Chihiro's Box

So Emotional - I Dreamed a Dream (Susan Boyle)

2009-04-30T12:16:00.001+09:00

I never thought I would cry a river when listening somebody's singing. But, I got (dunno why) so emotional when listening to her. The feeling was like watching a climax of a movie... with happy end...

Look at Simon, so red and full of warmth! Hahahahaha.

The first look made me cry like I was with a broken heart but then got love and warmth and encouragement from a friend, like a deep comforting hug. And when I thought the whole flood of emotions has subsided streams of tears rolled down again the second time...

PERFECTTTT!!!

##
Watch The Judges' Jaws Drop!!!!!! Britain's Got Talent April 2009 Auditions.
Susan Boyle with her performance in the auditions for Britains Got Talent, singing I dreamed a dream from Les Miserables.

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving.

Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used
And wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung
No wine untasted.

But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
As they turn your dream to shame.

And still
I dream he'll come to me
That we will live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms
We cannot weather...

I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living
so different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed
The dream I dreamed.

Live Ikiru 生きる

2009-02-22T10:56:00.001+09:00

--Mobile rang in the morning showing Indonesia area number...--
Telling a shocking news about a friend, a junior of mine.
"Shock" was really an understatement because this guy was so young (only 26/28?), good looking, smart, had beautiful wive and daughter... to be taken away from life so unexpectedly really made the saying "Jodoh dan maut ada di tangan Tuhan" rang loud once again in my ears...

--Conversation with a Japanese friend in her car on the way to Ogikubo--
She told me that the influenza had made her stay in bed for a week. Not able to do anything. And this person is the kind of person who has her graduate studies, her baito almost everyday in the week (weekdays AND weekend), sometimes two baitos in the same day.
I told her, "I told you so! You're working too hard! Should relax!"
She agreed and told me this good saying from a famous person in Japan (some minister of something that I cannot recollect):
「人間ってちゃんと食べないと寝ないと全てはだめになるよ～」　
（＝We have to eat and sleep properly in order to live properly)

--Conversation at Inokashira Park while watching at Japanese koi (gold fish) in the lake--
「でかいねえ～」　
= wow, it's really huge
「本当だ！でかいねえ」
= you're right, it is!
「こういう大きさになるまではどれぐらいかかるんだろうね？二年かなぁ？」
= i wonder how many years did it took to get this big? two years, perhaps?
「いや、もっとじゃないの？こいってどれぐらい生けるんだろうね？」
= i don't think so, probably more. i wonder how long does koi can live?
「どっちのこい？」
= which one? **in Japanese, "koi" can means gold fish and love.
（大笑）
= LOL

And speaking about life or living, I felt as if I just threw up my half of life into the toilet through out this morning. After about three hours of going back and forth the bathroom, I finnaly can sleep again around 6 o-clock... soooo tired... Hence, from this morning I realized that I have grew alergic to crab... **sigh...

Quotations

2009-02-02T18:33:00.000+09:00

Got this two great quotations from two dramas I am watching...

Love Shuffle
"あなたは同情を、愛情に間違っているんじゃない？"

今日も晴れ、異常なし
"あなたは、ただこの島を狭くするんじゃないんですか？”

okay, back to work!!

PS. possibly there are some mistakes due to my limited japanese...
あればすみません～

My State of Mind

2009-01-28T10:06:00.000+09:00

Derama: Boys over Flowers

2009-01-21T02:43:00.004+09:00

And here they are, the Korean version of F4 for "Kot Boda Namja" (Hana Yori Dango)

As for the five episodes that have been aired, no objection here so far.

Closer with the Taiwanese version, I must say.

Def rooting for more of Lee Min Ho's Koo Joon-Pyo (aka Domyouji/Tao Ming Tse) <3

#grin#

TV Dorama: Voice

2009-01-12T19:00:00.002+09:00

abis nonton Voice eps pertama di Fuji Terebi.
wahhhh, diriku koufun sendiri karena liat Eita-kun jadi peran utama.
Udah gitu... jreng jrenggg!!! mereka ternyata syuting di Hitotsubashi, di Nishi Campus lebih tepatnya.

Ngelewatin Kanematsu koudo, ngelewatin jam gede perpus, ngeliat keijiban di samping nishi shokudo, makan di nishi shokudoo... wahhh, kampus tidak akan terasa sama lagi dehhh ;p

## entry orang stres...
tsukaretaaaaaaa, jadi males memulai bikin paper gakkai
nengok ke belakang, ngeliat kalender dan menyadari bulan satu tinggal tiga minggu lagiii
HUAAAAA... mau nangisss...

Music: Jashn-e-Bahara from Jodhaa Akbar

2008-12-31T03:47:00.001+09:00

This is my favorite song from Jodhaa Akbar.
Just want to share it here :))

Movie: Jodhaa Akbar

2008-12-28T01:15:00.011+09:00

It has certainly been a while since I enjoyed a Bollywood movie. How I realized that I missed listening to those Hindis, definitely a refreshing melody after all those Japanese and English. Anyway, the movie that helped me refresh my old hobby is Jodhaa Akbar, a UTV Motion Pictures' production. I have watched it through its 2008 released collector DVDs--bought the original, got the bonus postcards *BIG grin*

Must admit, the desperate measure was taken because my curiosity has had the best of me. Why? Well, being a big fan of epic pictures, it was kind of easy to get me hooked. Though the movie took an interesting era (16th century, when the dispute between cultures and religions had torn Hindustan into several countries) for the story background, it was really easy to see that the movie was only keen to focus on the love story between its two main characters: Jalaludin Mohammad Akbar, the Mughal Emperor and Jodhaa, the Rajput Princess.

Let me just go straight to the casts: Hrithik Roshan as the Emperor and Aishwarya Rai as the Princess. Both of course are beautiful people with deep impact set of eyes. Physically, yes, it will be hard to argue that Hrithik did not have the handsome features of an emperor and Aish did not have the elegance of a princess (just look at the pictures I enclosed in this entry). Yet, I felt there were somewhats lacking on them both, and the characters were sadly turn into, as the assistant producer said herself, mere cliches. Most of the time, I felt not convinced by Hritik's imperial decrees or auras; he was more like a prince than an AKBAR ruler for me--though even until now, he continues to amazed me on how a real living human being has so tiny waist in a big broad shoulder and chest of a body; like those anime heroes.

The storyline was also a bit dissapointment for me. The makers were focusing too much on colors, details of armors and jewelries--though I have to admit, the colors and clothes detail was pleaseant to the eyes, that somehow they edited good scenes that I thought will help characters development; especially the growing feelings between the two main. Not only after I watched the deleted scenes that I found a little peace of mind.

Oh but I think the biggest let down for me was the lack of more history details, being a history otaku like myself. I just wish they had done more to the dispute of Hindus and Muslims that even now still one of the issues in those part of the world. The big question that squirming inside my head was, was it really that easy for Jalaluddin who was a muslim to marry Jodhaa the Hindu princess? Religion and culture rules wise, I meant. The Hindus and Muslims dispute has really caputured my interest ever since I read an antropological article about violence subjectivity in Northern India.

Anyway, also as a Bollywood fan, I really salut Hrithik for his longing for love eyes when he first properly looked at Jodhaa when she was praying and when watching her every moves, when she was doing the Hindu rituals of a wife. It was really beautiful--really get Mujshe Dosti Karoge's feelings again, tehehehehe. Oww, and of course the scene when Jalal practice sword fighting with bare chest and Jodhaa was watching him discreetly--at least, she thought she was discreet--was a good scene that brought a smile. See, I am still smiling... (LOL)

Anddddd... just LOVEEE the songs, especially "Jashn-E-Bahaaraa"--even now, I am still listening to it over and over again, it kind of remind me of a Chinese classic kungfu movie's soundtrack, actually. If have the time, try to browse on it on youtube. I found it and the quality was not that bad...

Oh, for those who look for Hrithik's dynamic dances and Aish's elegant dances will have to kept their expectations cause the movie did not have a lot of them.

This movie got some awards such as
'AUDIENCE AWARD' - BEST FOREIGN FILM
from 32nd Sao Paulo International Film

‘BEST FILM GRAND PRIX’
‘BEST ACTOR’ – HRITHIK ROSHAN
from Film Festival of Muslim Cinema Golden Minbar in Kazan, Russia.

www.jodhaaakbar.com
Rate:

Unrepaired

2008-10-24T15:12:00.000+09:00

What I found funny with this country is, despite the whole great system of preserving the earth, such as complicated system for disposing your trash (burnable, not burnable, pet bottle, and so on), big car/electronic companies promoting and selling their new ECO products, convenient recycle shop within bus reach...

...they seemed to lack of simple affordable shoe repair shops!!
Ridiculous, right??!!

I went first time to repair my geta (wooden japanese summer sandal), it's rubber sole had grew thin so I went to replace it with a new one. I thought, it will only cost me like 500 yen or something, but NOOO... it will cost me 2000 something yen! The repairman even suggested me to buy a new geta, which is kind of unnecessary because the upper part of the thing still doing fine (a bit dirty, yes, but fine)... I just needed new rubber sole.

Frustrated, I took the geta when I went home to Bekasi, and ouila! The problem was fixed with just merely 20,000 rupiahs (with good quality of sole).

The second time, when my new shoe's rubber sole (I know, ironic isn't it?---it being new and all) had broken off, I rushed to the nearest shoes repair shop and found out that they will charge me about 1500 yen to glue (glue not sew) them back, but cannot guarantee they will stay that way, especially after rainy days. I immediately withdrew cause the shoe themselves only cost me around the same amount.

I resolved by going to 100 yen shop and bought permanent glue. Haven't try putting on the shoe again, but don't really have high hopes.

The third time, and I think this was the one time that really made me wrote this entry, was the time when I realized that my beloved brown boots has shown bits of it fighting the force of nature. I read/heard somewhere that Japan's shoe repair shops have the service to cover the bruised leather of your shoes, they called it "cleaning".

So I went to ask, not with high hopes of course, after all we humans learned from our experiences. And how that experiences proved themselves worthy! The guy said it will probably cost me about 9000 yen to have that kind of service!!

No more wondering now why they like to buy new shoes better, rather than preserving the old and comfortable ones. Hence, the whole consumerism way of living...

Really really sad, I think though. I can imagine the piling of old/not so old/still wearable shoes in the garbage dump in every cities of Japan.

Anyway, I settled the last problem with buying brown shoe polish. Cannot really fix the deep bruises on my boots, but it cover them a bit... give them character, if I can say for myself...

***deep sighs...

Repeated Blunders

2008-10-21T15:56:00.000+09:00

...metaphorically speaking or not so metaphorically speaking poems...

No, you cannot expect to arrive in time when you just estimated how much time do you need to reach campus, without calculating WHEN is the train's arrival time...

No, you cannot finish reading 6 chapters and one long doctorate thesis article in just two or just a bit more hours in the middle of one tiring night...

And two spoons with that, please, said you.
And still you were surprised to find yourself sharing one big banana chocolate sundae with the other person? And still think that you will escape the consequences?
BLAHH!! Get real, girl!!

YES, you should let somebody else roll the dice sometimes...
having initiative is great and all, but please, relax and show some patience, sweetie...

capek dehhhh....

TV: Fringe

2008-09-12T10:43:00.007+09:00

Joshua Jackson, finally back on TV! Yaay~

Of course his part was most of the time consisted of throwing witty comments on his father, but hey, it will get better, right? Counting on you, Josh!

頑張ってね～（＾＿＾）ｂ

PS. Love the way they make the texts for every scene setting, by the way...

F4 ala Harry Potter

2008-09-05T20:38:00.001+09:00

Hehehe... iseng sebenernya, tapi suka banget sama gambar ini di web post sebelumnya (HelloQuizzy).
Trus kalo dipikir2, ibunya HP kok kayak Tsukushi-nya Hana Yori Dango ya?
Dikelilingi 4 cowok ganteng... eh, not so sure about Pettigrew, though ;-p

AAARRGGGHHH, Sirius gantengggg!
(apa sihhhh?? ;-p)

The Harry Potter Husband Test

2008-09-05T20:32:00.000+09:00

Your result for The Harry Potter Husband Test...

Mrs. Weasley Twin

Your perfect HP man is Fred and/or George Weasley.

Laughter is important to you. You want a guy who's never boring, who can always put a smile on your face, and who can pull the best of pranks and never get caught. Or possibly two such guys. Because let's face it, they're pretty much a two-fer. You get one, you get both. Even if one of them's only a friend, he'll still be around so much you'll feel like you're married to him, too. Sure, they may not seem like the most mature guys in the world, in a traditional sense, but just ask them about their business plan. When they drive you nuts by relentlessly testing their latest inventions on you, you can console youself with that huge stack of cash and dragon-leather jacket. Besides, you know you're powerless against those stereo smiles.

Take The Harry Potter Husband Test at HelloQuizzy

Jakarta: Neoliberal Capital City

2008-07-31T08:18:00.000+09:00

A good read from alumni fisip ui mailing list, concerning a very serious topic on Jakarta. Felt so true and made me worried. Will ever improvement come?
________________________________________________________________

Friends, the following is a brief essay summarized the fall of our Capital City into the hands of those market fundamentalists ( or you might prefer to read it

as a short description on how a city is build with a brutal and full blown neoliberalism prescriptions)

Jakarta: Neoliberal Capital City (or the Capital City of Neoliberalism)

While almost all major capitals in the Southeast Asian region are investing heavily in public transportation, parks, playgrounds, sidewalks and cultural institutions like museums, concert halls and convention centers, Jakarta remains brutally and determinately 'pro-market' profit-driven and openly indifferent to the plight of a majority of its citizens who are poor.

(Original Title)Jakarta: In Need of Improvements
by Andre Vitchek
Worldpress.org contributing editor
July 26, 2007

Today, high-rises dot the skyline, hundreds of thousands of vehicles belch fumes on congested traffic arteries and super-malls have become the cultural centers of gravity in Jakarta , the fourth largest city in the world. In between towering super-structures, humble kampongs house the majority of the city dwellers, who often have no access to basic sanitation, running water or waste management.

While almost all major capitals in the Southeast Asian region are investing heavily in public transportation, parks, playgrounds, sidewalks and cultural institutions like museums, concert halls and convention centers, Jakarta remains brutally and determinately 'pro-market' profit-driven and openly indifferent to the plight of a majority of its citizens who are poor.

Most Jakartans have never left Indonesia , so they cannot compare their capital with Kuala Lumpur or Singapore ; with Hanoi or Bangkok . Comparative statistics and reports hardly make it into the local media. Despite the fact that the Indonesian capital is for many
foreign visitors a 'hell on earth,' the local media describes Jakarta as "modern," "cosmopolitan, " and "a sprawling metropolis."

Newcomers are often puzzled by Jakarta 's lack of public amenities. Bangkok , not exactly known as a user-friendly city, still has several beautiful parks. Even cash-strapped Port Moresby , capital of Papua New Guinea , boasts wide promenades, playgrounds, long stretches of beach and sea walks. Singapore and Kuala Lumpur compete with each other in building wide sidewalks, green areas as well as cultural establishments. Manila , another city without a glowing reputation for its public amenities, has succeeded in constructing an impressive sea promenade dotted with countless cafes and entertainment venues while preserving its World Heri tage Site at In tramuros. Hanoi repaved its
wide sidewalks and turned a park around Huan-Kiem Lake into an open-air sculpture museum.

But in Jakarta , there is a fee for everything. Many green spaces have been converted to golf courses for the exclusive use of the rich. The approximately one square kilometer of Monas seems to be the only real public area in a city of more than 10 million. Despite being a maritime city, Jakarta has been separated from the sea, with the only focal point being Ancol, with a tiny, mostly decrepit walkway along the dirty beach dotted with private businesses.

Even to take a walk in Ancol, a family of four has to spend approximately $4.50 (40,000 Indonesian Rupiahs) in entrance fees, something unthinkable anywhere else in the world. The few tiny public parks which survived privatization are in desperate condition and mostly unsafe to use.

There are no sidewalks in the entire city, if one applies international standards to the word "sidewalk." Almost anywhere in the world (with the striking exception of some cities in the United State , like Houston and Los Angeles ) the cities themselves belong to pedestrians. Cars are increasingly discouraged from travelling in the city centres. Wide sidewalks are understood to be the most ecological, healthy and efficient forms of short-distance public transportation in areas with high concentrations of people.

In Jakarta , there are hardly any benches for people to sit and relax, and no free drinking water fountains or public toilets. It is these small, but important, 'details' that are symbols of urban life anywhere else in the world.

Most world cities, including those in the region, want to be visited and remembered for their culture. Singapore is managing to change its 'shop-till-you- drop' image to that of the centre of Southeast Asian arts. The monumental Esplanade Theatre has reshaped the skyline, offering first-rate international concerts in classical music, opera, ballet, and also featuring performances from some of the leading contemporary artists from the region. Many performances are subsidized and are either free or cheap, relative to the high incomes in the city-state.

Kuala Lumpurspent $100 million on its philharmonic concert hall, which is located right under the Petronas Towers , among the tallest buildings in the world. This impressive and prestigious concert hall hosts local orchestra companies as well top international perfor mers. The city is currently spending further millions to refurbish its museums and galleries, from the National Museum to the National Art Gallery .

Hanoiis proud of its culture and arts, which are promoted as its major attraction millions of visitors flock into the city to visit countless galleries stocked with canvases, which can be easily described as some of the best in Southeast Asia . Its beautifully restored Opera House regularly offers Western and Asian music treats.

Bangkok 's colossal temples and palaces coexist with extremely cosmopolitan fare international theater and film festivals, countless performances, jazz clubs with local and foreign artists on the bill, as well as authentic culinary delights from all corners of the world. When it comes to music, live performances and nightlife, there is no city in Southeast Asia as vibrant as Manila .

Now back to Jakarta . Those who have ever visited the city's 'public libraries' or National Archives building will know the difference. No wonder; in Indonesia education, culture and arts are not considered to be 'profitable' (with the exception of pop music), and are therefore made absolutely irrelevant. The country spends the third lowest amount in the world on education (according to The Economist, only1.2 percent of its GDP) after Equatorial Guinea and Ecuador (there the situation is now rapidly improving with the new progressive government).

Museums in Jakarta are in appalling condition, offering absolutely no important international exhibitions. They look like they fell on the city from a different era and no wonder the Dutch built almost all of them. Not only are their collections poorly kept, but they lack elements of modernity there are no elegant cafes, museum shops, bookstores or even public archives. It appears that the individuals running them are without vision and creativity. However, even if they did have inspired ideas, there would be no funding to carry them out.

It seems that Jakarta has no city planners, only private developers that have no respect for the majority of its inhabitants who are poor (the great majority, no matter what the understated and manipulated government statistics say). The city abandoned itself to the private sector, which now controls almost everything, from residential housing to what were once public areas.

While Singapore decades ago, and Kuala Lumpur recently, managed to fully eradicate poor, unsanitary and depressing kampongs from their urban areas, Jakarta is unable or unwilling to offer its citizens subsidized, affordable housing equipped with running water, electricity, a sewage system, wastewater treatment facilities, playgrounds, parks, sidewalks and a mass public transportation system.

Rich Singapore aside, Kuala Lumpur with only 2 million inhabitants boasts one metroline (Putra Line), one monorail, several efficient Star LRT lines, suburban tr ain links and high-speed rail system connecting the city with its new capital Putrajaya. The "Rapid" system counts on hundreds of modern, clean and air-conditioned buses. Transit is subsidized; a bus ticket on "Rapid" costs only $.60 (2 Malaysian Ringgits) for unlimited day use on the same line. Heavily discounted daily and monthly passes are also available.

