, and had been seen by police circling in their vehicle in a suspicious manner.
Read more here:
HAVE A FUN AND SAFE HALLOWEEN!
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Post by Nene on Oct 29, 2008 13:13:40 GMT -5
tinkerbell, WooHoo! Jackie Chan is coming to America!
Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan will be high-kicking his way around Albuquerque soon.
Gov. Bill Richardson announced Chan’s new flick, “The Spy Next Door,” will film in and around the city in November and December. The production expects to hire about 150 local crew members and more than 600 actors, including principals and extras.
Chan plays a man who is asked to baby-sit for his neighbor’s children and winds up having to protect them from secret agents after one of them accidentally downloads a code.
The film will be produced by Relativity Media and directed by Brian Levant, who directed “Are We There Yet?” “Snow Dogs,” “The Flintstones,” and “Beethoven.”
Mayor Martin Chávez recently announced that over the past five years, film productions in the city have produced a direct economic impact of about $300 million. In June, he said the industry was on track to bring in $150 million this year alone.
The film industry has exploded in New Mexico over the last several years, due in large part to the state tax incentives that encourage film production and were put in place by the Legislature and Richardson in 2003. Since that time, more than 100 major film and television projects have shot in the state with an economic impact of more than $2 billion.
“Kang Mae Syndrome” Sweeps Marketing
One of the hottest TV series these days is “Beethoven Virus,” a story about a talented yet extremely harsh conductor and his attempt to lead an orchestra made up of amateurs. Nicknamed Kang Mae, the leading character Maestro Kang Gun-woo is played by acclaimed Kim Myung-min of the “White Tower” and “Immortal Yi Sun-shin” fame. His sharp quips, voice, attitude and his outfits are creating a sensation in Korea’s advertising, fashion, and even album industries.
The so-called “Kang Mae Syndrome” is most evident in fashion. LG Fashion’s Maestro line has introduced the Kang Mae line, which consists of 16 different outfits worn by Kim Myung-min in the series. An LG Fashion official said that all 16 different outfits were sold out in just three weeks since its launching on September 24th. It’s very rare for men’s wear to see every outfit in a certain line sell out.
Also Kang Mae’s cynical voice has been in demand in the advertising industry. His intonation with a sarcastic twist has led to several commercial contracts for Kim. The Kang Mae Syndrome has spread even to the music industry. According to an online music chart site, two original soundtracks of “Beethoven Virus” have climbed to second and third places, following the “Mamma Mia” OST. “Beethoven Virus” has released two versions of soundtracks – one a typical drama OST and a classic version. The 2-CD classic version has sold 6,000 copies in just two weeks since its release. (source: kbs world)
Min Sun Ye and Kim Myung Min Are Kia Soul CUV Ambassadors October 27, 2008 by coolsmurf
Min Sun Ye and actor Kim Myung Min of Beethoven Virus were both chosen as ambassadors for Kia Soul CUV (crossover utility vehicle) last week. Why only Sun Ye? Well, she’s the only one with a driving license.
Yoo Bin doesn’t see the need to drive while Ye Eun thinks she will speed a lot so neither of them has gone for the driving test. The other two maknaes aren’t of age yet. Photo News
Swimming With Tigers
Here's what the Telegraph says:
"Traditionally, trainers have struggled to build an attachment with the largest of the big cats but The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species, or TIGERS, near Miami, claims to have overcome the problem by encouraging both tigers and humans to swim together in a specially adapted pool.
Tigers are known as the best swimmers of all the big cats with modified webbing between their toes to make their feet more like flippers. The hand-reared tigers are introduced to the water a few months after birth and the trainers then give one-on-one tuition to each of the animals while they are in the water."
Dr Bhagavan Antle, of the TIGER centre, near Miami, Florida, said: “Swimming gives a closer bond between the animals and their human companions.
“Tigers have webbing between their toes making the feet like flippers. They are superior swimmers.” (thesun.co.uk)
New feathered dinosaur discovered
Archaeologists in China have discovered fossils of a pigeon-sized feathered dinosaur which they believe to be an ancestor of birds.
Its remains were found 90 percent complete, preserved in a slab of rock in Inner Mongolia's Ningcheng county in northern China, the researchers wrote in an article in Nature.
Its four limbs lacked contour feathers for flight and it probably lived from the Middle to Late Jurassic periods, or 176 to 146 million years ago.
This means it is older than the Archaeopteryx, which lived around 155 to 150 million years ago.
