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Posts containing YouTubes or other video content

Can BoA eat up the U.S. of A.?

18-Sep-08

Despite the hallyu’s success in Asia, today’s Korean pop stars have yet to make it big in the States. Yes, we’ve seen a Korean or two in a Hollywood film or on Comedy Central, but concerts have been fairly localised, and the high-profile tour by Rain never got off the ground. And we’ve yet to see JYP’s investment in his US operation make any significant payback. Can BoA succeed where Rain failed? She has been achieving significant success in Japan, where her language skills have helped her to make the breakthrough. All the while she has been honing her English, preparing for the onslaught on the US. She’s even prepared to tackle some questions in English at a press conference. Her backers ...

Also filed in BoA, Music: K-pop | Tagged Ticker | Comments (0) »

So Hot?

06-Sep-08

The official provider of broadband services to the LKL household has been looking East. As part of their Hot Girl Group series Virgin Media has noticed JYP's teenage girl band Wonder Girls. Number 8 in a list containing 7 other girl groups whose average age is at least 5 years older than them, the performers of annoying, catchy and perfectly crafted pop songs are brought to the attention of the UK public. Branson's pop researchers highlight Wonder Girls "comeback" single So Hot (did they ever go away?) as the one to listen out for. Who: Where Japan have J-pop (an abbreviation of Japanese pop), Korea have K-pop, and these five young ladies are leading exponents of the genre. Attempts to expand into ...

Also filed in Music: K-pop, Wonder Girls | Tagged Ticker | Comments (0) »

Post-olympics celebrity and trivia round-up

31-Aug-08

It’s been so long since I did a round-up of celebrity news, and nowadays my knowledge of what’s hot in the celebrity world is derived from looking at my site’s statistics where I can identify the google search terms which have landing people on my blog. ((And why do they end up here? Because of my blogwatch pages which grab the headlines and opening paragraph of articles from other blogs more diligent than me in following the celebrity news. I win, because I see what’s interesting people, and the other bloggers win because I direct the traffic their way )) So here is a collection of random stories from the past few months Korean singers bookend the Olympics [caption id="attachment_4562" align="alignright" width="203" ...

Also filed in Celebs, Lee Hyolee, Rain | Tagged Ticker | Comments (0) »

Music at the Dano!

15-Jun-08

Saharial wraps up on our coverage of the 2008 Dano Korea Summer Festival, and launches the LKL YouTube Channel with exclusive live video footage from her camera. Its now a week on from the Festival, but the memories still linger very happily. Of course, there was more going on than Noridan, with three musical sets Guy Barker, Tomi Kita and of course Y.B. (Yoon Band). Guy Barker, pictured above, went down well with the crowd, especially on his mention of Kim Duk Soo and his visit to Korea to work with him. It’s a shame that schedule constraints made it impossible for them to play together, but hopefully this can be resolved next year to provide an interesting set. Tomi Kita played the ...

Also filed in Dano 2008, Music: K-pop, Yoon Band | Tagged Ticker | Comments (0) »

North-South Korea b-boy battle

10-Jun-08

Someone's been having a bit of fun creating a spoof b-boy battle at Panmunjom. Enjoy. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKoXG0RjC7E[/youtube] You have to wait 60 seconds for the real action to start. HT to Tom Coyner.

Also filed in B-boys, DPRK, Strange but true | | Comments (4) »

Namdaemun before, during and after

26-Feb-08

First, some pictures of Namdaemun as it used to be: In 1890 In 1904-6 In 1906-7 The YouTube Namdaemun Then and Now group contains loads of more recent, pre-fire, images. Here's a couple of samples: Next, a YouTube (maybe from YTN) of the fire itself [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1UTVLmN9y8[/youtube] Some spectacular stills of the fire are on pwalks' flickr page (HT to Seoul Man for the link). In fact pwalks has a load of excellent photos of Korea. And a very moving video entitled 다시 되돌릴 수 있다면 (If we can go to the PAST), via Gusts of Popular Feeling: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua94mvW_VkI[/youtube] And one or two of my own snaps, taken on 15 February, five days after the fire.

Also filed in Pictures, Seoul | | Comments (1) »

YouTube Korea - Fighting

26-Jan-08

Congrats to the Metropolitician and Bum Lee on their YouTube Korea welcome video: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1QLnzlbR-E[/youtube]

Also filed in Bloggers and newspeople, Bum Lee | | Comments (0) »

Welcome down my local any day

18-Jan-08

BoA advertises Hite A still to go with this current TV commercial: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk5zB8lmcHM[/youtube] The rather unrefined drinking mannerism brings to mind the classic Boddingtons commercial from the 1990s: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxbbGTm05Mw[/youtube] and while we're on the subject, the one featuring Melanie Sykes: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMhVcSEMMNQ[/youtube] Of course, it's the spokesmodel rather than the product that would be welcome in the local boozer. The general consensus is that Hite is rather watery. I'm quite content with the Young's Ordinary.