Bangkok contracted German firm Siemens to build two long "Sky Train" lines and one me tr o line. It is also utilizing its river and channels as both public transportation and as a tourist attraction. Despite this enormous progress, the Bangkok city administration claims that it is building an additional 50 miles (80 kilometers) of tracks for these systems in order to convince citizens to leave their cars at home and use public transportation. Polluting pre-historic buses are being banned from Hanoi, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and gradually from Bangkok . Jakarta , thanks to corruption and phlegmatic officials, is in its own league even in this field.

Mercer Human Resource Consulting, in its reports covering quality of life, places Jakarta repeatedly on the level of poor African and South Asian cities, below metropolises like Nairobi and Medellin.

Considering that it is in the league with some of the poorest capitals of the world, Jakarta is not cheap. According to the Mercer Human Resource Consulting 2006 Survey, Jakarta ranked as the 48th most expensive city in the world for expatriate employees, well above Berlin (72nd), Melbourne (74th) and Washington D.C. (83rd). And if it is expensive for expa tr iates, how is it for local people with a GDP per capita below $1,000?

Curiously, Jakartans are silent. They have become inured to appalling air quality just as they have gotten used to the sight of children begging, even selling themselves at the major intersections; to entire communities living under elevated highways and in slums on the shores of canals turned into toxic waste dumps; to the hours-long commutes; to floods and rats.

But if there is to be any hope, the truth has to eventually be told, and the sooner the better. Only a realistic and brutal diagnosis can lead to treatment and a cure. As painful as the truth can be, it is always better than self-deceptions and lies. Jakarta has fallen decades behind capitals in the neighbouring countries in aesthetics, housing, urban planning, standard of living, quality of life, health, education, culture, transportation, food quality and hygiene. It has to swallow its pride and learn from Kuala Lumpur , Singapore , Brisbane and even in some instances from its poorer neighbours like Port Moresby , Manila and Hanoi .

Comparative statistics have to be transparent and widely available. Citizens have to learn how to ask questions again, and how to demand answers and accountability. Only if they understand to what depths their city has sunk can there be any hope of change. "We have to watch out," said a concerned Malaysian filmmaker during New Year's Eve celebrations in Kuala Lumpur . " Malaysia suddenly has too many problems. If we are not careful, Kuala Lumpur could end up in 20 or 30 years like Jakarta !"

Could this statement be reversed? Can Jakarta find the strength and solidarity to mobilize in time catch up with Kuala Lumpur ? Can decency overcome greed? Can corruption be eradicated and replaced by creativity? Can private villas shrink in size and green spaces, public housing, playgrounds, libraries, schools and hospitals expand?

--
I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us . . . (John Lenon)

Dedy N.Hidayat
Tel. +62 21 3156941 Fax. +62 21 3907404
http://dedynhidayat .blogspot. com
http://picasaweb. google.com/ dedynhidayat

__._,_.___

NKOTB

2008-07-29T21:34:00.000+09:00

after 15 years, they're back heeehehehe...
looking almost the same
cannot help smiling when remembering how i had a crush on Jordan and Joey

step by step oohh baby
gonna get to you girl...

Gundam Problem

2008-07-27T20:38:00.000+09:00

Today laughed a lot cause every little things. Gosh,　面白かったなぁ。。。
First was because of the little rascals I have to handle on Arai-san's ABC Asobi. Quiet fun, but certainly drained a lot of energy. Guess the numbers at my head are starting to get to me, hm? Hehehe...

Anyway this conversation, kept ringing in my head:
私：　じゃ、動物園の名前何にする？
りさ：(shook her head)
えいじ：さっき言ったじゃん、雲の上の動物園！
私：いいねえ～
りさ：へ～でも、ちょっとファンタジーっぽいね。。。
私：そう？私だったらファンタジー好きけど。。。ハリーポッターとか。。。りさちゃんは？
りさ：好きじゃない。
私：(in deep shock, but able to smile)
りさ：あたしは技術の方が好き！
私：へえ～、すごいね！(but inside, the harry potter otaku in me suffered ;-p)

Anyway afterwards, me and Am went to Yodobashi-Kichijouji. I finally decided to spend my money for good use (to fight the battle with heat), while my companion went for her own quest on finding and contemplating on air purifier and gundam collection. Somehow the memory of looking for Tomica rushed back into mind. Those collectible items otaku really can get to you...

Hence, we browse around a bit in the 5th floor and decided, just to be quick, to ask for the man in charge. We were being well handled by a guy who showed up later on, looking rather like an otaku himself hehehe, where he easily lead us to the 1/60 and 1/100 scale size gundam's GN-001 collection. Once again, I was amazed by the detail of the works BANDAI did.

Am hesitated after looking the box of the 1/60 and the five boxes of 1/100 she intended to buy. "Dina, there's no way I'm going to carry all that all the way to Thai," she said, and I strongly agreed. So we went back to the 4th floor, where she finally decided to buy the air purifier.

The funny thing was, she ended up talking about her Gundam problem to the guy who help her with the paper work on sending of the air purifier. Funny (yes, I said the word twice on purpose) how the guy's face really look serious in giving solutions for sending the collection. It's as if he had face the same problem before. And his comments grew funnier, as the very friendly guy lead us to the Pelican express counter.

(when we explain about Am's problem in bringing home all the boxes):
そうですね、ガンダムは難しいですね。

(when we asked about whether there will be enough cushion in the box to keep the collection save): 大丈夫だと思いますけどね、ガンダムグアールドがありますので。。。

(when we said that the box of the collection didn't look thick enough to protect the stuffs inside): そうですね、心配ですね、ガンダムのボックスがちょっとうすいので。。。　ガンダムは強いですけどね。。。

I think what got me most was his face when saying all those comments: straight serious face. I couldn't help unleashing a BIG laugh afterwards right at the Pelican counter, and continue laughing when remembering when we were walking back to Kichijouji station. Oh well...

Dekichatta HokHokBen

2008-06-25T21:15:00.000+09:00

I shouldnt be doing this, at this time, at this hour... tapi ya sudah lah, nulis beginian emang lebih enak daripada nulis proposal penelitian...

Jadi, di suatu hari, well dua hari yang lalu lebih tepatnya, diriku berniat bikin sapi paprika lada hitam. Masukin bawang putih, masukin bawang bombay, masukin daging sapi... garam, lada, lada hitam... pas dah terasa okeh, masukin deh paprika...

Tunggu punya tunggu, kok penampakan masakan itu jadi kelihatan familiar... Hmmm, masakan apa ya yg kayak gini. Then it came!!!

Ohhh, iya, mirip masakan HokHokBen kegemarannya mbak vera, adek gue dan nyokap gue. Ya udah dehhh, tangan tau2 dah masukin gula dan soyu...

Tadaaaa!!!

Akhirnya alih2 bikin sapi paprika lada hitam, malah jadi teriyaki (eh bener gak ya ini namanya?). Lumayan juga... emang dasar selalu hatsumei kalo lagi masak ;-p

Jadi ingin menunjukkannya ke nyokap! Hehehe, maybe on next time I come home...

Oh ya, tentunya laen kali yaaa, kalo emang mau bikin teriyaki, bawang putihnya dikit ajah, atau mungkin gak usah kanaa? (kayak bikin kare jepang)...

Abisssss....

Astagahhh, gue ngapain sihhh??

Rikkyo Daigaku

2008-06-23T11:08:00.001+09:00

Went to Rikkyo Daigaku, Ikebukuro campus, last weekend for a conference. Didn't know beforehand that they are also called St. Paul's University (kept wondering why they sell other university goods, instead of their own). A glance will took us to see an old European buildings complex...

Just a bit further inside, you will find a campus cafeteria that has this beautiful architecture. Very much like an old hall, and very much reminding me of Harry Potter's Hogwarts dining hall...

So cool...
(too bad I didn't had the courage to took pictures there... hehehe)
But here's one of the main gate clock.

Adek yang Baek

2008-06-10T01:00:00.005+09:00

Having read this comic strip kinda reminded me of my own little sis, and those days when everything she do will get my constant disapproval... hehehe kasian juga ya dia...

miyan he, dongsaeng a, chigem bogo shippo...

PS. Can't read the text cause it's too small? Try clicking the strip.

I'm a Dynamic Thinker!!

2008-06-07T01:01:00.001+09:00

David Cook- Hello

2008-05-29T00:57:00.001+09:00

At this moment, with this song, he immediately got my vote!!!
LOVED the way he ended the song!

David Cook - Billie ( Billy ) Jean - American Idol Top 10

2008-05-29T00:52:00.001+09:00

WOW... no words needed

David Cook -- FINALE Performance (COMPLETE: 3 songs)

2008-05-29T00:40:00.001+09:00

Didnt really follow the whole season, but glad it was him who won...

Nostalgia Ismail Marzuki

2008-05-21T13:56:00.001+09:00

Gara-gara nyari lagu Manuk Dadali dan Bengawan Solo, ehhh... malah kangen dan bernostalgia denger lagu2 keroncong perjuangan, favoritnya Eyangkong hihihihihi...

Ahhh, jadi ingat siang2 pas pulang sekolah, matahari terik, udara kering, tas berat berisi buku2 teks dan catatan, pengen cepet2 sampe rumah dan minum sirup jeruk ABC pake es. Pas beberapa langkah deket dari rumah Curug, sayup2 sudah terdengar alunan lagu keroncong, favorit Eyangkong. Entah kenapa, setiap kali aku sampai di depan pintu dan melepas sepatu, yang mengalir pasti lagu Putri Solo.

Setelah dipikir2 lagu2 itu enak2 dan dengan mudah tertanam dalam kepala, termasuk syairnya. Secara gak sadar, kayaknya diriku sebagian besar. Lalu ternyata sebagian besar favoritku adalah ciptaan Ismail Marzuki: Juwita Malam, Saputangan dari Bandung Selatan. Trus juga Jembatan Merah-nya Gesang... lalu juga Rindu Lukisan, Sepasang Mata Bola...

Hmmm, kira2 karena pengaruh Eyang atau pendidikan Seni Musik saat SD ya, yg bikin perbendaharaan lagu2 keroncongku lumayan luas? Generasi yang lebih muda familier gak ya, ama2 lagu2 kayak gini? Sayang juga kalo hilang begitu saja...

弱心

2008-05-20T19:22:00.002+09:00

”真夜中の月を見上げるときに笑顔ですると、その笑顔が月と負けないぐらい闇の空を輝かすんだよ～”

。。。（笑）
。。。微妙に嬉しいかも～

Movie: My Father

2008-05-19T19:46:00.005+09:00

I won't deny that Daniel Henney was one of the factors why I watched this movie. Guess I kept hoping that he will show us a "real" heart piercing acting one of these days. Alas, unfortunately, he seems to be saving the best for later...

Oh, the movie wasn't all that bad. It was a worth four star movie for me in fact, but sadly I have to admit that the stars are all awed to Kim Young-cheol who played as Daniel's father. I will forever remember the scene when he said, "Bom i wasso = Spring has came".

It was like only the 15 minutes first part of the movie and he already made my eyes teary. I swear, you should watch closely his expression when saying these words, it is as if he's picturing his all life in that split seconds...

There were some Henney's acting that also became my favorites, one of them was the scene when he was crying for a painful loss in his American truck. Kind of remind me of my own when I loss my dear grandma.

Anyway, the story of this 2007 released movie was about James Parker (Henney) who went to Korea as an US Army soldier to find his birth parents. James was adopted by an American family ever since he was 6 years old. Even though he have a happy life with the Parkers, James never felt complete without knowing his true roots.

But the father and son rendezvous was not as pretty as the spring cause he soon found out that his father was a convicted murderer waiting for his death penalty.

As I said before, the movie wasn't all that bad, especially when the story was inspired from a true story of Aaron Carter. The story line and tempo were also well kept in my opinion, making us willingly to go with the flow. Surprised (blurred) facts and dubious-no blunt-ending were a good choice, I think, even though I was quiet puzzled for some times. But maybe I have learnt to let go and accept that things sometimes were not meant to be as clear as we wanted...

One thing that make me laugh was, the fact that Henney played basketball ALSO in this piece. Not that I mind, of course, watching him play the game will NEVER make me mind, it just that... come on! HAHAHAHAHA... I just hope that in the future, people won't feel the pressure of making special scripts for him with basketball scenes.

Casts: Daniel Henney, Kim Young-cheol Release Date: 2007/09 Language: Korean

Rate:

Meeting Pamuk

2008-05-15T19:30:00.001+09:00

Okay, totally admitting that I also have a "bule complex" now.

What I meant by "bule complex" is the feeling of bubbly excitement, sheer joy, and the "norak"ness of wanting to speak or have a Caucasians autograph and picture, one of the glorious heritage from having been colonized for hundred of years by the West. Hehehe...

Though of course, I cannot myself escaped from the paradox, of writing my entry in english--the tool of modern colonization, some would say--in most of the time.

But whatever... I don't care what this emotion is properly called, after all the definition of "bule" itself can be a different debate of identity for Turkish people, with their problem of being part Asian in culture and space, aka continent wise, but wanting to join the EU, etc.

But... HUAAAAA... I can still cry because of excitement! I really, with my own two eyes, with my own mouth, saw and talked to Orhan Pamuk. THE NOBEL PRIZE WINNER for LITERATURE: ORHAN PAMUK!!!!

Of course, I already bought two of his book (My Name is Red and Snow), and shamefully admit that I haven't finished reading both, just started actually... And when I said I talked to Pamuk, I meant was by saying "It was really a nice talk" to him and got his smile as a reply. But who cares, right?!? I got his picture and autograph in one of my books...

Anyway, the talk didn't only revolved around his books, but went into other more vast discussion about politic and humanity. One of the touching moment for me was when he said:

"Globalization does made our way of thinking similar in some ways, and this made us struggling for identity, for roots in our own country/culture. But if we're not careful we will be trap in our own bordered consciousness... about how this thing is Turkish and how that thing is Japanese, and so on... we must go back to the general humanity, the notion of all of us being from the same race: human being, with the same pain and joy. Because that is what we are."

...not exactly that of course, more or less, with much emphasize on the less perhaps, cause that's all my level of understanding could gave me

Bottom line, once again so very felt blessed by being here in Tokyo at this moment. ROCK ONN!!

Perfection

2008-05-07T19:56:00.003+09:00

the inability to understand
the hardness of comprehending

the absent of beautiful child in arms
the absent of handsome amour by side
the lost of love again and again
the futile resistance of coming of age

loneliness inside full crowd
uttering empty laughs
sad and bitter smiles
frustration following frustration

at that very time try remembering
the eyes that can see
the chance of living long time dream
the ability to compose words

should all of that be enough?
why should one ask more?
why should one ask for perfection?
is it one's greed? is it one's ambition?

always and always asking for perfection
but what for, really?
do one really need perfection?

one simply cannot be perfect if imperfection still deeply intact in one's bosom
but then again what is perfection?
what is perfection in these eyes of me, an imperfect being?

small TRIUMPH

2008-04-24T19:25:00.002+09:00

today i conquered the so-called "from 1000 pieces of zannen there's only one piece of atari"get your free veggie juice coupon!!!!

so there is justice in this world!

I actually shouted "uso??!!??" out loud the the west campus cafeteria... and got glances of wondering eyes from my surrounding...

but i didn't care, cause i have TRIUMPHANT!
YEAHHH!!!

PS. the juice tasted funny, but the triumph tasted oh so sweet...

Moving In and Out

2008-03-12T18:49:00.000+09:00

Fiuuhh, kangen juga nulis entry di blog setelah sekian lama absen. The first weeks of March definitely have been busy.

3 Maret: menginjakkan kaki ke Jepang lagi, kecapean jadinya pas sampe di kaikan sekitar jam 9an pagi, tepar ampe sore tanpa makan siang. Untungnya pas malem, ada yang berbaek hati memberi makan orang yang papa ini... hehe.. ごちそうさま～美味しかったし。。。

4 Maret: beres2 barang karena mau pindahan, tenkyu banget buat para elves baek hati yang ramah dan tidak sombong serta rajin menabung (??) yang sudah datang dan membantu... 皆、大好き~ Without you guys, i would be lost, spending most of the day only staring at all the stuffs in my room without doing nothing... man, I really hate packing activities!

5 Maret: hari pengangkutan barang2 ke Ogikubo. Sepanjang perjalanan diceramahi si bapak Akabou dengan ketidakpuasannya terhadap berbagai klien yang pernah dia bantu. Beberapa nama yang sepertinya kukenal pun bermunculan, sebagai contoh klien yang baik dan buruk. "Baik, Pak! Nggak, Pak!" adalah jawaban paling aman for the entire conversation... Serasa lagi diomelin kepala sekolah dehhhh... hehehehe... Hari ini dibantu lagi ama para elves, 本当に助かったよ、皆！大感謝！　Anty juga masak enak, jadinya rasa capek agak terlupakan, thanks, roomie!

6 Maret: balik ke kaikan buat general cleaning ^.^ untungggggg aja, lumayan sering bersihin kamar (deuuu... ngaku2, hahahaha), jadinya operasi pembersihan hanya memakan waktu sekitar 2 jaman. Dan hasilnya: **CLINGGGG** iklan krim pembersihnya Ulfa aja kalah dehhh... (berlebihan). Pokoknya si Bapak yang sangat kibishii dan tiap hari bermuka asem itu ampe memuji, "Good job!" katanya .

7 Maret: Sejak sehari sebelumnya dah coba jalan ke beberapa recycle shop bareng Anty, tapi belum ketemu yang menggoyahkan hati. Ehhh, hari ini kakaknya Yamazaki Sensei dateng menjenguk rumah dan pas ditanya alamat recycle shop yang dia tahu bagus, dia malah ngajakin langsung ke sana detik itu juga. Kaget sihhh, tapi seneng juga (pake gaya ngomong ala iklan Dove *apa seeeh, Din?*), jadinya hari itu manut pergi. Alhamdulillah, ketemu meja belajar yang sreg (cieee... yang mau belajar).

8 Maret: Diriku ditinggal sendirian, ditinggal pulkam Anty, untuk mengisi kekosongan kalbu, diriku pergi lagi ke NEWS recycle shop itu. Ehhh, dapet tempat tidur dan coat hanger deh...

Anyway, supaya entry ini gak jadi diari beneran, to cut the story short, I have been shopping for home stuffs ever since. Dan agak kecanduan jadinya. Serem juga kalo dipikir, betapa definisi kenyamanan buat seseorang bisa berkembang secepat itu.

Maksudnya? Begini lhoo...

Contoh: I was going to settle with simple layers of futon dan meja kecil buat belajar sambil duduk di bawah. Tapi ternyata setelah terbiasa di kaikan, selama setahun tidur di bed dan belajar di meja belajar, ada sesuatu yang kurang kalau kebutuhan2 (yang sebenarnya sekunder) itu tidak terpenuhi. Trus... astagah!! Didn't notice this before, tapi ternyata diriku sangat suka benda2 kecil buat menghias ruangan... Dan terbelilah segala korden, taplak renda, keranjang/mangkok kecil buat penghias ruangan, yang kalo dipikir2, "Taelaaa, gaya bener sih lo, Din. Gak penting kaleee..."

Jadi entry ini adalah semacam pengakuan dosa betapa diriku sudah menjadi budak budaya konsumtif! Hiks hiks... jangan2 emang dah jadi borjuis . Apakah normal membiarkan diri mengikuti preferensi2 (kecil) itu? Sebenarnya sejauh mana kita boleh pergi atas nama kenyamanan?

**Planning on going to Seiyu (again) tomorrow, to buy lace curtain pole while writing...

A Dose of Peppermint Patty

2008-01-31T12:03:00.000+09:00

Peppermint Patty says:

"Yes. Ma'am, I finished my research paper

"If I may say, I did a good job!

"When would you like to have me hand it in?

"Last year?"