Feathered but flightless, the small creature weighed just 164 grams and had buck teeth resembling that of carnivores.
But scientists have no clue what it ate.
"Insects? Other reptiles or amphibians? Or plants?" Professor Fucheng Zhang of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences wrote in reply to a question from Reuters regarding its diet.
Named the Epidexipteryx, it had four long and thin tail feathers and a short tail.
The scientists said it belonged to a different group from the Microraptor, which had flight feathers and which some scientists believe flew sometimes in addition to gliding.
But like the Microraptor -- which lived in a later period 130 to 125 million years ago -- it gave important evidence about the evolutionary relationship between birds and dinosaurs.
"You could say it was a link between dinosaur and birds. It was very close to the ancestor of birds," Zhang wrote.
"This new fossil adds yet more complexity to the early history of evolution from dinosaurs to birds." (Reuters October 23, 2008)
Squirrel kebabs on menu as chef aims to save reds
By Graham Tibbetts Last Updated: 11:27AM GMT 27 Oct 2008
Grey squirrels are on the menu in Otterton Mill in Devon Photo: GETTY
Ed Chester, of Otterton Mill, near Budleigh Salterton, Devon, said squirrel meat is delicious and is also selling pates and fricassees made from the rodents.
He believes the spread of grey squirrels has damaged the English countryside and that eating them can help control their numbers.
"Some people will turn their noses up but one of the things I am committed to is education. I am never going to put anything horrible on the menu. Squirrel is great meat. It is genuinely good and this is not a gimmick," he added.
Earlier this month the campaign to save red squirrels from extinction was lifted by the discovery that some of the animals have developed immunity to the deadly squirrelpox virus.
Eight were found to have naturally developed immunity to the disease, which threatens to kill off the species in Britain by the middle of the century. The discovery was described as "the first sign of hope" for the species since it began a steep decline at the end of the 19th century.
Grey squirrels, introduced from America in the 19th century, carry the squirrelpox virus but are immune to it, so when they come into contact with their cousins, the red squirrels are killed by the disease.
Amazing Videos
水の落ちる絵
Thai Commercial
Wishing you a very special Halloween!
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Post by Nene on Oct 29, 2008 13:41:30 GMT -5
Bo, I just found jkn's post. Actually she broke her ankle not her leg a few months ago. Here's what she told me.
Have you heard about the new movie "Mei Lanfang"? It's an biopic of the late Peking opera master Mei Lanfang.
Movie: Mei Lanfang Immortalized on Screen
To Chinese, he is a legend, an ethereal grand master of Peking Opera whose movements embody the art form he spent his life perfecting and promoting. And as with all legends, his stories eventually find their way onto the silver screen.
Renowned Chinese director Chen Kaige's upcoming film Mei Lanfang began shooting in mid-July, shored up by investments from the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Boasting a budget of $15 million, the movie is set to be released in 2008 as part of the cultural offerings during the Beijing Olympics build-up. A biographical tale of the late Peking Opera star, it already has an aura of grand cinema about it. Chen said he wants to present the inner world and the powerful personality of the master performer, and not only his artistic achievements.
Chen's filmmaking skills are best known to Western audiences for his direction of Farewell My Concubine and The Promise.
Director Chen Kaige
Profile - Wikipedia
"One of the most prominent and accomplished of the post-"Cultural Revolution" Chinese directors...Chen's films are renowned both for their emotional delicacy and their lavish spectacle, using an extensive palette of color and state-of-the-art film technology."
"The majority of his films constitute an intelligent and powerfully felt meditation on recent Chinese history, within which, for him, the Cultural Revolution remains a defining moment. "It made," he has said, "cultural hooligans of us." He has a reputation within China as a philosophical director, and his style is indeed marked by a laconic handling of narrative and a classical reticence. This is largely deceptive: underneath is an unyielding anger and unflinching integrity."
Cast
Ziyi has worked with several of the cast members before including Sun Honglei (of The Road Home), Feng Yuanzheng (Xie Ming in Purple Butterfly) and Chen Daoming (the Emperor in Hero)
Cast includes: Leon Lai (lots of HK films including "Seven Swords") Chen Hong (Chen Kaige's wife, "The Promise") Chen Daoming ("Hero") Sun Honglei ("The Road Home") Feng Yuanzheng ("Purple Butterfly") Ando Masanobu (Kazuo Kiriyama in "Battle Royale") Gillian Chung
Production design is by William Chang, who has won many awards, especially for his work on Wong Kar Wai's films (including 2046 and In The Mood For Love.)