Also filed in BoA, Pictures | Tagged Ticker | Comments (2) »

Bada #3: Made in Sea

29-Dec-07

(CJ Music, January 2006) Stern(5,g) After her lively second album, Bada's third is a big let-down. Gone are the catchy pop tunes which show off her vocal range and bring a smile to the face. Instead we are faced with a run-of-the-mill R&B and dance collection, which could have been put together by anyone. The voice is still unmistakably Bada's (a slightly thin, nasal sound which works OK with pop numbers but less well with the more soulful songs) but the musical style is generic. After the seemingly obligatory instrumental introduction we get a slow, cheesy number which could serve as the soundtrack for a second-rate soap - "Find the way". Bada herself isn't responsible for this treat, that privelege belonging to Lori ...

Also filed in Bada, CD reviews | | Comments (0) »

Some Lee Young-ae videos

22-Dec-07

I've been feeling guilty about not meeting the needs of all those people who come to this site looking for articles about the lovely Lee Young-ae and not finding very much. Having done a few searches on YouTube I'm amazed at the dedication of fans who create tributes to their favourite star. Here's a small selection of what's available. First, a seasonal one: a slightly odd combination of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and some footage from Dae Jang Geum: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXz7MgQGjpk[/youtube] Next, a much more conventional tribute, featuring the Spice Girls and Viva Forever: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfnZy3N-cYA[/youtube] And one for James Blunt fans:[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKckMh9275c[/youtube] A slightly odder choice of music, a hyperactive little number which accompanies the Japanese anime Gundam Seed Destiny... [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiQwNxn7sTc[/youtube] ...while this one has a more sedate soundtrack: Gary Barlow's ...

Also filed in Dae Jang Geum, Lee Young-ae | | Comments (0) »

That Wonder Girls song - and an antidote

13-Dec-07

This one will be quick. Once again, Matt over at Popular Gusts has has written the post that everyone wishes they'd written themselves. So, here's Tell Me, the song and dance that everyone's talking about, performed by the teenage girl band Wonder Girls - the creation of Park Jin-young (JYP), the man who invented Rain: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpcDPr6b5o4[/youtube] A cartoon character has got in on the act... [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTFKqrxWJsA[/youtube] ... someone's been inspired to make a bossa nova remake ... [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-UFKz_Hi70[/youtube] ... and even traffic cops have the bug [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPS3BSqFeDY[/youtube] But JYP himself does it best: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKOjsQKDcq0[/youtube] So now the tune's really driving you mad, go and read something intelligent over at Popular Gusts. And I know I shouldn't have done this to you, so here's an antidote which will drive the tune out of ...

Also filed in Music: K-pop, Wonder Girls | | Comments (0) »

Welcome to North Korea

08-Dec-07

A documentary by Peter Tetteroo and Raymond Feddema If you have an hour to spare, this is worth a look despite being a couple of years old. Thanks to Robert Koehler over at Seoul Magazine for the tip. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ6E3cShcVU[/youtube] Rating: NR Running Time: 60 Minutes Starring: Directed by: Peter Tetteroo, Raymond Feddema PLOT DESCRIPTION The winner of the 2001 International Emmy award for Best Documentary, Welcome to North Korea is a grotesquely surreal look at the all-too-real conditions in modern-day North Korea. Dutch filmmaker Peter Tetteroo and his associate Raymond Feddema spent a week in and around the North Korean capital of Pyongyang -- ample time to produce this outstanding film. Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs; from www.archive.org

Also filed in DPRK | | Comments (0) »

Yi Sung-yol #2: In exchange

21-Nov-07

Fluxus Records, May 2007. Stern(10,g) This was one of my gullible speculative purchases foisted on me by Mr Jay Kim at AM Records in Manhattan's Koreatown. Bless him -- he's getting to know me too well. This one's a cracker. Yi (이승열) has a gorgeous mellow voice -- but with the occasional rough edge to make him seem more human. The voice reminds me of Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy, and like Hannon he can write a great tune with a great chorus. There's a good mix of slow ballad-style, mid-tempo and folky numbers, but nothing energetic. You'll find yourself humming these songs for long after you've turned the CD player off. Try Buono Sera, Track 3, for a catchy number, and ...