(someone who's still with her research paper, and hoping that she can get it over with before next year...)

Pak Harto: Mix Feelings

2008-01-27T12:08:00.000+09:00

Hmmm... couldn't really say what I'm feeling after hearing him gone. A bit reproachful when reading a harsh yahoo short bio on the guy (funny, huh? a lot of my fellow mahasiswa will definitely make a punch bag out of me on this---a sample of good Suharto's regime education, perhaps?? hehe).

A bit sad in a sense, there goes away another thing I knew from home... all in a less than a year...

On Consumption of Knowledge...

2008-01-25T18:49:00.000+09:00

"What image do you have of the university and of knowledge? From these questions flows a set of choices: one can use knowledge as object or means, or choose knowledge for knowledge's sake. Knowledge for knowledge's sake, however, often arrogates to itself the status of religion, clearly revealed by the sciences today. In the other hand, knowledge as a means degenerates into a bourgeois tool for advancement, as a mere route for success as bureaucrat or doctor, in order to live an upper-middle-class life. It is an impoverished choice.

This is the moment when Asada's argument turns, for, as he addresses his university-bound readers, neither alternatives suits the style or the sensibility of the young. In fact, knowledge is a matter of style. The very attempt to reduce knowledge to a choice between alternatives betrays its inadequacy:

'Whatever is said, the matter is a problem of style, and it's to be expected that your sensibility (kansei) would reject both styles. When we say "style" or "sensibility," it has a very frivolous ring. But there are many occasions in which a selection of style according to one's sensibility is much more trustworthy than a subjective decision made according to reason. In that sense, I believe in the sensibility of the times.'

Marilyn Ivy in Consumption of Knowledge on Asada Akira's Structure and Power

"Look up the word [fiction] in the dictionary and you'll see it comes from the Latin word fingere. I'll tell you that it originally meant 'to fashion' or 'to invent.' Then the connotation of the word changed, and it came to mean 'to imagine' or 'to pretend.' In other words, it originally referred, in a broad sense, to a human being having some purpose in mind, and producing something in line with his idea."

J. Victor Koschmann in Incomplete Project of Modernity

Postmodernism and Japan, 1989

Lica リカちゃん Miracle

2008-01-24T17:42:00.000+09:00

Around late noon, when I was having my lunch in my room, I turned on the TV and see this adorable, very natsukashii doll. Her name is Lica, well at least it was by that name I first came to know her, it turned out that the doll "real" name is Rika-chan, written in katakana.

My memory about this special toy is that this doll was my first human-look-alike doll after the longggg yearsss of playing with my dear old snugly big Snoopy (still have him, or was it her??, back home). Lica was a birthday present from my dad, if I'm not mistaken, for my 6th birthday. And not only did Papa gave me Lica, he also gave me Lica's house!!! There was of course no need to the describe how happy I was at that time, as happy as a six year old little girl can be when receiving such sweet presents **thanks, Papa...

And why all the sudden of this reminiscing mood? Let me get back to the TV show. Apparently it was about Lica's new series after a long 40 years of production. While promoting the new series, they took the opportunity to analyze the history of Lica, as good Japanese always did... hehehe...

There were four announcers, two of them was women who had the luxury of playing with Lica during their childhood, well, one of the male announcer also join in.... "Heee???" was of course the responds from his colleagues, which he afterwards calmly explain that the Lica was his sister's and he usually played it with his GI Joe, for war scenes... (LOL)

Anyway, as easily as the two female announcers did, I also really got into the story. And here are some of the facts that I didn't know about Lica:

1. My Lica was the third version of Lica series: indicated by the three stars in each of her eyes, higher nose, and a rather round face.

2. Lica is a 11 years old girl! Which kind of explain why she look so out of place next to my Barbies, how do you compare an 11 years old little girl's figure with Barbie's, anyway?!! Duuhh...

3. Lica is half Japanese, half French!! At the first production of Lica (around 60s), though international marriage had became a social icon also in Japan, the relationship between the US and Japan wasn't in a good term (hence, the hanbei nationalism sprung to mind), so they chose French to be the nationality of Lica's father--plus there was this image of romanticism along with the French, even now I think. Interesting...

4. Lica is "only" 21 cm tall. And why? Because Takara Tomy wanted to make a doll fits the Japanese house. The dolls from West are usually too "big"--average 30 cm--for the Japanese domestic situation. And this was also the reason for producing Lica's house that can be fold. I think Japan was the first to invent a folding doll house (I had one also, I think it was the 4LDK version). The Western doll's house is simply too bog for the small and efficient typical Japanese houses.

5. The inside of Lica's house changed according to the Japanese real economic situation. During the bubble period the folding house consists of a proper room by room set up, a room for one, this was made because during this period any luxury was affordable. Nowadays Lica's house, consists of big kitchen/dining room, because Takara Tomica wanted to emphasize on the necessity of family having meals together, to support family communication, especially because there were a lot of family tragedies/incidents lately in Japan.

6. Even the psychology disposition of the doll swifted along with people's way of thinking and identifying themselves. Lica who was once "I want to be like my mom, to be fashion designer like her", now is traveling around the world alone, trying to find her own self while saying "I want to be like my mom, a sophisticated woman like her"

Interesting how a "mere" doll can produce such analysis, wasn't it? But I think you can do a lot of observing the society from the toys they produces... want to try it on GI Joe? hhehehe...

You have been in Japan too long...

2008-01-23T16:23:00.000+09:00

You have been in Japan too long...

when you are tongue-tied to find your words in your mother tongue. when you consider any city apart from Tokyo as "countryside" . when tempura is really a dish for "gaijin" (and you don't consider yourself as such anymore) when you finally start enjoying some Japanese TV programs. when you plan you next holiday back home as a savanah expedition.

when you want to travel, but have no time because of your work and are reluctant because foreign countries are so dangerous. when you sell your futon for a bed, because it's cool (even though you've slept all of your pre-Japan existence in one, but you can't remember) when you know exatcly the percentage of opening of cherry blossoms near your house, and watch attentively their development day after day, then talk about it with anyone you meet.

when you think it is reasonable to pay 3000yen for a taxi rather than walk 30min to go back home after the last train. when you wonder what omiyage you'l bring back to your colleagues and friends before leaving for you holiday/vacation. when you refer to your nose when you say "I". when you think Y4000 is a reasonable prize for a nice melon.

when you stand in front of a taxi and wait till the driver will open the door. when you cut the air with your hand (like a sword) when you want to cross a group of people. say sumimasen whenever you want to apologize for things that might happen or maybe not. when you wish you have a fan in summer to cool yourself on the street. when you look for people in front of a train station who distribute paper handkerchiefs.

when you miss the phone ads in the phoneboxes (do I?). when you prefer walking in geta while your wife calls the psychotherapeutic (well actually she didn't, but warned me so). when you start loving natto and uni. when you make a bow after getting the money from the cash mashine. when you buy beer by can labels (well I did it, but just to collect the stuff). when you leave the warm water in the bath tub for your kids.

when you buy local sweets/food to bring them home as omiyage, even your weekend trip was just 100 miles from home. when you start to believe that nori makes the hair stronger. when you think eating with otemoto is faster than with fork and knife (and actually you are faster with it). when you buy gifts for co-workers whenever you leave town, even if it's just for a few hours. when you end your statements with random vagueness.

when you hide from the NHK man routinely. when your rice maker is always on. when you take 8 breaks a day at work, and shuffle the papers on your desk at least twice a hour. when you take your shoes off...in the dressing room of a clothing store. when you read English words and start reading with Japanese pronunciations (e.g., DATE becomes da-te).

when you don't bat an eye when you see a salary man on the train looking at a magazine with nudity. when you find yourself nodding your head back to the newscaster at the beginning and end of a newscast. when you actually dream in Japanese. when you return to your home country and drink soup directly from the bowl when you think no one is looking as it's so much easier. when you think US$7 is not bad for a cup of coffee and a sliver of cake or pie. when you can't wait for the next 15 min episode of the NHK morning drama.

when you can actually make fried rice, Omu rice, and a complete Tonkatsu dinner. when you select shoes based on how easily you can get them on and off. when you can name all the members of SMAP. when you answer "hai!" even when speaking English to non-Japanese friends. when you can fall asleep on the train and wake up at your stop. when you don't mind peeing in a public restroom with the cleaning lady standing next to you.

when you don't even need a restroom to pee in public. when someone says "breakfast" you think of fish, soup and pickles. when you think they mean your neighborhood whenever you hear U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name." when you believe no party is complete without a trip to the karaoke. when someone says "mansion" you picture a two-bedroom flat in a 400-unit apartment building. when you mutter "yoshi!" when lifting heavy objects or reaching the top of the stairs. when you make a loud "haaah" after each sip of hot tea.

when you notice improvement in your Nihongo when you start ordering "hotto doggu" instead of "atsui inu"! when you can convert katakana back to English without having to first sound it out ten times slowly. when you can't even have a family picnic without an opening and closing ceremony. when you wonder whether you should take the bus or a taxi instead of having to walk one kilometre. when you think it's ok to play the march of the British Grenadiers in TV commercials.

when after a day in the metro you hear in you head "Tokyo metro wo go-ryo itadakimashite arigatou gozaimasu. kono densha wa...yuki desu". when you start wondering if the policeman in front of you will check you bicycle registration just because you are a "gaijin". when you are tired of being asked if your country has four seasons, if yo can eat sushi and natoo, eat chopsticks and sleep on a futon, although you have been here for years.

when you go back to your home country and are surprised to see so many "gaijin". when you explain the difference between a Shinto shrine and a Buddhist temple to your Japanese friends. when you wonder what famous "tarento" or "actror/actress" your Japanese friends look more like. when you ask other foreigners what kanji they chose for their hanko. when you have changed you keitai's ringtone 10 times this week and wonder what which tune you should download next.

when you think you should call the electrician to change a lightbulb, as your forgot how to do. when you can't stop saying "samui, samui" to yourself when it's a bit cold, and "atsui, atsui" when it's slightly too hot. when you wonder how many women will offer you chocolates on Valentine's Day (or to how many people to give some, if you are a woman). when you start saying "eeeh" and "oooh" in front of the TV, just to do like everybody. when you ask your Italian friends if they have pasta in Italy.

when you are persuaded that Christmas is a ancient Japanese tradition, and Jesus was in fact Japanese. when you think that "minus image" is proper English (as in "these clothes really give him minus image"). when you wonder why all those gaijin take "aspirin" and not "bafarin" for headaches. when you think that that taking 5 kinds of kanpou (Chinese herbal medicine) all year round is necessary to keep you healthy.

when you check which dog is popular at the moment before buying one. when you look forward to winter in your Japanese house so you can store beer and frozen foods in your bedroom and bathroom. when you realise you need feet massage and hot baths in winter because it's colder inside your house than outside. when you are worried because the cherry blossoms are late. when you watch Chinese or Korean movies relying on the Japanese subtitles.

so, have you been in Japan too long?

***re-post from Monkasho 2007 mailing list

Hatsu Yuki

2008-01-23T11:19:00.000+09:00

hehehe... nyulik judul filmnya Lee Jun Ki.

After burrying myself with postmodernism books and choosing hikikomori lifestyle for several days, I decided to come out from my room today... out of all the days!! for morning class nevertheless... **yuuki aru neee...

***took this pic while holding my poor stomach that has been complaining since lastnight and disturbed my sleep...

So Romantic

2008-01-22T08:25:00.000+09:00

So Romantic
Stacey Kent

You always had a taste for those movies
Like Casablanca and Song o' My Heart
Where a complicated world
Or the call of adventure
Forces true lovers to part
When the hero turns his back so stoically
On all the happiness they might have had

You always considered it
So romantic
But I just considered it sad

It was so like you to choose such a moment
The sun setting over the square
A pavement cafe, the local children at play
The sound of an accordion somewhere
You suddenly said Fate was pulling us apart
Then you shrugged, like there was nothing more to add

I suppose you considered that
So romantic
Well, I just considered it sad

Perhaps you're living in America now
Perhaps you're in Timbuktu
A small part of me, even after this time
Has never stopped waiting for you

To live in this state of hoping
When hoping seems so utterly mad
I can't help but consider that so romantic
Though I know I should consider it sad

**got it from a friend, the lyrics are sooo beautifulll I can't help myself from falling for them instantly, thank you Mbak Siska

Fresh Cream

2008-01-18T09:56:00.000+09:00

Sebisa mungkin, hindari memasukkan 生クリーム (fresh cream) ke dalam adonan pancake Anda, karena kekentalannya akan menyebabkan adonan mudah gosong...

Bila persediaan susu Anda terbatas, jangan maksa bikin Pancake dehhhh.... ato gak, cuma ketok kamar tetangga Anda dan minta 50cc susu yg kurang itu... lalu of course, tentu saja ada solusi untuk pergi ke Saeki terdekat dan beli susu baru...

Secara rasa sih memang tidak terlalu berbeda, tapi debaran keras jantung menanti saat untuk membalik pancake karena kalo telat sedikit saja akan gosong itu tak tertahankan....

Okay, enough procrastinating, back to work!!!

Coming Home Blues

2008-01-17T08:16:00.000+09:00

...never knew it exists until a friend of mine told me about it. What is exactly this psychological condition?

He said that because I'm moving toward something comfortable, something I hold dear and love, the recent surrounding feels gloomy and depressing... and even manages to bring out some anger within me...

Hueee... interesting theory... Is that it?

Kemelut Kelabu

2008-01-16T09:08:00.000+09:00

galau kacau jadinya meracau...

kemelut kelabu...

pusing bingung...

Semalam, karena gak bisa tidur, kepala terus bekerja padahal mata dah maksain terpejam, tiba2 kata2 di atas terus berputar di dalam otak. Then I realized, kenapa ya kosa kata dalam bahasa Indonesia yg mencerminkan proses otak karena hati terganggu itu banyak menggunakan vokal "u"--atau lebih tepatnya diakhiri oleh bunyi vokal itu.

Untuk seorang yg sangat visual seperti saya, saya pun bila disuruh menggambarkan suasana yg mencerminkan kegalauan/kebingungan pasti akan memilih warna abu-abu/kelabu, biru--yg lagi2 menggunakan vokal "u"--semakin kental warnanya, semakin berat aura yg dipresentasikannya.

Sepertinya jarang ya sesuatu yg meresahkan diutarakan dengan vokal "a", well ada "prahara" sih... tapi sepertinya vokal "a" lebih sering digunakan untuk membahasakan sesuatu yg positif. Misalnya: bahagia, gembira, ceria, merah, jingga, dsb.

Hahahaha... begitulah kontemplasi saya semalaman yang tidak berguna. Sebenarnya untuk mengalihkan diri dari masalah lain yg lebih membuat mumet...

The King And The Clown OST - Lee Sun Hee - In Yeon (MV)

2008-01-14T18:34:00.001+09:00

Reminiscing mood... how I love Jun Ki's acting in this movie...

For the review of The King and The Clown movie click here

Pesan dari Papa

2008-01-03T08:05:00.000+09:00

Happy New Year 2008.

Ada pesan dari "tetangga" untuk tahun yad katanya:

"Putuskan terlebih dahulu tujuan utama dalam hidup Anda dan kemudian susunlahsemua kegiatan-kegiatan Anda di sekitarnya. Buanglah kegiatan yang tidak sesuai dengan tujuan.
Seringkali tujuan tidak tercapai bukan karena kurangnya dukungan tetapi karena terlalu banyak penolakan" (Brian Tracy)

"Sabarlah, gagasan yang bagus tidak dihasilkan dengan instan, namun dikembangkan dengan tindakan" (Sean Mc Arthur)

Have a positive day!

Between the Possible and the Impossible

2007-12-06T19:11:00.000+09:00

"Okay, no more impossible relationship for you!" said I recently to myself. "Stand straight up, and head up only for the possible ones."

But, relationship's issues aside, how do you measure or separate the possible from the impossible anyway? It always has been against my best judgement to think something as impossible. I believe if we try, and pray, we can do whatever we want to do. So, how do you set the boundaries, and then firmly decide that this one is possible and the other is not?

Again, today, I saw a TV program saying that, "You just have to know to quit. Dekinai koto wa dekinai yo! Chanto mitomete kudasai!" said the lady on screen, after telling the audience how she had to suffered a whole evening because she forced herself to wear a kimono with its VERY tight obi.

After hearing her, I nod for myself... "hmmm... that does makes sense..." remembering myself, declining some jobs that I thought I wouldn't have the time to handle...

But, after that, a man took turn and then said something I have always believed all my life, "If you think you can, then you can!" Thus started the whole talk about "how your mind is your magnet"-sounded alike-topic...

Huaaa... hence, the contradiction AGAIN...

When to quit and when to proceed? Anyone??

The Future

2007-11-08T08:27:00.000+09:00

"This maybe a far reach, but have you considered the future?... Maybe you can considered continuing into the doctorate degree. Cause I think I can see you teaching at a Japanese university, maybe about Asia in general, or maybe about Indonesia, Islam, etc..."

そう言われたら、嬉しいけど、、、

Jadi kau pergi juga...

2007-11-01T20:55:00.000+09:00

Jadi kau pergi juga...

semua senyum itu

semua pelukan itu

semua kecupan itu

semua yang sudah kusimpan itu

Jadi kau tetap pergi

Aku bilang tunggu, bukan?

Tunggu... sabar... kuatkan diri...

Tapi kau tetap berlalu

Bahkan tidak biarkan wajahmu menghias mataku

Bahkan tidak biarkan hangat kulitmu di kulitku

Jadi kau pergi juga...

Kenapa tidak menungguku?

Innalillahi wa innalillahi rajiun...

Travel: Jimbocho Old Book Festival

2007-10-31T23:52:00.000+09:00

Supposed to go to this event last Saturday, but the squall (well, not really but still it was harsh rain with lots of wind, made me more reluctant to get out of bed) made me stayed at my room. Went on a sunny Sunday instead. And apparently there's a lot of people who had the same plan.

This was my first time to go to this district, a very well known area for publishers, rights agents and book store it turned out to be! Duh! should have known that before... Passed the sign for Iwanami Shoten along the way...

As the name "festival" pointed out, me and my friend took the wrong turn and went to the less crowded part of Jimbocho and browsed around there, until we finally realized that we should went to the center of the festival first while the time was still young. By the time we got there, the place was sooo swamped with people, we barely can see anything that was displayed.

I went with a tight budget, and a more tighter strain inside my head, because it was the end of the month and the monthly life support hasn't came. But alas, "kalap" was the word, as I always do when it has anything to do with books, I went and got myself five books, one postcard collection of old jimbocho street and one Shinhwa CD (boy, I was such a sucker for cheap price! It was only 500 yen! A brand new CD!!!)--the little sis would probably like it.

So I got this:

1. The Charlie Brown Dictionary, cause I'm such a Peanuts' fan

2. Charlie Brown's Super Book of Questions and Answer, look at the reason above...

3. Lonely Planet: Korea, yup, I'm going there next month, might as well be prepared

4. Nihon wa naze sensou wo hajimetanoka (= Why did Japan start the war?), for my "light" reading... NOT!

5. Sumatora no Yoake (= Sumatra's Morning Star), also for my research

Right now, I'm a bit regretting the fact that I didn't go to Yasukuni Jinja and see what it's all about. Probably because my backpack was heavy with all those books... **sigh

Note: Jimbocho can be reach using several lines, but I chose the Shin-Shinjuku line from Shinjuku station to Jimbocho station. Jimbocho is weel-known for its rows and rows of book stores and publishers' office; guess this is why they called it the book area.

Movie: Attack on the Pin-Up Boys

2007-10-26T12:59:00.000+09:00

There's nothing much to say about this one. Don't expect too much on the strong story department, this movie was certainly made only to please the eyes with lots of eye candies such as Choi Si Won, Kang Ta, and so on...