Zhang Ziyi plays opera performer Meng Xiaodong. She is currently learning the intricacies of Peking Opera from two teachers, and found walking in platform shoes was her greatest challenge. Zhang‘s character Meng Xiaodong (1907 - 1977) was another Peking opera artist, always played bearded men. In 1925, Shanghai-born 18 year-old Meng Xiaodong met Mei for the first time while performing on stage together during a minister's birthday part in Beijing. Over a year later, she married Mei and became his third wife. They had a daughter together just before their marriage ended in 1931. They had never spoken to each other again.
Hong Kong movie star and pop singer Leon Lai was selected from hundreds of hopefuls to play middle-aged Mei, while the most visible Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, who shot to fame in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, will play Mei's fellow singer, Meng Xiaodong.
Much preparation has gone into the movie being authentic as far as possible. A lot of the important scenes will be shot in a replica of Beijing's Jixiang Theater, specially built in a studio in Beijing at a cost of 4 million yuan (about $530,000). It is said that many prominent Peking operas stars, including Mei, performed at the original Jixiang Theater, which was built in 1906.
Mei Baojiu, Master Mei's youngest son, a prominent Peking Opera singer who has inherited his father's operatic skills, is instrumental in researching biographical data, records and archival film footage for the film. His greatest hope is that this background information can help the director capture the spirit and soul of his father, which he said is all about dedication to the art, kindness to others and developing and spreading Peking Opera to the world. His "beauty and sincerity" need to shine through, said Mei.
This need to put across the inner personality of a cultural icon was uppermost in Chen's mind when he chose Leon Lai for the part.
Despite concerns in Peking Opera circles that Lai is too tall and does not bear any resemblance to Mei, Chen believes he made the right choice.
"I choose actors or actresses by intuition. I feel that Lai is a quiet person and the humbleness and politeness that Master Mei possessed can also be found in him," Chen told media in Beijing.
Born in Beijing, Lai speaks Mandarin and has quickly taken to training for the role under the guidance of Mei Baojiu and other Peking Opera teachers.
Lai said the most difficult part of the role is not the musical and stage aspects, but tapping into the tranquil character of the master performer in order to bring the most glamorous Peking Opera star in the world to life for millions of movie goers worldwide.
Zhang Ziyi, Leon Lai prepare for new movie
Hong Kong, July 21 (AP): Zhang Ziyi and Leon Lai have made unusual preparations for their roles in a new movie about the late Peking Opera star Mei Lanfang, including walking in platform shoes and applying lots of hand cream.
Zhang, who starred in ``Memoirs of a Geisha,'' said at a press conference Thursday in Beijing she has spent a lot of time walking in platform shoes _ as is common in Peking Opera _ to get ready for her role in ``Mei Lanfang,'' a profile of the opera singer by famed Chinese director Chen Kaige.
Zhang plays opera performer Meng Xiaodong. She is currently learning the intricacies of Peking Opera from two teachers, and found walking in platform shoes was her greatest challenge.
``I don't know anything about Peking Opera, so I have to start from scratch,'' she said. ``The hardest thing is walking, wearing these really tall boots ... I practiced that for a very long time.''
Lai, who plays Mei Lanfang, is one of Chinese pop music's ``Four Heavenly Kings.'' He said he was required to pay special attention to his hands.
``My hands can't be exposed to too much sun. I've used hand cream ... I wear it every night when I go to bed,'' he said.
Legendary Life
Born in Beijing in 1894, Mei was one of Four Great Famous Opera Female Roles in China. As a son and grandson of noted opera singers, Mei began studying Peking Opera at eight and made his debut at 12.
He was considered to have carried forward the tradition of males depicting female characters in Peking Opera. During his stage life, he embellished the traditions of the past with his own creations, shaping a unique style and giving birth to the Mei Lanfang School.
But even Mei himself admitted that he was never a student of great natural talent. His teacher said he showed little promise because of his lack-luster eyes. To remedy this, he exercised them relentlessly. He would practice gazing at the movements of an incense flame in a dark room; fly kites and stare at them drifting in a blue sky; and keep pigeons in order to look at them soaring higher and higher until they disappeared into the clouds.
Thanks to his efforts, he managed to transform his dull peepers into a pair of bright, keen, highly expressive eyes and win national fame before the age of 20.
The beauty of China's Peking Opera was made known to the rest of the world through Mei's enthusiastic efforts. He toured Japan twice (1919 and 1924), the United States once (1930) and the Soviet Union twice (1932 and 1935).