Also filed in CD reviews | | Comments (1) »

Jang Yoon Jung - first album

14-Nov-07

(Sony Music, October 2004) Stern(5,g) Jang Yoon Jung was the first of the younger generation stars to experiment with Trot. Brought out in late 2004, her first album was a hit with older and younger buyers alike, and encouraged other Trot revivalists to have a go. Those who came after were somehow less successful, let down by their composers and so geared towards a younger audience that their songs lost any flavour of the original. Jang's album feels a lot more authentic. For starters her opening track, 어머나 ((Roughly translated as "Oh my goodness!")), has the steady Ppongtchak drum rhythm that one expects, albeit a little faster. This song, more than any other, brought the new style to people's attention, and gave Jang ...

Also filed in CD reviews | | Comments (0) »

Clazziquai #3: Love child of the century

03-Nov-07

(Fluxus Music, June 2007) Stern(5,g) Clazziquai's third album revisits much of the material from their previous efforts, but somehow fails to repeat the freshness. In an attempt to do something new, they have come up with a bigger, poppier sound, with the emphasis on a wall of synthesised support for their previously more transparent style. Take as an example of the new, bigger sound, track 2, Lover boy: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abYmNiwDSY8[/youtube] or the third track, 생의 한가운데: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGGIXiFEDkI[/youtube] The sixth track - Last Tango - in contrast is a much more acoustic number -- a slow Latin sound: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30oPae5LiLs[/youtube] -- but we're immediately back into the electronica for the seventh track. There's the usual high standard of singing from Horan and Alex, and there's the same feel-good atmosphere, so if you're a ...

Also filed in CD reviews, Clazziquai | | Comments (0) »

Clazziquai #2: Color your Soul

18-Oct-07

(Fluxus / Seoul Records, October 2005) Stern(8,g) Clazziquai's second main album has some of the same formulae as their first, the blend of lounge, electronica and Latin, but includes an additional influence: a slight funk element. There's a slightly greater emphasis on the bass, and the horns in the background of some of the tracks - for example, #4, Cry out loud - give the album a greater energy than the first. Here's some of the YouTubes I managed to find: Fill this night (track 3), showing some of the new funk elements [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbQ0STtQoOY[/youtube] 춤 (track 9) - a slow Latin number [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcDzOAojiWU[/youtube] Color your soul (track 10) live version. Strangely, there don't seem to be any MVs of this title track anywhere to be found. The version ...

Also filed in CD reviews, Clazziquai | | Comments (0) »

Where next for Samsung and Chelsea?

04-Oct-07

The departure of Jose Mourinho from Chelsea is not good news from the perspective of Samsung's multi-million, multi-year sponsorship deal (which still has a couple of years to run). I don't pretend to be able to judge Avram Grant's ability to keep the team's performance up -- though an obvious comment would be that the abrupt change at the top could have an unsettling effect on the players. Clearly Samsung gets better value for money the better the team's performance in the league and competitions, but a team's fortunes come and go. Mourinho's departure brings to an end any hope of a repeat performance of a rather serendipitous sponsorship arrangement, whereby a year or so ago Mourinho could be seen on countless ...

Also filed in Business, Sport | | Comments (0) »

How to make kimchi

02-Oct-07

I came across this while browsing YouTube the other day: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyTVVJ76z7M[/youtube] Does anyone have any variants on this recipe? For example, I heard from one trusted source that some people grate pear or apple into the mixture. Update: Try Kie-jo Sarsfield's kimchi recipe. I've tasted it. It's great.

Also filed in Food & Drink | | Comments (0) »

Casker #3: Between

16-Sep-07

(Lupin Records, December 2006) Stern(9,g) Review by Jenny Wu Casker consists of vocalist, Lee Yoong Jin, and producer/composer/arranger/DJ Lee Juno. While their previous albums are just as fantastic, I think their third is a lot better-rounded. There's a heavier concentration on vocals in this album than their previous albums which concentrated more on beats and kept vocals at a minimum. I don't know why though... because the Lee Yoong Jin is a wonderful vocalist. Depending on the song, her voice has the ability to morph from soft & sweet to sassy to other-worldly... but they're always classy. You want great vocals? Check. You want groovy electronic beats? Check. You want low-key bossa nova style tunes? Check. It's got a bit of everything. Not ...