Guess the Super Junior's fans were fully spoilt here. In my honest opinion: not enough Choi Si Won! ;-p

As the title suggested the basic storyline was about attacks toward the beautiful boys from every famous school. If you are popular, good looking, have a lot of screaming girls around you on everyday basis, well... beware, cause you can be the next target...

The bit about attacking them with a plastic bag full of faeces was gross, though... Regretted on using my super imagination power this time ;-p

Rate:

Casts: Choi Si Won, Super Junior Language: Korea Release Date: October 2007

Blog: Eid Mubarak!

2007-10-14T07:25:00.000+09:00

Just arrived at my room this morning after spending the night at friend's to make rendang (yes, everybody, I'm learning to cook, no, of course I was the assistant and not the chef) .

Anyway, when I entered and opened the window to let the light in, I noticed that one of my cosmos that once was just a bud now has bloomed! I felt so happy and warm inside... 本当に感動したもんだよ。

This really reminded me again of the so many gifts Allah has given me in this world. Alhamdulillah wa syukurillah! Subhanallah!

EID MUBARAK, everyone! May we are blessed with Ramadhan again next year. Aminnn...

Blog: Killing me softly...

2007-10-12T19:43:00.000+09:00

For the longest time, I always pick up the attitude to deny that I belong to the Sagittarius clan, "No way, I am def a Scorpion", said I stubbornly to everyone. But funny how a good fortune telling can turn even a rock-headed creature such as yours truly around

Just simply loveeddd the words they used for this edition--that, plus the "ironic relation with the reality" factor:

"Keeping the flame alight at the end of your arrow is starting to become a breeze. It may feel like stronger muscles you've developed, or an extension of what you already know."

Yeah right... Tehehehehe...

Blog: Bad Sleeping Pattern

2007-10-08T06:18:00.000+09:00

Recently I'm having a baddd problem in sleeping; such as today. After sahur, I usually lay around on my bed, reading novels, waiting for the morning pray's adzan. After it started, I'll raise from bed and perform my duty. But now, after praying, I always find myself closing my eyes but with my head still processing the things I have to do; lots and lots of things, I found out now.

**Arggghhh... so many books to read, the paper I haven't wrote, the article I promised for this week, etc...

Is this sleeping problem contagious or something? Just recently I heard a friend complaining about the same thing. But as in his case, he turns to yahoo messenger. Me? Stubbornly try to close my eyes, serenading myself "sleep oh please sleep" lullaby, but eventually founding myself, again, staring at the dark to my bedroom celling. Noticing everything, from nothing in the pitch black of space, into some shapes forming their way as my sight adjusting...

Today, now... anyhow, I starting to regret the delicious cup of coffee I had last night. **sigh** It just that I loveeee the smell of my drip coffee so much when it spread in my tiny room, a bit in the addictive side, I guess. It just brought out the warm feeling in this gradually cold weather.

Hence, here I am, writing this entry while listening to Norah Jones album. Hmm... I guess this works because I finally feeling a bit sleepy...

This happening has its own merits, though. I got to watch the light slowly filled my room, from the sparks of golden in 5.15 to the full white glow in 6.30. Took some pictures (again) of the morning sky. Lovely! !

Ups... not so lovely now, since the full image of my untidy room begins to come into sight! Hahaha....

Oh well, oyasumiii!! Sleep well people...

Music: HEART by Ai Otsuka

2007-09-29T14:08:00.001+09:00

今すぐ会いたいね、、、；ｐ

Music: Lagu Rindu by Kerispatih

2007-09-29T13:47:00.001+09:00

Lagu Rindu
Artist: Kerispatih

Bintang malam katakan (sampaikan) padanya
Aku ingin melukis sinarmu di hatinya
Embun pagi katakan padanya
Biar ku dekap erat waktu dingin membelenggunya

Tahukah engkau wahai langit
Aku ingin bertemu membelai wajahnya
Kan ku pasang hiasan angkasa yang terindah
Hanya untuk dirinya
Lagu rindu ini kuciptakan
Hanya untuk bidadari hatiku tercinta
Walau hanya nada sederhana
Ijinkan ku ungkap segenap rasa dan kerinduan

Blog: Cannon

2007-09-15T23:55:00.000+09:00

For another version of Cannon click here: Cannon

Image taken by chihiro, Sept 07: Kunitachi, Fajr at Ramadhan.

Blog: Cannon de Pachabel

2007-09-12T02:08:00.000+09:00

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every time i felt like crying... this song had always helped me get through anything, including a broken heart... 大丈夫！また飛べるはずよ！

Movie: Spanglish

2007-08-24T15:54:00.000+09:00

I LOVEDDDD this movie! Wanted so much to watch it ever since I saw its trailer long ago in some other movie's opening scenes. Not only the story was so great and touching and warm, the chemistry between Adam Sandler an Paz Vega was sooo breath-stoppingly suspense.

Paz Vega was soooo gorgeous!! And.. I never expected myself to say this: Adam Sandler is so totally hot... But come to think of it, he was also an eye stealer in 50 First Dates.

The story was generally about two families from different cultural background meeting and ended up sharing each other life norms; the Claskys with its typical metropolitan American family and The Morenos with its Mexican ways.

Poor Tea Leoni played as Sandler's hypersensitive wife, Deborah, whose personality very much described the term "roller coaster emotion". Loosing her job has made her a full time mother (Deborah: *gulp, and for the daughter: *double gulps--loved this lines ;-p) and apparently had drove her emotional disposition to an edge.

But want to know what I think? If I was her, seeing the beautiful Mexican like Flor Moreno (Paz Vega), I will definitely try to find some excuses for NOT hiring her... you know, just to be save... HAHAHA. I mean... hello!! the girl is too beautiful to have the save make up of a housekeeper, especially when you're having an emotional breakdown episodes! But I have to say this, the world is gonna feel more as a wonderful place as it is, if there were a lot more John Clasky (Adam Sandler's character) in it.

Oh, going back to "poor" Tea Leoni, I used that word because even though until the end, I couldn't forced myself to spare some empathy towards her character. She's still an annoying person even after all the tears--hers, not mine of course.

While still speaking about the character, I also like the Clansky's daughter character: Bernie. She's a very tough young girl, dealing in such graceful ways all the problems she has to face, from her mother and, especially, from her own self. She even still treated Christina (Flor's daughter) kindly even though she couldn't help herself comparing herself with the beautiful Mexican girl--a family trait 0f the Morenos.

Hmm... what else? Oh, my favorite scene: was when John and Flor have their talk at the beach, and Flor "accidentally" was standing where the sea wind blew naughtily, carving her goddess like body. And the helpless John shout more or less, "Will you not stand there??!!!" HAHAHAHA...

Rate:
Casts: Adam Sandler, Tea Leoni, Paz Vega, Cloris Leachman Director, Screenwriter: James L. Brooks Producers: Richard Sakai, Joan Bradshaw, Julie Ansell, James L. Brooks Released Company: Sony Pictures Entertainment, 2005 (Video)

PS. ARGGGHHH... whatamIdoing??? I'm supposed to write my research plan, not THIS!!! **all stressed-out me

Kyle XY

2007-08-20T23:35:00.000+09:00

just dont ask... *longgggg sigh*

TV Drama: Thank You

2007-08-06T14:52:00.000+09:00

It's been quiet a while since I'm able to enjoy a Korean drama, good dramas that are not so easy to find these days, that is. Luckily, my sister told me about this one, and "Thank You (Komapsemnida) " was somehow able to give me that pleasure again.

This 16 episodes drama, in short, told us a story about a young once cold-hearted doctor (Min Gi-Suh) who tried to mend his late-girlfriend mistake. The girlfriend who was also a doctor made an error of judgement that made a child contracted AIDS. And whaddaya know, this child (Bom) was happened to be an only child of a young and pretty single mother (Lee Young-Shin), who desperately needed rescuing from her tough life. She was after all living poorly at a village in a small island full of gossip loving ahjuma-del, striving hard to put food on the table for her daughter and also her senile grandfather.

I wouldn't say that this drama was perfect, just like its precedence, Thank You also had the tendency to prolonged the unnecessary. But I have to admit that they have the worth-to-follow storyline, amidst the usual "rich guy fell for the poor girl" theme, the drama also dealt with some "serious issues", i.e. AIDS, social prejudice, etc.

The chemistry between the two main characters: Min Gi-suh (29) / Jang Hyeok and Lee Young-shin (27) / Kong Hyo-jin was also well felt, made us rooting for the two to fell into each other arms. Sadly, though, after a while, I turned around to cheer the other party: Choi Suk-hyun (29), played handsomely by Sin Seong-rok. They never spoke it out bluntly but the audience somehow, subtly, being informed that this man was Lee Bom (8) biological father.

As the usual love triangle submerged slowly into the story, I found myself bored by the typical Korean male heroes in Min Gi-suh (who alarmingly sometimes looked like Jo In-seong--only sometimes!) and kind of fell for the humanly Choi Suk-hyun (I loveeeeddd his eyes!!!).

"The guy's a human being after all, he made mistakes, please give him a chance for God sake!" But that was of course only my pleading... Hehehe... The rest is up to you...

Rate:
Korean Title: Komapsemnida, 2007 Casts: Jang Hyeok, Kong Hyo-Jin, Seo Sin-Ae, Sin Seong-Rok, Lee Byung-Gook Length: 16 episodes

Movie: Harry Potter and The Order of Phoenix

2007-07-21T21:04:00.000+09:00

Watching the Weasleys were certainly becoming nice treats, they're really growing into such a handsome family. Look at the twins! ...Nice... ;-p

It's funny how my eyes instantly ignored Radcliffe or Watson, and went straight to Grint whenever they appeared together.

Radcliffe sure was looking the part, though, looking like a drug addict *grin* (so skinny, and is he shrinking or everybody around him just seemed to grow taller?).

He certainly gave us the feel on how someone would look like if you have a dark lord after your life in every 1 of 3600s. No wonder people of the wizardly world thought his loosing it.

Sirius Black was looking as handsome as ever, really brought me back to the time when he was playing as the Count. Ooh, I also loved the way Fiennes hold his magic wand, so cool and character's detailed. And what do we have here? Helena Bonham Carter? Gee, I guess the British really unleashed all of their power here! She always can take my breath away...

Speaking about the new joined casts, I enjoyed Imelda Staunton's Dolores Umbridge. The all-the-way pink outfits and the pink office and the whole wall of cats pictures were simply LOVELY, dear (said it with a thick British accent, please ;-p). And also Luna Lovegood was definitely stealing the screens away. Cho Chang was like... "Who? Which one is her?" While she actually had a kissing scene with Potter, poor girl...

I guess the challenge to stick into the audiences minds grew bigger now, with all the characters competing.

As for the story, I'm glad it has been 4 years (was it?) since I read the fifth book of this series. My friend, who just finished reading it again--after she didn't even know now for how many times--two weeks ago, complained a lot about the details that weren't there.

I said to her, "Hey, never expect too much from the screened written works. Just treat them as a completely different work if you don't want to get disappointed."

And that way of thinking sure has saved me again from the complaints, I was very at peace with my thoughts. I simply enjoyed the movie, which was kind of a great entertainment, as a matter a fact!

PS. Trivia: You may have noticed that in the Griffindor's Common Room, there were some tapestries that resembled the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries. Cool...!!

Rate:
Director: David Yates Writing Credits: Michael Goldenberg, J.K. Rowling Release Company: Warner Bros. Release Date: July 2007 (theather)

Blog: Harry Potter Stuffs

2007-07-21T09:52:00.001+09:00

Went to see the latest of the Harry Potter series last night. And as far a good marketing goes, they got my weak heart at the Achilles point. There were a lot of gimmicks at the Tachikawa cinema, but luckily I've managed to restrain myself into this maybe-not-so-usable objects:

1. A black wallet-like, somewhere you can put your pen, pencil, point cards, ID cards, credit card, and so on. Yeah, right, like I'm willing to be seen with it around campus...

"Ooh, I think I'm just gonna bring my Harry Potter's BIG BLACK wallet to the seminar..." NOT!!! ;-p

2. A gold Dumbledore's Army pin... kind of cool...

3. Two of book's jackets, made from leather-like plastic thingy: the most usable of them all perhaps. They actually have one for every book (according to a new friend who's a Potter Mania), but since the design varied, I chose only the ones that I like: the fourth (The Goblet of Fire) and fifth (The Order of The Phoenix).

There were also HP's quills (and as nicely put by my Japanese friend: who's gonna use THAT?!?), the usual stationery stuffs (erasers, pens, pencils), Hedwig's various dolls (small for mobile phones, rather big for other purposes, etc), book marks. Hmm... what else... well, luckily I didn't really notice, huh? ;-p

Blog: The Ultimate Harry Potter Quiz

2007-07-20T00:20:00.000+09:00

Find out your Harry Potter personality at LiquidGeneration!

Music: Elliott Yamin-Wait For You

2007-07-15T16:34:00.001+09:00

From his new album...
**As always, loved his voice, but not so sure about the new hairdo, though ;-p

Music: Elliott Yamin - It Had To Be You

2007-07-15T16:27:00.001+09:00

There's no word needed...
IT HAD TO BE YOU!!!

Elliott Yamin - Moody's Mood For Love

2007-07-15T16:25:00.001+09:00

The first time I fell for this guy's voice...
WOW!!!

Music: Elliott Yamin - Movin On

2007-07-15T16:22:00.001+09:00

Oh mi gosh!!
Elliot is back, with an album.
Cannot wait to look for it...
Wait for me Elliot *grin*

Movie: The Human Stain

2007-07-11T00:16:00.000+09:00

Have been longing to see this one out of a good recommendation from a fellow movie fan. Wentworth Miller was the main reason, of course, for me, to look it up, anyway. So, I went to the local DVD rental shop and found the DVD I wanted on the Prison Break's rack. Looking for it was a bit difficult since the rack was organized based on Japanese title.

The Human Stain was translated into 白いカラス (Shiroi Karasu = White Crow). Cannot be really sure, but I guess the title came out out of Nicole Kidman's character fondness of a crow she called Prince. And as for the color mentioning: this movie did talked about racial issues.

Anyway, going into the story. Anthony Hopkins played as Coleman Silk, a light-skinned African-American, that has been hiding his racial identity almost most of his life. But one small ironic accident happened and destroyed all that he has built by sacrificing his family and identity: he lost his job after using a word that has bad implication to the colored people. The story then flash-back and forward a bit to his past life and his present life after meeting a beautiful drifter played by Nicole Kidman.

My biggest protest was of course: there's not enough Wentworth Miller on the screen ;-p, a definitely bias opinion. But aside from the Wentworth's fandom, I think I was more interested in how Coleman achieved his position as a well known college professor, rather than his life after he lost his job.

But watching the trailer, I guess that was a long shot hope, cause they were definitely focusing on his relationship with Nicole Kidman's character, which couldn't be explore if the movie was heavier on the past life of Coleman Silk. I cannot help thinking though, that maybe the book offered much interesting and deep story of this character. Hmmm, another bad interpretation of a written work? Since I never actually read the book by Philip Roth, cannot say anymore.

Oh, and the scenes with Nicole's ex-husband were more of a blur for me. Didn't really grasped the significance of them all.

As for the acting, well... couldn't really get it inside my head that Anthony Hopkins was indeed an African-American, while Wentworth, being a half African descended himself, really looked the part. And even though, I have came to like Nicole's acting, in this movie her character was a bit felt pretentious for me.

Rate:

Director: Robert Benton Casts: Anthony Hopkins, Nicole Kidman, Wentworth Miller Producer: Miramax Films Release Date: Oct 2003 (theather), July 2004 (video)

Blog: What Tarot Card Are You?

2007-07-01T23:16:00.000+09:00

You are The Wheel of Fortune

Good fortune and happiness but sometimes a species of
intoxication with success

The Wheel of Fortune is all about big things, luck, change, fortune. Almost always good fortune. You are lucky in all things that you do and happy with the things that come to you. Be careful that success does not go to your head however. Sometimes luck can change.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Movie: Letters from Iwo Jima

2007-06-16T14:10:00.000+09:00

Finally saw this movie last night, after The Flags of Our Father about two months ago .

We crowded in front of a not so big laptop after a birthday dinner, turned off the lights at the Cross Cultural Hall, and enjoyed the surprisingly-not-bad audio from my 500 yen speaker (I'm so loving them right now!).

Parallel to the Flags, Letters gave us glimpses of minutes in the Japanese soldiers' lives at the island, during the siege at the ending of WW II--it even has some of the parallel scenes with the former.

But unlike the Flags, the story in this one solely revolved at the island, and for a movie that had been directed by an American, Letters really felt like a Japanese production; a bit slow in pace but rich with details. Making me salute Eastwood more for this version.

While the emotion was more thickly tasted in Letters, rather than in Flags--well, for me anyway, the characters in it also left strong impacts. I really was finding it hard not to fell for the Saigo character, rooting for him to come back to the main island safely, and hating the Americans for invading Iwo Jima.

Ken Watanabe really looked dashingly handsome in this movie, also his friend Lieutenant Colonel Nishi, if I may add ;-p. Really fit the image of a charismatic general that we certainly cannot hate even though his on the enemy side.

There was one loose string on the whole web, I didn't quite feel it at the scene where Nishi read the American soldier's letter. Too bad. It was the potential tears producer's scene. But anyway, I like the ending, where Saigo really lived up to his name; "the last."

Rate:

Images: rottentomatoes.com

Blog: My Celebrity Look-alikes

2007-06-12T01:38:00.000+09:00

Movie: Pirates of the Carribean 3: At World's End

2007-06-07T00:44:00.000+09:00

Saw the all long awaited movie of this summer with the usual group (minus one, actually). Since I heard the so-so reviews of it, I didn't get my hope to high on this one. And glad I did that. With all of that accents and betrayals, I couldn't really follow the story. Oh I do so missed the Indonesian/English subtitles...

Felt like I should have done yousu (= preparation before class) or read the script book first before watching it. There were so many folklore/legends we supposed to know in order to understand anything, or maybe my brain capacity just failed me tonight.

And what's with the Elizabeth's speech? Oh, please, she for the pirate lord? Yeah right...

Davy Jones got all that gooey tako (= octopus) tentacles from the curse, and Will Turner turned out to as "dashing" as ever, with great tanned and black pirate costume?!? That's so unfair... if I were Davy Jones, I would protest!

What ever happened to constancy, I ask you....?

Hehehehe...

Oh well... but thank god Johnny Deep was as reliable as ever. If I was the director/producer or whatever, I will so loving him in this movie. Cause his character was the actual beacon of the whole show, I think. The scenes where he's talking to him selves were really entertaining.

Oh, I also liking the two Company's soldiers who never seemed to get their job done properly. It's kind of funny to see them finally joining the pirate crew.

Rate:

Images: rottentomatoes.com

Blog: My Visual DNA

2007-05-22T18:09:00.000+09:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Travel: Hitotsubashi University

2007-05-10T16:07:00.000+09:00

Among other things that I like about my campus are its old romantic buildings. And the surrounding of it also. It has two campus area: West and East, which are separated by this beautiful street called Sakura Douri.

As the name itself has suggested, in spring, this street is filled with rows of sakura trees from different kinds (pink, white, greenish, etc). That is why many people come to the university for hanami (flower viewing).

The vast area inside the campus complex sometimes also served as a garden for families, children, or anyone to spend some time, sitting and reading, painting and so on.

Too bad I didn`t took any good pictures from that period of time (the sakura only bloom for about a week). I'll definitely gonna took some more next year :-)

Oh yeah, the campus itself can be reached after walking about 5-7 minutes from Kunitachi station (JR train, Chuo-sen).