Although he is not the first person to perform Peking Opera overseas, he is the first to make Western art circles sit up and take notice of China's traditional opera and recognize it as an art form in its own right.
American art critics commented that the East and the West had never met until they were perfectly combined in Mei's performance. In the Soviet Union, he won the praise of such dramatic heavyweights as Konstantin Stanislavsky and Vsevolod Meyerhold.
After the outbreak of China's war of resistance against Japanese aggression in 1937, he settled in Hong Kong. He then returned to Shanghai. During that time he refused to perform for the occupying Japanese army, only renewing his stage career after the end of the war in 1945.
His representative works were Drunken Beauty, King Xiang Yu Bids Farewell to His Beloved, Beauty Defies Tyranny and Mu Guiying Takes Command. He also published a book Collected Works of Mei Lanfang and an autobiography Forty Years of My Stage Life.
He died in 1961 from heart disease, arguably the best known of all Peking Opera stars--both in China and the rest of the world.
Former Residence of Mr.Mei Lanfang
(tourbeijing.com) ABC of Peking Opera
Peking opera, originated in the late 18th century, is a synthesis of stylized action, singing, dialogue and mime, acrobatic fighting and dancing to represent a story or depict different characters and their feelings. It is the most influential and representative of all operas in China.
In Peking opera, there are four main types of roles: sheng (male), dan (young female), jing (painted face, male) and chou (clown, male or female). The characters may be loyal or treacherous, beautiful or ugly, good or bad, their images being vividly manifested.
Peking Opera can be divided into "civil" pieces characterized by singing and "martial" ones featuring acrobatics and stunts. Some repertoires are a combination of both.
Peking Opera has chang (singing), nian (dialogue), zuo (acting) and da (martial arts) as its basic performing forms. The operatic dialogues and monologues are recited in Beijing dialect, and some of the words are pronounced in a special fashion, unique to the opera. The melody with its harmonious rhythms has a graceful quality.
The colorful costumes are hand embroidered using traditional Chinese patterns resulting in garments of high aesthetic value.
One of the most well-known aspects of Peking Opera is the facial make-up, which is rich and varied, depicting different characters and remarkable images.
The stage of Peking Opera has no limit in space or time. Each action of a performer is highly symbolic. It can be the setting for any action. Gestures, and various kinds of body movements, can portray and symbolize the actions of opening a door, climbing a hill, going upstairs or rowing a boat. When a girl is doing needlework, she has neither a needle nor thread in her hands. When a lady is riding in a carriage, the performer actually has to walk flanked on each side by a flag with colored tassels. Four generals and four soldiers represent an army of thousands. (bjreview.com) Gallery
source: sina.com, china.org, .chinaassistor.com, crienglish.com, .bjreview.com, helloziyi.us, Tom, Sohu, hindunews.com, /en.ce.cn, uc regents, thoughts.com, Leon Lai and Zhang Ziyi met to record songs for director Chen Kaige's new biopic "Mei Lanfang" in Beijing on September 5, 2008. [File Photo: yule.sohu.com] Director Chen Kaige has finalized the post-production of movie Mei LanFang starred by Leon Lai and Zhang Ziyi.
Though movie Mei LanFang could not be completed in time for entry into the Oscar which is a big regret, it has however passed the China censorship Board for its scenes and languages.
Mei Baojiu (son of Mei LanFang) has seen the movie and was entirely satisfied. His comments after viewing the movie : "This is my father, this is exactly who my father was". He added that Leon Lai definitely is very charismatic, poised and his upright character has almost brought the late Mei LanFang back to life. Mei Baojiu stated that Leon's portrayal of the late Mei LanFang was so successful that the result is beyond his expectation. Mei Baojiu is so satisfied with Leon's portrayal of his late father that he will not allowed reproduction of the biography of Mei LanFang for the next 50 years. He said he will pass on this will to his next generation. He also stated that this movie alone is good enough to pass on year after year after year. He can't thank Leon enough for his willingness to take on this role and for the successful portrayal.
Director Chen Kaige's new biopic of the late Peking opera master Mei Lanfang is expected to debut on December 12th.
It sounds great. Hope to see this good movie soon.
Mei Lanfang by Chen Kaige - teaser trailer
Meilanfang梅兰芳主题曲你懂我的爱You understand my love
HAVE AN AWESOME HALLOWEEN!
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Post by tinkerbell on Oct 29, 2008 19:29:09 GMT -5
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Post by tinkerbell on Oct 31, 2008 10:50:02 GMT -5
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