Also filed in CD reviews | | Comments (0) »

Banish your Monday blues

03-Sep-07

Two little items to brighten your Monday. First, if ever you thought the TV in your particular country wash trashy, just be thankful they haven't plumbed the depths of "Racing Model Billiard Championship". "This is a sport I really would like to see catch on," comments the Party Pooper. "Some geniuses over at the Xports channel have rounded up the hottest racing models, put them in their usual skimpy outfits and got them bending over pool tables in a billiards tournament. As for how well the girls play pool, let's just say the quality varies." Check out the video on the site linked above. Anything to give us a break from Big Brother. There's also a fine gallery here, with some samples ...

Also filed in Lee Hyolee, Tabloid | | Comments (0) »

Spot the difference: Starburst and June Bum Park

31-Aug-07

Watch the two videos below and tell me if you think one was influenced by the other. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojsQ4nLX2BA[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS3W9YOuh5A[/youtube] The top video is a new TV commercial for a new variant of the chewy sweet formerly known as Opal Fruits. The commercial is produced by London advertising agency TBWA according to Advertolog. Art director Tom Chancellor has the ad on his site. The bottom video is the creation of video artist June Bum Park. He's been doing work showing people being manipulated by giant hands for at least a couple of years as far as I'm aware. I first saw his work at the presentation of Korean video art shown at the British Museum during the London Korean Festival in 2005. The above work, ...

Also filed in Business, General arts news, June Bum Park | | Comments (1) »

Deadly Elves and other recent tabloid stories

28-Aug-07

It's a while since I did a round-up of celebrity news, which means that I've almost forgotten all the things I was going to mention, and lost most of the links that I was going to use. So before things get completely out of hand, here's one of my not-so-regular posts shamelessly plundering the celebrity blogs. 1 Bada After my recent post defending Bada against the assaults of Popseoul I exchanged a few emails with the Popseoulites. They don't have an issue with her singing ability, just her sense of style. I'm coming round to their way of thinking, based on one of their more recent posts. A weird vision. And the singing ability? Well, I've now listened to Made ...

Also filed in Bada, Beauty, Celebs, Honey Lee, Jang Dong-gun, Jeon Do-yeon, Jeon Ji-hyun, Kim Yun-jin, Lee Hyolee, Rain, SG Wannabe, Samsung, Super Junior, Uhm Jung-hwa | Tagged Suicide, Ticker | Comments (0) »

Some Mot tracks

25-Aug-07

Discover why Mot's first album "Non-linear" was Anna Lindgren's soundtrack of choice in 2004. Here's the opening track, Cold Blood. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd3LpTDKtQc[/youtube] And from the same album, Love song. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KR2FX87_Lo[/youtube] From the second album, "Strange Season", comes the track Close [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWA5XclnW9M[/youtube] Thanks to orienkorean's ever-growing YouTube channel. Links: A meeting with MOT by Anna Lindgren

Also filed in Mot, Music: K-pop | | Comments (1) »

Cute videos featuring brotherly love

13-Aug-07

I couldn't resist posting these videos. Read the Party Pooper's commentary on them here, with links to more SuJu vids. First, Super Junior - stranded on the road to Busan, only 21 dollars between them, and having to share a room for the night. Sweet. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGN7Jshhitk[/youtube] And now TVXQ / DBSK [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeqV0JpHiOw[/youtube] Read Rowan Pease's commentary on cute Korean boys here.

Also filed in Music: K-pop, Super Junior, TVXQ | | Comments (0) »

Some videos to persuade you to come to Trafalgar Square on Sunday

14-Jun-07

Korean open-air Dano (early summer) Festival, Trafalgar Square, Sunday 17 June, 12-6pm First, here's Team Kroniculs, aka the Jaguar Demo, who will be participating in the Taekwondo display. It's not just martial arts they do: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZSQ1W7NTCo[/youtube] Next, here's the Korean b-boy crew Rivers: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcEU3CMpN-E[/youtube] They'll be battling against the UK's Bad Taste Cru. Here's b-boyTime: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmnZzCAKX_4[/youtube] There will be some Samulnori percussion (though not the group illustrated here): [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz1IiPlGa-0[/youtube] and a traditional Korean fan dance like this: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsvCfkWmlb8[/youtube] and a Korean sword dance, which might look something like this: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUdkQQQnOXA[/youtube] The things you can find on YouTube nowadays... For a full listing of the events on Sunday 17 June in Trafalgar Square, celebrating the Dano Festival, click on the link below. Thanks to Asiana Airlines for generously providing some of the funding. Links: Dano Festival programme Universal ...

Also filed in B-boys, Dano 2007, Events news, Korean traditional music | | Comments (3) »

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