Images: taken by chihiro, May 2nd, 2007

Blog: Superhero & Supervillain Quiz

2007-04-26T18:27:00.000+09:00

Your results:
You are Superman

No wonder that I like this superhero character, the reason was the same old NARCISM! Hahahahaha....

Superman		85%
Green Lantern		70%
Spider-Man		65%
The Flash		65%
Supergirl		58%
Robin		58%
Wonder Woman		53%
Iron Man		40%
Catwoman		35%
Batman		30%
Hulk		15%

You are mild-mannered, good,
strong and you love to help others.

Click here to take the "Which Superhero are you?" quiz...

Your results:
You are Dr. Doom

Oh yes, vanity is my weakess point...

Dr. Doom		82%
Apocalypse		75%
Magneto		74%
Lex Luthor		71%
The Joker		65%
Mystique		64%
Venom		60%
Mr. Freeze		57%
Two-Face		56%
Poison Ivy		49%
Riddler		49%
Dark Phoenix		48%
Green Goblin		48%
Catwoman		47%
Juggernaut		44%
Kingpin		40%

Blessed with smarts and power but burdened by vanity.

Click here to take the Super Villain Personality Test

Blog: Leaving the Comfort Zone

2007-04-15T10:12:00.000+09:00

"What the heck am I doing?” was the question I repeated over and over again to myself during last week, before going to the country so close in my heart. “I’m like digging a hole to bury my self in, looking for trouble when I can just live a normal and save life!”

The question grew larger and more disturbing when I was packing the max 30 kilo baggage. Tears rolled and frustration literary choked me so hard, I felt like undoing the things I’ve done this past one year: not entering the documents, not doing the tests, interviews, not accepting the scholarship.

Yeah yeah, I knew I’m lucky. Many people will gladly take my place. But still…

Most of you probably have read somewhere about having a comfort zone. Mine were my job, the office, my apartment, my whole routine life for the last five years. I was like in this nice warm comfortable big chair where I can drink my favorite hot chocolate, reading books, or writing something on the computer, while listening to some Korean/Japanese songs.

On April 2nd I was to leave all of that, and when they say it will take a mighty effort to just get up and change your life, oh boy the were so RIGHT!!! “I don’t wanna go to Tokyo!” the feeling actually escaped and sounded by my mouth out loud.

But anyway, have to say that I’m kind of proud of myself now. Taking the big chances and actually doing them, instead of just thinking and dreaming.

And here I am, typing this in my dorm room. I’m on the fourth floor, and there’s a sakura tree blooming right outside my window. Haven’t got a good camera. So hopefully these pictures I’ve taken with my mobile will suffice.

So now, I’m fine. As the late Ratu’s song, “Aku baik-baik saja…” ;-))

Wish me all the luck, guys...

TV: American Idol Season 6, Top 12 Perfomances: Loving Doolittle

2007-03-22T20:33:00.000+09:00

So this season of American Idol is finally presenting its 12 finalists. A bit sad when Sundance didn’t make it (he got this loveable image and potential unique voice that made me rooting for him), but not really surprised when Sanjaya got his break: I imagine the kid got some serious back up from the American audience; having all the Indian community in the states united to support him :-p

When watching the first battle between the 12 finalists, I was really looking forward on seeing Blake’s, Chris’s (the Justin look-alike, not the other one), Gina’s, and of course Melinda Doolittle’s.

Wow, Diana Ross’s songs sure looked very tough to handle, seeing only few succeed in nailing their songs. But Doolittle really came out and making me loving and rooting her more, at the first part of the show nonetheless. Ever since her last performance when she sang WOMAN (this was the title, wasn’t it? Well, at least I remembered her spelling that word for the song, hehehe). Give us more Doolittle!!!

Lakisha? Well, she was also good, but I am still lacking of chemistry with her. Brandon was as always nice to look at (like his smile) but too bad he didn’t really bring it. Phil? Oh, how I wish he’s no longer on the stage, there’s something about him that gives me the creeps (he made me thinking of some twisted Egyptian priest, in the middle of doing some horrid mummification ritual ;-p sowwiiii…)

Haley was standing there looking as sweet as your regular girl next door; I really hope she can still stay long on the show. Chris Leigh? Agree with the judges: keep the glasses, man! Blake: Not his best, I hope he’ll get more suitable songs in the future. Chris: looking good! Really liked the way he strolled in into the stage, so cool.

Now, Sanjaya: I really thought that he will be the first to get vote-out at the final, but Brandon was the one to go home instead. So I was surprised. Yes, the hair made him looked better now, and it was kind of nice seeing him more “alive” that his prior performances, but really… Anyway, the backing up of him was no joke, it turned out. When listening to the judges’ comments, I was like: just let the poor kid go, people, don’t prolong his misery. Well, the pleading is to be postponed, it seemed, I just hope for not too long.

Image: americanidol.com

Book: The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier

2007-02-28T17:54:00.001+09:00

Found my self blushed quite a lot when reading this one. Unlike her other books (so far I’ve read: Girl with A Pearl Earring and The Virgin Blue) that usually handed us love scenes with more subtle and delicate ways, I found The Lady and the Unicorn explored “new” territory with more details. Not that I mind ;-p

Because come to think of it, in my opinion, the book voiced a lot about the human senses: sight, touch, taste, smell and sound—and not just because the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries themselves were named after these five senses. What better way to fairly put them in the story rather than exploiting them in its paragraphs?

Inspired by the beautiful (at least from the pictures, cause I haven’t saw it first handily) 5th century French tapestries, this book gave a story told by its characters’ point of views: the lady killer painter (Nicolas des Innocents) who created the tapestries’ designs, the nobleman (Jean Le Viste) and his family who hired the painter, the weaver (Georges de la Chapelle) and his family, Georges’ cartoonist (Philippe de la Tour), etc.

The plot was simple: the process of making the famous six tapestries, but what I love about Chevalier is: she can make a simple plot into intriguing story!

Before you know it, you’ll be making decisions on whose point of view that you like and whose that you’ll be dreading. Well, at least that’s what I did ;-) I enjoyed reading Philippe’s and Nicolas’ parts—reading the story from characters that have opposite personalities was so much fun, especially when “watching” them pursuing the same girl.

My favorite tapestry among the six was Touch. There’s something majestic and graceful about the lady in it, and I prefer her than the other ladies, they either too melancholy smiling their sad smiles, or too innocently young for my eyes.

Image source: http://www.tchevalier.com/unicorn/index.html

As I always do after reading Chevalier’s work, I also had fun browsing around for the historical background of this book: the weaving process, all about that century’s weavers, the tapestry patterns that century usually produced, etc. If you enjoy her books before, you’ll definitely fall in love again with this one.

Strongly agree with the Independent’s comment about this book: “Tracy Chevalier gives the kiss of life to the historical novel.”

Rate:
Published: January 2007, PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama Writer: Tracy Chevalier Translator: Pepi Smith Indonesian Title: Lady dan Unicorn Volume: 296 pages

Music: Beautiful Thing by Xiah Junsu--DBSK

2007-02-26T14:39:00.000+09:00

It feels like beautiful thing
darui geurimja arae seon na
gwitkka-e maemdoneun baram
nareul eodiro deryeogalkka

Hayake bameul yuyeonghadeut
gureumeul geonneun yeonghon
saebyeogi chaja-ol ttaekkaji
bami jamdeul ttaekkaji

Time of love o na-ui salme
heorekttwen nareun eonje-ilkka
i sesang geu eotteon geottto
areumdapjji anheun geoneopsseo
salmeun modeungeol aragagi-eneun
neomu jjalbeun yeohaengingeol

Gyejeoreun tto ogetjjiman
shiganui gangdo heulleo
huimihan sesang bicheun
gi-eongman namge dwego
harureul nan gamsahamyeo, jageun gido-ui soneul mo-a
geojise garyeojin modeun geoseul saranghage hasoseo

It feels like beautiful thing. Below the moon’s shadow, the wind whispers in my ear. Where will it take me. Making the night turn white, a spirit that walks on clouds. Till the dawn comes. Till the night goes to sleep.

Time of love, oh my life, when will be the chosen day. There is nothing in this world that is not beautiful. For one to know everything in a lifetime, it’s too short of a trip. Though the seasons will come again, time also passes.

Life’s faint light allow, only the memories remain. I am thankful for each day, so I put my hands together in a small prayer. Everything that is hidden in lies. May I love please.

Romanization by: tsiy (also credit: aheeyah.com)
Translation by: o2_intake (also credit: aheeyah.com)

Note 1: Xiah is one of the Dong Bang Shin Ki members. He’s my favorite among the five. Note 2: Okay, Batata, I officially admit that I do have some teen’s crush for this guy. Hahaha ;-p I loveeedddd his voice (and his dance moves). <3 <3 <3

Travel: Korean Restaurant "Gahyo"

2007-02-16T19:41:00.000+09:00

GAHYO
Jl Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 52053 Lot. 6
Jakarta Selatan
Telp 021-52897044

If you ever want to taste some of the Korean delicacies (Hanguk Emsik), I would very much recommend you to Gahyo at Jalan Sudirman. Though did not look too promising from the outside---you cannot see it from the main road; it’s located at the back of Milenia, at one of the alleys. On busy days, you barely can see it, as it is covered by cars parking at the front of it---once you’re inside, you will become a bit reassured.

The rectangle restaurant is divided into two types of seating: western style (with tables and chairs) and the oriental style (with platform, short legged tables, and seat cushions). There was also a small island of bar at the middle of the room. Wanting to have the complete eastern experience, we chose the oriental style seating; taking our shoes off, hoping our feet would not betray and go dead on us ;-p

There were of course the barbeque selections on the menu, but as we want to try the foods with gukgi (clear soup) or cigae (thickly spiced, sometimes oily, soup), we only had our eyes on that group. I wanted to order the Kimchi Cigae (cigae with meat and kimchi), but too bad they only have the pork one, so I have to pass. I order the Jukkejang (cigae with beef and mushrooms) instead.

What I loved about this restaurant was the complete banchan (side dishes) that they served. They were many of them!!! (Quantity sometimes does still rules over quality!!! Hahaha) On my first visit, I counted them, and there were about seven types of banchan: including kimchi, vegetable pancake (a bit like Japanese okonomiyaki), and bean pasted spinach (my favorite!), and eggs tofu, etc. You can see more from the pictures I took. And I found out at my second visit that the set of these banchans were not always the same, so you expect different sets on one day and the other.

The tea they served tasted and smelled like the Japanese mugicha (usually drink cold during the summer). I instantly fell for it. I didn’t expect that mugicha also tasted delightful when served hot. Oh, and thank god for the free refill!!!

Stepping out from Gahyo with full tummy probably can well be expected with the price over Rp100.000 each. But, guess what?! We only spent about Rp60.000 each after tax, only because of the cigae’s price. The banchan is for free and if one serving wasn’t enough, you can get another refill!!! So I guess now you’ve known why I like this place so much. The thought of coming in and order only white rice will certainly come to mind… ;-p

Amidst all the good review, sadly the restrooms were not as those of the high-class restaurant. And where taste is concerned, I will have to admit that at the second visiting, the taste of the Jukkejang could not be described as mind-blowing, but if you’re insist on having great collections of banchan, this is definitely the place.

Pictures taken by Chihiro 2006: (1) Banchan (2) More Banchan ;-p (3) Jukkejang and bab (rice)

Movie: The Prestige

2007-02-14T15:06:00.000+09:00

I have watched this movie a while back, but didn’t have the fingers to type a review until now. Don’t get me wrong, I actually enjoyed watching this film. Definitely wasn’t sorry for spending extra money to see it at the movies.

Despite some harsh comments around it, the movie was great in my opinion as a whole. The casts, the wardrobes, the settings, the atmosphere of restless and eager of novelty London was strongly felt. The clash between social classes also, though subtly, well described. My beloved Christian Bale of course played an important role for me to enjoy it ;-p Yes, the ending that was supposed to be The Prestige of the movie was a bit dissapointed, after all the thick plotting, great story telling, etc, but as I said before: it was a good entertaintment for me.

Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) were both newly started magicians in the same show. They were honestly competitors. But their lives took drastic turns after a terrible incident. The accident left a deep grudge for Angier and sharpen the rivalry between them until the point of obsession with dangerous and deadly consequences. They became fierce enemies-for-life and consequently jeopardizing the lives of everyone around them.

In the battle between Bale’s and Jackman’s characters, I couldn’t help to take side, and it didn’t take long for me to choose Bale’s. I really liked his character in this movie: being plainly from the lower class he became mysterious, full of secrets, ambitious enough to go to the dark side. Some people probably would simply put him as the bad guy of this movie; but the ending will alter your mind, and he will show you big portion of his character that will make you realize that he’s so human.

Speaking about bad and good guy, as the opposite of Bale’s character, Hugh’s was the mirror of idealism: good looks and knows how to use it, charming and charismatic, a man with deep love for the family, even though he posed as a commoner, there was an air of a nobleman in his presence—in other words, he seemed to have come from the upper class. But as the story goes, the line between good and bad will gradually fades. It’s as if the mirror has broken.

I just loveeeeddd the way they twisted the story!!!

The other casts were also quite good, after all there were Scarlett Johansson, and—get this!—David Bowie! He played as Tesla, an ecsentric scientist who helped Angier. I didn’t realize it was him until my friend told me. He looked sooo different, from the his usual white/pale blond hair self.

Rate:
Casts: Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, David Bowie, Michael Caine, Ricky Jay, Andy Serkis, Daniel Davis, Jim Piddock, Christopher Neame, Roger Rees, Jamie Harris

Director: Christopher Nolan Source Writer: Christopher Priest, Jonathan Nolan Producer: Aaron Ryder, Emma Thomas Director of Photography: Wally Pfister Music: David Julyan Genre: Drama, Rivalry, Thriller, Magic, Science Fiction Release Company: Touchstone Pictures MPAA Rating: PG-13, for violence and disturbing images Released: 20-10-2006

Source: www. rottentomatoes.com

TV Drama: Tiger and Dragon

2007-02-13T18:39:00.000+09:00

I have always been curious about the usually middle ages men, sitting on a pillow, wearing kimono, speaking enthusiastically about god knows what to an audience, with a fan most of the time at one of his hand. They’re seemed to telling his audience funny stories cause whatever they’re saying they will be rewarded with laughter. I didn’t get it at the time, because of my minimum Japanese (still minimum now ;-p).

That is why I’m so glad that I found this dorama. The subtitles and the “modern” interpretations of this traditional art which has hundred of years history helped me a lot. I finnaly knew that there was a name for this kind of show: Rakugo. And now, I totally understand why there were fanatics among the Rakugo fans. It will be a pity indeed if the young generations considered it only as old men’s thing.

Just like lines in a play, the monologues and stories in Rakugo seemed to be fixed, the story tellers have to memorize all of them—which means learning by heart all the old-difficult to remember-Japanese words. There were several scenes when Toraji (Tomoya Nagase) had to add some more furrows among those already twisted brows of his to do this.

As expected, the stories were ancient ones: about Confucius and his burnt stable, lazy fisherman and his wife, simple storeowner and a rich and greedy nobleman, etc. All of the stories contain teachings, critics, anecdotes, etc; in short, stories that are more than meet the eyes.

In short, the dorama was about a yakuza member, Toraji (Nagase Tomoya) who has to collect payments from a Donbei (Nishida Toshiyuki) whose son (Ryuji, played by Okada Junichi) used the money to open an eclectic clothing store. Surprisingly, Toraji later discovered and fell in love with Rakugo (traditional Japanese comical monologues) through Donbei who later teaches him the art (became his Shishou). And in the dorama, Toraji invented a new way to perform Rakugo, and his was very fresh and fun to watch! Yakuza's Rakugo!!!

The story then revolved around Toraji (Nagase) who’s trying to master Rakugo, his Shishou Donbei (Nishida), and Ryuji the Shishou’s son (Okada). In this sense, I really felt that Nagase and Nishida were definitely dominating the screen; Okada presence was even felt unwelcome. Okada didn’t really contribute much for the dorama, in my opinion. I was totally rooting for more Nagase’s and Nishida’s scenes.

And don’t let me start on the Megumi character (Itoh Misaki). She’s totally irritating. Watching her trying to be funny almost always made me rolled my eyes. But then again she probably was born to play as a dull-helpless and not so smart girl. Ups, I maybe a bit harsh, there… ;-p

Anyway, I was entertained and personally amazed on how they were able to create seamless transitions between the rakugo story telling, the re-enactment of the story itself, and then the current drama happenings. Each episode focuses on a different rakugo story but still proceeded at a nice pace.

Side comments:
- Wow, V6 still exist? Hehe sorry, guys. But I really didn’t thought that this boyband will last this long…
- Nagase has surely developed nicely over these years. I first saw him as a young lover in Koibito Yo, I think, and that was about ten years ago. Never had much interest in him or his band TOKIO at the time, he was also cute back then, but wasn’t really my type. I was more into the SMAP and Kimura Takuya ;-p. But now he looked alarmingly attractive… **Could it be that Chi has found another eye candy? Hehehe.
- Except for the two people I have said my remarks about earlier, all the casts were having great chemistries! The yakuzas, the Hayashiatei’s people (that’s the name of the Rakugo Theater), all of them were great.
- New blood to be accounted for: Tsukamoto Takashi who played Nagase’s young yakuza apprentice. Should definitely look for more of his dorama.
- I didn't get the first special episode, which would explain why I felt something missing at the beginning of the first episode of the series.

Rate:
Casts:

Nagase Tomoya as Yamazaki Kotora / Hayashiyatei Kotora / Tora / Toraji / Toravolta
Okada Junichi as Yanaka Ryuji / Hayashiyatei Kotatsu
Itoh Misaki as Megumi
Nishida Toshiyuki as Yanaka Shoukichi / Hayashiatei Donbei / Shishou / Don-chan
Shoufukutei Tsurube as Nakatani Ken / Ken-chan (Shinjuku RyuseIkai Kumicho)
Tsukamoto Takashi as Nakatani Ginjiro / Gin-gin

Genre: Comedy Episodes: 1 Special + 11 Broadcast Network: TBS Broadcast Period: 2005-Apr-15 to 2005-Jun-24 Screenwriter: Kudo Kankuro Directors: Kaneko Fuminori, Katayama Osamu, Tsuboi Toshio Theme Songs: Opening song: Tiger & Dragon by Crazy Ken Band; Ending song: UTAO-UTAO by V6 Language: Japanese

Source:
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Tiger_&_Dragon
www.ilbondrama.net

Blog: Hallyu and Korean Nationalism 2

2007-02-09T10:51:00.000+09:00

Editorials: Too much of a good thing (09/02/2007)

Too many Koreans take advantage of nationalism. This remark by the Korea pop music producer, Park Jin-young, has created controversy.

Mr. Park claims that due to excessive nationalism in Korean society, many people unreasonably and groundlessly interpret hallyu, the Korean pop culture wave, as a form of Korean domination or superiority over other countries. His criticism has a point. We need to think seriously about excessive nationalism in our society.

In Korea, the concept of a unified people was formed when Mongolia invaded us at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty, according to historians.Since then, nationalism has provided a firm defense mechanism through countless foreign invasions and the Japanese colonization, enduring a divided country and war.

In the modern era, Korea has been under the influence of foreign superpowers. This makes nationalism even stronger, and it continues to function as a fortress. Foreign forces and figures have been excluded from the fortress, but within it, Koreans lose touch with the outside world.

When Japanese women admire a Korean actor, Koreans feel proud. But when Japanese movies or novels are introduced into Korea, an alarm goes off to warn the nation that Japanese culture is pouring in.

When foreigners wear traditional Korean costumes, Koreans are very happy, but Koreans were upset when a Korean pop singer wore Chinese costumes during his concert in China.

Nationalism as a defense easily turns into offense, but few notice that transformation. Koreans get upset when their fellow countrymen living in Japan are discriminated against, but they close their eyes when some Koreans exploit immigrant workers from the Third World.

We have to change. We do not mean that we should forget our identity as Koreans, but we need to scrap excessive nationalism. Too much nationalism damages diversity, a growth engine in modern democratic societies. There have also been many cases in which citizens’ freedoms were infringed upon in the name of nationalism.

We should abandon the ideology of nationalism and instead equip ourselves with the skills and competence to become cosmopolitan. That is the way to make Korea not only survive but prosper in this global era.

Source: http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2872260

Blog: Hallyu and Korean Nationalism 1

2007-02-09T10:44:00.000+09:00

Producer Blasts Korean Nationalism (2007/02/08)

Celebrity music producer Park Jin-young took a stand against nationalism yesterday, saying the word Korean should be removed from the phrase "Korean wave".

"I don't understand why the Korean wave is taken as the rah-rah material", Mr. Park said. "Now is the time to overcome nationalism, but instead we are intensifying that sentiment".

Mr. Park, who produces the music of the star singer Rain, was referring to hallyu, the Korean pop culture wave. He said the nationalism causes other countries to criticize Korea.

He made the comments in an interview in New York with the JoongAng Ilbo. Mr. Park is scheduled to make a keynote speech on Feb. 16 for the forum "Hallyu in Asia: A Dialogue", at the Kennedy School of Harvard University.

The media is at least partly to blame for fanning nationalism, Mr. Park said. "The press says things like 'The Korean wave is conquering Japan and China', and that leads to anti-Korean wave sentiment overseas", Mr. Park said.

Mr. Park said he's been surprised to hear criticism expressed by producers and TV executives overseas.
"Now, the Korean wave is strong, so they are playing our music in their countries", Mr. Park said. "But I get the sense that if the Korean Wave shows signs of dying out, they would go ahead and stop playing our music. It only hurts us if Koreans stress the Korean label too much".

He also said politicians share in the responsibility. "Politicians do not look at pop art as a way to communicate culturally, but use nationalism for their own benefit".

The producer noted that his own singer, Rain, received criticism on Web sites at home because he wore a Chinese-style costume and made dance moves based on kung fu. "Such a narrow-minded attitude does not help at all", Mr. Park said.

The comment boiled up more online controversy, as Internet users reacted sharply both for and against Mr. Park. Those who opposed him said people can't deny that the Korean wave comes from Korea.

The producer wrote a response yesterday on his Web site, saying, "It is my dream to overcome this modern age in which we think our country and our nation are only the best", he said.

Mr. Park, himself a former star singer, has fostered a round of successful pop singers through his company, JYP Entertainment.

By Nam Jeong-ho(JoongAng Ilbo)/ Chun Su-jin(Staff Writer)

Source : joongangdaily.joins.c... ( English Korean )

Blog: Japanese Wave in Korea

2007-02-09T10:39:00.000+09:00

TV review - That rumbling noise is the Japanese wave (2007/02/06)

If you want to know what's hot in Korean culture just now, I have the answer — Japan. The so-called "Korean Wave" appears to have lost its power, at least in Japan. I am Korean through and through, but I have to say this, even though hot-blooded patriots might start showering me with angry e-mails. Still, this is a free country and this is my column. So allow me to talk about something that I cannot miss in the Japanese cultural flow that is secretly seeping over the Korean Peninsula.

I still believe the Dokdo Islets, which Japan claims as Takeshima, should belong to Korea (although I wish the midget islands were simply not there), but I find myself enjoying Japanese novels, TV dramas and music. And I'm not the only heretic. Go to a downtown bookstore and you will see that one of the busiest sections is dedicated to Japanese modern novels and beloved writers such as Amy Yamada and Kaori Ekuni.

Yes, I've declared myself long ago as an aficionado of Japanese TV dramas. But the thing is, my love for Japanese TV dramas was kept in the closet. Translation: I saw many of them in pirate versions floating on the Internet. Now they've come out of the closet, as many cable channels are importing and running the dramas.

There is even a Japanese channel, called Channel J, exclusively devoted to Japanese cultural imports. On a recent night I almost screamed with joy when I saw the "Ooku" series on Channel J while mindlessly flicking the remote control. It's a historical drama featuring catfights among women who compete for the attention of the shogun in a Tokyo castle. It is a huge favorite of mine because of the splendid kimonos and other traditional Japanese charms. I worked the phones and found out that Channel J was officially launched with Korean capital.

Kim Jong-rae, in charge of publicity, ducked the question about audience ratings, refusing to give precise numbers. The closest he came to an answer was to say that the channel's most popular drama ranks around 30th among the shows aired by more than 100 cable TV channels. "Still, we get phone calls from a fanatical audience, who want their favorite TV dramas and pop music", Mr. Kim said.

Another publicist for MBC Movies, a cable channel run by MBC-TV, is more frank. She said that the highest rating for her channel's Japanese TV drama is some 2 percent at the most. So, I asked, are Japanese TV dramas not so popular here? Then I was told that a 2-percent audience rating is quite good when it comes to a cable TV channel. "It's true that we are disappointed by the audience rating", she said. "But we understand that Japanese TV dramas here have a small group of fanatical fans, not a huge general audience".

She added that her channel plans to import more of the shows. Currently, it is running "Nobuta-o Produce", a recent production from last year.

Major TV networks, meanwhile, have constantly come up with their own dramas derived from Japanese originals. The most recent one is the medical TV drama, "White Tower", based on a Japanese TV novel and drama with the same title.

The Korean government still bans shows in the Japanese language from major public-airwave channels, but a little channel surfing on cable TV will prove that Japanese language programming is readily available. "Secretto Sensei", meaning "Secret Teacher" in English, recently finished on Mnet, a cable music channel here. It featured Korean musicians learning Japanese from a Japanese woman. Understandably, quite a large amount of the show was in Japanese.

Well, it's true that the Korean Wave is still alive and somehow kicking, but it's time to wake up from that sweet dream that hallyu will hit the world after conquering Japan. The alarm clock is ringing, and it could soon be time to get ready for a different cultural invasion.

by Chun su jin

Source : joongangdaily.joins.c... ( English Korean )

Persona: Dong Bang Shin Ki

2007-02-05T19:04:00.000+09:00

At first I only heard and watched them because of my little sis who is totally madly in love with them, well, particularly with Micky Yu Cheon. CRAZE was more like it!!! But after a while her infatuation ;-p finally get to me, cause after all, I have to admit these five guys really do have the showmanships and some nice rhythms. They have proven that they're not just a regular pretty boys’ boyband.

Anyway, the name Dong Bang Shin Ki (DBSK) itself was translated into "Rising Gods of the East." The Japanese equivalent of the group's name is Tōhōshinki (abbreviated as THSK), while in Taiwan, they are known as Tong Vfang Xien Qi (TVSQ). And they all were born at 1986!!! Except for Max who was born in 1987. Talk about brondong bo!!

Dong Bang Shin Ki's members are:

U-KNOW Yun Ho

MICKY Yu Cheon

HERO Jae Jeong

MAX Chang Min

XIAH Jun Su

Although Hero (Jae Jeong) had easily caught my eyes—and this was easily proven because the camera definitely love him! He looked great on still images---later on, after watching U-know (Yun Ho) danced, I decided that he was the Dong Bang Shin Ki’s member for me.

But then after a while, I changed my mind again. I was really taken by Xiah’s (Jun-Su) powerful and typicality voice—thick in almost every songs even when the five of them singing together, but perhaps for me, especially in Rising Sun and Ashita wa Kuru Kara, and then of course his own solo song with Jang Ri In, a female singer, in Timeless. He has grown nicely through these years ;-p

But then again, nowadays, I can’t really make up my mind. Seeing U-know showing his dance moves… for example, in Destiny (those opening moves under the rain, OMG: he certainly didn’t play nice to my weak heart ;-p): WOW! The phrase “yummy young blood” will instantly pop up in my mind ;-p

Too bad, he’s a bit different now. As if he has lost his sparks. The incident (a girl who was an anti-fan gave him a beverage containing substances usually found in Super Glue!!!!) must’ve had gotten into him. Well, who wouldn’t?

You can read more detail on this topic in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVXQ

U-know, I hope you’ll get yourself together again soon. Nuna is praying for you!

What kind of songs do they perform? Listening few of their songs, I think they’re trying to do a lot of genres. But I think their strong point is in dance-fast-pace songs and R&B. Their acappellas didn’t really stand out, and their boyband’s types of songs are really not in my menu (Hug for example, not bad but I would prefer something else).

My favorite DBSK’s MV so far is definitely Rising Sun (well, at least, minus the Brady Bunch's scenes ;-p). All of them really looked HOT in that clip. My favorite parts were when they all leaped like young stallions and the slow break dance time. But the new O-Junbanhap’s (did I wrote it correctly?) MV was also cool.

Anyway, browsing the net for their images was so easy, there’s seemed to be a lot of blogthat that hosted their pictures. Thanks a lot to all of you!!! Way to go! Great pics and great blogs/forums!

Here are some of them:
http://tvxq-pipin.seesaa.net/
www.blog.edu.cn
http://m-dbsk.skyblog.com/
http://entertainment.webshots.com/
http://www.shineblog.com/

TV Drama: Attention, Please!

2007-01-31T16:57:00.000+09:00

Though I usually like the “inspirational” type of dorama, this one was only okay for me. And sadly to say, Aya Ueto was the reason for this. Other than this dorama, I have saw her in Azumi 1 and 2, and she played charmingly in those movies. But regrettably, I found her performance in Attention Please annoying; so much that there were times that I felt like giving her the eye to shut her up or making her come to her senses.

She supposedly played as Misaki Yoko who was raised amongst three brothers, and ever since she was young, she enjoyed the company of boys over girls. So as you can imagine Yoko was a boyish girl who is bullheaded. She starts a band with four of her boy friends and becomes the lead singer. But rather than acting tomboyish attitudes, Aya Ueto was more often loud and irritating.

Anyway, one day, one of the members of the band, Tsukasa, gets a job in Tokyo. Yoko was secretly had feelings for Tsukasa but kept it for herself. When she and the band saw Tsukasa off at the airport, the guys got excited when they see some cabin crew ladies. Tsukasa was also commenting about how he would like to see Yoko dressed in uniform. From that simple and airy comment, Yoko became determined. She decided to apply as a cabin attendant and go to Tokyo!

Thus begin the new life of Yoko. She had to face the mocking and jeering from people, because after all she had all the raw attitudes and the appearance of a punk rocker. But after a while she became honest to herself and realized that she should be doing this seriously, for her own sake and not anybody else.

Along the way of seeking true life’s aspiration, Yoko met a technical engineer Nakahara Shota (Nishikado Ryo) and befriended closely with Yayoi (Aibu Saki) and Saori (Uehara Misa), also cabin attendant trainees. Playing Obiwan who trained the young rebellious grasshopper—cabin attendant trainer, Mikami Tamaki—was Maya Miki.

Nishikado Ryo contributed a lot to make this dorama a likely good entertainment. He has this Vic Zhou aura that easily caught my attention. They should thank him, A LOT.

But the drama wasn't completely helpless as we got a glimpse of cabin attendant’s life behind the glamorous stage (the hard training, etc).

Rate:
Title (English): Attention Please Casts: Ueto Aya, Nishikido Ryo, Maya Miki, Aibu Saki, Uehara Misa, Koizumi Koutaro Episodes: 11 Genre: Comedy Broadcast Network: Fuji TV Broadcast Period: 2006-Apr-18 to 2006-June-27 Theme song: "OH PRETTY WOMAN" by Kaela Kimura Language: Japanese

Source:
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Attention_Please
www.ilbondrama.net

Persona: Jo In-Seong

2007-01-19T19:01:00.000+09:00

Until now I’ve watched quiet enough Hanguk (Korean) derama and movies, I think, and so far Jo In-Seong is still the best for me. Not only good looks, he has the acting and charisma possessed by big stars. In fact, remembering almost three years ago, he was the Korean star who made my head turned and then my heart fell for Halyu (Korean Wave) itself.

Though of course---just like in other postings I’ve put in this blog---I’m opened for other opinion, this is a little warning: where Jo In-Seong is concerned, it will be hard to ask for objectivity from me. Hehehe ;-p

BASICS:
Date of birth: 1981 July 28
Height: 186cm
Weight: 70kg
Star sign: Leo
Blood type: B

TRIVIA:
Family: Parents, 1 younger brother
Education: Donggu University (acting major)
Specialty: Taekwondo (he was to be an instructor, if not for his acting career), Basketball
Hobby: Collecting Hats
Debut: December 1998 Georgio model

TV SERIES
Too bad that I haven’t saw these titles, so no comment:
School 3 (KBS1, 2001), sitcom Drama City "Like An Innocent Comic" (KBS2, 2001), New Nonstop 2 (MBC, 2002), Piano (SBS, 2002), Daemang (SBS, 2002), cameo Shoot for the star (SBS, 2002)

What Happened in Bali (SBS, 2004)

Also known as Something Happened in Bali, this was the derama on which I first “met” Jo In-Seong. In fact, this was the first Hanguk derama that I actually watched, even though, if I’m not mistaken, there were already Winter Sonata, Hotelier, etc back then.

Jo In-Seong was fantastic as Jong Jae-Min. He played as a spoiled rich guy that fell desperately on a poor average girl (played by Ha Ji-Won). His chemistry with her was very powerful; I couldn’t get my eyes off him. His sobbing scenes were definitely unforgettable; they were heart ripping and chest crunching! No wonder that he got that year Best Actor Award from this derama.

In this derama, he looked super with his stylish leather backpack, colorful leather sport shoes, and—the trademark for him in this derama—flowery shirt underneath dark or light colored jacket; oh, and also white pants. Never though that flowery shirt can still make a man looked masculine, but it definitely worked for In-Seong.

The sight of him walking through the cubicles to his office with that tottaly cool moves… omo omo, congmal mositta!!!

Spring Day (SBS, 2005)

After Something Happened in Bali, I was craving for more In-Seong, so thank god for this derama.

Once again, In-Seong played as a rich guy who used to having economy privileges. But unlike Jae-Min character who was confident and strong-headed, in this derama, In-Seong put on top acting by becoming a young doctor who was afraid of blood (!) and powerless against his very strict father.

His character was a bit weak and even cowardly sometimes, many times he chose running rather than facing his problems. That is until he met a simple girl who happened to be his big brother’s girlfriend (played by Ko Hyeon-Jong: lucky woman! So far I’ve watched her playing opposite to two yummy young guys, in this derama and in What’s Up, Fox?) Watching In-Seong tried to win this girl’s heart would definitely reminded you to his efforts in Something Happened in Bali. But I liked those efforts better in here.

My favorite memorable scene was when he followed the girl he loved quite far from behind, watching her went home without trying to see her—because the girl was after all, his brother’s lover. Not in a stalker kind of way, but watching to make sure she arrived at home safely. And then of course, after the girl had realized In-Seong was following her, their kissing scene. So sweet…

More of his derama, juseo!!!!

MOVIES

Titles I haven’t watch: Public Toilet (2002), Madeleine (2002)

Classic (2003)
Watching In-Seong as a university student, a sonbae, was undeniably a treat! He looked great with basic campus look: sweaters, jeans, and jackets. Too bad he didn’t have many scenes in this movie. Even so, he managed to leave deep impression with the beautiful scene of him protecting the girl he liked from the rain.

Love of South & North / Love Impossible (2003)
Okay okay, so nobody’s perfect. But I blamed all the poor performances on the director and the leading lady. In-Seong was sadly not funny in this supposedly comedy drama, nor showed any good memorable acting, but there was the time when he showed after a few years (in the story) looking great with glasses.

A Dirty Carnival/Mean Streets (2006)

Already made a review on the newest In-Seong movie on this blog. Have you read it? If not, go ahead and click here

AWARDS

2006 5th Korea Film Awards Best Actor
2005 41st Baeksang Art Awards: Popularity Award
2004 SBS Acting Awards: Best Actor Award
2004 SBS Acting Awards: Top 10 Stars Award
2004 40th Baeksang Art Awards: Best Male TV Actor (What Happened in Bali)
2002 SBS Acting Awards: Popularity Award
2002 SBS Acting Awards: Top 10 Stars Award
2001 SBS Acting Awards: New Star Award
2001 MBC Broadcasting Awards: Sitcom Acting Award
2000 KBS Acting Awards: Young Actor Award

SOURCES:
http://people.empas.com/people/info/jo/in/joinsung/
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Jo_In_Sung
http://gallery.asianfanatics.net/

Movie: Click

2007-01-17T14:57:00.000+09:00

Never thought that an Adam Sandler’s movie could touched me so deeply--can't really say that I ultimately enjoy his movies or definitely will laugh at his jokes. There was, though, an exception, for 50 First Dates, cause that movie was totally and utterly romantic. And I guess, the list is now growing for I found watching Click as a great experience.

Though began with Sandler’s movies typical anecdotes, after a while the plot of the movie grew heavier, with weighty issues that I think, we ourselves often face in our everyday lives. Just forget the unfunny jokes, toss away the not-so-important flatulence scene or David Hasselhoff’s scenes or whatever, cause after that you’ll see how the movie tried to remind us—no matter what the critics said—that you should definitely treasure time more.

The story was about Michael Newman (Sandler), a husband and a father of two who’s trying so hard to get a promotion as a partner in his boss’ architecture company. While focusing for it, he put aside everything, including his family and his own well-being. On a one really stressful day, he met an eccentric scientist named Morty who gave him a special newly developed universal remote control.

Not only worked on ceiling fan and television, it turned out that the remote control worked also on… yes, dog, people and basically everything! It enable him to fast forward, go to the next chapter, or click into the mute mode, and even gave Michael a glimpse of his past and future life, in complete DVD mode menu. This reminded me a bit of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol—you know, with the whole ghost from the past, present, and future stuffs.

But then just like in other stories, things that you get so easily sooner or later will eventually claim its rewards. The same happened to Michael. One day he found himself leaping through chapters of his life involuntarily. The remote control had self-programmed itself so Michael will leap through the things he dreaded, such as dinner with family, fight with his wife, sick period, etc. Soon he realized that he had missed almost every small detailed but precious moments with his family; his parents were getting older, he himself was getting fatter, and his children were becoming adults without him knowing.

And to this, I can relate. There were times when I want to fast forward some things, really tired with the process and cannot wait for the outcome—the whole routine that can choked you up sometimes. Times when I cut off conversations with my mom or little sis or grandma, saying that I was busy doing other things to have that “not-so-important” kind of talk. There were also the times when I was so bored with family gathering, family dinner, and wished that they would be over soon so I could go back to work.

Fast forwarding all of those—seemed like boring—times with your family or forcing yourself to be there but turning out more like a zombie rather than your whole self would seem harmless at the time, but recently I found myself missing all of that and wondering, "Do I easily take anything for granted?" What will happen when time no longer want to be my ally?

Boy oh boy… do I’ve become so melo. ;-p

Anyway, Kate Beckinsale looked great in this movie; she got the hair, the body, and the make-up. Almost didn’t recognized her without the light blue contact lenses and tight leather black suit ;-p

Rate:
Casts: Adam Sandler, Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken, Sean Astin, Jennifer Coolidge, Rachel Dratch, David Hasselhoff Director: Frank Coraci Screenwriters: Steve Koren, Mark O'Keefe Producers: Adam Sandler, Jack Giarraputo, Neal H. Moritz, Steve Koren, Mark O'Keefe Source: rottentomatoes.com

Movie: Monopoly

2007-01-12T19:15:00.000+09:00

The story was about Kyung Ho (Yang Dong Geun), a genius computer programmer whose job was to manage the online networks for all of the banks across the country. But having such an important job didn’t really help him in the social life department. Kyung Ho was more like a Japanese otaku: living a solitary life, socially retarded, always a mockery object to one of his co-worker, and his only friends that he often talk to were his animation character figurines collection.

One day, he runs into John (Kim Sung Su), a smooth talking and certainly dashing, handsome, charming, smart, beautiful sight for the sore eyes who had nice smiles (okay, we’ve got your point, Chi ;-p) businessman who invites Kyung Ho to experience the high life with him. Kyung Ho said to himself that this man was the one he’s been waiting for, the one that was like his knight in shining armors. And even though John already had a girlfriend (Yun Ji-Min) who’s madly in love with him, he seemed to return Kyung-Ho’s passionate feelings for him.

So, Kyung Ho was seduced and agreed to help John with his master plan. By using Kyung Ho's computer skills and unlimited access, John asked him to withdraw small, unnoticeable amounts of cash from every bank account in the country---making them rich without anybody noticing the money missing. But, it turned out that even in a crime that seemed victimless like John's, there has to be a loser, or two.

Okay, that was the story, and my thoughts were:

The was no doubt, of course, about how Kim Sung Su’s making the movie a pleasant one to watch, even though he didn't leave strong enough impression in it, unlike his role as Min-Yok oppa in Full House. Somehow he didn't succeed in making me believed that he was the cold-hearted puppeteer who would use anything and anyone for his own goal.

Yang Dong-Geun in the other hand played well. His version of an otaku really worked out for me. And when he looked at John, I could feel his adoration and vulnerability to the superior male. Yun Ji-Min was sadly not alluring enough; a bit off from my idea of the enticing female who used her body to deceive.

And… for the bummer of it, the BIG problem of this movie for me was: I have saw The Usual Suspects! (Omitting the tragic tragedy when I actually SLEPT! during the last five/ten crucial minutes of this masterpiece. Yeah, I know! I must had been really tired that day to be able to do THAT!) Anyway, seeing the ending of Monopoly was a bit like seeing the ending of The Usual Suspects—not the exact copy, but still.

So, to tell you the truth, I was a bit disappointed. But still the movie wasn’t a total letdown because after all, the plotting of the beginning and midway of the film was quite entertaining.

Rate:
Casts: Yang Dong-Geun, Kim Sung-Su, Yun Ji-Min Director: Lee Hang-Bae Producer: Kim Hyeong-Jun Duration: 91 minutes Release date in South Korea: 2006/06/01 Source: www.hancinema.net

Movie: Like a Virgin

2007-01-10T16:48:00.000+09:00

This film really reminded me of why I love Korean movies. But then again, this movie alone probably would stand out from its crowd; after all it has won Lee Hae-Jun and Lee Hae-Young the Best New Director Award at The 5th Korean Film Awards. And this was their debut as directors! Wow!!!

I like its simple story line, nothing too ambitious (the kind that tried too hard to give some holly messages), and even though the transgender or transsexual issues has been the seed of so many movies we’ve seen these days, Like A Virgin made me saw it as a new fresh side. I was hooked to every frame and was not willing for it to go without taking me along.

Even though--with the fabulous casts that they had--they can easily create a “serious” drama, I was glad that the directors stayed to the comedy instead; you'll see it instantly that they were totally in their element. Ryu Duk-Hwan was totally great, and not only because he had gained 20 kg for this role! He could really played out his character up to the tiniest flicker in her eyes—ups, I meant, his eyes ;-p

Ryu Duk-Hwan (you may remember him as the youngest North Korean soldier in Welcome To Dongmakgol, though he was so thin in that also great movie) was Oh Dong-Gu, a fat, short and average second year high school student, who seemed to have every possible way of unhappiness.

His father was a gold medal boxer who got injured and now living every day with drinking, swearing, hitting, hating life and himself. His mother had lived separately from them; avoiding her husband’s rages and pursuing a life that had been postponed when she got pregnant with Dong-Gu at a very young age. His younger brother was pretty much ignorant and tried to avoid their father as much as he could—Dong-Gu said to his mother on one of their meetings that he’s becoming more and more like their dad.

And if all of that were not enough, along with the peer pressure and stuffs, Oh Dong-Gu felt that he was a girl trapped in a boy’s body. He was so inspired by Madonna and her song “Like a Virgin” and dreamed of becoming a superstar like her. So when other boys were busy doing part time jobs to buy, for example, a motorbike or airplane models, he’s working hard to save money for a sex change operation.

Doing early in the morning jobs at the dock always made Dong-Gu late and in trouble with the teachers at school, so he had to find other means to reach his goal. And then he heard of the ssireum (traditional Korean wrestling, a bit like sumo) contest, which assured winning players of a prize purse of 5 million won. Thus began his contradictory life, his feminine soul had to compete in a very masculine world of wrestling.

There were so many small but smart humor details that made this movie unforgettable. The way Dong-Gu lowered his eyes when seeing his Japanese teacher (played by Kusanagi Tsuyoshi-SMAP) that he had a huge crush on. The way Dong-Gu and one of the ssireum sonbae practiced Lexy’s Ehsongge dancing (with great moves, I must add) while talking about serious topic. The way Dong-Gu took the long and red cloth which was ssireum’s belt (arrggh, I forgot what it’s called), put it on like it was a long sari, and started to dance Indian dancing moves in front of his locker room mirror. How red one of the ssireum’s sonbae’s face when he’s suppressing laughter fit because of his supersensitive armpit got slightly touched (Imagine doing wrestling and protecting you armpit the whole time. It certainly didn’t look easy! Hahahaha). Etc.

But this movie was not all about humor. The heartfelt scenes were also there. The painful sobbing in the middle of the night while Dong-Gu was washing his wet pants, after a dream of finally having the menarche. The beating Dong-Gu had to endure from his father when he confronted him with the truth (“This is me, Abohji!).

And of course the dialogue Dong-Gu and his bestfriend had:
Friend: “You’re so lucky, unlike me or others, you already have a dream…”
Dong-Gu: “What dream? I just want to live a life!”

Rate:
Korean title: Cheonhajangsa Madonna Directors & Screenplay Writers: Lee Hae-Jun, Lee Hae-Yeong Casts: Ryu Deok-Hwan, Baek Yun-Sik, Lee Sang-Ah, Kim Yoon-Seok, Park Yeong-Seo, Kim Kyeong-Ik, Oh Yun-Hong, Lee Jae-Gu Distribution: CJ Entertainment
Release date in South Korea: 2006/08/31
Sources: www.yesasia.com; www.hancinema.com

Blog: Year 2007

2007-01-02T16:24:00.000+09:00

Happy New Year 2007

明けましておめでとうございます！
Best Wishes to all

illustration by Chihiro Iwasaki

Movie: Hana Yori Dango

2006-12-29T17:40:00.000+09:00

Oh mi god, seeing this movie was like being given a blast to the past. The fashion statements in the movie were too thick to be ruled out. Hahaha.

While of course, obviously, it’s not really their fault to be teenagers in the 80’s—wearing those big and goofy hairs, big accessories, bright clothes, etc—I couldn’t help my self from frowning at the sight of Domyouji’s wardrobes. I mean, yes, we know that it’s natsu (summer) but can you imagine going to campus with nothing on your upper body except a black leather vest—that’s, to say the least, accompanied by a pair of matching leather black pants to complete the look? Well, but I guess it was Domyouji Tsukasa after all, he can wear anything he likes. Hmm... wait a minute, this was a 1995's production? Weird...

Other than the interesting wardrobe stuffs, there were of course the casts. You see, I bought this movie mostly because of Naohito Fujiki (Slow Dance, One Litre of Tears) and partly because the Hana Yori Dango’s story itself—love it after all, regardless how I used to dislike Yuki Uchida—she’s too loud for me back then. But it turned out that Fujiki didn’t get too many scenes, and some of them didn’t even have strong acting—could it be because of his young age? The beach scene was quiet touching, though.

As for Yuki Uchida… well, it turned out that I got it right the first time! Hehehe. Her scenes were somehow only consisted of shouting, pouting, shouting, and more pouting with very short skirts. There was not even one layer of good delivering on her side; this made me felt so sorry for her co-stars.

There was one pleasant surprise in this movie: young Shosuke Tanihara (Oh-Oku, Gokusen 2) playing Domyouji. His performance could be considered well-played compare to the others’. He looked great with tan—and this almost made his wardrobe forgiven, almost… ;-p

Oh, and I think there was Norika Fujiwara playing as one of the rich spoiled girls—barely recognized her underneath all that hair (^-^)

Because this was a summer movie the choice of scenes were more resemble to the Taiwan’s version (Meteor Garden)—ergo, there’s the beach scene where Domyouji caught Tsukushi Makino and Hanazawa Rui kissing in it, unlike Hana Yori Dango’s dorama which showed more autumn and winter backgrounds.

Over all, I blame it all to the script writer/s and the editors. They somehow managed to reduce the great dialogues and scenes into emotionless frames. Too bad! But if you’re a great fan of this lovely story, you should still watch it, for comparison, perhaps. My deep thanks to doramalover!

Rate:
Casts: Yuki Uchida, Shosuke Tanihara, Naohito Fujiki Broadcast Network: Fuji TV, 1995 Language: Japanese Source: www.doramalover.com

TV Drama: Tree of Heaven

2006-12-29T16:42:00.000+09:00

Despite my usual lack of interest to this kind of derama (melodramatic, that is), I went ahead watching this series since it had been said to get good attentions in Japan.

The story was about Hana (Park Shin-Hye): a bright young girl who lost her father (a Korean) at a young age. When her Japanese mother returned to Japan, she came with her new Korean husband and his 19 years old son Yun-So (Lee Wan). While the stepfather was nice and kindhearted, Yun-So was difficult and a bit autistic.

Living most of her life as an only and thus lonely child, Hana was fond of her new stepbrother. She always tried to cheer him up with her new-learned Korean—calling him oppa with a supposedly weird accent. After a while, Yun-So finally willing to open up to Hana and she found out the reason behind Yun-So’s pain and agony: his mother died during his 10th birthday and her death was traumatic to him.

Hana’s late father owned an inn business that had been taken care of by his younger sister when Hana’s mother went to Korea. While giving friendly smiles and kind words in front of them, the aunt was in truth spited them all. So when Hana’s parents were on a honeymoon trip, this aunt and her daughter Maya abused Hana and made plans to sell the inn in order to pay for gambling debts and college. During these hard times, Hana found solace with Yun-So and gradually they started to have feelings for one another. But Hana was doubted and afraid to love him.

Years passed, Hana parents got killed on a traffic accident but the aunt didn’t tell Hana and Yun-So. Hana found herself loosing track of her parents and also without a home—her aunt finally really did sold the inn. Yun-So oppa was also missing after Hana rejected his love. She went to work in her sempai’s (senior) big hotel in Tokyo, regretting her doubt on Yun-So’s love. Ryu Fujiwara, that’s the sempai’s name, asked her to marry him but one day Hana saw someone who’s so very like her Yun-So oppa—a man that was a mafia team leader named Yuki.

Of course the story line of a love-rejected man went joining the mafia was… well, a bit lame, but we have to remember that this was a melodrama after all. Lee Wan did a great job doing Yun-So’s autistic teenage part, but unfortunately, IMHO, sometimes overacted his mafia role—what seemed supposedly to be a cool face or cold eyes ended up made me smirking or helplessly bursting out comment “yeah yeah yeah.” His and Park Shin-Hye’s chemistry was more of a brother-sister thing, rather than burning and undying love. His teaming up with Asami Reina who’s playing Maya in the other hand was very well felt, I even like them together better.

After this derama, I don’t think I will immediately jump full of excitement for another Park Shin-Hye’s derama (And they said she's going to be one of the casts for Goong 2? Arrgghh!). She’s trying to be cute, battering her big eyes, reciting her supposedly broken Korean—as a person who’s newly learning Korean, her accent were too perfect on some of the difficult words that are more likely found hard by beginners—were simply annoying for me. And for a girl who was supposed to be Japanese, her Japanese was too weird—sounded like whoever made her Japanese lines was not a native; she’s using old Japanese that were only used by older woman (not by nowadays high school girls); the kind of speaking heard in the old Candy-Candy’s animation. Weird enough, Yun-So oppa’s Japanese was more fluent.

Although the opening song was nice and memorable, this derama was barely forgiven. Over all, I think the story would probably work out just fine if only they chose different two main casts to play it. Enduring the exploration of characters from those two were like watching high school kids trying to do grown up lines in a school festival. I went on watching only because of Maya (Asami Reina), her scenes when expressing desperate love to Yun-So were worth watching. I wanted to know what would become of Maya and Yun-So in the end of the story.

But I will be lying if I didn’t admit that Park Shin-Hye’s performance at the scene when she found out that the heart that was beating in her chest was her oppa’s was great. And I also like the ending of this derama: very romantic and probably the most appropriate ending for the story.

“We will meet again in heaven, until then I’ll take care this tree of heaven for you.”

Rate:
Source: http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Tree_of_Heaven Casts: Lee Wan, Park Shin-Hye, Asami Reina, Uchida Asahi, Mire Aika, Sonim Title: Cheonguk eui Namu Also known as: Tree of Heaven / Heaven's Tree / Trees in Heaven Japanese Name: Tengoku no Ki Genre: Melodrama, Romance Duration: 10 episodes Broadcast Network: SBS/Fuji TV Broadcast Period: 2006-02-08 to 2006-03-09 Language: Korean, Japanese

Book: If Only It Were True by Marc Levy

2006-12-21T14:55:00.000+09:00

I like watching Mark Ruffalo ever since 13 Going On 30, and Reese Witherspoon has became one of my favorite romantic comedy’s actresses since Legally Blonde. So you can imagine how I felt for Just Like Heaven: LOVED it!

Reading on the back cover that this book was the original script for that movie, definitely made me curious. While reading it, I found a lot of details that didn’t make it to the big screen; the fate we have to accept for most books that had been turned into movies. Of course, afterwards the common comments usually would be “I like the book better” or “They cut off my favorite part of the book” or “And there gone the depth of the book” etc. When the debate between books and movies arise, most of the time I’ll join the pro books choir, with a BIG exception for the Lord of the Ring’s trilogy, of course—but that’s only because I haven’t read the book. Hehehe.

So I was kind of surprised when finding myself liking Just Like Heaven better than If Only It Were True. The fast pace of the movie fit right in and felt like a wise decision for the story. I even found, sometimes, the details in the book unnecessary and only prolonged the pages. The Lauren I read in this book was somehow felt different with Reese’s Lauren. It was hard for me to care for this character; there were some things that just felt off with her. Lauren’s love interest, Arthur, was more likeable—the emotions built surrounding him were more real for me.

If you have watched the movie then you would probably already familiar with the story: Lauren was a dedicated resident at the San Francisco Memorial Hospital who kept postponing life because of her profession. One catastrophe accident threw her into a deep coma. While everyone had given up hope, Lauren’s soul wondered in some kind of limbo, able to see and hear everyone but not the other way around.

And then six months later, one stranger, an architect, magically made a contact with her. Arthur found her in his closet; both of them were surprised to see and hear each other. After a while, bonds were made, and Arthur decided to help Lauren. How to do that? He had no idea, as he was the only person who could see her, hear her and talk to her. Arthur finally found himself with no other choice but to go to the extreme when the doctors were preparing to end Lauren’s physical care.

So, the main thread was the same as the movie, but with more details in Arthur life in this book—about his mother, and her life also. I became more certain in the middle of it that the book was originally more about Arthur than Lauren, unlike the film.

But funny how when the time has sunk for a while and I looked through its pages again, now I have to admit that this book was a good reading. It’s very romantic and in its own world. Reading it, we would temporarily live in a place that only three people could experience: Lauren, Arthur and you, the reader. Ever since the first line, there’s this different “taste” that I couldn’t distinguish. Could it be because this book was originally published in French?

And of course there were these beautiful words put out by Marc Levy in it that I would like to share with you:

“What I have to tell you is not easy to understand, impossible to accept. But if you will listen to our story—if you are willing to trust me—then maybe in the end you’ll believe me. And it’s important that you, in particular, should believe me. For without knowing it, your are the only person in the world I can share our secret with.”

Rate:
Genre: ChickLit, Romance
Volume: 246 pages
Images:
www.rottentomatoes.com for Just Like Heaven
www.gramedia.com for Indonesian version of If Only It Were True: Andai Dia Nyata

Movie: Eragon

2006-12-19T15:06:00.000+09:00

“Darn those LOTRs!” I imagine all of fantasy directors and producers are cursing to the trilogy, because afterwards, making fantasy movie just isn’t the same anymore; too much expectations and not the mention miles and miles of thinkable comparing with those Peter Jackson’s masterpieces after watching any movie from the same genre.

That’s what happened to me at the first watch of Eragon: constant comparing to other fantasy movies and—this was probably the ultimate doom for it—the book that had inspired this movie itself: Eragon (this is the first book from Inheritance Trilogy by Christopher Paolini; the second: Eldest already available, while the third is still in writing).

Far from the delicious books, the storyline was—as already anticipated—felt overly paced. Details, both emotional and physical, that had made Paolini’s one of my favorite author were cut down, living the story dry. Saphira’s transformation from a baby dragon into a young one was an emotionless instant process, removing best bonding moments of a rider and his dragon—the blasting effects only gave little soothing.

The dragon was great, but hey, it’s a fourth time Oscar nominee Fangmeier’s after all. Loved the way the team designed the magical creature for speed—unlike Draco in Dragon Heart who was bulkier. Scenes with Saphira in them were eyes spoilers. The props were not great but not complain-able; too bad Eragon’s sword was not impressive enough though, a bit plastic lookingy. And Kym Barrett’s costumes… hmm, were a little too contemporary for me. I also missed the dwarfs who were supposed to live with the Varden.

The talents were physically well cast, “physically” being the operative word here—with the exception of John Malkovich, but that just my subjectivity talking, I never enjoy watching him on screen. While Ed Speleers fit perfectly into the image of a young dragon rider—his expression of adoration to Arya was unforgettably cute, Sienna Guillory’s Arya was a bit different from what I had imagined when reading the books.

Though her features were quite elfish, her gestures suggested attraction and even flirtation sometimes to Eragon. Whereas I always pictured Arya as a cool, distance and dark haired elf—speaking of which, I don’t remember the film mentioning her as this superior race. She was supposed to be hundreds of years old elf that looked at Eragon as a young inexperienced human boy—in the book, she even subtly expressed discomfort toward Eragon’s feeling.

Robert Carlyle as Durza the Shade was undeniably great! He really could carry the image of a powerful and evil wizard. The red hair and gray contacts helped him live up the character, though I was a bit puzzled about the sudden change of make up in the battle scenes. Not enough Murtagh, of course, but that was only because I imagined Steven Strait (Sky High, The Covenant) playing that character ;-p

Over all, it was a nice entertainment, not great, but nice enough.

Rate:
Casts: Ed Speleers, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Robert Carlyle, Djimon Hounsou, Sienna Guillory, Garrett Hedlund, Rachel Weisz (voice of Saphira) Director: Stefen Fangmeier Images: www.rottentomatoes.com

Movie: A Dirty Carnival

2006-12-14T17:04:00.000+09:00

Okay, before I go any further, please excuse me just a second for doing this: JO IN-SEONG, SARANG HEYO! CHONGMAL SARANG HE!

Hehehe. Okay, now that I’ve got that out of my chest ;-p I can start the review for Jo In-Seong’s newest movie: A Dirty Carnival.

Byong Du (Jo In-Seong) was a third-rate gangster. He tried to live day by day with “simple” rules of the brotherhood, one of them was being loyal and faithful to one another, even though he was disrespected by his juniors and seeing no bright chances on stepping up his career in the organization. But gradually, the 29 years old guy was feeling the pressure of carrying the burden of his ill mother and two siblings. Things went tougher when his only source of extra money, a run down arcade room, was stolen by one of his associates under his eyes.

Desperate, he’s toying with an offer from Mr. Hwang (Cheon Ho-Jin), his organization’s big patron; a deal that could solve all his problems. But accepting it, would mean that he would overstepping his direct superior, violating his own principal of loyalty, and obviously, taking someone’s life—a prosecutor named Park that had began to annoyed Mr. Hwang.

An amateur’s observation: unlike Hollywood’s gangster, Korean or Japanese gangsters are pictured to be more reluctant in taking someone’s life—probably due the more severe punishment, or cultural reasons? It also seems that the usage of firearms are minimum; baseball bats, daggers, knives, on the other hand, are more popular. In this movie, in the feud between gangs’ scenes, the gangsters fought with baseball bats and only took out their daggers when the heat of the fight was escalating.

Back to the story. Eventually Byong-Du found himself without any other choice. One murder followed by another, he and his brothers took care of them all. Byong-Du was starting to enjoy a good life: seeing his old high school’s crush again, giving his family new and more comfortable lives, having new office and juniors. But guilt never left him alone.

One night, it got the best of him and made him confessed all of his deeds to his old best friend, Min-Ho (Lee Bo-Yeong), a new movie director who’s looking for a good script. After that night, everything seemed to have fallen to pieces. Even though Min-Ho had asked Byong-Du’s consent for consultations about a gangsters movie he's been making, Byong-Du never guessed that his best friend would depict his crimes in details in it, thus making a lot of people restless.

It seemed that the storyline was not as smooth as they wanted to be. The climax was kind of had reached the top when Byong-Du had to “take care” of Prosecutor Park and his former boss—played notably by In-Seong; my favorite part of the movie. So when it came to the scene where Byong-Du’s watching Min-Ho movie that pictured him committing murder almost precisely—which was supposed to be the peak of the conflict, I think—the tension was already gone. Too bad.

Lee Bo-Yeong was sadly not convincing enough to play as Min-Ho. Was it because of his scenes were not enough, hence the lack of exploration? On the first look, he didn’t really show his guilt for singing to the cops or his desperation for becoming a well known-therefore willing to do anything-director. Even though on the second, there were some thin traces of those emotions. He just listened to Byong-Do story, made a movie, and--voila!--the movie was a big hit. There were no memorable emotional struggles. The gray area on this guy was too blurred: Was he really sorry? Or was it intentionally to make him a cold character?

The ending was also a bit flat for me, looked like they trying to reach dramatic, but eventually couldn’t go there. I was expecting a wittier ending--Godfather’s like. **Yeah right, Chi!

At the last twenty minutes, I just knew my heart was going to be broken in the end. And darn, I was right. I HATE YOU, MIN-HO!!! HOW COULD YOU? You don’t know the meaning of fidelity! Poor Byong-Du… **Sob sob…

Despite all of that, watching In-Seong in his boxer (yes, girls, boxer not briefs ;-p) and displaying his impressive big tattoo that covered almost all of his back, were definitely a treat. But the scene when he scratched his property… *blushed (=’_‘=)* not really a pretty sight… hmm, well…

Oh, yeah, in this movie you’ll also get to hear In-Seong’s singing. Honestly, he’s not exactly in the range of “let’s make an album” quality, but hey, haven’t you heard? Love’s not only blind; it’s also deft. As for the kissing scene: well, it was really In-Seong’s typical--you fans out there already know what I mean, right?

To wrap this up, after seeing In-Seong in A Dirty Carnival, we certainly can see how he has gone a long way ever since Memories of Bali and Spring Days—bye bye, spoiled-rich-yet adorable-guy image! He even got "Best Actor" title at the 5th Korean Film Awards organized by the Munhwa Broadcasting Corp. (MBC) at Universal Art Center in Seoul (November 19th, 2006) for this movie. Cukha heyo, In-Seong! (^_^)v

Casts: Jo In-Seong, Cheon Ho-Jin, Nam Gung-Min, Lee Bo-Yeong, Jin Gu, Yoon Je-Moon, Ho-Jin English Title: A Dirty Carnival Korean Title: Biyeolhan Geori Director & Screenplay: Yu Ha Genre: Action Drama Distribution: CJ Entertainment Duration: 141 minutes Release Date in South Korea: 2006/06/15 Language: Korean Source: www.hancinema.net

Movie: My Brother

2006-12-12T18:36:00.000+09:00

The story was about two brothers: Jong-Hyun (Won Bin) and Sung-Hyun (Sin Ha-Kyun). Ever since he was born, the eldest, Sung-Hyun, always gained the best of their mom, being the “weak” one and having a harelip. Their father had died, and the mother worked as a fierce loan shark, while also making sure they lives’ expenses always as little as possible, in order to gather enough money for Sung-Yun’s operations.

Other than his physical deformation and the fact that he had to be in the same class with his younger brother because of the time he had spent for operations, Sung-Hyun was always the good son; he exceeded in studying, loved by the teachers and classmates, most likely to enter a good university and became a doctor—a big dream of his. Even though the operations had taken care of the gap on his upper lip, but the scars stayed.

Jong-Hyun, the youngest, was the opposite. Feeling neglected by their mother, he had grown into a rebellious troublemaker and an underachiever in his class. But of course, he was more popular than his brother, especially among girls. This later on caused a problem between the two of them; Sung-Yun had a thing for a girl that liked Jong-Hyun. Jealous and often felt alienated from the loving relationship between the mother and Sung-Yun, Jong-Hyun never talked to Sung-Yun as a younger brother; he even wouldn’t call Sung-Yun “hyong” (means: older brother)---from what I heard, calling someone based on that person’s age and your own is still quite an essential manner in Korea.

The problems just kept on piling and gradually got the best of this family, leading them into one night of big tragedy that changed everything they have known all of their lives.

Right from the moment I saw Kim Hae-Suk at the screen, I knew this movie was definitely going to be a typical sad Korean movie, better get some tissues ready! She seemed to have specialized herself in mother character that has really harsh and hard life. At first I thought this was going to be the Korean version of Dustin Hoffman’s Rain Main, but I was mistaken. Though melodramatic, the story wasn’t cheesy; it even felt fresh, even though from the start I felt somebody was going to die eventually… (This was a Korean movie after all ;-p)

No wonder that Won Bin got a lot of praises because of his role in this movie. While he had this typical charming, ladies’ man, and generally good guy images in Endless Love (with Song Hee-Kyo) or Friend (with Kyoko Fukada), in this movie he gave out a different side that would be a shame to be missed. The same appraise should also given to Kim Hae-Suk and Sin Ha-Kyun, of course. Over all, this movie was certainly one of the most memorable Korean movies I ever saw.

Title: Uri Hyeong / My Brother Director & Screenplay: Ahn Kwon-Tae Casts: Kim Hae-Suk, Sin Ha-Kyun, Won Bin, Lee Bo-Yeong Genre: Drama Distribution: CJ Entertainment Language: Korean Released in South Korea: 2004 Images: www.hancinema.net

Blog: There's always room for a couple cups of coffee

2006-12-08T11:12:00.000+09:00

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two mugs of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--your family, your health, your children, your friends, your favorite passions--things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. "The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else--the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house, and fix the disposal.

"Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple cups of coffee."

(Taken from a forwarded e-mail: *Thx Mbak Siska*. Author unknown.)

Song: Move On

2006-12-05T17:30:00.000+09:00

Mou nakanaide kureyo, GIRL
Modoru koto nai kare wo matsu kokoro tozashite
Bokuno me wa itsudemo kimi wo miteruyo
Furimuite kureru toki made zutto

MOVE ON, OH MOVE ON
Mou yametokina kare wa modoranai
OPEN YOUR HEART, BABY
Kokoro hiraite

*LET ME BE THE ONE TO HOLD YOU TIGHT
BE THE ONE YOU WAIT FOR EVERY NIGHT
Itsumademo sono hitono kawari ni iteageru
I WILL ALWAYS BE RIGHT BY YOUR SIDE
Towano toki wo kimi ni yakusoku suru kara

Mune shimetsuke rareru kimochi
Boku mo onajisa motomeau toki yumemite
Kimino kokoro wo ima umerareruno ga
Jibun janai no ga tsuraino sa

MOVE ON, OH MOVE ON
Mou yametokina kare wa modoranai
OPEN YOUR HEART, BABY
Toki wo koete

* repeat

Kimino kokorono sukimani sotto
Boku wo mitsuketeyo
Kanashimaseru koto wa nai sa
Kimi wo mamuruyo SO GIVE ME A CHANCE

* repeat

---------------
http://www.absolutelyrics.com/lyrics/view/rain_jeong_ji-hun/move_on/

Album: Eternal Rain by Rain (Jeong Ji-Hun), Japanese/Korean, 2006

Comment:

This is the second album from Rain that I’ve been listening to; the first one was It’s Raining. It has been almost a month, I think, and I still selected this album in my portable MP3 player every time I turned it on. Rain’s musics have this rhythm that match my body’s; it’s easy to find me moving my head, shoulders or fingers when listening to them.

Love almost every song in the album, especially Without You, Move On, Because of You, and the Japanese version of Sad Tango. Also had watched Sad Tango’s video clip. Wow, this boy really knew how to move!!! IMHO, he is definitely a gifted performer—not just a singer. I declare him as one of the “Juara Brondong Berbakat” in my list ;-p

TV Series: Prison Break Season 2

2006-12-01T17:46:00.000+09:00

I was a bit doubtful about this season, at the same time secretly hoping that this would be the last, cause what more can you expect from the same attempt of breaking away from the same prison by the same group of people? Could you endure another 14 episodes, frame after frame, of highly tensed situations? Well, I got to watch the first two episodes and then decided to take a break and watched something else more soothing. You’ll have to admit that Prison Break was definitely not some show you’ll want to watch after one tiring day of work, when you want some relaxation; well, at least for me.

Starting again was a bit dragging, but the old spell bound me again after two following episodes. Two thumbs up for the production team who clearly mastered the art of telling suspense story. The question lingered in my mind ever since the end of the first season was “How will they bring the story forward?” Watching half of season 2, I felt as if they gave me a mischievous smile, and answered, “Forward? Who said anything about going forward?”

Using flashback scenes with seamless editing, the season took us about three years ago, giving us glimpses of Sucre’s, T-Bag’s, C-Note’s, Lincoln’s, Veronica’s, and most importantly, Michael Scofield’s life before Fox River. We got to see Michael with a posh office, looking so good in those dark suits (sigh), and a longer detail version of the reason why Michael risked everything to help Lincoln.

And then after that, back to the great escape! After numerous, and I mean numerous, obstacles the escapee team run into—imagining the script team always gathered around brainstorming every possible trouble they can encounter in that prison—Michael finally announced that they would move: TONIGHT! There was no other option cause thanks to Tweener’s ratting, C.O. Captain Bellick had found out their hole under the guard’s room.

It wouldn’t be Prison Break if there were no complications: the accelerated timing, the old Westmoreland got himself badly injured when fighting Bellick, Lincoln was in the solitary cell, and there were three extra men: Tweener the Vanilla Ice kid, Sucre’s cousin Manche, and Haywire for the team. They broke out and made to the other side of the wall, FINALLY, anyway; poor Sucre’s cousin and Westmoreland (sob) didn’t make it, though. All of that, after a long series of me gasping, holding my breath, and calling—together with Linclon, “Come on, Michael! Michael~! Come on, you can do it!” ;-p

But IMHO, I felt that this time there were too many luck elements on Michael’s plan; one of them was depending on Dr. Sara Tancredi’s aptness in helping him. But one can argue that this showed how Michael was a real genius, not only in engineering stuffs but also in psychology—well, that, and the fact that he had kissed her and gave her enough dose of those beautiful piercing eyes of his on regular basis; no one could blame her if she finally granted Michael’s request! If somebody like Wentworth Miller look at me the way that he did Dr. Tancredi… **sigh ;-p

The episodes ended with:
- Turning the table to the Company, The Vice President Reynolds had become the President of the U.S.;
- Lincoln’s son LJ got arrested on attempted murder of Kellerman;
- Veronica found out that Steadman was still alive!
- Lincoln’s and Michael’s father was also still alive, and a former agent of the Company no less;
- Dr. Sara Tancredi was found unconscious because of drugs O.D.;
- The getaway plane for Michael and the escapees got away without them!

And the story continues as Sucre and Michael described it at its best:
”What do we do now?” asked Sucre.
“We run!” Michael answered.

Notes: I was a bit confused after reading tv.com’s reviews; somehow the episodes that I saw (until eps 22: Flight according to tv.com) are still in the first season. The last episode of the second season itself, according to the website, was aired 27 November 2006, only a few days ago. So I guess they’re right and my “suppliers” were the one that got things a bit mix-up.

Writer: Paul T. Scheuring Director: Kevin Hooks Casts: Wentworth Miller, Dominic Purcell, Paul Adelstein, Rockmond Dunbar, Robin Tunney, Marshall Allman, Amaury Nolasco, Robert Knepper, Wade Williams, Sarah Wayne Callies, Stacy Keach (Warden Henry Pope) Images: tv.com

TV Drama: Blackjack ni Yoroshiku

2006-11-30T17:41:00.000+09:00

Another Tsumabuki’s dorama. Got a little curious about this one, cause it got a lot of praise from a dorama’s fan website. I gave it a go, and found myself a bit bored; the dorama was not as addictive as I thought. Didn’t know what went wrong, the casts were not so bad—Tsumabuki even, IMHO, showed an all-in heartfelt performances, the stories were different almost per episode, showing different conflicts possible in medical cases.

Eijiro Saito (Tsumabuki) was a fresh graduate from Eidai University, a prestigious institution for medical study. He then joined in the university’s hospital as an intern. Unlike Hollywood's doctors television drama, Saito was far from the perfect, genius-know-how, and new cool doctor image. He made mistakes, almost every time—in this case, every episode—and cried a lot because his heart often didn’t correspond with those of his senior doctors’. There was a lot of pressure that made him rethink his decision on becoming a doctor.

At first, I was a bit annoyed by Saito’s weak character; it seemed that he always came to tears every time there was an obstacle. On one of the early episodes, Saito ran and hide himself in document’s room, his hand shaking wildly, from a badly injured traffic accident patient, living him only with the nurses! But I guess, this made the story felt so real; imagine yourself as a new intern who has to conduct a heavy operation by your self without senior doctor’s supervision… It really can break someone up.

And then, when Saito’s mother visited her son, she said something that stuck even until now in my mind: “Don’t worry, Eijiro, your tears were actually your strength… ever since you were a child. Now will not be any different.” And this saying was proven true, Saito always bounce right back off—and this is so typical of a Japanese dorama, which I like: the main character met obstacles, failed, but then instead of giving up, he/she struggled very very hard to get what he/she wanted. Bravo for Tsumabuki who played this character well!

Tsumabuki was not the only one who dominated the screen; I like Kyoka Suzuki’s character, Nurse Akagi Kaori, a lot. She’s so beautiful and fit right in into this mysterious, sophisticated, sexy nurse character—please note that when I say “sexy”, I didn’t mean it as rated R’s sexy, since maybe many of us have come to associate the nurse profession with other-not so mentionable-things here ;-p. Anyway, Nurse Kaori was the one who helped Saito a lot in his search of determination; loved the chemistry between the young intern and this older woman, too bad there were no romantic scenes, other than subtle ones. Hmmm... could this be the reason why I got bored? Hehehe.

Talking about side stories, Dekune (Kato Koji) was Saito’s fellow intern, who supposedly dwelled with his own problems: being the second son of a doctor’s family, his dad even owned a hospital, he felt pressured to become a doctor. I said “supposedly” because although his face and name were all over the opening and ending credits, he didn’t get many scenes; kind of puzzled me why he got such a big portion in the first place.

The theme song was from my dearest favorite J-Pop singer: Ken Hirai. The first lines in this song were so perfect for this dorama, and perhaps the lives of some of us? ;-p

“Jibun wo tsuyoku misetari , jibun wo umaku misetari.
Doshite bokura wa konna ni ikigurushii ikikata (wo) erabuno?”

= Showing our own self we’re strong, showing our own self we’re superb.
Why do we choose this hard-to-live way of living?

Casts: Tsumabuki Satoshi, Suzuki Kyoka, Kato Koji, Matsuo Masatoshi, Sugimoto Tetta, Ogata Ken, Miura Tomokazu Title: Blackjack ni Yoroshiku Also known as: Hello Black Jack / Say Hello to Blackjack Genre: Melodrama Episodes: 11 Broadcast Network: TBS Broadcast period: 2003-Apr-11 to 2003-Jun-20 Theme Song: LIFE is... ~another story~ by Hirai Ken Language: Japanese

Source: http://wiki.d-addicts.com

TV Drama: Jikou Keisatsu

2006-11-28T16:42:00.000+09:00

It really was great to see Odagiri played in a comedy again after Satorare. I like him better doing this kind of shows compare to the “serious, tasted like avant-garde” scripts. He was really funny, his jokes/gestures made me laugh out loud for so many times—though this maybe because I was blinded by love for him. He always looks good in my eyes ;-p

In this dorama he played as Kiriyama Shuuichiro, a desk job police whose duty involved filing documents, evidences, or other cases’ related physical matters. The whole story was started in a rather silly way, actually. Kiriyama’s superior officers and his fellow officers were talking about having a hobby; Kiriyama joined in, and then realized that he didn’t have any. Kiriyama was described as a nerdy weird guy with unique taste of hairstyle—Odagiri’s hair looked great!!!—and thick dark green frame glasses; he also has a trademark laugh.

After a rather long game of throwing nonsense ideas—they do this quiet often, the jokes were definitely not going to be easy to translate because there were a lot of word-play; love it when they’re doing this—Kiriyama finally decided that he will investigate old unsolved cases that had been stamped (literally) “Jikou”—had reached statute of limitations. His motive was only to confirm who was the real felon and make him/her admit of having committed the crime; he also made special card to give to the felon after wrapping a case, that reads “Dare ni mo iwanai kaado = Will not tell anyone card” sealed with his inkan (family name stamp that has the same function as a hand signature).

Even though the cases were serious: usually murders, the solving were more often made according to Kiriyama’s style, which was full of silly deductions and unconventional investigation’s techniques. My favorite part in one of the investigations was when Kiriyama confronted a college professor suspected for murdering her high school friend: suddenly, out of nowhere, a group of acapella singers showed up and joined Kiriyama in singing Mori no Kuma-san. My reaction was, “What the—Huahahaha…”

The characters of this series were generally funny and know what there’re doing, but sadly—even though I’m sure she had tried her best, Asou Kumiko’s performance could not be described as other than a neglect. So sorry to say this, but she was poorly not funny! Playing as a policewoman from other division—traffic, I think, who’s in love with Kiriyama, her constant nagging and making cute-desperate-faces were not working at all. Jealousy… oh oh, jealousy… ;-p

Over all, Jikou Keisatsu was a good entertainment. I kept on watching this series because although the felons were easily guessed, it was really fun to watch Kiriyama’s theory for each case, including finding out the motive of the murder. That, and of course: spoiling my eyes with high dose of ODAGIRI JOE!!!

Cast: Odagiri Joe, Asou Kumiko, Toyohara Kosuke, Fuse Eri, Mitsuishi Ken, Eguchi Noriko, Iwamatsu Ryo, Hida Yasuhito Title: Jikou Keisatsu Title (English): Time Limit Detective / Statute of Limitation Police Genre: Comedy Mystery Duration: 9 episodes Broadcast network: TV Asahi Broadcast period: 2006-01-13 to 2006-03-10 Theme Song: Ame by Ceyren Language: Japanese

Source: http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Jikou_Keisatsu; www.ilbondrama.net